MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

June 8, 2011

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Russell Winch, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, approximately 12 citizens, and Ike Wilson of the Frederick News-Post. Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman was absent.

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 for safety for all who will be traveling and working at the carnival.

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Donald Schildt, to approve the Town Meeting minutes of May 25, 2011. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

2. ORDINANCE 2011-03 TO ESTABLISH DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR FUNERALS

Commissioner Chad Weddle reviewed Federal and State laws that establish a distance around funeral activities in which mentally disturbed individuals are prohibited from disrupting the services. An amendment to Chapter 45 of the Town Code prohibits picketing and any noise or diversion that is not part of the funeral and is a disturbance to the peace and good order of the funeral within 1,000 feet of a funeral, burial, memorial service or funeral procession.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to introduce Ordinance 2011-03 to establish a 1,000 buffer to funerals, burials, memorial services and funeral processions, prohibiting picketing and other noise or disturbances intended to disrupt the services. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

3. MULCH PILE UPDATE

Burgess Whitmore reported on his meeting with the County Commissioners regarding the closure of the mulch pile. A meeting with Commissioner Young will be scheduled to find a way to keep it open. There may be fees to use it and it may need to have a hired person there to monitor. Dumping of inappropriate materials and commercial users are two of the issues.

4. RELEASE OF LETTER OF CREDIT FOR SUN MEADOW PHASE 5 PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS

Ms. Hauver reviewed a notice from Frederick County inspectors that the letter of credit held for improvements in Sun Meadow Phase 5 can be released. The Town is holding $144,258.88 as a contingency for road improvements. The one year warranty period has ended and the final inspections have been done. She recommends that the letter of credit be released.

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to release the $144,258.88 letter of credit for the contingency for road improvements. The motion passed by a vote of 3-1, with Commissioner Donald Schildt in opposition.

5. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND MAY 2011 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Donald Schildt, to pay the attached bills and accept the May 2011 financial statements as presented. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

6. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Donald Schildt asked why the Town continues to mow the library grass. Many theories were presented but none were confirmed. Burgess Whitmore vowed to find an answer on it.

Burgess Whitmore notified commissioners that the 10-year lease that the Town has with the Fire Company for the softball field area behind Glade Village has expired. In the interim, the Town has constructed several hundred feet of walking trail on the property, which connects Glade Village sidewalk to Community Park paths. A lease will need to be written to allow access to the path while turning the rest of the property back over to the fire company (as the softball fields have been moved to Heritage Farm Park).

Burgess Whitmore reminded citizens that on Saturday, June 18^th, Frederick County Landmarks Foundation is sponsoring the "Barnstormers Tour and Art Show". The Tour includes nine historic barns in the Glade Valley area and artists will be painting the barns. Heritage Farm Park and the Walker Farm barns will both be subjects of paintings that day.

7. TOWN PICNIC

Commissioner Russ Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to hold the annual town picnic to thank town volunteers and committee members, despite these dire economic times. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

8. SENIOR CITIZENS

Senior citizens group has requested permission to order an increased number of dinners on Tuesdays.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Donald Schildt, that effective September 1, 2011, to raise the charge to $4 per meal and allow extra meals not to exceed 15 per Tuesday. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

9. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Mickey Snow, of Colony Village, asked commissioners if they would be willing to donate the rental of one of the town pavilions as a prize to be raffled at a fundraiser to be held for her daughter.

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to donate a pavilion rental and a Heritage Farm Park print to be raffled at the fundraiser for Ms. Snow’s child. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

Kathleen Held, of 9903 Greenbriar Lane, outside of town, asked commissioners if they would consider placing a water meter on the fire hydrant on Water Street Road, and allow her to direct the water that the town flushes from the system monthly into her pool. She will pay out of town rates to utilize the water to fill her pool. Mr. DePaola will determine if it will be feasible to do.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to authorize this unique situation to utilize the hydrant flushed water to be sold to Ms. Held for her pool. The motion passed by a vote of 3-1, with Commissioner Russell Winch in opposition.

Vaughn Zimmerman, on behalf of the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company Carnival, requested that Commissioner Weddle add good weather to his prayers for the carnival. He announced that there will be one fireworks night, Friday, July 8^th at 10:00 p.m. and that they can always use help for the week.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager