REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
December 7, 2009
7:00 pm meeting
called to order with Mayor Larry D. Gum presiding. Present were Vice Mayor
Robert Bryan, Secretary Tim Hodges, Treasurer Michelle Truitt, Council
Person John Thoroughgood, Irene Keenan and Greg Hastings, Town Solicitor
Tempe B Steen, Town Manager Faye Lingo, Development Coordinator Linda
Johnson, Finance Director William Sauer and Town Clerk Tammy Phillips.
Guests see attached.
SWEARING IN: Irene Keenan was sworn in to formalize her continuing
position as town council person. Although she had submitted her resignation
from the Council during the late summer, the Council had taken no action.
Her position continued and she was reelected when no one filed for her
position. Irene's term was renewed as of July 29, 2009. Town Manager, Faye
Lingo, administered the oath.
DELMARVA POWER- Jim Smith gave a presentation on MAPP 500 kilovolt
transmission line from North Virginia -Chesapeake Bay - East Dorchester to
Indian River Power Plant. The transmission line will not run through town
limits. Mapp greatly improves the reliability of the electric system,
reduces the cost of energy by reducing congestion on the system, and
provides greater access for renewable generation. There is insufficient
transmission capacity to meet demand by 2014. The Peninsula is isolated from
power sources on the Western Shore and cannot import enough power in the
event of an emergency. Customer energy use is expected to grow over the long
term even with aggressive energy efficiency and conservation programs. They
have already started putting in digitized meters on the Delmarva Peninsula
to help consumer conserve electricity. No council action necessary.
CABE ASSOCIATES - Mark Downes presented a synopsis of the ACEC's 2010
Grand Conceptor Award they received for The Town of Millsboro 2009
Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project.
SECRETARY'S REPORT - Hodges presented the secretary's report.
Thoroughgood motion, Keenan second to approve the minutes as written,
approved unanimously..
TREASURER'S REPORT - Truitt reported the bills had been reviewed and
are presented for payment. Bryan motion, Hastings second to approve paying
the bills from the designated accounts, approved unanimously.
AUDIT REPORT - Sheldon Forney, of Jefferson, Urian, Doane and
Sterner, reported on the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. The
town's liabilities and assets were presented to Council with important areas
reviewed by Mr. Forney. He explained that the Executive Summary found on
pages 3-7 was divided up between water, sewer and governmental activities.
He also explained the comparison between 2008 and 2009 revenues and expenses
found on page 6 of the audit report. He reported the audit shows the town is
in a strong financial state as of 6-30-09. Bryan motioned, Thoroughgood
second to approve and accept the audit report as presented by Jefferson,
Urian, Doane and Sterner for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, approved
unanimously.
CHRISTMAS BONUS - Council discussed approving a Christmas bonus to
all employees this year in the amount of $100.00. Truitt motioned, Hodges
second to approve Christmas bonus and approved unanimously.
PARK AND RECREATION - None
MILLSBORO FIRE COMPANY - Mayor Gum presented the monthly report. Two
members of the Fire Company Took part in training this past week on the new
State of Delaware Electronic Pension Program. The new system will allow
authorized members from each Fire company to submit Fire Fighter pension and
enhanced annual billing information on-line, allowing for a more streamline
process. The Pension Program applies to both Fire Company and Ladies
Auxiliary members who meet the requirements specified by each individual
organization as well as the State of Delaware.
Many members of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association have been
invited to a reception to be held at the residence of Vice President Biden
on Sunday, December 13. Vice President Biden has always been a big supporter
of the volunteer Fire Service in Delaware and this reception is an
opportunity for the DVFA leadership to speak with Vice President Biden
concerning issues effecting our organization.
The DVFA is urging all the Delaware Fire Companies to become more active in
voter registration, making sure their members and families are registered by
upcoming elections. Three different training sessions will be held
throughout the state beginning in January, with Millsboro hosting a session
on January 20, 2010. One designated person from each station will be
required to attend these sessions to gather voter registration information.
The Fire Company is in negotiations with AT&T on a new lease agreement, for
the tower which resides on the Fire Company's property on Monroe Street. The
current lease expires in May 2010. The new lease would call for a 15 year
agreement, broken in 3-5 year increments. The Fire Company has also been
approached by the Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company, which is proposing the
placement of a regulator station on that property as well. Plans are for
representatives from Eastern Shore Natural Gas to attend a Board of
Directors meeting in early January to explain the proposal and to take
questions from the Fire Company.
GREATER MILLSBORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - None
MILLSBORO POLICE DEPARTMENT - Chief John K Murphy II, reported that
on 11/9/09 Detective Forester and PFC Ober attended Drug Investigation @
DSPTA. Lt. Calloway continues working with CALEA files. The Christmas parade
was cancelled due to increment weather. No checkpoints for November. No
council action necessary.
STREET REPORT - No Report
WATER AND SEWER REPORT
Beneficial reuse contract E award, Mark Downes from Cabe Associates reported
bids were opened December 3, 2009 @ 3:00 pm at The Town of Millsboro Council
Chamber. The bid was awarded to Daisy Construction from Bear, DE. They were
the lowest bid and there were no errors in the bid contract, pending
approval from USDA, contract has to be signed before February 17. The
contract calls for wastewater force main to be laid with the beneficial
reuse water transmission line. The wastewater force main costs will be
reimbursed by developers through future impact fees. Millsboro Middle School
will have underground irrigation pipes and possibly be ready by Spring 2011.
Additional costs may include flow meters and underground pipe for the
Millsboro Middle School. Theses additional costs may total $ 100,000 and
Cabe is applying for grant funding for theses costs. Special fiber optic
lines are to be laid at the same time for Radio communication between sites.
Construction is to begin early Spring, and work around Millsboro Middle
School during the Summer and around W. B Atkins Park year around. Future
Public Hearing will be held regarding Millsboro Middle School and W. B.
Atkins Park for Beneficial reuse contract E award. Hodges motion, Bryan
second to approve subject to funding approval, and approved unanimously.
USDA Resolution, authorizing the loan closing for the ARRA funding of
$250,000.00 principal amount general obligation bond, series 2009-ARRA/GPR-SRF
to The DE Dept of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Water
Pollution Control Resolving Fund, as registered owner, to finance a green
wastewater reuse for the Town of Millsboro. Hodges motioned, Bryan second to
approve project at 0 percent interest and no interest upfront, approved
unanimously.
MAYORS' REPORT
Building Fund Impact Fee, resolution explaining guidelines and time frames,
council action necessary. Resolution needs to be amended to clarify impact
fee relief for building permits issued from Nov 3, 2009 to Nov 3, 2010.
Projects that have not been completed prior to the building permit's
expiration date and require a renewal will incur the forgiven impact fees at
renewal if substantial work has not been completed on the project.
Thoroughgood motioned, Hodges second to approve substantial completion of
the project within the year, approved unanimously.
Building Committee Report, Thoroughgood stated that the committee has made a
decision on the architect, Davis, Bowen & Friedel of Milford, DE. No
contract has been signed and they are the lowest bid for the renovation
design of Town Hall & Civic Center. Truitt motioned, Keenan second to
approve Davis, Bowen & Friedel for renovation, approved unanimously.
Otter Branch Development, Barr, LLC, property owners, Tax Map
1-33-17.0066.00 and 67.00 has requested an extension on its Preliminary Plan
due to existing economic climate. Council members noted that they had not
yet seen any development of this property. Thoroughgood suggested one year
from December 7, 2009. Thoroughgood motioned, Hodges second to approve
extension, approved unanimously.
8:35 pm Bryan motion, Hastings second to recess and enter into executive
session at 8:40 pm to discuss legal and personnel matters, approved
unanimously.
REGULAR SESSION
10:00 pm meeting called to order, Mayor Gum presiding. Present were Vice
Mayor Robert Bryan, Secretary Tim Hodges, Treasurer Michelle Truitt, Council
persons John Thoroughgood, Irene Keenan and Greg Hastings, Town Solicitor
Tempe B Steen, Town Manager Faye Lingo and Town Clerk Tammy Phillips.
Hodges moved, seconded by Hastings to authorize the Town Manager to finalize
the forfeiture documents with Police Chief John Murphy, approved
unanimously.
10:05pm Keenan motion and Truitt second to adjourn the council meeting,
approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Tim P. Hodges
Secretary |
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For additional information call the
Millsboro Town Hall at 302-934-8171.
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