Burgess & Commissioners

MINUTES WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING June 25, 2025 The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, June 25, 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, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Director of Public Works Joseph Birch, Communications Specialist Crystal Feaga, Town Attorney Leslie Powell, and a total of 16 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 Russell Winch to approve the regular meeting minutes from June 11, 2025. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. 2. WALKERSVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY DISCUSSION Five members of the Walkersville Historical Society, Bonnie and Chris Leins, Marianne Urban, Leah Fleming, and Edward Sell, attended to discuss their mission, projects, research, and need for a change in location. The Society requested the use of the second floor of the Town Hall for storage, events and display. They also requested continued funding from the Town to assist with the cost for preserving and storing artifacts, updating the website, and documentation on the history of the Fire Company, as well as several other projects and events. The use of Maryland Land Records site was also discussed. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chris Ragen to continue the budgeted, annual donation of $1800 to the Walkersville Historical Society. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. 3. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Commissioner Tom Gilbert made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell Winch, to pay the bills as submitted for the period. The motion passed 5-0 4. CHAD UPDATES, STAFF COMMENTS AND COMMISSIONER CONCERNS Communications Specialist Crystal Feaga advised that signups are open for the next Pop Up on Penn, which is October 18. Director of Public Works Joseph Birch provided an update on the following items: 1. Water main replacement in progress continues in Discovery with the temporary bypass in place for the next section. The contractor is currently working on Inspiration Ave between Triumphant Ct and Stauffer Rd. 2. The open field next to Dollar General has been mowed by DPW after several attempts to contact with no response from the property owner. We will be sending a bill for $1446.83. 3. DPW repainted all the curb along Frederick St and Glade Rd, and in Colony Village. 4. In new fiscal year, looking at restriping Frederick St and Glade Rd. 1 Commissioner Yoder asked if DPW could assess overgrowth of brush and bamboo impeding the road on Liberty St. Commissioner Gilbert thanked Director Birch for painting the roadways and clearing brush. Director Birch explained that the stormwater pond at the corner of Frederick St and 194 was in the process of being cleaned up by the State Highway. Manager Williams will be out until July 7. Commissioner Bob Yoder thanked DPW for mowing next to Dollar General. Commissioner Ragen asked for late Park Use approval for the WSRR to use the Community Park after hours for Fireworks train. Discussion on making this event able to be approved at the Staff level in the future. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Betsey Whitmore Brannen to approve Park Use request from Walkersville Southern Railroad for fireworks train. The motion passed 5-0 Burgess discussed Walkersville Carnival dates and events. He also solicited volunteers to work at the Carnival. Commissioner Winch will not be at the July 9th meeting. 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS/WATERSHED UPDATE Burgess Chad Weddle read the announcements. Director Birch reminded that Community Park will be closed early July 3 for Fireworks Bonnie and Chris Leins 15 Fulton Ave-Thanked town for recent update to Green St. Mary Anne Schouw 3 Challedon Ct-Asked permission for two food trucks to park in front of the Glade Town pool on Chapel Pl, for one night for a community pool party August 2nd. Commissioner Winch advised that the board is working on regulations on food trucks. Commissioner Russell Winch made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Bob Yoder to approve food trucks parking in front of the Glade Towne Pool, August 2 from 7-9. The motion passed 5-0. Michael Staley 100 Main St-Discussed lack of stormwater pond and paving of Creamery parking lot has allowed stormwater to run onto his farm. Burgess Weddle advised that he may want to seek legal counsel. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 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 Fri., July 4 – Town Office Closed-Independence Day Tues., July 8 – Planning Commission Workshop 7pm Wed., July 9 – Town Meeting 7pm Tues., July 22 – Planning Commission Meeting 7pm Mon., July 28 – EDC Meeting 7pm 2 Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Ashley Bailey, Water Billing Administrator Workshop • Proposed Zoning Map – Planning Commission Draft, based on Adopted Comprehensive Plan – Staff Presentation Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver reviewed the proposed Zoning Map recommended for adoption by the Planning Commission. She reviewed the list of individual properties recommended to be rezoned and explained the justification for each one. Town Attorney Leslie Powell, and Planning Commission members David Ennis, John Merando, and Nick Thompson participated in the discussion. In response to a question, Ms. Powell noted that the Town would not have to rezone any property on the list. She also noted that the Town could take requests from property owners to have their properties rezoned as part of the comprehensive rezoning process. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Susan Hauver, Planning & Zoning Administrator 3