MINUTES
April 3, 2017
Attending the meeting were Mayor Spencer R. Schlosnagle, council members Julia Sines, Pam Humberson, Sheryl MaCLane, Fred Fox, Jerry Fike, Robert Sines and Clerk/Treasurer Karen Benedict. In the audience were Pastor Phil Smith from the Freedom Chapel Church, Chris Stewart who runs the Water Street Cafe, Sheriff Rob Corley and Crede Calhoun. Council President Julia Sines called the April 3, 2017 general meeting of the Mayor and Town Council to order at 6:00 pm.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Pastor Phil Smith of the Freedom Chapel Church gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. Approval ofthe Agenda and Minutes: Jerry moved to accept the agenda. Bob seconds the motion. All in favor. Sheryl moved to approve the March 20, 2017 Mayor and Town Council meeting. Jerry seconds the motion. All in favor. Jerry moved to approved the March 27, 2017 Work Session minutes. Fred seconds the motion. All in favor.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Pastor Phil Smith of the Freedom Chapel Church gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. Approval ofthe Agenda and Minutes: Jerry moved to accept the agenda. Bob seconds the motion. All in favor. Sheryl moved to approve the March 20, 2017 Mayor and Town Council meeting. Jerry seconds the motion. All in favor. Jerry moved to approved the March 27, 2017 Work Session minutes. Fred seconds the motion. All in favor.
TO THE FLOOR
Phil Smith presented the proposals for fixing the basketball backboards. There is no guarantee with either company. Glass Unlimited, LLC is charging for two whole sheets of polycarbonate at a cost of $1,318. They will need to be cut down to size. Mt. Top Glass Home and Auto will cut them to size, grind the edges and put the holes in them for $1,406. Phil stated that
polycarbonate is virtually vandalism free where acrylic is what we have at the present time and can be damaged by vandalism. He recommended to council to purchase the polyCarbonate sheets and with his help the town could replace the backboards at a cost of $1,000 to $1,120.
He also suggested fixing the broken one first. This will be discussed later in the meeting. Chris Stewart ca me before council to see what is happening in town and to thank the council for their service. He stated the ditch behind the Methodist Church needs cleaned out. There is a smell or stench coming from it. Also, the drain on Water Street where the water runoff from
the state highway needs attention. The county is waiting on the fire department to blow out the inlet and state is waiting on the county roads to clean the culvert before they can do anything. Chris also questioned if the town had any plans to plant some trees in the new parking lot. He was informed the veterans memorial committee will be planting‘some trees around the memorial. Jerry is concerned with parking across from Ch ris’s Water Street Cafe. Could it be changed to parallel parking? Discussion.
Crede Calhoun spoke on the progress ofthe interactive walking tour he is working on.
The deadline is June 30“. Crede spoke on the proposal for a new wildlife viewing area and the need to apply for a Heritage grant to fund this project. There is a 50/50 match to this grant. Spence will check with Peggy Jamison, our circuit rider, about writing the grant.
Sheriff Rob Corley reported we had 24 calls for service. He was questioned about the thefts in the community. He stated if they are not reported he cannot do anything about them. He also spoke on the drug problem in the county. There was a discussion with Sheriff Corley on wrong way parking on Maple Street and Morris Avenue making it difficult for business owners. He
stated the town can have the vehicles towed away. There are sometimes grants to be acquired that pay for extra town patrols we may want to look into. An example is the ”Be the Wall" grant we received through the health department in previous years.
COMMITTEES
Buildings: Bob reported the museum building on Maple Street needs painted. Spencer spoke on the rental fee of $50 per month being paid by the Friend Family for the museum and the needed repairs to the building. He stated it does not look good for the HUR increases in the new fiscal year budget. We need to be very careful with what we spend, however this does need done. Spencer will see if Heritage has any grants for building repair for older buildings.
Streets and Walks: After discussion Julia moved to approve the Garrett County Roads Department proposal for the following: Second Avenue patch 2600 sq. ft. at 2" depth, $1,820; Chestnut Avenue pave 9,960 sq.ft.at 2" depth $6,934: Oak Street pave 15,010 sq. ft. at 2” depth $10,450. Total proposed $19,204. Bob seconds the motion. All in favor.
Randy Fike would like to have the brush cut at the fire hydrant on Oak Street.
Jerry questioned the town placing millings on Alley 14. Karen read the opinion from the courts stating the Quitclaim deed from the Mayor and Town Council of Friendsville to Randy Humberson and Pamela Sue Humberson dated July 21, 2009, and recorded July 29, 2009, in Liber 1453, folio 485, of the Land Records of Garrett County, Maryland, ”be and hereby is declared invalid, unenforceable and "Null and Void". And that: Alley 14 in the town of Friendsville shall have the same status as existed prior to the recording of said Quitclaim deed.” Jerry is questioning Resolution 2008-13 where it states “the Town declares it has no property
interest in said alley and therefore leaves it to such private parties as may claim an interest in Alley No. 14 to resolve their interests among themselves.” This was adopted 2008. More research is needed.
Fred question if we can take a blade and make a 2" crevice along the alley in the back of Pat Hamlin's property to hopefully help the water issues at his apartments. After discussion, it was decided when Paul Harvey, from the Garrett County Roads Department, is in town to have him look at it and get his Opinion.
Christmas: there was a discussion on the Christmas Home Tour and Quilt Show.
Economic Development: Discussion on the Celtic Festival June 3rd banners and upcoming events in town.
Safety: Discussion on parking issues across from the Water Street Café and Morris Avenue. Spencer is concerned with who is responsible for paying for the towing and storage if the owner of the vehicle does not do anything.
Community Park: There was a discussion on whether we should use acrylic or polycarbonic for the back boards in the park that are damaged. Fred moved to wait until the next meeting. He will look into seeing if he can come up with a better price. Jerry seconds the motion. Julia, Fred, Pam, Jerry and Bob for the motion. Sheryl abstains. There was also a discussion on getting ventilation in the bottom bathrooms.
Trees and Shrubs: The memorial planting for Alice Spear is April 19th at 6:00 pm. at Town Hall. Sheryl donated a bench. This is not a public event, only for the family, council members and tree committee members.
Streets and Walks: After discussion Julia moved to approve the Garrett County Roads Department proposal for the following: Second Avenue patch 2600 sq. ft. at 2" depth, $1,820; Chestnut Avenue pave 9,960 sq.ft.at 2" depth $6,934: Oak Street pave 15,010 sq. ft. at 2” depth $10,450. Total proposed $19,204. Bob seconds the motion. All in favor.
Randy Fike would like to have the brush cut at the fire hydrant on Oak Street.
Jerry questioned the town placing millings on Alley 14. Karen read the opinion from the courts stating the Quitclaim deed from the Mayor and Town Council of Friendsville to Randy Humberson and Pamela Sue Humberson dated July 21, 2009, and recorded July 29, 2009, in Liber 1453, folio 485, of the Land Records of Garrett County, Maryland, ”be and hereby is declared invalid, unenforceable and "Null and Void". And that: Alley 14 in the town of Friendsville shall have the same status as existed prior to the recording of said Quitclaim deed.” Jerry is questioning Resolution 2008-13 where it states “the Town declares it has no property
interest in said alley and therefore leaves it to such private parties as may claim an interest in Alley No. 14 to resolve their interests among themselves.” This was adopted 2008. More research is needed.
Fred question if we can take a blade and make a 2" crevice along the alley in the back of Pat Hamlin's property to hopefully help the water issues at his apartments. After discussion, it was decided when Paul Harvey, from the Garrett County Roads Department, is in town to have him look at it and get his Opinion.
Christmas: there was a discussion on the Christmas Home Tour and Quilt Show.
Economic Development: Discussion on the Celtic Festival June 3rd banners and upcoming events in town.
Safety: Discussion on parking issues across from the Water Street Café and Morris Avenue. Spencer is concerned with who is responsible for paying for the towing and storage if the owner of the vehicle does not do anything.
Community Park: There was a discussion on whether we should use acrylic or polycarbonic for the back boards in the park that are damaged. Fred moved to wait until the next meeting. He will look into seeing if he can come up with a better price. Jerry seconds the motion. Julia, Fred, Pam, Jerry and Bob for the motion. Sheryl abstains. There was also a discussion on getting ventilation in the bottom bathrooms.
Trees and Shrubs: The memorial planting for Alice Spear is April 19th at 6:00 pm. at Town Hall. Sheryl donated a bench. This is not a public event, only for the family, council members and tree committee members.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- Friendsville Way: After discussion Fred moved to allow the Maker's Market and the Farmers Market fall under the town's insurance as a spinoff from the Friendsville Economic Development Comprehensive Plan. Jerry seconds the motion. All in favor.
- MML Summer Conference: Bob moves to send Jerry, Spencer and Sheryl, if her schedule, permits to the summer conference. Fred seconds the motion. All in favor. If reservations are made before the 17th the cost of convention will be $600 per person.
- Jerry’s concerns: Raising the takeout fees from $4 per person to $5 per person. Jerry moved to raise the takeout fees to $5 per person. Fred seconds the motion. Spencer read a letter from Whitewater Classics where they stated they felt our fees were getting excessive with what they were receiving in return. They have to pay $2 to put in at Sang Run and $4 to the town to raft the Upper Yough. They only pay $4.50 in Ohiopyle and they have showers and more to offer. Discussion. Bob for the motion. Pam, Julia, Fred, Jerry and Sheryl against the motion. After more discussion, Fred moves to raise the fee
from $4 per person to $4.50 per person. Jerry seconds the motion. Jerry, Bob, Fred for the motion. Julia, Pam and Sheryl against the motion. In the event ofa tie Spencer can vote. He voted against the motion and ask a letter be sent to the two companies explaining our concerns.
Double the mayor and council wages: Jerry feels this may get more people to run for
office. At the present time, the mayor receives $30 per meeting‘and council $15 per
meeting. After discussion, it was agreed to leave it at the current amounts.
office. At the present time, the mayor receives $30 per meeting‘and council $15 per
meeting. After discussion, it was agreed to leave it at the current amounts.