Town Commissioners Minutes — 2025-09-24
Minutes September 24, 2025 · 4 page(s)
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The Queenstown Town Commissioners met September 24, 2025; President Al Hardee, Commissioners Tom Willis and Bryon Callatran, Town Manager Amy Moore, and Attorney Jennifer Dindinger were present and the meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. Public Works reported Aaron Hopey compiled bulk-collection data and a work session is scheduled for October 15 at 4:00 to review bulk and tree-trimming regulations; the sewer plant is awaiting membrane deliveries (expected early October) and staff plan to discuss membrane timing with George Smith and pursue cost recovery from M&H if appropriate. The Finance Committee noted the FY25 audit is ongoing and Pat Bowell is preparing the annual Highway User Revenue report; the Town Clerk reported checking balances (General Fund checking shown as $175,7g5.g7 in the minutes), ARPA -$49,965.90, Tax SetOff to be deposited $173,655.96, and a total shown as $592,055.23. Manager updates included a required update to the town Investment Policy (from 1995), recruitment follow-up on an Indeed posting (about five prospects, one application received to date), county garden-club holiday decorating on December 4, and progress on scheduling lighting work at the boat ramp (internet access for cameras possible if town pays to extend). Old business covered the I&I preconstruction meeting, required utility permit filing with SHA, Retallack providing a traffic-control plan and work schedule (work likely starting mid-October, about a month duration), and other infrastructure notes; development and policy items (Wheatland’s bonding estimates, water/sewer code clarifications and rate study) had no new updates. New business: Ordinance No. 25.06 (amending the zoning ordinance on solar energy to comply with the Brighter Tomorrow Act) was eligible for introduction but was not introduced as commissioners continue to review information. Public comments included a resident question about courthouse-yard tree trimming (town will trim; residents may trim overhanging branches), concerns about delays and keypad options for boat ramp/plant access, and a submitted letter requesting discontinuation of routine QVFD fire siren use citing resident disruption and alarm-fatigue concerns.
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QUEENSTOWT{ C OMMTSSTONERS
September 2412025
PRESENT: Presideirt Al Hardee, Commissioners Tom Willis & Bryon Callatran, Town
Manager Amy Moore, and Attorney Jennifer Dindinger.
REGULAR MEETING CALLED To ORDER AT 6:00 PM
GUESTS - None scheduled
PUBLIC WORKS
' Aaron Hopey compiled some data on bulk collection for past years vs current. Work
session scheduled for Wednesday, October 15ft at 4:00 p.-.io review bulk and ftee
trimming regulations.
' Scheduling a meeting with George Smith to get updates on the plant. Date to be
determined.
' waiting on delivery of mertbranes. Greg smith keeping things going at the plant.
Lyndsey's position dMann+Hunmel:
She thinks the rown is stuct payrng the cost and
then we will need to try to go after M&H to cover the cost as damages. During the
meeting we set up with George smith, we should also discuss the membranes to avoid
two separate meetings. she needs to get an understanding from him about when the
w m a em ra b n ra ty n e p s e r s i t o a d rt ' e o d n t c o e fa w il e , d o e r t s e h n o n w in e s i t g h n a J t, o w f e fa c il a u n e d , e t c o i d 9 g e e h i o f w w e to c p a r n o c p e in e p d o . in If t o it n d s ' c ri h n e g du t l h e e ,
membranes should be due to ship to us sometime early octobei. waiting on expected
delivery date.
PLANI\IING COMMISSION _ No update
F'INAIYCE COMMITTEE
' FY 25 audit ongoing' Pat Bowell is working on the annual Highway user Revenue report.
coDE ENFORCEMENT/HARBORMASTER
- No update
EVENTS COMMITTBE
o
o Participating with the QVFD Auxiliary Fall Festival on l0/l l
p s s s a a e im r c n ti u m t c a r i i o p , n a n g g t s i a n m T m g r u e e s w e s ic i t F h a f a o n r r r d e m T f c r r a e e o n s e o d h k l c i m i g e o h o e t w i r n n d a g t i s l i , k i . " w ti p r r h g r ic i " h w i a i i t s h ro 1 T 2 o b / w 6 y n . Q S o t V f a g b F e e D n is t A e re v r n u ill t r e e i l d i f a . o r r c y o p . n i c f L k ir o u m p c e a a d l n h c d h e u s e e r c t w h u e it p s h .
TOWN CLERK
.
Treasurers/Finance Report
Checking:
GF
$175,7g5.g7
checking:
wS
ARPA: $ -49,965.90 ($ l23,6g0Tax SetOffto be deposited = $l 73,655.96)
o $sgz,oss .23
Minutes
o
September 10, 2AZ5 (Regular Meeting)
lViili.g mntinn tr) ttts*.,n1'A ^a -..--:11 ^, ^
o
September lT,2O2S (Work Sesrio"l
Correspondence/Requests/Info - Sent and Received (nothing to report)
TOWN MANAGER UPDATES
l. Per MD Code, local govemments are required to have an Investnent Policy that is
consistent with guidelines adopted by the State. Ours is severely outdated, from 1995,
and needs to be brought up to code. Will have a draft for the next meeting
2. Out of all responses (approx. 30) to our Indeed notice, we have about 5 prospective
applicants. Wi've requested they fill out orn application and return if still interested, ffid
to date only have received one. Following up with others and then will schedule
inte,lrriews.
3. eA County Garden Club will be including us in their holiday decorating this year.
Looking to trang wreaths, swags, bows etc. at Town Office, Courttrouse, and clock area
on oecqnber 4t[, which will be in time for our tree lighting event. They want to add this
to their schedule every Year.
4. Have a call in with ni* Davis this week to schedule meeting for lighting at boat ramp.
Waiting on date. Susie DeVito informed Aaron that we could access internet if needed
for cameras if town responsible for cost to extend.
OLD BUSINESS ITEMS
INFRASTRUCTURE
l. I&IProject
preconstnrction meeting held Tuesday. Town needs to file a utility permit with sHA, for
work done on Rt. rg @ old wh*i' l*". Retallack will file for trafEc control plan'
Retauack io g* us a dei"ailed work schedule and then we will send out letters to residents'
R to a u th c e h m ir . $ T ; h ; e * re w w ill i ll b e b e s o o m n e s i t t r e a f a f n ic d d w is i r ll u p ke ti e o p n , r e b s u id t e a n c t c s e s in s f o fo rm r r e e d s id a e s n t t h s e o w f o th rk a t g s e t t r s e e c t l o w se il r l
b p e la m ns a d c e a a ll v f a o i r la n b e le w ' manholes, with the exce,ption of the large one at intersection of old
w ad h v a is r e f d a t n h d a t M T a o r w yl n a n c d ou . l T d h r a e t p l w ac o e u l n d e w be m re a f n u h rb ol i e s s h e w d i t a h s l n a e rn e p d e ho d l . e s D , u r r r i h n i g c h m i e s e b ti a n s g ic , a R ll e y t a ju ll s a t c k a
cleanout and is all that is nieoea. He said a lot of new constnrction projects use these vs
manholes. They are large anough to allow cruneras to get thru. Also about $4000-$5000
b c E h u x e t p a p e p r c o e t r b w a tt o b ' r l r y k i n n to i b w b a e l m l g p i a a n r n k a h t o il t f e h 4 s e . - e 5 D n .. d o T n o h ' f t e b y k r n w o o i w w ll w r th t o u e r r k e r x * u a o p c t th * n e o t p i * t r b i c t " e o t w o o a n f r d t m h s a a t R n a h t. n o d 1 le 8 a s d ' t v o P is r e b o . e je c re t p s la h c o e u d ld '
take upp-*itnately a month. Probably start mid'october now
2. W J b a id m a , t e e a s r n t d m a n e to k e t a i & n ls g o l n w d fr i i s a t c h s u t s n L s r in c r d t e u s m r t e r o o P v m r a o l j T e o h c t u t s r o sd il a p y o r to ti o d n isc r u s o s^ r p p r r o ic je rn c g it o o n g e s t o o m v e e r o a f l l th p e ri c i e te m of s p i r n o je th c e t
down. Will advise outcome'
3. Hartor Water Issues - No update
Queenstown
MARINE PROJECTS
1. F w d is o e I n p d F e r e o r g b j a e r y l a c C n t m e t h d i a a d n p a N n t p o e $ li v l 2 c e D a .4 r r t n M i e o b d r e b g r- r y i r n . u g B i B * a i i t d y te l d a d i n n J g r . a a s c n t t d w a p i e r e e t r k f m u f n i o ts d r . i a n $ r g g e 2 o e 5 b x , f 0 p ig 0 e a c 0 t t . e e d d D e t in o s ig l d a n a r t y e w r o f e o r u r k p 2 is r 0 o s 2 je c 6 h c ' e t P d is u ro le je d c t t o t o b t e al
s I ,657,000.
POLICY
1. water/sewer connections code - proposed clarifications & Revisions (no updates)
2. Water/Sewer Rate Study (no updates)
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
l.
Wheatland's Project
a.
Cost Estimates for Bonding
On hold until PWA drafted.
NEW BUSINESS
1.
ORDINAI\iCE NO.25.06 - AI\ ORDINANCE OF TIIE TOWN OF
QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND ARTICLB Vrr, SECTTON 77 OF THE
QUEENSTOWN ZONING ORDINAhTCE TITLED SOLAR ENERGY
EQUIPMENT TO COMPLY WITH THE BRIGHTER TOMORROW ACT
(e ligible fo r intodu ction)
Not introduced. Commissioners still reviewing information on the Brighter Tomonow
Act.
ATTORNEY UPDATES (no updates)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Matthew Ball - will tree trimming include himming or cutting of trees in thE courthous e yard?
They are growing over onto his property and house. He was advised that yes, town intends to
have trimmed, but he is welcome to cut anything that has grown over onto his property.
Di Quynn-Reno - l) asked status of lighting at the boat ramp parking area and stated six weeks
is too long to get an elecfician. Town informed her we are working -on it and due to scheduling
with electrician we use' it is taking longer . 2) asked if town used keypad on sewer plant gate.
Can get something that would nack who goes in and out if there is an issue. Commissioners
informed the issue wasn't with someone going into the sewer plant area, just in and out of the
drive to the ramp area during overnight horns.
Claire Leocha - read and submitted a letter requesting to discontinue routine use of the fire siren
currently used by the QVFD. She stated thalwhile the siren once played an important role in
srunmoning firefighters, advances in technology have made routine *" Lf the siren unnecessary.
She also stated that continued use of the siren presents several concerns, including disruption to
nearby residents, contributes to alarm fatigue,- and diminishes the impact of aleis d'ring true
emergencies' She cited national standardJ guia*ce which emphasizi modern communication
syste'lns over outdoor sirens and reflect the importance of reserving sirens for true emerge'cies
such as tornadoes or hurricane: *!* urgent rhrtto in place or evasuation may be necessary.
Commissio i n t' e r Hardee advised that it is thi fire deparfrn"nt', siren and would be their decision if
they keep He stated that the Town could send a letter to the fire deparfinent requesting their
consideration of discontinuing the siren or at least silencing it in the overnight hours.
Matt Ball - asked if the decibel level could be reduced. He has hearing problerns, and the siren
does affect him' Has a phone app, which he acknowledged may not be \X}%accurate, but recent
siren read at 130 decibels- oion't know there was a siren when he was looking to buy house.
Suggested town require sellers to disclose to buyers that there is a siren.
Sue Donaldson - in favor of siren being discontinued during quiet hours
Di Quynn-Reno - in favor of a compromise on discontinuing siren dgring quiet ho'rs.
There was discussion on ducation about what the siren tones mean. Most residents are not
aware what the tones are for, they just hear it blow and know there is a call. Pertraps educating
public would be helpful.
There being no firrther business, Callahan motion to a4iourn thg meeting at 6:57 p.m. Willis
second. YOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.
Respectfu lly submitted,
Town Manager