Meeting minutes of Town Council on November 6, 2007

As reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on December 4, 2007

Mayor Oland introduced Jim O’Hair, Chair of the Town of Laytonsville’s 2007 Picnic. Mr. O’Hair introduced Jim Estes, James Winslow and Ellen Kay as representatives of the Salute to Military Golf Association. Mayor Oland then presented the group with a check in the amount of $5,185.00 from the Town. Mayor Oland thanked Jim O’Hair for his tireless efforts in organizing and chairing the Picnic.

Mayor Oland called the regular Town Council meeting to order at 7:47 p.m. The Mayor and Council Members Frank Bennett, Charles Bradsher, David Preusch and Tom Wilkinson were present. The Clerk and Treasurer were present. There were twelve citizens present. Representatives of the Laytonsville Volunteer Fire Department were present.

The minutes of the regular Town Council Meeting on October 2, 2007 were approved as submitted. The minutes of the Public Hearing on October 23, 2007 to consider a proposed Zoning Text Amendment to define the term “contributing resource” (Section 127) were approved a submitted.

Treasurer’s Report: Reviewing the Profit and Loss Report for the month of October: total income for the month of October was $62,975.00, which includes income tax in the amount of $2,901.00; property tax in the amount of $55,608.00. Major expenses for October, 2007 were $2,604.00 for waste collection; and $501.00 for the Town Hall pavilion.. Total net income for the month of October, 2007 was $57,519.00. Looking at the Balance Sheet for the month of October, 2007, the fund balance for the general fund is $258,296.00; for the CIP account, the balance is $91,027.00 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 October, 2007 is $733,261.00.

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

Discussion/Action Items:

Citizenship Award: Mayor Oland acknowledged Reed Stadler who is working on his citizenship badge for the Boy Scouts.

Zoning Text Amendment to Section of the Zoning Ordinance to Add Definition for the term “Contributing Resources”: The Public Hearing was held this date, November 6, 2007. The Ordinance will be introduced at the December 4, 2007 regular Town Council meeting for voting.

Laytonsville Volunteer Fire Department: Mayor Oland introduced Chief Buddy Sutton and President Clark Beall. Chief Sutton submitted a plan for the proposed traffic light at the intersection to the Fulks South subdivision. Chief Sutton indicated the LVFD supp[orts the traffic light proposal submitted by Laytonsville Communities, LLC. Chief Sutton displayed a proposed site plan from LVFD which reflected a new building to house additional fire department equipment. The purpose of the new building: to house larger fire apparatus; and to provide living arrangements for the firefighters. Mayor Oland questioned whether the proposed light was a full phase traffic light or a controlled traffic light. Chief Sutton responded that as he understood from the State Highway Administration it would be a controlled light.

Removal of the Town Hall underground Oil Tank: Mayor Oland reported that a 1,000 gallon tank was removed on October 29, 2007 from the Town Hall lot. The tank had not leaked but was pitted.

Washington Gas Hook-Up to Town Hall: Mayor Oland reported that Washington Gas finalized their hook-up on November 6, 2007.

Holiday Tree Lighting: Mayor Oland reported that the Holiday Tree Lighting will take place on December 8, 2007 at the Town Hall.

Work Session: The Work Session scheduled for November 20, 2007 has been cancelled. It was agreed by consensus to hold a Work Session on November 13, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall to continue the discussion of the evolution of the proposed round-about at the entrance to the Fulks South subdivision.

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission: Mayor Oland reported that the WSSC is working to schedule a meeting wit the Town Council in January, 2008 along with Mr. Tom Natelli, President of Laytonsville Communities, LLC and Mr. Pete Stadler, Stadler Nurseries. A community meeting will be held in May or June 0f 2008. Construction of the main lines and water tower will be in the Fall, 2008.

Action:

Council:

Council Member Tom Wilkinson indicated that the donation of picnic tables for the Town Hall Pavilion was not the direction that the Town should take.

Council Member Wilkinson further reported that he was disappointed in the State Highway Administration’s preparation regarding round-about for the 10-23-07 to consider the proposed intersection/light at the entrance to the Fulks South subdivision. Council Member Wilkinson submitted a DVD video re round-abouts.

Citizens:

Mrs. Sheree Wenger thanked the Mayor and Council for coordinating the meeting on October 23, 2007 to continue the discussion of the Public Hearing to consider the proposed intersection at the Fulks South subdivision.

Mrs. Wenger, Chair of the Historic District Commission, reported that in the July regular Town Council meeting, it was discussed that the HDC complete a revision of their Guidelines. Mrs. Wenger requested an extension of the original 120 days for the complete. The requested completed date is May 2008. It was agreed by consensus that the May, 2008 date would be acceptable for the completion of the revised HDC Guidelines.

Mayor Oland inquired as to the status of the HDC’s designation of contributing resources. Mrs. Wenger reported that the designations would be discussed at the HDC’s November meeting. (November 19, 2007).

Mr. Eric Wenger, Chair of the Citizens Advisory Board, requested an extension on the re-write of the Comprehensive Plan adding that new requirements of Maryland Annotated Code 66B dictate a longer timeframe. Mr. Wenger requested early summer, 2008 as a completion date of the draft of the Town of Laytonsville’s Comprehensive Plan. It was agreed by consensus that summer, 2008 would be acceptable for the revision.

Council Member Tom Wilkinson made the motion to adjourn at 8:25 p.m.  Council David Preusch seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathryn D. Buit

Clerk

November 6, 2007

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