Town Commissioners Minutes — 2017-11-15

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

QUEENSTOWN COMMISSIONERS
November 15,2017
PRESENT: President Thomas B. Willis, Jr., Commissioner Holger Schuster, Commissioner Al
Hardee, Acting Town Manager Mike Bowell, and Town Attorney Brynja Booth
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
President Willis thanked George Plumbo for his dedication and hard work during his 3 year
tenure as Town Commissioner.
Town Manager/Clerk certified the election results to the Commissioners. Copy of the
Certification is attached as a permanent part of these minutes.
Town Attomey issued the Oath of Office to incoming Commissioner, Alton Hardee, Jr. Copy of
the executed Oath of Office is attached as a permanent part of these minutes.
Commissioner Schuster motioned to appoint Thomas B. Willis, Jr. as President again for the next
year. Motion seconded by Commissioner Hardee. Vote: 3-aye,0-nay
GUESTS:
Marjorie Lanfz, Olde Point Lane -
Royal Farms opened in September 2012. She has been here before about the truck idling/noise.
She has dealt with Corporate for years. It has become a full blown truck stop. She requested a
fence be put up, and Lane Cole helped get Royal Farms to erect one. She can't sit on her porch
and enjoy it due to the noise. Recently trucks ran from 3-8 p.m. She went to the store and called
the Sheriff s Dept. Royal Farms put up larger "no loitering" signs, but doesn't seem to help. A
huge section of the fence is down. She has even heard that a prostitution ring is running out of
Royal Farms and the Outlets. Lane Cole advised that he will look into the possibility of putting
fire lane markings down, which would eliminate parking in the back. He will talk with Royal
Farms about this. He will also follow up about the fence.
Robert Rauch, Town Engineer -
l.
Present with the result of the Living Shoreline and Boardwalk Project. Town has
available funding in the amount of $120,000 from DNR. There are three pieces to the
project: l) living shore line 2) boardwalk 3) kayak launch. When bidding the project, it
was bid in three pieces separately, and the bidders could pick any or all to bid on. Two
contractors bid -
June -
Dissen & Shoreline $126,942
-
Boardwalk $170,000
Kayak - $ 45,895
Bridges Contracting Shoreline - $ 95,208

Shoreline project approved by State as they like the recreational benefit - pedestrian
access for fishing. A pedestrian walkway from the boat ramp to the Second Avenue pier
is suggested. Mr. Rauch recommends the Town award the project to Bridges with the
condition of including the pedestrian footpath.
During the next funding cycle, Mr. Rauch could request additional funding to complete
the remaining two parts of the project. There were no changes to plans from when
original plan submitted. Commissioners still have time to consider the kayak and
boardwalk portions of the project if they wish to revise. Commissioner Hardee will be
given time to review the project for his input.
2. Melvin Avenue drainage issue - most of the Town drains to one end of Melvin Avenue.
What he proposes does not improve the flow, it just manages. Found pipes in the ground
that don't go anywhere. He proposes grading a swale to run down road with 2 pipe
crossings. When down to R & D property, instead of water being on the surface, it would
be put in doghouse manhole to keep it out and off of the R & D property. It would be
able to handle a25 year storm. Would be a simple V ditch, excavated and sodded. Some
mailboxes would need to be shifted. He did a full analysis of the watershed and thinks
this would be a good solution to the problem. Anticipates a $30,000 budget.
Commissioners could consider for next years budget.
J. Mr. Rauch attended the County Commissioners meeting for the introduction of the text
amendments to the Countv Master Water and Sewer Plan.
PUBLIC WORKS - Lane CoIe
o
Working on getting preliminary information about putting down fire lane markings at
Royal Farms.
o
Traffic calming devices on Main St. have been removed due to winter weather
approaching. SHA wanted removed for snow plowing.
o
Valve at sewer plant - ended up being a bad gear. Replaced for $95
PLANNING - Betty White
o
Planning Commission held hearing on October 2017 Comprehensive Plan and adopted a
resolution that they approved plan and it be forwarded to the Commissioners.
o
Several applicants for the vacancies on the Commission. Need to hold interviews and
hope to make recommendations to the Commissioners by their December 20th meeting.
FINANCE COMMITTEE - Pat Bowell
o
Town received some pricing from NRG for electric rates. Our current contract with
Champion, the producer of electric, is in effect until October 2018. Delmarva Power
delivers the electric. There are other companies that are competitive that we could get
pricing from. She also advised that there are solar energy grants available if we are
interested.

.
Sprint wishes to make some equipment improvements at their site at the Outlets tower.
President Willis motioned to approve the Sprint upgrades as presented. Motion seconded
by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye,0-nay
o
T-Mobile also wishes to make improvements to their equipment at the Outlets tower.
One proposed change would take away space from a future tenant. Out tower consultant
is working with T-Mobile on these proposed changes and will keep us informed.
ATTORNEY UPDATES - Brynja Booth
o -
Comprehensive Plan Planning Commission held hearings and have recommended Plan
to the Town Commissioners.
Commissioner Schuster motioned to introduce Resolution 17-107 - a Resolution of the
Commissioners of Queenstown Adopting the Queenstown 2017 Comprehensive Plan.
Motion seconded by President Willis. Vote: 3-aye,0-nay
A public hearing will be held by the Commissioners on December 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the
Town Office.
o
Critical Area Commission approved the growth allocation request for Wheatland's.
o
There has been a change in Open Meetings Act law - it is now required that if a Board
will have a closed session, at least one of the members must have taken the Open
Meetings Act course. Commissioner Schuster volunteered to take the course. President
Willis motioned to appoint Commissioner Schuster as the designee for the Town
Commissioners. Motion seconded by Commissioner Hardee. Vote: 3-aye,0-nay
Proposed Ordinance 17-05 - An Ordinance of the Commissioners of Queenstown to amend
the Queenstown Town Code to add Chapter 7 titled "Residential Rental Housing License
and Inspection" to establish a licensing and inspection program for residential rental
dwelling units within the Town of Queenstown.
Proposed Ordinance 17-07 - An Ordinance of the Commissioners of Queenstown to amend
the Queenstown Town Code to add Chapter 27 titled "Short Term Rentals" to incorporate
into the Town Code certain minimum standards for short term rentals within the Town of
Queenstown.
Commissioner Hardee motioned to table until the December 20th meeting to allow him time to
review before voting. Motion seconded by President Willis. Vote: 3-aye,0-nay
TOWN MANAGER/CLERK
Treasurerts Report -
checking
General Fund $300,354.73
checking
Water/Sewer Fund $161,589.68
checking
WWTP Project $25L,677.88
Correspondence/Other -
o
Count)' Commissioners Christmas Open House is Tuesday, December l2th from 12 p.m.-
2:00 p.m.

.
ESAM Legislative Dinner/IVleeting is January 23,2017 at Fisherman's Inn
o
President Willis and Ms. Moore attended the November 8th COG meeting in Centreville.
A presentation of the County Emergency Services was given. The next COG meeting
will be hosted by Queenstown on January lOth.
o
The building violation on Melvin Avenue has been corrected and a Certificate of
Occupancy has been issued.
o
Letters for two other violations regarding property maintenance and zoning violations
have gone out this week.
o
Delinquent reminder letters regarding water shut-offwill go out this month.
Minutes -
President Willis motioned to accept the September 13, 2017 Closed Session minutes as written.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye,0-nay
President Willis motioned to accept the October 18,2017 Closed Session minutes as written.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye,0-nay
President Willis motioned to accept the October 25,2017 Closed Session minutes as written.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye,O-nay
NEW BUSINESS:
o
President Willis suggested the Town create a volunteer Code Enforcement Officer
position for enforcement of our codes and ordinances. Mike Bowell, former
Commissioner and Acting Town Manager, expressed interest in helping the Town out in
this capacity. Therefore, President Willis motioned to create a volunteer Code
Enforcement Officer position. Motion seconded by Commissioner Hardee. Vote: 3-aye,
0-nay. President Willis motioned to appoint Mike Bowell as Code Enforcement Office
for the Town. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye,0-nay
o
President Willis introduced Resolution 17-106, a resolution dedicating November 2017
as Municipal Government Works month. President Willis motioned to adopt Resolution
17-106 as introduced. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye,0-nay.
o
As part of MML's Municipal Government Works initiative, the Town annually
recognizes the volunteer efforts of a local volunteer. President Willis motioned to
recognize Ms. Jo Cunningham, by Proclamation, for her work on the Finance Committee,
acting as a docent for our colonial courthouse, and acting liaison between the Town and
the QAC Historic Sites Consortium. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote:
3-aye,0-nay
o
Ms. Moore reported that former Commissioner George Plumbo had contacted the
churches in Town regarding participating in a joint tree lighting and caroling event in
Town. The feedback on this is very positive. Commissioners in agreement to participate.
Lane Cole will eet a tree for the Town Center. Ms. Moore will coordinate with Mr.
Plumbo.
PUBLIC COMMENT
o
Peter Dey, Melvin Ave. - The Friel's duplexes are awfully close to his house. ZHe can
see into their window from his kitchen table. There were trees planted in the open space,

and he had asked Jay Friel if they would plant more trees to help shield. He was advised
by Mr. Friel that if the Town felt more should be planted, then they would look into it.
He also advised that people still use the fire lane at times. Because the end of the lane at
Melvin has partitions, people drive around them up into his yard. Ms. Moore will contact
Jay Friel to discuss the trees and the fire lane.
o
Joe Kelkowski, Aker Rd. - speaking on behalf of Jo Horney, Charity Lane. She has had
a problem with people on her property. She is scared at night, and someone has broken
into her shed. Ms. Moore advised that Ms. Homey had been to the office informing us of
the same thing. Commissioners stated we would ask for more police patrolling, and
stated that if Ms. Homey, or anyone for that matter, has concerns or problems they should
contact the Sheriff s Dept. Mr. Kelkowski also stated concerns that a walkway around
the shoreline will create more problems with kids drinking and smoking. President Willis
advised that at this time, the only thing approved was a living shoreline. The boardwalk
has not been approved yet. Mr. Kelkowski also said the Town needs to address drugs in
Town. Still a problem on Aker Road. Town will remind Sheriff of this mafier.
o
Stefanie Takacs, Maryland Ave. - is there an ordinance preventing the trapping and
shooting of squirrels in town? She was advised that there was. A resident on Wick Court
is shooting squirrels. Town will follow up and will also check with DNR about a
trapping program to trap and relocate squirrels.
There being no further business at this time, President Willis motioned to adjoum the meeting.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye,0-nay
MW
Respectfully submitted,
Town Clerk

n
TOWN OF QUEENSTOWI\
ELECTION RESULTS
Monday, November 6, 2Ol7
# OF VOTES
Alton Hardee, Jr. 82
George L. Plumbo, Jr. 70
Voided votes 1
Total Votes Cast: 153
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# of Registered Voters 474
I hereby certiff the above information to be true and correct, and that Alton
Hardee, Jr. was duly elected at the November 6,2017 election.
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OATH OF OFFICE
I, Alton Hardee, Jr., do swear that I will support the Constitution of the
United States of America; andthat 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 Commissioner of Queenstown, according to the
Constitution and Laws of this State.
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Alton Hardee, Jr.
I certifu this to be Alton Hardee, Jr.'s true act:
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Date Notary Public
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My Commission Expires: