February 9, 2004
ATTENDING: President Richard Allan, Commissioners Robert Heritage and Les Unglesbee, Clerk-Treasurer Susan Johnson and Terri Hogan from the Olney Gazette were also in attendance. The meeting began at 8:00 p.m. at the Brookeville Academy.
MINUTES: The minutes for January were accepted as amended.
FINANCIAL REPORT: The financial report was reviewed and accepted.
REGULAR ORDER OF BUSINESS:
1. Operations and Maintenance:
Public Maintenance. There was further discussion regarding the service provided by Waste Management since the meeting of the Commissioners with WM’s representative last month. It was noted that service has improved although there have been some missed pick-ups. Commissioner Unglesbee reported that he spoke with the driver who indicated that he was new on this route. The current issue is that the trash truck will not go down Water Street due to safety concerns arising from the need to back up or on to the Georgia Avenue intersection. The smaller recycling truck has no problem in this regard. Ms. Johnson was asked to set up a meeting with the supervisors of trash and recycling to discuss whether anything can be done to address the problem. President Allan asked Ms. Johnson to also check with Laytonsville to see what company they are using and what the rate structure is.
Academy. President Allan noted there have been problems with renters rearranging furniture from floor to floor as well as failure to move it back to its original placement. The Commissioners decided to add the “furniture clause” from the “Use Requirements” document to the formal rental contract. The renters will be asked to sign off on it. There will also be a charge for moving furniture that will be added prior to the event as well as after the event. Currently it is a onetime charge.
2. Schoolhouse Restoration-President Allan reported he will be meeting with Miche Booz to discuss final details on concluding Phase I of the restoration dealing with the exterior and plans for Phase II dealing with the interior of the building.
3. Water Street- The Town received a reply from Crane Homes addressing the concerns of the Planning Commission concerning compliance with all the conditions of the subdivision. All of the work to be done outside will be started as soon as the weather warms up.
4. Maryland Municipal League, Montgomery Chapter- President Allan stated that County Executive, Doug Duncan will attend the February 9th meeting. At the January chapter meeting, Charlie Watkins, District 3 Engineer, and other officials from the State Highway Administration attended. President Allan spoke to Mr. Watkins about several ongoing concerns in the Town. These concerns included raised crosswalks from the Academy to the Church and on Market Street at the intersection, curbing and culvert maintenance in front of David Yinger’s house, drainage problems on Georgia Avenue at the south entrance to town, and sidewalks and curbing at the Academy and along Georgia Avenue. A meeting was scheduled in Town on February 23rd with Daryl Mobley and Dennis Ingram from the SHA. President Allan also will be sending a letter to SHA Administrator Neil Pederson summarizing Town concerns.
5. Budget – President Allan reported that the Town will have to implement GASB #34 for the next fiscal budget. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board is the accepted standard setting body for established governmental and financial reporting principles. Statement 34 establishes new requirements for annual financial reports by State and local governments and will apply to Brookeville this coming fiscal year (2004-2005). He asked Ms. Johnson to set up a meeting with the Town’s accounting firm to discuss the details of this requirement and in preparation for the annual budget process. President Allan also stated that he would like to consider for the coming year codification of the Town Code of Ordinances.
NEW BUSINESS
Laytonsville Bypass – President Allan was asked by Laytonsville Mayor Willard Oland to share his insights and advice at a Laytonsville Town Council Work Session in January on a proposed Laytonsville Bypass of Route 108.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. The next meeting is on March 8, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. at the Brookeville Academy.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan L. Johnson
Clerk-Treasurer