Minutes of Town Meeting
May 1, 2023


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

Commissioner Griffin moved to approve the minutes of April 17, 2023, as written. President Rhodes seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3-0.

Committee Reports:

Planning and Zoning:  There was no Planning and Zoning for the month of April, 2023.  The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 8, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

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 he spoke with the contractor, Karl Zierfuss, who said that he hopes to be finished with the repairs and renovations by the end of July.  Mr. Zierfuss also said that he has had difficulty getting materials and he has been very busy.

Maryland Food Bank Truck:  The Maryland Food Bank truck will again be in Church Hill Monday, May 15, 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 will be in Church Hill again on Thursday, May 25, 2023 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 he spoke with the contractor and they are still waiting to hear from Verizon regarding installation of a fiber optic cable to the tower.

Bulk Trash Removal - May 20, 2023:
Ms. Lindyberg said that she contacted Chesapeake Waste and the Bulk Trash Removal has been set for Saturday, May 20, 2023. Pick up will be 6:00 am Saturday morning and trash should be put out Friday night.
 
Other: None

New Business:

Correspondence:   None

Introduction of Ordinance No. 178/23 - FY2024 Budget
: Ordinance No. 178/23 is an ordinance of the Commissioners of the Town of Church Hill, Maryland approving and adopting a budget for the Town of Church Hill, Maryland for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024; establishing a tax rate of $0.34 per $100 of assessed valuation for real property; establishing a utility tax rate of $3.00 per $100 assessed valuation for real property; establishing a sewer user fee of $400 per equivalent dwelling unit per year effective January 1, 2024; and providing for the collection of the State of Maryland Bay Restoration Fund annual fee of $60 per EDU per year.

President Rhodes moved to introduce Ordinance No. 178/23.  Commissioner Raffetto seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3-0.

Commissioner Raffetto advised that the Public Hearing regarding Ordinance No. 178/23 will be Monday, May 15, 2023 at the regular Town meeting to entertain questions and comments from the public.  This information will be advertised in the local newspaper and posted on the Town's website.
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Queen Anne's County Tax Sale
: The Tax Sale will be held on May 16, 2023. At this time, any property that has been submitted for tax sale due to non-payment of the sewer user fee, must now make the payment directly to the QAC Finance Office in Centreville.

Other: None

Sewer System:

Flow Reports: The latest report from MDE has not been received as of this date.

Proposed Initial WWTP Upgrade
:  President Rhodes advised that he spoke with the Town's engineer and they are in the process of doing some topographical work at the WWTP.  They are designing, in conjunction with Maryland Environmental Service, to have a better flow of chemical going into the plant which they hope will help with the water quality discharge.  They should have some preliminary numbers in the next 30 days in order to move forward in the next fiscal year utilizing ARP Funds, of which the Town has approximately $510,000.00 to utilize for sewer upgrade. The money has to be committed by the end of 2024.

Sewer Fee Increase Discussion
: President Rhodes advised that it is included in the budget that the sewer user fee, will be increased by $5.00 per month effective January 1, 2024.

Other:
  None

Comments:
   None

Commissioner Griffin made a motion to adjourn the meeting. President Rhodes seconded the motion.  The motion was passed 3-0.  The regular session was adjourned at 6:18 p.m.

The next Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 15, 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, May 1, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.


Charles M. Rhodes, Jr.
President