REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2010

The Edinburg Town Council met for a Public Hearing on Tuesday, February 9, 2010.  Mayor Harshman called the Public Hearing to order at 7:15 p.m.  All Council Members were present with the exception of Councilman Hite. 

The purpose of the Public Hearing was to receive public comment on a proposed Amendment to Chapter 105 – Noise of the Town Code; Section 105-1.  Loud and unreasonable sounds restricted, Section 105-2.  Enumeration of unreasonable noises and Section 105-3.  Violations and penalties.

There was no public comment. 

A motion to adjourn the Public Hearing was made by Councilman Beachy and seconded by Councilman Dellinger.  Motion carried.

The Edinburg Town Council met in regular session on February 9, 2010.  Mayor Harshman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  All Council Members were present with the exception of Councilman Hite.  The Town Attorney was not present.  Visitor(s) included:  Ron Ross.  

A motion was made by Councilman Beachy and seconded by Councilman Wood to approve the minutes of January 12, 2010.  Motion carried.

The Treasurer’s report was reviewed.  A motion was made by Councilman Dellinger and seconded by Councilman Beachy to approve the Treasurer’s Report and to pay all the bills as presented.  Motion carried. 

The Water and Sewer Committee had no report.  Mayor Harshman reported that everything is running well at the WWTP & WTP right now.  The Mayor has instructed Kim DeFeo, Plant Operator to find someone to assist her with snow removal at the WWTP to allow her to access all of the various components of the Plant.  The Town will run this cost through the maintenance budget of our Contract with EEMA.  The Town is already seeing a spike in the turbidity of our wells because of the previous snow melt.  With the amount of snow this year, the Town will continue dealing with this for quite a while as melting occurs.  The Mayor also reported that additional CIPs (Clean in Place) will be required to keep the filters clean.  This type of event is exactly what the Town was planning for when the WTP upgrade was done.  This will be the first real test of the Plant’s ability to maintain normal production levels while handling a high turbidity situation.

Mayor Harshman also reported that Mr. Racey agreed to pay any additional cost involved in the subdivision of the Massanutten View Pump Station lot.

The Street Committee had no report.  Councilman Beachy praised the Town Crew for their work on the snow removal. 

The Ordinance Committee had no report.  Mayor Harshman reported that he attended the Drought Response Plan meeting that he mentioned last month.  It was decided that the region would probably decide on uniform indicators that would trigger the first two stages of drought response.  These are Stage 1-drought watch and Stage 2-drought warning.  These two stages result in informing the public and voluntary conservation measures.  Stage 3-drought emergency will require local indicators and parameters dealing with our specific water system.  The planning district is currently working on the indicators for the first two stages for our review.    

The Personnel Committee had no report.  Mayor Harshman reported that it looks like the Town will be running 12 hour shifts for 7 days with the snow for the Maintenance Department.  The Town has also used 2 additional part time drivers for plowing to keep up with the work.  The Town has been using comp time for times like this.  However, this is a longer duration of extended shifts than we have ever done before.  The Mayor asked Council how they felt about splitting the extra time between overtime and comp time.  For the 7 days, this will result in a total of 22 hours at time and a half, and 33 hours of comp time on the books.  The Town Council was okay with this.  The Mayor also asked for Council’s approval to do something similar for the Maintenance Supervisor, who is on salary.  The Town Council was also okay with this.  This would be in the form of an equivalent bonus and comp time.

The Finance Committee had no report.  Mayor Harshman reported that the Auditor was here last week to do the field work for 2008-2009 Audit.  Hopefully, the Town will be seeing a finished product soon. 

Health & Safety Committee Chairman, Steve Wood called attention to Chief Clem’s Report.  Councilman Wood stated that the he thought that the Neighborhood Watch meetings were very important for residents.  The attendance numbers have been good, there have been good speakers and that it is a very good program and that he hopes the community will continue to support the Neighborhood Watch Program. 

The Property Committee had no report.  Mayor Harshman reported that he and the Finance Chairman approved the purchase of a snow blade for the Town’s Bobcat at a cost of approximately $2,500.  The Mayor also reported that the windshield on the Bobcat broke and would have to be replaced.    

The Cemetery Committee had no report. 

The Park Committee had no report. 

The Insurance Committee had no report.  Mayor Harshman reported that the broken windshield on the Bobcat would be turned into the Insurance Company. 

The Town Manager reported that the Board of Theater Shenandoah has signed the Agreement with the Town for the use of the old Town Hall/Opera House.

The Town Manager also reported that the Town has received a few calls from residents interested in serving on the Geese Committee.  The Council must appoint the Geese Committee.  The Town Manager also reported that the majority of the people he has heard from are “for” the geese.  The Town Manager stated that a Council Member will need to chair the Geese Committee.  Councilman Wood stated that he thought that the Committee should have its own chair and report back to the Council.  The Town Manager doesn’t think that would work.  The Town Manager suggested that Councilman Beachy be the Chair for the Geese Committee.

The Town Manager reported that he will continue to collect names for the Geese Committee.  The Town Manager also reported that a lady had called about a goose management system that is endorsed by the Humane Society.  This system also involves something with using dogs to control the problem, and he is not sure what that means.

Councilman Beachy stated that he should probably be head of the Geese Committee.  He also stated that the geese have gotten into his front yard even with his new fence.

The Town Manager reported that the Central High School After Prom Committee is asking for a donation from the Town.  The Town gave a $100 donation last year.  A motion was made by Councilman Wood and seconded by Councilman Beachy to approve a $100 donation to the Central High School After Prom Committee.  Motion carried. 

The Town Manager reported that the Architectural Review Board did not have a meeting this month.

The Town Manager reported that there was no Planning Commission meeting last month.

The Zoning Administrator had no report this month.

Mayor Harshman asked Council if just the title could be read of the proposed amendment to Chapter 105 – Noise of the Town Code; Section 105-1.  Loud and unreasonable sounds restricted, Section 105-2.  Enumeration of unreasonable noises and Section 105-3.  Violations and penalties.  A motion was made by Councilman Beachy and seconded by Councilman Dellinger to approve the reading of the just the title of the proposed amendment to the Ordinance.  Motion carried.

Mayor Harshman read the title of the proposed amendment.  A motion was made by Councilman Dellinger and seconded by Councilman Beachy to approve the proposed amendment to Chapter 105 – Noise of the Town Code; Section 105-1.  Loud and unreasonable sounds restricted, Section 105-2.  Enumeration of unreasonable noises and Section 105-3.  Violations and penalties.  Motion carried.  This amendment will take effect thirty days from today.  Recorded vote as follows:  Hite-absent, Dellinger-aye, Beachy-aye, Wymer-aye, Carver-aye, Wood-aye, Harshman-aye.

Councilwoman Carver stated that she would like to see stories from residents about life in Edinburg on the Town website.  She stated that she thought it would be good to try to incorporate more on the website for the community to be involved in.  Councilwoman Carver thought the Town could put something about this in the next newsletter or attach something to the water bills that had a description of what the Town was looking for.

Councilman Wood inquired as to whether or not the Town Newsletter was on the website.  Mayor Harshman stated that yes, it was on the website.

With no further business, a motion was made by Councilman Beachy and seconded by Councilman Wood to adjourn the meeting.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.