MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
November 10, 2004
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, November 10, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Joe Magluilo, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, 27 citizens, and 1 press. Also in attendance was Wayne Becker, from the town’s auditing firm Smith, Elliott, & Kearns, and Eric Soter and Jim Gugel of the Frederick County Planning Department.
The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve both the regular and closed town meeting minutes of October 27, 2004. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1, with Commissioner Magluilo abstaining.
2. AUDIT REPORT
Wayne Becker of Smith, Elliott, and Kearns, reported to the Burgess and Commissioners on the town’s financial position. He updated the commissioners on new reporting requirements including the implementation of GASB 34. He notified Commissioners that the auditors opinion is unqualified, that the Town is in excellent financial health, and that the Town’s management is operating efficiently and accurately.
3. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Keith Sanborn of 25 Main Street brought a letter and photos, expressing his concern with the driveway installed by his neighbor.
4. LGIT MEETING – 15 YEAR AWARD
The Town will be recognized in Annapolis on November 22, for its 15 year anniversary with the Local Government Insurance Trust. The Burgess and Commissioners assigned attendance for acceptance of the award to the Town Manager.
5. ORDINANCE 2004-09
Ordinance 2004-09, which adds definitions to Chapter 89 (Adequate Public Facilities) for Major Subdivision and Minor Subdivision was approved by the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schildt, to adopt Ordinance 2004-09. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
A brief question and answer period occurred between the Burgess and Commissioners and local landowners in the town’s growth area. The town is assessing interest on the part of the landowners in being annexed into Walkersville. The Town Commissioners will visit each landowner after the 1st of the year to see if they would be willing to be annexed. Another meeting will be set up with the Town Attorney and the landowners and their attorneys to discuss specifics and procedures to move forward with the annexation.
Commissioner Magluilo made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schildt, to have the Town pay the cost of annexing the properties into the town limits. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Commissioners reviewed a letter from ServTech, LLC requesting an extension of the current mowing contract. Commissioners decided to stand by the October 13th meeting decision to go out for bid on the mowing contract and to emphasize in the bid documents that 3" is the maximum height that the grass can be; therefore it must be mowed to a height of less than 3" and that the baseball outfields must be mowed twice a week if needed.
8. CHAPTER 47 OF THE TOWN CODE – PEDDLING AND SOLICITING
Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schildt, to introduce Ordinance 2004-10 to repeal Chapter 47 of the Town Code "Peddling and Soliciting". The motion was defeated by a vote of 2-3, with Commissioners Eyler, Schildt, and Zimmerman opposed.
9. BOY SCOUT ACTIVITIES AT THE WATERSHED
A discussion with the Boy Scout leadership, the MD foresters, and the Burgess and Commissioners is scheduled for the January Parks meeting and Town Meeting. The Boy Scout plans and forestry plans need to be coordinated and approved by the Burgess and Commissioners. Cleanup and camping at the watershed has been approved. Any other activities, such as logging and clearing trees, building of sites, etc. needs to be presented before activities are pursued. Emphasis needs to be made that the Scouts are sharing the watershed with hunters and the days that each are designated must be adhered to.
10. REQUEST FOR LETTER OF CREDIT RELEASE SUN MEADOW PHASES I AND II
Bob DePaola reported that the streetlights are still not turned on in Sun Meadow. Brandenburg Electric has completed the work, Frederick County has inspected the work, but Allegheny Power has not responded to the work order to turn on the lights.
Commissioner Magluilo made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schildt, to deny release of the Letter of Credit for Sun Meadow Phase I and II. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Magluilo, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Magluilo, to have the Town Attorney, David Severn, contact Allegheny Power regarding the streetlight turn on in Sun Meadow. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Commissioner Zimmerman announced the Holiday Tree lighting for December 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Susan Hauver presented a proposed zoning text amendment to reduce the property line setback requirements for propane tanks.
Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schildt, to introduce Ordinance 2004-10 to reduce the setback requirements for propane tanks. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Magluilo opposed.
Bob DePaola requested permission to purchase a bucket for the backhoe. He estimated the cost to be $1,800 for a new one, and will check for used ones also.
Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Zimmerman, to appropriate up to $2,000 for a bucket for the backhoe. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at about 10:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager