Burgess & Commissioners

MINUTES WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING April 9, 2025 The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Chad Weddle, Commissioners Russell Winch, Chris Ragen, Bob Yoder, and Betsey Whitmore Brannen, Town Manager Sean Williams, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Director of Public Works Joseph Birch, Communications Specialist Crystal Feaga, and a total of 13 citizens. The meeting was streamed on the Town’s website. Commissioner Tom Gilbert was absent. 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 Bob Yoder to approve the meeting minutes from March 26, 2025. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0. 2. FREDERICK COUNTY CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH Burgess Chad Weddle read Proclamation 2025-01 proclaiming April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Jenna Moseman, Robin Grove, and several members of the Child Advocacy Center were present to discuss the Child Advocacy Center in Frederick, the services the group provides, and Child Abuse Prevention Month information. 3. AWARD DPW LEAN-TO SHELTER Director of Public Works Joseph Birch summarized the lean-to project to be built at Public Works and discussed the lone bid received by Houck Construction LLC in the amount of $50,200. There was a discussion regarding the use of the storage area and exact location of the project. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Bob Yoder to award the lean- to project to Houck Construction LLC in the amount of $50,200. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0. 4. AWARD HERITAGE FARM PARK PLAYGROUND Town Manager Sean Williams and Commissioner Chris Ragen discussed the history of the Heritage Farm Park playground project, the bid process, and the two bids obtained by Playground Specialists in the amount of $293,238 and River Valley Recreation in the amount of $157,485. There was a discussion on the difference in costs, the option to put the project back out to bid, and concerns about some of the equipment being proposed. Commissioner Bob Yoder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen to award the contract to Playground Specialists in the amount of $293,238. Commissioners Yoder and Whitmore Brannen voted in favor of the motion, Commissioners Russell Winch and Chris Ragen voted against the motion. Burgess Chad Weddle elected to break the tie vote and voted in favor of the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 3-2. 5. WATER BILLING PAYMENT PROCESS Water Billing Administrator Ashley Bailey congratulated Ian Orndorff and Landon Hollinger for attending the Maryland Rural Water Conference last week. Mr. Hollinger was awarded “Rookie Water Operator of the Year” award and the Town won “Toasting the Tap 2025” for having the best tasting water in the State. 1 Administrator Bailey discussed the process for reading water meters, billing, and the various ways bills can be paid to the Town. There was also a discussion on the new online portal that allows citizens to monitor water usage. 6. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chris Ragen to pay the bills as submitted for the time period. There was a brief discussion on a few items. The motion passed 4-0. 5. CHAD UPDATES, STAFF COMMENTS AND COMMISSIONER CONCERNS Burgess Chad Weddle read a thank you letter from the High School regarding our yearly donation to Safe and Sound program. Burgess Weddle and Commissioner Chris Ragen promoted the upcoming Easter Egg Hunt Thursday, April 17th. Burgess Weddle discussed the upcoming Pop Up on Penn event scheduled May 3 rd. Director of Public Works Joseph Birch provided an update on the following items: 1. Sidewalk installation has started on the west side of Green Street and once that is completed, they will remove and replace the curb & gutter on the east side of the street. There have been weather delays. 2. The new trailer for DPW has been received. 3. Water main replacement started this week in the Discovery Community. A temporary bypass is in place. 4. The tracks at the Walkersville Southern railroad are complete. They are now working on both sides of the road to include the pocket park. 5. The ADA’s have been installed on Glade Blvd and once road temperatures increase, thermal stop bars and a crosswalk can be completed. We will work with the contractor and install the new signage the same day the crosswalk is installed, hopefully by the middle of next week. 6. The railroad crossing at Glade Road will be closed starting on April 12th through the 19th. The work may be completed early and will open sooner if all roadwork has been completed. Message boards and detour signage is in place. 7. The previously ordered bucket truck will be delayed until at least November of 2025. Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver discussed the site plan for Whistle Stop Coffee and Walkersville Southern Railroad. A modification to the Town Code regarding food trucks was suggested. Administrator Hauver also discussed the Planning Commission work on potential changes to the industrial districts and zoning map. The Planning Commission will be discussing the four-lot subdivision application for a property on George Street and Goldsboro Place owned by the Frederick County Student Trades Foundation. Lonza will also be present at that meeting regarding possible changes to the restrictions on the height of buildings. A discussion regarding building heights ensued. Town Manager Sean Williams reminded everyone of the increase in water rates that will be effective on the next water billing cycle and that another notice will be in the Frederick News Post Friday. 2 Manager Williams noted that Frederick County will be present at the next Town meeting to discuss the rail trail. Commissioner Bob Yoder discussed the concerns with vehicles parking in the grass at Heritage Farm Park. There was an extended conversation about vehicles parking in the grass, altering GVAA game scheduling to limit vehicles at the park, possible ways to address additional parking, and the suggestion to take no additional action. Commissioner Yoder inquired about the cost of a new water fee. A new residential water tap fee is $6,000, but other sized lines cost more. Commissioner Yoder inquired about the Town’s approach to the Lead and Copper line testing. There was a discussion on the limited impact and current process for checking for lead and copper lines in the Town. Commissioner Chris Ragen received a citizen complaint about the crosswalk at the library and inquired about potential improvements. Commissioner Chris Ragen discussed a park usage request from YellowFin Events charity ride. Commissioner Chris Ragen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch to approve the park usage request by YellowFin Events for April 26th to use the parking lot at the Manor House. There was a discussion about park usage and GVAA activities. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0. Commissioner Chris Ragen discussed a park usage request from JBATs baseball for the coming Saturday. Commissioner Ragen discussed the request and previous requests from the group. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chris Ragen to deny the park usage request by JBATs to use the baseball field on April 12th. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0. Commissioner Russell Winch expressed concerns with the intersection of Frederick Street and Crum Road after a recent traffic accident and requested consideration for future improvement. Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen echoed Commissioner Winch’s concern with the same intersection and expressed concerns with the sightlines at the intersection of Frederick Street and Maple Avenue. Commissioner Whitmore Brannen is interested in considering future Town scholarships for the high school. Additional information will be presented at a future meeting. 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS/WATERSHED UPDATE Burgess Weddle read the announcements. Ron Layman of 24 W. Frederick Street discussed the watershed. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Thu., Apr 17 – The Great Egg-Venture (MSP Easter Egg Hunt) 5pm-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 Sat., May 3 – Pop Up on Penn 10am-4pm Wed., May 7 – Park Meeting 7pm 3 Commissioner Bob Yoder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chris Ragen to hold a closed meeting regarding a legal discussion. The meeting was closed under Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article: §3-305(b) (7) “To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice.” The motion passed 4- 0. After a brief discussion, the motion was rescinded since Commissioner Tom Gilbert was not present and no closed meeting took place. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Sean Williams, Town Manager 4