MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
June 22, 2005
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Joe Magluilo, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Resident Trooper Eric Funk, 7 citizens, and 1 press.
The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to approve both the town meeting minutes and the closed personnel minutes of June 8, 2005. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1, with Commissioner Magluilo abstaining.
2. HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX
Commissioners reviewed the notification from Frederick County, considering reducing the Homestead Property tax credit from 110% to 105%. The Town of Walkersville has adopted the county’s Homestead Property tax credit in previous years, and no action was taken to change the policy. A public hearing will be held by the county on June 23.
3. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Bill Butler, representing the Glade Towne HOA, noted that a resident of Glade Towne has requested permanent speed bumps. The HOA was split on their support of speed bumps and had agreed to wait another month to see if there’s an increase in ticketing of speeders. They will evaluate their request for speed bumps at that time.
David Ennis, President of Glade Towne HOA, wants the resident troopers to enforce speed limit before installing speed bumps. He does not like the temporary speed bumps, and as a private citizen is opposed to speed bumps. He noted that speeders speed up to make up the time after going over a speed bump, and that speed bumps are a danger to cyclists.
Sally LaMonica, supports speed "humps" on all Glade Towne streets.
Karen Sellers thanked the commissioners for their cooperation in getting the temporary speed bump installed and saw a decrease in the speeding.
Vic DeSantis, 103 Glade Blvd., would like to see speed humps installed and will help Karen Sellers with flyers.
Wanda Heurich, of Glade Towne, submitted a letter to commissioners expressing her questions and concerns regarding the speed humps.
Commissioner Eyler would like to find out how effective the speed humps are in Frederick City.
Commissioner Magluilo has had positive feedback on the subject of speed humps.
Commissioner Weddle is against speed humps, along with Commissioner Schildt. The discussion led to the realization that the town should implement a program to promote education of speed issues and the dangers within the town.
4. PLANNING COMMISSION ISSUE – RESIDENTIAL USES IN B-1 DISTRICTS
Ms. Hauver explained that the Planning Commission sought direction from the commissioners on the issue of residential uses in B-1 districts. They were considering taking the allowed residential out of the B-1. Houses now existing in the B-1 would be a non-conforming use and could not be redeveloped as residential, only commercial.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to direct the Planning Commission to not address this issue and not make any changes regarding residential in the B-1 District. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
5. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO FREDERICK COUNTY APFO
Ms. Hauver went over the proposed amendment for the Frederick County APFO. The amendment allows a developer to provide school facilities in lieu of passing the adequacy test.
Commissioners reviewed the Adelphia/Time Warner/Comcast transaction letter. .As Adelphia completes its bankruptcy reorganization process, the Town will be served by Comcast.
Commissioners discussed a citizen’s letter, which requested commissioners to take a pre-emptive position on a perceived future violation of the town’s noise ordinance.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to disregard the letter and take no action in response to it. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Commissioner Schildt expressed concern that the forestation Letter of Credit for Sun Meadow had not yet been pulled. Ms. Rollins explained that in 30 days, if the conditions of the forestation plan had not been met, the LOC would be collected. In the meantime, Roderuck Farms, LLC, manager Tammy DePaolis was at work resolving the outstanding issues.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman announced that August 3, at 7:30 p.m., the Gilmore C. Trout Park will be dedicated.
Ms. Rollins reviewed the complaint form developed by front office staff. The form requires identification of the complainant, relieving staff of investigating and spending inordinate amounts of time on anonymous complaints.
Commissioner Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to adopt the complaint form. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Commissioner Weddle noted that citizens would still be able to complain to commissioners and have their complaints presented anonymously for resolution.
Ms. Rollins reviewed a letter to be sent to a home with excessive trash. The letter referred to town code Chapter 30, §30-3. Commissioner Schildt noted that the subject of his previous complaint had since cleaned up the area, and therefore, the letter need not be sent. The format of the letter will be used for further notices to offenders.
Trooper Funk notified commissioners of a request from July 9 parade organizers to have no parking allowed along the parade route. Commissioners decided to limit parking on one side of Frederick Street, but to otherwise have no restrictions on parking.
Commissioner Schildt requested that notification of the town’s water ban be placed on the town channel 99.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to hold a closed personnel meeting for the purpose of discussing a police personnel matter. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Weddle opposed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Sincerely,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager