MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

March 28, 2007

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, James Reid, Don Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, 16 citizens, including 11 Cub Scouts, and 2 press.

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

1. MINUTES

2. PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 2007-01 - ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT- EXCEPTION TO ALLOW ADDITIONS TO PROJECT INTO REAR YARDS

Ms. Hauver reviewed the text amendment that was prompted last fall when Mr. John Pruner began working with the Planning Commission to amend the code to allow for additions to project into rear yards under certain conditions. Ms. Hauver noted that the Planning Commission recommends that this amendment apply to R2, R3, and Old Town Mixed Use zoning districts. The amendment has been approved by the Town Attorney.

There was no public comment.

3. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

None

4. UPDATE TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REGARDING THE BANNER SCHOOL – RESOLUTION 2007-03

Ms. Hauver reported that the Planning Commission conditionally approved the site plan for the Banner School at their March 27 meeting. There continues to be an issue with Frederick County regarding the water and sewerage plan amendment, which is subject to reconsideration on April 17 at a public hearing before the county commissioners. The Planning Commission suggested the Burgess & Commissioners write a letter of support to try to persuade the county commissioners to uphold their decision from last fall when they approved the water/sewer plan amendment. Commissioner Weddle presented Resolution 2007-03 which outlines the steps and approvals that the Banner School has followed and received as follows: 1) Banner School applied for and received approval from the Walkersville Board of Appeals for a Special Exception to build a school on agriculturally zoned land pursuant to Walkersville Town Code §88-64, 2) Banner School received approval from Frederick County to connect to the county sewer in November 2006, 3) Banner School has made significant contractual and legal obligations based on the county commissioners’ actions. Commissioner Weddle feels it is not right the county did not process the proper paperwork for the Banner School to continue forward, but waited until a new board of county commissioners was installed and then decided to rehear and undo the previous decision. He feels the county is trying to impinge on the authority of the Town of Walkersville.

5. CHARTER RESOLUTION CORRECTION – RESOLUTION 2007-02

Commissioner Weddle went over his concerns regarding the resolution presented and rejected at the last town meeting. He reiterated that the changes had been enacted in 2003 but had not correctly been formalized in writing. He revised the previous presentation to include the word "their" rather than "his".

6. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

7. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Don Schildt discussed the upcoming Memorial Day Remembrance and requested commissioners approve a $500 scholarship essay contest for seniors at Walkersville High School pursuing continuing education of any type.

Burgess Whitmore asked commissioners to keep in mind ideas for the upcoming budget discussions in April. He also noted that he will be attending the FCPS redistricting meetings that will be held in the community. Glade Elementary will be hosting the meeting tomorrow evening. Burgess Whitmore informed commissioners that the fire company may have difficulty securing the Tim May Agency for security at the carnival this year as there may be a conflict with their booking at the big golf tournament. He proposes that the town pay for overtime for the resident troopers and deduct the extra expense from the $12,500 usually allocated to the fire company.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 1070 presented the Burgess & Commissioners with various questions regarding the scholarship and redistricting in Walkersville.

Ms. Rollins reminded the commissioners of the following announcements in their meeting packets: 1) Utica District Park Ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for April 26 which requires an RSVP, 2) Request from the Frederick Cricket Club for designated playing space at HFP, to be discussed by Parks Committee, 3) update from David Denn on the Aria328 Memorial, still raising funds to build the memorial at HFP, 4) Request from Calvary Assembly for commissioners’ ideas for their Fall Festival, 5) Draft of "Talk of the Town", ideas for additions to Diane by April 12, 6) Flyers to all commissioners to contact their HOA to which they are liaisons for upcoming clean up the trash day, and 7) MML Board of Directors nominations due.

Ms. Hauver notified commissioners that and Eagle Scout project for a marquis sign in front of the ambulance company had been approved. She also provided the commissioners with the Procedure for obtaining a zoning certificate, hole-punched and ready for insertion into their notebooks.

8. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS REVISITED

Jane Abrecht asked commissioners for permission to install a big container on her property for cigarette butts.

George Rudy informed commissioners that this would be his last presentation before the board. He stated that it has been a waste of time since 2004. He stated that he will send out a certified letter within the next two weeks identifying explicitly the issues at hand. He will strive to resolve them over the next two years at the county, state and federal level.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager