February 22, 2010 | Town Workshop Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes

Woodsboro, Maryland
February 22, 2010

The regular scheduled Workshop Meeting of the Woodsboro Town Council was held on Monday, February 22, 2010 at the Town Hall with the following members present:

Burgess Smith, Commissioners Brakebill, Rensberger, Eaves and Rittelmeyer.

There were two residents and five guests in attendance.

Burgess Smith called the meeting to order.

The first line of business was with Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Richard Priddey. Mr. Priddey provided a set of handouts to the Council for discussion. These handouts provided information and invoices for necessary repairs to keep the plant operating efficiently. After a brief discussion it was decided Mr. Priddey move forward with repairing the blower at Kappe Associates, purchase a new LMI chemical dosing pump for well #3, replace seal on #1 US Filter Washwater pump and replace UV bulbs on the disinfection system. Also discussed was well #1 and what the town planned on doing with it. Mr. Priddey indicated he has been contacted by MDE and EPA who would like an answer. It was decided to keep this well online and place valves inside the well house and at N.Z. Cramers.

Mr. Charlie Seymour and Mr. Aric Rudden of Turning Point Investments were in attendance to present plans for their property located at 401 S. Main St. Potential buyers would like to use it as a church. Commissioner Brakebill informed them they would have to go through a Site Plan Review with the Planning and Zoning Committee and asked them is they have spoke to Denis Superczynski and they have. A discussion was held on the permitted uses of an R-1 district and church use is in compliance. One resident in attendance was against the permitted use of R-1 zoning. Commissioner Rensberger inquired on the potential of hazardous materials inside the building and asked if they have given thought to this. Mr. Seymour informed Commissioner Rensberger of a survey they had done with nothing being found. He also indicated the roof was recently replaced. Commissioner Brakebill reminded them to stay in communication with Denis in reference to any questions or concerns they had.

Resident Dennis Green, 103 Arnold Alley, was in attendance to share his concerns from the February snow storms. He informed the Council of himself and neighbors having to open the Alley by hand. Burgess Smith explained how they concentrate on the main roads in town first and then the allies and asked Mr. Green to be patient for the allies will eventually be opened. Commissioner Rittelmeyer explained that allies are not as high on the priority list because they are not as heavily populated. Commissioner Rensberger felt they should be done after Main St. because they are so steep.

Resident Hartwood Cornell opened discussion on Arnold Alley and informed the Council part of Mr. Green’s driveway runs down that hill. Burgess Smith suggests we determine where that alley begins and ends and mark it. The alley is a one way road and uphill.

The December 2009 minutes were then reviewed and with no corrections or additions a motion to accept them as presented passed 4 – 0.

Commissioner Brakebill reported on the last Planning and Zoning Meeting. Reported was, Denis Superczynski spoke on the property at 401 S. Main St. and also the lot at the corner of N. Second St. and Arnold Alley where there has been interest in building a multi family building. The majority of the meeting was on the proposed sign ordinance. Code Enforcement Officer, Jim Bonneville was in attendance and provided the group with pictures of various signs throughout the town which are not in compliance with today’s code. The WRE/MGE is still in draft and we will not have an adoptive plan by the April 1st deadline. The State is fully aware of this and will not penalize the town.

Burgess Smith then read a letter from Frederick County Commissioner Jan Gardner in reference to a meeting the County Commissioners would like to have with each Municipality regarding our municipal growth element. It was decided by the Council, that at this time we do not respond to this letter.

Commissioner Brakebill then reported on responding to Town Attorney, John Clapp informing him to approve the extension requested by the County and to combine cases for the Judicial Review on the APFO.

Commissioner Rensberger reported getting approval of $84,000 in grant funds for FY11. This time it is for Fields and Meadows. We have passed through one vote and have two more to go. Commissioner Rittelmeyer would like to see a lot more information on this project before proceeding forward. He feels the Council needs to approve the work for $84,000. Commissioner Rensberger will provide details on the upcoming FY11 projects.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer forewarned the Council that $5000 is his limit for three bids and Council approval so anything he spends under $5000 he’ll do on his own and the Council won’t worry about it. He does not need approval to spend or approval of rather it is good for the town or not. Commissioner Rensberger indicated he has not spent any money yet. Burgess Smith suggested discussing the issue at a later date.

Burgess Smith announced the upcoming MML meeting being held on February 25th and announced he is unable to attend and encouraged other Council members to attend.

Burgess Smith handed out an email from a lady showing interest in placing a recycling container for aluminum cans at the park. He feels we should think about this because of potential problems it may bring to the park.

There being no further business, a motion to close meeting passed 4 – 0.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary E. Rice
Corporation of Woodsboro