MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

June 9, 2010

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, 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, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, TFC Jimmy Ardinger, approximately 7 citizens, and Ed Waters of the Frederick News-Post.

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

Commissioner Weddle offered a prayer to open the meeting.

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve the Town Meeting minutes of May 26, 2010. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1, Commissioner Russell Winch abstained.

2. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Mr. Mike Glennie, owner of the Walkersville Bowling Alley, noted that his 6-month water bill was 4-5 times higher than usual. He stated that a running toilet in the ladies’ restroom was the culprit. Burgess Whitmore explained that the Town would allow a one-time recalculation of the high water bill at the Town’s Industrial billing rate and this would reduce the bill by about 25%. Mr. Glennie requested that the industrial rate be applied to his current high use bill for the one time option allowed by the Town. He also was notified that he could request the Town to read his meter each month or he can read his meter each month to monitor his usage.

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to adjust Mr. Glennie’s water bill to the industrial rate. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

3. SENIOR CITIZENS’ FOOD CONTRACT

Commissioners reviewed a memo from staff regarding Senior Citizen meals provided by the Town on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The seniors have been vocal about their preference for the food provided by Trout’s Restaurant on Thursdays and are requesting that Trout’s take over both days. The meals from Trout’s are $5.00 per meal

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioners Debbie Zimmerman, to engage Trout’s Restaurant to provide Senior Citizen meals for both senior meeting days. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

4. MARYLAND STATE RETIREMENT AUDIT

Ms. Rollins reported that the Maryland State Retirement Agency contractor has completed an audit of the town’s employees covered in the retirement plan. According to the findings, our part time employee Ray Dayhoff, who empties trash and closes the park gates after hours, is eligible for enrollment and must be enrolled in the plan. Our options are to fire Ray, reduce his hours to below 500, or enroll him in the Maryland State Retirement Employee plan.

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to enroll Ray Dayhoff into the Maryland State Retirement and to recalculate his wages in order to compensate him for the required 5% withholding that will be remitted for each pay period for his coverage in the plan. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Donald Schildt in opposition of any town staff receiving a raise.

5. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND MAY 2010 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to pay the attached bills and approve the May 2010 financial statements. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Chad Weddle in opposition.

6. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Donald Schildt apologized for citizens not knowing that a Walkersville flag was being presented to the Cartwright family during the Memorial Day Ceremony honoring Charlie Cartwright. He stated that otherwise things went well during the service. At 7:43 p.m. Commissioner Schildt noted that planning for the November Veterans’ Day Ceremony would need to start.

Commissioner Donald Schildt asked that Heritage Farm Park prints be sold to the Walkersville Business and Professional Association for $100 each in order for them to raffle the prints at the carnival as a fundraiser.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Donald Schildt, to lower the regular price of the HFP prints to $100 and to sell 2 prints to the Walkersville Business and Professional Association for $50 each. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman in opposition.

Commissioner Chad Weddle thanked everyone for an excellent Memorial Day Ceremony.

Burgess Whitmore thanked Sherrie Kline for all of her hard work on the program and George and Doug Stauffer for the stone and placement at Memorial Park.

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to hold a closed personnel meeting. The vote was 1-4, with Commissioner Sam Eyler in favor and everyone else opposed.

Burgess Whitmore noted that due to the lack of agenda items for the June 23^rd town meeting, he would recommend cancelling the meeting and holding the next meeting as scheduled on July 14^th.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to have no meeting on June 23, 2010. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

7. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Wayne Hildebrand of Keymar, MD, representing North American Amphibian Monitoring, asked permission to enter the Town’s watershed on Chestnut Grove Road in order to search for amphibious creatures flourishing on the watershed property. He presented the commissioners a form to complete to grant permission and relieve liability on the town. He will contact Commissioner Russ Winch when he plans to start his search.

There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. and Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman and Town Manager Gloria Rollins were dismissed from the premises prior to the start of the closed personnel meeting in an apparent gender-based display of discrimination.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager