MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
November 9, 2005
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, November 9, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, 5 citizens and 1 press. Also in attendance was Wayne Becker of Smith, Elliott & Kearns, the town’s independent auditing firm.
Commissioners Sam Eyler and Joe Magluilo were absent.
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 town meeting and the closed legal and personnel meeting minutes October 26, 2005. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
2. REDUCTION OF LETTER OF CREDIT FOR WALKERSVILLE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PARK
Ms. Hauver went over the developer’s request for a reduction in the Walkersville Light Industrial Park letter of credit. The $315,498.50 letter of credit covers public improvements. Ms. Hauver recommends reducing the letter of credit by $86,691.77 for storm drains and roads. She recommends holding the remaining $215,460.73 to cover water lines, stormwater management, street lighting and the entire 50% contingency funds. A street light is down and has not been repaired and the Stauffer Court street sign is missing. Approvals from the county for release of the water lines and stormwater management have not yet been received. Clay Martz, attorney for the developer accepted the staff’s recommendation.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to approve the staff recommended amount of $86,691.77 plus the amounts of $69,452.06 for stormwater management, $$27,805 for water, and street lighting will be released when appropriate documentation is received. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
3. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
None
4. FY 2005 AUDIT REPORT
Wayne Becker, of Smith, Elliott, Kearns & Company, the Town’s independent auditing firm presented the town’s audited financial statements. The auditors’ opinion states that the Town of Walkersville’s financial statements present fairly, in all material respects the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the business-type activities, and each major fund as of June 30, 2005. Mr. Becker went over various pages of the report, pointing out revenue, expenditure, and budget highlights. He assured Commissioners that the Town is in very sound financial condition. Burgess Whitmore asked if there was anything that was wrong. Mr. Becker stated that Town staff was responsive, cooperative, and the Burgess and Commissioners should be pleased with their staff.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to adopt the corporate resolution to name Ralph W. Whitmore, Gloria Long Rollins, and Chad Weddle as signers on the Town’s accounts at F&M Bank. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
6. BIGGS FORD ROAD SEWER LINE CIP REQUEST
Ms. Rollins went over the Frederick County CIP request for the Biggs Ford Road Sewer Line Extension. Forms were due and submitted for the project, although consideration is still ongoing as to the feasibility of the project.
7. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO FREDERICK COUNTY APFO
Ms. Hauver went over the proposed amendment to the Frederick County APFO, which exempts cluster developments from complying with the schools test in the APFO. The Burgess and Commissioners are opposed to the amendment.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to send a comment letter in opposition to the text amendment to the Frederick County APFO. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
8. MINUTE BOOK CONVERSION
Ms. Rollins requested commissioners’ permission to transfer all minutes to CD and load them on the office computer network. The cost is approximately $100 per notebook of minutes and attachments, for RK&K to scan and convert to CD. This would allow for word searches to find appropriate minutes and eliminate the need for the 3 fireproof file cabinets that currently store the town’s minutes. Commissioners were opposed to discarding the paper copies of the minutes, but agreed to move them to another storage location in the building.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to put the minutes on CD and keep hard copy minute books in storage.
The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
9. PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT FOR FREDERICK COUNTY BANK
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to accept the Frederick County Bank Public Works Agreement. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
10. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
11. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS
Commissioner Don Schildt thanked whoever planted the trees along Glade Road (developer Frank Smerbeck), as they really look good.
Commissioner Schildt inquired as to the effect of the proposed Frederick County tax rate decrease on Town revenues. There will be no effect to the Town’s revenues as we have our own tax rate and projected revenue.
Commissioner Weddle requested that the parking sign on Frederick Street by the ambulance company be moved to allow for two more parking spaces for the high school students.
Burgess Whitmore noted that he has received complaints about illegal parking at the B Building, and that trucks are starting to park on Stauffer Court by the Sheetz. Resident troopers will be notified for appropriate intervention on these matters.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman reminded everyone of the Town’s Holiday Tree Lighting scheduled for December 7 at 7:30 p.m. She encouraged everyone to attend and make it the biggest gathering ever.
Burgess Whitmore announced the new date for the MML Dinner. It will be held December 8, 6:30 p.m. at the Cozy Restaurant. This date allows for more of the legislative delegation members to attend.
Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to hold a closed legal meeting to discuss attorney’s advice on a legal matter. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0.
Ms. Hauver notified commissioners of agriculture property adjoining the Town’s watershed property where lots are being developed with septic systems. The health department will require the septic systems to be located no closer than 300 feet from town property.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager