MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
August 23, 2006
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, August 23, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Joe Magluilo, Don Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, 13 citizens, and 0 press.
The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Moments of silent remembrance of Mr. James Rice, who passed away August 22.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to approve the Town Meeting minutes of August 9, 2006. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0-2, with Commissioners Magluilo and Schildt abstaining.
Burgess Whitmore referred to Susan Kierson’s letter of concern regarding the tier structure of the water rates. Burgess Whitmore stated that he had checked around and several other communities use the tier system, including Brunswick. He stated he likes the tier system as it encourages water conservation.
Burgess Whitmore asked for discussion or comments from the commissioners and the citizens present. There was none.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to leave the water rates as is. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
3. REDUCTION OF LOC STAUFFER COURT ACCEPTANCE
Ms. Hauver stated that the developer of Walkersville Light Industrial Park requested the Town reduce funds on his letter of credit. All that remains are the contingency funds for costs for public improvements. Final inspections on sediment control, storm drains, water and roads were competed in June 2005. The one year warranty period on these items has passed. Ms. Hauver recommends release of $70,330.17 of the contingency funds, leaving the remaining $34,726 to be held until the warranty period for the stormwater management pond is passed. She also recommends that the Town officially accept the Stauffer Court into the Town’s road system.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to release $70,330.17 of contingency funds per staff recommendation. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to officially accept Stauffer Court as a town road. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Lancaster Craftsmen Builders have requested that the Town reduce funds on their letter of credit for sidewalks and driveway entrances. Lancaster paid the Town $7,018.40 to cover the cost of the sidewalks in lieu of installing them. Driveway entrances have been inspected and approved by Frederick County.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to reduce the letter of credit by $14,727.60 for sidewalks, the sidewalk contingency funds, and the driveway entrances, per staff recommendation. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Schildt in opposition.
George Rudy, 11 West Crum Road, discussed the upcoming election (September 11) and the importance of getting to know the candidates. He presented his concept to have the Home Owners’ Associations in the Town join together to sponsor a candidate forum, to be held at Walkersville High School auditorium on September 6 at 7pm. He hopes to enlist a local newspaper editor to be the moderator of the forum. He also hopes to have one of the local HOAs reserve the Town Hall for an informational/planning meeting for the event on Sunday, August 27.
Susan Kierson expressed her concern regarding the Town’s tiered water rate structure. She asked to see research that Ms. Rollins had completed, expressed her disbelief that she was a few minutes late to the meeting and the decision was all done. Burgess Whitmore stated that this issue has been discussed for years and the Town maintains that the tiered structure encourages water conservation, which is a priority for the Town. Ms. Rollins explained the research that she had done was not a survey of other towns and their rate structures, but a calculation of a flat rate that the Town would need to implement in order to receive the revenue needed to operate the water system. Ms. Rollins determined that a flat rate of $4.22 - $4.25 per 1,000 gallons would be needed to generate the $805,000 of water usage revenue needed to operate the system. She used the estimated number of gallons sold for an entire year to arrive at the rate. Ms. Rollins presented 3 scenarios to Ms. Kierson, showing different levels of usage at 10,000, 40,000, and 75,000 gallons respectively. Commissioner Magluilo had a discussion with Ms. Kierson on the issue of fairness and differing opinions, conserving water or electricity based on rates and increases, and his concurrence with Burgess Whitmore. Ms. Kierson stated that the commissioners have not taken any citizens’ concerns seriously and that they had already made up their minds and that the system is extremely unfair.
Cassandra Bailey, of WHS Athletic Boosters, presented the new stadium renovation plan. She noted that the stadium is 30 years old, the bleachers are unsafe with no protective backing on the top row, no protective undercoating to prevent people and things from falling through to the ground. Handicapped accessibility was the only issue that the Board of Education took care of on the bleachers and it was a metal podium with ramp and rails, leaving individuals seated separately from their families during the sporting events. The total project for renovation is approximately 1.5 million dollars, and the bleacher only portion is $450,000 for the home side. The Boosters will be doing fundraisers to raise the money and will be looking into government grants. They are also asking for the town’s support either with money or advice on how to proceed. She feels it is a town responsibility. Commissioner Zimmerman feels the project should be funded by individual donations. Ms. Bailey stated that it is "Walkersville High School" and regardless of where the children come from, Woodsboro, New Midway, Union Bridge, Frederick, the town should be responsible. Burgess Whitmore stated that of course, everyone supports the project. He would not be opposed to helping to lead the charge on getting the Board of Education to fund the safety improvements needed to meet code.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
8. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS
Commissioner Weddle asked if the striping on Maple Avenue had helped to reduce speed. It was confirmed by Ms. Abrecht, a resident, that striping had significantly reduced the speeds on Maple. Burgess Whitmore noted that Glade Blvd. is next to be striped.
Commissioner Weddle asked that the town speed limit radar sign be placed on Frederick Street next week during the start of the school year.
9. CITIZENS’ CONCERNS
Mr. Rudy, 11 Crum Road, asked staff to confirm commissioners’ addresses on his list of candidates, as some seemed to be "camouflaged" or non-public.
Mr. Rudy addressed Ms. Bailey and noted the difficulty and hurdles he has endured in order to get cooperation from the high school in regards to using their facility for the candidates’ forum. He finds it ironic that the Boosters’ representative is here asking and expecting the Town’s cooperation and support for their project.
Harold Roderuck noted that people are not stopping at the stop sign on the newly opened Bedrock Drive.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager