MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

September 8, 2010

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, 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 Ramona George and TFC Dave Thompson, approximately 11 citizens, Ed Waters of the Frederick News-Post.

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

Commissioner Weddle offered a prayer to open the meeting.

1. MINUTES

2. PUBLIC HEARING ON ANNEXATION OF CENTURY CENTER

Ms. Hauver summarized the previous hearing and subsequent meetings between the applicant Mr. Fitzgerald, Burgess Whitmore, Frederick County’s Director of Solid Waste Management Michael Marschner and town and county staff members. Mr. Marschner recommends a modeling study of the Town’s water system be completed regarding system elevations, water tower needs, etc. The study will involve the Town, Frederick County and Frederick City.

Burgess Whitmore announced that during the discussions Mr. Fitzgerald offered to contribute $250,000 to the connection to Frederick County’s water system, which involves going under the Monocacy River. Burgess Whitmore noted that that is an insufficient contribution in his opinion.

Mr. Fitzgerald encouraged that the annexation go forward, with a study to follow to determine the needs of Century Center and their subsequent contribution to those water needs.

There were no public comments during this public hearing.

Commissioner Schildt was in favor of moving forward with the annexation, then doing the study. Commissioner Eyler expressed concern about fire protection being included in the calculation of the water needs for the site. Commissioner Zimmerman asked about costs and location of the connection. Commissioner Winch noted that the whole issue could be resolved if Mr. Fitzgerald would agree to complete the connection in total. Commissioner Weddle noted that our leverage in the annexation agreement would be forfeited if the agreement was not signed in advance. He wants a fair agreement and resolution and will not vote tonight or until study and agreement is reached.

Burgess Whitmore thanked Mike Marschner and the Frederick County staff for their help in evaluating and cost estimating the options available. He will meet with staff, the Town Attorney, and Mr. Fitzgerald next Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. to try to arrive at annexation agreement details.

3. VETERANS’ DAY ART CONTEST

Commissioner Donald Schildt reported that Walkersville Day Care children will submit Veterans’ Day art work to be displayed in Town Hall by November 1^st. He also inquired once again whether flags for attending veterans had been ordered. Prizes for the winners of the art contest are still being considered.

4. GVAA REQUEST FOR BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL WITH BEER GARDEN AT HERITAGE FARM PARK

Ms. Sharon Willis, representing the Glade Valley Athletic Association Board of Directors, presented their request to hold a fundraising bluegrass festival with beer garden on July 9^th, 2011 in Heritage Farm Park. They are expecting 2000 people to attend and to raise $15-$20K for GVAA. The beer garden will be open from 12 noon – 8 p.m. inside the fenced in football field area. Four acts will perform including Rhonda Vincent, Marty Raven, Darren Beachley and Legends of the Potomac, and Next Best thing. This was approved by the Parks Committee. Burgess Whitmore and several commissioners expressed their concern that this will be held on the last day of the Walkersville Carnival and will either conflict with the turnout and success of the carnival or will result in drunks infiltrating the carnival and causing trouble after the festival.

5. GVAA REQUEST FOR TWO WATER FOUNTAINS

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman noted that when we moved the softball fields from behind Glade Village to Heritage Farm Park, we promised to install water lines for fountains and watering of the fields. She informed commissioners that GVAA will be installing sod on the dirt softball field in late September/early October and it needs to be watered. Public Works Director Bob DePaola estimates a cost of $500 for staff to install the water lines.

6. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

7. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Russell Winch would like a letter sent to SHA regarding the traffic light at Rt. 194 and East Frederick Street as the timing seems to be set for extremely long waits for left hand turns.

Commissioners Debbie Zimmerman and Chad Weddle will not be present at the next town meeting scheduled for September 22^nd. (Since then the meeting has been rescheduled until September 29^th instead).

8. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Ron Mallonee, of 8 Wyndale Drive, requested that the town hire and engineer to study the condition of the roads within the town and have them prepare a 3-year road plan to determine which roads need maintenance next. The town’s process is to reevaluate roads each year at budget time to determine the roads in the worst shape and allocate funds for maintenance. Mr. Mallonee recommends that process be changed.

TFC Ramona George introduced TFC Dave Thompson (apparently no relation to Lennie) as the new Maryland State Police resident trooper for the town, taking TFC Ed Muller’s place. Ed received a transfer back to the Mt. Airy resident trooper program through the Westminster barrack.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager