MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

September 10, 2008

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included 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, 8 citizens, 1 press, Sarah Fortney of the Frederick News-Post.

Burgess Whitmore was absent due to his mother’s illness.

The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Chad Weddle, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve the Town meeting minutes of August 27, 2008, with correction that Commissioner Russ Winch voted in opposition to Item #4, the AT&T lease amendment. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve the Closed Legal meeting minutes of August 27, 2008. The motion passed by a vote

of 5-0.

2. PUBLIC HEARING ON BARRICK EASEMENT REQUEST

No public comments. Commissioner Chad Weddle reviewed the previous motion passed August 13th to abandon the easement located on the Barrick property at Harp Road and Water Street Road.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, that pursuant to the Town Code Article IV Powers, §C4-4 A. (62), the water easement through the Barrick property is no longer needed for any public use for the Town and to release the easement to the Barricks, pending their reimbursement of Town Attorney legal fees for preparing the release of easement. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

 

3. PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 2008-04 ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO EXEMPT THE BANNER SCHOOL FROM THE APPLICATION OF ORDINANCE 2008-01

Commissioner Weddle explained that this ordinance had been introduced June 11, 2008 and that the Town Code requires ordinances shall be passed within 90 days. As this day, September 11, 2008 is the 91st day, the ordinance dies and is not eligible for public hearing.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to introduce Ordinance 2008-09, reintroducing a zoning text amendment to exempt the Banner School from application of Ordinance 2008-01 and seeking a legal opinion from the Attorney Dan Karp. The motion passed by a vote of 3-2, with Commissioners Donald Schildt and Russell Winch in opposition.

The ordinance will go to the Planning Commission for comment and public hearing before it comes back the Burgess & Commissioners for public hearing and review of the legal advice. Commissioner Schildt recommended seeking legal advice and the motion above was amended to include that stipulation.

Andrew Dipasquale spoke on behalf of the Banner School and encouraged commissioners to continue to support the approvals that have already been received over the past two years by the Banner School.

4. RESOLUTION 2008-05 MML GEOCACHE TRAIL RESOLUTION

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to approve Resolution 2008-05, the MML Geocache Trail Resolution, changing the word Mayor to Burgess and committing to Walkersville’s participation in the geocache program. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

 

5. HUNTING AT WATERSHED

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to allow hunting at the watershed as in previous years, by permit, until logging operations begin, with Town office staff to coordinate between Scouts, loggers, and hunters.

The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

6. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

 

7. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman noted that the movie that had been advertised for Creamery Park did not occur.

Commissioner Sam Eyler asked when the Town was planning to repave and widen the area at the railroad tracks on Glade Road. Staff will look into the request and its priority on town road maintenance schedule.

Commissioners reviewed a request from the Senior Citizen group regarding boarding their charter bus for field trips at Town Hall. Commissioners agreed to a trial on September 17th, allowing senior citizens to park at the far end of the rear parking lot and loading onto the bus on Green Street.

Commissioners reviewed a request from the Success Program at the Walkersville B building for use of the Town Hall as an emergency evacuation location should the Walkersville Middle School building be unavailable.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eyler, to allow use of the Town Hall as an emergency evacuation location for the Walkersville B building students if Walkersville Middle School is not available during an emergency. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

8. STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION CORRESPONDENCE ON TRAFFIC OPERATIONS ON RT 194

Commissioners reviewed the SHA letter that responded to the Town’s request for a meeting to discuss issues on Rt. 194. The Town still has questions and issues we would like to discuss so staff was directed to send another letter requesting a meeting.

9. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Ron Mallonee, 8 Wyndale Court, noted that he came to the meeting to find if there had been a response to the Town’s letter to State Highway. (see above) He still is concerned about the noise level at Glade Towne. He discussed signage regarding the use of jake brakes and the various areas he has seen these signs displayed. He would like the Town to place these signs on Rt. 194.

Ron Layman, 24 W. Frederick Street, requested that the Commissioners grant the Marine Corps League permission to cut up some of the downed trees at the watershed into usable firewood for sale as a fundraiser. He requested the marine veterans be allowed to cut firewood for 4 hours on October 11th.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to allow the Marine Corps League to cut firewood at the watershed on October 11th for 4 hours and sell the firewood for a fundraiser for the league. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to allow employees to cut downed wood for their own personal use only. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioner Russ Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to hold a closed legal meeting to discuss pending litigation. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Chad in opposition.

There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager