Meeting minutes of Town Council Meeting on June 5, 2007                      

As reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on July 3, 2007 

 

The regular meeting of the Mayor and Town Council was called to order by Mayor Oland at 7:32 p.m.  The Mayor, Council Members Frank Bennett, Charles Bradsher,   and Tom Wilkinson were present.  Council Member David Preusch was absent. The Clerk and the Treasurer were present. There were 7 citizens present. 

Mayor Oland introduced Loretta Knight, Clerk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County.  Ms. Knight administered the Oath of Office to Charles W. Oland as re-elected Mayor.

The minutes of the regular Town Council Meeting on May 1, 2007 were approved as submitted.  The minutes of the joint Work Session of the Council and the Historic District Commission on May 2, 2007 were approved as submitted.

Treasurer’s Report:  Reviewing the Profit and Loss Report for the month of May, 2007: total income for the month of May, 2007 was $19, 240.00 that includes $14, 414.00 in income taxes.  Major expenses for May, 2007 were $2,604.00 for waste management and $1,109.00 for grounds maintenance.  Total net income for the month of April, 2007 was $8,527.00.  Looking at the Balance Sheet for the month of May, 2007, the fund balance for the general fund is $273,832.00; for the CIP account, the balance is $81,438.00 and the balance for the fixed assets fund is $383,938.00.  The total fund balance for the Town of Laytonsville for the month of  May, 2007 is $739,208.00. 

Council Member Tom Wilkinson made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report subject to audit.  Council Member Frank Bennett seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

Discussion/Action Items:

Election Results:  Mayor Oland reported that at the election on May 7, 2007, twenty-seven residents voted.  Mayor Oland and Council Members Frank Bennett and David Preusch were re-elected to serve two year terms.

Morningstar Community Church:  The Laytonsville Lions Club is researching the original request to place their display sign at this location.

 

 

Town Parade:  Mayor Oland reported that the Laytonsville Community Parade was held on May 19, 2007 and 74 units participated. 

Elm Street (Rolling Ridge) Update:  Except for the continuing discussion of the purchase of the historic residence at Rolling Ridge, the conditions previously required by the Town and the Historic District Commission have been fulfilled.

Town Hall Pavilion:  Montgomery County has issued a Building Permit for the construction of the pavilion  Expenses include:   Litchfield Industries, Inc. - $22,000; Jones & Sons Contracting, Inc. - $9,900; Bartley Corp - $11,300 ($5,383 for 28” x 16” frost footing and $5,843 for 4” concrete and 4” gravel shelter pad)

Town Hall Porch:  The original pine boards have been replaced by a mahogany-type wood, “Cambara” which is resistant to insects and moisture.  It was determined that a vapor barrier was not required;

Laytonsville Nurseries Corp.:  A Deed of Agricultural Conservation Easement was recorded in Montgomery County on May 18, 2007 at Liber 24323 and Folio 379 for the  26 acres  deed in perpetuity to the Town by the Stadler family.

Welcome Sign – Sundown Road: The Welcome Sign has been installed on Sundown Road.

Rollingwood Village: The Maryland Municipal League has requested the Town’s input regarding the support of this community in its request to hold a referendum election to allow residents to have input regarding the incorporation of Rollingwood Village.  It was agreed by consensus that the Town Council would support this request. 

Appointments:  The following appointments were considered:

 

                VICE PRESIDENT – FRANK BENNETT

            LEGAL COUNSEL – STANLEY D. ABRAMS, ESQ.

            ENGINEER – MACRIS, HENDRICKS AND GLASCOCK

            TOWN PLANNER – STANLEY O. BENNING

            AUDIT FIRM – LINDSEY AND ASSOCIATES

            CLERK – CATHRYN BUIT

            TREASURER – CHRISTINE WILKINSON

            BOARD OF APPEALS MEMBER – JIM RUSPI

            HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION –  ALTERNATE – DAN PRATS

            TREE COMMITTEE – ERIC WENGER, PAUL FOSTER, RICHARD    POTCNER

            CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER – MICHAEL T. RYAN

            HOUSEKEEPING

 

Filling Fees – 2007-2007:  The Filling Fee Schedule was reviewed.  It was recommended that the $250.00 fee for New Residential Construction be increased to $500.00.

 

OLAC:  A meeting was held at the Town Hall with representatives from OLAC and Montgomery County to discuss the proposal to capture methane gas and convert to energy and the temporary utilization of the former equipment maintenance building by Fire and Rescue to ready new emergency response vehicles for service throughout the County.  Council Member Tom Wilkinson reported that the main opposition to these proposals from the OLAC Committee was the numerous (40+) fire equipment vehicles utilizing the maintenance building.

 

WSSC Recirculation Proposal:  A representation of the Laytonsville Water Mains as proposed by WSSC was reviewed.  The representation is on file at the Town Hall.  Mayor Oland reported that the pumping station and elevated water storage tank should be completed in the Fall of 2008.

 

Town Picnic:  The Town picnic will be held on September 15, 2007

 

Route 108 Sidewalk:  Montgomery County Department of Transportation contacted the Town Hall regarding the curb at Gulf Estates and was referred to the Gulf Estates HoA.  The sidewalk has been completed. 

 

Local Insurance Government Trust:  The Town has received a letter from LGIT regarding a reduction in insurance rates by 11% for the year 2007 for the Town.

Action Items:

Appointments:  Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to appoint the following for a term of one year:

            VICE PRESIDENT – FRANK BENNETT

            LEGAL COUNSEL – STANLEY D. ABRAMS, ESQ.

            ENGINEER – MACRIS, HENDRICKS AND GLASCOCK

            TOWN PLANNER – STANLEY O. BENNING

            AUDIT FIRM – LINDSEY AND ASSOCIATES

            CLERK – CATHRYN BUIT

            TREASURER – CHRISTINE WILKINSON

            TREE COMMITTEE – ERIC WENGER, PAUL FOSTER, RICHARD    POTCNER

            CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER – MICHAEL T. RYAN

 

Council Member Tom Wilkinson seconded.  Unanimously approved.  These appointments will be installed in July. 

 

Council Member Tom Wilkinson made the motion to appoint Jim Ruspi as a member of the Board of Appeals for a term of three years.  Council Member Frank Bennett seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

Council Member Charles Bradsher made the motion to appoint Danny Prats, Jr. as an alternate member of the Historic District Commission for a term of three years.  Council Member Frank Bennett seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

Filing Fees 2007-2008:  Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to approve the 2007-2008 Filing Fee Schedule and to increase the fee for New Residential Construction from $250.00 to $500.00.  Council Member Tom Wilkinson seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

Town Hall Pavilion:  Council Member Tom Wilkinson made the motion to approve the following expenses:   Litchfield Industries, Inc. - $22,000; Jones & Sons Contracting, Inc. - $9,900; Bartley Corp - $11,300.   Council Member Frank Bennett seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

Town Hall Porch:  As discussed, materials were changed which increased the initial cost by $1,000.00.  Council Member Tom Wilkinson made the motion to approve the additional cost for the Town Hall porch.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

Council:

Council Member Frank Bennett submitted information regarding the Joint Session of the Council and the Historic District Commission that was held on May 2, 2007.  Council Member Bennett made the motion to engage legal counsel to re-form the Historic District Commission as an Advisory Commission.

Council Member Tom Wilkinson indicated that the Town owes a debt of gratitude to the individuals of the Historic District Commission.  However, he feels that the Town made an error in judgment in adopting the Historic District Guidelines for such a small town such as Laytonsville.  Council Member Wilkinson recommended that the Historic District Commission act as an advisory body to the Town Council.  He further recommended that the Council and the HDC work together to create the process appropriate for the Town.

Council Member Charles Bradsher noted that the HDC should be empowered with the power  to enforce guidelines but that conflicts can be costly to the Town.

Mayor Oland commented that the HDC took on a huge responsibility with Rolling Ridge and did an excellent job.  Mayor Oland offered the following points:

Sheree Wenger (Chair of the Historic District Commission) noted that the current Zoning Ordinance states that everything in the Historic District is an historic resource.  Mrs. Wenger suggested that perhaps a pre-construction worksheet could be developed  and used as a checklist during the process.

It was agreed by consensus that the motion made by Council Member Frank Bennett be tabled until the next regular Town Council Meeting.

 

Work Session:  The Mayor and Council cancelled the Work Session scheduled for June 19.  A Work Session will be held on June 26 to further discuss the HDC.

Council Member Tom Wilkinson discussed renting the Town Hall building and grounds.  Pete Stadler recommended that public water be installed before pursuing this proposal.

Citizens:

Mrs. Wenger noted that the sinkhole at Maple Knoll and Route 108 is still there.   Mayor Oland will contact the State Highway Administration.

Council Member Tom Wilkinson made the motion to adjourn at 9:10 p.m.  Council Frank Bennett seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Cathryn D. Buit

Clerk

June 5, 2007    

 

 

 

NOTE:  APPLICANTS ARE NEEDED TO REPRESENT THE LAYTONSVILLE AREA ON THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY FIFTH POLICE DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD.  MEETINGS ARE HELD THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE FIFTH DISTRICT STATION, 20000 AIRCRAFT DRIVE, GERMANTOWN.  THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD CONTACT CAPT. THOMAS DIDONE, THOMAS.DIDONE@MONTGOMERYCOUNTYMD.GOV OR CALL THE STATION AT (301) 840 2650.