9 November 2009 | Approved: 7 December 2009
Mayor Anderson called the regular meeting of the Town Council to order at 7:38 p.m. In attendance were Councilors Charlie Challstrom, Joe Clark, Georgette Cole and Ted Kelly. Also present were Treasurer Mary Challstrom and Town residents Ann Briggs, Donna Edwards, Keith Gillis, Marc Hansen and Judy Young. Snow contractor Mike Uzzo and two (2) other employees were also in attendance.
Approval of the Agenda
Joe Clark moved, Georgette Cole seconded that the Agenda for October 12, 2009 be approved. The Mayor and Council agreed to move numbers 7 and 8 to the 3rd and 4th positions on the agenda. Vote: 4-0.
Snow Removal Bid Opening
Five companies replied to the Town’s invitation to bid. The results are as follows;
| COMPANY | SNOW (per hour) |
SALT (per hour) |
| SAND (per 100 lbs.) |
SALT (per 100 lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resevic | $95.00 | $95.00 | | $12.00 | $36.00 |
| L.H. Musser | $85.00 | $85.00 | | $30.00 | $30.00 |
| Custom Lawn Care | $140.00 | $140.00 | | $60.00 | $60.00 |
| *Lion Contractors | $94.00 | $94.00 | | $15.00 | $30.00 |
| U.S. Lawns | $95.00 | $95.00 | | $37.50 | $37.50 |
* Had the contract for the last 12 years.
There was a brief discussion about sand vs. salt, realistic costs and binding contracts.
Joe Clark moved to accept Lion Contractors’ bid for snow/ice removal for this year. Charlie Challstrom seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0.
Approval of the Audit Report FY 2008-09 – Discussion with Bob Diss from Lindsay & Associates
Mr. Diss reported that the audit was complete and gave the Town a clean opinion; no illegal acts, no irregularities and no changes in scope. Joe Clark moved to accept the Audit Report for FY 2008-09 as presented. Georgette Cole seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0.
Public Appearances
Marc Hansen started with words of gratitude to Georgette Cole for her responsive action with the tree issues in front of his home. He went on to present a list of problems concerning Washington Grove Lane; storm drains, inadequate lighting, bad sidewalks and speeding. Keith Gillis and Donna Edwards were present and echoed Marc’s concerns. Marc asked the Council to consider the following actions:
- More police presence with the Town helping defray the costs.
- Installation of speed monitoring devices/cameras.
- Roundabouts to slow people down.
Donna Edwards thanked the Council for hearing her. She expressed great concern about the crossing at Maple Lake Road. She presented her own informal survey/speed count. She shows an increase in traffic and speed (even with humps). She also stated that many of the “culprits” are school buses and Ride-On buses. The recent installation of a trailer to monitor speeders has helped but only in one direction. There was a discussion about lowering the speed limit to 25mph, LED lighting, installing reflective posts in the middle of the road, removing the current speed humps thus qualifying the road for speed cameras, the use of traffic calming devices like roundabouts & chokers, a blinking yellow light at the crosswalk to the Lake & bus stop, borrowing another speed device and enforcement of the current load limits along this road. Charlie Challstrom agreed to do some investigation on these issues.
Judy Young came to remind folks of the Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday evening.
Treasurer’s Report
There was a brief discussion about the property tax revenue and about the recent $50K donation.
Georgette Cole moved, Charlie Challstrom seconded that the Treasurer’s report for October 2009 be accepted. Vote: 4-0. Georgette Cole moved, Ted Kelly seconded the motion to transfer funds in order to pay bills. Vote: 4-0.
Review & Discussion of Humpback Bridge Proposal
Mayor Anderson reported that CSX railroad is pushing hard for a Town decision in reference to issue of the height of the Deer Park Bridge. The options are:
- Raise the current bridge 4 feet and reconfigure surrounding roads.
- Remove the bridge completely.
- Build a new higher bridge and reconfigure surrounding roads.
- Lower the railroad tracks.
Any of these options will have a negative impact on the Town. The Mayor and Council believe that lowering the tracks is the option that may have the least long-term negative impact. Mayor Anderson reported that there would soon be public meeting with officials from Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, Washington Grove and CSX. He also stated that the Town Bridge Committee from a few years ago will be called together again. He hopes to have a summary for Town residents after these meetings are over.
Approval of October 2009 Council Reports for Posting on the Website
Joe Clark moved, Georgette Cole seconded that the Council Reports from October 2009 be approved for posting on the Town website. Vote: 4-0.
Approval of Minutes
Joe Clark moved, Charlie Challstrom seconded that the Town Council minutes for October 12, 2009 be approved with one change (domes to barns). Vote: 4-0.
Charlie Challstrom moved, Georgette Cole seconded that the Town Council minutes for October 26, 2009 be approved. Vote: 4-0.
Mayor’s Announcements
- McCathran Hall Harassment of Users – Several options to remedy this problem were discussed. They include; an injunction, a peace warrant, a restraining order and a strong letter from the Town attorney. The Mayor and Council decided upon the latter.
- LOS Update – Mayor Anderson clarified a reference to covenants on this land that was made by someone at the November 5th M-NCPPC hearing. He also stated that a closed session would be scheduled for the December 7th Town Council Meeting.
New Business
Joe Clark asked about the status of 103 Brown Street. There was a discussion about equal enforcement. The work to remedy the code violation is scheduled to start tomorrow.
Mayor Anderson reminded all that the State delegates would be coming to the Town Council meeting on November 23, 2009 and that it would start at 7PM.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.