MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
December 8, 2004
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, December 8, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included 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, 6 citizens, and 0 press. Also in attendance was Frederick County Commissioner Mike Cady.
Commissioner Weddle presided over the meeting as Burgess Whitmore was ill.
The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Frederick County Commissioner Mike Cady explained that when elected he pledged to visit each municipality. He apologized that due to his position as liaison to the Board of Education, which meets the same night as the town, he had not been to a Walkersville meeting to date. His other areas are Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Homeless Coalition, Child Advocacy Center, Substance Abuse Council, Commission on Disabilities, Adult Guardianship, Weinberg Center, Office of Tourism. He noted that he would be able to answer questions for these areas. A public hearing will take place for the legislative package this Saturday. His concern for substance abuse, which caused him to boycott the Olympic trials in 1968, is the issue he wants to pursue for this legislative session. The bill for underage drinking allows deputies to issue civil citations for persons smelling of alcohol and behaving in a manner of a person having consumed alcohol. Currently a citation cannot be issued unless a person is caught in the act of underage drinking. He urges citizen support for this legislation. Mr. Cady noted that the Walkersville Town Hall is the most beautiful town hall in the county.
Commissioner Schildt questioned some county permits that were issued several years ago for a property on the edge of town. The permits for septic and wells were issued by the county for the David Gray property despite the Town’s protest against septic systems within the wellhead protection area. Mr. Cady was not aware of the case and said he is respectful of municipal boundaries and rights and would look into any future situations of this nature.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Joe Magluilo, to approve the regular town meeting minutes of November 10, 2004. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
2. DISCUSSION OF BOHN PROPERTY
Mr. Jeffrey Kozero came to have an informal discussion about the possibility of annexing the Bohn property. The property has been discussed several times in past years and remains agriculture in the growth area of the town. Mr. Kozero passed out concept maps with about 50 homes. He would not try to maximize density but wants a nice little community. Commissioners noted that annexation would have to occur before anything. Commissioner Schildt noted that he has no problem with annexing but would not consider rezoning to anything but agriculture. Commissioner Eyler raised his concerns about water plant expansion. Mr. Kozero said his firm is not averse to expanding the public facilities as needed. Commissioner Magluilo suggested having Planning and Zoning look at the property plans. He also told Mr. Kozero that this property request had been heard and denied before.
3. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Lorraine Staley, 100 Main Street, notified commissioners that she has been hearing statements and misinformation that has come from the town council about the 16-unit apartment building that she and her husband Mike Staley will be building. Neighbors have told her that she intends to build a Section 8 apartment complex. She states this is false and a lie. The Staley have lived their whole lives in Walkersville and would never do anything to harm the community. The Staleys are concerned that members of the board are scaring the community with false information that it is causing harm to the project and their reputation. If any elected town officials or anyone who works for the town government is involved in spreading the false information they want it to stop immediately.
4. WINTERBROOK LANDSCAPING OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT POND
Winterbrook HOA is planning to landscape around the stormwater management pond. Their plans have been submitted and reviewed by the county and ultimately have to be approved by the town as we hold the stormwater management easement. Susan Hauver recommended postponing approval until their plans are revised.
5. COURTESY SNOW REMOVAL REQUEST – WASHINGTON HOMES
Washington Homes requesting courtesy snow removal for the 2004-2005 snow season. Bob DePaola recommends providing the snow removal as the streets are in order and would be no problem for our plows.
Commissioner Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Magluilo, to provide courtesy snow removal for Washington Homes. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
Commissioner Weddle will submit information to Attorney Dave Severn for reworking the Town code chapter on peddling and soliciting.
Commissioner Weddle noted that this was a reminder to him to provide updated handbook revisions to Ms. Rollins.
8. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Commissioner Magluilo made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Eyler, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
9. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS
Commissioner Magluilo noted that he had heard the same rumors as Mrs. Staley and any rumors about the Staley property had not come from him. He apologized.
Commissioner Zimmerman wished everyone Happy Holidays and thanked Sherrie, Diane, and Dennis for all their hard work.
Ms. Rollins explained that the complaint letter in the packets was required in order to start the process of getting the Public Utilities Commission involved in our struggle with Allegheny Power. Since the streetlights in Sun Meadow have still not been turned on, The Public Utilities Commission would need proof that the Town has exhausted their options to get satisfaction on its own. As town staff has been dealing with Allegheny Power by phone no official complaint has been registered until now. A letter requesting Senator Brinkley and Delegate Paul Stull be involved has also been sent.
Susan Hauver let commissioners know that information regarding the zoning map and the comprehensive plan map will be forwarded to Dave Severn to prepare the ordinance to adopt the maps.
Susan went over information received from an anonymous day care provider. The issue of home occupations in townhouses will be sent to Planning and Zoning for a text amendment. Susan has had no complaints regarding day care in town houses and it would be more consistent with our procedures if it was allowed by the code.
10. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Harold Roderuck complemented resident trooper for catching someone on Glade Road at 57 mph.
Commissioner Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Magluilo, to hold a closed personnel meeting to discuss Maryland State Police staffing and staff evaluations for the purpose of potential Christmas bonuses. The motion passed by a vote of 3-2, with Commissioners Zimmerman and Weddle opposed.
The meeting was adjourned at about 8:20 p.m.
Sincerely,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager