MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

May 25, 2011

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, May 25, 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, approximately 11 citizens, and Blair Ames of the Frederick News-Post.

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

Commissioner Chad Weddle offered a prayer for blessings on work for the issues of the town and on the Walkersville High School Seniors and graduation, Ethics Committee, and asked for moments of silence in remembrance of the Joplin citizens suffering from the effects of recent tornadoes.

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve the Town Meeting minutes of May 11, 2011. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

2. PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX RATE

Commissioner Chad Weddle explained that due to reduced property assessments, the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation established the Town’s constant yield tax rate as 19.38 ˘ per $100 of assessed value. This is the rate needed in order to generate the same tax revenue as last year. He presented historical data since 2000 for the Town’s tax rate. He recommended adopting a tax rate of 17˘ per $100 of assessed value.

There were no public comments at the hearing.

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to adopt a tax rate of 17˘ per $100 of assessed property value. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

 

3. PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 2011-01 GENERAL FUND AND ORDINANCE 2011-02 WATER FUND BUDGETS

Commissioner Chad Weddle went through the budgets by line item and recommended the following reductions: All categories of salaries reduced to 2.5% rather than 5% increase, Legal expenses (10,000), Planning and zoning expenses (10,000), Special recreation (2,000).

There were no public comments at the hearing.

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion to leave the salary budgets as is with a 5% increase. The motion died for lack of a second.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to adjust all salary accounts in both budgets to include a 2.5% increase rather than the presented 5% increase. The motion passed by a vote of 3-2, with Commissioners Donald Schildt and Russell Winch in opposition.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to adjust the other items as proposed by Commissioner Weddle. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to adopt Ordinance 2011-01 General Fund budget as adjusted. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to adopt Ordinance 2011-02 Water Fund budget as adjusted. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

 

4. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND APRIL 2011 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to pay the attached bills and accept the April 2011 financial statements as presented. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

 

5. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Chad Weddle reported that he is still working on the funeral ordinances.

Burgess Whitmore reminded citizens of bulk trash collection this Saturday, May 28th, and encouraged people to put their bulk trash out early in order for scavengers to have ample opportunity to retrieve the items, thereby saving the Town tipping fee expense. He also asked people to keep an eye out for out of town dumpers and report illegal dumping to the resident troopers.

Commissioner Zimmerman noted that Walkersville Day was a success with lots of people roaming about the Town participating in the activities.

 

6. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Jane Abrecht presented commissioners with photos of tornadoes and asked that they consider installing alarm systems throughout the Town as a warning system for citizens.

George Rudy asked the Town’s position on the imminent closure of the yard waste recycling center at Heritage Farm Park. Burgess Whitmore will be attending the meeting with Frederick County to oppose the closure.

Tom Flores of Kenneth Drive, asked for an explanation of the budget item "softener media" in the Water Fund budget.

Commissioner Schildt asked the status of more CDs of Mr. Nicodemus’ Walkersville history. It is our understanding that more are on order.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager