Burgess & Commissioners

MINUTES WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING March 26, 2025 The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Chad Weddle, Commissioners Russell Winch, Chris Ragen, Bob Yoder, Betsey Whitmore Brannen, 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 Tom Gilbert made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Bob Yoder to approve the regular meeting minutes, the budget workshop, and closed meeting minutes from March 12, 2025. Burgess Chad Weddle summarized the closed meeting minutes. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1 with Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen abstaining. 2. PARKS COMMISSION APPOINTMENT – SHANNON KELLEY Burgess Chad Weddle requested the appointment of Shannon Kelley to the Parks Commission. Commissioner Tom Gilbert made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch to appoint Shannon Kelley to the Parks Commission. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. 3. PUBLIC WORKS TRAILER PURCHASE REQUEST Director of Public Works Joseph Birch discussed estimates for three heavy-duty trailers and requested spending $8,807 on a Brechbill Trailer based on the cost and length of the trailer. There was a discussion regarding the trailers and vendors. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chris Ragen to approve the purchase of the trailer based on the recommendation. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. 4. 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 a brief discussion on a few items. The motion passed 5-0. 5. CHAD UPDATES, STAFF COMMENTS AND COMMISSIONER CONCERNS Burgess Chad Weddle read a letter from Woodsboro Burgess Heath Barnes regarding the Town’s assistance with their recent water main break. Burgess Weddle also thanked Frederick County Council Member Mason Carter for thanking the Town for assisting Woodsboro. Burgess Weddle discussed the Pop Up on Penn event on Saturday, May 3rd. Director of Public Works Joseph Birch provided an update on the following items: 1. The Green Street project has started and should be complete in two to three weeks depending on weather. Green Street between Fulton Ave and Maple Ave is closed during this time with local traffic only access. 1  2. Regarding the Discovery Watermain Project Phase I, tree removal still in progress. Frederick County will be issuing the utility permit so work can begin in next few days. 3. Walkersville railroad work has been completed on Pennsylvania Ave. They will continue to work in that area on the sides of the road. There will be additional work at the tracks on Glade Road during Spring Break. 4. All grass remediation and signage has been completed on the new property purchased on Pennsylvania Avenue next to the Bowling Alley. 5. The lines for the tennis courts at Community Park have been repainted. 6. Water Billing cut offs for non-payment occurred today. There was a total of thirty-two services turned off. There are currently seven still off. 7. Next week water meter reading will occur for the next billing period. 8. The three-way stop on Glade Blvd. will occur in the next few days. Commissioner Bob Yoder inquired about the signage at the railroad crossing on Pennsylvania Avenue and a discussion about the future storm drain and sidewalk work on Glade Road. Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver discussed the Planning Commission work on potential changes to the industrial districts. Lonza was present at the meeting to make requests to consider changes in height limitations. Administrator Hauver received a four-lot subdivision application for a property on George Street and Goldsboro Place owned by the Frederick County Student Trades Foundation. The Planning Commission will be reviewing those plans in April. Town Manager Sean Williams noted that Frederick County will be presenting a discussion on the Rail Trail at the April 23rd Town Meeting. Manager Williams discussed the MDE public hearing held at Town Hall on Tuesday March 18th regarding the water permit request by Lochland Ag and Turf LLC. MDE will be making a decision on the application in the coming month(s). Burgess Chad Weddle expressed interest in potentially holding a separate meeting in May to discuss the Water Fund budget. Commissioner Chris Ragen inquired about the Girl Scouts work at Community Park. They have made contact with DPW. Commissioner Ragen welcomed Shannon Kelley to the Parks Commission. Commissioner Tom Gilbert discussed a notice in the Frederick News Post by Mt. Airy considering obtaining a bond for a police project and discussed the potential need to consider a similar bond for future phases of the Discovery Water Main Replacement project. Copies of the notice were provided to the Commissioners. 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS/WATERSHED UPDATE Burgess Weddle read the announcements. There were no public comments. 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS: Wed., Apr 2 – Parks Meeting 7pm Tues., Apr 8 – Planning Commission Workshop 7pm Wed., Apr 9 – Town Meeting 7pm Fri., Apr 18 – Town Hall Closed – Good Friday Tues., Apr 22 – Planning Commission Meeting 7pm Wed., Apr 23 – Town Meeting 7pm Mon., Apr 28 – EDC Meeting 7pm Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Sean Williams, Town Manager 3  MINUTES WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORKSHOP March 26, 2025 The Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners Budget Workshop was called to order on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 7:35 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Chad Weddle, Commissioners Russell Winch, Chris Ragen, Bob Yoder, Betsey Whitmore Brannen, and Tom Gilbert, Town Manager Sean Williams, Director of Public Works Joe Birch, Communications Specialist Crystal Feaga, and a total of 5 citizen. The meeting was streamed on the Town’s website. Burgess Chad Weddle, Town Manager Sean Williams, and Director of Public Works Joe Birch discussed revenue and expenses for the Water Fund budget. The Discovery Water Main project and future possible funding (grants/loans) were also discussed. The workshop ended at 8:05 p.m. Sean Williams Town Manager 4