Walkersville updates: water-main work, planning cases, food‑truck schedule and watershed permit extension

Town staff and department leads gave operational updates and fielded public questions.

Public Works: Randy Myers (Director of Public Works, Speaker 14) said the Discovery Water Project resumed March 9; crews are patching roads between Stalford Road and Discovery Boulevard and completing phase‑1 water‑main replacement. Myers presented a $5,300 quote to install a utility connection at five points in front of Good Hair Days; after discussion about access and parking the board approved the installation by a narrow vote and directed Public Works to schedule the work.

Planning: Town Planner Alex Gertrjoff (Speaker 16) introduced himself and previewed planning items for the April workshop: a Bloom project in the Old Town Mixed Use District, a McDonald’s at 20 E. Frederick Street, and Walkersville High School’s plan to replace portable classrooms with a permanent building. Gertrjoff noted no motions were required that night but said the zoning map motion may be discussed in closed session due to potential litigation.

Events and community concerns: Town Manager (announced as Mr. Williams; Speaker 13) relayed a request from Sunmeadow to allow food trucks on selected Tuesday evenings from April through November (listed dates) from 4:30–7:30 p.m.; the board limited the events to no more than two trucks and approved the schedule. During public comment Ron Layman (Speaker 9), manager of the Walkersville Watershed, said a county hearing is set for March 26 on an extension request (to address county comments about a campsite/site plan) and asked for community support. Dan Yills (Speaker 15) asked whether adjacent property owners had been notified about the recurring food-truck events; commissioners said prior events have been well received but noted the concern for follow-up and monitoring.

Public safety and other items: Manager Williams reported recent vandalism at Community Park and that state police photographed the damage; cleanup and pressure-washing were scheduled. He also briefed commissioners on local homestead tax-credit levels (Walkersville currently at 10%) and said the state needs notification by March 25 if the town wants to change the credit percentage for the coming year.

Next steps: staff will coordinate water‑project scheduling, proceed with the Devilbiss Bridge Road work after contracting, publish the food‑truck dates/conditions and follow up on neighborhood notification and watershed hearing support.