Town Meeting Minutes

 March 8, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Calvo, CMs Dennison, Gourley, Laughlin and McNulty. Also present were Town Administrator Murphy, Detective Kenneth Antolik, Treasurer Lape, Clerk Harper, as well as Chair of the Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness (NW/EP) Ron Shane, Gazette reporter Michael Zimmerman and citizens.

Mayor Calvo led the Pledge of Allegiance.

1.  Minutes

Clerk Harper read a summary of the February Town meeting minutes. CM Gourley moved to adopt the minutes. CM Dennison seconded. The minutes were approved 5 to 0 with corrections.

2.  Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Lape gave the Treasurer's report for the month of January.

3.   Mayor’s Report

Mayor Calvo reported that Town Administrator presented the proposed FY 2007 budget to the Council at the last worksession. A revised version that attempts to frame the issues was made available to the Council today. Mayor Calvo highlighted the important budget issues.

Revenues:

• No increases in the real property tax rate;
• 5% increase of the Public Safety Taxing District personal property tax rate;
• 9.3% increase in overall revenues, including $50,000 budgeted from surplus.

Expenditures:

• 3.1% increase in Administration Department;
• 10.9% increase in Police Department due mostly to salary increases;
• 11.3% increase in Code Department;
• 5.5%  increase in Public Works Department due mostly to salaries;
• 42% increase in Parks and Recreation Department due mostly to renovation of ball fields;
• 18% increase in Employee Benefits

Capital Budget:

• Purchase of 1 trash truck, 1 dump truck and 1 police car
• Creation of Vehicle Replacement Fund
• 47% increase in Infrastructure Fund

Undesignated Reserves: $26,000 to fund new employee benefits and $10,000 for other uses.

Mayor Calvo summarized that the increase in the size of the budget is largely driven by salary increases. Departmental funding requests that were cut include some capital items for the Police and Public Works Departments and reduced funding for the Infrastructure fund. This budget lays out the options that will be negotiated by the Council at future worksessions. The public is requested to give input.

4.    Department Reports

Administration: Mayor Calvo reported that the Council took a position to support the City of College Park in requesting the reallocation of $300,000 for a study of the University of Maryland Connector (Terrapin Parkway) for a study of Route 1 improvements. The collection of public safety taxes has reached just under $20,000 and will be used toward the purchase of a new police vehicle. The collection of real estate and personal property taxes is also on track.

Clerk Harper announced that 7 candidates have filed for the May 2 Town Council election. They are current incumbents Cheye Calvo, Patti Dennison and Jeff Gourley as well as Joan Hayden, Brad Jewitt, Darald Lofgren and Ron Shane. Important dates pertaining to the elections were also reviewed.

Code Enforcement: CM Laughlin reminded residents of permit requirements. Most structural, electrical and plumbing work require permits from the County and the Town. For information residents can call the Prince George's County Permit Division at 301-883-5784 or the Town's Code Department at 301-513-9331. Dumpster permits are required regardless of whether it is parked in the driveway or in the street. Residents were also reminded to store firewood 4 inches off the ground in a manner that prevents rodent and insect infestations.

Parks and Recreation, Education and Civic Affairs: CM Dennison reported that she has submitted her Department's budget for FY 2007. It funds further improvements to the ball fields and a piece of new equipment for the Town's recreational facilities. Residents are encouraged to give input. The Recreation Council continues to work on Berwyn Heights Day.  Volunteers are still needed. High school and middle school students can earn their community service hours. Volunteers are also needed to help welcome back the Purple Martins. Those interested can call Joy Newheart at 301-614-3912.

CM Dennison announced that a student mock council event has been scheduled at 6:30 pm. prior to the April 24 Council worksession as part of the observance of Municipal Government Works Month. Five Berwyn Heights Elementary students coached by Principal Singer and accompanied by their parents will act as Council and discuss an issue of relevance. Lastly, CM Dennison noted that it was International Women's Day and read the names of women who have contributed significantly to the affairs of the Town.

Public Health and Safety: CM McNulty announced that he will not seek re-election so that he can devote more time to his family. He said that he has accomplished what he set out to do and that the Town is in good hands. He has been honored to have served the Town and the Police Department, which works hard to keep the Town safe.

Detective Sergeant Kenneth Antolik reported for Chief Murphy who was absent. There were a total of 15 Part I offenses but no homicides, rapes or aggravated assaults. This compares favorably to some neighboring jurisdictions. He continued with a summary of the police activities report. Officers van Dyke and Chapman are the main patrol officers but are currently helping with a complex fraud investigation. Residents were reminded that the Police can assist in checking licenses of home improvement contractors with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission. In Maryland it is illegal to do home improvement work without a license and using an unlicensed contractor can result in huge losses for home owners. Door-to-door salesmen have to get a permit from the Town if they solicit in Berwyn Heights, unless it is for a religious organization. Lastly, Detective Antolik noted that with a warm weekend forecast, Officer van Dyke and he plan to resume bike patrols.

Public Works: CM Gourley announced that the Council has begun deliberating on the FY 2007 budget and invited residents to attend worksessions to share their views on how the Town's money should be spent. He encouraged students to earn community service hours helping the Public Works Department or volunteering for Berwyn Heights Day. He thanked Bob Angel of Ruatan Street for helping repair one of two dump trucks that broke down during the last snow storm, which could then be sent back out onto the street. The Public Works crew cleaned up the Town entrance at Pontiac and Edmonston Road and is servicing equipment in preparation for spring and Berwyn Heights Day. Recently, an anonymous caller erroneously accused Berwyn Heights employees of sleeping in a Town truck at Beltway Plaza. CM Gourley concluded with a report on trash collection volumes for February.

5.Committee Reports

Education Advisory Committee:  CM Dennison reported that John Deasy was approved as the new CEO of Prince George's County Public Schools, effective May 1. The House of Delegates passed PG 401-06, which would re-establish an elected school board elected from 9 single-member districts. The bill will be taken up by the Senate next. A new listserv has been opened at bheac@yahoogroups.org, moderated by EAC Chair Ann Davidson.

Historical Committee: CM Dennison reported that Ruatan Street, formerly Keleher Street, has been selected for the next historic street marker. It was named after Timothy Keleher who, with James Waugh, was a member of the Charlton Heights Investment & Building Association (CHIBA) that sold real estate in the Town in the 1890s. On Sunday, an oral history will be recorded with members of the Aleshire family who owned a home on Ruatan Street. The next meeting of the Committee will take place on March 25 at the College Park Airport.

Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness: Chair Ron Shane reported that members of the Prince George's Association of Ham Operators performed a demonstration of equipment at the last meeting. Ham radios are important in emergencies because they can maintain communications when regular telephone service is disrupted. Ham radios have therefore been put on the priority funding list. The Neighborhood Watch has recently reported an increased number of incidents of vandalism to cars. More patrols are called for to increase visibility. Citizens interested in joining the Neighborhood Watch may call 301-441-9267. The Emergency Preparedness is also seeking additional members to help out in emergencies. Certification is not required. However, 3-day accelerated emergency training sessions are available on March 31 – April 2, May 12 – 14, July 7 – 9 and September 8 – 10. These training sessions are open to those who want to complete their training for certification as well. Citizens are encouraged to attend NW/EP meetings taking place on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m.

Recreation Council: CM Dennison reported that the Recreation Council needs a photo contest coordinator and a fun run coordinator for Berwyn Heights Day.

6.    Unfinished Business

Metropark Detailed Site Plan (DSP) presentation: Mayor Calvo announced that this is an encore presentation for the public of a presentation made to the Council at the last worksession. The Council has signed an agreement with the developer to support the development in exchange for a $1 million settlement to compensate the Town for traffic and safety impacts. In January, the Council approved the conceptual site plans for the south core of the development, which are now supplemented with detailed site plans for the town houses and apartments.

Sandy Gallagher, project manager for Greenbelt Metropark, reviewed the DSP for the town house complex and the connector road. The only significant changes made since Greenbelt's approval of the conceptual site plans in February are the enlargement of the central civic space and the conversion of one town house into a live/work unit adjacent to the green space. The total number of proposed residential units in the south core still stands at 1022, the upper limit supported by the Council. A hiker/biker trail wraps around the development along Indian Creek beginning at Branchville Road and ending at the northern end of the connector road, with a connection to Cherrywood Lane. Mayor Calvo renewed his request to walk the site with Metropark representatives to discuss such issues as the hiker/biker trail, pedestrian access and Greenbelt Road intersections.

Among the issues addressed in the question and answer session were possible threats to wildlife along the creek, aggravated flooding along 56^th Avenue due to the development, College Park's concerns regarding flooding along Narragansett Run in Hollywood and possible increases in flood insurance premiums for residents in or near the flood plain. The next step, after the approval of the DSP, includes issuing record plats, rough grading and installation of water and sewer pipes, hopefully by this summer. The Branchville Road bridge is scheduled for completion in spring 2007 and will be used for access to the development during construction. Any damage to Branchville Road from use by trucks will be fixed by the developer.

Tom Haller, Attorney for Fairfield Homes, reviewed the DSP for the apartment complex west of the Connector. The 4-story Texas Doughnut style complex has a mix of 302 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in 3 wings and 3 courtyards. It will be equipped with a parking garage, elevators, a swimming pool and a fitness center. The first floor of the complex will have retail establishments along the connector road, including one boutique grocery store. The parking garage for the complex has been redesigned to make it look more aesthetically pleasing. It backs up against the railroad tracks, has 5 open decks and holds approximately 600 cars.

7.    New Business

Municipal Government Works Month Resolution: Clerk Harper read the Resolution. CM Gourley moved to adopt it. CM McNulty seconded. Mayor Calvo commented that the Maryland Municipal League (MML) encourages municipalities to designate April as Municipal Government Works month as a way to highlight the value of municipal government. CM Dennison said that a student mock council meeting will be held on April 24, 6:30 p.m. Berwyn Heights Elementary School Principal Dr. Karen Singer will help select and prepare the  students and accompany them to the meeting. County and State delegates have been invited. Residents are welcome. The Council approved the Resolution 5 to 0 in a roll call vote.

8.    Citizens Discussion

Joan Hayden asked why birdbaths and feeding stations were prohibited in a proposed Wildlife Habitat agreement with a resident. Mayor Calvo answered that the agreement, which has not been signed, allows for the establishment of a wildlife habitat in a part of the resident's back yard. In exchange for granting an exemption to certain provisions of the Clean Lot Ordinance, the resident agreed to abide by certain standards for maintaining the habitat. These include the prohibition of birdbaths and other artificial watering and feeding stations which might attract unwanted wildlife. CM Laughlin added that the agreement contains a provision that holds the Town harmless in case of injuries resulting from wildlife in the habitat, be they rabid raccoons or others.

There were no further comments.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk