MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

February 27, 2008

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, 21 citizens, and 2 press, Gina Gallucci of the Frederick News-Post and Jeremy Hauck of the Gazette.

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

1. MINUTES

2. OATH OF OFFICE – RUSSELL WINCH

Ms. Sandra Dalton, Clerk of the Circuit Court, administered the oath of office to newly elected Town Commissioner Russell Winch. In addition, Burgess Ralph Whitmore administered the oath in accordance with the Town Code.

3. PERMANENT EMERGENCY WATER LINE EXTENSION DISCUSSION

Mr. Mike Marschner, Director of Frederick County Utilities and Solid Waste Management, presented maps depicting rudimentary alignment and preliminary cost estimates to install a permanent emergency water line connection to the Frederick County water plant across the Monocacy River at Ceresville. Application for grant funding through the State of Maryland is recommended and documents are due by the end of February. 87 ½% of the project could be funded if the Town receives the award. The cost estimate ranges between 1.2 and 1.4 million for design, construction and right of way acquisition costs. The possible start of construction could be 7/1/2009 if the grant is received. The engineering to get the project started would be the Town’s responsibility and contribution of the required 12 ½ %.

Also discussed was the possibility of a Glade Road water line extension to properties along Glade Road whose wells are contaminated by the manure. This project would require a Frederick County water/sewer plan amendment. Also of concern were the properties at Eyler Court and the Staley farm properties that were affected and required water tankers to provide their water during this contamination. If this project is of interest the water line would be designated denied access for public use and only Health Department recommended properties would be allowed to hook up because of well contaminations.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to grant approval to Mr. Marschner and town staff to proceed with pursuing application for grants for both projects. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

4. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

George Rudy, 11 West Crum Road, referred to lessons learned and agenda items he claimed were missing. He stated that he is updating the Town on his request to the Frederick County Commissioners to reconsider the Walkersville Wellhead Protection Ordinance. He stated that had his previous recommendations been followed "Teabrook" would have happened but would have been contained. He stated that he issuing a document to the Town with a set of questions and costs and asking who pays for all this. He stated that the Town’s Wellhead Protection ordinance is a "mantle piece" and nothing is done with it. His recommendations that were ignored consist of characterization, monitoring, and enforcement. He also asked what the Town plans to do to install an alternate qualified planned system.

5. CONSTANT YIELD TAX RATE

The State of Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation 2008 Constant Yield Tax Rate Certification was presented for the Burgess and Commissioners’ information. Our current local tax rate on real property is 15.6¢ per $100 of assessed value. The constant yield tax rate is 14.3¢. If the Town keeps its current tax rate, the advertising of a tax increase will be required.

6. REQUEST FOR REDUCTION OF LETTER OF CREDIT, SUN MEADOW PHASE 3

Ms. Hauver reviewed the K. Hovnanian Homes request to reduce funds on their letter of Credit for Sun Meadow Phase 3. The amount remaining on the letter of credit is $27,630 for sediment and erosion control and $22,680 for stormwater management for a total of $50,310. Staff and Frederick County inspectors recommend reducing the letter of credit by $50,310 and holding all contingency funds until the end of the warranty period.

7. CRUM ROAD SIDEWALK REVISITED AGAIN

After discussion and review of the myriad of minutes regarding the decisions on the Crum Road sidewalk, Burgess Whitmore directed Public Works Director Bob DePaola to prepare a cost estimate to install the previously determined unfeasible sidewalk ourselves.

8. WALKERSVILLE FIRE COMPANY PROPOSED ELECTRONIC VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGN

9. ETHICS BOARD VACANCY

Ms. Rollins notified commissioners of the resignation of Mrs. Linda Hunsecker from the Town’s Ethics Commission. The Town will advertise for residents interested in serving in the position.

10. MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY DISCONTINUED – SERVICE MOVED TO VETERANS’ DAY

The Veterans’ Day Service will be held November 9, 2008.

11. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

12. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Don Schildt asked commissioners to consider giving a bonus to an employee who had saved the Town a substantial amount of money.

Commissioner Schildt expressed a concern regarding lot sizes in Sun Meadow in that some of the back yards are only 8 feet. Ms. Hauver explained that these recorded corner lots are all legal according to the Town Zoning Code.

Commissioner Schildt also asked if the Town was still considering a Town Code Enforcement Officer. Burgess Whitmore affirmed that it is still being considered.

Commissioner Chad Weddle proposed a motion amending Charter section 12-8, which was seconded by Commissioner Eyler, and then withdrawn. Ms. Hauver recommended a possible amendment to the zoning ordinance to make his intent perfectly clear.

Mr. Thom Beckley thanked the commissioners for considering the Glade Road water line extension project and approving the process to apply for grant funding.

Mrs. Wanda Heurich asked where the Crum Road sidewalk which is again being considered is going to connect. It begins nowhere and leads nowhere as far as connecting to continuous sidewalk. She asked how the other homeowners along Crum Road can request that sidewalks be placed in front of their homes.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager