MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
October 27, 2004
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, October 27, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, Town Manager Gloria Rollins, Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, 6 citizens, and 2 press. Commissioner Magluilo was out of town on business.
The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Donald Schildt, to approve the regular town meeting minutes of October 13, 2004. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
2. PUBLIC HEARING ON OTM ZONING REQUESTS FOR 25 AND 29 FULTON AVENUE
Ms. Hauver went over the requests for OTM zoning from the Herman’s 29 Fulton Ave., and the Engle’s 25 Fulton Ave. properties. After appropriate public hearings, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the OTM zoning for both properties at their September 28 and October 26 Planning Commission meetings respectively.
Commissioner Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Zimmerman, to approve the OTM zoning requests for 25 Fulton Avenue and 29 Fulton Avenue as per the Planning Commission recommendations. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
3. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
None
4. KOREAN WAR VETERANS #142 PRESENTATION
Mr. Charles Wisner, past President of the Korean War Veterans post #142, spoke to commissioners about the Korean Veterans 4 ˝ year project with the State of Maryland to name I-70 the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. He presented the Town with 2 photographs of the memorials installed along I-70 at the Washington County and Carroll County lines.
5. ADELPHIA CABLE STATUS – BRIAN BURGER
Brian Burger explained that Adelphia is a bankrupt company, in the process of being auctioned off into 7 separate companies. The high speed internet and modernized, state of the art cable installation has been completed in Walkersville. Time-Warner, Comcast, and a conglomeration of other companies are in the bidding process, expecting to be completed by December 1. Mr. Burger stated that when the auction is completed and the new company takes over, that any municipality in franchise negotiations runs the risk of Adelphia being unable to collect franchise fees until an agreement with the new company is made. The proposed 5-year extension can be renegotiated after 2 years, as the FCC allows the final 3 years of any franchise agreement to be a time for renewal or not. Mr. Burger offered free Powerlink (cable internet access) for the fire department, ambulance company, and police. Town Hall can obtain Powerlink for the residential rate of $42 per month. Ms. Rollins will contact the fire, ambulance, and police departments to obtain interest and scheduling information for installing the free high speed internet.
Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Zimmerman, to renew the cable franchise with Adelphia for 5 years. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Commissioner Eyler made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Zimmerman, to accept the SWM ponds, #3 and #4 improvement plan, PWA, Easements, and cost estimates documents for Washington Homes. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
7. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Ms. Rollins went over the Management Discussion and Analysis document, which is a required report that becomes part of the Town’s audited financial statements. Commissioners should read and understand the report as it is the Town’s management’s interpretation of the financial statements.
Commissioner Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eyler, to accept the Management Discussion and Analysis. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
8. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Zimmerman, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Commissioner Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eyler, to hold a closed police meeting to discuss town security issues. The motion passed by a vote of 3-1, with Commissioner Weddle opposed.
9. COMMISSIONERS CONCERNS
Reminder – town will hold a meeting November 10, at the regular town meeting, for interested property owners who have been contacted recently about possible annexation into town limits.
Commissioner Schildt expressed his concern that Ausherman developers has offered to put an addition on a school on Ballanger Creek Pike in order to be allowed to build houses in the area. He suggested that we review our APFO to make sure that this doesn’t become a problem for the town.
Commissioner Schildt also requested the Burgess and staff report on the hearing held by MDE regarding the water permit request for farm irrigation by Mr. Moxley. Commissioner Weddle will draft a letter of the town’s concerns to MDE regarding the issuance of the permit.
Ms. Hauver reminded commissioners of the county’s comprehensive plan meeting for the Walkersville region being held at Glade Elementary on November 9.
Thom Beckley asked commissioners to allow HFP bathrooms to remain open until mid-November due to various lacrosse tournaments during the first 2 weeks of November. He also notified that the football team will be using lights on generators to hold late practices until the Super Bowl is over. Mr. Beckley also noted that there has been some significant vandalism at the park. It has been reported to the troopers.
The meeting was adjourned at about 8:30 p.m.
Sincerely,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager