Minutes of a Special Meeting of the
Town Council of the Town of Ellicott
held at the
Administration Building,
January 4,
2007 at 12:00 P.M.
Present: Supervisor Tyler, Councilman Geisler, Councilman Pickett, Councilman Miller, Councilman Heintzelman, Town Clerk Erlandson.
Supervisor Tyler opened the
meeting at 12:10 PM and led the Town Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Town Clerk Erlandson called the roll. Supervisor Tyler explained that today’s
special meeting was convened to discuss the vacant Town Attorney position. He reminded the Council that former Town
Attorney Kenneth Lasker resigned his position, effective Jan. 1, 2007. Mr. Tyler stated that he recently asked
Attorney William Wright if he was interested in filling the position. He reminded the Council that Mr. Wright, who
was in attendance at today’s meeting, is currently the attorney for the
Ellicott Planning Board as well as the Ellicott Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Wright stated that he is interested in
the position. The Council discussed the
expectations of the position. Mr.
Wright stated that, at the present time, he does not want to prosecute code
enforcement violations. He explained
that he is not a ‘criminal procedures’ attorney & that a different attorney
would be better suited for such cases.
He also pointed out that the number of code enforcement violations that
end up in litigation is quite small.
Therefore, the additional cost to the Town would be minimal. He suggested that the Town retain Attorney
William Duncanson Jr. to prosecute code enforcement violations whenever
necessary. Mr. Wright added that he
would continue to provide logistical assistance for such cases if needed.
Town Clerk Erlandson was directed to contact Attorney William Duncanson Jr. to determine if he would be interested in handling code enforcement cases for the Town. Councilman Heintzelman noted that, effective January 1, 2007 the Town will be using a new payroll service. He explained that the new service would save the Town approximately several thousand dollars per year in payroll costs & suggested that the savings be allocated to offset the costs of retaining Attorney Duncanson.
Motion by Councilman Geisler,
seconded by Councilman Miller to appoint William Wright Jr. as Town of
Ellicott Attorney for 2007 at a salary to be determined.
Adopted. Ayes – 5 Noes - 0 Absent – 0
Motion by Supervisor Tyler,
seconded by Councilman Heintzelman to retain Attorney William Duncanson
Jr., when necessary, to prosecute code enforcement violations for the Town of
Ellicott at a rate of pay to be determined.
Adopted. Ayes – 5 Noes - 0 Absent – 0
Motion by Supervisor Tyler,
seconded by Councilman Geisler setting the new hours of the Town of
Ellicott Assessing Office as 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday; and,
further, to eliminate the full-time Assessment Clerk position in the
Town of Ellicott Assessing Office; and, further, to establish a new part-time
position in the Town of Ellicott Assessing Office and setting the hours of
the new position as 1:30 – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday at a rate of pay of
$8.00 to $10.00 per hour.
Adopted. Ayes – 5 Noes - 0 Absent – 0
RESOLUTION #04-07
Payment of Claims
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Geisler to pay 2006 current claims #1434-1444,
inclusive, in the amount of $$7,679.73 and charge to the proper fund or
account; and, further, to pay 2007 current claims #1-2, inclusive, in
the amount of $33,827.52 and charge to the proper fund or account.
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent – 0
Motion
by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Heintzelman to adjourn at 12:40 PM.
Carried.
Ayes - 5
Noes - 0
Absent - 0
_________________________________
Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk