Meeting minutes of Town Council Meeting on  July 5, 2005                      

As reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on  August 2, 2005    

 

 

 

July 5, 2005

 

 

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, and David Preusch, and Charles Bradsher were present.  Council Member David Halperin was absent.   The Clerk was present. There were 12 citizens present. Barbara Meilklejohn from the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office was present.

 

Mayor Oland introduced Ms. Meiklejohn and Ms. Meiklejohn administered the Oath of Office to Charles W. Oland as Mayor.  Mayor Oland’s term will expire July 1, 2007.  Mayor Oland then administered the Oath of Office to Frank Bennett and David Preusch as Council Members. 

 

Mayor Oland introduced Montgomery County Council Member Michael J. Knapp. Council Member Knapp reviewed the Council’s actions:   The Council passed the budget for the next fiscal year; provided $116 in tax credits to every home owner; $.04 in relief to every home; provided $180 in tax credit to lower income home owners who could then apply for additional relief.  The average tax credit amounted to $300.  Council Member Knapp also mentioned the 25th Anniversary of the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve; private institutional facilities; public safety; the Master Plans for Damascus (spring, 2006) and Gaithersburg (spring, 2007); Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission update.

 

Mayor Oland introduced Senator Rona E. Kramer.    Senator Kramer reported that she had been appointed to the Budget and Taxation Committee in the Senate.  Senator Kramer reviewed the legislative update:

 

 

 

 

The minutes of the regular Town Council Meeting on June 7, 2005 were approved as submitted. 

 

Treasurer’s Report: 

 

No Treasurer’s Report.

 

Discussion/Action Items:

 

Town Picnic:  Jim O’Hair distributed a flyer announcing the Town Picnic scheduled for September 17, 2005.  Features:

 

 

 

Harry Faith from the Laytonsville Volunteer Fire Department reported that the Fire Department would be able to provide a grill, the antique engine “Minnie”; a program for children and a CD showing the history of the Laytonsville Volunteer Fire Department.

 

Mayor Oland reported that the flyer would be distributed with the approved June minutes.

 

 

Town Hall Sheds – Demolition:  Four proposals were reviewed for the demolition of the two red sheds located on the Town Hall property.  Demolition will include the removal of any debris and the removal of the trailer body and any debris.

 

Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission:  A response was received from Derick Berlage dated June 22, 2005 regarding private institutional facilities in the Agricultural Reserve.  Mr. Berlage reports that the project proposed for Route 108 and Griffith Road is of such size that it will require a change to the County’s Water and Sewerage Service Plan even though it will be on a septic system.  The Planning Board has the opportunity to advise the Council on such a change.  Mr. Berlage’s office will keep the Town advised as to when the issue becomes before the Commission.

 

 

 

Splaine Security Systems:  Mayor Oland reported that the fire and burglary alarm system was installed by Splaine Security Systems on July 7, 2005.

 

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission:  WSSC has contacted the Town Hall regarding an information meeting for residents regarding the proposed water route into the Town.  Meeting will receive citizen input.

 

 

Action Items:

 

The following appointments were submitted:  Legal Counsel, Engineer, Town Planner and Audit Firm.

 

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to re-appoint Stanley D. Abrams, Esq. as Legal Counsel; Macris, Hendricks & Glascock as Engineer; and Stanley O. Benning as Town Planner; and Lindsey and Associates as Auditors for the Town of Laytonsville.

Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

 

Council Member David Preusch made the motion to re-appoint Cathryn D. Buit as Clerk of the Town.  Council Member Frank Bennett seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved. 

 

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to re-appoint Christine Wilkinson as Treasurer of the Town.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to re-appoint Sheree Wenger and JoAnn Howes to the Historic District Commission for a three-year term.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

Council Member David Preusch made the motion to re-appoint Francis Hewitt as a member of the Board of Appeals.  Council Member Frank Bennett seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

 

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to appoint Peter Stadler to the Board of Appeals.  Council Member David Preusch seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

 

Mayor Oland reported that according the newly-adopted Charter of the Town. A Vice President should be nominated and appointed.  Council Member David Preusch nominated Frank Bennett to serve as Vice President who will act as President of the Council in the absence of the Mayor.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

Filing Fees:  Filing Fees for the 2005-2006 year were discussed.  Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to continue the Filing Fee schedule as established for the next fiscal year.  Council Member David Preusch seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

Demotion of  Town Hall Sheds:  Council Member David Preusch made the motion to accept the proposal from Harwood Construction in the amount of $3,250 to demolish the two sheds on the Town Hall property contingent on the fact that the proposal includes removal of all debris.  Council Member Frank Bennett seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

Tucker Text Amendment:  Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to close the record on the Tucker Text Amendment to revise the Town’s zoning Ordinance.  Council Member David Preusch seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

Council Member David Preusch made the motion to not accept any recommendations in the Tucker Text Amendment relative to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance.  Council Member Frank Bennett seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

 

Work Session – July 19, 2005:  It  was agreed by consensus that the Mayor and Council will cancel the Work Session scheduled for July 19, 2005.

 

 

 

Council:

 

 

 

Citizens:

 

 

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adjourn the meeting.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

 

 

 

Cathryn D. Buit

Clerk

July 5, 2005