Meeting minutes of Town Council Meeting on April 5, 2005
As
reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on May 3, 2005
April 5, 2005
The Public Hearing to
consider the proposed 2005-2006 Budget for the Town of Laytonsville was called
to order by Mayor Charles W. Oland at 7:30 p.m. The Treasurer, Christine Wilkinson, reviewed the highlights: Expenses:
The Town has budgeted $5,000.00 for special projects for the two picnics
scheduled; Repair and Maintenance in the amount of $10,000.00 for the demolition
of the two sheds (at $2,000.00 each) on the Town Hall property and other
potential repairs; and $2,000.00 for security for the Town Hall.
The Capital Improvements
Budget reflects a proposed $10,000.00 in Engineering Projects; $14,000.00 in
Roads and Sidewalk Maintenance; and $30,000.00 in Water Management (S.
Montgomery Street drainage project).
Mayor Oland requested any
questions from the Council and audience.
Mayor Oland closed the Public Hearing at 7:35 p.m.
The regular meeting of the
Mayor and Town Council was called to
order by Mayor Oland at 7:30 p.m. The
Mayor, Council Members Frank Bennett, David Preusch, David Halperin and Charles
Bradsher were present. The Town Planner, Mr. Stanley Benning, was present. The Clerk and Treasurer were present. There
were 5 citizens present.
The minutes of the regular
Town Council Meeting on March 1, 2005 were approved as submitted. The minutes of the Work Session on March 1,
2005 were approved as submitted.
Treasurer’s Report: Reviewing the
Profit and Loss Report for the month of March, 2005, major sources of income
were income tax in the amount of $12,604.91; and personal property tax in the
amount of $2,460.22. Major expenses
for March, 2005 were $2,668.95 for Repairs and Maintenance (removal and repair
of the Town Hall electric wiring); $3,039.89 for Payroll; $1,847.50 for snow
removal, and $2,454.56 for waste collection.
Looking at the Balance Sheet for the month of March, 2005, the fund
balance
for the general fund is
$151,259.00; for the CIP account, the balance is $75,658.00; and the balance
for the fixed assets fund is $380,361.00.
The total assets for the Town of Laytonsville for the month of March,
2005 are $607,278.00. Council Member
Frank Bennett made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted,
subject to audit. Council Member David
Halperin seconded the motion. Unanimously approved.
Discussion/Action Items:
Close Public Hearing on
the Proposed 2005-2006 Budget: Council Member David Preusch made the motion
to close the Public Hearing on the Proposed 2005-2006 Budget for the Town of
Laytonsville. Council Member Charles
Bradsher seconded the motion. Unanimously approved.
Council Member Frank Bennett
made the motion to adopt the 2005-2006 Budget as submitted for the Town of
Laytonsville. Council Member David
Halperin seconded. Unanimously approved.
Establish Real Property
Tax Rate/Establish the Personal Property Tax Rate: Mayor Oland
noted that the proposed tax rates remain the same for the 2005-2006 fiscal year
at $.16 per $100.00 of assessed value for the Real Property Tax Rate and $.35
per $100.00 of assessed value for the Personal Property Tax Rate. Council Member David Preusch made the motion
to establish the Real Property Tax Rate for the Town of Laytonsville at $.16
per $100.00 of assessed value. Council
Member Frank Bennett seconded. Unanimously approved. Council Member Dave Preusch made the motion
to establish the Personal Property Tax Rate for the Town of Laytonsville at
$.35 per $100.00 of assessed value.
Council Member Frank Bennett seconded.
Unanimously approved.
Charter: Mayor Oland
reported that the Mayor and Council have been working on the proposed new
Charter for the Town for several months with the assistance of the Institute of
Governmental Services. A Public Hearing
was held on February 1, 2005 and written comments will remain part of the
public record.
Town Picnic: James O’Hair
and Council Member Dave Preusch have been working on a Town Picnic. The tentative date is September 17, 2005 on
the Town Hall grounds.
Draft Comprehensive Land
Plan: Mayor Oland reported that the drafted Comprehensive Land Plan
will be further discussed in the Work Session to immediately follow the
adjournment of tonight’s regular Town Council Meeting.
Town Hall Electrical
Wiring: Mayor Oland reported that
Whitetail Electric had completed the replacement of the faulty electrical
wiring at the Town Hall.
Mailbox: Mayor Oland
reported that a mailbox had been affixed to the back porch railing of the Town
Hall to receive documents when the Town Hall office is closed.
State Highway
Administration: A letter has been received from the State
Highway Administration dated March 8, 2005 from Charlie K. Watkins, District
Engineer regarding the signal at Muncaster Road and the signal at
Fieldcrest. The full signalization of
the light at Fieldcrest has been recommended.
Housing and Urban
Development – Montgomery County: The Town has received a letter from
Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs requesting the
Town’s participation in the Community Development Block Grant and the HOME
Investment Partnerships Program. Mayor
Oland reported that traditionally, the Town had elected not to participate in
this program.
Fulks South: Montgomery
County’s Department of Permitting Services has sent a Memorandum to the Town
dated March 24, 2005 stating that the Preliminary Plan for the Fulks South
development has been approved with the following reservations:
Senatorial Scholarship: The Town has
been notified that students who reside in the 14th Legislative
District are encouraged to apply for a Senatorial Scholarship from the office
of State Senator Rona E. Kramer. The
scholarship is need-based, and all students are required to first file the free
application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) form.
Applications are available from Senator Kramer’s office by calling (301)
858-3625 or by emailing awelsh@senate.state.md.us.
S. Montgomery Street
Drainage Project: Mane-Line Utilities has declined to issue a
performance bond in their letter dated March 15, 2005 from Mr. Daniel
Lyon. Mayor Oland noted that for a job
of this size, the company would not typically invoice until all the pipe and
structures are in and a temporary patch placed on the street. Mayor Oland feels
confident that the Town would not require a performance bond in this situation.
Preliminary Plan – Stabler
Property: The Town has received a preliminary plan for the Stabler Property
on Route 108 reflecting four proposed houses.
Bulk Trash Pick Up: A special
Bulk Trash Pick Up will be held on Monday, May 16, 2005. Please place your bulk items 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. Please do not include hazardous materials, batteries, tires or
paint.
Action Items:
Judges of Election: The elections
will be held on Monday, May 2, 2005.
The following individuals have agreed to serve as Judges: Barbara White, Phyllis Sterling, Jake Cecere
and Jill Ruspi. Council Member Frank
Bennett made the motion to appoint Barbara White, Phyllis Sterling, Jake Cecere
and Jill Ruspi Judges of Election for the May 2, 2005 elections for the Town of
Laytonsville. Council Member Dave
Halperin seconded. Unanimously approved.
Zoning Sign: The cost of
an additional zoning sign has increased.
The current sign deposit is $250.00 and Mayor Oland is recommending the
deposit be increased to $300.00. Council Member Dave Halperin made the motion to increase the sign
deposit to $300.00. Council Member
Frank Bennett seconded. Unanimously approved.
Charter Amendment
Resolution: Vic Tervala from the Institute of Governmental Services has
prepared the draft Charter and Town Counsel, Stanley D. Abrams has reviewed
this draft. The Mayor and Council have
reviewed these recommendations in several Work Sessions and a final document
has been prepared. Council Member Frank
Bennett made the motion to adopt Resolution No. R-6-05, a Resolution of the
Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Laytonsville, Maryland to comprehensively
amend the Charter of the Town as provided in new Articles I through Articles
XIII attached as part of this Resolution and to repeal all provisions of the
existing Charter inconsistent therewith.
Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded. Unanimously approved.
Housing and Urban
Development – Montgomery County: Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion
that the Town of Laytonsville not enter into an agreement with Montgomery
County to participate in the Community Development Block Grant and the HOME
Investment Partnerships Program through the Department of Housing and Community
Affairs. Council Member Dave Preusch
seconded. Unanimously approved.
OMF, Inc.: Mr. Will
Gonzalez and Mr. Oscar Flores requested that the Mayor and Council consider the
property they recently purchased (Parcel 200) for commercial zoning. Mayor Oland reviewed the Land Use and the
Zoning maps as approved by the Mayor and Council and noted that the parcel was
not currently zoned commercial. Mr.
Flores suggested that OMF, Inc. may wait for public water to service this
parcel and then submit a request for a change of zoning to the Town. Mayor Oland indicated that OMF, Inc. can
official apply for an amendment to the zoning code. A discussion was held that with the 2+ acre parcel in question,
approximately two houses could be considered for this parcel dependent on
Montgomery County’s septic requirements.
The parcel currently holds two four-unit apartment buildings. Since the parcel is zoned residential, Mayor
Oland offered the possibility that OMF, Inc. consider applying to the Board of
Appeals for a Special Exception.
Council:
Council Member Charles
Bradsher reported that Montgomery County no longer offers the Bookmobile
program. The closest library was slated
to be at Airpark and Muncaster Roads and that facility has been eliminated from
the plan.
Council Member Dave Preusch
questioned whether a separate parcel had been dedicated to the Town of
Laytonsville by the Fulks South owners.
Council Member Frank Bennett responded that this dedication should be on
the submitted plan.
Citizens:
Mrs. Sheree Wenger pointed out
the signs at Morningside Church and that they are not in conformance with the
Town’s Sign Ordinance. Mayor Oland will
review the signs.
Council Member Dave Halperin
questioned the progress on the Berman House (7115 Brink Road). Mrs. Wenger reported that Montgomery County
has now approved their permits.
Council Member Frank Bennett
made the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Council Member Dave Halperin seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Cathryn D. Buit
Clerk
April 5, 2005