ALL BUSINESS ITEMS MUST BE SCHEDULED ON THE AGENDA THE WEDNESDAY PRIOR TO THE TOWN MEETING IN ORDER TO BE HEARD.

 

TOWN OF PITTSVILLE COMMISSIONERS

AGENDA

October 21, 2019

 

 

 

 

• Call to order

-Pledge of Allegiance

-Invocation Prayer

 

• Minutes of meeting on September 16, 2019

 

3.)  Treasurer’s Report of Balances of General and Utility Accounts for

September 2019.

 

4.)  Public Safety Report

• Sheriff Sector Report
• Fire/EMS Report
• Police/Code Enforcement Report

 

5.)  Town Manager/Circuit Rider

 

6.)  Town Engineer Report – Robert Duma

 

7.)  Old Business:

a.) Assigned Board of Election Members

 

8.)  New Business:

Legislation:

• Resolution No. 2019-07 – Introduce and Adopt
• Resolution No. 2019-08 – Introduce and Adopt

Other:

a.) Bulk Pick-up

b.) Consideration of Social Media Contract

c.) Christmas Parade-November 30th

 

9.)  Commissioners/Public Comments

 

10.) Adjournment of meeting. Next meeting scheduled for Monday, November 18, 2019

TOWN OF PITTSVILLE

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

September 16, 2019

The regular meeting of the Pittsville Town Council was held on Monday, September 16, 2019.  President George Whited, Jr. called the meeting to order at 7:31p.m.  Council members present were Ted Farlow, Erika Lecates, Roland Adkins and Bethany Miller. Also present was Town Manager, Joseph Mangini and Town Attorney, Paul Wilber.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

An Invocation Prayer was not given.

The minutes for the August 2019 meeting were read and approved on a motion by Council member Roland Adkins and seconded by Council member Erika Lecates. All were in favor. Motion carried. The financial statement for the Utility Fund for August 2019 was read and approved on a motion by Commissioner Lecates and seconded by Commissioner Adkins.  The General account financial statement for August 2019 was read and approved on a motion by Commissioner Farlow and seconded by Commissioner Adkins.

Public Safety Report:

The Sheriff’s Report was not given.

The Fire/EMS Report was not given.

The Police/Code Enforcement Report was given by

Chief of Police, Robert Harris.

Town Manager/Circuit Rider Report – Joseph Mangini

The Solar Panel Project was discussed.  Mr. Duma stated in the last town meeting that the project had been cleared through the MHT (Maryland Historical Trust). However, The Town of Pittsville recently received a letter stating the project could not use State and Federal Funds only Local Funds which did not include removing the existing structure.  A resolution must be made to resolve this issue with the MHT and the MDE. An update will be discussed at the next meeting.

The Town of Pittsville has entered into a three (3) years contract with Singh Operational Services to operate the Water Treatment Plant.

Mr. Mangini also explained the additional responsibilities and duties the company will perform under this new contract.

Handy wipes are continuing to cause a problem resulting in an increase of man hours required at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The Town is pursuing a solution to this ongoing situation.

The Water Plant Mini Upgrade will be starting.  The cost of this project is $188,000.00 which will be paid for out of the impact fees.  This upgrade will result in a water rate increase to be determined.

Town Engineer Report – Robert Duma

Mr. Duma addressed the Water Plant Mini Upgrade.  The Filter Media is the most important and top priority issue at this time.

He has contacted three (3) contractors and two (2) additional contractors to bid to this project. A scope of the work and a plan was presented to all bidders.  He has received all of the submitted prices with a range of $69,870 to $194,000.  The Engineer estimated this work at $64,500.

Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc. recommend award of the contract to Hopkins Construction in the amount of $69,870.  Once a decision is made by the Town Council a schedule to begin this project will be set up as soon as possible.

A motion to award the Filter Media Replacement Project to Hopkins Construction was made by Commissioner Lecates and seconded by Commissioner Adkins.  All were in favor.

Rob Duma also stated the Filter Feed Pumps are another phase to the mini upgrade.  Rob Duma and John McGee of DB&F have created a design to remove the two (2) existing pumps and replace with new pumps and also have a spare on site.  This project will also require an electrical upgrade.  Once Singh Operational Services enters into the contract on October 1, 2019, and agree to this upgrade, the bids will go out for quotes on this project.

Mr. Mangini stated the Wastewater Treatment Plant Study is ongoing with the USDA.

Old Business:

Commissioner Lecates stated the last Free Movie Night has been rescheduled and will be held on Friday, September 20, 2019 due to weather issues.  The location is the Powellville VFW Pavilion beginning at 8:00 pm.

New Business:

Town Manager, Joseph Mangini, stated the Comprehensive Plan is now complete.  The Planning Commission will hold a meeting on October 1, 2019 to review and comment on the plan.  Afterwards, a Public Hearing will be held. The Planning Commission will then recommend the Town Commissioners to proceed with the plan.  This will also require another Public Hearing and a motion for Adoption of the Comprehensive Plan.

Commissioner President, George Whited, Jr., stated the Town of Pittsville is looking for Candidates for the Board of Elections.  Three (3) member are required for a four (4) year term to assist with election activities.  The Town Council will appoint a Chairperson and Members.

Anyone interested should contact the Town Clerk to apply. A decision should be made by the next town meeting.

Commissioners/Public Comments:

Commissioner President, George Whited, Jr., once again requested that any complaints concerning the Pittsville Water Plant be handled through the Town Office and not by calling MDE.  Beginning October 1, 2019, Singh Operational Services will be addressing any complaints regarding the Water Plant.

Commissioner Adkins, speaking for the Pittsville Fire Department, wanted to remind the residents of the upcoming events.

• September 29, 2019: Car, Truck, Tractor and Motorcycle Show

• October 26, 2019: Annual Fall Festival

Commissioner President, George Whited, Jr., announced the Town

of Pittsville will soon be sending out notices in the Quarterly Water Bills

which consists of a list of issues and activities occurring in the Town.

The next bulk pick-up date will be available at the next Town Meeting.  The Town Clerk is coordinating the event with Chesapeake Waste.  Once a date is determined it will be placed on the Town of Pittsville Website.

Commissioner Farlow stated due to health issues he will not run

for Town Council in the upcoming election.

There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Council member Adkins and seconded by Council member Lecates. The next meeting will be held on Monday, October 21, 2019 at 7:30 pm.

APPROVED:

__________________________    __________________________

George Whited, Jr. President          Roland Adkins, Commissioner

__________________________     __________________________

Essel T. Farlow, V.P. Treasurer      Erika Lecates, Commissioner

__________________________

Bethany Miller, Commissioner

TOWN MANAGER’S TALES

WATER

The Town Commissioners at a special meeting held on September 11, 2019 approved a three (3) year contract with SINGH OPERATIONAL SERVICES (SOS) to provide operations and maintenance to the Town of Pittsville’s   Water Treatment Plant (WTP) to become effective October 1, 2019. SOS has been in operation for many years and will be a tremendous. SOS will provide the water operators, perform the required testing and maintenance and prepare the necessary reports that are required by the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE).

Along with the above, the Town’s commitment to perform a mini upgrade to the WTP will be commencing soon to be paid from funds reserved in the Town’s water impact fee account. The Town Manager has informed MDE of the above change in the operation of the WTP.

BULK TRASH

Bulk Trash is scheduled for Thursday, November 14, 2019. Look for specific details in a separate News Event listing on the Town’s web page

SPECIAL EVENTS

Should you have a community special event you want listed to be included in the utility billing soon to go out in the mail, please provide details to the Town by Monday, September 30, 2019 so we can include in our mailing. Events should be for the upcoming quarter (Oct thru Dec).

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The next scheduled meeting of the Town’s Planning/Zoning Commission will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 commencing at 6:30 pm to finalize discussion on the new draft comprehensive plan before being presented to the public for further input or comments.

SOLAR PANELS PROJECT

GOOD NEWS!  The issue regarding the demolition of the old building structure on town property to be the site of the solar panels project has been resolved. All parties (MHT, MDE, and Town) have agreed to the town’s request to remove the structure using local funds, and not any grant funds. This removes the last obstacle in the way of beginning these very important and worthwhile endeavor that once completed is projected to save the Town $30,000 annually on our electric costs.

SEWER

The Town with the assistance of SERCAP, a non -profit organization that helps write grants for rural communities for sewer/water projects, has been awarded a grant from USDA Rural Development of $22,000 to begin the initial engineering study for the new waste water treatment plant (WWTP). This is only the very beginning of a lengthy process to upgrade the WWTP.

DITCH WORK

Unfortunately, our grant application to clear and clean out the town’s storm ditches was not approved at the State. However, the Town will consider alternative ways and resources to undertake this project as the Town Commissioners consider this a “priority”.

BUILDING PERMITS

Please remember and be advised and aware that before you undertake any building construction or repair, contact the Town Hall to ascertain whether you need a building permit. Beginning a project without a town AND county permit may result in halting of work and municipal citation with fine being issued. BEST ADVICE!!!  ASK BEFORE STARTING!

NEW RENTAL HOUSING REGULATIONS/REGISTRATION

As advertised, the Town Commissioners have approved new rental housing regulations that requires the registration with the town of ALL rental dwelling units along with a formal inspection to be done by the Town.  A letter describing the procedure and application to be completed has recently been sent to those interested parties owning rental housing units. Letter is posted on the town’s web site.

 

The Town of Pittsville has declared a 1994 Dodge Truck surplus property and is being offered for sale.

Anyone interested should call the Town Hall at 410-835-8872.