Town Council Meeting Minutes

Woodsboro, Maryland
March 11, 2025

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, Case, Rittelmeyer, and Eckenrode.

There was one guest and twenty residents in attendance.

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

After review of the February 2025 minutes, a motion to accept them as presented passed 3 – 0. Commissioner Case abstained.

After review of the February 2025 financials, a motion to accept them as presented passed 4 – 0.

Under reports from the Commissioners, Commissioner Rittelmeyer provided an in-depth report on the meeting with the water/sewer operators. Commissioner Rittelmeyer announced that the Town is in compliance and the big-ticket items are a wish list. He also indicated that the operation is being managed at a far better level than it has in the history of the town. Commissioner Rittelmeyer informed everyone that there is a savings account in the bank should an emergency happen and that the Town Council genuinely cares about the town. He will continue to periodically meet with the operators.

Commissioner Case had questions. He asked if the next meeting was on April 1st and was informed it is. He also asked if the minutes are up to date on the website and was informed, they are. Also asked was if we are done with the lead pipe inventory project and was informed that we are at this time. He then announced that he will run for another term on the Council.

Commissioner Eckenrode reported on the Easter Egg Hunt that will be held on April 12th beginning at 2:00PM in the park. This is a joint event held by the Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Department and the Town of Woodsboro.

Commissioner Cutshall had nothing to report.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer reported on errors in the Woodsboro-Walkersville News Journal. The article reporting on Elections was incorrect. Elections will be held at St. John’s in the Social Hall, not the town office trailer.

Burgess Barnes reported April 1st will be nominations during the town meeting and May 2nd is the last day for absentee voting.

Under comments from the public, resident Dorthea Mordan, N. Main Street, thanked Commissioner Rittelmeyer for his thorough explanation on water and sewer. She felt it was very helpful to get the report in a whole and not in pieces. She also indicated that communication with the town office could be better. Part of the communication is with the website and Facebook. (Note: the town office does not update the website and the facebook page is not a town page.)

Resident Gerald Sando, N. Main Street, reported the town still has another action item on the lead pipe inventory issue according to MDE. He also mentioned a comment made by Burgess Barnes about an individual not voting in an election since 2011. He feels this was inappropriate. Mr. Sando feels there has been plenty of time to review the contract for a new internet provider.

Resident Rose Woodsmall, N. Main Street, noticed that during her walks through town she noticed people were cutting down trees and asked if they could just do that?

Burgess Barnes addressed comments from the public. He informed Ms. Mordan that the website is managed through a third party, not the town office, and that the facebook page is not a town run facebook page, but a page run by community members.

He also reported that the latest election register should be at the Frederick County Election Board.

Burgess Barnes reported on attending the Maryland Mayors Association meeting held in Annapolis, MD where he learned of a law going into effect for speed cameras. He will follow this law to inquire on the town having speed cameras in the future.

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

Respectfully submitted,
Mary E. Rice
Corporation of Woodsboro