As reviewed, approved, and
accepted by the Town Council on June 1, 2004
May 4, 2004
The hearing on the Proposed Amendments to the Town’s Forest
Conservation and Reforestation Ordinance was called to order by Mayor Oland at
7:30 p.m. Mayor Oland reported that
David McKee, Benning & Associates, was the Town’s consultant on forest
conservation and had reviewed the current ordinance and made the following
recommendations:
1.
Section 2.21 of
the Forest Conservation Ordinance (Forest Conservation Manual) – update the
version of the State Technical Manual to include the current version (1995)
(Second Edition).
2.
Section X, 10.2,
A of the Forest Conservation Ordinance (Payment Instead of Afforestation and Reforestation)
– update the time period to reflect the State Code which allows for two or
three growing seasons.
3.
Section XV,
15.1 of the Forest Conservation Ordinance (Penalties) – update the penalty for
non-compliance to the State Code which requires a 30 cents per square foot
charge.
With no discussion, the Public Hearing was closed at 7:33 p.m.
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The regular meeting of the Laytonsville Town Council was
called to order by Mayor Charles W. Oland on May 4, 2004 at 7:35 p.m. in the
Laytonsville Town Hall. Council members
Frank Bennett, Charles Bradsher, David Preusch and Tom Wilkinson were
present. There were 6 citizens
present. The Clerk and Treasurer were
also present.
The minutes of the regular Town Council meeting of April
6, 2004 to include the minutes of the Public Hearing were approved as
presented.
The minutes of the Work Session meeting of April 20,
2004 were approved as presented.
Discussion Items:
Treasurer’s Report: The
Treasurer reported that total income for the General Fund for the month of
April, 2004 was ($8,593.80). The total income for the month was ($7,914.12). Major income was $1,043 for real property
tax and $1,065 for Waste removal fees.
Major expenses for the month of April were $1,400.00 for land planning
and $3,387 for Repairs and Maintenance for the Town Hall. The total expenses
for the month were $10,774.61. The
balance in the General Fund for the month of April is $102,148.77; the balance
in the CIP fund is $78,270.07; the balance in the Fixed Asset account is
$392,208.63; with a total asset balance of $572,627.47. Council Member David Preusch made the
motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as submitted, subject to audit. Council Member Frank Bennett seconded. Motion approved.
Discussion/Action
Item:
Mayor Oland reported that he had spoken with Town
Counsel, Stanley Abrams, who indicated he had just received a drafted
Annexation Agreement from Jody Kline, Attorney for Elm Street Development
regarding the proposed annexation of 25 acres more or less. This agreement will be discussed at the May
18, 2004 Work Session scheduled at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall.
Discussion Items:
Mayor:
Street Sweeping Proposal: Proposals have been received from Goshen Enterprises, Tri-State
Sweeping, Inc. and Hayat Building Maintenance Service, Inc. to sweep the Town’s
streets. A comparison chart was
discussed.
Web Site Link: The Town’s
webmaster has received a request from a local real estate office to establish a
web site link to the Town’s web site.
The webmaster recommended restricting the links
Pepco: Mayor Oland
reported that at the last meeting of the Montgomery County Chapter of the
Maryland Municipal League, Pepco officials reported that they will be meeting
with various communities and municipalities to improve customer relations.
Montgomery County Workshops: Montgomery College is offering various workshops throughout the
Spring and Summer, 2004, for individuals seeking employment. Mayor Oland referred inquires to the Town
Clerk.
Maple Knoll Lights: Mayor
Oland reported that Mr. Benning Ingram from Pepco has reported that Poles #3 and #4 on Maple Knoll Drive had
been repaired.
Walkable Communities: Eric
Wenger reported that the Citizens Advisory Committee has invited Mr. Dan Burden
from the Walkable Communities group to conduct a walking tour and review of the
Town’s needs and requirements regarding traffic and development. The tour will be on May 8, 2004 starting at
the Town Hall at 10:00 a.m. All residents
are encouraged to join the tour. Mr.
Burden will prepare a presentation.
This is the first step to formulate a community action plan to approach
the State regarding traffic calming and traffic pattern devices.
Elections Results: Mayor
Oland reported that 25 residents voted at the May 3, 2004 election of two
council members. Council Member Charles
Bradsher was re-elected with 25 votes and a new Council Member, David A.
Halperin, was elected. Mr. Halperin received 18 votes. The Council Members will take office at the
July 6, 2004 regular Town Council meeting.
Water Update: Mayor Oland
reported that the Town had received a copy of a letter dated April 16, 2004 addressed to WSSC from Natelli
Communities in which the developer of the Fulks South parcel (Natelli Communities) has agreed to fund the
deficit of $1 million.
Laytonsville Nurseries, Inc., et al vs Town of
Laytonsville: Mayor Oland reported that under a letter
dated April 15, 2004 from Laytonsville Nurseries Corporation’s legal counsel,
Jody S. Kline, the Town has been advised that the Stadlers have elected not to
proceed with further prosecution of the appeal.
Special Trash Pick Up: There
will be a special trash pick up on Monday, May 10, 2004
Open House: There
will be an open house at the Town Hall on May 15, 2004 from 12:00 until 3:00
p.m. to recognize and honor the fiftieth anniversary of the Laytonsville
District Volunteer Fire Department.
There will be a display of photographs and memorabilia. The Laytonsville Historical Center will be
open for visitors. The Laytonsville
Elementary School also will be hosting their annual Spring Festival on the 15th.
Mobley Farm Drive: A resident
complaint has been received regarding the location of the “Children at Play”
sign. Council Member Preusch
recommended that the sign be removed and affixed to the “No Through Street”
sign. Agreed by consensus.
A further complaint was received regarding drainage at
Sundown Road. The Town of Laytonsville
has no jurisdiction. Council Member
Preusch recommended that Montgomery County review this drainage situation
(culvert).
It was noted that cars have been parked on the grass
area in the Town’s right-of-way on Mobley Farm Drive and have caused
damage. According to the Town’s
Ordinance No. 01-04. Homeowners are
responsible for repairing any damage.
Letters have been drafted to two residents.
Preliminary Plan – Griffith Property: A notice of Public Hearing regarding the Griffith Property,
southwest quadrant intersection of Olney-Laytonsville Road and Dorsey Road has
been received from Maryland National Capital Park and Planning. The Public Hearing will be Thursday, May 13,
2004 at MNCP&P’s office in Silver Spring.
Mayor Oland noted that Benham Malcolm, the Town’s
webmaster, will be out of town from May 1 through May 15. The Town’s web site
will be inactive during that timeframe.
Action Items:
Forest Conservation and Reforestation Ordinance: Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to repeal and
reenact with amendments the Town’s
Forest Conservation Ordinance as presented at the Public Hearing on May 4,
2004. Council Member Tom Wilkinson
seconded. Motion unanimously approved.
Street Sweeping: Council Member
Dave Preusch made the motion to accept Goshen Enterprises proposal to sweep the
Town’s streets for $1,000.00 per day.
Council Member Tom Wilkinson seconded.
Motion unanimously approved.
Web Site Link: Council Member
Frank Bennett made the motion to restrict commercial web site links to the
Town’s web site. Council Member Tom
Wilkinson seconded. Motion unanimously
approved. Motion approved.
Council:
Council Member Dave Preusch reminded the meeting about
the Verizon pedestal washout on Sundown Road at Mobley Farm Drive.
Council Member Tom Wilkinson inquired about the roof
paint repair. Mayor Oland reported that
Jack’s Roofing will repaint the back roof of the Town Hall and half of the
front roof.
Citizens:
Eric Wenger suggested a “No Parking” area be designated
in front of the Town Hall’s walkway.
Larry Barker reported that Pepco will no longer install
a bypass plug for generators.
Brendan Deyo reported that he had submitted a letter to
the Town Council regarding the placement of the “Children at Play” sign on
Mobley Farm Drive; trash on Sundown Road, broken street light and storm water
drainage from Second Street.
Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adjourn
the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Council Member
Tom Wilkinson seconded. Motion approved. Meeting adjourned.
Cathryn D. Buit
Clerk
May 4, 2004