MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

July 8, 2009

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Chad Weddle, Russell Winch, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, TFC Ramona George, 11 citizens, and Ron Cassie of the Frederick News-Post.

Commissioner Donald Schildt was absent.

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

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve the Town Meeting minutes and the Closed Legal meeting minutes and the Closed Personnel meeting minutes of June 24, 2009. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0-1, with Commissioner Russell Winch abstaining.

2. WHS STADIUM PRESENTATION – RICK LITTLE

Rick Little, from the Walkersville High School Boosters, presented planned phases for the upgrading to the athletic facilities at the high school.

3. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

About 50 ball players and parents entered the meeting at 7:50 p.m. They are the GVAA Maryland State Champion 9-U Wildcats and will be traveling to Troy, NY to play on August 6^th. Commissioner Winch introduced the coach, Coach Jay Burriss, and Coach Burriss introduced coaches Brett Campbell and Brian D’Arcy, and each player. Congratulations to all – Rowan Bennett, David Burriss, Michael Campbell, Derek D’Arcy, Chad Gleason, Riley grant, Davis Kelley, Tyler Littleton, Isaiah Proctor, Jake Rainess, Noah Sadler, and Jacob Wetzel!!

4. T-MOBILE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITY AT CRUM ROAD

Ms. Rollins reviewed the recommendation letter from The Center for Municipal Solutions. It contained the recommended approval and conditions for T-Mobile to add 3 antennas and new cabinet to their enclosure at Crum Road water tank, per their current lease agreement.

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve the additions and modifications proposed by T-Mobile at their facility at the Crum Road Water Tower, with conditions suggested by the Town’s consultant. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

5. WATERSHED TELECOMMUNICATION TOWER UPDATE

Ms. Rollins reviewed a previous proposal for a cellular tower at the Walkersville water shed. The project was approved in January of 2006, but has yet to be completed. She asked commissioners to decide if their approval went on indefinitely. Ron Layman commented that the project was scrubbed and that the gentleman from CI Technologies, LLC, now Patriot Information Systems, Inc., has a new proposal to present to the commissioners. It was agreed that Mr. Kenneth White would need to attend a Town meeting to make his presentation.

6. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER

Ms. Rollins presented the audit engagement letter from Smith Elliott Kearns & Company, LLC. The Town’s financial audit will commence on August 17^th for a fee not to exceed $18,500.

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to accept and sign the audit engagement letter. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

7. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.

8. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Burgess Whitmore reported that the arrangements for hiring a contractor street sweeper are in process.

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to hold a closed legal meeting to discuss pending litigation. The motion passed by a vote of 3-1, with Commissioner Chad Weddle in opposition.

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman reported that the paving of the Loop Road at Heritage Farm Park is in process. Commissioner Russell Winch requested that the paving be completed by July 18^th – 24^th around Fields 4 and 5 as a championship tournament will be held that week.

Ms. Rollins requested that those public servants invited to the Town picnic respondez s’il vous plait to the Town office as soon as possible so that enough hot dogs can be prepared for the picnic.

REMINDER – TOWN ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14^TH, 2009. PERSONS INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR THE OFFICE OF BURGESS OR COMMISSIONER NEED TO COMPLETE THEIR CERTIFICATE OF CANDIDACY BY AUGUST 17^TH.

9. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Mr. Michael Carlson introduced himself to the Burgess and Commissioners as the new branch administrator for the Walkersville branch of the Frederick County Public Library.

10. POLICE REPORT

TFC Ramona George announced that "National Night Out" will be held Tuesday, August 4^th, around 6:30 p.m. This will be a crime prevention awareness activity and include community involvement, homeowners’ associations, and businesses. McGruff, the Crime Dog, will attend and there will be a "block party" at Creamery Park and two flashlight walks, one in Old Town and one in Gladetowne.

George Rudy, of 11 West Crum Road, presented his status report on the Crum Road/Rt. 194 intersection. He reported that the mail-in petitions will delivered by the end of the week. He also noted that an interesting issue has developed, in that he is hearing there are bigger problems than Crum Road. Stay tuned for more information at the August 12^th Town meeting.

Burgess Whitmore reported that the Town’s letter to the Frederick County Commissioners regarding the suburban fire tax rate was published in the Frederick News-Post.

There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager