Meeting minutes of Town Council Meeting on December 6, 2005

As reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on January 3, 2006

 

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,  and David Halperin were present.  Tom Wilkinson was present.  The Clerk and the Treasurer were present.  There were 5 citizens present.

 

Mayor Oland reminded the meeting that according to the new Charter for the Town of Laytonsville,  the Mayor and Council have the ability to appoint a temporary Council Member.  Mayor Oland made the motion to appoint Tom Wilkinson as temporary Council Member in Charles Bradsher’s absence.  Council Member Frank Bennett seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

 

Mayor Oland administered the Oath of Office to Tom Wilkinson.

 

The minutes of the regular meeting of November 1, 2005 were reviewed.  The minutes were approved as submitted.  The minutes of the Work Session held on November 15, 2005 were reviewed. The minutes were approved as submitted. 

Treasurer’s Report:  Reviewing the Profit and Loss Report for the month of November, 2005, major sources of income were $12,534 in income tax and $6,621 in real property taxes.  Total income for the month of November, 2005 was $21,279.00.  Major expenses for November, 2005 were $2,394.00 in legal expenses;  and $2,271.00 in waste collection expenses.  Total expenses for the month of November, 2005 were $6,956.00, for a net income of $14,323.00.  Looking at the Balance Sheet for the month of  November, 2005, the fund balance for the general fund is $173,310.00; for the CIP account, the balance is $50,591.00; and the balance for the fixed assets fund is $384,904.00.  The total assets for the Town of Laytonsville for the month of November, 2005 are $608,805.00.    Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted, subject to audit.  Council Member David Halperin seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

Treasurer Chris Wilkinson further reported that the audit for the Town of Laytonsville has been completed for the year ending June 30, 2005.  Mayor Oland  commended Chris for her efforts.

 

Discussion/Action Items:

 

Water Service Category Change Resolution:  Town Counsel, Stan Abrams, has prepared a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for and seek approval of water category changes to category W-3 to the Montgomery County ten-year Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan and Mayor Oland introduced the Resolution for consideration during the November regular Town Council meeting.  If approved, the Resolution will be sent to Alan Soukup, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection for presentation to the Montgomery County Council in January, 2006.

 

Montgomery County Sanitation & Recycling Co.:  A letter has been received from Montgomery County Sanitation & Recycling Company increasing the following:

 

Twice a week pickup of trash                     from $  14.53 to $ 15.43

Once weekly yard trim pickup                            from $    4.36 to $   5.36

Once weekly recycling pickup                   from $    4.05 to $   5.05

Bulk item cleanup                                 from $405.00 to $505.00

 

Proposed Route 108 By-Pass:  Delegate Karen Montgomery has advised Mayor Oland that the proposed Route 108 By-Pass is included in the State Highway Administration’s inventory.

 

SHA – Route 108 and Muncaster Road:  The State Highway Administration has advised Mayor Oland that the State Highway Administration and Montgomery County Park and Planning are requiring a developer to provide a right-turn back-up stacking lane onto Muncaster Road to alleviate traffic on Route 108.

 

WSSC Public Meeting:  A public meeting was held on November 16, 2005 at the Laytonsville Volunteer Fire Department by Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission as a public information meeting to discuss the specifics of plans to provide public water service to existing residential and commercial properties in addition to new homes in the Town of Laytonsville.  Mayor Oland is recommending that the Town Hall submit an application for the water connection service to be provided to the Town Hall.

 

Town Hall Tree Lighting:  On Saturday, December 3, 2005 the first Town tree-lighting  ceremony was held at 4:00 p.m.  The tree was decorated by the Laytonsville Lions Club.  Hot chocolate, cookies and Santa were there.

 

Historic District Commission Hearing:  On December 19, 2005, the Historic District Commission will hold a hearing to review the house design selections submitted by NV Homes for the 13 homes to be built on the Rolling Ridge (Jones Farm) property.  The hearing will be at the Town Hall starting at 7:30 p.m.

 

Montgomery County Council – Private Institutional Facilities:  On November 29, 2005 the Montgomery County Council voted unanimously to not permit any future extension of sewer and water in the Agricultural Reserve for PIFs.  Derwood Bible Church’s application was deferred until further review of their septic system requirements.  A zoning text amendment will be submitted by Mike Knapp on January 19, 2006 that addresses the use of multi-use systems in the RDT zones.

 

Griffith and Riggs Subdivisions – Maryland National Capital Park & Planning:  Preliminary plans have been received on the Griffith subdivision (on Route 108) and the Riggs subdivision on Riggs Road.  Any comments should be directed to Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission.

 

Town Hall Storm Windows:  A proposal has been received from Blaine Window Repair Service.  The first floor of the Town Hall would cost $2,900.00 to install storm windows and to install storm windows on both floors of the Town Hall would cost $7,117.00   Council Member Tom Wilkinson will refer a company that fits interior storm windows to the Town Hall.

 

 

Action Items:

 

Water Service Category Change Resolution:  Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to approve the Resolution to authorize the Mayor to apply for and seek approval of water category changes to category W-3 to the Montgomery County Ten-Year Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan for those properties in the Town of Laytonsville currently in Water Service Category W-4; The Laytonsville Nurseries Corporation, The Laytonsville Properties and the Properties of Mr. and Mrs. Stadler (Collectively known as “The Stadler Properties) and the properties owned by YCK and CCMC LTD Partnership to Category W-3.  Council Member Tom Wilkinson seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

 

WSSC Water Connection Fee for the Town Hall:  Council Member Tom Wilkinson made the motion to submit an application and the $1,500.00 fee to Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission for the water service connection to the Town Hall.  Council Member David Halperin seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

 

 

 

 

Council:

 

Council Member Tom Wilkinson inquired as to the status of fee-paying events at the Town Hall.  Mayor Oland recommended that after public water was available at the Town Hall,  the Mayor and Council would re-visit the topic.

 

Council Member Dave Preusch questioned the Building Height Requirement Resolution that was approved on November 1, 2005.  Resolution R-8-05 establishes maximum building heights of 35 feet measured from the average elevation of the finished grades along the front of the building to the mean height level between the eaves and ridge of a gable, hip, mansard or gambrel roof or the highest point of a flat roof in the residential zones. 

 

Citizens:

 

Sheree Wenger noted that on the draft November 15, 2005 Work Session minutes, that Tim Shortley also made comments regarding the Historic District Commission’s guidelines and procedures.                                                                      

Work Session:  The Mayor and Council have cancelled the Work Session on December 20, 2005.

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adjourn at 8:45 p.m.  Council Member David Halperin seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cathryn D. Buit

Clerk

December 6, 2005

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS TREES MAY BE PLACED CURBSIDE EVERY MONDAY IN JANUARY, 2006 FOR PICKUP.  PLEASE REMOVE GARLAND, DECORATIONS, TINSEL, ETC. AND PLACE AT CURBSIDE BY 6:30 A.M.