Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Medford Capel, Utilities Manager, Mabel Mumford-Pautz, J. Brian Kirby, Whaland Clark, Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Jennifer Stead, Stenographer, and guests. William S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, was absent.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of February 19, 2002. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be approved as presented was seconded, by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that cash on hand and in banks was $829,527.91.

Mr. Capel stated he was in receipt of a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes for a sewer hook-up at 535 Morgnec Road. The letter explained that their property was along the Route 291 line installed and funded by the State Highway Administration. Their request was similar to the ones approved for Gillespie & Sons, Inc. and Dale Lowman at a previous Utilities Commission meeting and was not in conflict with the Town Charter requirement that new mains could not be extended outside of the town limits.

Mr. Clark moved to approve the Rhode's request for out of town sewer hook-up at out-of-town rates, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated there was a letter from Mildred Abbensetts at 207 Kennedy Drive. Several years ago she paid a fee of $1,750.00 when her house was built because she was told there was no water line to her lot. On July 3, 2001 there was a water main break on the property and they found an old line. She was requesting a refund of $1,750.00.

Mr. Capel stated that the property had been searched for a water line with pipe finding instruments. Also, American Leak Detection tried to find a line and could not. When applications were filled out for water, they were informed that there was a possibility that water service could not be found. He did not think that the money should be refunded. Mr. Capel stated Ms. Abbensetts was fortunate to have a new line since the old line broke.

Mr. Kirby wanted to know how Ms. Abbensetts was notified and if the line had been found, would it have been able to be used. Mr. Capel stated he was not aware whether Ms. Abbensetts had received written or verbal notification, but she was aware of the provisions for running a line. The line that broke would not have been able to be used and she would have needed a new line anyway.

The Council decided to deny the request and asked that a letter be written to Ms. Abbensetts stating the reasons for the denied request.

Mr. Capel stated that the generator for Upper Shore Aging would be in next month. The pumps were in for the College Heights lift station. He stated that his department was in the process of reading water meters and they would install the pumps after the reading had been done for the quarter billing.

Mr. Capel stated that a 2" line at the lagoon had a valve that broke loose and there was a sewage spill. The spill has been reported to MDE (Maryland Department of the Environment). It was discovered March 6th and the problem was corrected immediately.

Mr. Capel stated the annual meeting of the Maryland Rural Water Works would be in May in Ocean City and he would like to attend as he has done in the past. He also said
there was an American Water Works Convention in New Orleans in June that he would like to attend. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved to approve Mr. Capel's request to go to the Ocean City and New Orleans conferences, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved to pay bills, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark moved that the meeting be adjourned at 7:41 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:

Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:

Margo G. Bailey
Mayor