Centerville council approves appointments and administrative resolutions; schedules ethics hearing

Centerville’s Town Council on Nov. 20 approved a slate of routine appointments and administrative measures, and scheduled a public hearing on an ethics ordinance.

The council approved minutes from its Nov. 6 meeting, then voted to appoint Dan Worth to the Centerville Planning Commission to serve the remainder of a term expiring April 2026. The council also appointed Tim McCloskey as an alternate to the Planning Commission (term expiring April 2026) and Russell Rule to the Personnel Review Board (three-year term expiring April 2028). Tim McCloskey and Russell Rule were sworn in during the meeting.

The council adopted Resolution 15-2025, naming a designated resident agent to accept service of process for the town. The town manager explained that state law requires municipalities to name a resident of Maryland to accept legal service.

Councilmembers debated and then approved Resolution 16-2025, which revises the council’s rules of order. The changes clarify the distinction between "appearances" and formal "presentations," set a 10-minute guideline for presentations with additional time for council questions, require presenters to submit handouts to the town clerk before meetings, and direct donation requests through a small committee to review applications before the council decides.

The council also approved Resolution 12-2025, a revised water and sewer allocation policy (see separate article). Under old business the council set a second reading and a public hearing on Ordinance 14-2025 (amending chapter 54, ethics) for Dec. 4 at 7:05 p.m.

The votes on appointments and resolutions were taken by voice; the council recorded the motions, seconds and resulting unanimous voice approvals.