Town Commissioners Minutes — 2022-01-11
Minutes January 11, 2022 · 3 page(s)
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Minutes of the Queenstown Commissioners regular meeting on January 11, 2022. The solar proposal from Castle Energy was withdrawn by the proposer. Public Works business included a motion (2-0) to retest for PFAS now and then move to a three-year testing cycle if results are non-detect, a repeated dump-truck plow issue pending inspection and repair decision, a pump programming fix in progress, and a discussion of a volunteer’s drone that was damaged while photographing the Wall Street tower (commissioners agreed to discuss a prorated reimbursement; town manager to contact the volunteer). Planning granted variances for the Waterman Family Partnership to remove specified trees at the Wheatlands project, discussed possible street-parking regulation changes and water-tower branding ideas, and noted Critical Area Commission approval of a recent ordinance revision. Infrastructure updates included completed sewer replacement plans (I&I project), water tower testing and permit work awaiting USDA/bond counsel approvals, Old Wharf Lane stormwater design finished, control-room renovation underway, and plans to develop specs for Wall Street water-line replacement. Marine items: boat-ramp public notice period ends Jan. 15 and MDE then has 45 days for a permit, and town-dock approvals are in place to begin dredging next week. Finance action: appointment of Frank Philip to the Finance Committee and extension of current Finance members’ terms to June 2023 (2-0); fund balances were reported (General $115,625.63; Water‑Sewer $268,310.13; ARPA $342,474.29). Other items: Wheatlands impact study under review, personnel manual and water/sewer connection code updates in progress, and an Activities Committee was approved to proceed pending guideline and chair selection.
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QUEENSTOWN COMMTSSIONERS Januarv ll.2A22 PRESENT: Commissioner Tom Willis. Commissioner Bryon Callahan, Town Manager Amy Moore. Town Clerk Aaron Homey, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT .I:OO PM GUESTS o Dave Castle, Castle Energy RE: Solar proposal (Mr. Castle was not present as Totryn was in/brmed by Mr'. Castle that proposal v'ould not go forward as site lirnitations would make project not-financialllt beneficial to Tou,n) PUBLIC WORKS o Quote for Analytical Services from Envirocorp- Testing for Polyflourinated Alkyl Substances- testing last done in November for these substances showed no detectable levels. Currently no Federal/State maximum levels however EPA has established health advisory levels for ceftain substances. WWTP operator suggests Town retest now and pending another non-detected result, send results to State and infonn of Town moving to 3-year testing cycle. Willis motion to test now then move to ever.v 3 years as recommended bl, operator. Callahan second. I/OTE: 2 are - 0 na!'. . Dump truck plow not working again. John English believes can be fixed based on what issue is. Can inspect in person and determine for certain if repairable. Commissioners can decide on whether to repair following inspections. o Programming issue with one pump at plant. Addressing now- should be done by today. r Town resident Ryan Booth volunteered to use personal drone to conduct ariel view/take pictures of Wall St. tower for town for use in Tower repair work. Drone was accidentally damaged during process and is not repairable. Was doing at no charge to Town. Drone was valued at $599. Mr. Booth has not asked for reimbursement for drone. Should Town offer? Commissioners believe can offer some reimbursement based on age of drone- prorated amount. Ms. Moore will contact Mr. Booth to discuss. o Snow removal processes discussed with Public Works employees to improve and streamline processes in ftture based on recent snowstonn results. PLANNING o Waterman Farnily Partnership requested variarces to Forest Conservation and Zoning Ordinances related to removal of 3 specimen trees and rernoval of trees over 18" diatneter at Wheatlands project. Planning Cnmmissinn granted variances as fmrnd were within the qualific.atinns tn givn the variances and were necessary to move project forward. o Will be discussing Zoning Ordinance street parking regulations- potential changes/recommendati ons. r Discussed water tower branding- potential to benefit town as is done in Ocean City and other towns. Could solicit ideas and bring to Commissioners. Commissioners ok with- will listen to any ideas. e Critical Area Commission approved Town's recent critical area revision ordinance as required for ordinance to go into effect. FINANCE COMMITTEE (nothing to report) HARBORMASTER (nothing to report) TOWN CLERK 1. Treasurers,/Finance Report o Funds - General $115.625.63 / Water-Sewer $268,310.13 / ARPA $342,474.29 2. Minutes o December 7,2021 (Regular Meeting) Review tabled until next meeting. o December 7,2021 (Closed Meeting) Review tabled until next meeting. 3. Correspondence/Requests/Info - Sent and Received o Current Finance Committee/BOA members contacted to determine desire to continue on boards as terms expiring soon. Finance member Taylor Kelly not responded to inquiry as of yet. All others interested in continuing. Frank Philip also submitted letter of interest for Finance Committee- current vacancy on board. Also suggestion from Finance Chair Pat Bowell to move Finance terms expiration to June vs. January to line up with fiscal year. Willis motion to appoint Mr. Philip to the Finance Contmittee and extend current Finance members terms to June 2023. Callahan second. VOTE: 2 ave - 0 nav. BOA terms will be decided at next meeting. TOWN MANAGER UPDATES o Received letter from Rosemarie O'Rourke regarding desire to install concrete parking pad in front of house along First Ave. to address ongoing safety concerns stated by Ms. O'Rourke. Previously asked Town to contribute to cost but was denied. Still wants to install at her cost. Commissioners believe due to pad area suggested would be within Town right of way, possibility of water/sewer lines being under area in question could cause concerns. Water meter is currently located in area. Want to determine a:ry lines/infrastructure before considering allowing. Would also require permit from Town. If approved, Torvn could rvaive pemit fees. OLD BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE 1. I&Iproject Rauch has finished plans for seu'er replacement. Will schedule meeting for review. 2. New Water Tower & Infrastructure Project a. Interim Financing Done but waiting on Bond Counsel. b. Bond Counsel All documents required have been sent to USDA- waiting for response and approval before proceeding. Ms. Ryan will continue to follow up with USDA. c. Rauch reports hydraulic & purnp test being done. Water quality test needed scheduled for early Spring. Tower plans done. Still working on permits. Ms. Moore will check status of creating entrance to tower propefiy. 3. Wall St water tnwer maintenanc,n No updates 4. Old Wharf Lane -Stormwater Design finished by Rauch. Working on engineering cost estimate. Could do concurrently with I&I project to minimize costs/time. Can discuss at future meeting. 5. Control Room Renovation Currently in progress. 6. Wall St. water line replacement Town Plumber Roberson suggests specs be developed by Town Engineer Rauch as would need to be detailed for bid processes. Will provide details of proposed project to Rauch to discuss options. MARINE PROJECTS 1. Boat ramp improvements Public notice period ends Jan. l5 after which MDE has 45 days to issue permit. 2. Town Dock projects a. Construction/dredging updates Should have all approvals/notifications done in time to begin dredging next week. 3. Federal Channel dredging No updates POLICY 1. Revierv and updates to Torvn Codes and Ordinances (2022) No updates 2. Water/Sewer Connections Code - proposed clarifications & revisions Rauch working on updating language- should have ready by next meeting. 3. Persorurel Manual Ms. Moore and Ms. Ryan currently working on updating. Should be ready for review by next meeting. DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 1. Wheatland's Project a. Forest Conselvation Plan Previous\, discussed b. Impact study Submitted by Greenly Group. Still revieiving but have concems about report. Should have Finance Committee & Peter Johnston review as well to provide input. How were conclusions in report reached and are they accurate? Discuss findings with Finance Committee & Mr. Johnston prior to scheduling meeting with Greenly Group to present and discuss. OTHER 1. Speedirrg on Main St No ttpdates 2. American Rescue Plan Act No updates 3. ActivitiesCommittee Interest fi"om 3 people so far. Commissioners agree to allow to proceed as committee. Will need to develop guidelines for the committee and will need to establish a chairman for the committee. Will inform the pafticipants. NEW BUSINESS (hothing to report) ATTORNEY UPDATES r Still working on drafting DRRA for the Wheatlands project. PUBLIC COMMENT (no public comments) There being no fufther business. VOTE:2q'e- 0nav.