Burgess & Commissioners

MINUTES WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING February 12, 2025 The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, February 12, 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 4 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 Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tom Gilbert to approve the regular meeting minutes from January 22, 2025. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. 2. REAPPOINT PARKS COMMISSION – DAVID TOOHEY Burgess Chad Weddle nominated David Toohey for reappointment for the Parks Commission. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen to reappoint David Toohey to the Parks Commission. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. 3. SUMMER SOLSTICE RACE Burgess Chad Weddle discussed the annual Summer Solstice Race, the fact that the organizers already received approval from the Parks Commission, and the need for parts of Frederick Street, Glade Blvd, and Devilbiss Bridge Road to temporary be closed on the evening of June 14, 2025 to accommodate the racers. Commissioner Tom Gilbert made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch to approve the plans for the Summer Solstice Race on June 14th, 2025. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. 4. WORKSHOP REQUEST – KEN WILKERSON Ken Wilkerson of Primerica discussed several possible financial workshops that could be held at Town Hall. Commissioners Tom Gilbert and Bob Yoder expressed possible concerns with using Town Hall for the workshops, while Commissioner Russell Winch understood the concerns but also expressed the need for educating citizens on financial concerns. It was agreed to suggest Mr. Wilkerson reach out to Library for such workshops. 5. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tom Gilbert to pay the bills as submitted for the time period. There was discussion on several specific check payments. The motion passed 5-0. 6. CHAD UPDATES, STAFF COMMENTS AND COMMISSIONER CONCERNS Director of Public Works Joseph Birch provided an update on the following items: 1. The lining of the storm drain on Green Street has been completed and the remainer of that project will occur once the temperatures improve. 1  2. There was a snow event yesterday into today, staff started at 4 am this morning. 3. The old dump truck is ready for sale and the Town will be accepting bids until March 7th at 4 pm. 4. Public Works met with Mid-Atlantic and identified trees that will need to be removed for the Discovery Water Main Replacement Project. That work will begin mid-February. Work on water main to start 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. 5. Work on the railroad crossing on Pennsylvania Avenue is scheduled to begin March 3 rd and continue until March 7th. A complete roadway closure will be necessary during the project. Message boards and detour signs will be placed a week prior to starting. 6. The automated meter reading is live and citizens with a Sensus water meter may access the portal using the Town website. 7. DPW in the Spring will place boulders on the newly acquired property on Pennsylvania Avenue next to the bowling alley to reduce the vehicles parking in the grass. There was a request to have the owner of the bowling alley attend a future meeting. Commissioner Russell Winch expressed concerns over the dump trucks driving through Town using jake brakes. Burgess Weddle discussed MD State Law and would forward the information to Commissioners. Town Manager Sean Williams will also reach out to the owner of the solar farm on Biggs Ford Road regarding the complaint. Commissioner Chris Ragen thanked Public Works for their work on the recent snow event. Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver discussed the doctor’s office next door, the deed agreement regarding the driveway, and will follow up with legal regarding the wording of the agreement. Administrator Hauver noted that the current school capacity is Glade Elementary at 89%, Walkersville Elementary at 100%, Walkersville Middle School at 70%, and Walkersville High School at 109%, well above the Town’s APFO. Commissioner Bob Yoder requested the international code be reviewed. Administrator Susan Hauver noted it is on the list for the Planning Commission, but not at the highest priority because of current work on zoning as it pertains to the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Bob Yoder inquired about the Historical Society’s current status and if the building they are currently renting is of historic significance. It was agreed that while full of history, the building itself is of limited historical significance. Commissioner Yoder inquired about the need to replace the windows on the second floor of Town Hall. The windows will be addressed in the future. Commissioner Yoder inquired about Austin Nelson’s previous traffic concern complaint. The Burgess and Commissioner had been notified previously via email by the Town Manager that Mr. Nelson had been contacted and may bring his concerns to a future meeting. Burgess Chad Weddle had MSP Trooper Nolf introduce himself to the Commissioners as he was recently able to transfer back to working in Town last month. 2 Commissioner Tom Gilbert attended the district 5 County budget meeting the previous week. He expressed interest in installing a light at the bus stop on Frederick Street and potential funding for a senior center. Commissioner Gilbert discussed meeting with the Historical Society and the potential installation of historical signs in Town. An estimate for the signage will be forthcoming after another future meeting. Commissioner Gilbert announced the Senior Tax Credit seminar being held at Town Hall on Tuesday, March 4th at 10 am. Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen noted that she is a co-owner with her brother of the property on Biggs Ford Road that is currently being turned into a solar farm. Commissioner Russell Winch noted his satisfaction with the new water meter portal on the Town website. Commissioner Chris Ragen discussed a previous meeting with GVAA and the agreement between GVAA and the Town. Commissioner Bob Yoder noted concerns with the GVAA agreement and made a few suggestions for possible changes. Burgess Chad Weddle noted the agreement is not a year-to-year agreement and any potential changes would require review, discussion, and possible renegotiations. Commissioner Yoder requested a budget workshop. He was informed that said workshop was scheduled for this evening. Commissioner Yoder inquired about potential improvements to the pocket park that is being designed with the improvements to Pennsylvania Avenue and the railroad crossing. There was a discussion of possible improvements but no specific motions were made. 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS/WATERSHED UPDATE Burgess Weddle read the announcements. There were no public comments. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 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 Wed., Mar 5 – Parks Meeting 7pm Tues., Mar 11 – Planning Commission Meeting 7pm Wed., Mar 12 – Town Meeting 7pm Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Sean Williams, Town Manager 3 MINUTES WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORKSHOP February 12, 2025 The Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners Budget Workshop was called to order on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 7:50 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, Communications Specialist Crystal Feaga, and a total of 1 citizen. The meeting was streamed on the Town’s website. Burgess Chad Weddle discussed the revenue portion of the General Fund budget. There was discussion regarding taxes, how certain amounts of revenue are estimated, and the possible need to discuss future fees. The workshop ended at 8:45 p.m. Sean Williams, Town Manager 4