MINUTES OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
TOWN OF BROOKEVILLE, MARYLAND
August 9, 2004
ATTENDING: President Richard Allan, Commissioners Robert Heritage and
Michael Acierno, and Clerk-Treasurer Susan Johnson. The meeting began
at 8:00 p.m. at the Brookeville Academy.
MINUTES: The minutes for June were approved.
FINANCIAL
REPORT: The financial report was reviewed and accepted.
REGULAR ORDER OF BUSINESS:
1. Operations
and Maintenance – Public
Spaces. President Allan commented on the fact that the developer- installed
decorative town light
on Water Street (the first one) is surrounded by small trees and scrub
brush. He indicated at the same time that there was significant overgrowth
from this light along and in the Town right-of-way back toward Market
Street along the Rotter property. President Allan suggested that it would
be appropriate and desirable to have this area cleaned up and asked that
the commissioners walk the area to determine the right-of-way and to
further review the situation. Ms. Johnson would then be able to meet
with the town landscaper contractor to get a cost proposal. Ms. Johnson
pointed out that Arbor Care would be coming at the end of the month to
remove the trees/branches by schoolhouse as well as the limbs behind
the Academy. There was also discussion of an ongoing problem with a resident
that has been maintaining building supplies and general debris on his
property that has resulted in several complaints. President Allan will
write a letter requesting that the resident clean up his property.
Sidewalks. President Allan reported that the State Highway Administration
was completing its survey activity regarding the proposed sidewalks on
the west side of High Street (Rt. 97) from Church Street to the Longwood
ball fields.
Signs – The Town has received draft designs for the signs for the
Brookeville Angel, millstone and schoolhouse. President Allan and town
resident Miche Booz are reviewing and preparing comments on the signs.
2. Schoolhouse
Restoration - The electrical work has been completed.
We are currently waiting for the insulation to go in and then carpenter
Walter Blank will install the interior walls followed by drywall ceilings.
3. Future
Development – The
Sheahin property has been sold. The new developer has met with the
Planning Commission and wants to put up
four Ryan Classic homes with some modifications to meet Town and Historic
Preservation Commission building and design guidelines. He plans to meet
with the HPC for preliminary consultation. President Allan attended the
Planning Commission meeting as well.
4. Miscellaneous
Management Improvement Issues - President Allan suggested
that the Town Commissioners might benefit from the use of some sort of
task management software. This would replace the use of manual lists
of tasks and would enable everyone to have a clear idea of what Town
priorities and goals and objectives are at any given time, including
current status, whose responsible for action items, and completion dates.
He stated that such a system would provide much greater efficiency and
improve communication among the commissioners and the Clerk-Treasurer.
Commissioner Acierno stated that he has a program that he uses for work
that may be suitable for a Windows system. He will check into it and
determine if it would be appropriate for the town. Commissioner Acierno
also installed a new external hard drive on the Town computer to ensure
that there is a back up capability.
5. Insurance - President Allan reported that LGIT will be reducing the
Town insurance premium to reflect cancellation of the LGIT health insurance
program plan and resultant cost savings to all LGIT clients.
6. Possible
Traffic Signal - President Allan reported that the SHA has
completed performing the survey work preliminary to the possible installation
of a traffic control device at the Market/High Streets intersection.
All the commissioners expressed concern that the SHA had not been especially
forthcoming on this project. It was felt that a traffic light could improve
safety at what has always been a dangerous intersection, particularly
with the growth of commuter traffic in all directions. The commissioners,
however, are concerned that the light might be configured to allow for
continuous north-south traffic flow that could present significant problems
for town residents and faster and more dangerous traffic flow.
7. Newsletter – President
Allan suggested that the newsletter needed a new look and a new name.
It was decided to go back to calling
it the Brookeville Times. Commissioner Acierno said he would work on
some draft proposals for a new masthead and format for review by the
commissioners.
NEW BUSINESS
President Allan introduced a LGIT annual mandatory participation amendment
for adoption. Commissioner Acierno made a motion to adopt the amendment
and Commissioner Heritage seconded it. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for
September 13, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. at the Brookeville Academy.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________
Susan Johnson
Clerk-Treasurer
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