MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

February 22, 2006

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, February 22, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Joe Magluilo, Donald Schildt, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins , Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, 8 citizens and 1 press.

Commissioner Chad Weddle was away.

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

1. MINUTES

2. ALLEY ABANDONMENT LEGAL ISSUES

Burgess Whitmore and Ms. Hauver reviewed Attorney David Severn’s letter regarding the proposed quit claim deed for the 20’ alley adjoining the property of James and Donna Fogle. The town needs to confirm whether the alley was ever dedicated to the town’s street and alley system. If so, then the Town must complete the road closure process and determine that the alley is not needed for the public good. A public hearing will be held on March 22. Ms. Trisha Muller, the adjoining property owner requested that commissioners either keep the alley as a town alley so that she has access to the garage at the rear of her property, or split the alley half and half between the two property owners.

3. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Ron Hemby presented his request for a water tap at his property at the corner of Crum Road and Rt. 194. Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt to allocate a water tap to Mr. Hemby, @ at cost of $4,250. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

Mark Stull, of 14 Main Street, spoke to the Burgess and Commissioners about several concerns: 1) he is concerned about the sight distance onto Frederick Street from Main Street. He noted that there are only 18’ of painted curb and there have been several accidents and injuries at the intersection. He would like the town to take action on the right hand side.

2) Mr. Stull reminded commissioners of the town ordinance on unlicensed and inoperable vehicles. He stated that there are many of them around the town and he would like to see town staff police this rather that address the vehicles on a complaint basis.

3) Mr. Stull asked if it is legal to park cars on the sidewalk as he has witnessed within the town.

4) He would like these issues to be advertised on cable channel 99.

4. FARMERS’ MARKET DISCUSSION

Commissioner Schildt would like to spearhead an effort to implement a farmers’ market within the town. He has recruited several volunteers to be on a committee to organize the market. The volunteers will be contacted in addition to the customary public advertisement for the positions.

Commissioner Joe Magluilo made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to form a Farmers’ Market Committee, to research and organize the market, and report back to the commissioners by April 15. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

5. NOTARY POLICY

Ms. Rollins informed commissioners that current town policy is to notary only for town business. Citizens often come in requesting notary services and Gloria and Martha are both notaries. She would like to offer notary services as needed for people that request them.

Commissioner Joe Magluilo made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to notarize for town citizens at no charge and for out of town at $2 per item. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

6. SAFE AND SOUND GRADUATION

Ms. Rhonda Santos, representing the Walkersville High School Safe and Sound Graduation Committee requested a donation from the Town for the all night event held at the school. Burgess Whitmore informed her that $750 had been budgeted for the donation and would be sent presently.

7. MEMORIAL DAY DISCUSSION

Ms. Rollins asked commissioners to think about topics for the essay contest for the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th graders in the town. Commissioners decided the topic should be "What the American Flag Means to Me". She also asked commissioners to consider what they would like engraved on the Korean War Memorial that will be installed at Memorial Park this year. Ideas will be presented at the March 8 Town Meeting.

8. TRUCK PURCHASE

9. MOWING CONTRACT

No bids were received for the mowing contract. Ms. Bush contacted several local contractors and they have agreed to provide prices for the job. Commissioners instructed staff to contact the contractors and ask them to provide costs for mowing with and without the outfields of the ball fields at Heritage Farm Park. One contractor is related to an office administrative assistant. Therefore, the Ethics commission and Attorney David Severn will be consulted to make sure the town can accept a proposal from him.

10. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

11. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Zimmerman announced that Softball Field #6 will be dedicated April 8. Opening Day at Heritage Farm Park will be April 1. Commissioner Zimmerman asked commissioners if anyone had a problem with installing a disc golf course at HFP. No one did.

Commissioner Magluilo asked Mr. Miller about problems with the road shifting at the intersection of Highlander Blvd. and Cramer Avenue. Mr. Miller stated that section is "shoving" and is in the Town’s repair schedule in about 2 years.

Burgess Whitmore reported on the county Wellhead Protection meeting Tuesday, February 21. He noted there were 215 in the hearing room and he was one of the people stranded outside in the cold and wet, so he went home.

Burgess Whitmore reported that the horse people (Heritage Equestrian Association) had contacted him in response to the letter ending the lease agreement with them. They are fine with relocating the ring. Commissioner Zimmerman does not want to reinstall the ring at another location if there are no equestrian events planned for its use.

Discussion ensued regarding the difficulty in procuring appropriate bids for mowing of the parks. Mr. Miller noted that the demands of mowing the baseball outfields are a major factor in the lack of response. He suggested that GVAA accept the responsibility of maintaining the outfields, as well as the infields. It was at this point in the meeting when staff was directed to obtain 2 bids from each contractor, with and without the fields.

A request was received from Walkersville High School to increase the water allocation for the athletic fields. It was agreed to wait for Commissioner Weddle’s return to discuss this.

Burgess Whitmore announced that he and Ms. Hauver had attended the Walkersville Region Plan meeting and received the proposed boundary change maps for the Town’s future annexation area.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager