Town Commissioners — 2024-02-13

The Queenstown Commissioners met Feb. 13, 2024 with President Al Hardee, Commissioners Tom Willis and Bryon Callahan, Town Manager Amy Moore, Town Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan and guest Bob Rauch (Rauch, Inc.). Major topics included Comcast/Talkie utility work: Comcast-installed utility boxes do not match approved plans, Rauch recommended on-site inspections and will propose inspection services for future Talkie work; Talkie has since submitted corrected plans now under review. The Lead Service Line Inventory project bids were discussed — Rauch’s higher bid includes field surveys, document research and SmartSite software while KCI’s bid would meet only minimum MDE document-based requirements; the project has MDE funding ($431,636 total award, 50% loan/50% grant) and the Town requested a written explanation and a supplemental price from Rauch and may ask KCI to add field surveying. The USDA-required risk and resilience assessment/emergency response plan for the new water tower project is not yet in place; James Cook with Rauch engaged SERCAP to begin that work within about two weeks so the Town can proceed with USDA steps. Other actions: Finger Pier #1 will be repaired under warranty for loosened bolts (some stringer sagging noted as a separate Town-repair option); Planning Commission’s recommendation to allow sheltered care associated with religious institutions in R-1 was declined by Commissioners; financial balances were reported (General Fund $25,699.84; Water/Sewer $84,028.68; ARPA $642,276.52) and $300,000 was moved from the General Fund into certificates of deposit; several items (Susquehanna agreement, minutes, I&I, membrane clean, boat ramp, dredging, road/sidewalk standards, Wheatland’s DRRA/PWA) remain pending or had no updates. A closed session to discuss a personnel matter was scheduled to follow the regular meeting.