MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

January 12, 2005

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, January 12, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Joe Magluilo, Donald Schildt, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, 17 citizens, and 1 press. Also in attendance were Walkersville Resident Troopers Eric Funk and Kim Calimer.

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

MINUTES

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to approve both the regular town meeting and closed personnel minutes of December 8, 2004. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

2. INTRODUCTION OF ZONING MAP ORDINANCE

Burgess Whitmore tabled the introduction of the zoning map ordinance until the January 26 meeting due to the absence of 2 commissioners. Ms. Hauver reviewed the ordinance, the process the town has gone through since the comprehensive plan was adopted in July 2003, and the new zoning map to be adopted.

3. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Mr. George Rudy, of 11 W. Crum Road, addressed the commissioners to express his real deep concerns about things happening in the community. Specifically, an incident with the Red Cross, involving night operations, which he feels, was never resolved. In addition, he raised the concern of an all night burglar alarm/fire alarm which was left unattended one night in August. Police told him there was nothing that could be done about it. Mr. Rudy stated that he returned to Walkersville after a 3 month business trip and what he found when he got home was unbelievable. Several neighbors have requested Mr. Rudy initiate corrective action for these issues. He stated that Discovery has thrown all the trucks out and they have landed in Walkersville at Nadir Hani’s Royal Chicken. He feels they have established a staging unit for dispatching trucks. Further, he noted that the Red Cross is at it again. He says they have established a storage area for junk cars. He plans to present his 9 issues over several months.

Commissioner Eyler asked that the other effected neighbors state their position on these issues in writing or in person so that there is no misinterpretation of their input.

4. BOY SCOUT PRESENTATION OF PLANS FOR THE WATERSHED

Mr. Ron Layman and Mr. Colby Child, presented slides and ideas for the watershed area. In addition to Boy Scout camping and forestry projects, they would like to use their volunteer forester to determine trees that need harvesting. They would like to do some restoration work on some of the old ruins and possibly create paths and recreation areas for the public. Concerns about liability and control of the property were discussed. The commissioners will review the forestry plan and discuss their decisions with the Boy Scouts at the February 9 Town Meeting.

5. INTRODUCTION OF NEW RESIDENT TROOPER

TFC Kim Calimer was introduced by TFC Eric Funk as the new trooper replacing Cpl. Al Butler. Al was promoted to Sgt. and transferred to College Park. Trooper Funk will take over Cpl. Butler’s administrative duties.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF LETTER OF CREDIT-HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Ms. Hauver stated that inspections were complete on the Habitat project and she recommends release of the Letter of Credit in the amount of $4,000 ($3,000 for the water connection and $1,000 for the driveway).

Commissioner Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Magluilo, to release the Habitat for Humanity Letter of Credit. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

COMMENTS ON FREDERICK COUNTY APFO TEXT AMENDMENT

Commissioner Magluilo made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eyler, to draft a letter to Frederick County in opposition to the APFO text amendment, specifically the School Mitigation Impact Fee Premium. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

8. MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE 2005

Burgess Whitmore announced that Vietnam veterans will be honored at this year’s Memorial Day ceremony and the Korean War veterans will be honored at the 2006 Memorial Day ceremony. Burgess Whitmore will look into ordering a memorial stone commemorating the Vietnam vets.

Commissioner Eyler made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schildt, to authorize Burgess Whitmore to spend up to $4,000 for the Vietnam memorial. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

9. ANNEXATION DISCUSSIONS

Commissioners picked February 16, 7:00 p.m. to invite all property owners subject to annexation to the town hall to visit with the commissioners and discuss annexation issues. Citizens will also be given the opportunity to request that commissioners visit them in their home.

10. PLANNING COMMISSION UPDATE

Ms. Hauver updated commissioners on the following Planning Commission issues:

Ordinance 2004-10 re: propane tank locations will die for lack of passage and will be rewritten by the Planning Commission
Proposed changes to the Home occupation in townhouses section of the code were denied by the Planning Commission. Home occupations including day care will continue to be illegal in townhouses.
Smerbeck Letter of Credit funds continue to be on hold due to forestation issues.
Bohn property request for rezoning/annexation – Planning Commission recommended no change to the current comprehensive plan.

11. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eyler, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Schildt presented the following concerns:

a letter from an anonymous senior citizen requesting that senior citizens receive a discount on their property taxes due to the ever rising property values. He asked commissioners to consider this for the next budget period.
Mowing at Heritage Park between the stream and Glade Road. Dennis Miller stated there is no access for the mowers to get to that area.
He questioned why there was no curb and gutter from Charlie Miller’s house to the school. Burgess Whitmore said the purpose of curb and gutter is to protect the citizens on the sidewalk -–since there is no sidewalk along that section of road there is no curb and gutter.
Sidewalk breaking up at the Lynch property – Bob DePaola and Dennis Miller will inspect it.
Mr. Schildt asked why the agenda did not appear on Channel 99 – Ms. Rollins will look into.
Mr. Schildt would like to see the Town have an essay contest for middle schoolers and offer $100 savings bonds to the winners from each grade. He would like the topic to be "What Freedom Means to Me."

Commissioner Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Magluilo, to have the town sponsor the above essay contest. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

Mr. Schildt reminded everyone that the representative from the post office will be attending the next town meeting and lots of people should attend to show support for new facilities.

Trooper Funk addressed commissioners. He will be the contact trooper for issues.

The meeting was adjourned at about 9:30 p.m.

Sincerely,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager