Burgess & Commissioners

MINUTES WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING February 26, 2025 The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, February 26, 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 9 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 Chris Ragen to approve the regular meeting minutes from February 12, 2025. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. 2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION APPOINTMENT – AARON STILLWELL Burgess Chad Weddle nominated Aaron Stillwell for appointment to the Economic Development Commission. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Bob Yoder to appoint Aaron Stillwell to the Economic Development Commission. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. 3. GVAA LACROSSE DISCUSSION Bryan Moran of GVAA Lacrosse requested an exception to the park hours to allow GVAA Lacrosse to hold practice until 6:30 PM starting immediately. Commissioner Chris Ragen discussed feedback from Park Commission members obtained via email. There was an extended conversation regarding current park hours, potentially altering hours for all parks, concerns about dumping trash in the upper parking lot, and concerns about setting precedent by allowing an exception. Commissioner Bob Yoder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chris Ragen to make an exception for this year and leave the parks open until 6:00 PM until the park hours change to Summer schedule on March 15th and have the Parks Commission review the Park hours with GVAA. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. 4. VERIZON CELLULAR EQUIPMENT UPGRADE – CRUM TOWER Town Manager Sean Williams discussed the request from Verizon to upgrade equipment on Crum Tower. Plans and engineering approval was provided to the Burgess and Commissioners. Commissioner Russell Winch expressed concerns about the wording of the testing and agreement with the cell carriers. There was discussion of the status of the water tower, concerns about potential litigation in the event of failure, the benefit of moving equipment off the handrail, and the cost of a new water tower. Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch to allow Verizon to upgrade cellular equipment on the Crum Water Tower. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. 5. WATERSHED PROPERTY – ADDITION PLAT Burgess Chad Weddle and Ron Layman discussed a Frederick County recommendation for possible site plan approval to have the entire Walkersville Watershed property currently consisting of numerous 1 individual parcels combined to a single parcel. VanMar Associates completed a survey of the watershed in 2020 for $22,500. An estimated $7,000 - $8,000 of unbudgeted funds would be required for the addition plat. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tom Gilbert to have VanMar Associates complete an addition plat in the amount of $7,000 - $8,000. The motion passed by a vote of 5- 0. Mr. Layman explained that the Scouts are working with the Health Department to complete other additional recommendations for the site plan. 6. WALKERSVILLE SOUTHERN RAILROAD GRANT SUPPORT Walkersville Southern Railroad requested Town support in the form of a letter to help obtain a grant to pay for window replacement/repairs for their museum building. There was no motion, but general agreement to provide a letter of support. 7. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Commissioner Tom Gilbert made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch to pay the bills as submitted for the time period. There was discussion on several specific check payments. The motion passed 5-0. 8. CHAD UPDATES, STAFF COMMENTS AND COMMISSIONER CONCERNS Burgess Chad Weddle discussed the Pop Up on Penn event scheduled for May 3 rd sponsored by the EDC. Burgess Weddle introduced an Ordinance that would allow the Burgess to fill the position of Commission Liaison by majority vote in the event a commissioner is not able to fill that position. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tom Gilbert to introduce an ordinance to amend Chapter 21-2 a Town Commissioner (or Burgess, if no Commissioner is serving as a Commissioner Liaison, and is approved by a majority of the Town Commissioners) on the EDC. The motion passed 5-0. Burgess Weddle thanked Commissioner Tom Gilbert for attending the Frederick County budget meeting and suggesting an improvement to the transit stop on Frederick Street. A covered area with solar lighting will be added to the County budget and installed in the near future. Director of Public Works Joseph Birch provided an update on the following items: 1. Roadwork on Green Street will begin mid-March. Wastler was advised that the Town requires seven days notice prior to any work starting. 2. Bids for the Dump Truck are due in by March 7th by 4:00pm. 3. A pre-construction meeting with Mid Atlantic regarding the Discovery Watermain Project Phase I was on March 4th. Tree removal has started. Work on the watermain will begin mid-March depending on temperatures to allow placement of the temporary water by-pass. 4. Work on the railroad crossing on Pennsylvania Avenue will start the week of March 10th to 17th. The roadwork being done will require a complete roadway closure for the duration on Pennsylvania Ave. Message boards are up and a detour will be in place shortly. 2  5. Regarding the new property purchased next to the Bowling Alley, DPW placed boulders at the driveway apron leading into the property. We will place 2 poles and a chain to block access at the driveway apron once weather allows and then grade, seed, and straw the disturbed area. 6. I have a meeting with MDE on March 3rd for our Annual Inspection of the Water Treatment Plant, Water Tanks, and any required documentation. Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen inquired about detour signage. Those will be installed prior to the work beginning. Commissioner Tom Gilbert inquired about no trespassing or liability signage for the new property on PA Ave. Town staff will discuss options. Commissioner Chris Ragen inquired about the bowling alley attending a meeting. The bowling alley was made aware the Town now owns the property and they were supportive of not allowing anyone to park there. Commissioner Bob Yoder expressed concern over the lack of notification by the contractor with changing the dates of the road closure. Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver discussed a staff level meeting with the State of Maryland, Frederick County, and Lonza with the alignment of the rail trail though the Town. They will be invited to a future meeting to discuss the plan. Administrator Hauver noted the Board of Appeals will have an organizational meeting next week. The Planning Commission met last night and continue to work on the updates to the industrial districts. Commissioner Russell Winch discussed scheduling concerns with the Planning Commission with several projects and requested direction. There is an accessory dwelling unit discussion and blighted property concerns that have been discussed recently. Town Manager Sean Williams noted a request to Town legal, to potentially handle either of those items, was made the previous day in the hopes of taking some of the larger projects off Administrator Hauver’s plate. Town Manager Sean Williams noted the furnace at Town Hall is not working, a new motor has been ordered, and with installation will cost approximately $1,900. Work may be performed by early next week. Corporal Gary Conklin will be present to discuss the MSP statistics next month. Commissioner Bob Yoder inquired about the revenue the Town earns with the rental property at 25 W. Frederick Street along with the Walker Farm. Both amounts will be made available once obtained. Commissioner Yoder expressed concerns with the Town budget and overall spending. There was a spirited discussion regarding the Town budget. Commissioner Yoder thanked Town staff for addressing the new property on PA Avenue. Commissioner Chris Ragen requested Town staff post a map for the upcoming closing on Pennsylvania Avenue. A map will be generated and made public. Commissioner Ragen invited anyone to the upcoming Parks Commission meeting to discuss a replacement for a playground at Heritage Farm Park. Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen provided some historical information regarding the building currently being used by the Walkersville Historical Society. Commissioner Whitmore Brannen requested a possible closed meeting to further discuss the building. 3 Commissioner Whitmore Brannen noted that she will not be available for the March 12 th Town Meeting. Commissioner Tom Gilbert noted that he will not be available for the April 9th Town Meeting. Commissioner Gilbert discussed the upcoming Senior Tax Credit Workshop on March 4 th. Commissioner Gilbert inquired when yard waste was beginning in 2025. Yard waste will begin Thursday, March 6th. 9. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS/WATERSHED UPDATE Burgess Weddle read the announcements. There were no public comments. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Tues., Mar 4 – Senior Tax Credit Seminar 10am Wed., Mar 5 – Parks Meeting 7pm Tues., Mar 11 – Planning Commission Workshop 7pm Wed., Mar 12 – Town Meeting 7pm Mon., Mar 24 – EDC Meeting 7pm Tues., Mar 25 – Planning Commission Meeting 7pm Wed., Mar 26 – Town Meeting 7pm Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tom Gilbert to hold a closed meeting regarding property. The meeting was closed under Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article: §3-305(b) (3) “To consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto” & (5) “To consider the investment of public funds.” There was no discussion. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Sean Williams, Town Manager 4  MINUTES WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORKSHOP February 26, 2025 The Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners Budget Workshop was called to order on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 8:38 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 expense portion of the General Fund budget. There was discussion regarding annual town expenses, removing some old terminology in the account descriptions, and placing road and sidewalk repair in the annual budget instead of capitalized budget. The workshop ended at 9:15 p.m. Sean Williams Town Manager 5