June 8, 2010 | Town Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes

Woodsboro, Maryland
June 8, 2010

The Woodsboro Town Council met today at 7:00 PM in the Firehall with the following members present:

Burgess Smith, Commissioners Rittelmeyer, Brakebill and arriving late was Commissioner Rensberger. Absent from the meeting was Commissioner Eaves.

There was two guests in attendance.

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

The May 2010 minutes was reviewed and a motion to accept them as presented passed 2 – 0.

The May 2010 financial statements was reviewed and a motion to accept them as presented passed 2 – 0.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer reported he is looking into inquiries from Copper Oaks Ct. Residents on what type of trees can be replanted. He feels maybe two more trees need to be taken down and two areas in the sidewalk are in need of repair. Sidewalk damage in some areas is one or two inches with the worst areas being where trees have already been taken down. Commissioner Rittelmeyer will put together a draft of his evaluation. He indicated he is doing this as a Copper Oaks Ct. Resident and Street Commissioner.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer reported a potential sinkhole at the corner of Liberty Rd. and South Second St. Burgess Smith will have the maintenance men patch it again.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer also suggested having the maintenance men pull the grass and weeds from between the curb and street on Main Street.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer inquired on the new sewer disposal fees Frederick County recently imposed and wondered if they would affect Woodsboro. Mary informed the Council it would not for our sludge is treated before being hauled to the County facility for disposal.

Commissioner Brakebill reported Planning and Zoning did not meet in May due to lack of a quorum. He has asked all Planning and Zoning members to please give advance notice if unable to attend a meeting. Denis Superczynski has provided a draft version of the Water Resources Element which needs to be adopted by October 2010.

Commissioner Brakebill then opened discussion on recommended fee schedule changes. He suggested looking at all fees imposed by the Town not just Planning and Zoning fees before holding a Public Hearing. Commissioner Rittelmeyer had a concern with the fee charged for signs and banners going up to $50. He felt that was a high price for hanging a temporary banner. Denis suggested having a fee for temporary banners or signs and leaving that fee at the current rate of $25 or even dropping lower to $10 for it does not take long to process the application. Commissioner Rittelmeyer also pointed out the water/sewer hook up fees listed do not reflect the new rate adopted a couple years ago. Mary informed the Council she did not have a soft copy of the new fee structure presented by Charles Heath years ago. Denis informed her he emailed it just before the meeting.

Commissioner Brakebill reported receiving an explanation on the Tax Equity schedule the County uses from Commissioner Rittelmeyer and indicated he still has some confusion.

Deputy Sutton was in attendance and provided a recap of calls in the Woodsboro area. Reported was out of 54 calls only 3 were serious enough to generate a report. Commissioner Brakebill reported on people hanging out at the Elementary School and also at 12 S. Second St. where people are riding a mini bike on the road. Deputy Sutton will have the area patrolled.

Commissioner Rensberger had nothing to report. Burgess Smith thanked him for his time spent on the Memorial Day dedication.

The next line of business was the approval of a Resolution on sign text amendments. Commissioner Brakebill read the Resolution and noted on Exhibit A 180-3.6 the text change. Motion to accept the Resolution as read passed 3 – 0. Denis will send a soft copy to Scott.

Denis Superczynski then explained the timeline to adopting the Water Resource Element. Commissioner Rittelmeyer asked if the October 1st deadline is for us to have it adopted or for us to have it in someone’s inbox. Denis informed him it is for us to have it adopted.

The next line of business was the adoption of the FY11 budgets. Burgess Smith reviewed the General Fund and the Water and Sewer Fund budgets. He announced a 10% increase on the water rate per 1000 gallons taking it from $4.00 to $4.40, a 10% increase on the excess over base for sewer taking it from $5.85 to $6.44 per 1000 gallons over base and reduced the base from 12,500 gallons down to 11,000 gallons. The base rate of $81.25 for sewer will remain the same.

Property taxes will remain the same at .38 per $100 assessed value. Discussion was held on Comcast Cable Franchise and Commissioner Brakebill thought it would be a good idea to
renegotiate a contract price. With no comments from the public a motion to accept the General Fund and Water and Sewer budgets as presented passed 3 – 0.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer asked if the maintenance men can trim the trees in Copper Oaks Ct. along the park side. Some residents have already begun trimming their trees.

Commissioner Rensberger will call the contractor to clean the volleyball court up if the maintenance guys can trim the trees that overhang the court.

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting passed 3 – 0.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary E. Rice
Corporation of Woodsboro