Town Commissioners Minutes — 2024-11-20

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

QUEENSTOWN COMMISSIONERS
November 20r 2024
PRESENT: President Al Hardee, Commissioners Tom Willis & Bryon Callahan, Town
Manager Amy Moore, Town Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan
REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 PM
ELECTION
o
CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS
o
Mr. Horney certified the results of the Novemb er 4 election, which was cancelled
pursuant to Town Chaner Sec. 19-12.2 due to being uncontested. Thomas Willis, Jr. was
declared re-elected to a new 3-year term as commissioner.
O
SWEARING IN OF COMMISSIONBR THOMAS B. WILLN, Jf,T.
Ms. Ryan administered the Oath of Office of Queenstown Commissioner to Thomas
Willis, Jr.
o
APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT
Cal ion to eC rHa Commissi
Willis second. VOTE: 3 q])e -0 nay.
PUBLIC WORKS
' Rauch quoted price to investigate brown water complaints in Queenstown Harbor Dev.
Quote of $1,500. Work includes pressure testing the hydrants and pulling samples from
some different points in the main line on Harbor La. Plan to test for iron and TSS.
Cr moti 1.500. wi cond. V, -0
H, bstai ent i
o
10 lead/copper water test samples taken by homeowners at end of September as part of
3yr MDE testing requirements were all satisfactory with results well below iesting
parameters. Participants will be notified of their results this week.
o
Bucket truck town is considering purchasing found to be leaking at pTO by pW
employee. Suggests Commissioners personally check out issue befori town makes final
decision to purchase or not. Comm. Willis stated belief that seller will repair prior any
purchase by the town. Comms. Hardee and Callahan stated they will insp."i u, well.
o
Resident previously requested installation of speed bump on Comegys Lane to curb
speeding issue. Commissioners agreed to have rubbei type bump installed after
determining best location for the b*p.
PLANNING COMMISSION
o
Following the resignation of member Phil Snyder, Matt Reno will be the acting Chairman
and Geneva Rieu will be the acting Co-Chair until such time that a new member is
appointed to the commission.
o
Preliminary approval was granted to the golf course for the events center and lodging
facility. Approval subject to consultant, .ttgin..t, staff and Critical Area comments.
o
Administrative subdivision application approved for property at 642 Del Rhodes Ave. for
removal of a property line to combine 2 parcels into i parcel.
SAFETY & SPEEDING TASK FORCE
o
Commissioners agree as most suggestions of task force have been addressed or noted as
not feasible by SHA, to remove the SSTF from agendas going forward and address any
future issues as they arise.

FINANCE COMMITTEE
o
Audit work continues. Granted extension by State to l2l3ll24 after request by Town
auditors.
CODE ENFORCEMENT/HARBORMASTER (no update s)
EVENTS COMMITTEE
o
Tree lighting event plans coming together. Tree to be delivered/set up on 1213.
TOWN CLERK
l.
Treasurers/Finance Report
o
Gen. Fund $227,678.06 / W-S Fund $15961 .28 IARPA Fund $594,692.48
2.
Minutes
o
October 9, 2024 (Regular meeting)
Willis motion to approve as written. Hardee second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.
.
October 23,2024 (Regular meeting)
Callahan motion to approve as written. Willis second. VOTE: 2 aye - 0 nay. Hardee
abstoined as he was not present for this meeting.
3. Correspondence/Requests/Info - Sent and Received
o provided for electronic speed sign models for Commissioners
Quotes/estimates
review. Hardee motion to purchase 2 solar speed signs .from LED Lighting Solutions
for estimoted cost qf $8,107.98. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 na]).
TOWN MANAGER UPDATES
o Complaints regarding smell of dock dumpster from nearby resident. Informed they
caught repeat dumping offender attempting to dump and confronted him. Consider
removing dumpster? Commissioners believe dumpster is beneficial to slipholders and
residents of town when used properly. Continue to monitor- issue civil citation to
dumping offender if caught dumping again.
. Attended COG on 1 lll3. Informed that State will be considering measure to allow speed
limits under 25 mph in residential/commercial areas on State roads within municipalities.
Also asked Sheriff s Dept. to increase radar in town as haven't seen much lately.
o Rate study discussion needed- will tentatively schedule work session in January to
discuss.
OLD BUSINESS ITEMS
INFRASTRUCTURE
l. I & I Project
Rauch to set up pre-construction meeting with Retallack- anticipate beginning project
in Spring2025.
2. New Water Tower & Infrastructure Project
Met with Brian & James from Rauch last week. Should be close to submitting all
documentation to USDA. Will follow up this week to see if still on schedule.
a. Interim Financing
Received updated quotes from Shore United and Queenstown Bank. On hold per
Commissioners for now.
b.
Bond Counsel
c.
Wall St. Water Tower Maintenance
Comm. Willis requested info on last time Wall St. tower was cleaned. Contract
was cancelled in iOZO- last cleaning likely several years prior. MDE recommends
washouts no less frequently than every 5 years.
MARINB PROJBCTS
1. Federal Channel Dredging (no updates)
POLICY
1. Water/Sewer Connections Code - Proposed Clarifications & Revisions (no updates)
2. Road And Sidewalk Standards
Tentatively plan to meet in January to discuss'

3. Draft Ordinance - AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO
REPEAL AND REPLACE CHAPTER 7 OF THE QUEENSTOWN CODE TO
ESTABLISH THE PROHIBITION OF ODOR NUISANCES
Hardee motion to introduce Ordinance 24-05. Willis second. VOTE: 3 alte - 0 nall
Public Hearing will be scheduled for January 22,2025.
DEVELOPMBNT PROJECTS
l.
Wheatland's Project (no updates)
2.
6915 Main Street - Discussion of Possible Land Purchase
Currently waiting for revised plat/stakeout of land prior to making any decisions.
Commissioners also inquired if owner would consider selling back portion of lot
without any land swap. Ms. Moore will reach out to seller to inquire.
NEW BUSINESS (no updates)
ATTORNEY UPDATES (no updates)
PUBLIC COMMENT
o
Di Quynn-Reno 6740 Main St.
Requested clarification on prior comments made by Pres. Hardee in response to another
resident requesting keeping chickens on their property at a previous meeting. Resident
was told by Pres. Hardee that current Code does not allow them and if she could get a
petition signed by 50% of registered voters, he would personally look into supporting her
request for allowing chickens in Town. Ms. Reno stated that the threshold for a
referendum per the Town Charter is 20o/o and Pres. Hardee's comments were confusing to
residents who may be dissuaded from pursuing a referendum effort due to the high
amount of support stated to be necessary. Ms. Reno stated that chickens don't lower
property values if reasonable measures for keeping them on properties are put in place
and that several towns in Maryland allow chickens with conditions including Trappe and
Centreville. Pres. Hardee clarified that his comments were his personal opinion for the
amount of support such a request would need for him to personally consider it.
Acknowledged he should have been clearer in his comments that they were his opinion
and not the Town's official position. Also stated that such a request has only been made a
few times over the last several years and doesn't seem to have much support behind it.
Ms. Reno suggested the Town seriously consider allowing or having residents vote on the
request as she believes it would be beneficial to the community. She also provided info
and data for the Commissioners review that she previously submitted in a past similar
request. Ms. Ryan stated that she can provide the Trappe chicken ordinance to the
Commissioners for their review as well.
There being no further business, Hardee motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:I8pm. Callahan
second. VOTE: 3 alte - 0 nalt.
Aaron Horney
Town Clerk

TOWN OF QUEENSTOWhI
ELECTION RESULTS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2024
(Election Cancelled)
Thomas Willis, Jr. filed a certificate of nomination and qualified for the
office of Town Commissioner of Queenstown. No other candidate filed
a certificate of nomination to be placed on the ballot as a listed or write-
in candidate by the October 10, 2024 deadline. Therefore, the election
was considered uncontested and was cancelled, pursuant to Section 19-
12.2 of the Queenstown Town Charter. Thomas Willis, Jr. is hereby
declared re-elected as Town Commissioner of Queenstown for a 3-year
term, beginning November 13,2024.
I hereby certiff the above information to be true and correct.
ll,
'l
Aaron R. Horney, To Date

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 Queenstown Commissioner, according to the
Constitution and Laws of this State.
Thomas Willis, Jr.
I certiff this to be Thomas Willis, Jr.'s true act
tr.)oveqnbe,v Jo, Joeq
Date Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ryr \ 3, ""\21 SEAL: