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Town Commissioners Minutes — 2021-05-26

Minutes May 26, 2021 · 10 page(s)

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These are minutes of a Queenstown Commissioners special and regular meeting on May 26, 2021. A special session opened at 4:43 PM to discuss contract/personnel matters and to obtain legal advice; the regular meeting began at 6:00 PM. Much of the meeting focused on recent enforcement letters about boats stored in front yards: multiple residents spoke for and against strict enforcement, Commissioner Hardee said the Town will not enforce boat-storage prohibitions in front yards while amendments are being considered, and commissioners discussed possible town landing improvements, resident-only permits/fees, and objective enforcement criteria. The Queen Anne’s County sheriff’s representative reviewed recent calls and traffic enforcement; Public Works reported two pumps temporarily locked by debris that are now running, noted stormwater/ditch concerns at several properties, said the Town applied for a $30,000 ENR grant, and that MDE cleared a test well for a new water tower. Other items: a parking/sidewalk concern on Rosemarie O’Rourke’s property, a fence at Royal Farms to be installed soon, no planning updates, finance is drafting the new budget, posted fund balances were General $119,485.49 and Water/Sewer $83,882.52, and a fee agreement from Vertical Consultants to manage cell-tower leases was submitted (the minutes cut off mid-sentence regarding the commissioners’ response).

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QUEENSTOWT\ COMMISSIONERS
May 26,2021
PRESENT: Pres. Tom Willis, Comm. Al Hardee, Comm. Bryon Callahan, Town Manager Amy Willis,
Town Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan
SPECIAL MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:43 PM
Purpose of the special meeting was to go into closed session to discuss contract/personnel matters and to
obtain legal advice from the Town Attorney.
VOTE:
REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 PM
Commissioners Callahan and Hardee made brief statements regarding recent enforcement letters
addressing boats stored in front yards explaining the enforcement process and addressing recent actions
by resideits towards Town staff. Ms. Ryan briefly stated processes required for any text amendments to
town ordinances.
GUESTS -
l. Ashley Alton - 128 Olde Point Lane (due to interest in topic, public comment allowed
following Ms. Alton's comments) - Ms. Alton commented regarding recent letters sent to her
and other residents regarding violation of ordinance prohibiting boats stored in front yards. Has
had boat in driveway ior ro-" time, others do as well. Would not be able to afford a boat slip or
storage and has no area in side or rear of her property to store boat. Ordinance remaining as is
would result in her having to get rid of boat as no other option for her. Requests amending
ordinance to allow storage in drirr"*uyr. Does agree with current prohibition of boat storage on
for residents. Also
ady for season was
stated Queenstown
Harbor development does not allow boat storage on properties but allows 2-week period for
prepping boats on properties. would consider for town wide application.
Matt Reno - Agrees with reasonable restrictions on boat storage. Understands need for boat
storage bY residents as also a boat
property values. Boat storage on
sidewalks or on street Parking not
to acquire a lot for Town use. could be used as boat storage lot.
Ryan Ritter - Letter gave short timefr ne to address violation. When was ordinance last
enforced? precedence set with failure to enforce regularly. Should allow storage if not affecting
property values and safety. Will Town continue to enforce while process to amend is being
considered? Comm. Hardee stated Town will not enforce boat storage in front yards while
considering any amendments. Should get idea of how many people in town with boats - possibly
grandfathei current residents in allowiig storage and enforce ordinance on new residents' Comm'
Hardee stated grandfathering not an option as codes have to be enforced town-wide'
Dave Sutherlind - Storage lot is gobd idea but allowing storage in front yards better. Fees too
high for some people. Violation penalties high also. Has stored boat in driveway for many years
with no issue from town. Need consistenc-, with enforcement of commercial/trntagged vehicles'
Clean reasonable storage of boats in driveways shouldn't be a concern. Situation wasn't handled
well overall. Town should work with residents who are unable to store boats in side/rear yards'
Di euynn Reno - Consistency important with appearance and enforcement of ordinances
through town. property values important. lncreased storage of boats/RVs in driveways would
alter look of town. Agrees with ordinance as is currently'

Brandon Davis - Checked around town- noticed 16 boats in driveways. Compelling number
showing need for storage in front. All were in very good condition- well kept. Understands need
for certain ordinances but not always cut and dry. Submitted ideas for possible text amendments
to address storage concerns. Believes would be helpful to most people. Understands
Commissioners in a tough position as no rules can address everyone's concerns and appease all.
Comm. Hardee stated they are working in interest of residents- want to improve to provide more
access to residents- understands Queenstown is a boating community. Looking at improving town
landing/docks. Possible addition of slips however options to do so are very limited.
Matt Reno - Possibly send mailing to residents to determine number who own boats and sizes to
use toward determining need for additional slips and other improvements. Also list would be
helpful for quick contact of any slip holders when needed. Comm. Hardee stated reason for fees
in place at landing. Need for controlling area. Permits needed to provide for enforcement. Need
for fees/permits after restricting use to residents only as previously open to anyone. Ms. Ryan
also stated enforcement of rules including boat condition must be objective vs. subjective. nutes
such as registered or not, covered or not, etc.
Brandon Davis - Likes that current limitations of landing control what type of boats can use it.
Upgrades to landing may cause increase of larger boats trying to use ur.u to launch. pres. Willis
stated the depth of the water will still control type of boats that could use facility. Comm. Hardee
stated enforcement of landing rules will be starting in June. Also mentioned worling with State to
illis and Comm. Hardee thanked everyone for
as they come to a decision that best serves the
will be sent to all who received letters and will
2' 1" Sgt' Troy Lowery - QAc Sheriffs office - Sgt. Lowery gave an overview of calls for
April
service from in eueensto*n. to"l.rd"a i6 for
traffic enforcement. ge of 4 out of every 75 cars e l0
Stat
mph or greater. , aints are universal for every to
are
ilJ_ffif"1"1.::'.Ti:"rltl"Jli; #:rTi'll"#"::
t
if tag info is given to him by Ms. Moore to notify
of rules at landing.
PIJBLIC WORKS - Amy Moore
o
Plant operator Greg Smith informed 3 pum
issue- 2 pumps locked up with wood boards
cleared and now running norrnally. Not sure
Cole suspects leftover shoring material fro
free and went through system. Greg Smith
water to clean out area or rinse himself off. L
for future needs. Looking into floating alarm
o
Concerns expressed by Jim Urquhart on old wharf Lane regarding stormwater drains on his
ces wash out across his driveway and drain dumps out into his yard
sand/gravel. Area accepts drainage from area u, iu..rp as SteamLoat
drainpipes to redirect flow off the property towards .iprup at end of
o
Ditch work behind Town office quoted by John English. clearing needed to prevent drainage
issues' Property owner near ditch area concerned aboui clearing sevlral feet next to ditch towards
their property as they have plantings near area to be clea=red. Mr. English states machine
limitations prevent control of width oiarea be cleared. would not be abG to only cut inner of
t./Oct. to allow newly planted area to establish
suggests looking into ensuring drainage is properly
o funding available to hire consultants?
o Town applied for yearly $30,000 ENR grant from MD-E. Should meet all requirements to receive.
Rauch has received clearance from MDE to proceed with test well for new water tower.

.
Met with Rosemarie O'Rourke concerning issue with parking area in front of her house. Work
done by Town did not fully address her concerns. Possible solution would be to pave area to and
including her sidewalk. Commissioners should view area and determine if proposed solution is
necessary.
r
Fence by Royal Farms will be installed soon. Area to be marked by utility companies within next
few days.
PLAIINING - Matt Reno
Mr. Reno was not present at last Planning meeting, therefore has no planning updates.
FINAI\CE COMMITTEE - Amy Moore
Have begun working on new budget with Mr. Horney. Should have ready for review in next few weeks.
TOWII CLERI(
TreasurerslF'inance Report
General Fund $1 19.485.49
Water/Sewer Fund $83.882.52
Minutes
o
May 11,2021 -Regularmeeting
Correspondence/Requests/Info - Sent and Received
Nothing to report.
TOWII MAI\AGER T]PDATES
o Fee agreernent submitted by Vertical Consultants for management of cell company contracts on
Town water towers. Vertical Consultants receives portion of all fees collected from call
companies for tower leases. Negotiates on Town's behalf for any cell upgrade requests/fee
increases. Commissioners agree to forward contract to Finance Committee for review. Comm.
Willis second. VOTE: 3 alte - 0 nav.
o Application was sent to DNR Boat Act Committee to have areas of Queenstown Creek designated
6 knot speed limits and to consider dredging of the channel. Have heard back from Committee
representative requesting info on exact areas requesting speed limit. Specific areas mapped out
and sent back to Committee for consideration. Public Hearings will be conducted by Committee
regarding request. Waiting to hear back regarding dredging request'
o
Met with Davey Tree regarding Pin Oaks in the Queenstown Village development. Several trees
are showing signs of stress. Currently working on estimate to trim and fertilize trees to address
concerns.
OLD BUSINESS
o I&Iproject
No updates.
o
Water Tower & Lrfrastructure project
No updates.
o
Wheatland's Project
No updates.
o
Speeding on Main St
Previously discussed by l't Sgt. Lowery.
o
Boat ramp improvements
Gillespe Precast, who has been contacted to provide quotes/drawings for ramp concrete work, has
sent preliminary drawings to QAC Soil Conservation District for review, confirmed scope of
work after site visit. Still trying to line up permitting with MDE.
o
Town Dock projects
o
Rauch contracts and Change order

Following concerns from last Commissioners meeting, Ms. Ryan confrmed with Rauch that
RPR fee quoted was included in overall quoted price for work. Price for work of $27,500
falls under allowable threshold. ContracVchange order for work eligible to be adopted for pier
repair work.
review/approval. Comm. Hardee second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay. Commissioners also received
owner/engineering agreement/task order for dredging project for construction
management/inspection/RPR services for review. Rauch has received interest from 4
contractors regarding dredging project to notifz once project advertised. Has contacted
County for Soil Conservation and other required permits for project. Contacted Bakers for
confirmation of current ENS Control Permit as will be the disposal site for spoils for dredging
project. Have received spoils acceptance letter and landfill surface mining permit number
from Bakers. Has contacted MDE Inspection/Compliance Program concerning additional
sedimentation permits. Has frled detailed dredge material disposal plan with them. Awaiting
response from their office. Other survey requirements can be completed by Rauch. Will
submit proposal to provide that service. Waiting on permits/QAC Soil Conservation Pennits
for pier repair work. Was informed addition of finger piers at end of dock was not possible
without act of Congress as would be entering federal channel area.
o
Harbormaster
. RESOLUTION - 2I-IO2 _ A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF
QUEENSTOWN TO ADOPT A JOB DESCRIPTTON FOR THE POSITION OF
HARBORMASTER AND APPOINT THE POSITION
Matt Reno agreeable to duties of Harbormaster as proposed. Requested some form of
identification/business card and Town provided phone for use. Also suggested webpage
on Town site for Harbormaster. Have backup plan for when out of town/not available.
nav.
.
Appointment of Harbormaster
June I. 2021. Comm. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.
o
Property Maintenance -
o RESOLUTION 2l-103 - A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO
DESIGNATE THE CODE OFFICIAL TO TAKE ACTION ON BEHALF OF TI{E TOWN
TO ENFORCE REGULATORY PROVISIONS OF THE QUEENSTOWN TOWN CODE
o
Appointment of Code Enforcement Officer
Cornm. Hardee second. VOTE 3 aye - 0 nav.
o
Water tower maintenance
Confirmed Wall St. tower no longer on contract with Suez. Would need new contract for tower
maintenance program. Can go with other companies if desired. Discussion of proposals from both
Suez and Southern Corrosion for tower maintenance programs. Commissioners will review.
o
Trails Master Plan
Have not reviewed plan yet. Will defer until next meeting.
o
On-call contractor agreement
Still attempting to arrange a meeting with Town Plumber Steve Roberson to discuss.
NEW BUSINESS
O
ORDINANCE 2I-02 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN ADOPTING
THE 2O2I EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, AS
AMENDED BY THIS ORDINANCE, AS THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE OF THE
TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN, AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT
HEREWITH
o
Discuss review and updates to Town Codes and Ordinances
Will defer until next meeting to discuss any updates/changes.

.
Susquehanna Operational Services - review and renew contract
Ms. Ryan stated George Smith agreeable to change to a 3-year contract. Otherwise contract
remains the same as previous contract. Pres. Ilillis motion to accept contract. Comm. Callahan
second. VOTE: 3 ave - 0 nqt.
o
Committee Vacancies - applicant letters
Ml
Received letter of interest from Erin Hogan for BOA vacancy. Pres. Willis motion to apooint
Received letter of interest from Taylor Kelly for Finance Committee vacancy. Pres. Willis motion
o
Fundraiser for Amy's Army
Heather Comegys request to use Town Dock during Perch Pounder Fundraiser. Commissioners
agree for a good cause. Agree to allow use. Ms. Comegys will get date of event to Ms. Moore.
ATTORNEY UPDATES - Lyndsey Ryan
No updates.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Rebecca Booth - Question about field next to park not being cut regularly. Field is not Town property but
will notiff property owner of need to cut grass. Question about Community Garden. If any further interest
in a gardln, would be interested in participating. Comm. Hardee suggests informing Town Offrce and
putting out notice to see if any interest from other residents. Question about work on Main St. When will
sidewalk in area be rebuilt and open to use? Still conducting investigation of water leak issue. Should be
completed soon.
If
Ryan Booth - Question about tower leases. If new tower built, could leases be expanded? cell
companies agree to move- old tower will remain on Wall St.- may choose to remain at that tower.
second. VOTE: 3 ave - 0 nav.
lly submitted,
Town Clerk-Treasurer

TOWII OF OUEENSTOWII
CLOSED MEETING/EXECUTIVE SESSION RECORD
A public body that meets in closed session may not discuss or act on any matter not
permitted under the Maryland Statute summarized below. The public meeting law does
not apply to executive functions, quasi judicial functions, or chance encounters or social
meetings.
(1)
DATE AND TIME OF PROPOSED CLOSED MEETING OR EXECUTIVE
SESSION:
qqs
rime: - s30
(2) LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR CLOSING PUBLIC MEETING OR GOING INTO
EXECUTIVE SESSION (circle the section of the law which authorizes the closed
session):
Open Meetings Act, Maryland Code Annotated, General Provisions Article, $ 3-
30s(b) (2014)
(1)
discuss:
(D
the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline,
demotion, compensation, removal, res i gnation, or performance
evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has
jurisdiction; or
(iD
any other personnel matter that affects 1 or more specific
individuals;
(2) protect the privacy or reputation of individuals with respect to a matter
that is not related to public business;
(3)
consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters
directly related thereto;
(4) consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial
organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State;
(5)
consider the investment of public funds;
(6)
consider the marketing of public securities;
Closed Session form Rev. l.l5
Page I

\
consult with counsel to obtain legal advice;
@
(8)
consult with staff, or other individuals about pending or potential
litigation;
(9)
conduct collective bargaining negotiations or consider matters that relate
to the negotiations;
(10)
discuss public security, if the public body determines that public
discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to the public security,
including;
(i)
the deployment of fire and police services and staff; and
(iD
the development and implementation of emergency plans;
(11)
prepare, administer, or grade a scholastic, licensing, or qualifying
examination;
(12)
conduct or discuss an investigative proceeding on actual orpossible
criminal conduct;
(13)
comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicially imposed
requirement that prevents public disclosures about a particular proceeding
or matter; or
(14)
before a contract is awarded or bids are opened, discuss a matter directly
related to a negotiating strategy or the contents of a bid or proposal, if
public discussion or disclosure would adversely impact the ability of the
public body to participate in the competitive bidding or proposal process.
(3) TOWN BOARD, AGENCY, OR COMMISSION PROPOSING CLOSED OR
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
(Name of Board, Agency, Commission, or Committee)
(4)
IDENTIFY TOPIC(S) PROPOSED FOR DISCUSSION IN CLOSED SESSION:
Closed Session form Rev. I .1 5
Page2

(s) MEMBERS OF BOARD, AGENCY, COMMISSION, OR COMMITTEE
PRESENT AT PUBLIC MEETING AT WHICH CLOSED SESSION
REQUESTED:
Name Vote on Closure
(circle correct vote)
\os.n \N\L\r s
@'sainst
A\
Ha vcjran- (fil,gainst
gainst
For/Against
For/Against
Hqs
(6) TIME CLOSED SESSION CONVENED:
530
TIME CLOSED SESSION CONCLUDED:
(7) PERSONS PRESENT AT CLOSED SESSION:
ft\ Wy\)
n)nn W\\,\\s, F\arde( r CA!\ r^\^.o'.v1,
Closed Session form Rev. 1.15
Page 3

(8)
(e)
(IO)
SI.JMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT CLOSED SESSION,IF ANY:
nsn€-
CERTIFICATE OF PRESIDING OTTICER
I hereby certiff that I am the presiding officer of e(:$ }4'\S\\t)ngrl
,
public board, agency, commission, committee, or other public body of the. fown of
Queenstown,_N{aryland. I further certifu that by a majo ,vote on the J\Oq day of
OOA\ . the aforesaid agency, board, committee, or commission toted to
no other topics were discussed, and that the foregoing is a true record of the closed
Closed Session form Rev. 1.15
Page 4

meeting described herein. The Clerk or Secretary is directed to maintain this document
as a public record of the Town of Queenstown, and to append the same to the minutes of
the next public meeting of the aforesaid agency, board, committee, or commission.
Tsu
\Ntt'tis
PrintedName
Pv€.Srdtrl.V
Closed Session forrr Rev. l.l5
Page 5
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