Minutes of Town Meeting
July 17, 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 Raffetto, Jr., Town Attorney, Karen Ruff and Town Administrator/Clerk, Nancy J. Lindyberg. President Rhodes dispensed with the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Committee Reports:

Planning and Zoning:  Janet Rochester, Chairperson, said there was nothing to report.  The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 14, 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 contractor, Karl Zierfuss intends to start the work at the beginning of August 2023.

QAC Library Book Mobile: The book mobile will be in Church Hill on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at the Church Hill Park, 1130 Sudlersville Road from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Maryland Food Bank Food Truck:  Beginning in July the food truck will now be at the Church Hill Park, 1130 Sudlersville Road.  The next schedule date is Thursday, July 20, 2023 from 12pm to 2pm.

Cell Tower Construction Status: President Rhodes advised that he spoke with the cell tower contractor and she said that the circuit is at the location and they are working to get it installed.  They hope to have the cell tower working in 10 to 15 days.
New Business:

Correspondence:   The Town received an email from Lynda Hall, representing Church Hill United Methodist Church, asking if the Town could possibly offer financial assistance with their upcoming School Supply Giveaway. The event is sponsored by the three churches that are located within town limits. (CHUMC, St. Lukes, Bethel AME). The giveaway will take place on Saturday, August 5, 2023, from 10am-2pm at the Church Hill United Methodist Church, 506 Main Street. It is open to any child in the community regardless of whether they attend any of the three churches.  Commissioner Griffin moved to donate $600 for the School Supply Giveaway.  Commissioner Raffetto seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3-0.

Resolution No. 130-23 Authorizing the Acceptance of Certain Roads in the Church Hill Hunt Subdivision: A Resolution of the Commissioners of the Town of Church
Hill, Maryland accepting certain public roads located within the Church Hill Hunt subdivision and accepting a Deed of Public Roads Dedication for the roads and authorizing the President of the Town Commission to sign the deed.

Commissioner Raffetto moved to Introduce and Pass Resolution No. 130-23.  Commissioner Griffin seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3-0.

Resolution No. 131-23 Cannabis Business Moratorium: A Resolution of the Commissioners of Church Hill declaring a moratorium for a period of nine (9) months on the issuance of any zoning permit, development approval, or occupancy permit for businesses engaged in the manufacture or sale of cannabis, in order to allow the Town to review regulations to be promulgated by the State of Maryland with respect to the location and operation of such businesses to ensure that the Town's implementation of processes necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare can be accomplished in a thoughtful and lawful manner.

Commissioner Raffetto moved to Introduce and Pass Resolution 131-23.  Commissioner Griffin seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3-0.

Resolution No. 132-23 Approving a Perpetual Protective Agreement And Deed of Forest Conservation Easement Church Hill Hunt, Queen Anne's County, to the Town of Church Hill, Maryland: A Resolution of the Commissioners of the Town of Church Hill, Maryland accepting a Perpetual Protective Agreement and Deed of Forest Conservation Easement and authorizing the President of the Town Commission to sign the Agreement and Easement.

Commissioner Raffetto moved to Introduce and Pass Resolution No. 132-23.  Commissioner Griffin seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3-0.

Ordinance No. 180-23 Boards and Commissions: An ordinance of the Commissioners of the Town of Church Hill, Maryland amending the code of the Town of Church Hill, Chapter 75 "Zoning," Article 3 "Administration and Enforcement" to repeal and re-enact with Amendments § 75-17 "Planning Commission" and § 75-18 "Board of Appeals," and amending Town Code, Article 4 "Overlay Districts," Part 4, by repealing § 75-74 "Designated Historic Sites Commission" and § 75-75 "Powers and Duties of the Designated Historic Sites Commission"  and repealing and re-enacting with Amendments § 75-76 "Proceedings of the Designated Historic Sites Commission" as § 75-74  and enacting Town Code, Chapter 3 "Boards and Commissions".

Commissioner Raffetto moved to Introduce and Adopt Ordinance No. 180-23 as an Emergency Ordinance effective July 17, 2023.  Commissioner Griffin seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3-0.

Proposed Text Amendment To Zoning Ordinance For Signage: The Town Administrator presented the Proposed Text Amendment to Zoning Ordinance for Signage to Janet Rochester, Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission, to present to the members of the Planning Commission for approval at their next scheduled meeting.
Sewer System:

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

Other:  None

Comments:   None

President Rhodes made a motion to recess the regular meeting and enter into Closed Session pursuant to Md. Code, General Provisions Article, §3-305(b)(3) to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; and Md. Code, General Provisions Article, § 3-305(b)(7) to consult with council to obtain legal advice.  Commissioner Raffetto seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3-0.  The regular session recessed at 6:50 p.m.

At 8:30 p.m. the Commissioners reconvened the regular meeting.

Commissioner Raffetto moved to authorize President Rhodes to sign the Exclusive Residential Brokers Buyer's Agreement with Rosendale Realty.  Commissioner Griffin seconded the motion.  The motion passed 3-0.

Commissioner Raffetto made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. Commissioner Griffin seconded the motion.  The motion was passed 3-0.  The regular session was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

The next Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 7, 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, July 17, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

Charles M. Rhodes, Jr.
President