MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

September 24, 2008

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 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, 7 citizens, and 0 press.

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

1. MINUTES

2. PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 2008-08 – STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE & COMBUSTIBLE FUELS

Ms. Hauver reviewed the Planning Commission’s work in reorganizing the Town code sections pertaining to the storage of flammable and combustible fuels. She reviewed the sections for general requirements for fuel storage, above ground storage of liquids, below ground storage of liquids, set back requirements for all types of fuel storage, and fuel storage on residential zoned property. The Planning Commission also added definitions at to what flammable and combustible fuels are. Sections also include new technological options that replace and enhance old requirements. Another section allows for additional capacity in industrial zoned areas. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the ordinance.

Public Hearing:

George Rudy, 11 W. Crum Road, said that after tracking the ordinance for months, he finds it very confused and incomplete. He will follow with a detailed letter outlining his concerns.

Ridge Cramer asked if the ordinance was designed to comply with the MD State COMAR provisions. Commission Russ Winch explained that the beginning of the ordinance references that it must meet State Code, COMAR provisions, EPA and IBC fire prevention code standards, NFPA 30 and NFPA 37. These references are acceptable for the Town code document.

3. LETTER OF CREDIT – RON HEMBY – 22 CRUM ROAD

Ms. Hauver reviewed Letter of Credit for the installation of sidewalk, curb, gutter, water connection, and driveway apron at 22 Crum Road. Mr. DePaola inspected the work and approved the release of the funds, so staff recommends the reduction of Letter of Credit #1001727780 in the amount of $13,350 and holding the contingency funds of $6,650 until the one year guarantee period is over.

4. LETTER OF CREDIT – SUN MEADOW PHASE 3

Sun Meadow Phase 3 developer requested that the letter of credit held for forestation requirements be released. County inspectors are satisfied with the plantings and that the Forest Resource Ordinance requirements have been met. Staff recommends the release of letter of Credit #7411693.

5. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Dan Thomas requested that the temporary water lines on Main Street be marked with fluorescent paint to make visibility better for drivers. Mr. DePaola said he would take care of it.

John Poole stated he had read an article in the Gazette that said the Banner School needed to be approved for County water and sewer and he hopes it’s a misprint. Burgess Whitmore explained if they get water it will be Town water and they are trying to gain approval from Frederick County to hook up to the county sewer. He also noted that he wondered where the water would come from as he understood the town was out of water. Burgess Whitmore explained that the Town still has water.

Mr. Poole also wanted to know the status of the manure spill costs.

6. UPDATE ON COMMISSIONER EYLER REQUEST ON GLADE ROAD

Recent road paving at the railroad tracks on Glade Road is not exactly the widening project requested at the last meeting. Any further work on Glade Road as far as widening of the lanes will have to be considered after other priorities are completed.

7. CRUM ROAD SIDEWALK REPORT

Mr. DePaola reported that the sidewalk on Crum Road is approximately ½ complete and costs of $3,100 have been incurred to date. He estimates that it will be completed within the next couple weeks.

8. VETERANS’ DAY ESSAY UPDATE

Ms. Rollins reported that the Frederick County Board of Education has approved the essay contest materials to be distributed to Walkersville and Glade Elementary Schools. It is up to the principal of each school whether they will participate or not. Commissioner Schildt also reported that everything is in process for the Veterans’ Day ceremony.

9. FARMERS’ MARKET REPORT – FINAL DAY

Ms. Rollins reported that today was the final day of the Farmers’ Market. Next year we will need to make some adjustments in the timeframe of the market and hopefully come up with some ideas to keep the market full of vendors in order to keep the market full of customers.

10. SENIOR CITIZEN BUS TRIP REPORT

Ms. Rollins reported that loading from Green Street for the senior citizen bus trip had worked as planned with everyone parking at the far end of the town hall parking lot.

11. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

12. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Don Schildt presented the high school’s request for approval of the homecoming parade. Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russ Winch, to approve the Homecoming parade for Thursday, October 30, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. for 25 minutes. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Burgess Whitmore asked commissioners to consider extending the trash contract with Ecology Services for an additional year at the same price. Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to extend the trash contract with Ecology Services for one year at the same contract price as the current year. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Burgess Whitmore asked commissioners to consider extending the lawn mowing contract with Lawnscape for an additional year at the same price. Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to extend the lawn mowing contract with Lawnscape for one year at the same contract price as the current year. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman announced that the Community Show was starting Thursday evening with a cake auction to be held on Friday night.

13. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Beth Slagel representing the American Red Cross requested that the Town maintenance staff take over the mowing of the 4 acre Red Cross property and the snow plowing of the Red Cross parking lot. The Burgess and Commissioners were unable to grant her request.

There was no further business so the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager