MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
March 8, 2006
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Joe Magluilo, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, 10 citizens and 2 press.
The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to approve the regular Town Meeting minutes of February 22, 2006. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1, with Commissioner Weddle abstaining.
The Burgess and Commissioners reviewed ideas for the engraving on the Korean War Memorial presented by Mr. Jim Santos. Staff ideas were tossed by the wayside and totally ignored during the discussions. After much debate, the surviving monument will be a combination of 3 of Mr. Santos’ creations as follows: "KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL" across the top, a sketch of the mountainous terrain of Korea with 6 soldiers facing each other, then "For all those who pass here, know that this ‘Forgotten War’ is not forgotten in Walkersville, Dedicated May 28, 2006." This promises to be a very beautiful and moving monument.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to dedicate the memorial with the wording above. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
3. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
None
Results of the May 3, 2006 bid opening were presented. Six bids were received. Lawnscape of Jefferson, MD was low bidder with a bid that included mowing of the Heritage Farm baseball outfields of $61, 830.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to award the mowing contract for one year, with option to renew for 2 additional years, to Lawnscape, including the ballfields, in the amount of $61,830. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Discussion ensued regarding a 15% water rate increase on levels over 10,000 gallons only, or on all tiers of water billing. Commissioner Schildt asked commissioners to consider raising town residents’ bills by 10% and out of town bills by 20%. In an attempt to alleviate concerns for citizens on fixed incomes, Ms. Rollins pointed out that a 15% increase on a minimum bill was 84¢ per month. While 15% may sound extreme, there has been no increase in rates since 1998, and the Town must implement an increase in order to break even.
Commissioner Joe Magluilo made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to introduce Ordinance 2006-01, which will implement an increase of 15% in the water rates at all billing levels. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Schildt opposed.
6. PARKS COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Ms. Zimmerman presented the four individuals who expressed interest in being appointed to the Parks Committee. They were James Beard and James Harbaugh, up for reappointment. New applicants Thom Beckley and Artie Fauble were considered. Ms. Zimmerman recommended appointing all four to the committee.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to appoint James Beard, James Harbaugh, Arthur Fauble, and Thomas Beckley to the Parks Committee. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
7. WHS WATER ALLOCATION RECONSIDERATION
Mr. Mike Mummert, Athletic Director of Walkersville High School, presented his request for 300,000 gallons of water to be used to implement a water irrigation system on the football/soccer field at the high school. Previously, the Town had allocated 100,000 gallons per each six-month water-billing period.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to allocate 400,000 gallons of water to the high school for the April 1 – September 30 billing period in order to establish an irrigation system. The commissioners will revisit and evaluate the issue after one billing period. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Eyler opposed.
8. RECONSIDER PROPOSED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING USE OF FREDERICK COUNTY EQUIPMENT AT THE HFP MULCH LOCATION
Burgess Whitmore stated that upon review of the Memorandum of Understanding drafted by Frederick County for Walkersville’s use of county equipment, he would like commissioners to consider not signing the agreement. The Town asked permission to have a town employee utilize county equipment at the site to push up the massive accumulations of brush in order to maintain an orderly well-kept area. He feels that the agreement puts all liability and responsibility for the condition of the equipment on the Town, requires Town’s policy to insure the equipment, and in general is not a cooperative or beneficial agreement for the Town. The commissioners had voted previously to sign the agreement.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to reconsider the agreement with Frederick County for the mulch pile. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
9. FARMERS’ MARKET COMMITTEE
In response to the ad to form a Farmers’ Market committee, the following 6 people notified the Town of their interest in serving on the committee: Jane Snider, Suzie Thompson, Gwen Whitmore, Richard Creager, Amy Gilber, and Lewis Turner.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to approve and appoint all 6 individuals as members of the Farmers’ Market Committee.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to amend the original motion to include the statement that the Farmers’ Market Committee is an advisory only committee that will serve without compensation and is subject to termination by the Burgess and Commissioners. The motion for the amendment passed by a vote of 5-0.
The amended original motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Members of the committee will be notified of an organization meeting on March 15. They will recommend a location, establish rules and procedures and fees for the market, and report to the commissioners. They will monitor the inspections and activities of the market.
10. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Weddle opposed.
11. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS
Commissioner Magluilo asked commissioners to consider putting in a four-way stop at the intersection of Frederick Street, Main Street, and West Crum Road. He visited the intersection and agreed with Mark Stull that has very limited visibility and is dangerous. Town staff was directed to discuss the possibility with the resident troopers and obtain their input. Staff will also find out cost for installation of a traffic light.
Burgess Whitmore announced that Frederick County will be holding their hearing on the Walkersville Region Plan at the Town Hall on May 24, a regular Town Meeting night. He suggested that we move our Town meeting to the following Wednesday. Commissioner Joe Magluilo made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to hold the second meeting in May on May 31st so that everyone would be able to attend the Walkersville Region Plan hearing. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Weddle opposed.
12. MORE CITIZENS’ CONCERNS
Wanda Heurich, former commissioner and current representative of the Glade Towne HOA, presented commissioners with several items of concern. They were 1) vacancies in the shopping center adjacent to Glade Towne, 2) Issues with vandalism in the neighborhood and destruction of the playground equipment, 3) questionable response from resident troopers to Glade Towne’s complaints, and 4) an unresolved issue with a fence construction in Glade Towne.
Burgess Whitmore and Commissioner Weddle addressed several of the concerns and staff will contact troopers to discuss what they can and cannot help with in the neighborhood. Troopers will be asked to join us at the next town meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager