January 14, 2014 | Town Council Meeting Minutes

Town Council Meeting Minutes

Woodsboro, Maryland
January 14, 2014

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

Burgess Smith and Commissioners Rittelmeyer, Kellar and Trimmer. Absent from the meeting was Commissioner Spruill.

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

There were no guests and two residents in attendance.

After review of the November 2013 minutes a motion to accept them as approved passed 3 – 0.

After review of the November 2013 financials a motion to accept them as presented passed 3 – 0.

After review of the December 2013 financials a motion to accept them as presented passed 3 – 0.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer reported the invoice for the 1200 trees that are being planted in the Spring has been paid, the $13,000 payment for work on the pavilions has been submitted for reimbursement and the damaged swing has been replaced.

Commissioner Rittelmeyer also reported that the one table pavilion by the skating pond is in bad condition and needs work on the posts and that pavilion no. 3 still needs to have two posts fixed. Burgess Smith informed him that he has already discussed the one table pavilion with the contractor. Burgess Smith will call the contractor to remind him of the small pavilion and the posts on no. 3 that need work and ask him to continue with them in the Spring.

Commissioner Kellar opened discussion on Wi-Fi and security cameras in the park. After a brief discussion it was decided for him to gather information for future discussion.

Commissioner Kellar opened discussion and provided a handout on a review provided by Ms. Susan Hauver, Planning Administrator for the town. The review was on ordinances related to a business owner on Main Street looking to open a home based office on his property. A discussion on those grandfathered in vs. new coming in was held.

A brief discussion on hiring a new Code Enforcement Officer was held. Commissioner Trimmer suggested waiting until we had our new codes in place.

Residents Ken and Shirley Morgan was in attendance to discuss the condition of the streets in town. Discussion was held on crack sealing and overlaying of the streets. Commissioner Rittelmeyer explained that overlaying is not an option at this point due to the height of the streets already. He indicated it would be best to have them milled down and then repaved.

Commissioner Trimmer reported on a few broken disc golf baskets in the park. It was agreed to have a volunteer fix them and provide the town with the invoice.

Commissioner Trimmer opened discussion on the town purchasing a new town hall. He reported there is a rumor that the Woodsboro Fire Department is forcing the town out of the current office and he wanted it noted that it is not true. He reported the Fire Department has been meeting with Realtors to discuss the possibility of selling their complex on Coppermine Road and turning the current town office space back into a usable kitchen. Burgess Smith reported speaking with Mr. Bob Lind, President of the Fire Department on the issue. Resident Ken Morgan announced that the Fire Department membership has not voted to sell anything yet.

Commissioner Trimmer reported on the walk thru at 403 S. Main Street; the home that would be purchased and used as a town hall. He also met with a contractor to discuss renovations. He reported on a recent pipe breaking in the home and thought it would take months to get things repaired.

Burgess Smith opened discussion on the porta pot by the soccer field and how it is continuously getting damaged. He asked if it should remain there or be taken out. After a brief discussion it was decided to move the porta pot to the side of the building so the door cannot open too far and anchor it down so it cannot be moved.

Burgess Smith opened discussion on a letter received from a Civil War Re-enactment group who would like to use the park in June for a Re-enactment. Burgess Smith reported one pavilion already reserved for that weekend. Commissioner Trimmer said he would call the renter and explain that the pavilion could not be used. Burgess Smith asked that he not do that and that he would like to meet with the Coordinator to obtain more information before agreeing to allow this in the park. A discussion was then held on the amount of people participating, horses in the park and parking.

Burgess Smith reported he is in the process of researching one of our town trucks hitting a parked car in town while plowing snow. He will meet with the town employees to discuss this.

Burgess Smith presented a letter from a MD Rural Water/Sewer representative in reference to the gate at the WWTP being unlocked and no one on the grounds. The letter stated that the gate should remain locked when no one is there. Resident Ken Morgan reported being there one day and the gate and the building being open and no one was there. A brief discussion on a new gate was held and it was decided that Commissioner Trimmer get information on gates.

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn and go into closed session was passed 3 – 0.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary E. Rice
Corporation of Woodsboro