Town Commissioners Minutes — 2025-03-12

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

QUEENSTOWN COMMISSIONERS
March 12,2025
PRESENT: President Al Hardee, Commissioners Tom Willis & Bryon Callahan, Town Manager Amy
Moore, Town Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan, Planning Acting Chair Matt Reno
REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:03 PM
GUESTS
.
Mr. Philip Snyder RE: Volunteer of the Year Recognition
Mr. Snyder was in attendance to receive official recognition as Queenstown Volunteer of the
Year for his many years dedicated to serving the Town on the Planning Commission. A
proclamation was read by Pres. Hardee as was presented to Mr. Snyder.
. Patrick Belzner, 6915 Main st. RE: property Discussion
Mr. Belzner further discussed potential of selling property to Town. Commissioners asked for
prices on lots 2 & 3 of the property. Mr. Belzner stated he would ask around S275,000 for lots 2
& 3 and $410,000 for the entire property. Commissioners will discuss in a future meeting and get
back to him. Some residents attending the meeting expressed concerns with plans to demolish the
existing structure on the property- believe should be saved. Commissioners stated it is the
property owner's decision to save or demolish and build a new structure- no Town requirement to
save the existing structure. Current structure is believed to be too far gone to save.
Commissioners stated that any new structure proposed for the property would be reviewed by the
Planning Commission to ensure that it meets Town Codes/Standards.
PUBLIC WORIG
o
Information received from Brian Fitzgerald on discussions at last meeting:
a. Street Standards revised per discussion/comments. Updated copies provided to
Commissioners. Will determine how to proceed.
b.
Book of Standards. Rauch provided 3 options:
Option 1 - CAD - $50,000. Option 2 - Generic details for most, put in as image into new
document and can modify if needed - $ 10,000. Option 3 - Reference another
jurisdiction's standards- recofilmends Town of Easton for road/sidewalks and Easton
Utilities for water/sewer. May need to modiff a few things - $1,000. Commissioners
agree to go with Option 3.
c.
Cost of lab testing of black residue at Harbor Lane residences would be $1,000. Includes
tests/disposaVtime to collect & analyze. Will coordinate with homeowners to obtain
samples for testing. Comm. Willis & Callahan agree to do testing. Pres. Hardee abstained
from decision as he is a resident of Harbor Lane.
d.
Booster pumps for Harbor La. residents- Rauch requesting plumbing plans for homes
with low pressure to calculate pressure losses expected from town lines to private lines as
believes town main provides adequate pressure. Can then determine if one community
wide booster pump or individual booster pumps are needed. Commissioners inform that
plans are not available- ask Rauch if other methods to determine are available.
e.
Plant operator and public works employee Bryan Miller checking this week to confirm all
valves at intersection of Main St./Harbor La. and loop at Long Dr. are fully opened.
o
Owner of 109 Thompson called regarding their driveway culvert being clogged. Bryan Miller
verified culvert is in poor condition and needs replacement. Quote to replace obtained from Apex
Contracting and waiting on quote from Martins Excavating. Martins advised culvert next door is
also in bad shape. Per Lane Cole, both were installed at same time and should probably replace
both at the same time. Commissioners agree both should be replaced- ask public works to check
all culverts in the area to see if any more need replacement.
PLANNING COMMISSION
' Preliminary sub-division plan for Wall St. property reviewed. Requested more detailed plan be
submitted when applicant is ready.
' Reviewed updated plans for Wheatlands. Developer informed they have a builder for the
residential portions. Plan to begin construction around January 2026. Plan to do entire
development project in 2 phases now.

FINANCE COMMITTEE (no updates)
CODE ENFORCEMENT/HARBORMASTER (no updates)
EVENTS COMMITTEEE
.
Easter Egg Hunt event scheduled for Saturday, April 5 at 1lam.
TOWI\ CLERK
1.
TreasurerslFinanceReport
.
Report was not available at time of meeting. Commissioners later updated with totals:
General $208, 163.41 - Water/Sewer $44,252.93 - ARPA $591 ,887 .37
2.
Minutes
.
February 26,2025 (Regular Meeting)
Willis to accept as written. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 na],,.
3.
CorrespondencelRequests/Info - Sent and Receled (no updates)
TOWN MANAGER UPDATES
.
Owner of 305 Steamboat informed they had a sewer backup again. Backed up into washing
machine with load of clothes- all ruined. Backup again caused by grease buildup in Second Ave.
main. Steve Roberson Plumbing called in Roto-Rooter- could only camera line so far due to
sleeves but found grease in chunks 3/q" thick. Have not yet verified source of grease entering the
main. Waiting to hear from property owner regarding damages amounts.
' Legislative hearing today on H81236 concerning ability for municipalities to reduce speed limits
on State highways within QAC. Submitted a letter of support signed by Pres. Hardee. Resident
Tereza Hagerstrom was going to testify on behalf of the Town.
' Per Shiela Stutman- Garden Club (not sure if QAC or Centerville) looking to do other projects
besides Centerville. Received $ 10K grant from County Commissioners. Would be willing to do
flower boxesibarrels at various areas in town and would maintain. Can set up meeting to discuss
with a member further if Town is interested. Commissioners interested in disCussing further.
' Council of Governments meeting tonight at 6 pm in town of Queen Anne. Town Manager &
Clerk attending.
OLD BUSINESS ITEMS
INFRASTRUCTT]RE
l. I & I Project (no updates)
2. New Water Tower & Infrastructure project
a'
lt"iT
#1T:l?3:l3 ff#$mitted
to usDA for review. Srate Engineer is reviewing
construction plans. Once approved, can put out to bid.
r ORDINANCE NO. 25-01 - aN oRDINANCE of the Town commissioners of eueenstown (the..town,,)
authorizing the issuance, upon the full faith and credit of the town, of (i) a general obligation installment bond in the
principal amount not to exceed one million eight hundred twenty-s1t[1 thousand dollars ($1,g2g,000) to be
designated "the town commissioners of Queenstown general oUligaiion bond (water system iinprovement)" (the
"bond"), with such other designation or modified designition as authorized by the town, and (ii) a genenal obligation
note in the maximum principal amount not to exceed one million eight irundred twenty-eight-thousand dollars
($1,828,000) to be designated "the town commissionen of Queenstoin general obligaiion-note (water system
improvement)" (the "note") with such other designation or modified desigriation as authorized by tire town, each
under the authority of 19-207 and l9-301 , et seq. Of the local government irticle of the annotated code of Maryland
(2013 replacement volume, as arnended) (the "enabling act"j and section 19-46 of the charter of the town (the
"chartet''); the net proceeds of the sale of the bond and the note, respertively, will be used and applied for the public
purpose of financing and refinancing the costs of the refurbishmint of t-he existing 50,000 gutton elevated tank
located on wall street, the installation of a new 100,000 gallon ground storage tank, ihe constriction of a new four
inch well into the,Mattawan aquifer and a new water treatment fa.ility, anJ the replacement of undersized and/or
defective watermains to meet the provisions of the l0 states standands to all areas within the town service area, and
the extension of new water mains to new areas, together with the acquisition of all necessary property rights and
equipment, together with any related construction, architectural, financial, fiscal, legal, d"rign, pianning and
engineering expens_es; prescribing the form and tenor of the bond and the note and the terms and conditions for the
issuance and sale of the bond and the note; providing for the levy and collection of any taxes necessary for the prompt
i:'#::!1i3tTx'il"i":#::?il*Til::'#iftll;:iffiiili:iilT:fi1ilTJH.Tn",l"?xx;.**,::ffiili
bond and the note. (Public Hearing scheduledfo, 3/26/25)
3.
Solar (no updates)
MARINE PROJECTS
1.
Federal Channel Dredging
Meeting with US Army and consultant on 3/19 to discuss permit applications.
POLICY
l.
Water/Sewer Connections Code - proposed clarifications & revisions (no updates)

2.
Road and Sidewalk Standards (discussed earlier in meeting)
3.
Water/Sewer Rate Study
Rauch has begun study- should have something ready by next meeting.
4.
ORDINANCE NO. 25-02 - nru oRDTNANcE oF rHE coMMrsstoNERS oF euEENSrowN ro AMEND
ARTICLES VI AND VII OF THE QUEENSTOWN ZONING ORDINANCE TO PERMIT MANUFACTURED HOMES AND
MODULAR DWELLINGS IN ZONING DISTRICTS THAT PERMIT SINGLE.FAMILY DWELLINGS AND BY ADDINC
sEcrtoN e0. t rHEREro, ro eERMrr euALrFrED pRoJECTS (eligible for introduction)
5.
ORDINANCE NO. 25-03 - nN oRDTNANCE oF THE TowN oF euEENSTowN To AMEND ARTTcLE n
AND ARTICLE IV PART III OF THE QUEENSTOWN ZONING ORDINANCE TITLED, "CRITICAL AREA OVERLAY
DtsrRtcr" ro coMpLy wrrH RECENT LEGTsLATToN (eligible for introduction)
Callahon motion to introcluce Orclinance 25-03. Willis second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nalt. Public
Hearing will be scheduled for April 23,2025.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
l.
Wheatland's Project (discussed earlier in meeting)
2.
6915 Main Street (discussed earlier in meeting)
NEW BUSINESS (ro updates)
ATTORNEY UPDATES (no updates)
PUBLIC COMMENT
o
Lori Shearer- Asked if any more can be done to address speeding in town as is still a problem.
Commissioners informed that enforcement is best option and Town works with the Sherrifs
Office to have deputies patrol as often as they can. Also installing new solar speed signs at both
ends of town on Main Street. Also hoping legislation being proposed in the State government will
pass to help lower speed limits through the town.
o
Sue Donaldson- Divots at crosswalks on Main Street from when they were re-painted. Causes
bad vibrations in her house when large vehicles pass over- can they be smoothed? Commissioners
informed that the State (SHA) would have to address. Town will contact SHA but may be helpful
for residents to contact SHA through their service request website to request repairs as well.
.
Susan Mayberry- Is town planning to expand the sewer plant? What is the reason for wanting to
acquire property discussed earlier? Commissioners informed that there are no current plans for
expansion but as the Town grows, there will be needs for the plant to expand in the future. Town
considering acquiring property to plan for future needs in the long-term.
.
Matt Reno- Agreed that residents should contact SHA directly as they are responsive to requests.
Suggested idea of moving non-plant related components from current public works facility to
other properties town may acquire to free up space near current plant for future expansion. Also
suggested town coordinate with Sherrifs Office and SHA to have a plan for speeding/traffic
enforcement when highway traffic is routed through town during accidents closing US 301.
There being no further business, Callahan motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:27pm. Willis seconcl.
VOTE:3qte-0na:t.
fully sub
Aaron Horney
Town Clerk