Burgess & Commissioners

MINUTES WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING May 28, 2025 The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, May 28, 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 from May 14, 2025. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0-2 with Commissioners Russell Winch and Betsey Whitmore Brannen abstaining. 2. WALKERSVILLE LIBRARY LUNCH PROGRAM – LEVI BRANSON Levi Branson of the Walkersville Library presented information on the upcoming food program this summer. The library provided over 4,000 lunches last summer. Mr. Branson thanked the Town for previous donations and requested $2,500 to be used towards this year’s program. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Bob Yoder to give $2,500 to the Walkersville Library Lunch Program. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1. Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen recused herself. 3. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2025-02 GENERAL FUND BUDGET FY2026 Burgess Chad Weddle opened the public hearing for Ordinance 2025-02 General Fund Budget. Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis of 118 Challedon Drive discussed concerns with the proposed budget and the need to spend additional savings if passed. The Public Hearing was closed. Town Manager Sean Williams noted the estimate for the Maryland State Police was received and would allow that budget expense to drop from $2.0 million to $1.9 million. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tom Gilbert to adopt Ordinance 2025-02 General Fund Budget FY 2026 with modifying the police budget to $1.9 Million. The motion failed by a vote of 3-2 with Commissioners Betsey Whitmore Brannen, Chris Ragen, and Bob Yoder in opposition. There was additional discussion regarding possible ways to lower the budget, including recurring expenses and some capital projects. There was general agreement to drop the MS4 expense from $500,000 to $100,000. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tom Gilbert to adopt Ordinance 2025-02 General Fund Budget FY 2026 with modifying the police budget to $1.9 Million and reducing the MS4 capital project to $100,000. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1 with Commissioner Bob Yoder in opposition. 4. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 1 Commissioner Tom Gilbert made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen 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 Discovery Watermain Project has been delayed due to the weather. They are currently working on Inspiration Ave between Adventure Ave and Triumphant Ct. 2. DPW is still waiting on delivery information for the much-anticipated bucket truck. 3. The roadway patching and new curb & gutter has been completed on Challedon Drive. 4. A section of sidewalk was replaced on Frederick Street in front of Pizza Hut. 5. Two roadway patches will be addressed in the coming week on Polaris Drive. The damage was due to valves needing to be replaced earlier in the week. Commissioner Bob Yoder inquired about the two valve failures in Sun Meadow. Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver noted the Planning Commission voted to forward a zoning map to the Burgess and Commissioners. That will be presented at a future Town Meeting along with Industrial zoning district text amendments related to the zoning map. The Planning Commission also voted to prioritize working on accessory dwelling units/tiny houses and food trucks in the future. Town Manager Sean Williams reported working with Frederick County in the hopes of obtaining between $40,000 and $48,000 that can be used on the Discovery Water Mian project. Commissioner Chris Ragen discussed a parks usage request from The Ville to conduct business at Community Park on Sunday, June 1st. Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver discussed the requirements and current ambiguity in the Town Code for food trucks to operate in the Town. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chris Ragen to grant The Ville park usage in Community Park on June 1st. The motion passed 5-0. Commissioner Bob Yoder expressed concern with the grass in the lot next to Dollar General. The Town is aware of the issue and the owner is being notified to cut the grass. Commissioner Yoder inquired about his legal opinion on closed meetings. The opinion is forthcoming. Commissioner Bob Yoder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chris Ragen to form a subcommittee to discuss public safety. The motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Russell Winch in opposition. 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS/WATERSHED UPDATE Burgess Chad Weddle read the announcements. John Merando of 3 Wyndale Court supported the efforts of the Burgess and Commissioners on the budget. He suggested increasing taxes in future years. 2 Burgess Chad Weddle informed everyone that the siren at Town Hall will now only sound three times instead of five. Burgess Weddle would like to recognize at a future meeting Vaughn Zimmerman for receiving the Bruce L. Reeder Golden Service Award and Sam Dmuchowski for Frederick County Fire Fighter of the Year Award. We would also like to invite Nikole Ramsey for being named FCPS School Guidance Counselor of the Year. The EDC is looking to have another Pop Up on Penn event and an event at the carnival grounds. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Wed., June 4 – Parks Meeting 7pm Wed., June 11 – Town Meeting 7pm Thurs., June 19 – Town Office Closed-Juneteenth Mon., June 23 – EDC Meeting 7pm Tues., June 24 – Planning Meeting 7pm Wed., June 25 – Town Meeting 7pm Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Sean Williams, Town Manager 3