May 10, 2011 | Town Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes

Woodsboro, Maryland
May 10, 2011

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

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

There was one resident and three 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 brief report from Deputy Sutton. Deputy Sutton acknowledged an email from Burgess Smith asking for more police presence on N. Second Street. A brief discussion was held on the vandalism incident that recently took place and a vacant lot that backs up to N. Second Street. It was decided that Burgess Smith send a letter to the vacant lot property owner asking him to place No Trespassing signs on the property. That would allow the Deputies to enter and have violators leave. Commissioner Brakebill suggested either sending the letter to all residents on N. Second Street or the entire town. Burgess Smith will have a draft letter prepared for review at the Workshop meeting.

The March 2011 minutes was reviewed. A motion to accept them contingent to review of Commissioner Rensberger’s comments in reference to ideas from the public passed 2 – 0. Commissioners Brakebill abstained from voting.

The April 2011 minutes was reviewed. A motion to withdraw the minutes and indicate a meeting was not held in April passed 3 – 0.

The March 2011 financial statements was reviewed. There was a question on the Grant monies not matching and it was explained this was due to an invoice being paid in April. A motion to accept them as presented passed 3 – 0.

The April 2011 financial statements was reviewed and a motion to accept them as presented passed 3 – 0.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer reported one of the trees recently replaced in the island of Copper Oaks Court appears to be dead. Burgess Smith will contact the contractor to have it replaced. He also reported on a pipe that needs fixed at the Coppermine Rd entrance to Trout’s Restaurant and Burgess Smith explained to him that he is working on getting that done. Also reported was the updates on the website of a few events coming to town. Commissioner Rittelmeyer encouraged everyone to look at them. Commissioner Rensberger inquired on putting a note in reference to the website on or in with the water bills and adding the link to our town letterhead.

Commissioner Rensberger reported there has been nothing done with the pier or the recyclable toilet in the park but he is working on them. The soccer field should be completed by Wednesday, May 11th and then the surveyors will check grades and the finishing touches will be done. He then reported we passed on the FY12 POS grant. Burgess Smith informed everyone of a meeting being held on May 26th for POS funds and informed the Council the town has no money in the budget for a 25% match to POS funds. Commissioner Rensberger explained to him that FY12 is CPP funds and is 100% reimbursable. The FY12 project is the Tot Lot at the Woodsboro Elementary School. Burgess Smith indicated he didn’t believe the Council approved that project and a discussion was then held. At the conclusion of the discussion, no agreement had been reached by the Town Council. Commissioner Rensberger is in hopes the Town Attorney can provide a solution and Burgess Smith would have appreciated having remarks from the Attorney and a Joint User Agreement in place before being approved for the funds. Commissioner Rensberger reminded Burgess Smith how he was informed there was no legal fee funds in the budget and the issue would have to be revisited. A brief discussion on moving the play area was then held and Commissioner Rensberger explained he used the existing blacktop and fencing when submitting his paperwork. Burgess Smith will contact a School Board member to inquire on a Joint Users Agreement and other projects like this that may have happened in the past.

Commissioner Rensberger then reported on FY13. Two ideas are, a Linear Park with joint use between Mid Maryland Railway and the Town to have a tow path stretching from NZ Cramers to the South end of town. The second idea was to take the large existing ball diamond in the park and turn it into three ball diamonds. Burgess Smith reminded him he was against the second idea previously when it was discussed. Commissioner Rensberger agreed with Burgess Smith but indicated the Rec Council asked for it again.

Commissioner Rensberger reported on being approached by the local Cub Scouts in reference to performing community service in the park for their Community Badge. The Scouts suggested power washing and repainting the tables in one of the pavilions. They would also like to paint their Troop number and sign one of the tables. It was decided the Town would pay for the supplies needed. Commissioner Brakebill suggested asking NZ Cramer for a donation. Burgess Smith suggested the Scouts coordinate everything with Mary.

Commissioner Brakebill reported the WRE/MGE is still not ready for approval and that he will not be able to attend the P&Z meeting on Wednesday, May 11th.

Burgess Smith reported there is a Maryland Municipal League Meeting on May 26th and he is not able to attend. Agenda items include discussions on APFO’s and a Mitigation Fee. Burgess Smith asked if anyone else would be able to attend and Commissioner Rittelmeyer announced he may be able to. A brief discussion was then held on APFO’s and the Mitigation Fee.

Under Old Business Commissioner Rensberger mentioned a previous discussion in reference to changing the key system on the Town Hall door but no further discussion was held. He also inquired on the Code Enforcement Officer visiting Council Drive and Mary informed the Council she had not heard anything yet.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer inquired on the fence that was to be put up around the path in the park that is falling away. Burgess Smith will get with Tom and Dave to have one installed. Commissioner Rensberger reported the contractor who will fix the creek bank has picked the permit up but would like to speak with Burgess Smith before proceeding forward. Burgess Smith will contact the contractor and inform them to move forward with the project. Commissioner Rittelmeyer had concerns that after fixing this area of the creek bed, that it will happen further up stream and we will be dealing with the same issue. He feels the solution is to move the walking path. Burgess Smith would like to fix this area first and address another area later when it happens.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer inquired with Commissioner Rensberger on the Fishing Pier and Commissioner Rensberger informed him he had not read the letter from the Insurance Company yet. Commissioner Rittelmeyer then asked him about the Fields and Meadows project and he explained the process.

The next line of business was the presentation of the FY 12 budget by Burgess Smith. He reported the property taxes going up to .1297 per hundred which is our Constant Yield. He also reported the flat rate on the sewer fee will increase $19.00 for every sewer hook up in town. He informed everyone the proposed budget will now sit for 30 days and be approved at the June 14th meeting. A brief discussion on the rate increases was held.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer questioned Burgess Smith on preparing budgets, tracking them and how we account for the money in Money Markets at the Bank. Burgess Smith explained that we do not budget surplus but if we use the funds we will show them as an excess of expenses over revenues.

There were no comments from the Public.

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was passed 2 – 0.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary E. Rice
Corporation of Woodsboro