Town Commissioners Minutes — 2021-01-27

Exactly as extracted, unformatted — for checking against the original. The readable version is easier to read.

QUEENSTOWT\ COMMTSSTONERS
January 27,2021
PRESENT: President Tom Willis, Jr., Commissioner Al Hardee, Commissioner Bryon
Callahan, Town Clerk Aaron Homey, Town Manager Amy Moore, Town Attorney Lyndsey
Ryan
REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7zO2PM
GUESTS
o
Paul Cain - Boat Slip concerns
Mr. Cain discussed concerns with procedures and pricing regarding to the town boat
slips. Thinks current rental fees are too low. Can rental fees be more for non-residents vs.
residents? President Willis stated fees are determined during budget process and are set to
cover maintenance costs at docks. Ms. Ryan stated fees can differ for residents vs. non-
residents if for justified reasons and also stated towns may have differing methods of
determining who is prioritized for slips- some give preference to watermen, etc. Mr. Cain
also had concems regarding condition of boats in certain slips, slips that are seemingly
unused by the slipholders, and allowing others to use their slips. Ms. Moore stated the
slip lease agreement does not require slips be occupied by a vessel for any certain period
of time and may be used by others if the town is notified and processes followed.
Condition of boats are determined at the discretion of the Town Manager. President
Willis stated the Commissioners will review current slip contract/fees at a future
worksession. Ms. Ryan will provide other local town's slip agreements for comparison.
o
Peter Dudley - Discussion on land for Fire Dept.
Mr. Dudley was not present for the meeting.
o
Bob Rauch - Provide updates on the following topics.
o
Mr. Rauch stated he is looking into applying for an MDE grant for $5,570,000 to
replace the Town's sewer systein. I&I investigations has let to conclusion that
ultimate solution would be to replace sewer system pipes rather than attempting to
line current pipes to address sewer line infilhation issues. Would like approval to
apply for the grant- deadline to apply is end of January. Pres. Willis motion to
aooly.for the MDE erant. Comm. Cqllahan second. VOTE: 3 a))e - 0 nav.
o
Bid documents/specs for ramp/dock improvements
Provided bid documents for dock work. Grant for dock work is for $250,000.00.
Estimated cost 5249,953.38. Work includes membrane sealing behind
bulkheading, resurfacing, new piling caps, decking replacernent, water service
additions and adding 4 new slips. Next step would be to advertise for bids. Comm.
second. YOTE: 3 aye - 0 nav.
Provided bid documents for ramp work. Estimated cost $31,000.00. Project would
be at Town expense. Work includes new ramp concrete surfacing,
regradinglexpanding parking area. Concrete ramp upgrade portion would be
$12,000.00 approx. Ramp main concern at moment, other work could be
addressed later if needed. If just doing ramp portion, bids may not be necessary,
Ms. Ryan will veriff. Would recommend purchasing concrete slab directly and
having contractor install. Millings from dock work project will be used for
parking area. Dock and ramp projects both require wetlands permits- should apply

for now. Pres. Willis motion to appllt -for wetlands permits .for both projects.
Comm. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 alte - 0 nay.
o
Water tower/infrastructure project
Discussed various scenarios for debt service rate decreases/increases depending
on amount of allocation fees developers pay upfront (100yo,50olo, etc.). Also
discussed current rates for other towns in area. Current rate is $8.34 per EDU.
Water tower project budgeted at $3.3 million with $1.8 million as loan. 30%o of
project is related to bringing service to Wheatland property. Would like to discuss
more with Ms. Moore and Ms. Ryan to provide detailed scenarios to
Commissioners for use towards working on a developers agreement. Ms. Ryan
will provide other developers agreernents for reference. Also informed that USDA
will allow including test well in engineering contract- would not have to bid out.
o
Land survey of town open space at Queenstown Village
Looked at areas of concern regarding flooding issues. Swail not located in Town
open space area- entirely on private property. Berm not believed to be causing
flooding issue. Water believed to be coming off street. Recommends blocking
curb cut ditch directing water from the street towards the rear yards. Water should
rernain on street and be handled by current storm drains. Currently have blocked
with sandbags to see if alleviates flooding issues. One drain located in rear space
area.Lane Cole would like to dig to locate possible drainpipe in area of treeline to
Del Rhodes. If found, further investigate with camera to see if blocked.
PUBLIC WORKS - Amy Moore
o
Chris Ritch looking into new mowers for town for backup. Have one now plus older one
that requires repairs. Comm. Callahan suggested no need to purchase new mower. Should
look into cost of repairing current backup. If reasonable, repair and keep current older
mower. Commissioners agree.
o
Fencing at the Outlets Water Tower has been repaired in areas damaged by unknown
vehicle. Will be powerwashing ranaining old sections and making further repairs to
weathered top boards and stain entire fence.
o
Carl Bathon contacted Town regarding work done at Del Rhodes Ave. Bathon was hired
by property owner to address concerns highlighted by the Town related to lateral smoke
testing findings. Was unable to locate lateral after digging in area of concern, property
owner wants Town to cover costs since no issue was found. Commissioners agree Town
will cover cost of Bathon's work for property owner.
o
Steve Roberson shut off3 valves (@ bottom of Main, @ Chaity, @ Melvin) during leak
investigation on Main St. Water seen coming from curb on both sides of Main St in area.
No water once valves turned off. No water when Main valve turned back on. Water seen
when Charity and Melvin valves tumed back on. No known lines running under Main St.
in that area. Lane Cole suggests digging at spot of leak to investigate source. Will
coordinate with Steve Roberson.
o
Possibility of using a leak detector suggested to investigate issues. Commissioners do not
believe one is needed at this time.
o
Debris pile left over from stormwater pond cleaning at Queenstown Village has been
rernoved. Will remove debris immediately in future instead of leaving in pile. Mr. Cole
suggests installing cloth/riprap in Dudley area of drainage ditch for stormwater pond to
prevent sediment and debris from field blocking the drainage ditch in future.
.
DNR grant for shoreline cleanup/abandoned boat rernoval at dock area was not approved.
DNR did send information on how to do boat removal with letter of grant denial.

PLANNING -
o
Planning Commission held special meeting to interview two candidates for vacancy and
have recommended Geneva Rieu for the vacant position. Comm. Hardee motion to
0 nav.
FINANCE COMMITTEE -
o
Ms. Moore provided the Town's yearly audit documents to the Commissioners. Will have
Finance Committee Chair Pat Bowell do an overview of the audit documents at the next
Commissioner's meeting.
TOWI\ CLERK - Aaron Horney
o
Treasurers/FinanceReport
o
General Fund - $301,325.57
o
Water/Sewer Fund - $l12,828.48
o
Minutes
o
Nov. 18, 2020 Regular Meeting
o
Dec. 16, 2020 Regular Meeting
o
Jan. 13, 2021 Special Meeting
o
Correspondence/Requests/Info - Sent and Received
o American Legion Urnt #296 as part of Wreaths Across America is requesting
donations towards their 2021 goal to place wreaths on over 6,000 graves at
Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery in Decernber. Commissioners agree a good
cause to support. Pres. Willis motion to donate $1,000.00 to Wreaths Across
o
QAC Commissioners will be meeting with all incorporated towns in the county to
discuss Tax Set-Offs on March 23.2021.
TOW\ MANAGER - Amy Moore
o
Notice received from Atlantic Broadband- would like to renew their cable franchise
agreement with the town. Current agreement expires November 2023. Will discuss with
Ms. Bowell details on possible new agreement term negotiations.
o
AT&T has proposed improvements to their equipment at the Wall St. water tower.
Proposal has been reviewed by Town representative Hugh Odem and will be requesting
additional rent from AT&T. Looking to get around $800.00 rent increase after
negotiations.
o
QAC SherifPs Dept. provided call stats for Queenstown including 16 radar assignments
in Town. From Oct. I through Jan. 25 Sheriff s Dept. issued 11 trafftc citations and 39
traffic warnings in Town. Have been conducting nighttime radar in Town as well.
o
Christmas wreaths currently on sale from Mosca. Majority of wreaths town has are 20+
years old. Looking into replacernent of current wreaths with new. Will get numbers for
amount of wreaths needed to replace and possible additional wreaths.
o
Maryland Boat Act Advisory Committee will be accepting requests for wake signage in
the channel from Jan. I thru Apr. 15. Will work with Comm. Hardee to submit request
for 'no wake' signs to be placed in the channel.

OLD BUSINESS
.
I&Iproject
o
Water Tower & Infrastructure project - Interim Financing
All Previously Discussed
o
Dudley Property - Acceptance of terms & Deed
Sale has been authoized by Commissioners. Ms. Ryan will be putting deed together
before next meeting
o
Wheatland's Project
o
Petition for Planned Development - Waterman Family Limited Partnership
Planning commission had public hearing Jan. 13, some comme,nts received.
Comment period has been extended until Feb 5.
o
Speeding on Main St.
o
Boat Ramp improvements
o
Boat Landing parking and signage
o
Town Dock projects
All Previously Discussed
o RESOLUTION 20-107 - A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF
QUEENSTOWN TO ADOpr FEE FOR PERMTTS FOR USE OF TIIE TOWI\I
BOAT RAMP (eligiblefor adoption)
Pres. Willis suggested waiting on a decision until further talks about any potential
upgrades at the landing to determine appropriate fees for permits. Commissioners agree
to defer decision on permit fees until further discussion/decisions made on potential boat
ramp project upgrades. Will discuss more at future worksession.
NEW BUSINESS
.
Appointment of President
ATTORNEY UPDATES - Lyndsey Ryan
o
No further updates.
PUBLIC COMMENT
o
Paul Cain inquired about the purpose of the fire siren in town especially during late
hours. Is there a need when volunteers have pagers? Comm. Callahan stated it is useful in
cases where pagers don't work or are not on a person. Also primary purpose is to alert
public to be aware of volunteer vehicles going to the station and fire/rescue equipment
leaving the station during ernergencies.
There being no further business, President Willis motion to close the meeting at 9:56pm.
Commissioner Callahan second. YOTE: 3 ave - 0 nalt.