Good morning, folks.
» [clears throat]
» It's going to be a while, folks.
I'm testing my volume. Can anyone hear me?
» Convene this May 7th Town Council meeting for the town of Centreville.
We're going to start with a pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence.
» I I allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
» Thank you.
Next is the agenda review. Anybody have any problems with the agenda?
Any corrections? Next is the review of the meeting
minutes from past meetings for April 9th, 2026 and April 16th,
2026. Any corrections?
» I have none. >> Need a a motion for approval of the
minutes. >> We'll take turns, Sandy.
» I make a motion to approve the April 9th and April 16th minutes.
» I second. >> All in favor?
» Aye. >> Aye.
» All right. Next is citizens forum. Citizens have requested to keep their
comments to 3 minutes. Anybody would like to speak?
Yes, ma'am.
» Make sure that's on. My name is Margaret Shackley. I'm from
Northbrook. I did not have time to make comments
last meeting on the outer study, so I have a few things to say.
When you're faced with a big decision, it should be a question for every
decision. It's so important to ask, what are the unintended consequences when
you're considering a solution? So, besides improvement, I'm
questioning, what is the objective for this water plant at
the grand design that it was proposed for,
um, and is it for developers to, um, build on open lands?
So, here are some of the possible unintended consequences.
Exodus of current residents due to excessive town bills, more traffic, less
parking, overcrowded schools, then you will want more money to build schools.
And the worst case scenario is houses will not sell because of the exorbitant
cost of utilities. Developers who buy the land claiming
they are building homes might have trouble selling them and then will claim
that they need to make a profit and therefore must sell the property to
build a data center. The data center will then take all of
our water, raise our electricity bills to astronomical levels when already most
of us are forced to pay for water we don't use.
And this town is proposing to raise the amount of our water bills to an
untenable increase.
Data centers across this country create heat islands around them.
It increases the land in the area to 16.2°
Fahrenheit in a radius of 6 mi. This adversely will affect our health, our
wildlife, and the very nature of what the Eastern
Shore and Centreville is. Data centers create a 24-hour hum that
will drive us nuts and disturb our peace.
Data centers have been refused in Hartford, Calvert, Prince George's,
Montgomery. Frederick is having a referendum on them.
And Anne Arundel's trying to block them. Queen Anne's County could be the next
attempt. So,
citizens should have the full transparency of the total flow of money
of this proposed water plant. To whom is the money flowing in this town and
state? Through what shell companies, including whoever is proposing to build
this plant, their subcontractors, and elected officials who are receiving
donations? The presentation did not even mention
one benefit for us citizens. The proposed water plant is
grand. It should be scaled back, perhaps into
phases over time. Why should citizens have to pay for it
up front for no benefit to us? We should first have laws preventing
data centers anywhere in our town and county first before we
consider building a grand plant. And for something of this magnitude,
we need multiple informational work sessions scheduled with the citizens on
different days and times to discuss the impact and the plans related to the
water study. Citizens need an open forum where we can ask questions and get
answers immediately. And choices of plans should be
presented, not just one. This will have such an impact on our budgets that the
citizens should get to vote on the options.
And I have submitted the scientific study on data centers for your perusal.
Thank you. >> Thank you.
» Next we have appearances. Uh
First is the Linda and Brent Carroll proclamation.
» Okay, two of my favorite people. Linda and Brent, come on up front. We'll read
you. I might sing this. Gabe Gabe wants me to
sing it right there. >> [laughter]
» Right there. Right there. >> Right here.
» Yes, ma'am. >> Right here.
» Right in the center. >> Yeah, turn around.
» Right by this microphone. >> Millions of people watching on the TV as
you speak. My wife and her I think that's it.
Uh I got to tell you my favorite here, turn around to my
favorite thing in this county is the board of ed. At the beginning of every
meeting they spend the first 10 minutes of giving out awards. They have the
teacher of the month, bus driver of the month, etc., etc. It just sends a nice
feeling of the whole meeting is like, "Hey, wow, this is cool. good people.
You have before you people who run a CPA business for 50 years in town. But
here's a hidden secret you don't know. They don't tell anybody.
For about 35, 30, 35, Brent and I can't figure out the exact number. Okay, of
years, every Easter down at Mill Stream Park.
» I think we just had 35. >> 35 I would go, hey.
» Good job. 35. >> To give you an example, this year 200
kids showed up. The Carrolls get the candy, get the candies all spread out so
when the count of 10, all the kids by age. You have little guys this size,
ankle biters, and you have people taller than me. The middle school kids are all
right. But these wonderful people have been doing this for 35 years. No one
ever thanks them. Now they've been doing it with the Lions Club, but they've been
doing it with other organizations, but we really need to thank them. And if I
can, Lyndon, Brent, uh let me read >> [laughter]
» This is the worst part. You got to put up with this crap. Okay. Uh whereas
Lyndon and Brent Carroll have demonstrated extraordinary dedication
and community spirit through their leadership and commitment to the annual
Easter egg hunt Mill Stream Park. Some of you aren't even 35 years old. This
has been going on before that. Whereas for an incredible 35 years, thank you,
Gay. Lyndon and Brent Carroll have faithfully organized and sustained this
cherished community tradition, bringing joy and connection to generations of fam
Even if you don't have kids, come to this. Little kids are jumping up and
down. They get Easter bunnies. They get Easter eggs. They get everything. Okay.
Lyndon and Brent Carroll have gone above and beyond by coordinating with local
agencies, organizations, and service providers. Usually these two, okay,
uh to enhance the event and foster a spirit of collaboration within the
community. Whereas their selfless volunteerism, tireless
coordination, and unwavering enthusiasm have made a lasting and meaningful
impact on the quality of life. If you see these little kids
and you see their parents, the joy on their face, it's just just amazing. Now,
therefore, we, the Town Council of Centerville, Fred and Ohio, Sandy and
Jethro and I are here, okay? Uh recognize Linda and Brent Carroll for
their 35 years of outstanding service, dedication, and commitment to the annual
Easter egg hunt in Mill Stream Park and our sincere extend our deepest
gratitude, and I'm going to cheat here on behalf of probably a couple of
thousand kids over 35 years, okay? Thank you, Linda. Thank you, Brent.
» Thank you. Well, I >> Okay. Here you go.
» [applause] >> Okay. Do you want to say something? Go
ahead. >> If anyone wants to say something.
» Yeah. Well, I'd like to tell a little story
about the best the best thing I saw the the kids do a couple years ago. Uh we
divided into uh 0 to age 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 9, and 10 to 12. The different columns
they they go, and the little kids are allowed to be with their parent.
Well, one year, one little boy didn't get anything, and he started to cry. He
was very little. And another child came up and said,
"What's wrong?" And "I didn't get anything." So, she gave him hers.
And I thought that was really sweet. And that's an example of the kids that do
come to that. There's no rushing, there's no pushing. They're just nice,
really nice, and that's not that easy to find super nice kids, but they all seem
to show up there. >> Thank you.
I would I'll just say that uh the Lions Club
uh I've been I was president of the Lions Club for a long time, and we
we fell below members, and we do need membership uh to reinstate the club, but
we've continued this even though we were temporarily suspended.
And that the regional people come in and help do it now. And this past year I
think was the largest ever that I've ever we've ever witnessed.
And we had I mean literally hundreds of people
uh there at the event including the kids and
» Yeah, they called said we kept the kept it open for you. The girls in the office
are great for taking care of things for us.
» Thank you very much. >> Thank you.
» [applause] >> Thank you.
Thank you.
» Next is Deborah Jones Miller for US Colored Troops Memorial.
Come on up. Yep, right here.
Make sure that you're close to the mic.
» Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak this
evening. My name is Deborah Jones Miller and I represent the Queen Anne's County
Veterans Committee along with my colleague Deborah Hooper. Who's Could
you raise your hand, Deborah? So
Um we are a group of local veterans and community supporters committed to
honoring the service and sacrifice of over 480 African-American soldiers from
Queen Anne's County who fought in the Civil War.
These soldiers were referred to as the United States Colored Troops and they
were a segment of the 200,000 free and enslaved African-Americans who fought
with the Union Army. Their contribution was not secondary. It
was decisive. President Abraham Lincoln stated that
without the military support of the black freedmen, the Union could not have
won the war. Yet despite their sacrifice, their names
and their stories have largely gone unrecognized in the very community they
helped to preserve. We're working hard to change that.
The committee has commissioned engraved with names, regiments, and
units of these soldiers. It will stand at the Kennard African
American Cultural Heritage Center and Museum in Centreville, Maryland, a
visible, lasting acknowledgement of their service.
This is not just a monument, it is a correction of a historical record.
The cost of this project is $300,000. To date, the committee has raised
$127,000. In addition, we have secured pledges of
$100,000 from the state of Maryland through its bond initiative grant, and a
pledge from Queen Anne's County Commissioner's office of $50,000.
So, we've done the work, we've built the momentum, and now we're asking for your
partnership. Tonight, I am requesting a $2,000
contribution from the town council. In the scope of your budget, this is a
modest investment, but in the scope of this project, in the message that it
sends, it is significant. This is an opportunity for you to affirm
that the service of these men matters, that their legacy matters, and that this
community will no longer allow it to be overlooked.
We are not simply asking for funding, we're asking for recognition, for
acknowledgement, for support in ensuring that these men are remembered with the
dignity they earned. I urge you to join us in this effort. Thank you.
» Thank you, Dr. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
» Just if I can Gentlemen,
» May I speak? >> Uh this is going to be an amazing
contribution to the town >> Okay, yeah. Okay.
» You're talking about that size, 6 ft on a 3-ft pedestal, placed behind Kennard.
It will become a national attraction, national.
People going to come here. 4 to 600 Queen Anne's County residents
volunteered to fight for the north during the Civil War. They have not been
honored. We put a plaque The group put a plaque together.
» Yeah, Brad, I just wanted to remind everyone that
» You'll have to You'll have to come >> You got to get a mic on.
» You have to come up.
» Hear me okay? Thank you. So, we are getting it on the map so that visitors
coming to the Harriet Tubman will stop here first. I think that will be real
good for our economy and our history. It's part of our two-pronged approach.
It's not just about the memorial, it's about letting people know what they
actually did. Thank you. >> Thank you. At our last meeting that they
we'd asked for more information. That's why they're here. So, if I could, Jeff,
I'd like to make a motion that we contribute $200. They've done
their application work. $2,000, I'm sorry. Sorry, Debbie.
I have to make up the difference, right? Okay. $2,000.
Uh they go to this What is going to be a It's going to be a national attraction?
It's going to be amazing. Motion made. Are we good?
» They filled out the application, right? They have?
» They They completed Yes. >> Okay. Okay.
» I just wanted to remind you we did receive the full packet in the budget
binders um from them in time for the contribution request and it's still in
your budget binders. So, if you have any questions.
» Okay. It's not a motion.
» So, can I ask someone So, Karen, is it I know later this evening. So, is it It's
not been included in the budget, correct?
» Correct. So, right now we did increase that line to allow for those from the
discussion at at the last meeting with all the council members. So, it would be
incorporated in the line that we increased and be covered.
» With the current draft. Okay. Thank you. Got a motion. We need a second.
» Is there any discussion? >> Yeah, we all yes, we can talk.
» It's a second and then discuss. >> Discuss. And then discuss.
» Yeah, I would do a second, but have a discussion.
» Yes, mhm. >> Um
so again $2,000 is not you know I appreciate as far as just you come and
I'm really appreciative of all the fundraising you've been able to do. It's
amazing what you've been able to do cuz and that's just happened in a short
period of time. I know it probably in the last 2 months, you know, as far as
the large amount that you've done. So I'm very supportive of this cuz I do
agree this is not only as far as just for the honor of the soldiers who lost
their lives and and fought. Um but also as far as historical tourism, historical
tourism and having that as part of the town. Um that's an important history of
our town. So thank you.
» I say one more thing. So I just want you to think about this.
According to Abraham Lincoln, the war against the South would not have been
won without the United States Colored Troops. So imagine what our nation would
be right now had the South won.
» Thank you. >> Thank you.
» [clears throat] >> All right.
Does Fred have anything? >> Do you have anything, Fred?
» I don't know if my volume is up or if I can be heard there in the meeting.
» you. >> Um
I'm very, very impressed with what they've
been able to accomplish from a fundraising standpoint. Quite frankly, I
was skeptical at the beginning that you would be able be able to
achieve that kind of fundraising, but particularly in this short amount of
time. So clearly there's real support not only
from the state, from the county and yeah, I want to put in my two cents here
from the community. Uh you know, that we're fully behind
that or at least I am and I know most all of the community is as well. So I
just want to congrat ulate you
for all you've done and how important this is going to be is recognition
for all their efforts um you know during the war and what the cost to them with
their lives and also to their families. So um you know if it has not been
seconded uh I'd be happy to um you know second
that proposal. >> Thank you.
All in favor? >> I.
» I.
>> Yep.
» Yep. >> Okay.
All right. >> Thank you.
» Uh-huh. >> Good job.
» Thank you. >> Thank you.
» Next is old business. >> Debbie, you can run. I know you got to
go somewhere. Take the statue and run, Doc. She's hungry.
» [laughter] >> Next is old business.
» Gosh, that's heavy. Holy cow.
Yeah. >> Old business, ordinance 2-2026 chapter
150 vacant properties, second reading. It's sponsored by President Ashley
Kaiser. This is the ordinance of the town of
Centerville Council of Centerville adding a new
chapter 150 of the town code to establish the proceeding
procedures and requirements for vacant properties and matters generally related
to there there to. This is the second reading, so we'll
have a >> We'll have a um
public hearing. >> Public hearing.
» Public hearing, thank you. And at the next meeting, right? Is that was on the
next meeting. Yes. So this and the purpose of this is just
to create language um for properties around town that are
you know, whether they've been foreclosed on and no one is living there
or the family has passed on, just regulations to um
to make sure they're kept
um
they have the upkeep and um and a registry, so we know who to contact.
» Okay. Next is
Ordinance 3-2026.
Yes, sir.
That's right. >> Yeah,
when I first learned about this ordinance, yeah, I was
I I had questions about it. But, I'm very involved with the economic
development efforts for our community, and having a registry like this, I think
will also give us opportunities to benefit those property owners if we can
bring other potential businesses and organizations into the community by
being aware that these properties are available, may be vacant, they may
require some additional rehab, but, you know, there can I think be a tremendous
benefit to the community by going through this effort and and developing a
registry for these properties that are currently
not occupied. So, I just wanted to provide the community with some
additional benefit to why we're doing this ordinance and how this may
contribute back to the community.
» Anything else? >> Yeah, the only thing I mean, I am
supportive of this ordinance as well, and cuz I think it's important and it's
not an ordinance that is unusual for towns. I want to make certain that's
clear. This is not an outlier, it's what towns
do to be um to maintain their properties of their
town and be proud of their town and making certain that properties are
maintained. And it just helps the town manage that process, makes it visible,
and as as was said, [clears throat]
if there's opportunities for that property owner if they're having
problems or they would like to sell their property. So, I think it just
creates um you know, added value for all property
owners in the town because it will elevate property values
within the town because we're taking care of all of our properties. So, it's
really important and I just wanted to to speak to my support for this as well.
» Okay. Next is ordinance 3-2026
solar arrays. This is the second reading.
This is sponsored by Vice President Keel.
Uh it's an ordinance to the town of Centreville amending the town of
Centreville zoning ordinance, which is the chapter is chapter 170 of the code
of the town of Centreville to allow solar arrays as a special exception use
in the residential R1 zoning district. We're going to forward this for to the
planning commission for review and see what they think.
» Jeff, can I just ask a question? Uh this might go to Paul. Uh nine
981. A property uh proposing to have a solar array shall
be at least two acres in size. Why is it two acres? Is that just
» So, [clears throat] right Well, Peter can go ahead and up that.
» So, the two acres comes from um we've already allowed this in other
residential districts in uh I think the ordinance was in 2016,
where we allowed rooftop solar and um I don't know if it was because the school
wanted to put up that solar array, so it got added into R2 and then R3 inherits
all of the R2 um things, so it's so it's currently allowable in R2 and R3 and
this um extends that to the larger R1 properties
as well. >> Yes, the individual who I think
originally went to Jeff back in November or whatever and I think the town act
wasn't the process started at 415 Chesterfield?
Is this a What does that leave him? Cuz he's inquired at least two members of
council. >> Well, that he's in R1 and he has he has
his land, yeah. >> Okay, that's what I wanted to know. So,
he's covered. Okay. >> Yep.
Thank you. >> Thank you.
Anything else? Anything, Fred?
» Does this in any way impact the ability for homeowners to have this on their
roof, or is it only >> for stand-alone solar
fields, you know, based on land?
» It does not impact the homeowner's ability for their roof. The
The solar arrays are a special exception in the code, and the roof-mounted solar
in all of the residential districts are as just a permitted accessory use. So,
that will still be That will still be the same. This just extends the same
special exception to the R1 district that exists in the other R districts.
» Does a homeowner then still need to get approved a special approval or an
exception to have it on their roof, or or not or not?
» No, no, the the homeowner currently a roof-mounted solar is is just a standard
building permit process. You come into the town.
They're pretty easy to get. So, this would just be for the arrays,
the stand-alone ground-mounted arrays. >> Got it. Appreciate the clarification.
» Thank you.
» Next is the trash recycle bids.
» The packet
» Yeah, my feet don't touch. >> Hm?
» My feet don't touch. >> Good evening, folks.
» Good evening. >> We can [clears throat]
tack this however you want, since there's actually two issues here. One is
the um
to award a bid for the >> curbside.
» I think we should >> Sure.
» go with that first. Okay.
» [laughter] >> That's fine.
» Maybe we can
» [snorts] >> Okay.
As we had said before in our meetings, we went out to bid for curbside
municipal solid waste pickup.
We had six bidders that responded. Of those six bidders,
myself and staff
reviewed the
» Did you want the recycle or the trash first?
» Trash first. >> Oh, trash first. I'm sorry. I thought
you said recycle. >> No, trash. The easy one first.
We reviewed all the bid documents and all the information with it.
Of the six bids, the cheapest of them was Big Time Trash.
And with that being said,
staff is recommending to go with Big Time
for that contract. This will raise
the the fees to the
on quarterly utility bill. You should have before you package that
shows exactly what it is and how it works out.
» It's the last page of the packet. >> Yeah.
» Looks like this. Does that help you at all?
» It's on the back of of the um breakdown.
Same. >> Same.
And there were some other questions about which we've answered in all this
paperwork before you have that. You know, things
things such as what other towns does this company
collect from? That's included in there. There's There's of them.
One of them I believe was Denton. >> Do you want me to read them off, Ken?
» I'm sorry. >> Do you want me to read them off?
» Sure, thank you. >> Rock Hall, Ridgely, Greensboro,
Sudlersville, Denton, Federalsburg, and Trap.
» Great. So,
um of them, yeah, Denton's the closest to
our size. So, uh
all of their references came back very good. Um
the age of their trucks are you know, fairly
new uh
compared to some of the other bidders. Uh we also found out that they're on a
very rigorous maintenance plan with their trucks.
Uh the reason we knew that also was because they take it to the same place
we deal with for the street sweeper and the backhoe trucks.
Um I was we were very impressed with
their service and the total package for so,
uh if you'd like to take that one first help yourself.
» Mr. Mayor, I have a question if I may. >> Mhm.
» Well, whenever you're ready and excuse me if I'm being premature with this.
On the last page of this packet, it appears that there's two different
options of what the uh
cost would be to the individual users. Uh one would include recycling and the
other one recycling was not included, but it reduced the overall cost to the
resident. Could you explain how recycling would be
handled if it and it
do the residents have an in fact a an option to choose one versus the other?
» This the this is the reason we did the
uh trash bids first so that you can uh uh
review that you know,
uh come up with an idea of what it's going to consist of
and everything and then we'll we'll review the recycling after that. And
no, residents don't get a choice as to whether they choose to go with the
town's recycling or trash. If the town does it, everybody has to pay towards
it. So.
» So the
So that's not an option that you would recycling is automatic and every
everyone will need to participate with that. Is that correct?
» If that's chosen. >> If that's chosen.
» There's two options, right? >> Yeah, there's two options.
This is just trash right now. >> This is just Yeah, it's just This is
just for trash. >> The next piece we're going to the
» No, no, you're good. >> You're good.
» Can I make a motion then and then we have discussion?
» That would That would >> I
» Well, you have discussion after you have the first motion.
» Okay, go ahead. [laughter] >> Uh
» I make a motion that we accept the town's trash or solid waste uh
recommendation. Uh you tell me how you I don't care how you word it.
» So you're going to recommendation number two.
» leave out the recycling >> to go with that?
» Recycling is not part of it. >> Number two on that.
» Number two, okay. Let me read that and then we'll get a second or whatever and
then we have discussion. Uh I make a motion to award the municipal curbside
solid waste collection contract uh without curbside recycling to the
What is it? Big Time Trash and LLC in the amount of yada yada yada.
» You got to say it. >> Okay, $363,864.60
per year for a
three-year >> I assume that's a three-year term.
» Correct. >> Three-year three-year term.
» [clears throat] >> Got a second and then discussion.
» I can't Well, again, unless cuz I have a discussion about this as far as I'm not
approving it at this point because I think
So again, from a formality, do you want to second it and have the discussion or
because the issue is we haven't talked about recycling. So, this we're we're
assuming we're not going to do recycling and we haven't discussed it yet. So,
that's the that's the issue I have right now in voting for or you know,
» So, you want to go back to >> It's not a like an assumption that we're
not. >> that you're not. It's two separate
things. >> I understand that.
» And that's how we >> [clears throat]
» But what he what he just what I'm sorry. >> What I just said was without recycling.
» Yeah. So, that's Cuz the cost is different between the two.
» But only for that current contract. >> by doing this motion,
we're saying we're not going to do recycling. We have Now, but we haven't
had the discussion yet on the cost. >> That's just saying this current
contractor isn't This is inclusive of trash only, not recycling with the
current contractor. And so, the next piece
» Well, they have two motions on here. They have one that includes curbside
recycling. >> And I just made you know, so you're
right. What we probably should have done is put you should have
» recycle first. >> Got you.
» So, you should have maybe done >> You can withdraw your motion if you want
to and then we can do >> Can I Can I ask the chair if we could go
back and discuss the issue of recycling? >> Thank you.
» So, we'll go with recycling. >> Okay.
» You all right there, Fred? We're going to talk about recycling.
» I I think the discussion of one >> to have greater clarity.
» Yep.
» All right. >> Okay.
On with the recycling. >> Yep. [laughter]
» Sorry. >> Okay.
» Again, uh this was put out in a separate
separate request for uh bids for the cuz not all
uh solid waste handlers do recycling
service. So, it was easier to get a better
um
a better list of bidders for one than combined service. Actu- as you see
there was three bidders that
submitted packages. Um the
cheapest one was Bates Trucking. Okay.
Um staff is recommending that we actually
go with
the next bidder in line which was MBG reuse refuse.
They um
reason is the town had Bates Trucking uh close to 12 years ago.
And with the recycling part that they did with that contract
we had so many complaints about broken recycle containers, cans, that kind of
stuff. Uh we felt they weren't always handled
properly. Um
I can only tell you what happened here. I can't speak for the rest of their
clients or anything. They are a fairly large company. They uh serve in a
uh many places on western shore besides places on the eastern shore. Um and much
larger uh
municipalities than Centreville is. So
um
There's uh an additional part to it is uh staff met with Connie Tolson from
Queen Anne's County. She is the recycling and and
refuse manager for the county and Earl Wood who is the recycling coordinator
for Maryland Environmental Services. Uh they currently have a drop-off
recycling site behind the health department with recycling dumpsters
there. Um,
that uh that particular
place is used most of the time two or above its capacity. So,
uh, we met with them and talked about possibly setting up a second site in
town behind the firehouse at the on the town's property where the water tower
is. Uh,
with that being said, there is plenty of room there. It still allows parking on a
portion of that property. Uh, which the other county buildings in the area use
for parking, also. And it would not interfere with the the fire companies
you know.
Uh, >> And there's no cost to the town.
» Yes, and there's no cost to the town for this. Um,
this is one of this can be set up whether you do or do
not choose to go with a curbside recycling. It can still be an option for
residents. And it's not just for residents of the town of Centreville,
residents of the county. So,
with that [snorts] being said, there's uh,
probably two portions to this as well to consider. One would be
uh, if you would choose to to allow the MES to go ahead and set that uh,
second recycling area up behind firehouse. Um, the town will make
frequent stops through the week, make sure that it's kept clean and neat. Any
blowing recyclables would be picked up and everything.
So, and like I said, there's no charge to
the town for that. Um,
the other part about this is in this uh
we, like I said, uh we're recommending that you go with uh GMB
refuse for curbside recycling if you choose to do that. There's several
papers in here uh
that reflect the difference in prices uh and what they would be quarterly per
resident, also. So
» And I also reached out. Sorry. >> No, that's okay.
» I was going to tell you. I sent to some other [clears throat]
towns, um Berlin, Chestertown, Denton, Easton, Snow Hill, and um
Berlin, they they do uh trash and recycle. It's also It's included in
their taxes, not quarterly bills, and their town is the one who picks up trash
and recycle. Um Chestertown does not provide recycle
curbside recycle. They currently do not charge their residents for trash. That's
going to change soon. Um Denton um does not do recyc- uh does not do recycling.
Um and the cost is included in their taxes. Easton is They do have a I think
it's uh total of $81 for trash and recycle. And Snow Hill does um trash.
Um they only the the town staff picks up
cardboards on Wednesdays, but then they have the um
the dumpsters um for recyclables of others.
» To drop off for to drop off. >> Tell them what we're talking about.
» Chestertown also has a drop-off um for uh recycle.
» And the quarterly charge
» Go ahead, Frank. >> I'm sorry, just for my clarification,
Chestertown and it sound like two or three other communities are not the the
The is not picking up recycling, and the residents are taking it to a a central
or multiple central uh the distribution
dumpsters or something for for recycling and that's been acceptable
by the citizens in those communities. >> Yeah, um mainly because it's just the
change in recycling over the last few years, it's become extremely expensive.
I mean, you look at what our residents have been paying for the past five
however many years, it's $6 and some odd cents. It does not cover the cost of
recycling anymore. Um now it's gone up to 20. I can't $35
$35 um a quarter. So, instead of $6 a
quarter um So, yeah, the the um
Chestertown used to have curbside recycling, um but they stopped because
of all the issues with the recycling now.
» And your recycling contractor went out of business.
» Went out of business. Okay. >> Mhm. Mhm.
» So, we're not the president if we allow the residents to not pay the $35 for
recycling, but to then personally dispose of the recycling at
the distribution locations. Is that correct?
» I think this is the toughest issue we've had for a while. And Kip, thank you. Kip
spent some time with me. [clears throat] And I also Connie Tolson who used
» Spoke with Connie. I used to do TV together.
And my son worked with her. She's the Queen Anne's County
recycling refuge manager. So, I got so complicated. I just made a
chart of pluses and minuses. There's some things that jump out at you.
I don't think anyone's against recycling. It's kind of like motherhood.
Yeah, come on. We're going with it. It's extremely convenient, especially
for senior citizens, the curbside. That's no problem. Simple, right? My
wife has a special can, says Fred, put it in the blue box once a week and you
got it made. And environmentally it's sound. You
know, come on, this is for the future. But you weigh that against it and some
concerns and Fred, kind of what you were tip of the iceberg you knocked off.
We're currently paying for recycling homeowners $6.63
apiece. We're talking about a quarter. We're
talking that going up to 35.22. That's a you know, that's a significant
increase. Uh
Now, with recycling we're talking in the in the future
uh 92.71 with recycling, 59.84 without cycling.
Again, you're beginning to run a dodge. Look, it's one of those issues where you
know you want to recycle, but then it gets more complicated. Uh Connie Tolson
sent me to a couple websites today. Uh you realize 16, this is a national
average. 16 to 25% of our recycling goes into trash.
And that's called a contaminated. Now, if I'm a layman, keep if I screw this
up, you straighten me out. If the decision is made either locally,
the guy throwing the back of your his truck and then throwing a dead one trash
can across your yard, that's trash in there that's inappropriate for
recycling, that stuff is not recycled. And they're talking about out of every
100 lb, you're talking about 25 lb not being recycled. And there's some
question if that's not a low figure, very low figure.
Uh if you keep going down, if we go with the Maryland Environmental Service like
we have under the water tower, a 100% of their stuff is recycled. 100%.
Okay, and then that's from the boss today, okay? Uh so, what we're talking,
you got to weigh the cost factor. I I don't think anyone's against recycling,
but uh I flipped on this and would save the
town, again, Karen, help me if my number is wrong.
If we eliminate the recycling part of it, we save about $275,420.40.
» Yeah, that's about right. >> Now, in tough times, that's a lot of
money. >> And that's all a pass-through, you know,
so it's it's all it's the residents that pay that.
» So, and I also um MES is open and kept this would be a
staff-type decision. Look at the water tower, that's fine.
That's a done deal, it'll be done. But, you also, if you went to the citizens
and if the town's comfortable, why couldn't we look at something at
Northbrook if the citizens want it as a drop-off spot or Symphony Village? And
you're saying, "No, MES ES wants to have as many sites
as they can." So, that's opens a door. Now, it's
especially for us older people, this is a big inconvenience. So, that means Ms.
McNeal has to say to me every Tuesday, "Fred, get off your duff and drive
somewhere to do it." But, I think that $275,000
is a significant amount of money, uh and we're 25% of our stuff, if not higher,
isn't even being recycled. Did I've seen and and I'll be quiet
after this. I've seen and I've watched it, I sit on my front porch, I've seen
the people first come by and get the trash, okay?
» [clears throat] >> And then pick up the dadgum blue cans
and throw in the back of the trash, also.
» Sometimes. >> Sometimes, [clears throat] correct,
sometimes. >> Well, we we've already established our
our current contractor is not recycling. So, all the recycling is going to the
landfill right now. >> 100%.
» 100% of it is. >> So, we're not
Look at, no one is against recycling, no one.
But, it also gets to be a financial thing.
» Yes. >> And also, they're not making It used to
be you could make some money off of recycling. You could sell the recycled
products and I'm sorry the Americans written driven by the dollar.
So, I'm wondering if perhaps we shouldn't consider one person's opinion
discussion. I think it's an issue we got to work on.
And but for temporarily, I would say that's I think the The
for the solid trash is outstanding. I think as
much as I'm I'm going to going against what my heart wants me to do, I think
because of the the cost and cars are more, houses are more, food is more,
everything is more. If we can save some homeowners some money, uh I think we we
need to do that. >> So, I mean, I agree with everything you
just said. Um and I think what's been good for the uh process and I'm glad we
held off on the vote until this town council meeting versus the prior cuz I
um wanted to see what other towns were doing cuz I think that's important. That
Centreville, other towns on the Eastern Shore what they're doing. And so, this
proves that what we're probably getting ready to
approve is like what most are doing. And I just think that's important to do to
do your due diligence, to do your homework relating to
what other towns are doing and are we being, you know, fair and competitive
with other towns. So, I'm glad that we did that work and I appreciate
everybody's work in doing that. Um because I do agree. I think right now
it's a financial burden. Um economics have changed for recycling.
That's why it's going from $2. It really was nothing to 35. And again, as it
relates to what people put into the dump I'll call them the dumpsters, okay?
Behind the um health department and the fire, those will be taken to where where
the recycling go? >> It's Let me ask Maryland Environmental
» Right. >> Services doing it. I don't know what
facility they take them to. >> 100% guaranteed that it's recycled.
Right. >> Yeah, but the the
uh two contractors that we're speaking of here, uh
Bates and um uh
» MBG. >> MBG.
» Right. >> Uh
they take it to the Western Shore. There's a um
Waste Management has a recycle facility there. And I do know that
uh Waste Management uh has little tighter restriction
and they can turn down loads that are brought in uh
to the point that they'll charge the hauler $1,000 for
Plus they're going to load it up and give it
back to the hauler and then they have to take it to the landfill and pay those
charges. >> Right.
» The tipping fees as well. >> So, the cleanest process back to
um what Fred had said that the best clean way to do it is just having these
dumpsters so we know that it's getting recycled. Am I characterizing that
correctly? >> Exactly right.
» So, I think just given all the information, I mean, I would agree from
that perspective to support that approach.
» And can I just make the motion again? >> Yeah. And
» I got I got something first. >> Yeah. Just yeah.
» [laughter] >> Yard waste.
How can you do you we have a figure of how
many tons that we use yard waste do Where do we take the yard
waste? >> We take care of the
a contractor collects it for us. We take care of it in house and it's ground up.
» Okay. >> Um
tonnage-wise, when
we were able to take it to Baker's, the nearest facility that was taking it,
yes, we could tell you how many tons we did.
» But at at this point, we don't it's not ran across the scale or
anything. >> Right. Because it give it out to the the
farm, right? >> Yeah.
» How many has Do any other towns do yard waste?
» Um yes. Um I didn't look that up, but um
» That's why I'm just saying thinking Yeah, there are some other $13.
» And that's our current contract
um for the yard waste is like we're still
in the terms of the contract. I think we've had two or three years on that.
» I'd like to find out who else does What other towns do it?
» And I think some of them like I can't remember which town sweeps them out in
the street and then they come by with the vac truck.
Um and those are just leaves cuz a lot yeah yeah just leaves. So I agree so
when the future comes up on that you know discussion but I think a lot of you
can speak to this as far as people when that discussion happens they're cleaning
their yard they're putting the sticks out. I think that's a real benefit that
I think a lot of people in the town and we can always pull it or I get some feel
for it but there's a lot there's a lot more than leaves I think than people use
um that yard waste when that period is open.
» And didn't the town used to pick it up didn't we used to pick it up right?
» We used to pick it up ourself. >> Okay.
» Um but it had gotten to the point that um
people were putting that stuff in well the town staff
was it was taking them three days to collect
it. Um and we didn't have time for
you know the repairs that need to be done maintenance on other stuff. And
that's probably >> water leak and then on a Monday you
don't get your yard waste picked up and then it had to be the next
» Right that did cause a a lot of angst with the
» What's the number for annual yard waste? How much do we pay?
» It's It's actually in here. >> $13 I'm just trying to find
» I'm talking about the total. >> Oh.
Oh.
26
» Yeah. >> 27
» 27,000 >> Yeah it's like 27,000 annually.
» Okay. Wait when I when Kip and I had a we had
a great meeting Yeah.
» Go ahead, Pat. >> Can I make my comment on the yard waste?
There's another option for all residents. I've never put yard waste out
on the street. I've always taken it every two or three weeks. Yeah, I have a
pickup truck, not everybody does. I take it out to the county landfill and I pick
up a you know a a booklet at Ace Hardware and give them a ticket every
time I go. So, that's how I dispose of my yard waste. So, there's another
option with that. But, at least with the current budget with what's projected,
that cost will not go up for the citizens. I'm just concerned about you
know with the recycling, if there is in fact another option to try to you know
save the the the local residents that is very significant, over $30
increase per month on the recycling. And I think we all have to recognize
you know that a lot of the people rather than taking it to the distribution
locations, which I'll be doing and I hope and I want to encourage everybody
else to do that. But, I'm sure a lot of folks will just end up putting that the
what what was being recycled into their normal garbage. And and as we know
unfortunately for the last several months or year,
it's been you know taken to garbage anyway and rather than being recycled.
But, so some of it may go there, but I think if the town can put out you know
some really effective communication about encouraging people to take it to
these distribution you know the recycling to the distribution locations.
You know for the betterment of of
you know our ecology, but also you know
as a way to save their their expense. You know rather than
increasing the rates. So, I know we've had a
fairly broad discussion. I'm glad we have. I thought it was important for the
recycling. But,
I would just suggest, you know, if we do decide to go forward uh, with with
without adding the recycling process, uh, and we uh,
just do a very effective communication from the town out to the public in
multiple media about uh, you know, that process for them to drop it off and the
importance of doing that.
» [clears throat] >> Yeah, I totally agree with that
communication. It should be on the website as well. So, people when you're
going, you're trying to understand like how do I dispose of things, trash, then
it's there on the website, easy to find, as well as quarterly update, whatever,
just so people are aware because people forget or they come, they go,
um, just so they're aware of just their opportunities to recycle if they'd like
to >> recycle.
» And it's currently the we've always kept stuff on the website that tells what can
be recycled, what can't be. You know.
» Now they're advertising it on TV. Yeah, now you know, pizza box if it got grease
on top, you throw it throw this part away and throw this part in the
recycling. >> So, when is the current contract up for
» June 30th. >> trash?
» For the trash? Yeah, June 30th is our last day.
» So, we have time to put if we go the route of the
recycling things, we can put it out on on the on social media and we make them
aware of >> Yeah.
» Yeah, make a decision what you want to do.
» Yeah, I just want to make sure we have time
» Yeah. >> to let the residents know if we go that
route. >> Mhm.
» And then once we make once you guys make the decision, I'll update the budget for
the second reading just to adjust. It's not going to change the bottom line,
it'll just change the revenue and the expense. But, I'll have that on the next
for the second reading. >> All right. Jeff, can I just Kim, and I
appreciate most people I didn't understand that what the water bill
entails. It's just not water a kit and this is this is a great eye-opener for
me. Besides the solid waste we're getting rid of cycle the yard trash, the
sewer, but also there's a mandate from the state kit that most people don't
know that you have to include in that bill and we have to pay. So this isn't
all local asking for money or Okay. This is from the state as well. So
that water bill and that might be something we put out when you put out
this announcement I was going to do it. Hey look at your water bill consists of
more than just water cuz I think I didn't understand it Kip until you
explained it to me. >> Yeah, we can do that again.
» Yeah. >> And that's important.
» Right. >> You want the motion now or okay.
My >> So there'll be two different ones,
right? >> Yeah, I'm giving you number two.
» Okay. >> All right.
» Are we doing recycle right now? >> Yeah, we're going to do the whole thing.
I'm going to say I make a motion to award the municipal curbside solid waste
collection contract without curbside recycling
to the BTT LLC in the amount of $363,864.60
per year for a 3-year term. Is that all right?
» And then the other motion for the MES dumpsters on the other
» Okay, you want >> Recycling.
» You want to do one at a time you want to add that on?
» I want one at a time. >> One at a time exactly.
» Okay, I got the motion. >> I second that motion.
» All in favor. >> Aye.
» Aye. >> Aye.
» Aye.
» Does someone else want to do the MES? >> Or you want me to do the MES?
» Go ahead. Go ahead. >> Cuz I can't find it.
» You can do the MES if you want. >> Uh I make a motion that we go with the
MES. Kip make sure I word this right. A kind offer. Okay, supply us with Okay,
thank you. >> Yeah, number two. Yep.
» Uh I make a motion to allow the MES to set set recycling at the water tower
behind the firehouse on Powell Street at no cost to the town.
Sorry. Got their attention.
» I second that motion. >> All in favor, say I.
» I. >> I.
» Okay. Yep. All right.
Thank you, Jeff. >> Mhm.
» Thank you. >> Thank you very much.
» Jeff, can I just say Kip made me aware of something. This is
tied directly to the water sewer bill. We have two water Kip, if I say
something wrong, you tell me. These are from the notes. We have two water towers
in town. >> Bring that up around round table.
» You want to do it around table? Okay. You're fine.
» Yep. >> Next is uh new business.
The first one is 4-2026 is the budget the first reading.
And Karen Luffman, the finance officer. >> So, I'll just quickly overview um
the changes from the previous work session. So, what's included now would
be the four general fund capital request in the amount of 78,120.
We did change the QACTV line in the general fund to account for um
there's extra charges when we have the Zoom meetings. And so, to do that we had
already been over the current year's budget, so we added a little bit more to
cover for next year. Um with those changes, the current fund
balance summary has a surplus in the general fund of 51,516
and the enterprise fund has a surplus of 6,685.
Both funds remain in a positive position. And then next week when I
bring you the second reading, I'll adjust the the trash and recycling.
» Yeah, please. >> And for
» Yes. >> 2,000.
» The two Yeah, which is already actually the updated line in your donations line
is it's already accounted for. >> It shows not.
» Mhm. >> Oh, okay.
» Yeah, we you guys have >> Oh, it's just the allocation of it.
Sorry. >> Right. It's just yep.
» Got you. Yep. >> Thank you.
Anything, Fred?
» No, I'm I'm comfortable. >> Okay.
All right. Next is ordinance 6-2026.
Short-term short-term rental moratorium. >> You skipped one.
» Skipped one? >> Oh, I'm sorry. Ordinance 5-2026
amending planning commission membership, first reading.
Sponsored by the council president.
This is an ordinance of the town council of Centreville to amend the provisions
of chapter 20, article 5 of the town code related to the town Centreville
planning and zoning commission. Um so we'll have the second reading next
meeting. >> No.
» In the next meeting, right? >> Um
we'll have a Yeah, second reading. We don't have This one is not ready for a
public hearing. >> We asked questions in this one.
» Sure. >> Oh,
uh I just have my notes here. Why? Why do we go to Why do we want to go to
eight to five? Can I just >> Yeah.
» So what are the reasons? >> Well, I I I can cuz it actually I am the
one who brought it up. We have an issue sometimes with um
all the planning commission members being there. We attended a county
planning commission meeting a few months ago and there were five members there
and I thought, "Ooh, you know? So I brought it up to the
planning commission chair. Um I brought it up to our council
president. I spoke to Sandy as the liaison to the planning commission. Um
and I also last night spoke to the whole planning commission. Everyone was in
favor and thought that it was a it was a good idea to
» Everybody likes the idea. >> Yeah. Yep.
And still um it still has the two alternates on it
as well, so >> Okay.
All right. Now ordinance 6-2026
short-term rentals moratorium, first reading, sponsored by Council President
Kaiser. This is an ordinance of the town as town
council of Centerville adopting a temporary moratorium on the application
for approval of construction of expansion of
processing of or issuance of any Board of Appeals building permit, any
zoning certificate application for any
I'm assuming this is boarding houses, not boating houses. Have you read this
» Oh, okay. >> Thanks.
» For >> boarding houses, bed and breakfasts,
and any short-term rentals and pending consideration and adoption of a revised
zoning ordinance provisions as the town council may consider advisable.
And that's the first >> here if you have any questions.
» [laughter] >> It's It's boarding houses, Peter, not
boating houses. >> He's not the one who wrote who typed
that. >> the typo.
» I got it. Peter, I have a question about the the the overall intent of that
ordinance, uh because we don't have any hotels
or motels in the area, and I don't know if if
this is or or if an unintended consequence would be reducing
uh short-term rentals or or or lower-income rentals for folks that
may not yet have found a permanent residence. I just I was just curious to
get a better sense of the overall intent of this, and if there may be some
uh undesired uh unintended consequences. >> So, the intent of this is simply to give
the Planning Commission time to put together a comprehensive
ordinance regulating short-term rentals. Our current process is
very very vague. Um it was created over 10 years ago when short-term rentals
were just starting to become a thing and we're starting to have more people apply
for short-term rentals. Um, in this calendar year, we have had
four short-term rentals. Um, one of them did not have to apply
because it was in a uh, commercial zone and so they they had to get a zoning
certificate, but they did not have to get the special exception because it was
an allowed use. So, that leaves three that, um,
had to go through the special exception process.
And as that process has played out, um, if if you read that part of the code,
you know, there's there's like five or six criteria that are very, very easy to
meet. Um, and in the modern times of, uh, short-term rentals, the planning
commission strongly feels that, uh, a moratorium should happen while we
consider over, you know, we're we're planning on having this completed within
a 6-month period, um, you know, kind of a comprehensive, uh, short-term rental
plan. >> And this is also to do we're also
creating a rental registry and a rental property
um, ordinate or well >> Yeah.
» guidelines as well as part of this. >> Right. So, so it it's all kind of meant
to be a comprehensive thing to really just align our code into the 21st
century. Um, you know, I I agree that it I personally
agree that it needs to happen as a zoning administrator. Um, it needs to be
a a plan that works. It needs to be moved out of the special exception
process. Um, you know, when when everything that comes in for a certain
special exception is super vague and they essentially have to approve it,
that process is broken. Um so, you know, I'm in favor of this as
well and I think at the end of it we can have, you know, a good thing and like
you said, Fred, we don't have hotels. I think short-term rentals can and should
be a part of the strategy of this town. Um it just needs to be thoughtfully
considered and uh amended. >> So, you're basically asking for 6
months. Just to figure this out.
That's That's all this is asking for. >> and I think um
because I I think it can be done in 6 months here. I don't think it's that
I think there's some good models that we have again close to us to look at. Um
I know um Rockport, I think, has had to do it because they have a lot of
short-term rentals there as it relates to their boat traffic. So, I think we've
got some good examples that Peter can um look at and it's been a discussion of
towns and it's really not become a problem. It's just we don't have a good
process. That's really what it is. It's not It's not like we're overrun by them,
but we want to get in front of it basically and just have a good process.
» Yes. >> So, this um the council would need to
make a recommendation to the planning commission or not a recommendation,
forward to the planning commission for review.
» All right, we're going to forward it to the planning commission for review.
How's that? >> Good, Jeff.
» Thank you. >> Thank you.
» Thank you, Peter. >> Thank you, Peter.
» Next is the summer meeting schedule. >> We're going to cancel all the meetings
for summer. >> That's fine with
You're not going to fight us. So, this is a yearly thing that we
What's that? >> On the on-call meeting list?
» On-call meeting list, yeah. Um so, this is a yearly
um decision the council makes. Um you
there's typically one meeting in the months of definitely in the months of
August or July and August. Sometimes, depending on the budget process, whether
there's a second one in June or not. So, right now,
um the we definitely have our first
meeting. That's when our public hearing is scheduled for the budget. Um the
first meeting in June. The second meeting is June 18th, which
is the day after we come back from MML. Um
and um
July July 2nd is our town fireworks, so we obviously don't we won't have a
meeting that night. July 16th would be our normal
um third Thursday. And then August 6th or August 20th for
um as a decision and whether you want to do
the second meeting in June or not.
And then um
whether you want to go with July 16th or one of the other dates.
» June.
June 18th we need Do the June 18th if we need it, if
something comes up. If we have to. Are you all right with that?
If we I mean if I don't see anything pressing, if there's something pressing
we have to have a meeting, we have to call a meeting.
» Well, my comment would be because I I thank you as far as for MML cuz I know
Fred and I are going to MML. >> And we have Yeah, we have all our staff
are >> as far as staff, so I again being
sensitive to that cuz staff put together things for us and we have to like
appreciate them and make certain we don't like put bear, you know, we want
them to enjoy the conference and not be working at the same time. So, my
recommendation would be um to do it on June 25th, not do it on the
18th, but move it to the following Thursday if it's available for people's
calendars. Of course. >> Yeah, there there was I did check with
the county and there is a potential conflict um for this. I also send this
to um President Kaiser today just to see cuz I
know with her work schedule if any of these dates were a conflict. Um
» And I got a conflict with the 25th, so >> Her her recommendation was cancel the
second meeting in June and then do July [clears throat] 16th.
» we have to >> Yeah, and if we have to, we we can we
could do it. Um and then
July 16th and then whatever in August. >> Can I Can I add
You guys work that out. Could we also at sometime have a discussion on meeting
times? Could we sometime discuss I'd like to
see the meetings move from 7:00 to 6:00 and if for a couple reasons. I mean just
just be talking out loud and that Uh citizens
People get off work 4:30 to 5:00 and people say to me, "Fred, I'd love to
come to the meetings, but what happens now? I get home
and I take off my shoes and, you know, once the shoes hit the floor, I ain't
going anymore type philosophy. But if we had 6:00 like the Board of Ed, like the
library boards at Restell uh
then they'd be over earlier, but for citizens, I think you'd more likely to
get some people. I haven't got any proof of that. We can do some type of survey.
Also, I think for staff I mean, sometimes I think the staff
I mean, these meetings go on late. >> Some of them, yes.
» Yeah, some of them, not all of them. And some of the staff, why not consider and
this is something you how you work out the agenda, but we could consider
uh going from 7:00 to 6:00. I think it benefits citizens I think we get more
citizens here and I think it'd certainly be easier on my staff. Our staff that
have to stay here sometimes 8:00 or 9:00. And we can still get everything
done and just an hour earlier. Anyway, for discussion, if you could put
it on the agenda somehow. >> We'll discuss it, yeah.
So, you're going to get what So, let me just
» So, right now cancel June 18th unless for some reason we need it um if
something comes up. Uh July 16th and then
if we um
and then either August 6th or the 20th. I don't know if people have you know if
one day works better if people have if any of you have vacation scheduled or
huh? >> August 6th
» August 6th >> Okay. Everybody's okay with that.
» Yeah, mine's open. I don't know. Again, but she's
» She's not. >> I don't think Kaia's your schedule. I
don't know her schedule. >> She's She said it either date in August
worked for her. She it didn't Yeah, either date. Fred, do you have um
Do you Do you have any um conflicts with any of the dates?
» August 6th, I'm okay with. July 16th, I'm okay with.
And in June, when would we be meeting? >> June would be except for the first
meeting in June, we would cancel the second meeting.
» So the first meeting would be on the June 11th?
» June 4th. >> I'm sorry, June 4th the first Okay.
» Yep. >> Um
Yeah, that works for me. I've got a dentist
appointment but that that's not going to interfere.
» All right. All right.
Anything else? >> Next is reports of boards and
commissions, Maryland Municipal League. >> That's Ashley.
» Ashley. She's not here so no report. Council of Governments is next Wednesday
in Queen Anne. So I have no report.
Economic Development Fred >> Yeah, just uh very quickly
uh I'm happy to announce that after all the uh months of recruiting our folks
and getting them uh uh sworn in. At the last meeting, we we
did have our first CED meeting uh Central Economic Development
Authority meeting uh uh about a week and a half ago, and that
went I think very well. Our next and the first uh operating meeting will be
uh May 19th at 6:00 at The Wharf. So, we're
uh looking forward to having everyone in attendance at that, and that appears to
be uh a good time and date for uh everybody to participate with that. So,
uh I'm happy that we're finally moving forward and making progress, and lot lot
of really good feedback and comments uh
with some ideas on how we can actually be taking action, not just uh
be working on strategic plans, but actually implementing them. So, we're
excited about that moving forward. >> I'm going to I want to personally thank
you, too, because I've been on the council for
This is my fifth year, and this is probably the first time I heard a group
that's going to get together. There There's been a lot of talk about
it, but no nothing ever any any seriousness. So, thank you for all your
hard work on this. >> You got it. My pleasure. It's uh I think
it's important for the community, and I'm just real excited and enthusiastic
about the people that have agreed to uh sign on for a 3-year term on this. So,
uh but thank you. I appreciate it. >> Mhm. Yeah.
» The tree board I mean park advisory board.
» Ms. Wendy, are you okay? Did you Is that sling new from the meeting? You didn't
have that on >> I
Well, I I saw the doctor >> Oh.
Okay. Wendy's been kind enough to come in and talk about Arbor Day, and I
apologize, Wendy, they couldn't get the film the pictures up for some reason.
So, can you wing it? Just tell them what we did. No pictures.
I apologize. >> up front, though.
» Yeah, come on up. >> Okay.
Um >> Is your arm okay?
» Yeah, it's fine. >> Okay. Great. Microphone right there.
Yeah. >> Hello. Hi. Hi. Hi. Um so, we
» You can pick Yeah. >> Okay. So, we um planted one uh winter
king hawthorn tree and four autumn brilliant service berries down at the
Mill Street Park for Arbor Day. And it's sort of phase one of a two-part plan
that we have. We put them right kind of to delineate that northern border of the
park between the park and the What is it? The funeral home? Yeah, so it
continues the existing tree lines and sort of separates um the grassy area
from the the bush behind it. So, phase two is going to be um
turning each of those five sort of uh trees or large shrubs into the center of
an edibles area. So, each tree or shrub service berries then going to have some
highbush and lowbush blueberries, um maybe some a native viburnum, maybe
some chokeberry. Um but it will create these different little groupings of
edibles that are both for wildlife and people. Um and eventually they'll sort
of all grow into each other and be a natural
area that people can come, wildlife can come. So, the master We're working with
the master gardeners. Uh hopefully we'll do a big volunteer project and we'll
come do the planting probably in the fall. Um and Unity I I got a really good
price from Unity. We're getting wholesale pricing. So, everything is
really affordable. Um and um the next step is to see if they can hold every
all the plants and babysit them until we're ready to plant in the fall.
That's that. >> Great. That's great.
» And by the way, Carolyn's right on Remember the the P A B asked me one
about the signs? >> Yes.
» She's right on it. >> Okay.
» She might Michael's already got the information. And the other one is about
PR for the pavilion. Yeah. >> Yeah.
» Right on it. So, you got the answers are out there in cyberspace. Okay.
» Great. Awesome. Okay. Thanks. you. >> you. Thanks for coming in.
» Thank you. >> Mhm.
» Next Planning Commission. >> Yes, last night's meeting
there was a giraffe that Peter presented to the Planning Commission and for the
ADU language. It was very thorough. There's a couple
things we need to look at but there really wasn't a big discussion of any
edits and I think there's just some things that we need to look at to make
certain we're complying with the state law. ADU is Oh, sorry. The
accessory dwelling units. My apologies. I used the acronym.
I see everybody knows that's inconsiderate. So
So yeah, that was a new law that's effective this year and so every
municipality must comply. So we're we are
writing that so there'll be additional language updates
but I think for the first meeting went very well at the Planning Commission.
Then there was the final edits to the to the fence code. We've been working on
that for a little bit of time and I think it's in good shape and my
understanding is it's going to be coming to the next town council meeting as far
as for us to review. >> Not next one. The the first one in June.
» Okay. First one in June. That's why I'm looking to make certain which one. So
first one in June so it'll be presented at that time and
to to get that finalized.
» Got it. >> Next report from our department head,
town manager. >> I just two quick things.
Chestertown has a new town manager that started in
February so I had a meeting with him
it [laughter] was last week. Mhm.
Maybe two weeks. And so really nice person.
He has He's actually
um, Pennsylvania, but he
worked in towns in around Hagerstown and southwestern Maryland. Um,
he has a child still in high school, so his
they haven't moved over here yet. So, he has a little apartment, but um,
so we we talked about a lot of things, met for a while, and um,
and then I attended the first CDA meeting um, two weeks ago and uh, it was
great. They they had a great start and I'm looking forward to uh, to see what
they do. >> Chief of Police.
» I'm not All right.
» Town Manager Attorney. >> Nothing for me tonight.
» I need a bottle. >> Director of Public Works.
» Try and make this fast. >> Are you done yet?
» [laughter] >> Wish I was.
It's been a long week.
» Yes. Kit's been at a conference this week and just got back today.
» Yeah, about um, uh,
the contractor is going to start the paving work out at Providence Farm phase
four and five tomorrow morning. He's going to be repairing some of the
areas of the base pave which needs to be done before he does the final
uh, course on it.
Um, then weather permitting, his plan is to
work Tuesday,
Wednesday, and if needed, Thursday next week to do the
uh, top course paving. There's no parking restrictions at this
point for tomorrow. However, unless something changes,
on Tuesday and Wednesday, and if he needs it on Thursday,
anybody that needs to get in and out needs to be parked on Little Kidwell
Avenue before 7:00 next Tuesday morning.
Uh tomorrow we will be pushing out notices uh
door-to-door notices on Facebook
and on the um town website and I need to blast.
» Okay. Putting all this out. >> Uh
and like I say, this is all weather permitting.
» Yes. >> Yep.
» But I want to try let the residents know. Sorry for the
short notice because all this just kind of finalized about 5:30 tonight.
» Mhm. I'm pretty sure they'll be happy to get the road done.
» Yeah. >> Yeah, I'm pretty sure they'll
» Yep. >> Yeah.
» So, thank you. >> Thank you.
» Thank you. >> You're pretty good. Thank you.
» You're welcome. >> Town clerk.
» A little brief little brief uh Main Street America, which we are a
designated Main Street, but every year we have to reapply for our our grant and
our status, and we were notified yesterday that we um have once again
received the highest national designation recognizing the town of
Centre Row um as a um Main Street America accredited program. So,
once again, we we maintain our status and uh it's really a great um work from
uh Carol to get that done. And um
we look forward to to continuing that program for the next
year. >> Mhm.
» That it? >> Yep.
» Next is the second citizens forum. Citizens are requested to keep their
comments to 3 minutes. I see no one. See nobody here.
Next is council round table. I'll go with
Fred. Anything for council round table?
» Just uh very briefly, um
in preparation for CEDA moving forward, I thought and I spoke with Peter, our
planning director, that it would be important for him to
have involvement in being able to update CEDA with what's in the works in
planning so that we can be aware of the nuances
both short-term and long-term of what's happening there. And he is, I think,
happily agreed to participate with our meetings and to
you know, give updates at each of our meetings and to be a liaison back to
planning as we're going forward. And just to kind
of plant a seed from CEDA and I'll be working with Peter and the
town council. I think it's going to be important for us as we move forward have
a more specific plan, but when we identify potential businesses that we
feel are appropriate as employers and will add in a constructive way to the
community that it may be for us to be competitive with other surrounding
communities that we may have to be considering some sort of either
incentive or reduced fees that are normally assigned
and required of some of the new businesses coming in. So, I just want to
plant that seed so that we're more effective and not
just more aggressive, but more competitive with other surrounding
areas as we're moving forward with this. So,
uh nothing firm with that. I just want to put that out there that that's
something we'll be talking about.
» Forget to zoning administrator, do you have anything?
You'll forgo your time.
Sorry. Uh Council member McNeal.
» Yes, just if if I give wrong information. When I met with Kip, one of
the we talked about the water bill again. Okay, one of the ways maybe we
can look at the future of saving um money. We have two water towers in town,
Kip? Three, okay. Are some of them redundant, perhaps?
Oh, okay. Well, I have my notes as we have the North Fork one and the Comet
one. We're duplicating staff, equipment,
maintenance, and contractors. Am I totally wrong?
» [snorts]
» I think what you're referring to is water plants. We have two water plants.
We have three water towers. The water towers are standpipes. Uh
I mean, the redundancy with the water towers is great
um for capacity management, that type of
thing. Um things that we were talking about was
uh the cost of the water bill, the water and the sewer utility rate.
Um most towns, unless they're much larger
than Centreville, usually only have one water treatment plant.
Centreville has two water treatment plants. So, you have double the utility
bills, double the maintenance, uh all those type of things.
They also Also, the other thing that we talked about with the water bills,
please try and remember if you're trying to compare
Centreville's water bill to Chestertown's water bill or any other
town, >> [cough and clears throat]
» we've done three rate studies in 12 years.
Um and
made the the moved forward with adjusting the rates
and everything. These other towns
haven't adjusted rates for 10 years or more.
» Yeah, that is Chester Town. I spoke with the town manager and they have not done
rates in 12 or more years.
» So, please remember that when you look and say, "Oh, Centerville's high the
highest one there." We're not necessarily the highest
always. But, there's a reason the others are
cheaper, also. >> Right.
» And one day they're going to wind up in the same
situation. >> Exactly.
» The other thing, too, when people talk about, you know, they came from
wherever and, you know, their bill was not, you know, if they came from Bowie
and you know, they come here, well, their
water bill is distributed among however many
20,000 residents. >> Right. And we've got, you know, 1,900
homes. Um,
I don't know how many homes Bowie has, but
tens of thousands of homes, I guess. So, you know, there is a difference between,
you know, if we had another
uh, 5,000 homes, um, you know, then they would be even
cheaper, but >> No, that's a great point. So, to
piggyback on that, so when you're comparing financial information, you
have to have all the facts. And so, once you gather those facts and and share
that information, it's important and then also
communicating it to the community cuz you're right, it starts with people I'm
just look at this and this or these and I'm always saying, "Are these
comparable? Are they not?" Because again, from a financial perspective, if
towns are not or any municipality are not keeping up on the cost of whatever
it may be. It doesn't, you know, if it's their wastewater treatment, it's their
their wa- whatever, it'll catch up at some time and that's
very true. So, are they working in a deficit? What is their financial
position look like? So, there's a lot to it and I don't disagree with you at all.
It's more about just the conversation associated with that and making certain
that we are adequately communicating to you, the
community, and among ourselves with staff as we kind of look at these to
make certain we're looking at it appropriately. So, it's a great comment,
Kip. I agree. >> Was there anything else I can help you?
» No, that's good. >> Thank you.
» Um no, um other than um we had mentioned [clears throat]
um Councilman Bew and I went to and also
Peter also went to the Delmarva Waterways session, which is a great um
educational session just 2 weeks ago. And um we went around we went to various
towns, Delmar, Laurel, Greensboro, and um it was really I thought
educational um and we networked with different
people of the town relating to planning and zoning. There's some great takeaways
relating to that as it relates to your wastewater treatment plant best
practices. So, I thought it was very good and educational from that
perspective to give us information as we move forward on different projects. And
uh Greensboro was really fascinating as well as far as their green
infrastructure planning that they have done. And I have to say I think we both
as we went through the towns and then looking at what we've done in
Centreville, we've done a good job in Centreville. So, I think that's another
reason you get other towns as it relates to our park system, our trail system,
what we've done um at the Wharf. We've There's been a lot
of great things done in Centreville. And so, um
that needs to be recognized as well um and the positive things associated with
our town. So, I think that was very um very eye-opening and just reconfirming.
I knew it already, but it's always good for me to reconfirm that as I
as I um look to other towns. So, um so, I was glad that we did that. I thought
it was very beneficial. Um and also um again this year as far as
um I'll be working with Shore Rivers and um there's a three-year grant so this
third year as far as the grant which is it's called tree to shore from Shore
Rivers and we're just seeing where trees should
be planted what makes the most sense so you want to take advantage of that and
as it relates to increasing our canopy in the town cuz of all the benefits it
provides. One of them being as far as just relating to the heat that we're
having every summer it just gets worse every summer and the more trees that we
have the cooler our town will be and as well as those who are walking along the
sidewalks so that will happen this year and we'll probably plant in the fall
we're just looking to see what makes the most sense and we'll come back to town
council and we'll talk about that. Kiernan I don't know and maybe if it's
not as far as what was discussed at planning commission relating to the
shopping center or not at this time. Cuz it was discussed there.
» Um >> No okay very good so that was it.
» I have a couple things I want to personally thank Kip and his staff for
the the working through the trash and recycling things.
I also want to thank Karen and her staff for the budget because
the last two or three budget cycles have been pretty amazing short and
sweet and we yep and that's only thing that's all I got.
» I agree. >> And I want to personally thank all the
council people going getting going through the budget.
» Yes thank you. >> Yes.
Everybody. >> Yep.
» That's all? Motion to adjourn? >> Second.
» I got it. First second. >> Thank you.