Town Meeting Minutes
March 12, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Calvo, Mayor Pro-Tem (MPT) Jewitt, CMs Dennison, Gourley and Lofgren. Also present were Town Administrator Murphy, Officer Travis Young, Treasurer Lape, Clerk Harper, as well as Chair of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC) Ann Harris Davidson, Chair of the Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness (NW/EP) Mike Attick and citizens.

Mayor Calvo led the Pledge of Allegiance.

1. Hearing

Pension Bond Ordinance No. 142 (8:05 – 8:07 p.m): Mayor Calvo explained that the Council will later in the meeting introduce an ordinance to authorize the Town to borrow up to $1,065,000 to enroll employees in the Maryland State Pension System. The next steps in joining the Pension Plan are adoption of the ordinance at the April Town meeting and a referendum on the bond issue at the May 6 Town Council election. He then invited public comment and declared the hearing open.

Mike Attick of 62nd Avenue asked if this bond ordinance is geared specifically toward joining the Maryland State Pension Plan or if it can be used to finance other pension plans. Mayor Calvo said that it is geared to the Maryland State Pension System but open to revision before its adoption.

With no further comments, the hearing was closed.

2. Minutes

Clerk Harper read a summary of the February 13 Town meeting minutes. On a motion by CM Gourley and second by MPT Jewitt, the minutes were adopted 5 to 0.

3. Treasurer’s Report

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

4. Mayor’s Report

Mayor Calvo reported that the following candidates filed papers for the upcoming Town Council election: current Councilmembers Patti Dennison, Jeff Gourley and Darald Lofgren and himself as well as Mike Attick, who currently chairs the Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness Committee (NW/EP). The April Bulletin will publish the candidates biographies and residents can get further acquainted with the candidates an an April 23 candidate forum at the Town Center.

Mayor Calvo continued that, at present, the FY 2009 budget is the focus of the Council's attention. TA Murphy presented his proposed budget at the March 3 budget worksession, including much useful background information. He said that the FY 2009 budget will be very tight due mainly to the following reasons: 1) Maryland switching to an interoperable 800 Mhz radio communication system, which requires Berwyn Heights to purchase $78,500 worth of compatible radios; 2) the Town of Berwyn Heights planning to enroll employees in the Maryland State Pension System, which requires payment of a $55,000 installment to backfill employee pensions at 1/3 of prior years service; and 3) a weakening economy, which is likely to reduce revenues and has led to suspension of budgeting operating expenses from the surplus.

Mayor Calvo continued that overall, the budget is projected to increase by 4.8%. Under revenues, the increase is mostly due to a 13% increase in real property tax receipts. Under expenditures, a 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), merit pay and higher prices for gasoline & oil are the main cost drivers. Additionally, the Town last week received notice of the re-assessment of Verizon's personal property resulting in a loss of $30,260 in personal property taxes. At its last worksession, the Council took measures to close this budget gap, including raising the Public Safety Taxing District (PSTD) personal property tax by 5 cent per $100 of assessed value, adding approximately $10,000 in revenue, cutting $10,000 from the infrastructure reserve and making smaller adjustments throughout the budget worth approximately $10,000. Another unexpected expense of $7,100 resulted from the revised annual contribution rate for the Maryland State Pension System, the Town plans to join in FY 2009. This gap was closed by cutting a proposed seed slicer from the Public Works budget.

In other news, Mayor Calvo reported that he, CM Dennison, College Park Mayor Brayman and County Councilmember Eric Olsen had a meeting with representatives of Maryland's Department of the Environment, the Anacostia Watershed society and Konterra Development regarding pollution in Indian Creek. It was found that Konterra is the the main source of the muddiness of the Creek's waters and is due to insufficient provisions made to deal with runoff from the reclamation of the Konterra property. One of 4 sediment ponds did not conform with State guidelines and Konterra will be cited for a fine. To stop future runoff from the property into the Creek, Konterra agreed to plant grass to anchor the soil. However, this remedy will take time take effect and the Creek can be expected to be muddy for several more weeks. The Town plans to write a letter to request that the fine levied on Konterra be earmarked for the restoration of Indian Creek.

Further, the Town has learned that the County is getting ready to condemn the long unfinished home on 58th Avenue. CM Olsen is working on legislation that would establish standards for in-fill development and mechanisms for Towns and Cities without zoning authority to review such site plans. CM Olsen has also drafted legislation to revamp the historic preservation program to accelerate the evaluation process. At the State level, legislation has been passed to permit Towns to install speed cameras and collect revenues from fines. Lastly, the Town received a briefing on the last of the detailed site plans for the Greenbelt Station south core and will soon make a recommendation and notice was received that the Commerce Bank detailed site plan is almost complete and will be before the Zoning Board soon.

5. Department Reports

Administration: CM Gourley reported on revenues received to date, including Verizon's sizable personal property tax bill. He further commented that, as a lifelong Town resident, he cannot recall an election in which only 5 candidates ran for Town Council and that he regrets MPT Jewitt not standing for re-election.

Code Enforcement: MPT Jewitt commented on a letter from Greenbelt Mayor J. Davis to Maryland's Secretary of Transportation supporting the possible re-establishment of the Neighborhood Conservation Program. He suggested the Council also write a letter of support emphasizing the need to finish a Route 193 design plan that had been suspended in light of all the new development that is to take place in Greenbelt West.

MPT Jewitt then reminded residents to cut down and bundle tree limbs and branches for disposal, to stack and elevate wood piles 6” off the ground to prevent infestations and to cut the grass before it reaches 10”.  He further noted, with the setting forward of the clock, residents may want to check their smoke detectors to make sure they are working. He concluded with a report on code activities, noting that the Council raised the rental licensing fee from $210 to $220 for the next fiscal year.

Parks and Recreation, Education and Civic Affairs: CM Dennison reported that the Recreation Council is in the midst of preparations for Berwyn Heights Day and is helped by a number of community organizations. Middle and high school students are encouraged to sign up as volunteers and earn Community Service hours. At Berwyn Heights Elementary School (BHES), students recently enjoyed a presentation by Priscilla Cummings, a renowned children's' book author, and conducted science experiments in a mobile lab of the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation. The PTA will soon meet to elect next year's board. Current PTA President Beth Brittan Powell has graciously agreed to serve again. Activities sponsored by the PTA include a recent outing to Wells Ice Skating rink, and upcoming Family Fun Night, Career Day and Scholastic Book Fair. Further, the BHES Gold Team will hold a spring clean-up of Pop's Park and other Town gardens and students are preparing for another mock council session.

CM Dennison continued that the Education Advisory Committee (EAC) discussed design plans for the new Greenbelt Middle School, including the possibility of building a pedestrian overpass from Berwyn Heights, as well as the replication of the music & technology program in other parts of the County. The Berwyn Heights Historical Committee (BHHC) continues to look into the possibility of joining the Prince George's Community Foundation (PGCF) and is processing information on museum maintenance which Chair Cheryl Jewitt brought back from a conference she attended in February. BHHC historic street markers have been reinstalled last week, after being attached to stronger posts, thanks to the efforts of BHHC member David Williams.

Public Health and Safety: Mayor Calvo reported that Chief Murphy is still recuperating from surgery and is likely to return on Friday. The Berwyn Heights officers this weekend were very helpful in directing traffic along Route 193 when a storm had knocked out power and the traffic lights were not working.

Officer Travis Young, reporting for Chief Murphy, gave the police activities report. He highlighted the most notable incidents. He further reported cooperation with the Neighborhood Watch in patrolling Town streets has been smooth and that progress is being made in curbing loud parties at rental properties.

Public Works: CM Lofgren announced that a WSSC pipe relining project may begin as soon as March 17. The relining of pipes will be less disruptive than replacement and cause less damage to streets. Public Works employees were called in last weekend to secure power lines brought down in the windstorm. Congratulations go to Public Works employee Adrian Lockley, who earned his CDL license. Director Coleman was re certified for pest control and the mulch delivery program was inaugurated with 2 deliveries in March.

6. Committee Reports

Education Advisory Committee: Chair Ann Harris Davidson reported that School Board Member Amber Waller was unable to come to the last EAC meeting because of illness. She promised that she will attend one of the upcoming meetings instead. Ms. Davidson, on behalf of the EAC, then requested that the Town write a letter of support for HB 1041 and SB 33 currently considered in the Maryland Assembly, which re-establishes 9 single-member Board of Education districts. The letter can be addressed to Delegate Barbara Frush and Senator Anthony Muse, who lead the Prince George's County Delegation, which introduced the legislation. A couple of amendments have been made that would adjust district boundaries, one of them in College Park. Berwyn Heights might be affected, if the boundary adjusted moves College Park Estate into the College Park District. Ms. Davidson will attempt to find out the exact boundary changes for the next worksession when the Council will take up the matter.

Ms. Davidson commended BHES librarian Irene Tremper for arranging a visit by famous children's book author Priscilla Cummings, who delighted students with stories and insights into the life of a writer. Ms. Davidson last week also attended a meeting at which plans for the new Greenbelt Middle School were discussed. The plans, among other things, call for construction of lighted ball fields, which could benefit Berwyn Heights teams, if a safe pedestrian crossing existed. The Greenbelt City Council, in a letter to Prince George's County Public Schools, has listed a safe pedestrian crossing, such as an overpass, as one of its top concerns. Berwyn Heights may want to bring the need for a safe crossing to the attention of State planners, who are reviewing plans for improvements to Route 193.

Further, Ms. Davidson reported that the PTA is discussing overcrowding at BHES but, for the moment, will not press for relief as this may lead to the 6th graders being moved to Greenbelt Middle School. PGCPS has again opened nominations for staff awards and BHES will submit candidates for consideration. BHES will for now keep its music & technology program while PGCPS ponders how the program might be replicated. PGCPS continues to debate on how to structure a pilot program for preK-8 schools in the Beltsville/Laurel area thus postponing its introduction at a Board of Education meeting.

Historical Committee: CM Dennison read a report provided by Chair Cheryl Jewitt, who was unable to come. The Historical Committee (BHHC) will hold a wine and cheese reception on April 6 featuring a book signing for Ms. Davidson's soon to be published “Berwyn Heights – Then & Now” pictorial history. Ms. Jewitt recently attended a conference, where she gathered a lot of useful information and contacts relating to the establishment and maintenance of small museums. A museum is considered small when its budget does not exceed $250,000 per year. On March 19, the BHHC will again host the Director of the Prince George's Community Foundation (PGFC) to further explore the requirements for setting up a Berwyn Heights charitable giving fund. Lastly, Ms. Jewitt thanked the Public Works Department for re-installing the historic street markers, now secured on studier posts.

Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness: Chair Mike Attick reported that Officers Young and Chapman have been very helpful during Neighborhood Watch night patrols. He now has a better understanding of the demands on police officers at night. They are doing a great job even while residents may not see them or easily get in touch. He said that the NW/EP will next meet on April 2 and continues to look for volunteers.

Recreation Council: There was no report.

7. Unfinished Business

There was none.

8. New Business

Ordinance No. 142 – 1st Reading & Introduction of Bond Issue: Clerk Harper read the Title of the Ordinance, which functions as a summary. On a motion by CM Gourley and second by CM Lofgren, the remainder of the Ordinance was considered read. Mayor Calvo highlighted the key sections of the Title, which 1) specifies that the maximum amount that can be borrowed to enroll Town employees in the State Pension Plan is $1,065,000; 2) pledges the Town's full faith & credit to the repayment of the bond, including its unlimited taxing power; and 3) states that the purpose of the bond is to pay for 1/3 of employees' prior years service. The Ordinance, if adopted by the Council, will not become effective until it is approved in a referendum at the upcoming election. Mayor Calvo then read the question that will be on the ballot.

CM Gourley moved to introduce the Ordinance. CM Lofgren seconded. CM Dennison commented that the revised version of the Question is much improved. She is looking forward to more discussions of this issue with residents in private, at meetings and the upcoming candidates forum. MPT Jewitt commented that language in the second and third whereas of the Ordinance lends itself to adaptation for a plain language explanation of the question that is to be on the ballot. The Council is making progress in refining the Ordinance and in budgeting for the expense of joining the State Pension System. He is excited to find out how residents will vote. Mayor Calvo said that Berwyn Heights is one out of 9 Maryland municipalities that seek to join the State Pension System this year. However, it would not be able to afford paying for 100% of prior years service as other cities have done. Happily, the State legislature has made special accommodation to admit small towns on the basis of giving only partial credit for prior years service. Berwyn Heights continues to research privately insured retirement plans as possible alternatives. At the April Town meeting and the upcoming election, residents will be presented with well thought out proposals for setting up a viable retirement system for Town employees. With no further comments, the Council voted 5 to 0 to introduce Ordinance No. 142.

9. Citizens Discussion

Mayor Calvo announced that a foreclosure solution workshops will be held at the YMCA in Fort Washington on March 15.

Ms. Davidson thanked the Town for hosting her book signing event and passed out informational fliers and a review copy of her book for inspection.

CM Dennison noted that the foreclosure workshop will offer legal advice and is free of charge.

CM Lofgren announced that the Prince George's County Lacrosse Club, for which his grandson and MPT Jewitt's son play, is now recruiting. More information is available at www.pglacrosse.com.  He also came across a 1999 Bulletin article, which features newly hired Police Chief Patrick Murphy.  He said that soon Chief Murphy will complete his tenth year of service with Town and wished him a speedy recovery.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m.

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk

Copyright © Town of Berwyn Heights.