MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

June 11, 2008

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 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 Jim Ardinger, 13 citizens, 1 press, Sarah Fortney of the Frederick News-Post.

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

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to approve the minutes of the May 28, 2008 Town meeting. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1, Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman abstaining.

 

2. RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE SERVICE OF JANE SNIDER

Commissioner Weddle read the resolution honoring Jane Snider’s service to the Town of Walkersville.

3. AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 2008-04

Commissioner Chad Weddle presented Ordinance 2004-04 which exempts a developer from the provisions of §88-24.3 if he has already obtained a special exception from the Board of Appeals for the Town of Walkersville within one year of the enactment of Ordinance 2008-01. Commissioner Weddle introduced an amendment Ordinance 2008-04, to include a sunset provision until December 31, 2009. The ordinance will go before the Planning Commission for hearing, approval, amendment, or denial.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to introduce the amended Ordinance 2008-04, to include a sunset provision until December 31, 2009. The motion passed by a vote of 3-2, with Commissioners Don Schildt and Russ Winch in opposition.

 

4. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Gloria Griffin of 3 Liberty Street asked commissioners to support the construction of a new library. Burgess Whitmore explained the Town is very much in support of a new library, however, some agreements need to be made regarding the deed to Frederick County for the library site.

 

5. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to sign the audit engagement letter proposed by Smith, Elliott, Kearns & Company. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

6. BID AWARD FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN FOR WILLIAM STREET/HAHN CIRCLE RECONSTRUCTION

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to award the bid for engineering design services to draw the construction plans for the William Street to Arro Engineering in the amount of $22,940. The plans are to include sidewalks for William Street and no sidewalks added to Hahn Circle. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

7. WALKERSVILLE RESCUE COMPANY BOND ISSUANCE

Commissioner Chad Weddle noted that the rescue company has negotiated a new, lower bond interest rate. The Town will need to sign documents to approve the modification to the bond.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to authorize Burgess Whitmore and Ms. Rollins to sign the 3rd modification to the Walkersville Rescue Company bond issue on behalf of the town. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

 

8. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

 

9. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Don Schildt pressed commissioners to set the date for the Veterans Day service to be held instead of a Memorial Day Remembrance this year.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to hold the Veterans’ Day service on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Discussion ensued regarding whether to have a scholarship contest for Walkersville Seniors graduating in 2009, or an essay contest for 4th and 5th graders at Walkersville Elementary and Glade Elementary. It was agreed to sponsor an essay contest for 4th and 5th graders with each 1st place winner receiving a $100 check and each 2nd place winner receiving a $50 check, resulting in $600 to be awarded between the two schools.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to appoint Mr. Ridgely Cramer and Commissioner Sam Eyler as the judges of the essays. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Eyler in opposition.

 

Burgess Whitmore reminded supervisors to have staff evaluations ready for discussion at the June 25, 2008 Closed Personnel Meeting.

Ms. Rollins notified commissioners, with disappointment, that the South Mountain Creamery has decided not to participate in our Farmers Market.

TFC Ardinger reviewed resident trooper stats for the month of May. He also noted that increasing crime activity is occurring in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles. Apparently there are valuable metals in them and thieves are able to redeem for cash. TFC Ardinger notified citizens to be aware of this and also encouraged everyone to LOCK THEIR VEHICLES.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to hold a closed legal meeting to discuss correspondence from Town Attorney Danny B. O’Connor. 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 8:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager