TOWN MEETING SNAPSHOT [17 Jul 23]

The following items were on the agenda for the above meeting:

• Treasurer’s Report
  • General Operating Balance: $48,116.32
  • Utility Operating Balance: $101,590.02
  • MLGIP Fund: $2,453,825.32
• Town Manager’s Report
  • TMCR request for reimbursement submitted for $15,145.20
  • TMCR grant application for $55,000.00 submitted.
  • Work to begin soon on new Community Parks/Playground grant application.
  • “National Night Out” will be August 2 with fireworks at the conclusion of the event.
  • Amended FY 23 & FY 24 budget ordinances will be ready for introduction at the August town meeting.
  • ARP budget will be revised to indicate a separate line item for police building solar panels & $60,000 allocated for a new test well.
• Town Engineer’s Report
  • Phase IV of WTP Upgrade still in review by MDE.
  • First sludge bed at WWTP completed. (Second one to be worked on soon)
  • Utility infrastructure mapping on-going.
  • WWTP Pre-Engineering still under USDA review.
  • FY 23 “Street Improvement Project” will begin soon.
  • Working on the “storm water management” study & test well project.
• There was no legislative action to be considered at this meeting. However, the Town Commissioners requested an ordinance to amend the zoning code to include a special exception use for “auto repair, storage & towing” to be included in the Central Business District/CBD zone to be ready for introduction at the August town meeting.
• Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano attended and gave an update on the County’s activities.

Should anyone have questions, desire additional information, or want clarification on the above, you are encouraged to contact the Town Manager at 410-835-8872.

SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ALERT!!!

Please be advised that the Wicomico County Department of Public Works’ ROADS DIVISION will be doing major roadway improvements on that section of Poplar Neck Road between Casher Wells Road and the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant on or about July 24, 2023.

This portion of Poplar Neck Road will be closed to traffic while the work is ongoing. Anyone interested or wanting more information is encouraged to call the County Roads Division at 410-548-4872.

The Commissioners of the Town of Pittsville have requested that the Town’s Engineers, DBF begin work on a “Comprehensive” Storm Water Management Study to identify and determine the best economically feasible way of addressing the very serious storm water drainage issues the Town has experienced over the years.

The study will be composed of DBF identifying those areas in Town most affected by heavy rainfalls to include street overflows, storm ditches, and all -inclusive areas of flooding. The study will take some time to complete and DBF has requested that if residents can photograph those areas in their neighborhoods severely flooded and impacted by water overflows and submit to the Town it will greatly help them in their work on the study.

Also, the Town understands that since this is not a “PITTSVILLE” problem only but also affects the surrounding area the Town Commissioners are requesting that Wicomico County along with the Town of Willards, and the Army Corps of Engineers not to mention the State Government participate since this issue IS a “regional” issue that needs to be adequately handled.

The Town of Pittsville has already allocated funding from the American Rescue Program budget to finance this very worthwhile project. Updates on the study will be provided as they become available to include ongoing progress reports at the monthly town meetings.

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Planning/Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes [1 Jun 23]

The Town of Pittsville’s Planning/Zoning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Jen Keener at 6:00 pm. In attendance were members Kevin Bailey, and Cheryl Tyndall. Heather Frazier and Dwayne Mattox could not attend. Also in attendance was Joe Mangini, Town Manager/Zoning Administrator.

MINUTES
Kevin Bailey made motion to approve the minutes of March 2, 2023 with Cheryl Tyndall seconded. Motion was approved.

TOWN MANAGER’S COMMENTS
Joe Mangini reported that the FY 24 Municipal Operating Budget was introduced at the May 22, 2023 town meeting. There is planned a small increase in the property tax rate from $.28 per $ 100.00 of assessed value to $.2875 per $100.00 of assessed value. West Field Estates is not happening, the subdivision was not recorded and the impact fees refunded. The six (6) EDU’s were returned to the Town and an updated WWTP Sewer Allocation Policy was put in place with a residential dwelling capacity number of eighteen (18) EDU’s available.

The Town Manager discussed with the members the issue with the former Page Pulley property located at Railroad Avenue & Perdue Street. Mitchell Parks is the new owner and his business

Kevin Bailey recommended that in the future the Town be the final signature of the mylar plat map and not the County. The Town Manager will check with legal Counsel regarding this.

The Town Manager discussed the issue regarding Mitchell Parks, present owner of the old Pulley property. Mr Parks has an “automotive services, towing & storage” business and has cleaned up the property considerably. He wants to replace the old building with a new one and continue further improvements. However, due to the new zoning code, his business operation is non-conforming.  There was discussion regarding the matter and how if anything should be done to assist.  Chair Keener proposed possibly the use be included as a special exception but no rezoning. The members were supportive but requiring the applicant to make the request.

Mr Parks also was interested in purchasing the adjoining property which is zoned residential and include that with his business. It was agreed that the property would need to be considered for possible rezoning, but only after the first order of business was accomplished.

OLD BUSINESS
Dale Withers appeared along with his site surveyor/consultant, Brock Parker before the members to present his preliminary subdivision plat plan. The plan calls for 80 total residential sites with just the original 30 having water/sewer allocation in reserve. The remaining 50 could not be served with allocation until the new WWTP is up and running which will be at least 5-7 years. However, Mr Withers is requesting preliminary approval for the 80 lots subdivision since he has a contract from a reputable developer to build out the subdivision over the course of 10 plus years. All of the engineering/infrastructure plans would need to be provided with the Town’s Adequate Public Facilities Advisory Committee needing to review and approve before final can be considered. After some discussion and occasional recess to allow for the Town Manager to check the new zoning code and subdivision regulations, it was determined that the Planning/Zoning Commission could consider an approval of the preliminary subdivision plat but no final until the infrastructure plans were approved and impact fees for the 30 lots paid. Motion to approve by Member Tyndall, and seconded by Chair Keener. Motion approved by 2-1 vote with Vice Chair Bailey voting in the negative.

CLARIFICATION: The new zoning code requires a quorum to be at least 3 members present and affirmative vote of the majority of members present to carry any motion.

NEW BUSINESS
Chair Keener explained the origins and reasoning behind the State’s new marijuana sale/use law and how it will affect the local governments zoning powers. The Town Commissioners at their last meeting approved a resolution establishing a moratorium on the sale/use of recreational marijuana of six months enabling the Town Commissioners and Planning/Zoning Commission to adopt regulations required by the State law.

There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned with tentative next meeting scheduled for July 6, 2023.

Respectfully Submitted,

JOSEPH A MANGINI, Jr.
Town Manager/Zoning Administrator

Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
AGENDA [July 6, 2023 at 6:00 pm, Town Hall]

1) Call to Order
2) Approval of the Minutes
3) Town Manager’s Comments
4) Old Business
    1) Consideration/Update of Mitchell Parks Auto for “Special Exception Use” text amendment to Zoning Code
5) New Business
    1) Review/Consideration of Approval for Preliminary Minor Subdivision Plat for Thomas & Beth Phillips/7466 Collins Street
6) Commission Members/Public Comments
7) Adjournment

NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING: TBD

FY 24 Budget was prepared by the Town Manager & Town Treasurer & reviewed by the Town Commission President before submittal to the Town Commissioners for debate & discussion. Two work sessions were held, a few changes were made and FY 24 Budget was introduced by ordinance for its first reading on May 22. The FY 24 proposed budget was put on the Town’s web page and was available for review by the public since its introduction. Also, the ordinance and this required budget public hearing were advertised in the Daily Times as required by the Town Charter. The final step in the process is tonight to hear any further additional public comment regarding the FY 24 proposed budget. After which during the regular town meeting to occur immediately after the conclusion of this public hearing, the Town Commissioners will consider the ordinance and thus the FY 24 Budget for adoption.

The proposed budget calls for a very slight increase in the real property tax rate going from .28 cents per $100 of assessed value to $.2875 cents per $100 of assessed value an increase of 2.68%. The only other major change is the revenue line item for the MLGIP interest we expect to receive now that the Town is participating in the MLGIP (Maryland Local Government Investment Pool). The surpluses from each completed FY are carried forward from budget to budget and this fiscal year coming is now projected to be 413,133.

On the expense side, the major new change is the addition of a full time police officer at $99,169.60, a 33% increase for the PVFD & EMS going from $7500 each to $10,000 each, a line item of $5,000 for EDC activities, and $5,000 to prepare a study to see if the Town wants to enroll its full time employees in the Maryland State Retirement Pension Fund.

The Town has again apply to DHCD to continue in the MD TMCR grant program which has provided the Town with a Town Manager paid thru the grant. Employee pay increase is recommended at 5% across the board & retirement remains at 12% of annual salary for full time employees (excluding the Town Manager)

On the Utility side of water & sewer, no change in citizen/resident rates. However, due to increased costs for materials for water/sewer connections, that fee is proposed to increase from $1500 each to $2500 each.

For the time being, since the Town has about 50% of its ARP funding still available, the Town Manager has recommended that any MAJOR repairs or improvements not covered by grant funding be paid out of the ARP budget. A revised up to date ARP budget will be presented to the Town Commissioners at the July 2023 town meeting.

Should anyone have questions, desire additional information, or want clarification on the above, you are encouraged to contact the Town Manager at 410-835-8872.

The 2022 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report is now available. Click the link below to view/print the report.

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