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Minutes
Town Meeting
Emmitsburg Town Office
January 7, 2008
Present: Mayor James Hoover; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, Glenn Blanchard, Joyce Rosensteel, and Denise Etris. Also present were Donna DesPres and Dave Haller, Town Manager.
Absent: Christopher Staiger with prior notice
Call to Order In the absence of Board President Christopher Staiger, Glenn Blanchard was appointed President pro tempore. The January 7, 2008 Town Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the December 17 Town Meeting were before the Council for approval. In order to clarify a motion, the Mayor requested that these be resubmitted for approval at the January 23 meeting. Unanimous consent.
Commissioner Comments
The Commissioners highlighted their attendance at recent events to include the Vigilant Hose Company annual dinner. Thanks were given to the fire company and to the Emmitsburg Dispatch for the article on Frank Carter.
Administrative Business
Recent break-ins were mentioned and Mayor Hoover added that he had met with the Sheriff’s department a month ago regarding minor thefts.
Reports:
Treasurer’s Report – Commissioner Joyce Rosensteel. See attached report, Exhibit A.
Committee reports – Commissioner Blanchard reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission continue progress on the comp plan and that Mr. Haller is scheduled to make a presentation at the next meeting. Commissioner Clifford Sweeney reported that no one attended the Streets Committee meeting, members are seriously needed.
Agenda Items
MSM – Power Partnership
Brooke Donovan, assistant director of campus activities, described to the Board and audience the upcoming free (canned-good donation requested) 6 events offered in “bringing the community together through culture and fun”. This is a joint effort to recognize
Community needs: building partnership, personal conversation, group investment.
The Mayor commended Mt. St. Mary’s in their concern to provide opportunities for community events bringing the Mount and Town together. He stated that the Mount is a tremendous resource for the community and hopes to make this an annual event plus there will be coordination of additional projects.
Pay Scale Review
Mayor Hoover proposed a change in the pay scale to add a grade 12 for town manager. Upon survey and review of area towns with similar population and number of personnel, he proposed a base step beginning salary of 63,700 with a maximum step 12 salary of $80,764.
He explained that when the pay scale was introduced in 1999, the town manager position was seen as an executive position and left out of the scale being subject to Board action for salary change. He stated that this provides the position itself as subject to the same criteria as the balance of the staff and that it’s an important position to the town to protect. Commissioner discussion supported this action as fair and equitable.
Motion: To approve adding a grade 12 to the salary structure as presented by the Mayor.
Motion by Commissioner Rosensteel, second by Commissioner Etris
Vote: 4-0 in favor
Motion: To approve a rating of grade 12, step 8 for the current town manager effective July 1, 2008.
Motion by Commissioner Sweeney, second by Commissioner Rosensteel
Vote: 4-0 in favor
Hr Consultant Contract Review
In follow-up to the trial 90-day acceptance of the human resources consultant contract approved by the Board, Mayor Hoover asked for continuation of the contract. He and Town Clerk Donna DesPres outlined accomplishments of the consultant during this 90 day period.
Motion: To continue the Human Resources contract with Krauer Consulting
Motion by Commissioner Rosensteel, second by Commissioner Sweeney
Vote: 4-0 in favor
Set Agenda Items for next Meeting
- Planner appointment
- Water management update
- FY 2007 audit presentation
Upon request by Commissioner Sweeney, Mr. Haller updated the Board that water consumption is now coming into line with normal consumption, that it has dropped to within 4000 gpd of the same time last year which equals 16 taps which happens to be the amount of houses built since last year. Also, the lake is now only 2 feet below the spillway, wells are down an average of only 2 feet per shaft and that the aquifers are recharging as winter is a time for regeneration.
Public Comments – none
Adjournment With no further Business, the January 7, 2008 Town Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Date Approved: January 23, 2008 |
The Mason-Dixon Line 