MINUTES OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
TOWN OF BROOKEVILLE, MARYLAND
June 14, 2004
ATTENDING: President Richard Allan, Commissioners Robert Heritage and
Michael Acierno, and Clerk-Treasurer Susan Johnson. Two observers were
also in attendance - a Boy Scout fulfilling requirements for a merit
badge in communications was accompanied by his father. The meeting
began at 8:00 p.m. at the Brookeville Academy.
Michael Acierno was sworn in by President Allan and took the oath of
office as Commissioner for a two-year term.
MINUTES: The minutes for May were approved as amended.
FINANCIAL REPORT: The financial report was reviewed and accepted. At
the suggestion of President Allan, Commissioner Acierno has agreed to
review the adequacy of the Quicken financial software now being used
and to look at the current budget and account categories for possible
modifications for management improvement purposes.
REGULAR ORDER OF BUSINESS:
1. Operations and
Maintenance – Public Spaces. Resident David
Yinger repaired and reset a segment of sidewalk at 209 Market Street
that had become a safety hazard to pedestrians. President Allan asked
Ms. Johnson to begin to get bids for repainting and cleaning the Town
decorative light posts and for painting the exterior trim of the Brookeville
Academy. President Allan reported that he had sent an email to Councilman
Mike Knapp concerning the intersection of Brookeville Road and Georgia
Avenue. He pointed out that there were several fallen trees and excessive
underbrush growth that looked very unsightly. David Yinger advised that
he had inspected the damaged (bent) Welcome to Brookeville sign at Brookeville
Road and concluded that it would be difficult to straighten out and might
require a new bracket. Commissioner Heritage said he would look at the
sign as well. Mark Ennes reported to Ms. Johnson that the wooden base
of the Brookeville Angel might have a termite problem. Ms. Johnson said
she would have an exterminator look at it. She also indicated that she
was waiting for Arbor Care to submit its estimate for tree work at the
Academy and at the schoolhouse. Ms. Johnson reported that a three-year
contract was signed with Waste Management for waste removal and recycling.
The new contract represents a significant price increase but it was noted
that the previous three years reflected significant undercharges to the
Town.
2. Schoolhouse Restoration. President Alan reported that the schoolhouse
is in Phase II of the project and could be completed by early September.
The schoolhouse will be open to the public on June 26 for Montgomery
County Heritage Days as a restoration project in progress. Diane Allan
will be hosting and students will be solicited as volunteers for Community
Service Hours. President Allan added that he would like to begin work
on a plan for specific uses of the schoolhouse once restoration work
is completed.
3. Water Street. The street signpost has been re-erected by the developer
but without the new signage attached. Commissioner Heritage said that
he would look at the pole and try to install the individual street signs.
4. Elections. Michael Acierno won the election for Town Commissioner
over incumbent Les Unglesbee by a margin of just three votes out of a
total of 48. There was a 67% turnout of eligible voters.
5. Miscellaneous Technical Issues. President Allan said that the Town
should consider the process of digitizing its Code of Ordinances. Commissioner
Acierno will do an overall review of existing technology equipment and
software. He suggested purchasing a hard drive back-up. That was agreed
to.
6. 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 LGIT clients.
7. Bypass. President Allan reported that the SHA was performing preliminary
survey work regarding the possibility of installing a traffic control
device at the Market/High Streets intersection. He also reported that
he had several discussions with SHA officials on this matter to express
concern that the Town had not been properly informed or consulted about
this potential traffic light or its operation.
NEW BUSINESS
President Allan reported that Montgomery County had sent a letter to
all towns for which they collect property taxes that a fee will begin
to be charged for that service starting this tax year. Brookeville will
be exempt from such a fee because it falls below the population threshold.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for
July 12, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. at the Brookeville Academy.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________
Susan Johnson
Clerk-Treasurer
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