MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

March 11, 2009

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Russell Winch, Donald Schildt, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, TFC Ed Muller, 9 citizens, and Ron Cassie of the Frederick News-Post.

Commissioner Chad Weddle was absent due to vacation.

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

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Russ Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to approve the Town meeting minutes of February 25, 2009, with corrections to section 6, and the Closed Personnel meeting minutes. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

2. REAPPOINTMENT TO PARKS COMMITTEE – JAMES HARBAUGH

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to appoint James Harbaugh to an additional 2-year term as a member of the Parks Committee. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

3. REAPPOINTMENT TO BOARD OF APPEALS – HAROLD RODERUCK

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to appoint Harold Roderuck to an additional 3-year term as a member of the Walkersville Board of Appeals. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

4. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

George Rudy, of 11 West Crum Road, asked that the Town staff post the recent decision issued March 6, 2009 by Judge Robert Bennett on the Town website. He also requested that after the Town holds a closed meeting on March 16^th, that the "white paper" scope of the issue be disclosed to the public. Ms. Rollins noted that the March 16^th meeting will be rescheduled and that after the initial closed meeting the public will be notified of the issue discussed. She also explained that the decision or a link to it will be posted on the website.

Dan Thomas, of 27 George Street, asked that the Town commissioners make efforts to recognize the many years of service provided the Town by Harold Roderuck.

5. RELEASE OF ESCROW FUNDS FOR VICTORIA PARK

The Town received notice from Frederick County that the escrow funds held for the improvements associated with Victoria Park can be reduced. The Town is holding $1,237.50 for sediment and erosion control and $3,353.85 for public improvements (driveway entrance). Ms. Hauver recommends releasing $3,060.90 and holding contingency funds in the amount of $1,530.45 for a one year warranty period ending March 5, 2010.

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Donald Schildt, to release $3,060.90 of the escrow funds and hold contingency funds in the amount of $1,530.45 for a one year warranty period. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

6. RELEASE OF ESCROW FUNDS FOR ST. TIMOTHY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

St. Timothy’s Catholic Church requested a release of funds held in escrow for improvements completed as part of their fellowship hall addition. The Town is holding $3,240 for sediment control, $6,782 stormwater management, and $11,055 contingency funds. The water improvements were accepted on March 25, 2008 so the warranty period will end on March 25, 2009. Ms. Hauver recommends releasing $6,045 from the contingency funds on March 25, 2009 in regards to the accepted water improvements.

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to release $6,045 of the contingency escrow funds related to the water improvements on March 25, 2009, the end of the one year warranty period. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

7. FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS REQUEST FOR VARIANCE FROM GUARANTEE

Mark Herr, of Frederick County Public Schools, asked commissioners to exempt them from posting the guarantee required for public improvements as they begin work on the Walkersville Elementary School addition. The Town Code requires applicants to submit a guarantee in the form of a letter of credit or escrow deposit.

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion to submit language to the Town Attorney to edit the code to exempt FCPS and other state and municipal agencies from letter of credit and surety guarantees and the Planning Commission to grant an exception. The motion died for lack of a second.

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to table the issue for 2 weeks to get an opinion from the Town Attorney. The motion passed by a vote of

4-0.

8. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

9. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Don Schildt expressed his concern that several cars were not moved during the recent snow plowing operations.

Commissioner Russ Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to introduce the concept of a resolution for the Town to purchase American made goods and services for Town operations. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0. Commissioner Winch will draft the resolution for the next Town meeting.

Bob DePaola reported the water plant had a spike in turbidity February 11^th and that our MDE representative told him it may require a public notification. He is awaiting her decision on whether notification to the public is required.

TFC Ed Muller expressed his concerns to Mr. Mark Herr regarding the traffic issues at the Walkersville Middle School. He recommended the access road be widened and the handicapped spaces be spruced up. He noted that parents will not allow their children to walk any distance to the car for pickup, that they all have to pull up to the door one at a time, causing extreme backups around the Middle School and Frederick Street. Mr. Herr noted that he was preaching to the choir.

An unidentified citizen asked the status of recycling attempts at Heritage Farm Park. Commissioner Zimmerman will bring it up at the next Parks Committee meeting and enlist the efforts of GVAA in the program.

Commissioner Don Schildt effused that he thought it was a good idea to honor Harold Roderuck as suggested by Mr. Thomas earlier in the meeting.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to make plans to honor the service of Harold Roderuck in the future. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager