Town Of Laytonsville
The Budget Hearing for the Town of Laytonsville was called to order by
Mayor Charles T. White at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the budget for fiscal year
2004. A summary of the proposed budget
included:
General
Funds CIP
Income $110,150 $13,000
Transfer In 23,000
Expenses 109,800
Road/Sidewalk Expense 36,000
Surplus/Deficit (12,300) -0-
One of the discussions was to increase the Town’s property tax to .160
per hundred. Council Member Frank
Bennett moved to close the Budget Hearing.
Council Member Tom Wilkinson seconded. Hearing closed.
The regular meeting of the Laytonsville Town Council was called to order
by Mayor Charles T. White on April 1, 2003 at 7:40 p.m. in the Laytonsville
Town Hall. Council members Bennett,
Bradsher, Preusch and Wilkinson were in attendance. Stan Abrams, Town Attorney, was in attendance. There were 20
citizens present. The Clerk and the
Treasurer were also present.
The minutes of March 4, 2003 were approved as presented.
Reports/Discussion:
Treasurer: The General Fund Balance is
$47,812.77. Major expenses for the
month of March were legal fees of $1,662.50 and payroll expenses in the amount
of $1,882.80. Snow removal expenses
totaled $652.50 and waste collection totaled $3,689.18. Income for the month
was $618.57 for income taxes. The CIP
Account Balance is $69,189.06 and the total Town assets for March is
$382,070.33. Council Member Preusch
moved that the Treasurer’s report be accepted as presented, subject to
audit. Council Member Bennett
seconded. Motion approved.
Mayor: WSSC Meeting: A meeting was held on March 28, 2003
regarding water service to the Town of Laytonsville. Their proposal was that the Town should apply for a low interest
loan from the Maryland Department of the Environment. Mayor White reported that the request was too costly for the Town
to consider at this time.
Town of Laytonsville
Minutes – Meeting of April 1, 2003
Page Two
Special Trash Pick Up: A special trash pick up will be held on
Saturday, May 3, 2003. Bulk items
should be placed by the curb the night before the pick up. Items should be no
more than 150 pounds. Yard waste can be
bundled in lengths no longer than 2 feet and widths no wider than 1 foot.
Flags Installed: Flags have been installed throughout the
Town to show the Town’s support of our troops.
Council:
Council Member Dave Preusch reported that a letter was sent to the owners
of the Laytons Village Shopping Center regarding the replacement of the pine
trees facing Warfield Road. The trees
have been replaced with eleven Leyland Cypress trees.
Clerk: Elections for the positions of Mayor and two Council Members will be held on Monday, May 5, 2003. The term of office is two years. The elected candidates will take office on July 1, 2003. Candidates for the office must file, in writing, with the Clerk at the Town Hall, 21607 Laytonsville Road, by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2003. Candidates must be residents of the Town for a period of six months on election date. The filing period is Monday, March 31, 2003 to Monday, April 14, 2003 by 1:00 p.m. Elections will be held on Monday, May 5, 2003 between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the Town Hall. All citizens of the Town of the age of 18 years and upward and who are bona fide residents of the Town on the day of election shall be qualified to vote. Absentee ballots will be available for this election. Contact the Clerk for additional information.
Unfinished Business:
Signs: The Town sign at the Southern
entrance to the Town has been installed.
The U.S. Post Office sign has been re-installed.
Stadler Text Amendment (R3 Two Acre Zone with Optional Cluster): Mayor
White requested a motion regarding closing the record on this Text
Amendment. Council Member Frank Bennett
made a motion to close the record on the Stadler Text Amendment (R3 Two Acre
Zone with Optional Cluster). Council
Member Charles Bradsher seconded.
Council Member Dave Preusch reported that he was in favor of the two
acre zone as drafted but felt that residents still had questions. Council Member Tom Wilkinson agreed and
questioned if the minimum lot area of 35, 000 square feet for the cluster lot would
support well and septic requirements.
Stan Abrams reported that the language sets a floor for the lot size.
Vote to close the record regarding the Stadler Text Amendment (R3 Two
Acre Zone with Optional Cluster):
Mayor Charles White Yes
Council Member Frank Bennett Yes
Council Member Charles Bradsher Yes
Council Member David Preusch Yes
Council Member Tom Wilkinson No
Stadler Text Amendment (R3 Two Acre
Zone with Optional Cluster) record closed.
Town of Laytonsville
Minutes – Meeting of April 1, 2003
Page Three
Council Member Frank Bennett made a motion to adopt the Stadler Text
Amendment (R3 Two Acre Zone with Optional Cluster). Council Member David Preusch seconded.
Vote to adopt the Stadler Text Amendment (R3 Two Acre Zone with Optional
Cluster):
Mayor Charles White Yes
Council Member Frank Bennett Yes
Council Member Charles Bradsher Yes
Council Member David Preusch Yes
Council Member Tom Wilkinson No
Stadler Text Amendment (R3 Two Acre
Zone with Optional Cluster) adopted.
K.J. Tucker Text Amendment: Council Member Bennett made the motion to close
the K.J. Tucker Text Amendment record.
Mayor White seconded.
Vote to close the K.J. Tucker Text Amendment record:
Mayor Charles White Yes
Council Member Frank Bennett Yes
Council Member Charles Bradsher No
Council Member David Preusch No
Council Member Tom Wilkinson No
Motion defeated. K.J. Tucker Text Amendment record remains
open.
The next Work Session for the Town will be April 15, 2003.
Board of Appeals Text Amendment: A Public Hearing will be held
on April 8, 2003 at
7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall.
Copies of the Board of Appeals Text Amendment will be at the Town Hall.
Town of Laytonsville Comprehensive Plan: Council
Member Dave Preusch would like the Town to move forward on Stan Abrams’s
recommendation that the Town review and if necessary revise or amend the local
plan. Several elements should be considered to include a statement of goals and
objectives, principles, policies and standards to serve as a guide for
development and economic and social well being the local jurisdiction. Mayor White to consult with Stan Benning,
Town Planner, regarding this review.
New Business:
Vote on 2003-2004 Budget: Council Member Frank Bennett made a motion
to accept the proposed 2003-2004 Budget as presented at the Public Hearing this
date. Council Member Wilkinson
seconded. Motion approved.
Town of Laytonsville
Minutes – Meeting of April 1, 2003
Page Four
Vote on Tax Rate: Council Member Frank Bennett made a motion
to approve the Town tax rate at .160 per hundred. Council Member Tom Wilkinson seconded. Motion approved.
Lions Club Board Proposal: Jake Cecere distributed a proposal from the
Lions Club to the Town of Laytonsville for the use of the Town Hall for Lions
Club Board Meetings. Council Member Dave Preusch questioned insurance
coverage. Coverage should be through
the Lions Club International per Jake Cecere.
Stan Abrams requested that the term “and its officials and employees” be
included. A Lions Club official will
sign and return the proposed Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement for
the Town’s consideration.
2003 Election Tellers: The following are appointed Tellers for the
2003 Election:
Dottie Tessier, Jake Cecere, Phyllis Sterling and Barbara White.
Ordinance to Amend Section 27 and create Section 27.1 to Subdivision
Regulation: Stan Abrams reported that this ordinance
contains a “safety valve” to deal with emergency health problems regarding
sewerage systems and the use of adjacent property. A Public Hearing date should be scheduled.
Request for Closed Executive Session: Mayor White reported that Stan
Abrams, Town Attorney, has requested a closed Executive Session pursuant to
Section 10-508, State Government Article to discuss a litigation matter following
the April 8, 2003 Public Hearing.
Council Member Frank Bennett made a motion to approve the request to
hold a Closed Executive Session on April 8, 2003 following the Public Hearing. Council Member Dave Preusch seconded. Motion
approved unanimously.
Citizens:
Mr. Douglas Prasher noted that the Notice regarding the Public Hearing
scheduled for February 11, 2003 was not sufficient notice. Mr. Prasher also mentioned the Maryland Open
Meetings Act and what constitutes sufficient record. Mr. Prasher reported that he has prepared a draft of a letter to
the Attorney General’s Office.
Mr. Brendan Deyo suggested that the Town add a referendum on the May
election ballot regarding the Text Amendments submitted. A non-binding straw vote to indicate residents’
positions may be considered.
Mrs. Phyllis Sterling reminded the citizens that the citizens should
educate themselves as to the Town government and its operations. Mrs. Sterling also inquired whether yard waste
was to be included in the bulk pick up scheduled for May 3 and if so, the yard
waste should be bundled.
Mr. Willard Oland inquired about the NV Homes sign located within the
Town’s property line on Brink Road.
Mayor White has contacted the NV Homes representative.
Mrs. Sophia Voit wondered how the Town residents would know who will be
on the May 5, 2003 election ballot and were all of the tellers appointed free
of a conflict of interest.
Town of Laytonsville
Minutes – Meeting of April 1, 2003
Page Five
Mrs. Sheree Wenger requested that the Town contact the Morningstar Church
to determine what
they were excavating. Mayor White
will review.
Mayor White introduced Michael Knapp, Montgomery County Council
member. Mr. Knapp reported that the Council
had received the budget from the County Executive and will make himself
available for any issues the Town may have.
Mr. Knapp may be reached at 240-777-7955 or
councilmember.knapp@co.mo.md.us.
Mayor White adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
April 1, 2003
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