Votes at a glance: Trappe council adopts new employee handbook, approves drainage work, RFP changes and a resident payment plan

Trappe Town Council completed several administrative and local-service actions at its March 4 meeting, including the unanimous approval of a drainage repair, unanimous authorization of a revised landscape RFP, a unanimous payment-plan approval for a resident’s water debt, and the adoption of a new employee handbook by a 4–1 vote.

Resolution 1-2026: The council adopted Resolution 1-2026 to repeal the Town of Trappe Employee Handbook and adopt a new handbook dated March 4, 2026. Commissioner Sullivan moved to adopt; Commissioner Chase seconded. The vote was 4–1 (Council member Brian Schmidt cast the lone “no” vote). The resolution was read into the record by President Newnam.

Maple Avenue drainage: Resident Bobby Quidas raised ongoing drainage affecting his property. The council reviewed two quotes and accepted the low bid from Apex Grading and Landscaping for $2,950; the quotes noted that road repair was not included and would be scheduled separately.

Landscape RFP revisions: Administrator Erin Braband presented requested additions to the grass-cutting/landscape RFP to add Town Hall services, include leaf removal for town properties, increase mulching to twice a year, and include an alternate pricing line for contractor-supplied materials versus Town-supplied materials. Commissioner Chase moved to issue the RFP with those revisions; President Newnam seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Resident payment plan: A resident at 29272 Maple, Mr. Ramirez, reported a large water bill after discovering a broken pipe under his home. Administrator Braband said the Town’s leak-credit policy requires repairs by a licensed plumber; the resident repaired the leak himself and the Town could not issue a credit. The council approved a payment plan (motion by Commissioner Schmidt, seconded by President Newnam) requiring three payments of $736.10 in addition to regular monthly charges, with the first payment of $736.10 required to restore water service. The plan must be paid off by June 1 or service will be disconnected.

Noise complaint: Resident Jason McDermott questioned a renewed noise enforcement notice for his dump truck and said the council had decided not to enforce the ordinance in 2023. President Newnam said the Town had received new complaints that the dump truck was started about 2 a.m., inside the Town’s nighttime restriction (10 p.m.–7 a.m.), and the council agreed to a temporary compromise: McDermott has until Monday, March 9 to relocate the dump truck; the Town will not enforce the ordinance before that date. Mr. Billings and Mr. Evans who raised the complaint said their concern was the dump truck, not McDermott’s personal vehicle.

Executive session and adjournment: The council entered executive session at 7:33 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter and reopened the regular meeting at 7:56 p.m., at which time the meeting was adjourned.