MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

January 13, 2010

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 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, TFC Kevin Wolters, approximately 19 citizens, Courtney Pomeroy of the Gazette, and Ron Cassie of the Frederick News-Post.

The meeting was called to order by Burgess Ralph Whitmore, with the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting opened with a prayer by Commissioner Chad Weddle.

1. MINUTES

2. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

A letter was presented by Mr. Steve Hankins regarding a high water bill. After discussion, it was decided to offer a onetime recalculation of the bill using the Town’s commercial water rates. Staff will send him a revised bill.

3. DISCUSSION OF RAISING WATER RATES

Burgess Whitmore led discussion regarding rising costs to operate the Town’s water plant, including a new state regulation for some testing that will increase costs by $12,000 per year. He proposed raising the rates, which have been constant since April 2006. One idea was to raise the base in-town rate from $40 to $50 and the base out-of-town rate from $60 to $75, and then a 5-10% rate increase on the billing tiers. Any increase adopted will be effective on water used after April 1, 2010. This item will reappear on the January 27, 2010 agenda for further discussion and evaluation of plant operating costs.

Burgess Whitmore announced that the Town would be accepting ideas from Walkersville taxpayers and residents in writing regarding the future plans for the newly acquired property at 8939 Woodsboro Pike.

5. CHANGE TOWN CODE TO EMPOWER BURGESS AND COMMISSIONERS OF DESIGNEE TO TOW VEHICLES (CHAPTER 80, ARTICLE IV)

The Town Code currently authorizes the police to tow vehicles during snow emergencies when cars are not moved off the street in consideration of the Town plowing operations. Resident Troopers are required to use a list of tow companies and rotate through the list when towing cars. Burgess Whitmore consulted with the Barrack commander and the Town can designate a tow company to be used for towing. Therefore, a change to the Town Code will not be necessary.

6. SUBMISSION TO FEMA FOR DECEMBER SNOWSTORM COSTS

Ms. Rollins announced that cost estimates of $20,850 have been compiled and submitted to Frederick County Emergency Management for submission to FEMA for the snowstorm that was declared a disaster in December.

7. UPDATE ON CENTURY CENTER ANNEXATION

Ms. Hauver reported that she met with the applicant, Mr. Fitzgerald and his son, and that there has been no agreement to date on the terms of the annexation. Therefore, it would be premature to schedule a hearing for February 10^th as was previously planned.

8. VICTORIA PARK LETTERS OF CREDIT – REQUEST FOR RELEASE

Ms. Hauver reviewed contingency funds held by the Town for Victoria Park Sediment & erosion control in the amount of $25,965.75 and Water $16,009.00. The warranty period has passed, and Public Works Director Bob DePaola reports no problems with the improvements and signed off on the release of the letters of credit. The Town will continue to hold the entire letter of credit for the stormwater management pond as the developers and their engineer are working on solving the problem of standing water in the pond.

9. FREDERICK COUNTY DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – UPDATE

Ms. Hauver announced the Frederick County public hearing on the Draft Countywide Comprehensive Plan to be held at Frederick High School on Tuesday, January 19^th at 6:00 p.m. She also invited the community to the County’s Open House held here at Town Hall tomorrow night, Thursday, January 14^th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. She noted that the County is proposing to retract the Town’s growth boundary and place priority preservation areas all around the Town. Undeveloped parcels outside the growth boundary would be designated Agricultural/Rural on the Plan and No Planned Service on the County Water and Sewerage Plan. The County is also proposing to rezone the Town’s watershed property on Chestnut Grove Road from Agriculture to Resource Conservation, which would allow fewer options for use of the property and would probably reduce the property’s development potential.

10. NEW MAINTENANCE HIRE

Burgess Whitmore announced the retirement of Martin Wolfe after 33 years of service. He expressed the need to hire a maintenance tech as 3 positions have left and not been replaced to date. Much discussion ensured regarding the needs of the Town, the economy, etc.

11. WALKERSVILLE FIRE/AMBULANCE COMPANIES PETITION FOR TAX RELIEF

Mr. Jim Graham presented the Commissioners with the draft of the cover letter to accompany the petition that will be presented to the County Commissioners. The petition requests a special tax district for the Town of Walkersville and the first response area. The petition will be presented with signatures of the Burgess, the Presidents of the Fire Company and the Rescue Company.

12. POLICE REPORT

Kevin Wolters, TFC, Maryland State Police resident trooper, notified the audience of recent phone scams and recommended that people not give out their personal bank account information to these scammers. He also recommended that people lock their damn cars and not leave garage doors open He will be our temporary trooper (replacing the injured Jimmy Ardinger) a while longer until he leaves for service in the military reserves.

13. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

14. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Donald Schildt reported that he had been unsuccessful in recruiting the creamery to come back to the Farmers’ market. He stated that a letter will be going out regarding a Chamber of Commerce (?) He also stated that he is awaiting a response regarding the Memorial Day service to honor Charles Cartwright.

Town staff will draft and send a survey letter to previous farmers’ market participants to gauge interest in continuing the market. Then Commissioners can decide whether to sponsor the market again in 2010.

Commissioner Chad Weddle read thank you letters from Captain Cameron R. Edlefsen, U.S. Army and Roger W. Johnson, Glade Valley Community Services thanking the Town for the military care package and the use of the Town Hall.

15. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Julio Valcarcel complained about the snow removal operations on Chapel Place.

John Poole complained about the entire snow removal operation and the lack of towing of vehicles.

Vaughn Zimmerman announced the fire company purchased two new pieces of equipment costing $801,000 and purchased totally by funds raised by the fire and rescue companies, no county funds.

Stewart Simons, presented photos to the commissioners of his Boy Scout Eagle project. His computer electronic recycling project took place at E-End on December 5^th during a snow event. He collected 5,000 pounds of electronics and $300 of surplus processing fees, which he donated to the food bank. Well done Stewart!

There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager