MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

January 11, 2012

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, Russell Winch and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, 6 citizens, and Courtney Pomeroy of the Frederick News-Post.

The meeting was called to order by Burgess Ralph Whitmore, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Chad Weddle offered a prayer thanking God for all our blessings, and asked for moments of silence to honor Army Specialist Ronald H. Wildrick, Jr., a Woodsboro neighbor, who gave his life in the service of our country,

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve the Town Meeting minutes of December 14, 2011. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1, with Commissioner Russell Winch abstaining.

2. SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT

Commissioners reviewed the Safety Policy Statement. The Commissioners voted to introduce the concept at the last Town meeting. They approved the final draft. Ms. Rollins will distribute the policy to staff and send a copy to the Local Government Insurance Trust.

3. ETHICS – CHAPTER 26, ORDINANCE 2011-07

Ms. Rollins presented the sample ethics ordinance in the format of Town Code Chapter 26. Commissioners will review the document and a public hearing for comments will be held in February prior to passage of the new ordinance.

4. CROSSWALK AT GLADE VALLEY NURSING HOME

Several citizens have requested a safer way to cross Frederick Street at the nursing home location.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, for Town Staff to install a crosswalk from Glade Village to Glade Valley Nursing Home. The State Police will be consulted prior to installation. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

5. SUN MEADOW LETTER OF CREDIT REDUCTION PHASE 5 FOREST RESOURCE ORDINANCE

Ms. Hauver reviewed the request to release the letter of credit for the Sun Meadow tree planting in the amount of $63,200. Frederick County inspectors are satisfied that conditions have been met.

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to release the FRO letter of credit in the amount of $63,200. The motion passed by a vote of 3-2, with Commissioners Chad Weddle and Donald Schildt in opposition.

6. PRICES FOR DRYWALL CEILING AT HFP MANOR HOUSE

The Heritage Manor House has some ceiling issues throughout. A price of $4,800 to repair the first two downstairs rooms was received. There was some discussion as to whether the wall repairs were included in the cost. If not, Burgess Whitmore would like to get further prices to do the ceilings and the walls.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Donald Schildt, to proceed with the $4,800 repair cost if it includes both the ceilings and the walls. If not, additional bids will be obtained before a decision is made. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Russell Winch in opposition.

7. GVAA LEASE AT HERITAGE MANOR HOUSE

Investigation of the crumbly ceilings at the Manor House revealed a facility in total disarray. A letter was drafted to be sent to Glade Valley Athletic Association, the current tenant in the Manor House. The current lease is outdated and many responsibilities required by the lease are not being met. Revisions will be made to the structure of the lease before it is renewed with the organization. Among the concerns to be addressed are renewable terms of the lease, to be done annually, utilities costs, cleaning and trash removal responsibilities of users of the house.

A lease will need to be instituted with the new user in the building, Glade Valley Community Services, Inc. This group moved into the CASS space after that program was discontinued.

8. FREDERICK COUNTY APFO AMENDMENT

The Town received a draft ordinance with a proposed amendment to the Frederick County Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. The amendment would allow APFO requirements to be approved by the Board of County Commissioners as part of the Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement process.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to send a letter to the County Commissioners opposing the amendment to the APFO requirements, with the recommendation that they consider abolishing the Planning Commission altogether. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

9. COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND ZONING REVIEW

Burgess Whitmore reviewed the Frederick Board of County Commissioners’ schedule of public hearings on requests from property owners with regard to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Review. He encouraged everyone to attend the January 24^th hearing that includes the Walkersville Region. The hearings begin at 6:00 p.m. on the first floor of Winchester Hall.

10. OPENING/APPOINTMENTS ON PARKS COMMITTEE

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Donald Schildt, to reappoint for an additional term on the Parks Committee Mr. Jim Beard, Mr. Bill Dyke, and Mrs. Wanda Heurich. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

11. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Donald Schildt, to pay $18.75 on the Creamery Park sewer bill, the historical amount billed quarterly. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

12. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Donald Schildt reviewed the letters that commissioners received in their packets: 1) the military care package report from Mrs. Elaine Morthorst, 2) the thank you note from the Walkersville Senior Citizens, and 3) the thank you note from Mr. Horace Wright.

Burgess Whitmore notified commissioners that an estimate was received to grind the current mulch pile in the amount of $100,000. He plans to explore other options and prices for the next meeting, such as curb side pickup and dumpsters.

13. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

A citizen asked the status of the settlement for the sale of the Walker Farm House – scheduled for February 15^th or before.

There being no further business or citizens’ concerns, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager