MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

January 11, 2006

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, January 11, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Joe Magluilo, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, 40 citizens and 1 press.

The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.

  1. MINUTES

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to approve both sets of minutes from the December 14, 2005 regular town meeting and the closed legal meeting. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

2. PRESENTATION BY WHS ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB

Representatives from the Environmental Club of Walkersville High School, Stephanie Law and Hanna Poffenbarger, presented the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to the Burgess and Commissioners. They discussed energy conservation, global warming and 12 steps for municipalities to strive for to protect the environment. They presented a document for mayors to sign pledging to join in this commitment. The pledge sheets will be counted on March 18, 2006.

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to authorize Burgess Whitmore to sign the pledge for the environmental club. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

 

3. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Russell Winch, Troop 1070 Scoutmaster, asked that commissioners consider monetary support to Troop 1070 when working on their FY2007 budget. He also noted that he felt the town’s website was missing some important links to the local Boy and Girl Scout websites.

 

4. Q-C ENTERPRISES – PROPOSED RENOVATION AND EXPANSION OF WALKERS VILLAGE CENTER

Representatives from Q-C Enterprises, Jim Quillan and Jim Miller, presented plans and concept drawings for renovations and improvements to the Walkers Village Shopping Center. Before they proceed with their improvements, they would like the town’s support in petitioning the State Highway Administration for a new entrance to the shopping center. They are proposing a right in and right out entrance with acceleration and deceleration lanes on MD Rt. 194.

Commissioner Joe Magluilo made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to write a letter of support to State Highway Administration supporting the concept of the new right in/right out entrance to the shopping center. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

  1. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

6. ORDINANCE 2005-06 TO AMEND SIGN APPROVALS

Ms. Hauver presented the written version of Ordinance 2005-06 with the commissioners’ changes to the sign ordinance.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to approve the Calvary Assembly of God sign. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

7. WATERSHED PROPOSED COMMUNICATION TOWER – KENNETH WHITE

CI Technologies, LLC representatives Kenneth White and Terry Bowie presented their Disaster Recovery Communication Solution to commissioners. They are proposing to improve local, State, and Federal disaster recovery communications. It was discovered during the 9/11/01 disaster that there is a serious deficiency in communications between first responders during a crisis if the infrastructure is attacked. CI Technologies, LLC is working with the University of Maryland-Clark School of Engineering to work on the critical communications problems and infrastructure deficiencies. They feel that the town’s watershed area offers a pristine location for a tower location to fill the communications gap. Mr. White proposes that his company that is working on research and development, and providing a solution for the Air Force, can provide a revenue generator for the town while solving the emergency wireless communication and 911 emergency backup needs.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to write a letter of support and agency for CI Technologies, LLC, for the proposal of placing a communications tower at the Walkersville watershed. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

8. MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to make Monday, January 16 a holiday for staff, observing Martin Luther King’s birthday. The motion failed by a vote of 1-4, with Commissioners Eyler, Magluilo, Schildt, and Weddle opposed.

 

9. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Weddle expressed concern that he has received complaints that middle school parents are driving their vehicles into the bus entrance of the school. We will notify the troopers to keep an eye on this when on duty. Ms. Hauver stated that a letter had gone out from the school to parents regarding this issue.

Scouts from the Dragon and Monkey patrols from the local cub scout troop came forward to ask commissioners questions about plans and events in the town.

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager