MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

May 9, 2007

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, James Reid, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, TFC Ed Muller, 20 citizens, Gina Gallucci of the Frederick News-Post and Jeremy Hauck of the Gazette.

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

1. MINUTES

2. MEETING REGARDING PROCEDURES FOR CLOSING TOWN PARKS

Representatives from Glade Valley Athletic Association, Maryland State Police Resident Trooper Ed Muller, and town contractor Ray Dayhoff discussed procedures for closing town parks at "sunset". Mr. Dayhoff has been confronted many times with cars/people in the parks at closing time, sunset. Unable to locate the individuals or convince those he does locate to vacate the park, he has been obliged to lock up the gates with vehicles still parked within the park. As the GVAA concession operators are the last to leave, it was decided that they would allowed to stay after lockup and relock the gate after Ray leaves. It was also decided that Ray will lock up the mulch pile before 8:30, then go close Community Park and Creamery Park, then return and lock up Heritage Farm Park. Ray will call State Police if individuals remain in the park past sunset. Town will post "NO TRESPASSING" signs so that individuals found in the park after closure can be prosecuted.

3. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Victor Hoffman, of 80 Sherwood Drive, expressed his concerns for the safety of the children in Glade Village because of speeding parents dropping their charges off for softball. Burgess Whitmore asked Mr. Hoffman to present his concerns when this topic is addressed further down on the agenda.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL PROPOSAL – RECOMMENDATION FROM PARKS COMMITTEE ON CHECKERSPOT BUTTERFLY PROJECT

The Parks Committee voted to recommend the environmental project for Community Park as presented by John Smucker and Alice Nemitsas. The project consists of 2 phases. The first is stabilization of 120 linear feet of streambed in the southern most end of Community Park using biodegradable logs and erosion control blankets plus native vegetation. Phase 2 involves planting 100 turtlehead plants along the unmowed portion of Glade Creek at the same southern part of the park to become host plants for the Maryland State butterfly, the Checkerspot.

5. BANNER SCHOOL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT

Ms. Hauver presented a letter from Frederick County Division of Planning which clarifies the steps needed before the Banner School is eligible for public sewer services. 1) the Town’s comprehensive plan will have to be amended to designate the Banner School property as Institutional. 2) The Town of Walkersville will be required to file an application to amend the county water and sewer plan. This request requires a twenty year service area map to be included. 3) the Banner School will then be able to file an application to change the water and sewer classification on its property.

Mr. Brian Duncan addressed commissioners on behalf of Mr. David Moxley and presented a tentative plan for the property located at 8939 Woodsboro Pike. He proposes preserving the current house, allocating space for a retirement community, and having an area for office research designation. They would like clarification as to the process and would like input as to what the town would like to see on the property. They will meet with Ms. Hauver to become familiar with the process.

6. FY 2008 BUDGET WORKSHOP

Ms. Rollins went over changes made to the preliminary draft budgets presented at the April 25 Town meeting. General Fund budget was adjusted for the proposed increase in the county tipping fees.

The hearing on the budgets will be May 23, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

7. ADVERTISING OF THE CONSTANT YIELD TAX RATE

The hearing on the tax rate will be May 23, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

8. FREDERICK COUNTY WELLHEAD PROTECTION ORDINANCE

Ms. Hauver went over the proposed Frederic County Wellhead Protection ordinance. There will be a public hearing on Tuesday and any comments from the commissioners will be forwarded. Burgess Whitmore will attend the hearing and is encouraged that this step has been taken.

9. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

10. DECISION ON EMPLOYEE HEALTH PLAN

Ms. Rollins went over the health plan options that were analyzed in conjunction with the budget. Several of the plans would result in significant savings for the town.

11. DECISION ON GLADE VILLAGE SPEED HUMP

Victor Hoffman, Norma Young, Linda Grace, Terry Spicer and several other residents of Glade Village spoke in favor of a permanent speed hump on Sherwood Drive. Melissa Milyard spoke in opposition to the speed hump. The moveable speed bump is scheduled to be removed on Friday, May 11, after a 30-day stint at the Sherwood Drive location.

12. "TOASTING THE TAP" MARYLAND WATER AWARDS

Water Superintendent Bob DePaola announced that Walkersville won 1^st Place in the 2007 "Toasting the Tap" Water Tasting Competition and 1^st Place for Groundwater at the Maryland Rural Water Association Conference held in Ocean City.

13. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Chad Weddle noted that Ambulance Company 24 needs to renegotiate their bond rate per the Frederick County Commissioners. They will be coming before the Town commissioners for their approval in order to maintain the municipal bond status of the loan.

Commissioner Weddle also noted a complaint regarding a school bus parked on Challedon Drive and its presentation of a sight distance issue. He would like troopers to check into the legality of the bus parking there.

Commissioner Jim Reid stated that he will try to monitor the speed of the traffic on Sherwood Drive and notify the idiots if they are going too fast.

Ms. Rollins reported on a successful Beautiful Walkersville trash pickup day and reminded everyone of Bulk Trash on May 12 and Walkersville Day on May 19.

14. MORE CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Victor Hoffman asked troopers to do some radar speed enforcement on Sherwood Drive and Georgetown Road.

Wanda Heurich noted that school buses parking along the streets in Glade Towne force people to cross the yellow lines. She also said there are lots of kids who play football in the streets while they are waiting for the bus. Troopers will be notified to be aware of this.

TFC Resident Trooper Ed Muller announced the "Chief’s Challenge" seat belt enforcement surge.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager