MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

January 28, 2009

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Russell Winch, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, 8 citizens, and Ron Cassie of the Frederick News-Post.

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

1. MINUTES

2. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE 2009-02 – DEFINITION OF NON-CONFORMING STRUCTURE

Ms. Hauver presented a zoning text amendment drafted by Town Attorney David Severn regarding non-conforming structures. She noted there was some confusion at the last Board of Appeals hearing about this section of the code. Some structures meet the zoning requirements but not other dimensional requirements due to code changes enacted after their inception. She noted that she has some concerns about the wording of this ordinance but this section of the code needs to be clarified.

3. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

David Ennis, 118 Challedon Drive, asked the Town’s procedures for notifying citizens when a meeting is cancelled. Ms. Hauver stated she had notified all Planning Commission members, individuals who had items on the agenda, and posted a notice on the meeting room door. Much discussion ensued about the best way to notify citizens. In future, local radio stations will be notified, if staff is able they will also post it on Channel 99 and the town’s website. Commissioner Winch and Ms. Hauver expressed their appreciation that someone was actually interested in attending the meetings to work on the Comprehensive Plan. The meeting was rescheduled to Tuesday, February 3^rd .

Kevin Folk, 239 Winterbrook Drive, representing the Winterbrook HOA, thanked Mr. DePaola for sending Mr. Rick Stup to inspect the new subsidence area in the reforestation area between Winterbrook and the railroad tracks. The association will be waiting until spring to address the area and he would like a written permission to access the area to fix it. He is concerned about heavy equipment being able to access the area and may need the Town’s assistance to access the area. Burgess Whitmore offered to contact Glade Elementary and Ray Barnes of the Board of Education for permission to access the area through Glade Elementary.

4. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE & REVIEW/ACCEPTANCE OF FINANCIAL REPORTS

5. COMMISSIONERS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Commissioner Donald Schildt noted that he had not seen the Town’s snow policies on Channel 99 – staff will check the status and insure policies are placed on the channel.

Commissioner Schildt asked if woodcutting at the watershed had been approved for the general public. Previously, commissioners had approved a day for the Marines to cut wood to sell for a fundraiser and for Town employees to cut downed wood for personal use. Staff will look into insurance liability implications so that commissioners can make a decision as to citizens cutting firewood at the watershed.

Ms. Rollins informed commissioners of contact with MDE loan officers who encouraged the Town to resubmit applications for the emergency water line connection to the county water supply. They anticipate funding to be available from the Federal Stimulus package and expect to be able to loan the Town the full amount of 2.4 million for the project. The Town needs to proceed with the engineering plans for the project and be "shovel-ready" in order to be approved for the funds.

Ms. Hauver announced that the Planning Commission meeting that was snowed out is rescheduled to Tuesday, February 3^rd at 7:00 p.m. It will be advertised on Channel 99 and the website.

Mr. DePaola asked commissioners to approve the purchase of a dump trailer in the amount of $8,000 for maintenance staff to use for their work in the parks and for water line replacement work.

There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager