MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

March 12, 2008

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, Russell Winch, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, 12 citizens, and 1 press, Jeremy Hauck of the Gazette.

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

1. MINUTES

2. WALKERSVILLE VILLAGE CENTER – UPDATE ON IMPROVEMENTS

Mr. Martin Bucher of Loiderman Soltesz Associates, along with Mr. Ralph Norton and Mr. Fred Tomarchio presented a concept update on the properties at the Exxon station and the Walkers Village Shopping Center LLC. They presented preliminary sketches of the Exxon site with 3 new buildings, including a pharmacy and 2 other commercial sites. They informed commissioners that there is a traffic study in process for the site. They will also be rehabilitating the Safeway and the other facades in the shopping center. Planning Commission will review all the plans in the near future.

3. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

NONE

4. OVERTIME IN POLICE CONTRACT

Commissioners directed Ms. Rollins to notify James Bowman of the Maryland State Police to include $20,000 additional overtime funds in the Town’s FY2009 contract.

5. CRUM ROAD SIDEWALK

Mr. Bob DePaola reported that the estimated cost for materials to put in a sidewalk along Crum Road is $4,000. In addition, one of the three Allegheny Power light poles will need to be moved to install the sidewalk. He is meeting with an Allegheny Power engineer to obtain the information on cost to move the pole before the cost estimate is complete.

6. AWARD BID FOR PROGRAM OPEN SPACE BASKETBALL COURT AND TENNIS COURT RENOVATION AND RESURFACING PROJECTS

Commissioners reviewed the recommendation prepared by staff with input from the Parks Commission.

7. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

8. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Weddle reviewed a new police schedule that included some previously requested changes.

Commissioner Winch requested a workshop between the Planning Commission and the Burgess and Commissioners to review direction for the upcoming Comprehensive Plan update. The date of the joint workshop is set for April 8.

Commissioner Winch also noted a street light out at Fulton and Main Street. Burgess Whitmore requested that staff be directed to inspect Town street lights after dark to determine the ones needing repair rather than waiting for citizens to call them in.

Burgess Whitmore reviewed Fire Company letter with the commissioners. Frederick County is proposing an 11¢ fire tax. Since Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company is run by volunteers, this would mean citizens would be paying in about $800,000 that would never make it back to the Walkersville Community. Burgess Whitmore stated this would have a devastating effect on the volunteer system He requested commissioners’ support to write a letter in support of the fire company and opposing this tax. Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to draft a letter opposing the increased fire tax on the Walkersville community and supporting the fire company. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager