MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

August 10, 2011

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 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 Chris Michael, Code Enforcement Officer Andy Dewese, 11 citizens, Ike Wilson of the Frederick News-Post, and Courtney Pomeroy of the Gazette.

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

Commissioner Chad Weddle offered a prayer thanking God for the opportunity to work on the issues for the Town and for His continued blessings on the Town. On behalf of the farmers he asked for some rain and for God’s guidance and protection and direction for our lives.

1. MINUTES

Burgess Whitmore notified commissioners of a correction to a motion on Item 4 of the July 13, 2011 minutes. In the second motion during the discussion of the Walker Farm, the amount is $20,000, not $50,000 as previously written.

2. PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 2011-04 RECEPTION FACILITIES IN AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICT

Ms. Susan Hauver reviewed the ordinance that would add Reception facilities in the Agricultural District. There were no public comments made during the hearing.

3. RESOLUTION 2011-05 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Ms. Hauver reviewed the corrected plan in accordance with the commissioners’ previous vote.

4. PRESENTATION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY – SOLAR POWER – RICHARD ROSS

Mr. Richard Ross, 4101 38^th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016, representing United Land & Power, and his partner Mr. Tom Hudson, 6224 30^th Street, NW, presented the concept of building a solar facility to provide the electricity needs of the town government operations, i.e. Town Hall, water plant, shop, parks, water towers, and street lights. It involves a 20 year power purchase agreement that should help hedge against rate increases. Pfister Energy, Baltimore, MD is the builder partner in the endeavor. They mentioned there is an industrially zoned property located near a substation that would work as there are no land use issues or interconnectivity issues. They noted there will be personal property taxes generated for a period to help offset the cost of the electricity. Also discussed was the current political environment that encourages renewable energy projects and the environmental ethos of the town would be enhanced.

Ms. Rollins will contact United Land & Power for more information to be evaluated and Commissioner Russell Winch volunteered to look into it.

5. ENGINEERING DESIGN BIDS ON FREDERICK STREET WATER LINES

Burgess Whitmore noted that although 3 bids were received on the project, none were being presented to the Commissioners because funds were not budgeted to complete the water line project. He recommended holding off on awarding the design work until funds were available to complete the project.

6. HABITUAL VIOLATORS OF TOWN CODE – ANDY DEWESE, CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

Mr. Andy Dewese reported on code enforcement activities for the year to date of 138 violations with 136 closed. He asked permission to propose some amendments to the town code to address the habitual code violators. He noted that 2 companies and 2 residents are habitual violators of the tall grass infraction and require frequent notices and wait until the final day of the notice to comply with the code. His research indicated that increased fines do not work, that mandatory court appearances will cost the town a lot of money. There are several residences in bad shape and he would recommend a property maintenance section be added to the code. Basketball hoops on the streets are also a source of major non-compliance with town code. Commissioners agreed to look at proposed revisions to the code sections, although there was some hesitation about how far to crack down on these issues.

7. PROCLAMATION FOR CONSTITUTION WEEK

The Town received a request from the Frederick Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution to join in the celebration of Constitution Week on September 17^th through 23^rd.

8. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

9. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Donald Schildt reported that he is upset that he read Hillcrest students can choose to be bused to Walkersville schools, because their school failed the State of Maryland assessments test. He stated that, along with the APFO mitigation and the County’s rezoning of properties in the area will blow our attempts to control growth out of the water. It will overcrowd Walkersville schools and prevent our citizens, those who have waited until the APFO is met, from building.

Commissioner Chad Weddle announced that Sunday, September 11^th, at 6:00 p.m. a memorial service will be held at the carnival grounds.

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to hold a closed legal meeting to discuss the dissolution of the Heritage Farm Preservation Society. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman passed out a map of the Community Park additional 32 acre parcel and notified commissioners that a suggestion from the Parks Committee was to stop mowing the reforestation area around the pond. A mowed path around the hayfield area was also suggested.

Burgess Whitmore noted that progress is being made for the sale of the Walker Farm but the settlement day of September 1^st will be pushed back several weeks.

10. CITIZENS’ CONCERNS

Mr. Dick Brady asked why the code enforcement officer is not enforcing overgrown bushes and shrubs infringing on the sidewalk. Dan Thomas also raised concerns about a dead tree on a neighbor’s property that is not being addressed. Burgess Whitmore explained that the enforcement is complaint driven and all one has to do is call in the complaint and it will be relayed to the code enforcement officer. If it is a valid, enforceable complaint it will be handled.

Mr. George Rudy registered his complaints about growth of banner signs, cargo compartments, and the dark parking lot at the shopping center.

There being no further business or citizens’ concerns, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager