Meeting Minutes

Woodsboro, Maryland
September 27, 2010

The regular scheduled Workshop Meeting of the Woodsboro Town Council was held on Monday, September 27, 2010 in the Woodsboro Firehall with the following members present:

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

There was two residents and two guests in attendance.

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

The first line of business was a Public Hearing on the updated Comprehensive Plan draft. Denis Superczynski, Frederick County Planning Division was in attendance to explain the changes in the Comprehensive Plan. The Water Resource Element section and a few revisions to the Municipal Growth Element are the only changes and they do not change the growth boundaries or vision of the twenty year plan. Mr. Superczynski will address three categories of comments from the State of Maryland and should have the next version in a couple weeks for the Planning and Zoning Commission to review. He announced the earliest we would be able to adopt the new Plan would be the November Workshop meeting and we will not have to hold another Public Hearing. Resident Donald Trimmer asked if Frederick County had adopted their Comprehensive Plan and Mr. Superczynski informed him they have and they have also adopted their Water Resource Element and Municipal Growth Element. Mr. Trimmer then asked if the State would be changing the standards of run off into streams from Waste Water Treatment Plants and Mr. Superczynski informed everyone that they are.

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

Commissioner Rensberger opened discussion on the War Memorial at the North end of town and asked who he could speak with to get clarification on whose responsibility it is for caretaking. Resident Michael Strausbough provided that information.

Burgess Smith opened discussion on a recent inspection at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Superintendant Richard Priddey explained a certified letter received from Maryland Department of the Environment in reference to past violations and a per day fine or one time contribution to the Clear Water Act as a result. Burgess Smith will contact MDE in reference to the letter and Mary will send it to the town attorney for his advice.

Resident Michael Strausbough was in attendance and provided pictures of his sidewalk in front of his house that he would like to replace. He thought that the sinking underneath his sidewalk would not have happened if the Town would have properly run the sewer line underneath it. He indicated that instead of taking the sidewalk up they tunneled under it causing the ground to sink. He is now concerned that when he replaces the sidewalk there may be serious damage or problems with the sewer line and feels it is the Town’s responsibility to fix the damage because it is on their side of the clean out. He feels that from the clean out to the house is his responsibility and from clean out to the main is the Town’s. Mr. Strausbough asked the Council to research the sewer hook up for an answer to why the clean out is where it is. Burgess Smith will look into the situation and get back with Mr. Strausbough.

Commissioner Brakebill reported the repair work done on the pipe at S. Second St. and Liberty Road is beginning to sink on the right hand side as you pull off S. Second onto Liberty.

Resident Donald Trimmer had concerns with a dumpster that has been placed at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Main Street. He feels it is a hazard to traffic. Commissioner Rensberger will take care of having the dumpster moved further back from Main Street.

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

Respectfully submitted,
Mary E. Rice
Corporation of Woodsboro