11 July 2011 | Approved: 9 August 2011
Mayor Cole called the regular meeting of the Town Council to order at 7:33 p.m. In attendance were Councilors Joe Clark, Sylvie Favret, Audrey Maskery, Alice Negin and Bill Robertson. Also present were Treasurer Mary Challstrom, Planning Commission Chair Charlie Challstrom, Lake Committee Chair John Hutchinson and resident Linda Winter.
Approval of Agenda
Bill Robertson moved, Audrey Maskery seconded that the agenda be approved. There was a brief discussion about adding a closed session. It was not added.
Vote: 5-0.
Public Appearances
There were no public appearances.
Approval of Minutes
Alice Negin moved, Bill Robertson seconded that the Town Council minutes for June 13, 2011 be approved. Joe Clark asked about acknowledging recently resigned Planning Commission Chairman Eric Gleason. Mayor Cole will write a letter of thanks. Joe will follow up. The minutes were approved as presented. Vote: 6-0.
Treasurer’s Report
- Sylvie Favret moved, Joe Clark seconded that the Treasurer’s Report for June 2011 be accepted.
- There was a discussion about the use of reserves, properties that went for tax sale, less than anticipated income tax receipts, bills submitted in June and paid in July that will be reflected in FY2010-11 final audit report and budget transfers. Vote: 5-0.
- Sylvie Favret moved, Audrey Maskery seconded the motion to transfer funds from savings to checking in order to pay bills. Vote: 5-0.
- Treasurers Report 2011-07 pdf
Fishing at Maple Lake
Mayor Cole reviewed the recent problems of large fishing hooks being left in very public areas and of fishing off of the dock; specifically the incident of an unattended fishing line which resulted in the death of a resident snapping turtle. John Hutchinson showed the Council one of the hooks that he recently found on the beach at the lake. A discussion about when the fishing is happening, license requirements, possible restrictions and new signs ensued. It was decided to post new signs that show where fishing is prohibited (dock, sandy side of the bridge and the island). This information and license requirements will be included in the Town Bulletin. Hutch will get help from the Lake Committee with the signs.
Council Reports
- There were questions and answers about the following; status of vehicular traffic in Woodward Park, soccer players gathering in the parking lot after the games, the possibility of establishing a committee to close both gates in Woodward Park (similar to the group the locks the gate at Maple Lake), Program Open Space money & requirements, safety, a request to add additional language about noise to the McCathran Hall rental policy, tree trimming by PEPCO/Asplundh, LOS maintenance & ownership, watering along lower Ridge Road and common sense behavior on code orange days.
- Alice Negin moved, Sylvie Favret seconded that the Council Reports for June be approved for posting on the Town website. Vote: 5-0.
- Town Council Reports – July 2011 pdf
Mayor’s Appointments
- Mayor Cole announced that Kathie Evans agreed to take John Tomlin’s place as the alternate on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Tomlin’s term expired in June of this year.
- Joe Clark moved to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Kathie Evans as alternate on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Alice Negin seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0.
- Joe stated that clarity was necessary in terms of how the Town handles encroachments on Town property.
Deer Park Bridge Update
The Mayor stated that the Bridge Advisory Group, as authorized by the Special Town Meeting on May 3, 2011, is moving forward with their efforts to consult/hire specialists to help sort out the details of how the CSX National Gateway Clearance Project will affect certain areas in Town. So far, they have brought in an arborist.
Casey 6 & 7
Mayor Cole announced that she will try to attend the ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday, July 13th at 11:30 AM. She urged others to attend as well. She also announced that Shelley Winkler has volunteered to serve as a “point person” for residents on Brown Street extended. Ms. Winkler would like to schedule a meeting with County representative David Dise in order to view the proposed plan. Joe Clark suggested that we invite Mr. Dise and others to see what this project might look like from the Town side of the area. He also expressed that Maintenance Supervisor Steve Werts should be asked to attend as well.
New Business
The Mayor and Council had a discussion about CSX and laws governing the subject of eminent domain. The Town and CSX have yet to come to any type of agreement about a Memo of Understanding. The Bridge Advisory Group would like to hold a Town forum that would include our State and County representatives, in order to get more support. There has been talk that AECOM is accelerating the efforts to move this project forward.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.