Month: January 2013

Town of Brookeville Commissioners Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2012
8:00pm

Commissioner President Michael Acierno, Commissioners Sue Daley and Katherine Farquhar, Academy Manager Andrea Scanlon and Treasurer Susan Johnson were present. Present during the meeting was Gazette Reporter Terri Hogan

Minutes: November minutes were approved after amendments. They will be posted to the website.

Financial: Reports were reviewed. Michael put all back audits and financial statements on the website so we are currently up to date.

Academy Report: The Plein Air paintings that were done around town were on display at the Sandy Spring Museum and are now at the Inn at Brookeville Farms. Roberta Staat wanted to know if the town could have the paintings on display at the Academy or Schoolhouse. Andrea does not think it will work well with the rentals that use the academy. She thought that we might be able to display them at the Schoolhouse for a specified weekend, if the Plein Air group agrees to help out. They could also be displayed during the bicentennial celebrations.

Plein Air Olney will be having another evening the spring of 2013 and would like to use the academy for an after party. Andrea stated she was fine with that.

Roberta Staat would like to rent the schoolhouse again beginning Jan or Feb 1, 2013. Andrea will discuss the deposit to cover heating costs and other final details with her once she knows when she wants to start.

The rentals are down until March 2013 and we have not had very many full price rentals over the past year. We have not been doing any advertising lately and may need to start in the Spring.

Planning Commission: The commissioners signed a permit for tree removal. It is not to be given to the resident until the permit fee has been paid.

Town Clerk Vacancy: The town has received two applications. Michael will be in touch with both applicants to set up interviews within a week.

War of 1812: Teleconference with Bill Penecek to discuss details of $20,000 grant with Sandy Heiler, Michael Yesenko and Michael Acierno. Michael Yesenko is our grant manager.

Town Comments: Katherine noted that a resident mentioned to her that the town was starting to look a bit trashy with leaves in gutters and needed some clean up. See next item for response

Town Maintenance: Leary Trucking is finishing up gravel work on North, South and Water Sts. After that job is complete, he will present a new contract to clean the gutters, move large rocks by fire pit, etc.

Tax Rates: The town’s tax rates have remained the same for at least the last 10 years. Susan will try and find when the last increase occurred.

Legislative dinner: Will be held on Dec 13. Brookeville was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.

Large Item Pick up: Postponed till spring.

Open Discussion: Andrea stated that she hoped to have the new town directory printed and distributed in May, but will need assistance verifying the rest of the listings that were mot updated at the Holiday Party..

The meeting adjourned at 9:00p.m.

Susan Johnson, Treasurer

Town of Brookeville Commissioners Meeting Minutes
January 14, 2013
8:00 p.m.

Commissioner President Michael Acierno, Commissioners Sue Daley and Katherine Farquhar, Academy Manager Andrea Scanlon, Treasurer Susan Johnson and Clerk Diane Teague were present. Present during the meeting were: residents Buck Bartley, Chris Haris, Stefan Syski, David Yinger and friend.  Also present was Fred Ambrose of Salem United Methodist Church.

Minutes:  Minutes of the December meeting were reviewed and approved.

Financial Reports: Financial Report was approved. There were larger expenses this month due to street repaving and street clean up by Leary Trucking. There was also a large landscaping expenditure that included the cost of steps at top of walkway between Water and North Streets.

Academy Report: Andrea commented that inquiries were up. Also noted was the link to the calendar on the website needs to be switched from Comcast.  President Acierno will look at this

Salem UMC: Fred Ambrose and Buck Bartley presented issues and proposals on behalf of Salem UMC.  Their first concern is for pedestrian safety on sidewalks in front of the church and cross walks to the Academy and the grave yard.  They are also planning new signage as well as improvements to the church exterior including landscaping and ways to correct drainage problems that are causing erosion in the back of the property. They would also like to replace the mulch on the playground. The discussion was about ownership of the sidewalks and SHA jurisdiction, what part the town will play in subsidizing the projects and signage that would coordinate Academy and Church pedestrian/parking directions.  Katherine Farquhar suggested that sidewalk improvements maintain a uniform appearance with the Academy. It was resolved that Buck Bartley would get estimates for the landscaping and drainage work and that Fred Ambrose will draft a letter to SHA for the proposed work.

New Clerk: Commissioners welcome new Town Clerk Diane Teague. It was also discussed that planning commission secretary’s duties will be added to Clerk’s and position eliminated.  The position is being eliminated due to there not being enough work to warrant a separate paid position.

Maintenance: Water/North/South St. maintenance completed. Gutter cleaning completed. Gravel pile to block vehicles from using path between Water and North Street was removed and two stones from fire pit were put in its place to block vehicles.

Grants: Star Spangled 200 Grant agreement for $20,000 signed and witnessed.

Meeting Dates:

• Date for Town Meeting set for Monday March 18^th at 7:30 pm for 2014 Events presentation.
• Annual Town Meeting Set for May 13^th. Election May 7^th.

Misc: Agree to donate items from the town to the Sandy Spring Museum.

Open discussion:

1. David Yinger noted the town’s poor appearance with examples of leaves, brush and loose trash left uncollected in the streets. Michael Acierno responded that Brookeville’s funding from the state has been drastically reduced in recent years. Recent improvements in the economy will hopefully return funding to prior levels. Also savings and a grant to prepare for the 2014 Celebration will be used to spruce up the town. Katherine Farquhar mentioned that town contractors need to be informed that the town limits extend North on Georgia Ave. past Dave Yinger’s house.

1. Contractor issues: Chris Haris noted that Leary Trucking was depositing leaf waste and debris on his property.  He also noted that Leary mentioned other sites in town where they dump clean up waste. It was resolved that all future contracts would be explicit about removing all waste from the town and that dumping on private property and town property was forbidden. He also noted that road maintenance should be performed in the Spring and that much of the work will be disturbed by winter weather and snow plows.

1. Traffic: Chris Haris presented a letter to the Commissioners describing a recent traffic incident on his property. At issue is the continuing occurrences of speeding drivers failing to stop and hitting his fence before they regain control of their vehicle. Michael Acierno read the letter aloud and all approved sending it to SHA. He also noted that MCPS bus drivers refuse to pick up near the intersection because of safety issues. It was resolved to put an appeal for letters supporting the bypass in the newsletter.

1. Utility Poles and Lights: Chris Haris noted a utility pole with snapped guy wires at the corner of Water and Market St.

1. Commissioners welcome Stefan Syski a returning Brookeville resident. Stefan grew up in Brookeville and has moved back with his wife and family.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Diane Teague
Town Clerk