MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
March 22, 2006
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, March 22, 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, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, TFC Eric Funk, 18 citizens and 1 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 March 8, 2006.
The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Burgess Whitmore directed the two property owners to join the Town Attorney in the adjacent conference room to discuss resolution of the alley ownership issue. Since the alley was never dedicated to the Town, maintained, used, or claimed by the Town, it was not the Town’s to quit-claim to the adjoining property owners.
Tfc. Eric Funk was present for discussion on a proposed four-way stop for the intersection of Frederick and Main Streets. The Town adopted the provisions of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. According to the manual, if the intersection has a documented problem of accidents reported in the amount of 5 or more accidents in a 12-month period, a four-way stop could be warranted. The Town has had 3 accidents reported in a 14-month period. Also, minimum traffic volumes entering the intersection of 500 cars per hour for an 8-hour period along with 200 cars per hour from the minor street during the same 8-hour period could warrant a four-way stop. The Town did not meet the manual’s criteria to warrant a four-way stop.
Trooper Funk also updated commissioners on progress of the investigation of robberies and property vandalism in Discovery and Discovery Crossing Shopping Center, outside of Town limits.
Trooper Funk will also be in attendance at the Glade Towne HOA meeting to help make suggestions to address vandalism and other issues in Glade Towne.
4. PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 2006-01 TOWN WATER RATES
Susan Kierson, 15 Maple Avenue, stated that she did not have a problem with raising the water rates, but that she did have a problem with the Town’s tiered water rate system. She feels that it is not fair and discriminates against larger families who use more water.
Jackie Pratt, 19 Maple Avenue, is also concerned about the tiered rate system and feels that it is discriminatory.
James Reid, 206 Oakmanor Way, noted that everything is going up and as a senior citizen on a fixed income, he feels that he gives up a lot to make ends meet. He wonders how much more he will have to give up when the proposed water rate increases go into effect. He is opposed to the one shot increase of 15% and hopes that the commissioners will do it in smaller bites.
Commissioner Schildt restated that he is not in favor of raising the minimum rate. Commissioner Zimmerman is in favor of the tiered rates that promote water conservation. Commissioner Magluilo pointed out that with the rising costs of salt, chemicals, electricity, etc., it would be irresponsible not to raise rates. He reminded Mr. Reid that there has not been an increase since 1998 and that the town has the lowest municipal tax rate in the State for a municipality our size. He hates to see anyone leave the Town but we are doing our due diligence from a financial standpoint and he doesn’t know how we can do any better. We’re doing what needs to be done.
Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eyler, to adopt Ordinance 2006-01 water rate schedule and reevaluate the tiered rate system, calculate a cost per 1,000 gallons prior to October 1 billing cycle. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Schildt opposed.
Town Attorney David Severn met with Mr. Fogle and Mr. Rhoderick. He explained the Town has no interest in the alley, as it was never dedicated, accepted, or maintained by the Town. He guesses that both property owners own the alley and they should enter into a driveway agreement. Mr. Severn advised the Town to acknowledge no interest or right to the alley.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, that the Town claims no right to the alley. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
6. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Ray Hunter, owner of 16 East Frederick Street, asked commissioners to abate the $100 snow removal bill that he received. He stated that he did not know the rule and was given no notice or warning. However, a notice was placed in the property door the day before the Town performed the work.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to not abate the snow removal bill. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Donald Smith, 20 Georgetown Road, expressed concerns regarding the parking on Glade Road, from Colony Drive to Liberty Street. He asked commissioners to prohibit parking on the right, on north Glade Road on the curve. Burgess Whitmore stated that he encourages lots of parking along streets as is slows traffic. Mr. Smith also stated that Glade Road needs to be widened and the slope extended by the railroad tracks. Burgess Whitmore said those road improvements are already planned and will be budgeted in the next years’ budgets for improvements to Glade Road. Mr. Smith also noted that the transit bus stop by the library, is not very well lit and asked the Town to consider some lighting.
Commissioner Schildt presented the Farmers’ Market Committee recommendation for the Walkersville Farmers Market. They propose the market be held at Heritage Farm Park in the bank barn barnyard on Wednesday s from 4-7pm starting July 12 through September 27.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to adopt the committee’s recommendations. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
8. DISCUSSION OF 4-WAY STOP AT FREDERICK AND MAIN STREETS AGAIN
Burgess Whitmore asked commissioners to make a decision on Trooper Funk’s recommendation, based on the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. A four-way stop would not be warranted according to the specifications in the manual.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to not proceed with installation of a four-way stop at the intersection of Frederick and Main Streets. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Joe Magluilo opposed.
9. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS LEASE WITH DOBSON CELLULAR SYSTEMS
Ms. Rollins reviewed the proposed lease agreement with Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. The lease was approved and recommended by the Town's consultants Center for Municipal Solutions. They will rent space on the Crum Road water tower for placement of their wireless equipment for Cellular One service. Rent will be $1,950 per month.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to enter into the lease with Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
10. LANCASTER REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF REQUIREMENTS TO INSTALL SIDEWALK
Mr. Mark Lancaster, Lancaster Craftsmen Builders, asked commissioners to waive the approved sidewalk location per his building plans. The current location of the sidewalk on the plans goes from nowhere to nowhere. He proposed relocating the sidewalk to the rear of his property along Rt. 194 with the possibility of future connection to the Town installed sidewalk that runs from the light past Safeway. He stated that sidewalk had not been approved along Crum Road because there was not enough space to install the 4-foot grass strip between the curb and the sidewalk. He wants to meet his obligation in a reasonable manner, offering to pay the funds required rather than putting in a sidewalk that connects to nothing.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, that the public would not be served by the planned location of the sidewalk, and to approve location of the sidewalk to the proposed new location to the rear of the property, along Rt. 194. The motion was defeated by a vote of 2-3, with Commissioners Schildt, Weddle, and Zimmerman opposed.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion to install the sidewalk on the swale along Crum Road as approved by the Planning Commissioner. The motion failed for lack of a second.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to install the sidewalk along the curb on Crum Road (without the 4-foot grass area). The motion failed by a vote of 0-5, with all commissioners opposed.
It was decided to table the issue until the Town Engineer reviewed the plans again and made further recommendations as to the location of the sidewalk.
11. SPRINT PROPOSAL AND RECOMMENDED RESPONSE
Ms. Rollins reviewed a proposal from Sprint to revisit the current lease agreement and reduce the amount of rental payments for Sprint’s wireless equipment located on the Crum Road water tower. The proposal was reviewed by our consultants, Center for Municipal Solutions. Ms. Rollins reviewed the draft letter response to Sprint declining renegotiations of the lease.
Commissioner Joe Magluilo made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to approve the response letter to Sprint declining the lease renegotiations. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
12. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Burgess Whitmore asked for a closed personnel meeting to discuss staffing needs.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to hold a closed personnel meeting for purposes of discussing staffing needs. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
13. PERSONNEL MANUAL DISCUSSION
Commissioner Chad Weddle and Ms. Rollins asked commissioners to consider the grievance procedure to be adopted with the new personnel manual. The question as to the appeal procedure, whether from Supervisor to Burgess to Commissioners versus Supervisor to Personnel Advisory Committee to Burgess to Commissioners. Commissioners agreed they wanted to process for an appeal to go from Supervisor (issuing disciplinary action) appealed to the Burgess, then appealed to the Commissioners. This deletes the existence of a Personnel Advisory Committee from the process.
14. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS
Commissioner Schildt noted the list of winners submitted by WHS Athletic Director Mike Mummert as requested. Discussion ensued as to how to honor each group of participants in FFA, sports, academics, band, leadership, art, environmental club. Staff will look into the cost of placing an ad of congratulations to all.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Exhaustedly submitted,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager