January 13, 2003 Commissioners Meeting Minutes

January 13, 2003

ATTENDING: President Richard Allan, Commissioners Robert Heritage and Les Unglesbee, and Clerk-Treasurer Susan Johnson were in attendance. Terri Hogan from the Olney Gazette and residents Richard Chandler, Fred Teal, Michael Acierno and Mark Friis were also in attendance. The meeting began at 8:00 p.m. at the Brookeville Academy.

MINUTES: The December minutes were read and accepted as submitted.

FINANCIAL REPORT: The financial report was reviewed and accepted.

REGULAR ORDER OF BUSINESS:

1. Operations and Maintenance:
Public Maintenance. The above-named residents representing North Street came to the meeting to discuss potholes in the street’s gravel surface and their desire for more frequent maintenance of the road. They pointed to the rapid deterioration of the road, especially in the last month. They indicated there were many large potholes. President Allan acknowledged that the Town did need to establish a more regular maintenance schedule for the Town’s two gravel streets, North and South Street. The new Water Street will also be a gravel surface and will be part of the new schedule once residential construction activity is completed on Water Street. He also pointed out that after a long period of draught and then significant and heavy rain over the past six months along with increased traffic on North Street, the road surface took a beating. Snow plowing made matters worse. President Allan reported that he had already arranged with Leary Trucking a delivery of #8 gravel to repair the road surface and to provide a maintenance pile for filling any potholes when they develop. If weather cooperated, the delivery was scheduled for January 17. He also stated that the Commissioners would develop a regular maintenance schedule for the gravel streets. Everyone agreed that this was acceptable. The Town will re-examine the street in the spring for appropriate repair and additional gravel.

Academy Rates & Policies – The new previously agreed upon Academy use policies and rates are now in effect and have been added to the Town web site.

2. Bordly Drive – The County provided an update on this important project that reports that construction is to begin in late winter of this year with completion scheduled in 14 months ( Spring 2004). The contract was awarded to Concrete General for $1,150,000. It will also include a bike path, decorative streetlights, and appropriate modifications on Georgia Avenue.

3. MML, Montgomery County Chapter – President Allan attended the annual MML Montgomery Chapter legislative update and dinner for the County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly. The town hosted new delegate and town resident, Karen Montgomery. Resident and Town Planning Commissioner Mark Friis reported that he met with Mike Knapp, our new Montgomery County Councilperson. Mike Knapp indicated he would like to attend one of the town commissioners meetings. President Allan stated that he would contact and invite him.

President Allan also stated that he would be attending the Maryland Mayors’ Annual Winter Conference on Jan. 29 & 30, 2003 in Annapolis.

4. Schoolhouse- The sub floors are now installed as well as the joists. The new roof will be installed in February.

NEW BUSINESS

1. President Allan discussed the need to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission and the need for an Elections Supervisor to organize the May election for the one commissioner’s position up for election in May. He will write a short description of each position to include in the next newsletter as well as ask residents who are interested to step forward.

The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. The next meeting is on February 10, 2003 at 8:00 p.m. at the Brookeville Academy.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan L. Johnson
Clerk-Treasurer