June 11, 2024 | Town Council Meeting Minutes

Town Council Meeting Minutes

Woodsboro, Maryland
June 11, 2024

The Woodsboro Town Council met today at 7:00 PM in the fellowship room of St. John’s UCC with the following members present:

Burgess Barnes, Commissioners Cutshall, Rittelmeyer, Case and Eckenrode.

There were two guests and twenty-three residents in attendance.

Burgess Barnes called the meeting to order and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

After review of the May 2024 minutes, a motion to accept them as presented passed 4 – 0.

After review of the May 2024 financials, a motion to accept them as presented passed 4 – 0.

Under unfinished business, Burgess Barnes opened discussion on the FY25 Budget. Burgess Barnes announced beginning next year the budget would be presented in April and voted on in May to meet deadlines with the State of Maryland. There was no further discussion so a motion to accept the FY25 Budget as presented passed 4 – 0.

Burgess Barnes presented the new proposal from Sanbower Builders to build the town hall. This new amount came in at $1,397,583. Burgess Barnes reported the $400,000 grant has been approved and he feels $200,000 can be used from reserve funds to bring the loan amount down to $800,000. This should make the monthly mortgage about $4,593.

Burgess Barnes opened the floor to the residents in attendance for comments on the bid.

Betty Tucker-Younkins, Knotty Alder Court, feels the cost of living is only going to go up and the construction will not get any cheaper.

Mr. Roskowinski, Scarlet Oak Ct., asked why the building had to be 3,000 sq. ft. He was informed that if the footprint of the building was changed, we would have to have another site plan done and that gets costly. The site plan has already been approved at the County level.

Commissioner Case asked if the prices of materials go down, do we get money off the top.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer feels an $800,000 mortgage is a lot of money.

Melissa Flickinger, Third Street, asked if the meeting room could be rented for income.

At this point a suggestion to table the discussion until the end of the meeting was made and Commissioner Case asked if it could be tabled until the July town meeting. Heath explained if that was done, he would have to revisit the bank for new numbers. A motion to table the discussion until later in the meeting passed 4 – 0.

Under reports from the Commissioners, Commissioner Cutshall reported the streets had been swept and looked great. He also reported on a few potholes that had been patched.

Commissioner Eckenrode had nothing to report.

Commissioner Case had nothing to report.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer reported the aerator is the pond and working.

Burgess Barnes reported on a fine from MDE the town received due to reporting errors in the water/sewer department. He provided a handout to the Council which explained the fine, the violations and the options the town has to pay this fine. The options are, pay $29,700 over 3 years, Make an offer to MDE, or appear before the Attorney General. After a brief discussion it was decided to make an offer of $15,000. A motion to make an offer of $15,000, with the approval to go up to the $29,000, passed 4 – 0.

Burgess Barnes reported the Water/Sewer Operator for the town has given his notice. His last day will be August 31st. This is a contracted position and will need to be advertised.

Burgess Barnes opened discussion on the removal of three chlorine and three sulfur dioxide cylinders at the WWTP. He presented a quote in the amount of $77,925 to have the cylinders removed. Two of the cylinders have already had a leak and the Fire Department and Hazmat team had to evacuate the area until the air was cleared of the chemical. A motion to have the tanks removed passed 4 – 0.

Burgess Barnes opened the discussion on the town hall construction back up. Commissioner Case would like to table this discussion until the July meeting. Burgess Barnes asked the Council what number they feel comfortable with.

Melissa Flickinger, Third Street, asked if the loan is fixed or adjustable and Burgess Barnes explained.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer suggested taking more money from the reserves to bring the monthly payment down. Town Clerk Mary Rice cautioned the Council on this due to other operational expenses the town will face.

A resident asked for a show of hands of those who support moving forward with the construction of the town hall. Most of the residents in attendance raised their hands. Upon the favorable vote of residents, a motion to accept the $1,397,583 bid was made. There was two Commissioners in favor and

two against. Burgess Barnes cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of accepting the bid and the motion passed.

Under comments from the public, Betty Tucker-Younkins, Knotty Alder Court, inquired on getting streetlights installed. The Council all felt this is needed and it will be taken into consideration.

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

Respectfully submitted,
Mary E. Rice
Corporation of Woodsboro