MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
March 9, 2005
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, March 9, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Joe Magluilo, Chad Weddle, Donald Schildt, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, Maryland State Police Resident Troopers Eric Funk and Dusty Pittman, Emmitsburg Town Manager David Haller, 4 citizens, and 1 press.
The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to approve both sets of minutes, the regular town meeting February 23, and the Special Annexation Meeting of February 22, 2005. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
2. DISCUSSION OF NIGHT WATCHMAN POSITION
Emmitsburg Town Manager, David Haller, discussed the process by which the town used a night watchman to help deter vandalism in the parks. He made the following recommendations should the town implement a night watchman program: 1) make a route of hot spots, 2) give the night watchman a cell phone, a log book, and a high powered flashlight, 3) instruct the person to not confront anyone, but to call 911 when vandalism activity is viewed, 4) work 9pm – 5am, 5) get a good person, who will work cooperatively with the police. Burgess Whitmore would like the night watchman to have the authority to tag cars for the issuance of parking tickets.
Leo McHale, of 10506 Glade Road, volunteered for help with the night watchman program. He has had experience with the Sheriff’s Dept. and the Maryland State Police, implementing other night watchman volunteer programs.
3. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
None
4. POLICE REPORT
Maryland State Police Resident Trooper Eric Funk went over the troopers’ stats for the last month. New trooper Kimberly Calimer had the highest numbers for the period. Trooper Funk also noted that the stretch of road in front of Glade Elementary on Devilbiss Bridge Road is designated a school zone, which should be posted at 25 mph, per §80.5 of the Town Code. There are some complications with posting the correct speed as the rest of the road is within the county. Trooper Funk is also looking into holding a Law Enforcement Day in May.
5. WORDING FOR THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL STONE
After discussion of Mr. Dan Thomas’, town staff, and commissioners’ suggestions for wording for the Vietnam Memorial, the following was tentatively selected:
"Lest they be forgotten" . . . The Town of Walkersville honors the courageous veterans who served in Vietnam 1954 – 1975. (Dates need to be verified)
Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eyler, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
7. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS
Commissioner Schildt would like to consider bricks with names engraved on them to be installed at Memorial Park. He would also like the town to start buying the memorial flags that are in the ground at the park. Commissioner Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Magluilo, to purchase 50 – 100 flags each year @$1 each. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Commissioner Zimmerman expressed her concern that a bike event called "Tour de Walkersville" is being held on April 2, with the take off point at Glade Elementary. The sponsors called her to ask if overflow parking could go into Heritage Farm Park. However, April 2 is opening day for GVAA baseball and the park will already be filled to capacity that day. The sponsor of the race was told not to park there.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Sincerely,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager