Town Meeting Minutes
Minutes of Town Meeting
March 6, 2023


President Charles M. Rhodes, Jr. called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Town Commissioners John P. Griffin, Sr. and Edward C. Raffetto, Jr., via telephone, and Town Administrator/Clerk, Nancy J. Lindyberg.  President Rhodes dispensed with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Raffetto moved to approve the minutes of February 6, 2023, as written.  Commissioner Griffin seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3-0. 

Committee Reports:

Planning and Zoning:  Commissioner Raffetto stated that Planning and Zoning Committee completed the Sustainable Communities Renewal Request and it has been forwarded to the Town Commissioners for signature.  Commissioner Raffetto moved to extend the Sustainable Communities Renewal.  Commissioner Griffin seconded the motion.  The motion was passed 3-0.  There will not be a Planning and Zoning meeting on March 13, 2023.  The next meeting will be April 10, 2023.

Board of Appeals:
  Nothing to report.

Budget Status Report
:  Each Commissioner received copies of the General and Sewer Accounts and reviewed same.

Unfinished Business: 

Town Hall Repair and Renovation:   President Rhodes advised that the Town is still waiting for estimates.

Maryland Food Bank Truck:  The Maryland Food Bank truck will again be in Church Hill Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 562 Main Street, the old lumber yard property.

QAC Library Book Mobile:
The book mobile was in Church Hill on Thursday, March 2, and will be back again on March 16 and 30 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the corner of Main Street and Church Lane.

Cell Tower Construction Status: President Rhodes advised that the cell tower has been erected.  Most if not all of the Verizon wireless transmitters have been installed; however, they are waiting on additional equipment, including a fiber line to the tower, and the cell tower may not be operational for another 90 days. 

Street Tree Maintenance: President Rhodes met with Mr. Eric Johnson from Johnson's Tree and Landscape Inc., and identified locations where street trees are to be trimmed and removed from Town street right of ways.  Mr. Johnson emailed a proposal for work to be done at Church Lane, New Street, Agnes Street, Green Street, Village Drive and Cemetery Lane at a cost of $3,400.00. This will include elevating and cutting back all trees over the roads to make sure all trees are cut back to the shoulder of the road and minimum 14' tall to allow all school buses and utility vehicles to pass through with no interference.  They will chip and clean up all brush and debris and blow the roads off when complete to make sure debris is clear.

Commissioner Griffin moved to accept the proposal and hire Mr. Johnson to do the work.  Commissioner Raffetto seconded the motion.  The motion was passed 3-0.

Other:
None

New Business:

Correspondence:  The Town received two letters from St. Luke's Episcopal Church and Bethel AME Church thanking the Town for their generous donation.
The Town also received a flyer from Bethel AME Church regarding fish dinners they will be selling on Good Friday, April 2, 2023. Dinners are $15 and Sandwiches are $8.  They would appreciate advanced orders. This notice has been included on the Town's website.

Sustainable Communities Renewal:
Commissioner Raffetto moved to extend the Sustainable Communities Renewal.  Commissioner Griffin seconded the motion.  The motion was passed 3-0.

Mosquito Control
: The Town has applied for mosquito spraying by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and has been accepted into the program. The spraying will occur on a bi-weekly basis, beginning at the end of May. 

Queen Anne's County Tax Sale
: The Tax Sale will be held on May 16, 2023.

Church Hill Elementary Fourth Grade Field Trip to Town Office
: The fourth grade field trip will occur on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 as part of the studies in government class.

Other: None

Sewer System:

Flow Reports:  Each Commissioner has the latest report from MDE for review.

Proposed Initial WWTP Upgrade
:  President Rhodes advised that in recent conversation with Town Staff and MDE representatives regarding applying for grant money to replace the WWTP, he was informed that the Town may not qualify at this time. However, it was suggested that the Town conduct a study to help determine if and when the WWTP should be replaced. The Town's grant writer is looking for grant funds to pay for the study. With recommendations of the Town engineer and MES personnel, two initial modifications to the WWTP were suggested. One project would modify the process of how chemicals are injected into the system and the other project would make an adjustment to the large lagoon to modify and better control the flow of water to the smaller lagoon.  Aerators would be installed, which would take care of any ammonia issues, if needed.  In addition, Bill Price of B&K Landscaping, will spray the phragmites around the inside of the berm and remove any small saplings, as recommended by MDE.

Other:
  None

Comments:
  Mrs. Janet Rochester expressed her concern regarding the trash and unkempt trailer properties on Green and New Streets.  President Rhodes advised that the Town will look into the matter. 

Commissioner Griffin moved to adjourn the meeting.  Commissioner Raffetto seconded the motion. The motion was passed 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

The next Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 20, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Nancy J. Lindyberg
Town Administrator/Clerk

I hereby certify that the forgoing is a true and accurate record of the open Town Meeting held by the Town Commissioners of Church Hill on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.


Charles M. Rhodes, Jr.
President