MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
February 11, 2009
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, February 11, 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, TFC Jim Ardinger, 9 citizens, and Ron Cassie of the Frederick News-Post.
The meeting was then called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. MINUTES
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to approve both the Town meeting minutes and the Closed personnel meeting minutes of January 28, 2009. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
2. HERITAGE FARM PARK PAVILION ACCESSORIES
Commissioners reviewed four bids for picnic tables, grills, and benches for the new pavilion and play area at Heritage Farm Park.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to purchase tables, grills and benches from Taylor Sports in the amount of $9,125. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
3. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
None
4. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
5. COMMISSIONERS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Commissioner Donald Schildt noted that he has received complaints about personnel at Walkersville Middle School driving on the grass between the rear of the school and Frederick Street, creating a dirt road by the Miller property.
Commissioner Schildt stated that he has spoken with Gwen Whitmore, Chairman of the Farmers’ Market Committee and that she is in favor of moving the Farmers’ Market to the rear parking lot of Town Hall. Discussion will continue at a future town meeting.
Commissioner Winch asked if State Highway Administration might put up reflective markers at the left turn entrance onto Frederick Street from Rt. 194. It was determined that the accident of concern was not caused by a left turn.
Ms. Rollins notified commissioners of proposal from AT&T to opt out of their recently acquired Dobson cellular lease. They offered $16,000 to terminate the lease that would produce $60,000 + if allowed to proceed to the May 2011 end of the lease. Ms. Rollins had told them the Town was not interested in terminating the lease.
Commissioner Russ Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to support the decision to not accept the AT&T proposal to terminate the Dobson lease. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Ms. Rollins told commissioners of complexity of process for applying for MDE grant/loan funds. Frederick County staff has offered to assist the Town with engineering for the emergency water line project by utilizing their Indefinite Quantity Contract. This eliminates the need for the town to procure an engineering firm through our own bidding process. Engineers are already available for the lowest bid through the County procurement process. To utilize this service the Town will need to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Frederick County.
Commissioner Russ Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to proceed with developing a Memorandum of Understanding with Frederick County to prepare documentation for engineering for the emergency water line to be approved by the Burgess and Commissioners. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
TFC Jim Ardinger presented the police statistics for the resident troopers for January 2009.
Commissioners reviewed the complaint and resolution log of the Town’s code enforcement officer.
6. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Diane Stull of Pennsylvania Avenue asked commissioners to consider placing a memorial for 9/11 victims at the town’s Memorial Park. Commissioners will consider and revisit this idea at a future meeting.
There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager