Meeting
minutes of Town Council on June 3, 2008
As
reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on June 3, 2008
Mayor Oland called the regular Town Council meeting to
order at 7:32 p.m. The Council Members, Frank Bennett and Charles
Bradsher, were present. The Clerk and
Treasurer were present. There were nine
citizens present.
Mayor Oland acknowledged the past service of Council
Member Tom Wilkinson. He first served
as Council Member about ten years ago and has served in that position for the
past two years.
Mayor Oland welcomed Council Member-Elect Jim Ruspi.
Mayor
Oland introduced Senator Rona Kramer.
Senator Kramer reviewed the recently ended legislative session. After discussion, Senator Kramer advised
that citizens let their Delegates and Governor know that Montgomery County
residents are unhappy about inequitable taxes.
Only California and Vermont taxes are higher in tax rates than
Montgomery County.
The
minutes of the regular Town Council Meeting on May 6, 2008 were approved as
submitted.
Treasurer’s Report: Reviewing the Profit and Loss Report for the
month of May, 2008: total income for the month of May was $23,003.00, which
includes Income Tax in the amount of $17,514.00; and Property Tax in the amount
of $1,955.00 Major expenses for May,
2008 were $2,734.00 for Waste Collection;
General Repair and Maintenance in the amount of $2,135.00; Legal in the amount
of $2,908.00. Total net income for the
month of May, 2008 was $10,587.00. Looking at the Balance Sheet for the month of May, 2008, the fund
balance for the general fund is $308,272.00;
for the CIP account, the balance is $102,785.00 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, 2008 is $794.995.00.
Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to
approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of May, 2008 subject to
audit. Council Member Charles Bradsher
seconded. Unanimously approved.
Discussion/Action Items:
Maryland Department of the
Environment: The MD DOE will hold a public hearing
concerning an air quality permit submitted for the proposed installation at the
Oaks Landfill of the landfill gas-to-energy project. The hearing will be held on 6-11-08 at the Olney Community
Library.
Town Parade: The Parade
was held on May 17, 2008.
Higgins Road – Fulks South
Subdivision: Montgomery County Department of Permitting
Services is recommending that the future Higgins Road (future Route 108 By
Pass) located in the Fulks South Subdivision be considered as an arterial
road. Stan Benning, Town Planner,
recommended that the Town approve the lesser standards of paving since it was
unknown what the State will require at the time the By Pass is
constructed. Mayor Oland supports Mr.
Benning’s recommendations. Council
Member Bennett recommends leaving Higgins Road as a residential, secondary
road.
Laytonsville District
Volunteer Fire Department: Chief Buddy Sutton and President Clarke Beall reviewed plans to add taller
bay doors to the current LVFD. Chief
Sutton recommends raising the front of the fire house to achieve an 11’6”
height to accommodate their new truck.
Mayor Oland and Chair of the Historic District Commission, Sheree Wenger
invited the LVFD General Contractor to attend the Historic District
Commission’s meeting on June 16, 2008.
Work Session: The Mayor and Council have cancelled the Work Session
scheduled for
June 17, 2008.
Appointments: Mayor Oland noted that the appointed positions take effect on
July 1, 2008:
o
VICE PRESIDENT –
FRANK BENNETT
o
LEGAL COUNSEL –
STANLEY D. ABRAMS, ESQ.
o
ENGINEER –
MACRIS, HENDRICKS AND GLASCOCK AND ROBERT H. VOGEL ENGINEERING
o
TOWN PLANNER –
STANLEY O. BENNING
o
AUDIT FIRM –
LINDSEY AND ASSOCIATES
o
CLERK – CATHRYN
BUIT
o
TREASURER –
CHRISTINE WILKINSON
o
BOARD OF APPEALS
MEMBERS – RE-APPOINT FRANCIS HEWITT,
PETE STADLER; APPOINT JOSHUA POMEROY AS
REPLACEMENT FOR JAMES A RUSPI; APPOINT
RICHARD WHITTINGTON AS ALTERNATE
o
HISTORIC
DISTRICT COMMISSION – RE-APPOINT SHEREE
WENGER; JOANNE HOWES
o
TREE COMMITTEE –
ERIC WENGER, PAUL FOSTER, RICHARD POTCNER – THREE YEAR TERM
o
CODE ENFORCEMENT
OFFICER – MICHAEL T. RYAN
o
REFORESTATION
CONSULTANT – BENNING & ASSOCIATES
Filing Fees – 2008-2009: Mayor Oland presented the
new Filing Fee scheduled. Mayor Oland
recommends the addition of a Special Exception – Commercial/Commercial Historic
fee of $500.00 for applications; the
addition of $.25 per electronic copy; and the addition of a $50.00 rental fee
for the Town Hall Pavilion.
Rolling Ridge Subdivision: The Deed to Parcel B and
an Access Easement to the remainder parcel
located north of Parcels C and D (By Pass) has been received from
counsel. It is now being reviewed by
Elm Street Development’s attorney.
Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission: WSSC meeting was held on May 15, 2008 at the
Laytonsville Volunteer Fire Department.
Another issue has been discussed:
property owners on Route 108 own to the center line of the road. WSSC will contact each homeowner regarding
the installation of the water pipe.
Town Picnic: The Town Picnic will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008.
Budget Amendments: The Town Treasurer, Chris Wilkinson, discussed items that were
re-adjusted. The Total Expense budget
for the Town will remain $228,700.
Action:
Higgins Road – Fulks South
Subdivision: Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion
to construct Higgins Road (future Route 108 By Pass) as a residential,
secondary road. Council Member Charles
Bradsher seconded. Unanimously approved.
Laytonsville Volunteer
Fire Department: Council
Member Charles Bradsher made the motion to approve the Laytonsville Volunteer
Fire Department application to modify the fire house to accommodate new
equipment subject to the Historic District Commission’s approval. Council Member Frank Bennett approved. Unanimously
approved.
Appointments: Council
Member Frank Bennett made the motion to approve the following appointments:
o
VICE PRESIDENT –
FRANK BENNETT
o
LEGAL COUNSEL –
STANLEY D. ABRAMS, ESQ.
o
ENGINEER – MACRIS,
HENDRICKS AND GLASCOCK AND ROBERT H. VOGEL ENGINEERING
o
TOWN PLANNER –
STANLEY O. BENNING
o
AUDIT FIRM –
LINDSEY AND ASSOCIATES
o
CLERK – CATHRYN
BUIT
o
TREASURER –
CHRISTINE WILKINSON
o
BOARD OF APPEALS
MEMBERS – RE-APPOINT FRANCIS HEWITT,
PETE STADLER; APPOINT JOSHUA POMEROY AS
REPLACEMENT FOR JAMES A RUSPI; APPOINT RICHARD
WHITTINGTON ALTERNATE
o
HISTORIC
DISTRICT COMMISSION – RE-APPOINT SHEREE
WENGER; JOANNE HOWES
o
TREE COMMITTEE –
ERIC WENGER, PAUL FOSTER, RICHARD POTCNER – THREE YEAR TERM
o
CODE ENFORCEMENT
OFFICER – MICHAEL T. RYAN
o
REFORESTATION
CONSULTANT – BENNING & ASSOCIATES
Council Member Charles
Bradsher seconded. Unanimously approved.
Council Member Frank Bennett
made the motion to approve the Budget Amendments as submitted by the
Treasurer. Council Member Charles
Bradsher seconded. Unanimously approved.
Council:
Council Member Charles Bradsher noted that the Parade
Coordinator, Charlene Dillingham, did an outstanding job and wanted to thank
her for her efforts during the parade.
Citizens:
Josh Pomeroy
inquired if the Town Council was considering the elimination of Section
110.03 of the Zoning Ordinance which currently allows warehouses and storage
buildings in the Commercial Zone. Mayor
Oland noted that the Citizens Advisory Board is working on the Comprehensive
Plan. When it is finished, it will be
presented to the Town Council. The Planning Commission will recommend to the
Mayor and Council that the Council re-evaluate uses in all of the zones.
Mr. Pomeroy also noted his concern about what
protections were in place to protect historic trees when WSSC lays water
pipe. Council Member Bennett noted that
water lines will be placed in paved areas.
Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to
adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Council Charles Bradsher seconded. Unanimously
approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathryn D. Buit
Clerk
June
3, 2008
THE TOWN HALL
PAVILION IS AVAILABLE FOR A $50.00 RENTAL FEE.
PLEASE CONTACT THE TOWN HALL FOR DETAILS. (301) 869-0042.
SPECIALITY
DRIVEWAY SERVICES WILL BE FILLING THE CRACKS IN THE TOWN’S STREETS THE WEEK OF
JULY 14 OR SOON THEREAFTER.