MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
April 8, 2009
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Chad Weddle, Russell Winch, Donald Schildt, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, TFC Ramona George, Michael Marschner of Frederick County DUSWM, and 22 citizens, including lots of Boy Scouts.
The meeting was then called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. MINUTES
Commissioner Russ Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to approve the Closed meeting minutes of March 23, 2009, the Town Meeting minutes of March 25, 2009, and the Closed legal and personnel meeting minutes of March 25, 2009. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1, with Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman abstaining.
2. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMITTEE CHAIR FOR MILITARY PACKAGES
Commissioner Schildt introduced Ms. Elaine Morthorst, who will replace Mr. John Hedges as chairperson for the Military Packages project. Thanks to John for his service and thanks to Elaine for taking over the project.
3. CONSTANT YIELD TAX RATE
Burgess Whitmore reviewed the constant yield tax rate, which is 14.4¢ per $100 of assessed real property value. The Town’s current tax rate is 15.6¢ which will require advertisement of a tax increase. After Tuesday’s news that the Frederick County Board of County Commissioners had cut tax equity funds due to the municipalities, Burgess Whitmore suggested a tax rate increase of 8.4¢, to make up for the $470,473 of tax equity funds that were cut. This will require the Town to advertise a tax rate of 24¢ per $100 of assessed value.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to advertise a tax rate of 24¢ per $100 of assessed real property value with the required tax increase required by the constant yield laws. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
4. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH FREDERICK COUNTY
Mr. Michael Marschner of Frederick County Division of Utilities and Solid Waste Management, reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding and an engineering proposal for design of the emergency water connection to the County.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Frederick County to utilize their Indefinite Quantity Contract for engineering services for the emergency water connection. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
5. EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT
Stewart Simons, a Life Scout in Walkersville Boy Scout troop 1070 asked the Town’s approval to work on an Eagle Scout project for recycling of electronic components.
Commissioner Sam Eyler made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to approve Mr. Simons proceed to plan his Eagle project and present further particulars of it at a later date. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
6. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Several Boy Scouts asked the commissioners various questions as a requirement in the pursuit of their Citizenship badges. Some of the topics included the rate of crime in Walkersville, the status of the Banner School project and if they will still build in Walkersville, the status of the lawsuit with Mr. Moxley, the status of Channel 99, and the need for a traffic light at Crum Road and Rt. 194.
7. REDUCTION IN ESCROW FUNDS FOR ST. TIMOTHY’S FELLOWSHIP HALL ADDITION
St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church requested a release of funds held in escrow for improvements completed as part of their fellowship addition. County inspectors recommended release of funds held for sediment control in the amount of $3,240.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to release funds held in escrow for sediment control in the amount of $3,240. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
8. REDUCTION OF LETTER OF CREDIT – SUN MEADOW PHASE 5
Frederick County inspectors have signed off on sediment control funds held by the Town for Sun Meadow Phase 5 in the amount of $241,579.48 and staff recommends release of the funds in the letter of credit.
Commissioner Russ Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to release $241,579.48 from the letter of credit for sediment control for Sun Meadow Phase 5. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
9. ESTIMATED STATE POLICE CONTRACT
Commissioners reviewed a copy of the Estimated State Police Contract in the amount of $455,195. No word yet on the Town keeping TFC Ramona George’s car that is being replaced. TFC George went over the Resident Trooper stats for March 2009. She also reiterated to citizens to lock vehicles and doors to prevent easy access by thieves.
10. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND FEBRUARY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to approve and accept the February 2009 financial reports. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
11. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS
Commissioner Donald Schildt expressed his desire to place a Desert Storm memorial monument at Memorial Park at the November Veterans’ Day Remembrance. Burgess Whitmore will get a price from Stauffers and it will be discussed at the next Town Meeting.
Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to hold a closed legal and personnel meeting under §10-508(a)8 to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation and under §10-508(a)2 to protect the privacy or reputation of individuals with respect to a matter that is not related to public business. The motion passed by a vote of 3-2, with Commissioners Weddle and Zimmerman in opposition.
Commissioner Russ Winch expressed his concern for the need for a crosswalk on Sandstone Drive for Victoria Park. He noticed an individual riding their power scooter catywampus across Sandstone Drive to the Victoria Park entrance. It looks like a dangerous situation and he recommends a crosswalk be installed. The matter will be discussed at the next town meeting.
12. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Ron Layman, representing the Boy Scout activities on the Walkersville watershed, requested $10,000 be placed in the Town’s budget for work at the watershed. He stated stone is being brought in to form roads in the watershed and Ms. Rollins could only approve $500 so the balance is being billed to him.
A citizen noted that there is no longer a stop sign coming out of the Valero gas station on to Sandstone Drive so people are not stopping and are just driving willy nilly out of the gas station onto Sandstone.
Commissioner Sam Eyler noted that there is parking on both sides of George Street and NO PARKING signs are needed from Pennsylvania to Main on George. Mr. DePaola will investigate and report back.
There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager