MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
December 14, 2011
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 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, 8 citizens, and Courtney Pomeroy of the Frederick News-Post.
The meeting was called to order by Burgess Ralph Whitmore, with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Chad Weddle offered a prayer thanking God for the blessings of 2011, asking Him to comfort those who have lost loved ones, and asked for continued blessings on our military service men and women.
1. MINUTES
Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to approve both the Town Meeting minutes and the Closed Personnel minutes of November 9, 2011. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
2. PRESENTATION OF FLAG CERTIFICATES TO VETERANS’ DAY SPEAKERS
Commissioner Donald Schildt presented personalized certificates from Congressman Roscoe Bartlett’s office to the Veterans’ Day speakers who were present. Ms. Kathleen White who spoke "From A Mother’s View" and Command Sergeant Major James G. Shaheen were present to receive certifications to go along with the Flags presented at the ceremony. Commissioner Donald Schildt survived the surprise presentations at the Town meeting, although barely.
3. RESOLUTION 2011-08 NINTH AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT
Ms. Rollins presented the changes proposed and adopted by the Local Government Insurance Trust. The Trust documents require amendment from time to time and members of the trust adopt resolutions to acknowledge their agreement with the changes. The changes to the trust by the ninth amendment are as follows: 1) Board of Trustees number of members went from 13 to 12, 2) Five trustees shall be municipal officials or employees, 3) deleted "One trustee appointed by the Trustees will represent a member of MACo or MML".
4. RESOLUTION 2011-09 ENLARGE THE CORPORATE BOUNDARIES BY ANNEXATION OF THE KATHRYN Z. NICODEMUS PROPERTY
Ms. Hauver reviewed the resolution to be adopted to enlarge the Town’s boundaries by annexing the Nicodemus property, located at Rt. 26 and Rt. 194 Ceresville intersection. Approximately 49 acres were surveyed and will be incorporated into the Town boundaries.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to introduce Resolution 2011-09 to enlarge the corporate boundaries of the Town of Walkersville. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
5. REDUCTION OF ESCROW FUNDS FOR LONZA
The Town received notice from Frederick County that the funds being held for sediment and erosion control, forest plantings (FRO) and stormwater management associated with the construction of Building 100E on the Lonza campus can be released. The total escrow is $92,141, with staff recommending release of $67,182 and continuing to hold contingency funds in the amount of $24,959 for a one-year warranty period, as per Town policy.
Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to release escrow funds in the amount of $67,182 per staff recommendation, and hold $24,959 for a one-year warranty period. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
6. ETHICS LAW CHANGES TO TOWN CODE
Commissioner Chad Weddle reviewed the new state law which requires municipalities to adopt ethics laws that are at least as stringent as the state’s laws. Models were presented and reviewed and Commissioner Weddle recommends introducing proposed Model B as Ordinance 2011-07 as the Town’s required ethics law.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to introduce Ordinance 2011-07 to replace Chapter 26 of the Town Code with the Model B ethics law. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
7. ETHICS BOARD DECISION ON RUDY COMPLAINT
Ms. Rollins noted that commissioners had received a copy of the Ethics Board opinion on a recent complaint.
8. SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT
Ms. Rollins noted that every year the risk management inspector from the Local Government Insurance Trust makes a recommendation that the Town adopt a written statement of safety policy. She proposed adopting a version of the attached statement, to be revised and presented as the Town’s official safety policy statement at the next Town meeting.
Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to adopt a Safety Policy Statement based on the enclosed example, to be presented at a future meeting. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
9. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND NOVEMBER 2011 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to pay the attached bills and accept the November 2011 financial statements as presented. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.
10. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS
Commissioner Donald Schildt reported that sinkholes are being repaired at Sun Meadow and that the Veterans’ Day services went well.
Burgess Whitmore notified commissioners that the settlement for the sale of the Walker Farm is scheduled for on or before February 15, 2012. The bank is now requiring a business appraisal from the buyer.
Burgess Whitmore will be presenting facts and figures for a town only mulch pile facility at a future meeting.
Commissioner Russell Winch reported that he had met with Greenlink and mowing issues have been resolved.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman thanked Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis for her delicious cookies at the tree lighting event. She also thanked Rick Stup, Charlie Adkins, Kelly Woods, Diane Fauble, and Sherrie Kline for their work setting up the event.
12. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis would like the crowd to sing Christmas carols at next year’s tree lighting. Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman asked that it be noted in Diane’s file.
There being no further business or citizens’ concerns, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager