MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
October 12, 2005
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, October 12, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, 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, 11 citizens, including Fire Chief Jeremy Peterson and Rescue Chief Topper Cramer, and 1 press. Commissioner Joe Magluilo was absent due to illness.
The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to approve both the regular and closed town meeting minutes of September 28, 2005. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
2. WALKERSVILLE FIRE AND RESCUE CONCERNS
Walkersville Rescue Company Chief Topper Cramer informed commissioners of concerns and issues regarding a new Senior Housing Community planned for the town and numbers of calls for the Rescue Company in general. He noted that an 80-unit senior housing community in Frederick generates a call every 3 days on average, resulting in additional 120 calls per year. In Walkersville, the condo community, which consists of a majority of senior citizens, averages about 5 calls per month. He used these facilities as comparables, and felt that the Senior Housing community alone will not cause the rescue company to need 24/7 paid coverage, but growth in the area in general will require full coverage within 3-5 years. Chief Cramer noted that the highest users of the services are the Glade Valley Nursing facility in town, and Heartfields in Frederick. Attempts to solicit donations from the nursing homes have been limited in success. They use the emergency services as a transport service for non-emergency situations, such as doctor visits.
Chief Jeremy Peterson spoke of the increasing demands also placed on the volunteer Fire Company. They are handling 650-700 calls per year with volunteers, and 22% of the calls are EMS related, i.e. they are accompanying an ambulance on a call.
Commissioner Schildt would like to explore the possibility of an impact fee for the Senior Housing facility. Staff will gather information needed for a future discussion.
Burgess Whitmore asked Chief Cramer to find out if the Frederick City nursing homes are making any donations to Frederick City for their ambulance usage.
3. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
John Poole, of 28 Fulton Avenue, noted that the Public Works Director’s white pickup does not have the town seal on the side and demanded that be done. He also stated the house behind the flower shop has 5-6 untagged vehicles on display. Trooper Funk will be notified to investigate this charge. Mr. Poole also noted that the town has gone downhill from Pennsylvania Avenue on down. Another issue of his concern is the posting of no parking signs by the funeral home and the apparent disregard of these signs by the citizens with cars parked on the street. It was suggested that Mr. Stauffer notify troopers to help enforce the no parking if appropriate.
Jim Reid, of 206 Oakmanor Way, advised Chief Cramer that the client and the nursing home should be billed for the non-emergency calls that they generate. If Medicare deems the call not medically necessary and refuses to pay the Rescue Company, then the bill should be passed on to the client and ultimately the nursing home generating the call. Mr. Reid also asked commissioners to consider the current barrage of financial hits on the elderly, including increases in natural gas, gasoline, county taxes, fire and rescue taxes, sewer bills, prescriptions, Medicare premiums, etc. Mr. Reid recommended not raising the water rates that were raised previously in 1998.
4. WATERSHED HUNTING UPDATE
Ms. Rollins reported that Mr. Ron Layman of the Boy Scouts has activities scheduled for the month of October. He thinks that the area is available for hunting for the months of November and December. He will confirm that with Ms. Rollins after his scout leader meeting, to insure that none of the other leaders have activities planned that would conflict with the hunting. Commissioners agreed to allow hunting on the weekends of November and December, upon schedule verification by Mr. Layman.
A meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m., for the residents effected by the planned sewer line extension on Biggs Ford Road. This project has been in the Frederick County CIP for several years, by the Town of Walkersville’s request. Residents have been invited to meet with the Town and Frederick County Water and Sewer Division Chief, Michael Marschner, to discuss payment options and logistics of the sewer line extension.
6. GLADE ELEMENTARY PTA REQUEST FOR 5K RUN FOR READING
Glade Elementary PTA representative (insert name) requested town road be closed for the 5K Run for Reading on November 5. She promised there would be no painting of the streets. Troopers will be notified of the event so that the appropriate route can be closed.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to approve the 5K Run for Reading as presented by the PTA representative. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Ms. Hauver presented a position statement to be sent to the Frederick County Planning Commission per their request for comments on the proposed plan. The points were presented to the Planning Commission and additions were made. The position outlines Walkersville’s stance on the growth for the area. [To read Walkersville’s comments to the Frederick County Planning staff – click here)
Commissioner Don Schildt urged citizens to attend the Walkersville Region Plan hearings and show their support for the town’s position.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to authorize Ms. Hauver to send the letter espousing the Town’s position and comments to the Frederick County Walkersville Region Plan. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Information provided was reviewed for numbers of water customers using 10,000 gallons of water or less and receiving minimum bills. There are 156 in-town minimum bills $35, and 96 out-of-town minimum bills @$52.50. Commissioners will continue analyzing the current water rate structure and discuss at future meetings. Discussion ensued regarding the current water ban. Staff was instructed to emphasize that only LAWN watering is prohibited between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Lawns can be watered before 9 a.m., lawns can be watered after 6 p.m., cars can be washed, flowers, trees, and shrubs can be watered, and pools can be filled and topped off.
Burgess Whitmore would like to review and investigate further the industrial water rates.
Ms. Rollins notified commissioners that there are two wireless providers interested in locating their equipment on the Discovery Water Tank. T-Mobile and Nextel have both approached the town for information and have been directed to the town’s wireless telecommunications consultants, Center for Municipal Solutions.
Mr. Miller presented options for this year’s budgeted building for storage of road salt for the maintenance department. After review of the sizes, prices, and siding options, the commissioners decided on the following:
40’ x 48’ salt building which will hold approximately 575 tons of road salt @$124,400
with 25’ overhang @$24,000, electrical work $1,500, excavation and prep site work $18,000, reductions for the installation of vinyl siding -$5,750, and reduction for staff excavation work -$4,000, total estimated for the budget $158,150.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to opt for the 40’ x 48’ building with overhang for equipment storage, vinyl siding, and staff prep work at an approximate cost of $158,150. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Trooper Eric Funk reported that Trooper Dusty Pittman will be transferred to the Hagerstown barrack effective November 9. Trooper Ed Mueller will replace him.
Commissioner Schildt asked the status of Sun Meadow phases and reiterated the 1/1/06 deadline for the exemption from the APFO. Ms. Hauver reported that the Phase 5 and 6 lots are in the process of having their building permits recorded so there should be no problem.
Ms. Hauver announced the FY 2006-2011 Maryland Consolidated Transportation Program county meeting, which is scheduled for November 10 at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager