Meeting minutes of Town Council Meeting on November 2, 2004

As reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on December 7, 2004

Mayor Oland called the Public Hearing to consider an Amended Petition for Annexation and Zoning filed by Jones Farm, LC to order at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Oland reported that on July 6, 2004 a Public Hearing was held requesting annexation of 27.36 acres known as “Rolling Ridge” as well as a rezoning of the property that is presently zoned RDT (Rural Density Transfer) in Montgomery County to the Town’s R3 (Residential, Two acre) zone. After meeting with Montgomery County Park and Planning, the petitioners amended the request to re-zone the property into the Town's Agricultural Zone. The subject of tonight’s Public Hearing is, therefore, the request of the petitioner to rezone the property known as “Rolling Ridge” that is presently zoned RDT in Montgomery County to the Town’s Agricultural Zone.

Mayor Oland requested public testimony.

Pete Stadler Questioned when the Town would review septic system
P.O. Box 500 requirements on the Rolling Ridge property. Mayor
Laytonsville, MD Oland responded that septic system requirements would
be addressed in the subdivision approval process.

With no further public testimony, Mayor Oland closed the Public Hearing at 7:40 p.m. The record will remain open.

The regular meeting of the Mayor and Town Council was called, to order by Mayor Oland at 7:45 p.m. The Mayor, Council Members Frank Bennett, and David Preusch were present. Council Members Charles Bradsher and David Halperin were absent. The Clerk and the Treasurer were present. There were 5 citizens present.

The minutes of the regular Town Council meeting of October 5, 2004 were approved as submitted.

Treasurer's Report: Reviewing the Profit and Loss Report for the month of October, 2004, major sources of income were property taxes in the amount of $38,045. Major expenses for October, 2004 were $1,040.00 for accounting fees and $2,375.40 for waste collection. Looking at the Balance Sheet for the month of October, 2004, the fund balance for the general fund is $142,864; for the CIP account, the balance is $86,044; and the balance for the fixed assets fund is $380,361. The total assets for the Town of Laytonsville for the month of October are $609,269. Council Member Dave Preusch made the motion to accept the Treasurer's Report as submitted, subject to audit. Council Member Frank Bennett seconded the motion. Unanimously approved.

Discussion/Action Items:

Zoning Text Amendment to the Town's Agricultural Zone, Section 105.04: The hearing was held; on September 7, 2004 to consider an ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance of the Town, Section 105.04 entitled “Lot Size Requirements”, so as to allow under limited circumstances lot sizes and lot frontages of less than the minimum requirements in the Agricultural Zone.

With no further testimony, the record is closed.

Town Server: The Town's server has been down since Thursday, October 28, 2004. After a discussion with the Town's webmaster, it was determined that a commercial server provider was needed. The cost will be $25-30 a month.

Council Member Charles Bradsher: Council Member Charles Bradsher has been promoted to the rank of Major and is currently serving in Iraq. He, his wife and son Chip welcomed new baby boy, Bennett Bradsher, to their family recently.

Fifth District Police Department: Mayor Oland met with St. DiChiro and the Fifth District Police Department on October 12. Traffic calming was discussed. A "smart" trailer will be made available to the Town to monitor speed and traffic count. Mayor Oland further requested that a traffic accident report for Route 108 between Dorsey Road and Griffith Road be prepared for the time frame January 1, 2004 to present.

Work Session — November 16. 2004: A Work Session will be held on November 16, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall to continue the review of the Town Charter.

Specialty Driveway Services: The patch work has been completed on Second Street and South Montgomery Street. Additional repair work needs to be completed as weather permits.

Welcome Signs: The welcome sign at the west entrance to the Town has been installed. The sign on the east entrance to the Town has been removed and will be re-installed in the near future.

Fulks South Property: The Fulks South property owners have only one more clearance requirement from Montgomery County; the owners are working with the State Highway Administration regarding roads and a Preliminary plan should be delivered to the Town in December, 2004.

December Work Session: The Work Session scheduled for December 21. Has been re-scheduled to December 14. The Citizens Advisory Board's draft of the Comprehensive Plan and the Fulks South Preliminary plan will be discussed.

Town Hall - Electrical System: In August, 2004, the Local Insurance Government Trust's representative conducted a site review and inspection of the Town Hall facilities. It was recommended that the old electrical wiring and knobs be removed from the basement of the Town Hall. A certified electrician was consulted and reports that some of the original wiring is still "live" and, therefore, the wiring, circuits and boxes should be reviewed and/or replaced.

Acreage at Route 108 and Griffith Road: Mayor Oland reported that he had attended a presentation regarding the development of a 200 acre parcel located at Route 108 and Griffith Road, The property is currently under contract from the Damascus Road Community Church and the Derwood Community Church to construct a school, a sports complex, rehabilitation houses and a cemetery. Mayor Oland requested the presenters to provide the Town with more information for public distribution.

Ordinance to Amend Agricultural Zone. Section 105.04: Council Member David Preusch made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 02-05 to amend the Town's Zoning Ordinance, Section 105.04 entitled "Lot Size Requirements" so as to allow under limited circumstances Lot sizes and lot frontages of less than the minimum requirements in the Agricultural Zone for those areas annexed after July 1, 2004. Council Member Frank Bennett seconded. Unanimously approved.

Town Hall — Electrical System: Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to authorize an electrician to correct any deficiencies in the electrical wiring requirements of the Town Hall building. Council Member Dave Preusch seconded. Unanimously approved.

Council:

Council Member Dave Preusch reported that the Open Mike Meeting held on October 27, 2004 with County Councilmember Mike Knapp addressed several issues: The Olney Master Plan (Route 108 South of the Town); traffic problems; fire and rescue operations and ambulance user fees; Montgomery County's Department of Homeland Security; traffic issues on Rocky Road; the implementation of MD-83 (Mid-County Highway); and an inter-agency panel on the improvement of traffic conditions on the 1-270 corridor.

Citizens:

Resident Wayne Sterling questioned the status of water service to the Town. Mayor Oland reported that Montgomery County has approved the water service and the project is currently in a study- phase.

Resident Phyllis Sterling asked if the water service project was included in the County's budget and Mayor Oland reported that the project was in the 2005 CIP budget.

Ms. Sterling also questioned the status of the installation of "No Parking" signs in front of Laytonsville Elementary School. Mayor Oland reported that "No Stopping" signs had been approved the SHA for installation in front of the school.

Resident Eric Wenger questioned the noise which would be generated by the proposed rumble strips to be installed at the Maple Knoll portion of Route 108. Mayor Oland reported that the newer rumble strips were not as noisy or as vibrating as older versions. A crosswalk is under consideration by the SHA.

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Council Member Dave Preusch seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Cathryn D. Buit

Clerk

November 2, 2004