10.30.2023  Snow Hill Town Council Work Session

A Big Agenda, Some Major Appointments and A Stunning Outcome for the BES

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For those of you that may be new to the local governance scene in Snow Hill, the Town Council meets on the last and first Tuesday each month in a work session, then meets on the second Tuesday each month to conduct a Town Council meeting.

In May this year (2023), two of the three Council districts elected new representatives: in the Central District Diana Walsh was elected, replacing Jenny Hall, who was appointed in 2022 to fill Melisa Weidener’s unexpired term; and in the Western District, Margaret Fletcher claimed the seat formerly held by Regina Blake.

Mayor Mike Pruitt and Council member Janet Simpson (Eastern District) were elected in the 2022 election.

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Since being sworn into office in June, the  newly constituted Council has pressed the Mayor and Town Manager, Rick Pollitt, to address new and existing issues ranging from appropriate staffing and expenditures, dispensation of the Black Eyed Susan, increased water and sewer rates operation of the town’s water treatment facility, code enforcement for a range of issues, and the sale of several town-owned properties and assets, including the Black Eyed Susan river boat. In addition, the Town’s Charter is currently under review by an ad-hoc committee of residents, and the Boards and Commissions specified by the Town Charter have been reviewed and reconstituted, where necessary, to represent a broad cross-section of residents and perspectives.

Black Eyed Susan, Again

Since April, Council work sessions have addressed how, when, and to whom to sell the Black Eyed Susan, given its current state of disrepair (needing an estimated $600k of work to be sea worthy). Earlier this year, the Council agreed to sell the boat, which was accomplished through an RFP process, as recommended by the Town’s attorney. While repayment of the loan provided by the Worcester County Board of Commissioners has been on hold since the boat was returned to Snow Hill in the spring, costs for insurance have topped $20,000 this year, and the policy expires November 7. There is no option to renew since no repairs have been undertaken on the boat.

At the beginning of October, the Town received three separate bids to purchase the boat, and after much consternation, as well as technical difficulties, the Council, at the October 10 meeting,  voted to sell the boat to the highest bidder, Mr. Henry Wright, a Baltimore real estate developer who has also invested in the River House Inn. In his bid  Mr. Wright offered $75,000 and wrote that he intended to dock the boat along the shore at the Inn, once a dock was built, and use it as a special event venue for parties, weddings and possible concerts. He acknowledged it would take at least six months to clear the town and county planning and zoning process before dock construction could begin. While he had employed a local company to plan and build the dock, few details were provided in the bid application as to the extent of the review necessary to modify the shoreline and secure the BES at the Inn. Some knowledgeable residents speculated that there may be federal, as well as state and local, hoops to jump through at several agencies, boards and commissions prior to the BES being moved.

A contract was drafted by the Town’s Attorney, Ms. Maureen Howarth (Ayers, Jenkins, Gordy &  Alman, PC), that stipulated, mong other things, responsibility for insuring the boat and indemnifying the Town for any catastrophic events. However, Mr. Wright elected to rescind his offer prior to signing, citing complications regarding the zoning of the property to allow such a venue.

At tonight’s special work session (at 4:30pm), and upon the recommendation of the Mayor, the Council voted to accept the offer from the second highest bidder, Slaughter Creek Marina, LLC, represented by John Butz, Managing Owner. Snow Hill Town Manager Rick Pollitt contacted Slaughter Creek late last week to confirm they were still interested in purchasing the boat.

Town Boards and Commissions

The Mayor, Town Manager Pollitt and other town staff have also been working since June to update the list of Charter, and State required Boards and Commissions. Tonight, Mr. Doug Fisher (Central District) and Mr. Tim Walsh (Central District) were appointed to fill vacant seats on the Town’s Historic District Commission (HDC). Both will serve a three year term. With the two new members the Commission will have at least five appointed members to review applications and plans for renovation/restoration of historical properties. The HDC is next scheduled to hear two requests on Thursday evening.

Additionally, Mayor Pruitt confirmed after the meeting that Kenny Pussey (Eastern District) accepted a three year term on the Housing Review Board, and Matt Marsh (Western District) will serve for five years on the Ethics Commission.

According to the current list, there is still one seat vacant on the Board of Zoning Appeals, and one on the Ethics Commission.

A complete list of Boards and Commissions members can be found on the Town Web site here.

Other Business

For the past two months the Council and Town staff have discussed options for broadcasting information to Residents using a text messaging system. Mr. Pollitt presented brief information to the Council regarding rate plans for the service from one possible provider. After a discussion, Council concluded more information is needed to determine a suitable option for disseminating public information to the community. The Council also recommended a citizen-led advisement committee be established to advise staff and Council on technology improvements in town.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor

After several months of trying to fill the Superintendent position for the Town’s wastewater treatment plant, a candidate has been interviewed by Town Manager Pollitt. An interview with the Council will take place within the next two weeks. This position is key in the Town’s administration, and appropriately overseeing the operations and maintenance of this vital utility. The position was vacated over the summer and has been managed largely by the Town’s Director of Facilities and Maintenance, Randy Barfield, since. A consultant was hired to assist with cleanup of the facility after an abundance of septic waste, was dumped into the system in June.   {More on this in a future post}

Town Staff Grows

Under Councilwoman Simpson’s leadership, job descriptions for several staff positions have been defined, and now have been reviewed and discussed by the full Council. Two positions are being added to the existing staff: a “circuit rider”, which is a shared position with Pocomoke City and an intern from Salisbury University. The Clerk 1 position, formerly held by Jerry Jeffa, was reviewed and tailored as interviews begin to fill this role. Town Manager Pollitt will keep the Council apprised of progress on filling the positions and getting new employees up to speed.

Sturgis Park Renovations

The Sturgis Park Pavillion will officially re-open Friday, after being re-fitted with steel supports and new cement pads. The existing supports were inspected in the spring and found to be structurally unsound, making the Pavillion dangerous to use. Some of the resources for this renovation project were donated by a Friend of Snow Hill to ensure the Pavillion’s integrity.

Phase one of the public bathroom renovations in the park have also been complete.

Upcoming Community Conversation on Cannabis-Related Businesses in Snow Hill

After a previous work session this summer, the Council requested staff to convene a   panel of state and local officials  to provide insight into the newly passed Cannabis sales law at a community forum. Staff has identified panelists for the forum and are working on setting a date for the meeting.

Last but Not Least …

The Council also discussed topics for future work sessions to include:

° Risk Management issues

° PNC Bank building design plans

° Town COOP Emergency Plan

° Technology Plan

° Town Recognitions

Upcoming Meetings

The next Town Council work session is next Tuesday, November 7 at 5:00pm. The November Town Council meeting is planned for November 14 at 7:00pm. Agendas for the meetings should be posted no later than the Friday afternoon before the meeting date, and can be viewed and downloaded from the Town web site here, or from the @What’s Happening Snow Hill Facebook page.