MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

February 25, 2009

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, February 25, 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 Ramona George, 11 citizens, Jeremy Hauck of the Gazette 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 the Town meeting minutes of February 11, 2009. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

2. REPORT ON CUTTING FIREWOOD AT THE WATERSHED (PERMIT)

Ms. Rollins reviewed draft of permit developed for citizens chopping personal use firewood on the Town’s watershed property. The language has been reviewed and approved by the Town’s insurance company LGIT. Commissioner Weddle will review for legal sufficiency prior to allowing citizens’ to utilize the permit for personal firewood.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to have Commissioner Weddle review the permit for legal sufficiency and approve the process for citizens’ personal use firewood. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

3. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

George Rudy, of 11 West Crum Road, notified commissioners that he has been participating in the Frederick County hearings for the proposed Waste-to-Energy facility. He submitted a paper to the County with viable alternatives and will share those remarks with the Town.

4. GYPSY MOTH SPRAYING AT THE WATERSHED

Ms. Rollins notified commissioners of information received from Mr. Tom Lupp of MD Dept of Agriculture. Areas in the Town’s watershed have been designated as needing treatment for gypsy moth infestation and it is possible that Frederick County will not be funding the entire county’s spray area. An estimate of our share of the cost is $442.

Commissioner Russ Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to pay the Town’s share for gypsy moth spray treatment at the watershed if the County is unable to fund all spraying. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

5. PURCHASE OF RUBBER MULCH FOR NEW HFP PLAYGROUND

Commissioners reviewed bids and staff recommendation for the purchase of rubber mulch made from recycled tires for the Town’s new Heritage Farm park playsystem.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to purchase the recycled tire rubber mulch from Playsafer Rubber Mulch for $7,645 delivered. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

6. FARMERS’ MARKET LOCATION DISCUSSION

Commissioner Schildt noted that after discussion with Gwen Whitmore, Farmers’ Market Committee Chairperson, it would be prudent to wait until next year to move the market to a new location if it’s decided that it needs to be done to make the market more successful.

7. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

8. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

A request was made to the Town for use of the upstairs for the purpose of holding a fund-raising bingo for the Success Program. Commissioners discussed the Town’s history of not allowing the building to be used for fund-raisers.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to deny the request to use the upstairs for a fund-raiser. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioners reviewed the letter received from the ACLU requesting the Town repeal §88-14 A.(10) of the Town Code, regarding size and time limits on the display of political signs "to avoid any improper chilling effect it has upon residents’ exercise of free speech."

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to introduce Ordinance 2009-03 which will delete §88-14 A.(10) from the Town Code. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioner Weddle will draft the written ordinance.

Burgess Whitmore announced that meeting cancellations will be announced on WFMD and posted on Cable Channel 99 period.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to hold a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing a personnel and town security issue under Sections 10-508(a)1(b) and 10(a) of the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Weddle in opposition.

Burgess Whitmore took up discussion of request for a 9/11 Memorial to be established at Memorial Park. He expressed that Memorial Park is to honor Walkersville residents who participated in our nation’s wars and conflicts. Commissioner Schildt would like to see the Gulf War and the Iraqi War memorials installed next at the site. 9/11 will be put on the back burner for further discussion of an appropriate location.

Ms. Rollins reported that the draft memorandum of understanding between Frederick County and the Town for the emergency water line is in process.

Ms. Rollins reported that the grant/loan documents were in process with the great assistance of the County Division of Utilities and Solid Waste Management and would be submitted when due on Friday, February 27^th.

9. FINANCIAL REPORTS

Commissioner Russ Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve the Balance Sheets and Income Statement reports for the General Fund and the Water Fund. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager