MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

October 25, 2006

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, October 25, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Jim Reid, Don 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, TFC Jim Ardinger, 11 citizens, and 1 press.

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

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to approve the Town Meeting minutes of October 11, 2006. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

2. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Ms. Erin Oldham of 8381 Revelation Avenue, informed commissioners that she had received a notice for a high water usage, 87,300 gallons, with a pending bill of $579.17. She said she had a water leak at the Town’s inside meter that caused $10,000 worth of damage to her home. Her insurance reimbursed her $6,115 for damages and she paid $478 out of pocket along with her $500 deductible. She asked commissioners for some relief.

Ms. Nancy Walsh, representing Ms. Betty Jane Crum of 16 Maple Avenue, received a high consumption letter for 109,050 gallons with a bill of $504.49. Ms. Walsh said it was impossible that her mother used that much water as she takes a basin bath and has one load of laundry. She also denied any possibility of a leak. She asked commissioners for relief from the unexplainably high bill.

Anne Marie Hertzog, representing the Glade Valley Nursing Home, expressed her concerns with Commerce Drive. She stated that since the new bank opened, many cars have been cutting through the nursing home parking lot in order to avoid the right turn out/right turn in onto Frederick Street. She estimates a 50% increase in traffic cutting through the parking lot. She feels it is a confusing intersection and that many people head out onto Frederick Street through the incoming turn lane. Burgess Whitmore let her know that Commerce Drive is not a Town street but a private drive for the 3 banks and the nursing home. No one seemed to know the reasoning for the right turn only in and out entrance. Ms. Hauver will pull the files and site plans and see if there is an answer to this mystery.

Wayne Starkey, of Olde Towne Jewelers, asked commissioners to consider fixing the drainage issues onto his property from Frederick Street. He stated the ever since State Highway installed curb and gutter on Frederick Street, turning it over to the Town, there have been serious drainage backups to dangerous levels in his parking lot. The lot is also covered with silt as a result of the flooding waters. Mr. Miller, Mr. DePaola, and Commissioner Eyler will investigate and evaluate the problem and hopefully, come up with a satisfactory solution for all involved.

Betsy Maynen, representing Boy Scout Troop #1070, announced the Boy Scouts’ Annual Food Drive. On November 4 they will hand out grocery bags, then return on November 11 at 9:00 a.m. to gather up the bags filled with nonperishable food.

Garth Phoebus, introduced himself as the new Frederick County Emergency Management Planner.

Trooper Jim Ardinger went over the police stats for the month of September. They included 4 thefts, a 2^nd degree assault, 2 destruction of property, a CDI (drug bust), 5 accident reports, 6 accidents where no report was generated, 19 citations, 1 drunk driving.

3. BOY SCOUTS OF FREDERICK COUNTY WATERSHED FACILITIES USAGE AGREEMENT

Various typographical changes were made to the originally presented agreement. Nothing else was added or deleted. Mr. Layman’s suggestions for 1) giving the Catoctin Mountain District of the BSA first right of refusal on sale of the property, and 2) giving money from logging on the watershed to the Catoctin Mountain District of the BSA for their use on improving the watershed, were not approved. There are very specific rules and procedures for deciding to sell a town property and the Town Code does not allow the Burgess and Commissioners to designate an asset of the taxpayers’ to anyone or organization without this process. I.e. the Town cannot agree to Mr. Layman’s request. $5,000 has been approved in the FY 2007 budget for improvements to the watershed.

4. MML MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR WELLHEAD PROTECTION

Burgess Whitmore presented the agreement and stated that it basically formalizes what’s already being done. The Town received notification from Frederick County when a project is being pursued in our wellhead protection area. The Town is given an opportunity to review the plans and make comments. Historically, the Town’s comments have had no impact on plans and approval process. The document also does not address the responsibility of sinkholes, an ongoing concern in the Walkersville wellhead protection area. The document is hopefully, just the first step towards a better agreement that will actually make a difference for us. After much discussion about the futility of recommending that the Gray subdivision hook up to Frederick County sewer, Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, not to sign the MML Memorandum of Understanding for Wellhead Protection, as it was much ado about nothing. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Reid in opposition.

5. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

6. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Reid would like to see the reflective poles reinstalled at West Frederick Street and Rt. 194. The five that were installed years ago are now missing and they help seniors to be able to see the turn at night.

Commissioner Reid is also concerned about the trashy appearance of the post office property. He noted that some of the same trash has been lying around for weeks and wonders what they are required to do as far as sweeping the parking lot and keeping it presentable. He is willing to discuss this with the postal officials. Burgess Whitmore thanked him for his willingness to serve in this capacity.

This led into a rousing discussion regarding trash and littering all over the Town. Everyone had a story and annoyance pervaded the discussions. Burgess Whitmore asked that staff gather information regarding the cost of installing trash cans along Frederick Street, the cost of getting our trash hauler, Ecology Services, to empty the cans weekly. Some suggested that local service groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the high school’s Environmental Club may be able to help with trash cleanup days.

Commissioner Weddle would like to see additional items added to "The Talk of the Town" such as: reminders for "No parking on sidewalks," and "No parking opposing traffic".

Nancy Walsh noted that the field by her house on George Street is becoming an eyesore. It is rarely mowed and so unsightly that people are beginning to use it for a dump. Burgess Whitmore will discuss the problem with the owner.

Harold Roderuck expressed his concern that people driving out of Sun Meadow onto Glade Road are not stopping at the stop sign. Burgess Whitmore noted that is the least of the problems with Mr. Roderuck’s subdivision.

Burgess Whitmore reported that Frederick County has passed the Walkersville Region Plan and it includes the concept of the "Big Red Road" bypass around Frederick through Walkersville.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager