Meeting Minutes

Woodsboro, Maryland

July 13, 2021

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 Eckenrode, Cutshall, Crum and Case.  

There was one guest and nine residents in attendance.

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

After review of the June 2021 minutes, a motion to accept them as presented passed 4 – 0.

After review of the June 2021 financials, a motion to accept them as presented passed 4 – 0.

Discussion was held on a CD renewing. It was decided to roll CD 36073 into a one-year CD at the best interest rate.

The first line of old business was the Music Festival. After discussion, a motion to have the festival with stipulations on parking, beer, and wine, passed 4-0.  Mr. Williams will get an updated memorandum showing the change in parking, beer, and wine to Burgess Barnes for his signature.

Commissioner Cutshall inquired on the monument lights and was informed the transformer was blown and a new one needs to be installed.  It may take the company up to two weeks to get it replaced.

Commissioner Eckenrode was glad to see the small bridge in the park repaired and back open.

Commissioner Crum reported on a call she had in reference to a water outage in Copper Oaks. She was informed it was repaired quickly. She also reported on complaints she received about the banana trees along S. Main St near the intersection of W. Elizabeth and Main.  Mr. Rensberger, owner of the plants, agreed to take care of it.  Commissioner Crum also reported the names and phone numbers were updated on the website to reflect the new Council.

Commissioner Case indicated he would like to see the town obtain grants, especially one for sidewalks.  He also has a concern with the speeders on Main Street and suggested either a speed sign or speed bumps.

Burgess Barnes reported on one-time parks grant of three million dollars to be distributed amongst Frederick County Municipalities.  He would like to get an ADA compliant foot bridge in the park to replace the older one already there and construct a permanent stage.  Commissioner Case suggested replacing the old merry-go-round and slide.  He will obtain pricing.

Burgess Barnes reported on the Stimulus money and said we have four years to use it and we can keep the interest it earns.  He also reported it can only be used on Water, Sewer and Broadband.  We can go back to March 4, 2021, for expenses and we will get half the funds now and the other half in twelve months. 

Burgess Barnes opened discussion on hiring a Code Enforcement Officer. After a brief discussion it was decided to table it until a future meeting.

Ms. Judy Katz was in attendance to voice her concerns with the water outage that recently happened in Copper Oaks. She would like to get phone numbers to call for information when it happens again.

Ms. Linda Kemp was also in attendance to voice similar concerns with the water outage.

Mr. Rick Bontz was in attendance to discuss the culvert and drainage ditch that runs along his property on the Coppermine Rd side.  He feels it still needs to be cleaned out.  A Council member will investigate it. He asked to please let him know when.  He then asked about reimbursement for the new sidewalks that a couple of residents had replace along Main Street. He inquired on using the stimulus money. Burgess Barnes informed him the stimulus money cannot be used on sidewalks and that sidewalks are the property owner’s responsibility.  

Mr. Joel Rensberger was in attendance to talk about the possibility of annexing a property on S. Main Street into town limits. He would like to restore and sell the existing farmhouse and then construct four to six new homes.  He asked for the Council’s individual thoughts. Burgess Barnes is ok with four to six homes including the farmhouse.  Commissioner Crum has reservation concerning water and sewer. Commissioner Case is hesitant to say until he sees a plan but is not totally against it.  Commissioner Cutshall is ok with the concept but has concerns that it would leave a developer wide open to annex and develop a larger piece of property in the future.  

Jay Lind, Assistant Chief 16, was in attendance and asked that someone with the town inform the Fire Department first when there is a water outage. They would then inform Central.  This could change the way they are dispatched to calls during the outage.  He asked for a call to be made when a problem occurs and when it is resolved. He then asked to be informed about details with the Music Festival so they can have resources ready.

Mr. Bill Rittelmeyer was in attendance and inquired about the cone that was at Dorcus Alley and North Second Street. He was informed an estimate is forthcoming.

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