REGULAR TOWN MEETING

January 12, 2010

Approved Minutes

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.

Roll Call: Stephen F. Sonnett, President of the Board of Town Commissioners

James Storey, Commissioner/ Treasurer

Joseph A. Hourclé, Commissioner

Staff present: M. David Williams, Town Clerk

Also present: Zoe Tillman of the Gazette and various citizens and interested parties

Pledge of Allegiance

Certification of Election Results

The Town Clerk delivered the results of the January 4^th General Election, certified by the Board of Supervisors of Elections, to be entered into the record. Voter count: 39. Total absentee ballots: 2. Total ballots cast: 39.

Stephen F. Sonnett 38

Joseph A. Hourcle 34

James Storey 32

Helen Ford (write-in) 3

Commissioner Hourclé motioned to accept the election results and qualifications of all three candidates. All voted in favor of the motion, with no one opposed. The motion was unanimously passed.

Report of January 11, 2010 Organizational Meeting

The swearing-in ceremony was conducted at the Courthouse by the Clerk of the Circuit Court on the morning of January 11, 2010. The newly elected Commissioners held the Charter mandated organizational meeting that evening and it was unanimously agreed that Stephen F. Sonnett continue to hold the position of President of the Board of Town Commissioners and Commissioner James Storey be appointed as Town Treasurer.

Upon formal acceptance of previous Commissioner/Treasurer George Leonnig’s letter of resignation, Commissioner Hourclé motioned to accept the recommendation of James Storey to hold the office of Treasurer, President Sonnett seconded. All voted in favor of the motion, with no one opposed. The motion was unanimously passed. President Sonnett then administered the oath of office to swear-in Commissioner Storey as Treasurer for the 2010-2012 term of office.

Review/Approval of the Agenda, Meeting Minutes & Financial Reports

President Sonnett asked for consent to the Agenda. Approval was given by both Commissioners.

Commissioner Hourclé motioned to accept the December 8, 2009 Regular Town Meeting minutes as drafted, Commissioner Storey seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously accepted.

President Sonnett reviewed highlights of the Treasurer’s Report as of December 31, 2009. Commissioner Storey motioned to approve the Treasurer’s Report, Commissioner Hourclé seconded the motion. The Treasurer’s Report as of December 31, 2009 was unanimously accepted.

Staff Reports

Town Clerk: Mr. Williams reported that income from parking fines were slightly under budget projections for the fiscal year mid-term with December citations totaling $4,875.

Commissioner Reports

Commissioner Hourclé; Reported that he will be attending the PGCMA meeting next week.

Commissioner Storey: Introduced himself to those in attendance and had no official report at this time.

President Sonnett: President Sonnett delivered the Police Report for December, 2009:

• A total of 137 Town citations were written in the month of December; State citations totaled 37.
• Within town limits*: 2 warrant service; 2 return missing child; 1 property damage; 3 accident reports; 2 vehicle impound; 1 theft.
• Outside town limits: 2 theft from auto; 3 theft; 1 breaking & entering.

*All in-town incidents were in the downtown area and not in the residential areas.

The Town has been invited by Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown to a meeting next Thursday in Riverdale concerning a Federal-to-State-to-County grant program for the new police communication system. The Town expects to receive $24,800 to purchase hand-held radios that will operate on the new band width to be phased in soon. The Town will then need to budget for the acquisition of cruiser-mounted radios for the next fiscal year.

The Petition for Review brief, concerning the rezoning issue of residential property at the Crain Monument, is going ahead at the normal pace and is due January 28^th.

President Sonnett and Commissioner Storey met with consultant Jan Townsend of the Neighborhood Design Center to inspect the surplus property on Old Crain Highway that is slated to be transferred to the Town. Given the sloping topography, initial reactions did not favor possible usage as a community gardening area, but she will be further investigating ideas for a public area for use by Town residents.

The University of Maryland intern, Carolyn Ellison, will start work soon to help develop the Town’s Operation Manual. Park & Planning’s fieldwork on both the parking study and historic inventory are underway, plus the University has also been conducting a tree survey in Town as well. The Prince George’s Historical Society will visit next week to discuss their plans to publish a coffee table book that features historic towns in the county, and the Town is still waiting for the results from the recent report of road conditions. President Sonnett noted the budget process for FY2011 will begin at the next Work Session on January 27^th.

Business

Petty Cash Policy: Approval was granted to adjust the spending limit from $10 to $25 per receipt.

Landings Newsletter: Production options and alternate information delivery methods were discussed.

Review of Public Works Snow Removal Operations: Problems created by vehicles parked on the street during snow emergencies was discussed. President Sonnett proposed that an emergency ordinance be prepared for discussion at the next Town Meeting. Since the Town’s salt spreader had been evaluated as too costly to repair, Commissioner Storey motioned to approve the acquisition of a new spreader up to $3,000. Commissioner Hourclé seconded the motion. Commissioner Storey then motioned to surplus the old spreader, Commissioner Hourclé seconded the motion. Both motions passed unanimously.

Historic Sites and Districts Plan: The 6 properties/sites in the preliminary plan pertaining to the Town were reviewed and discussed. Details of the removal of St. Mary’s Church from the historic inventory by the Historic Preservation Commission will be looked into by Commissioner Hourclé. President Sonnett announced that there would be an upcoming Joint Public Hearing on January 19^th but felt that the Town had no major issues with the plan that warranted taking a formal position.

Public Comment

Ellen Storey asked who was responsible for tree trimming in relation to prevention of downed power lines. The Town Website and possible future interactive capabilities were also discussed.

Adjournment

Commissioner Hourclé made a motion to adjourn, Commissioner Storey seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

M. David Williams

Town Clerk

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