MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

May 12, 2004

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Joe Magluilo, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Rollins, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, 7 citizens, and 2 press. Commissioner Schildt was absent.

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

MINUTES

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to approve the regular town meeting minutes of April 28, 2004. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

George Rudy, 11 West Crum Road, presented the Burgess and Commissioners and staff each with a letter detailing his complaint with the American Red Cross. He stated that on Tuesday night around midnight the Red Cross ran a generator for 30 minutes as part of a Federal test. He listed specific acceptable solutions to the problem in regards to the timing, noise, and notification for the tests. Ms. Rollins was directed to contact the Red Cross for explanation/justification of the testing.

CURB ACROSS FROM 10 W. FREDERICK STREET

Burgess and Commissioners have looked at the curb, which was painted yellow to coincide with the signage on that side of the street. Dennis Miller was directed to repaint part of the curb white, from the mailbox down, in order to allow for one parking space. Burgess Whitmore will also check with the resident on the corner of Maple and Frederick Streets to discuss painting that curb yellow, due to a high volume of accidents at that intersection.

4. BUDGET WORKSHOP

Ms. Rollins went over both the General Fund and Water Fund budgets emphasizing changes that were made since the original budget discussions. Various capital projects and fine-tuning of the preliminary budget figures were presented.

Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Magluilo, to add $35,000 to the General Fund budget for the capital project of a tar and chip overlay on the loop road at Heritage Farm Park. The project will go out for bid in FY 2005. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Magluilo, to introduce Ordinance 2004-06, the attached General Fund budget. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Magluilo, to introduce Ordinance 2004-07, the attached Water Fund budget. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

Commissioner Magluilo would like to discuss late fees, penalties, and disconnect/reconnect fees for the Water Fund at the next meeting.

5. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Magluilo, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

ELECTION RESULTS 2004

Ms. Rollins went over the Election results of the May 3, 2004 election. All incumbents were reelected as follows: Burgess Ralph Whitmore 514 votes, Commissioners Roger A. Eyler 470, Joseph Magluilo 424, Donald Schildt 433, Chad W. Weddle 488, Debbie Zimmerman 470, Doe Horch 102, Richard Ratliff 95, Harry Snyder 102, Alvie Shelton 2, Ron Layman 1.

Burgess Whitmore noted that this was one of the most important elections ever for Walkersville and that he was very proud of the citizens for not allowing an individual to buy the election.

7. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Burgess Whitmore announced that the Memorial Day Service will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, May 30. Everything is in place except the soloist for the Star-spangled Banner.

Commissioner Weddle was contacted by the owner of Penguin Shaved Ice for clarification on the painting of the curbs yellow on Sandstone Drive.

He would also like to develop a mailing and/or meetings with small business owners in order to encourage business opportunities in the town. This was an election topic that he feels should be pursued.
Commissioner Weddle summarized a BOA case in which Fuel Worx requested to be allowed to display 4-5 cars for sale on the service station property. He feels this is a compatible use for the property and advises that a text amendment be written to allow for the sale of autos by a service station by special exception approval by the BOA.

The issue of the Senior Citizens meeting at town hall through the summer needs to be addressed. Half the group wants to meet Tuesday s only, the other half would also like to meet Thursday s for games and fellowship. Burgess Whitmore directed staff to invite the officers of the Senior Citizens to the next town meeting to come up with a solution to the conflict between the group.

CITIZENS CONCERNS

Two Boy Scouts asked the commissioners for updates on the status of the Public Use area behind Colony Village, on the corner of Sun Meadow. Burgess Whitmore reported that the site is planned for a new Frederick County Public Library in the distant future. The Scouts also were curious about the timeline for the building of the GVAA athletic building at HFP. Plans and cost estimates should be available at the next town meeting. One Scout asked when the town planned to repair the playground in Deerfield. He was notified that is a responsibility of the Deerfield Homeowners Association.

Commissioner Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Magluilo to hold a Closed Personnel meeting to discuss a personnel issue and a police issue. The motion passed by a vote of 3-1, with Commissioner Weddle opposed. The meeting was adjourned for the GVAA and Parks Workshop, with the Closed meeting to be held afterward.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Sincerely,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager