MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
February 23, 2011
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, 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, approximately 5 citizens, Blair Ames of the Frederick News-Post and Courtney Pomeroy of the Gazette.
The meeting was called to order by Burgess Ralph Whitmore, with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Weddle offered a prayer to open the meeting and asked blessings on the town and the town administrative staff and all that they do.
1. MINUTES
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to approve both the Town Meeting minutes and the Closed Personnel minutes of February 9, 2011. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
2. MARYLAND STATE POLICE CONTRACT
Ms. Rollins notified commissioners of the estimated contract cost for FY 2012. The estimated contract in the amount of $462,500 is an increase of $21,700 over FY 2011 and includes $66,061 in retirement costs for two troopers and $110,334 for the town’s share of indirect cost. The indirect cost rate increased to 31.33%
3. CONSTANT YIELD TAX RATE
Ms. Rollins reviewed the constant yield tax rate certification which notifies the town that we are exempt from advertising the constant yield tax rate. Due to the decrease in the net assessable real property tax base, the tax rate would need to be raised to 19.38˘ per $100 of assessed value in order to raise the same amount of tax revenue as FY 2011. The constant yield would permit a 3.78˘ increase to the town’s current rate of 15.6˘ without the requirement of advertising a tax increase.
4. RELEASE OF ESCROW FUNDS FOR ST. TIMOTHY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Ms. Hauver reviewed the Frederick County Inspector’s recommendation to release funds held in escrow for St. Timothy’s fellowship hall addition. She concurs with the recommendation of the release.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to release funds held in escrow for improvements completed as part of the St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church fellowship hall addition in the amounts of $6,782 for stormwater management and $3,391 contingency for stormwater management and sediment control. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
5. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND JANUARY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to pay the attached bills and approve the January 2011 financial statements.
The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
6. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS
Commissioner Donald Schildt notified commissioners that his brother, John Schildt, will be able to attend the Veterans’ Day ceremony and Mark Summers will be one of the speakers. He would like to kick around giving the veterans something other than a flag. He will contact John Grimes to see about lapel pins or stick on window flags.
Burgess Whitmore discussed the low interest rates the town is currently receiving on CDs and investment accounts. He recommends using $250,000 from the Sandy Springs money market account to pay down principal on the Walker Farm mortgage.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Donald Schildt, to liquidate the Sandy Springs account and pay down the mortgage loan in the amount of $250,000. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Donald Schildt, to hold a closed legal meeting to consult with Attorney David Severn regarding the sale of land. The motion passed by a vote of 3-2, with Commissioners Chad Weddle and Sam Eyler in opposition.
7. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
George Rudy, 11 West Crum Road, updated the commissioners on his contacts and progress on the skateboard park.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager