March 8, 2010 Commissioners Meeting Minutes

March 8, 2010
8:00 p.m.

Commissioner President Michael Acierno, Commissioner Robert Heritage, Commissioner Katherine Farquhar, Town Clerk Cate McDonald, Academy Manager Andrea Scanlon. Treasurer Susan Johnson was not in attendance. Present during all or portions of the meeting was Gazette Reporter Terri Hogan

Minutes: The February Commissioners Meeting Minutes were approved.

Financial: The February financial report was emailed to the Commissioners prior to the meeting

Academy Update: 5 new rental contracts since last month that are mostly graduation parties. The Gazette is $250 for a block ad per week; Commissioner President Acierno approved an ad to appear in the following weeks to see if an ad generates any business.

Academy Manager will look into buying a prepaid propane contract next year to help reduce costs.

Church Street: Susan Bartley, 5 Church Street, sent an e-mail to the Town inquiring why Church Street does not receive the same road maintenance and snow removal as the “other side streets” in Town. After some research, it was determined that the section of Church Street that is paved is the only portion that belongs to the Town. The gravel portion of Church Street is a private road and not maintained by the Town. North, South, Water, East Market Streets and the paved portion of Church Street are all legally dedicated Town streets and maintained by the Town. Commissioner President Acierno will send a letter to Mrs. Bartley regarding Church Street and maintenance.

Snow Removal: Current snow removal costs are well over budget. The Town will need to reduce its operating expenses and will not renew / engage in any optional contracts.

Commissioner Farquhar made a formal motion for the Town not to engage a seasonal landscaping maintenance contract, which typically runs March – November, which unanimously passed.

Lawn services for the Academy are separate contracts and will not be affected.

Brookeville Clean Up Day: The Town Commissioners will ask Town Residents to do simple tasks this spring. Saturday, April 24 was selected as Brookeville Clean Up Day to help celebrate Earth Day. Tasks will be mulching and maintenance of the walking path between North and Water Streets and care and clean up of the Town entrance signs. Commissioner Heritage will contact Asplundh or a similar company that will deliver free mulch. Commissioner Farquhar suggested contacting Debbie Wagner, 198 Market Street, about leading Clean Up Day.

LGIT: Tim Ailsworth, Executive Director of LGIT, will attend April’s Commissioners Meeting to present the award and has extended an invitation for dinner prior to the meeting. The Town Commissioners confirmed that 6:30pm at The Tavern will work for dinner.

309 & 311 Market St: The Courts were closed due to weather for the February hearing regarding the status of 309 Market Street. Commissioner Robert Heritage will try to determine the rescheduled hearing date.

Comprehensive Plan: Commissioner President Acierno will ask MDP for an extension for the Comprehensive Plan, which is due April 1, 2010. MDP has stated that will grant only one more extension.

May Election: A notice has been mailed to all Town Residents advising that there will be an election for one commissioner on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 and nominations are being accepted for the position of Town Commissioner. Commissioner President Acierno term expires this May. Nomination deadline is April 13, 2010.

Open Discussion: The date for the Annual Town Meeting has been confirmed as Monday, May 24th at 8:00pm.

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Cate McDonald
Town Clerk