Town Commissioners Minutes — 2021-11-09
Minutes November 9, 2021 · 5 page(s)
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These are the minutes of the Queenstown Town Commissioners meeting on November 9, 2021. In a 3:00 PM work session Town Engineer Robert Rauch reviewed water and sewer projects: three proposals were received to service the Wall Street water tower (Liquid Engineering was the lowest cost and Rauch recommended keeping the tower and asking USDA to reallocate funding from removal to servicing; a dive inspection was planned), prioritized sewer line replacements (Old Wharf, Del Rhodes, Melvin, Main) with in-road and out-of-road cost estimates and a recommendation to begin at Old Wharf (ARPA funds confirmed eligible), an Old Wharf Lane stormwater conveyance concept that could use a bioreactor to route drainage and potentially qualify for grants, and lack of bids for the WWTP control room with a plan to simplify drawings so a town employee might do the work if contractors remain uninterested. At the 4:00 PM regular meeting the election results were certified (Thomas Willis elected with 122 votes) and Commissioner Willis was sworn in for a three-year term; an entry about appointing the president appears in the record but is not clearly recorded. Public works and planning updates included Lacrosse being responsible for Thompson Ave. ditch maintenance (the Town cleared some ditching and will send a letter to Lacrosse), MDE notice that the Water Appropriation Permit expired (Rauch working on renewal), upcoming sidewalk and playground repairs, approval of a pole barn site plan at 111 Charity and solar plans at 6740 Main, and a request approved to install water meters inside three existing cottages at Queenstown Harbor Golf. Financial and administrative items noted an completed audit, account balances (General Fund $152,025.31; Water-Sewer $311,070.54), parking complaints on Wick/Old Point cul-de-sacs, AT&T work completed at the Wall St. tower and draft lease terms to be negotiated, and two responsive bids for boat ramp improvements (Big Island Ventures $28,750 recommended; Lindstrom Excavation $34,700) with a motion to award to Big Island Ventures recorded.
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QUEENSTOWI\ COMMTSSTONERS
November 912021
PRESENT: President Tom Willis, Commissioner Al Hardee, Commissioner Bryon Callahan, Town
ManagerAmy Moore, Town Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Attomey Lyndsey Ryan
WORK SESSION CALLED TO ORDER AT 3 PM
Town Engineer, Robert Rauch and James Cook of Rauch, Inc. were present to discuss several projects.
Wall St. Water Tower Report - 3 proposals received for servicing the water tower- Suez,
Southern Conosion, Liquid Engineering. Liquid Engineering being the lowest cost. Rauch
opinion is keeping tower using Liquid Engineering proposal is best option as costs to do so would
be around $5,000 less than costs associated with removing the water tower. Tower will provide
benefit as redundancy in water system in addition to a new tower. Existing cell leases add benefit
to keeping tower in place. Rauch will contact USDA to request approval to reallocate funding to
servicing as opposed to removal of tower. Have dive inspection to determine if need for interior
service now vs. later.
Prioritized Sewer Line Replacement Estimates - Old Wharf, Del Rhodes, Melvin, Main
identifred as highest priority areas for replacement. Discussed in-road (est. $1,578,053) vs. out-
of-road (est. $1,866,981) replacement options and abandonment vs. removal of replaced lines.
Suggests beginning with Old Wharf. Ms. Ryan has confirmed ARPA funding can be used for
proposed work.
Old Wharf Lane Stormwater Conveyance Plan - Discussed possible plan for addressing
drainage issues in area of Old Wharf La. and Maryland Ave. via routing of stormwater into
possible bioreactor area to be constructed near Old Wharf Lane. Use of bioreactor solution vs.
simple drainpipes would potentially qualiff project for grant funding. Can figure cost estimates
for project and report back to Commissioners.
WWTP Control Room - No bids received. Have reached out to contractors with no interest so
far. Could possibly have Town employee Bryan Miller do work if plans were simplified to use
wood studding instead of metal studding. Rauch can have plans redrawn using simplified wood
stud plan. Ms. Ryan suggests reaching out to a few contractors with redrawn plans. If no interest
still, then can proceed with Mr. Miller doing work.
Following Mr. Rauch's report,
VOTE:3ave-0nalt.
REGTJLAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4 PM
CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS/SWEARING IN
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The results of the Election for Town Commissioner were as follows: Christina Palmer - 7l votes.
Thomas Willis - I22 votes. Total votes cast - I93. Commissioner Willis was declared elected as
Town Commissioner and the results were certified by Mr. Horney as true and correct.
o
Commissioner Willis recited the Oath for Town Commissioner and was sworn in for a three-vear
term.
APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT
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GIIESTS - EdwardRadcliffe & Paul Quirion
Boy Scout Edward Radcliffe was present to observe and learn about the Commissioners Meeting process.
The Commissioners invited Mr. Radcliffe to sit in at the Commissioners table during the meeting.
PIIBLIC WORKS - Amy Moore
o Met with representatives of Lacrosse to discuss management of Thompson Ave. stormwater
ditch. Responsibility of ditch maintenance is on Lacrosse. Town has cleared ditch to help relieve
drainage issues in area but further clearing/cleaning of ditch is required by Lacrosse. Also
discussed need to bring Thompson Ave. shoulder areas up to spec before Town assumes
ownership/maintenance responsibilities for the Thompson Ave. extended roadway portion. Town
has authority to maintain ditches but not required to. Ditches, driveways, sidewalks not Town
responsibility. Ms. Moore will send letter to Lacrosse reiterating discussed requirements.
o
MDE informed Town that current Water Appropriation Perrnit has expired. Rauch working on
getting permit renewed.
o
Sidewalk issues discussed at previous meeting - additional need for replacement of sidewalks in
vicinity of 305 Steamboat Ave. due to pavement and sidewalk being same height lsading to
drainage issues- sidewalk will need to be raised in area. Some sidewalks in Old Point Lane and
Comegy Lane area may not require replacement- may be able to be grinded even to address
concerns. Should be able to begin work next week. Also brick sidewalk issues in town center-
looking for contractors to provide repair estimates.
o Contacted Pavemaster regarding possible swale on Charity Lane- will be in town possibly next
week to do work and address Harbor Lane issues.
o
John Anderes of Queenstown Harbor Golf requesting to have water meters installed inside three
existing cottages instead of using meter vaults in yard. As cottages landscaping was completed
prior to meters being installed, would prefer to avoid digging in yard to install. Could be installed
to allow radio reading and would allow access to public works if needed. Commissioners fine
with request. Future cottage meters would be installed using standard meter pits.
o Recent inspections of playground equipment shows some in need of repairs- vinyl surfaces
beginning to separate in areas. Can possibly repair temporarily by using rubberized coating on
affected areas until equipment can be replaced. Equipment is nearing 20 years old- possibly look
for grant funding to replace. Basketball court in need of improvements- possibly could replace
current surfacing with asphalt surface.
o Water leak by bumpout at Charity and Main- source not known at this time. Will have Steve
Roberson and Lane Cole investigate to try to determine source of leak.
PLAI\NING - Amy Moore
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Planning Commission was infonned at last Planning meeting of comments received on proposed
fence ordinance- offered to review again.
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Approved site plan for pole barn at 111 Charity and solar plans for 6740 Main.
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Scheduled meeting with solar company regarding possibility of solar equipment at plant.
FINAI\CE COMMITTEE - Amy Moore
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Audit has been completed- copies available for review. Will have Finance Committee Chair Pat
Bowell give overview at future meeting.
HARBORMASTER - l/o updates.
TOWI\ CLERI(
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Treasurers/FinanceReport
General Fund balance $152,025.31 / Water-Sewer Fund balance $311,070.54 / No change in
ARPA Fund balance.
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Minutes
None available for review.
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CorrespondencelRequests/lnfo - Sent and Received
lnformed of parking issues on Wick/Old Point cul-de-sacs. Vehicles parking perpendicular to
roadway or parking parallel two-deep. Can be addressed by sending letters to residents of both
streets informing of parking violations. Contact Sheriffs Offrce if continues. Ms. Ryan stated
need to speciff fine structure to address parking violations inZonrng Ordinance.
TOWI\ MANAGER I]PDATES
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County bucket truck scheduled to use on Nov. 30 - Dec. 1 to put up wreaths and decorate Town
Christrnas tree. Will need tree delivered/put up by that date.
o
AT&T has completed work at Wall St. tower. Have removed bird nest- will be contacting
regarding installation of bird deterrent devices.
o
Town representative Hugh Odom drafted basic terrns to give to AT&T for consideration for lease
renewal. Commissioners agreeable with proposed terms to allow Mr. Odom to begin negotiations.
Commissioners would like Ms. Ryan to review any contract offered prior to signing.
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COG meeting tomorrow. Town of Queen Anne hosting. Mr. Horney will be attending.
OLD BUSINESS
o I&Iproject
Previously discussed.
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Water Tower & Infrastructure project
o Interim Financing - Draft ordinance sent to USDA for review- once reviewed can
proceed with introduction.
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Wheatland's Project
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Forest Conservation Plan review - Has been completed. Comments were provided to
Barry Waterman. Has not responded back yet.
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Impact study - no update
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DRRA - Ms. Ryan has meeting scheduled with Joe Stevens to discuss drafted DRRA.
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Speeding on Main St
No updates.
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Boat ramp improvements
Two responsive bids submitted. Big Island Ventures S28,750 & Lindstrom Excavation $34,700.
Rauch recommends Big Island Ventures offer. Hardee motion to award contract to Big Island
Ventures for $28,750. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.
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Town Dock projects
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Construction/dredging updates - Notice of award given to Big Island Ventures for dredge
work. No start date as of yet. Dock repair work almost ready to put out to bid.
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Wall St. water tower maintenance
Waiting pending on possible inspection to determine if immediate need to do repairs.
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Review and updates to Town Codes and Ordinances (Fall 2021)
Tabled until further review by Commissioners.
o
Control Room Renovation
Previously discussed.
o
American Rescue Plan Act
No updates.
o Fence regulations - ORDINANCE NO. 2l-06 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF
QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND SECTTON 94 OF THE QUEENSTOWN ZONING
ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH HEIGHT, AREA, AND BULK REQUIREMENTS FOR
FENCES WITHIN TOWN (revised -for discussion and eligiblefor adoption)
Revised version provided for review- further changes discussed. Asked Town Attorney to
research similar town's fencing regulations for guidance and report next meeting.
o
Zoning Ordinance Amendment - ORDINANCE NO. 21-07 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN
oF QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND SECTION 8 OF THE QUEENSTOWN ZONTNG
ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE SPECIFIC DEFINITIONS AND TO AMEND SECTION 67 OF
THE QI.JEENSTOWN ZONING ORDINANCE TO PERMIT TTIE STORAGE AND PARKING
OF ONE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT PROVIDED CERTAIN SETBACK
AND SIZE REQUIREMENTS ARE MET (public hearing scheduledfor I l/17/21)
No update- public hearing scheduled.
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Channel dredging
No updates.
.
Old Wharf Lane -Storrnwater
Previously discussed.
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Water/Sewer Connections Code - proposed clarifications & revisions
Will schedule meeting with Steve Roberson and Bob Rauch to discuss revisions.
o
Zoningmap - correction needed - RESOLUTION 21-106 - A RESOLUTION OF THE
COMMISSIONERS OF QUEENSTOWN TO ADOPT THE ATTACHED ZONING MAP FOR
TIIE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO CORRECT A MTSTAKE IN THE QUEENSTOWN
ZONING MAP (eligiblefor introduction and adoption)
NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Callahan informed a complaint was received regarding lawn at a property in town- Ms.
Moore will discuss complaint with Town Code Enforcernent Offrcer Harold Veasel.
Also received complaint regarding cats in town- are allowed to roam? Any regulations requiring keeping
in yards? Mr. Homey will look into.
ATTORNEY UPDATES -,1/o updates.
PIIBLIC COMMENT - Paul Quirion & Edward Radcliffe
Mr. Quirion and Mr. Radcliffe thanked the Commissioners for allowing Mr. Radcliffe to sit in with the
Commission and for the opportunity to learn more about the procedures of local government.
There being no further business,
3ale-0nay.
OATH OF OFFICE
I, Thomas Willis, Jr., do swear that I will support the Constitution of the United
States of America; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of
Maryland and support the Constitution and laws thereof; and that I will, to the best
of my skill and judgement, diligently and faithfully, without partiality or prejudice,
execute the Office of Town Commissioner of Queenstown, according to the
Constitution and Laws of this State.
illis, Jr.
I certifo this to be Thomas Willis, Jr's. true act:
'J,"'l^,
SEAL:
AARON R HORNEY
NOTARY PUBLIC
TALBOT COUNTY
MARYLAND
MY COMMTSSTON O(P|RES trtARCt{ 21, 2t/?B