MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

June 10, 2009

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, June 10, 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, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, 5 citizens, TFC Ramona George, and Ron Cassie of the Frederick News-Post.

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

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to approve both the Town Meeting minutes and the Closed Legal meeting minutes of May 27, 2009. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

2. DISCUSSION ON TOWN CODE CHAPTER 19

Commissioner Chad Weddle would like Commissioners to review the proposed addition of Chapter 19 in segments in future workshops. He will review and consider sections for items of State law versus municipal infractions and eliminate the items that would result in jail time. The Town would only keep municipal violations in the Town Code and comply with enforcement of all other items within Maryland State Law.

3. OPERATION DESERT STORM (8/2/90 – 3/3/91) MEMORIAL PARK STONE

Discussion ensued regarding the proposed new stone for Memorial Park honoring veterans of Desert Storm. Consideration was given to including all Gulf Wars and dates on a larger stone. Decision about the design of the stone is tabled until next year. The Veterans’ Day ceremony will still be held but the installation of the stone is delayed until further agreement occurs on the design.

4. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

George Rudy, of 11 West Crum Road, came before the commissioners with two requests in regards to the "Crum Road – Rt. 194 Community Alliance". He asked if 1) citizens of Old Town could drop off their signed petitions at the Town office and 2) if he could place a clipboard petition at the Town Hall office. Commissioner Don Schildt expressed his concern at setting a precedent for any and all who have a petition to be allowed to operate it from the Town Hall.

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to allow the "Crum Road – Rt. 194 Community Alliance" to place a petition at the Town Hall and to allow citizens to drop off signed petitions at the Town Hall. The motion passed by a vote of 3-1-1, with Commissioner Donald Schildt in opposition, and Commissioner Chad Weddle abstaining.

Citizen Vaughn Zimmerman suggested that a committee be formed within the Town to deal with State Highway Administration rather than bombarding them with petitions.

5. STREET SWEEPER OPTIONS

Burgess Whitmore explained that the street sweeper is in need of repair as it is not vacuuming as it sweeps leaving the image of "Pig Pen" in a cloud of dust going down the street. Mr. DePaola offered the following options for the street sweeper: 1) the cost to repair is approximately $5,000, 2) the cost to purchase a new street sweeper is somewhere between $100K - $140K, 3) the cost to contract out street sweeping services is $80 per hour.

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to hire a street sweeper contractor to sweep once a month until November 2009 when the situation will be reevaluated. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman in opposition.

6. FREDERICK COUNTY LETTER TO TOWN RE: SUBURBAN TAX RATE REDUCTION

Commissioners reviewed the letter from Frederick County in response to the Town’s request to reduce the Suburban Tax Rate. The letter from BOCC President Jan Gardner stated that the county’s previous letter clearly summarizes their position on the Suburban Fire Tax Rate and a meeting to discuss the issue further is not necessary. Burgess Whitmore requested the fire company representatives in attendance draft another letter to be sent to the commissioners and the Frederick News-Post.

7. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman 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 Don Schildt would like the Town to sponsor a Walkersville Chamber of Commerce and he would like to be the liaison.

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to start a Chamber of Commerce. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioner Sam Eyler asked for verification if the old library would be turned over to the Town after the new library is built. He stated that past plans had been to transform the building into a facility for a county-run senior citizens program. Ms. Rollins stated that she had not been made aware of any recent plans to this effect. Senior citizens representative Margaret Powers stated she would not be in favor of switching to a county program and losing all the goodies that the Town provides for the seniors.

Burgess Whitmore directed public works staff to trim the trees at the Town’s property located at 25 W. Frederick Street.

9. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Fire Company representative Vaughn Zimmerman announced that the 70^th Annual Walkersville Carnival commences Monday, June 29^th, and the fireman can use all the help they can get from the citizens and the Town resident troopers and staff to operate all the activities sponsored there.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to officially not hold a town meeting on July 22, 2009 in deference to the Town Picnic. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to hold a closed legal meeting to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Chad Weddle in opposition.

There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager