MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

September 14, 2005

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, September 14, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Joe Magluilo, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, 5 citizens, and 1 press.

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

1. MINUTES

2. HURRICANE KATRINA FUNDRAISER

Ms. Rollins went over details of the 3-mile run fundraiser proposed by the Walkersville High School girls soccer program. The Parks Committee had already approved the run to be held in Heritage Farm Park on September 25 and the commissioners had been notified by telephone for their consideration.

3. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Mary Fumara, representing the Walkersville Band Boosters thanked the commissioners for their donation to the Walkersville High School band. She also presented them with a Certificate of Appreciation and invited everyone to attend the Battle of the Bands band competition on October 22, 2005 at 4:40 p.m.

4. CALVARY ASSEMBLY OF GOD SIGN

Representatives of the Calvary Assembly of God, David Wardrop and Bob Miller, presented a proposal for a new sign in front of the church. The sign would have the capacity to scroll through announcements and information about their church services. It would also project pictures like a TV screen, although they would not be using it in that capacity. They offered to run community announcements and emergency information such as Amber Alerts or Disaster notifications.

Ms. Hauver went over previous correspondence with the church, noting that the sign as proposed is prohibited by the Town Zoning Ordinance. The only way the sign could be approved would be to amend the Zoning Ordinance, which is a process that requires advertising, public hearings before the Planning Commission and Town Commissioners and a recommendation from the Planning Commission. The process takes three or four months. Zoning test amendments can be initiated by the Town or by petition.

In response to the $450 application fee for zoning text amendments, Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to charge Calvary Assembly of God the town’s costs of legal review fees and advertising for the zoning text amendment up to $450. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

5. WATER TAP FEES

Discussion of raising water tap fees, last raised September 25, 2002, resulted in the following:

Staff will do calculations to determine if water revenues are covering operating expenses for discussion at a future meeting.

6. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

7. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman asked for resolution of the bulk trash situation. Bulk trash pickup has been scheduled for September 24. As a citizen of the town, Ms. Zimmerman feels that she should be included in the bulk trash pickup. Burgess Whitmore explained that the farms in town pay $1 tax, with the stipulation that they receive no services. Commissioner Weddle stated he would be willing to discuss it in a closed meeting.

Ms. Zimmerman stated she has been having an influx of people calling her regarding usage of the town’s softball fields. They are putting together teams and then looking for facilities on which to play. Ms. Zimmerman has told them, appropriately, that the town has an agreement with GVAA for scheduling of all sports on all fields.

Commissioner Schildt asked for an update on the tree planting around the stormwater pond in Sun Meadow. Ms. Hauver stated there are no forestation plantings on the plan for the stormwater pond. Ms. Rollins updated the commissioners on the progress of the plans for plantings of the rest of Phases 1 and 2. There are still some issues to be resolved. The main issue is Phase 2’s 45 trees, which the developer has said were rejected by the residents. Ms. Rollins will be corresponding with those residents to determine the fate of their trees.

Commissioner Schildt stated that the fire and ambulance companies are concerned about the proposed 80-unit senior housing facility and the increased amount of calls that could occur because of it. They are concerned that their staffing may have to increase to 24/7 coverage, resulting in higher urban fire taxes for town’s citizens. Topper Cramer and Mike Marchesani will be invited to attend a future town meeting to discuss their concerns.

Commissioner Weddle noted it is the time of year when high school students are parking around his house. He requested that the "No Parking" sign be turned sideways so that the flow of traffic can see the sign, rather than having it facing the road.

Ms. Hauver noted that commissioners received a list of dates for the meetings and hearings for Frederick County’s Walkersville Region Plan. October 5, 2:00 p.m., is the scheduled time for the Walkersville community’s presentation to the Frederick County Commissioners.

Ms. Hauver received a sketch from the owner of the property leased by the Post Office which shows new traffic/parking patterns for the Post Office.

Commissioner Eyler asked the status of the list of questions emailed to Ms. Hauver from Mr. George Rudy. Ms. Hauver will respond to questions as time permits.

Mr. Dennis Miller asked for commissioner approval to join the Frederick County contract for road striping for Crum Road and Glade Road at a cost of $2,000. Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to spend $2,000 for road striping. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

The meeting went back into open session at 8:35 p.m.

Staff will notify the trash contractor to go outside of the established trash collection route to pick up all bulk trash.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager