MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

November 10, 2010

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, November 10, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, Russell Winch, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, approximately 44 citizens, TFC Ramona George, TFC Jimmy Ardinger, TFC Dave Thompson, Barrack Commander Lt. Michael Brady, Cpl. Dave Keller, Smith, Elliott, & Kearns auditor Wayne Becker, Blair Ames of the Frederick News-Post.

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

Commissioner Weddle offered a prayer to open the meeting.

1. MINUTES

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve the Town Meeting minutes of October 27, 2010. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1, with Commissioner Russell Winch abstaining.

2. PUBLIC HEARING ON STATE POLICE CONTRACT

Burgess Whitmore asked citizens for input on continuing with the costs of maintaining the Maryland State Police Contract for the resident trooper program. He stated that the town is very happy with the current services of the resident troopers, but citizens should have a say on whether they are prepared to increase the tax rate if needed to continue with the program. Commissioner Chad Weddle prepared a chart which he used to compare towns in Maryland tax rates, populations, and crime rates. He noted that Walkersville has the lowest rate in taxes and crime for a town with a 5,000+ population. Commissioner Weddle also notified citizens that Frederick County is possibly proposing a fire tax rate of 15˘ per $100 of assessed property value in our area. He noted that our whole town, with office, maintenance, parks, police all runs for 15.6˘ per $100 and the absurdity of the County requiring the same amount to maintain the fire and rescue services in this response area. Burgess Whitmore noted that each penny of tax generates approximately $65,748 of revenue for the Town.

The following residents spoke in the public hearing in favor of maintaining the resident trooper program:

Carrie Parsons Dobney, 209 Heritage Court

Jane Abrecht, 27 Maple Avenue

Dan Thomas, 27 George Street

Heather Meador, 213 Winterbrook Court

Dick Gilbert, 13 Fulton Avenue

Aaron Abrecht, 214 Winterbrook Court

Bob Yoder, 206 Sandstone Drive

Burgess Whitmore asked for a show of hands to show support for keeping the Maryland State Police Resident trooper program – the response was unanimous. He noted that he will not bring up this issue every year in the future. Lt. Michael Brady, Frederick Barrack Commander said a few words in support on his part for the program and thanks to the Burgess and Commissioners and citizens for showing up to respond to the hearing.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to continue with the resident trooper program and not send a termination letter to end the contract at the end of the fiscal year. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

 

 

3. FY 2010 AUDIT PRESENTATION – SMITH, ELLIOTT, & KEARNS, LLC

Wayne Becker of Smith, Elliott and Kearns, reviewed the town’s audited financial statements for the Burgess and Commissioners and the citizens present. After summarizing many of the pages in the report, the Management’s Discussion and Analysis, the assets and liabilities, footnotes, he noted that the town is in good financial condition. Copies of the town’s audited financial statements are available at the Town Hall and will be posted on the Town’s website shortly.

 

4. SKATEBOARDING INFORMATION FROM TOWN ATTORNEY

The Burgess and Commissioners reviewed research done by the town attorney regarding the process to confiscate skateboards and bikes of individuals using them on posted, private property. Commissioner Chad Weddle noted that the City of Frederick is in the process of addressing the issue and he recommended waiting until they obtained the results of their study of the problem. Commissioners agreed to not authorize any further research by the Town Attorney on the issue.

 

5. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

 

6. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Donald Schildt announced that there was an article and photo in the Gazette about Veterans’ Day and that he hoped there would also be coverage of the event in the Frederick News-Post. There will be two 90-year old veterans as speakers and the daughter of another veteran will also speak.

Burgess Whitmore made the following announcements:

7. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Colin Hanley, of 229 Solar Drive, expressed his concern for his 6 month water bill in the amount of $744 for usage of 145,000 gallons of water. He noted that he and his wife are the only people living there, that he did do some watering of his sod lawn, but was at a loss to explain the very high usage and was looking for some help from the commissioners. Burgess Whitmore directed that Public Works Director Bob DePaola investigate the issue personally and try to arrive at an explanation.

Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to charge no interest on the balance of the account until the issue is resolved. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

Keith LaCoste, of 20 maple Avenue, the old harry O. Smith property, requested that he be allowed to cut out the curb bump at the back of his yard abutting the town hall parking lot. He needs to get in and out of his back yard with a vehicle and the commissioners gave approval.

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager