MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

May 27, 2009

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Commissioners Sam Eyler, Chad Weddle, Donald Schildt, Russell Winch, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, and 11 citizens. Burgess Whitmore was absent until later in the meeting.

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

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve both the Town Meeting minutes and the Closed Legal meeting minutes of May 13, 2009. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1, with Commissioner Russ Winch abstaining.

2. PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX RATE

There were no public comments.

Ms. Rollins explained that the proposed General Fund budget utilizes the current tax rate of 15.6˘ per $100 of assessed property value. Commissioner Don Schildt asked the ramifications of lowering the tax rate by 1˘. After discussion of the proposed tax rate:

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to keep and adopt the current tax rate of 15.6˘ per $100 of assessed real property value. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioner Weddle noted that Walkersville has the lowest tax rate in Maryland for a municipality of its size.

3. PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 2009-04 GENERAL FUND BUDGET

There were no public comments.

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to adopt Ordinance 2009-04 General Fund budget as presented. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

4. PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 2009-05 WATER FUND BUDGET

There were no public comments.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to adopt Ordinance 2009-05 Water Fund budget as presented. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

5. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

John Manchester, representing St. Timothy’s Roman Catholic Church, requested that commissioners approve the use of the Town’s electricity at the Community Park pavilions that they have reserved for the June 7th Sunday services. They need it for their sound system.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to have maintenance workers turn on the electricity to the pavilion for the church’s use on June 7. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

6. UPDATE ON FIRE/RESCUE SERVICES

Commissioner Weddle read requests from the fire and rescue companies requesting the Frederick County commissioners lower the Suburban fire tax rate. Ms. Rollins notified commissioners that Burgess Whitmore had sent a letter to the Frederick County commissioners requesting a reduction in the Suburban Fire tax rate. Representatives from both the fire and rescue companies were present and submitted additional letters supporting the Town’s request. The letters will be forwarded to the county commissioners.

7. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to approve and pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

8. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Sam Eyler noted that there sure is a lot of tall grass around town. Ms. Rollins let him know that the Code Enforcement officer is working diligently on the issue.

Commissioner Don Schildt insisted on getting the Veteran’s Day Ceremony particulars set so that work could begin on the planning. The date will be November 8, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. He has already gotten a commitment from the band.

Commissioner Schildt asked the status of the sinkhole repair in the Winterbrook forestation area. To date, it has not been completed but Mr. Folk is working directly with the school’s principal to arrange the details.

Commissioner Schildt asked if the old library would be turned over to the Town after the new library is completed. He suggested it be given over to the mental health association in lieu of their 3 million dollar renovation on South Jefferson Street.

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion to send a letter to Frederick County to give the old library building to the mental health association. The motion died for lack of a second.

Commissioner Weddle commented that he did not want to give direction to the County in this regard as he does not appreciate it when the roles are reversed.

Commissioner Schildt presented a letter from his Aunt Reba requesting a handicapped designated parking space in front of her residence.

Commissioner Sam Eyler made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to install a handicapped space at 34 Main Street. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1, with Commissioner Schildt abstaining.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to hold a closed personnel meeting to discuss individual staff salaries. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Weddle in opposition.

9. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

George Rudy, 11 West Crum Road, notified commissioners of his concern of elderly people from Victoria Park crossing Sandstone Drive without a crosswalk and tottering across Rt. 194 to the Safeway shopping center midway between the two traffic lights.

Boy Scout Chase Fleming asked commissioners if there was a plan to pave the loop road at Heritage Farm Park. Joyfully, they notified Mr. Fleming that the paving project is scheduled soon and is a Program Open Space project for the park.

There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager