MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

October 26, 2011

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, TFC Ramona George, and 7 citizens. Commissioners Russell Winch and Debbie Zimmerman were absent.

The meeting was called to order by Burgess Ralph Whitmore, with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Chad Weddle offered a prayer thanking God for all His blessings and asking guidance on the decisions for the Town.

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve the Town Meeting minutes of October 12, 2011. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

2. ORDINANCE 2011-05 DELETE §69-14 OF THE TOWN CODE

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve Ordinance 2011-05, introduced at the last meeting, to delete §69-14 of the Town Code. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

3. HOMECOMING PARADE INFO

Burgess Whitmore presented the letter from Walkersville High School regarding the Homecoming Parade schedule and route. He asked that commissioners officially approve the verbal approval that was given.

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve the October 28^th Homecoming Parade schedule and route. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

4. SUN MEADOW PHASE 6 LETTER OF CREDIT ISSUES

Mr. DePaola reported that the leak has been fixed, but the stop sign and the streetlight have not been fixed.

Commissioner Donald Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to continue to hold the full letter of credit until all issues are resolved. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

5. COMPREHENSIVE REZONING MAP – SCHEDULE AND PROCESS

Ms. Hauver reviewed the process for adopting the zoning map that was proposed in the Comprehensive Plan.

The proposed changes include:

1. Institutional properties would be rezoned Institutional Use. Churches, schools, the cemetery, water towers, fire & rescue properties, and Town hall and public works facility would be rezoned.

2. Bell property would be rezoned from R1 to R2.

3. Ausherman property would be rezoned from R1 to R3.

4. Rear of Rudy property would be rezoned from R3 to B1.

5. Open Space property along MD 194 would be rezoned to Agricultural.

6. Additional changes that were not on the map proposed in the Comprehensive Plan:

1) Creamery Park and Trout Park – from R3 Residential to Open Space and

2) 3 residential lots developed by Lancaster at the corner of Crum Rd and MD 194 – from Agricultural to R1 Residential.

A Planning Commission hearing, followed by an Ordinance to be adopted by the Burgess and Commissioners is required to adopt the new zoning map.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to notify the owners of #s 2, 3, 4, and 5 above individually, and place an ad in the newspaper for notification of #1 and 6. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

6. ETHICS LAW CHANGES

Ms. Rollins reviewed a letter received from the State of Maryland requesting the Town’s response to Ethics law changes required by the Maryland legislature. Commissioner Weddle will work on the changes needed to the Town Code to comply. Further information will be discussed at the November 9^th Town meeting.

7. RESOLUTION 2011-07 COMCAST FRANCHISE AGREEMENT

At the October 26^th Town Meeting, the commissioners voted to sign the new Comcast Franchise Agreement.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to adopt Resolution 2011-07 to formalize the Comcast Cable Franchise agreement and replace Chapter 18 of the Town Code. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

8. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.

9. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Donald Schildt reported that arrangements for Veterans’ Day are all lined up except for the color guard. It will be held Sunday, November 13^th at 1:00 p.m.

Commissioner Schildt asked why the Town does not go out for bid for mowing of the 32 acres of park land, attached to Community Park, acquired when Creekside was built. Burgess Whitmore noted that a Town staff person does the mowing and baling of the grass and keeps the bales for his use.

Burgess Whitmore notified commissioners that the mulch pile agreement and figures are still ongoing discussions with Frederick County.

Burgess Whitmore noted that settlement for the sale of the house parcel of the Walker Farm is scheduled for November 2^nd.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Donald Schildt, to pay down another $250,000 on the mortgage note at settlement. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0. ( although this writer believes the entire note will need to be paid off at settlement.)

10. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Ms. Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis thanked the maintenance crew for work they had completed in Glade Towne.

There were no questions for the police, TFC Ramona George.

Issues regarding code enforcement for habitual abusers will be reviewed by Town Attorney David Severn.

There being no further business or citizens’ concerns, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager