Burgess & Commissioners

MINUTES WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING January 22, 2025 The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Chad Weddle, Commissioners Russell Winch, Betsey Whitmore Brannen, Chris Ragen, Bob Yoder, and Tom Gilbert, Town Manager Sean Williams, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Director of Public Works Joseph Birch, Communications Specialist Crystal Feaga, and a total of 8 citizens. The meeting was streamed on the Town’s website. The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. 1. MINUTES Commissioner Tom Gilbert made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch to approve the regular meeting minutes and closed meeting minutes from January 8, 2025. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1 with Commissioner Whitmore Brannen abstaining. Burgess Chad Weddle summarized the closed meeting minutes. No motions were made. 2. BOARD OF APPEALS ALTERNATE APPOINTMENTS – JUSTIN FUNK Burgess Chad Weddle nominated Justin Funk for Board of Appeals Alternate and provided information about Mr. Funk. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen to appoint Justin Funk to Board of Appeals as the alternate. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. Burgess Weddle administered the oath of office to Justin Funk. 3. PROGRAM OPEN SPACE UPDATE Town Manager Sean Williams announced the Town purchased a 12-acre property on Pennsylvania Avenue in the amount of $250,000 of which $227,123.50 will come from Project Open Space grant. There are no immediate plans for the property. 4. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Commissioner Tom Gilbert made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch to pay the bills as submitted for the time period. The motion passed 5-0. 5. CHAD UPDATES, STAFF COMMENTS AND COMMISSIONER CONCERNS Director of Public Works Joseph Birch provided an update on the following items: 1. The Green Street project is on hold until the weather improves. 2. There was a snow event on January 19th, staff worked approximately 16 hours, with salt crews back in on the 20th. 3. DPW is prepping the old dump truck for sale in the next few weeks. The money from that sale will be used to purchase a new utility trailer to haul our Excavator/Skid Steer. Quotes for the utility trailer were provided. 1  4. Public Works will meet with Mid-Atlantic next week, identifying trees that will need to be removed for the Discovery Water Main Replacement Project. Work to start on water main will begin mid- March depending on temperatures. The project will start at Imagination Ct near the water tank and continue South on Inspiration Ave, ending at Discovery Blvd and Inspiration Ave. There was a discussion regarding the quotes for the utility trailer and additional information will be provided in the future. Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver discussed the Planning Commission’s review of the Industrial Zoning, Commercial areas, the request by Dr. Gough to potentially rezone 19 Frederick Street to allow the building to be converted to apartments, the possible addition to allow accessory dwelling units, and the addition of life safety requirements to Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO). There was a discussion regarding the possible accessory dwelling units and possible concerns for changes to 19 Frederick Street. Town Manager Sean Williams previously provided Commissioners with the current GVAA agreement and Commissioners were asked to forward any questions to Commissioner Chris Ragen for future discussion. Commissioner Bob Yoder inquired about the possibility of limiting access/parking on the Pennsylvania Ave property. Commissioner Bob Yoder discussed an email received regarding blighted properties in Town and inquired about the possibility of the Planning Commission reviewing possible changes. Commissioner Yoder cited standards from the International Property Maintenance Code, International Building Code, and International Resident Code as possible references. There was a discussion about possible inspections, code changes, and blighted property improvements. Commissioner Chris Ragen thanked DPW for the removal of snow last week. Commissioner Tom Gilbert discussed the upcoming senior tax credit March 4th at Town Hall. Commissioner Gilbert recommended the annual donation the Town makes to the Fire and Rescue Companies be paid. Commissioner Gilbert inquired about the status of the Town’s MS4 program. Manager Williams advised the Town is in good standing with the State. 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS/WATERSHED UPDATE Burgess Weddle read the announcements. Ron Layman of 24 W. Frederick Street discussed upcoming events at the watershed and inquired about Cub Scouts using the property for a week-long event July 7th through the 11th. There was agreement to allow the group to use the property. Lauri Gross of 30 Main Street inquired about MS4 and thanked Commissioner Yoder for discussing the blighted properties in the Town. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mon., Jan 27 – EDC Meeting 7pm Tues., Jan 28 – Planning Commission Meeting 7pm Wed., Feb 5 – Parks Meeting 7pm Tues., Feb 11 – Planning Commission Meeting 7pm Wed., Feb 12 – Town Meeting 7pm 2  Mon., Feb 17 – Town Hall Closed – Presidents Day Mon., Feb 24 – EDC Meeting 7pm Tues., Feb 25 – Planning Commission Meeting 7pm Wed., Feb 26 –Town Meeting 7pm Tues., Mar 4 – Senior Tax Credit Seminar 10am Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Sean Williams, Town Manager 3