MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

April 13, 2011

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 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, Code Enforcement Officer Andy Dewese, approximately 15 citizens, including 3 Boy Scouts, Realtor Fred Kelley, TFC Jimmy Ardinger, Blair Ames of the Frederick News-Post and Courtney Pomeroy of the Gazette.

The meeting was called to order by Burgess Ralph Whitmore, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Chad Weddle offered a prayer for blessings on the work of the Town.

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to approve the Town Meeting minutes of March 23, 2011. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

2. AD FOR CONSTANT YIELD TAX RATE

Ms. Rollins presented the ad, approved by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. The Town’s current tax rate of 15.6¢ per $100 of assessed property value would need to be raised to the constant yield tax rate of 19.38¢ in order to generate the same revenue as FY 2011. The Town will advertise a possible tax rate increase to 24.38¢ per $100 of assessed value for discussion at the tax rate and budget hearing, scheduled for May 25, 2011.

3. CODE ENFORCEMENT SEASONAL ISSUES

Code Enforcement Officer Andy Dewese addressed the commissioners and citizens with current issues.

Portable basketball hoops in the street are not allowed and he will be concentrating on notifying offenders that they must be moved onto lawn or driveway property.
Grass and weed height restriction has been lowered to 8", which is new this year. He will be commencing more aggressive enforcement of this, with earlier notification and shorter response time on required compliance. He noted that having town staff mow tall grass has proven detrimental to town and taxpayer equipment.

Mr. Dewese reminded everyone that the process is complaint driven, complainant’s identity is kept confidential, investigation occurs, violation notice is sent, compliance is achieved or town takes action to force compliance.

4. STREET SWEEPING INCREASE PROPOSAL

Mr. DePaola notified commissioners that we currently have an agreement with ServTech for street sweeping services at $85 per hour. They are requesting a $5 per hour increase for the next fiscal year.

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to increase the hourly rate to $90 per hour for ServTech to sweep town streets. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

5. COMMUNITY ORCHARD LOCATION

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman announced that the Parks Committee has approved an FDA community orchard project in Community Park and asked that the commissioners designate the location of ½ acre to plant the orchard.

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch to approve ½ acre in the vicinity of the Community Park hayfield area to be used as a community orchard planted by FDA. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

6. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND MARCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to pay the attached bills and approve the March 2011 financial statements for the General Fund and the Water Fund. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

7. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

One of the Boy Scouts from Troop 1070 asked some specific questions about the location of the future community orchard.

George Rudy, of 11 West Crum Road, summarized information distributed to the commissioners regarding Fort Detrick and the possibility of a cancer cluster. He is asking the Town to validate a list of addresses for boundaries of old town parts of Walkersville. Specifically, he is proposing a survey of Glade Village, old town, Gladetowne, Spring Gardens, and Discovery, the results of which he will share with the town. He asks that the town validate the streets in his survey.

8. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Donald Schildt offered an apology that he has no design as yet for pins to hand out to veterans at the Veterans’ Day service.

Commissioner Schildt asked that the commissioners adopt an ordinance to impose a distance restriction on military funeral protesters. 200, 500, and 1,000 feet were discussed. Commissioner Chad Weddle will investigate whether Frederick County has an ordinance and will draft an ordinance for the town.

Burgess Whitmore announced that the Town is moving ahead with the Nicodemus property annexation. Attorney David Severn and RK&K Engineers are working on the documents and incorporating the boundaries into the official Town boundaries.

Burgess Whitmore announced that the County has repealed the imposition of $1 per property tax bill that they charged the municipalities last year for preparation and handling of real estate taxes.

Burgess Whitmore announced that the Landmark Foundation Barnstormers Tour will take place June 18^th. The barn at Heritage Farm Park will be part of the artists’ focus for paintings. In addition, an open house will be held at the Walker Farm house and works of the day will be on display. Mr. Harry Richardson, a famous local artist, is involved with the planning along with our own realtor Fred Kelley. MPT will be filming and it should be a great day.

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch to approve the Landmark project. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Burgess Whitmore announced that the May 19^th County/Municipal meeting agenda will most likely include a discussion of closing the County-operated mulch pile at Heritage Farm Park.

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to hold a closed meeting to discuss an offer for the purchase of the Walker Farm house. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Chad Weddle in opposition.

Burgess Whitmore announced that any decisions regarding the property would be announced in a press release when appropriate.

Walkersville Day is May 21^st, as always the 3^rd Saturday in May.

Bulk Trash collection will be May 28^th – yes, that is Memorial Day weekend. Place your items for bulk trash at the curb anytime after regular trash pickup on Wednesday and no later than 5 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Commissioner Russell Winch gave a brief description of a GVAA softball fundraiser, whereby a helicopter will drop purchased golf balls at the park. If your ball is closest to the target, you win!

GVAA Opening Day was rained out and the baseball ceremonies have not been rescheduled.

9. POLICE REPORT

TFC Jimmy Ardinger read the police report and March stats. He bade farewell to the commissioners and citizens as he will be transferring closer to his home in Hagerstown, MD. His last day as a Walkersville Resident Trooper will be May 4^th. Godspeed Jimmy!

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager