Note: This is a SUMMARY of the Commissioners Meeting for the purposes of a Press Release. These are not the actual minutes of the meeting.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: NORMAN BASSETT
240-313-2130

Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
March 25, 2003

COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on Health Department Septic System issues. County Environmental Health Director Laurie Bucher is sending letters out to owners of new houses built with Septic in the County, advising them of the proper way to maintain those systems. There is also a plan to revise regulations so that clean-out pipes will be required to be at ground level. The Health Department is also revising rules for sale of food at fund-raisers such as yard and garage sales. The new regulation, if approved would allow for a one-time use permit of $15 for food sales. The current regulation calls for a $50 permit, which would cover multiple uses and locations, Kercheval said.
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on negotiations with the City of Hagerstown on zoning issues. Planning staff will offer clarifications to those issues, Wivell said.
Commissioner Dori Nipps commented on a meeting of the three new Commissioners with Recreation Department staff. An issue regarding grant funding was raised at that meeting, and County Administrator Rod Shoop was asked to look into the issue. Nipps said that the small amount of funding given Recreation each year produces outcomes that are great, affecting many children and families in the County.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook recounted testimony before the General Assembly on transfer and excise tax issues. A $50,000.00 training grant for the Department of Emergency Services has been announced by the Maryland Emergency Management Agency. A request for assistance to a burned-out Williamsport family regarding rubble-tipping fees at the Landfill has come from that Town Council, Snook said. If there is a non-profit agency willing to assist the family, the Commissioners could support such a request. Child Abuse Awareness Month will be observed in the County in April, Snook said.

REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer told the Board that a new problem has come into existence in construction areas. Contractors are leaving machinery and building supplies in County right-of-way causing public safety issues on roads and streets. Letters are being sent out to area contractors outlining the problem and some solutions the County may take if the materials continue to be left in the roadway. Highway funding cuts will cause problems in maintenance of some more rural roads which have been severely affected by the hard winter weather, Rohrer said.

OTHER BUSINESS
County Administrator Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop told the Board that the Senate Budget and Finance Committee has rejected a state proposal to appropriate portions of the income tax paid to Counties. The Maryland Association of Counties has expressed thanks to Counties and Commissioners for their phone calls and letters in opposition to this measure, Shoop said. Waypoint Bank, which leases ground floor space in the County Administration Building has announced it will renew its lease in 2004 for an additional 5 years. The lease brings in $62,000.00 annually in revenue. President Bush has declared Washington County as part of a northeast disaster area as a result of the President's Day storm. The action will make the County eligible for disaster relief aid from the Federal and Maryland Emergency Management Agencies, Shoop said.

BUDGET PRESENTATION: AIRPORT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Hagerstown Regional Airport Director Carolyn Motz and Steve Luchessi of the URS Engineering Consultant firm brought this budget request before the Board. The FY 2004 budget for construction and improvements to Airport infrastructure is $25.12 million, part of an overall $60 million request over the next 5 years, for expansion of the main runway, 9-27. The improvement program is expected to begin in '04, and the Letter of Intent to fund 90% of the project is expected soon from the Federal Aviation Administration. Phase III of the expansion will begin in 2004, and projects would include installation of navigation aids, construction of a "holding apron" for Runway 9, construction of a connector taxiway and stormwater management pond, improvements to Route 11, and related construction projects. Funding would be 90% federal, 5% state and 5% from the County. Motz explained that the federal funds come from the Aviation Trust Fund, made up of ticket taxes and airport fuel taxes. The budget will be reviewed again before adoption in May.

PUBLIC HEARING: AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION DISTRICT
Land Preservation Administrator Eric Seifarth brought 4 applications for Agricultural Preservation Districts to Public Hearing. The County provides property tax credits to landowners that commit to a ten-year Ag land preservation district. Development is not permitted on the property during that period. The program piggybacks on the Maryland Ag Land Preservation Program. The four applicants are Robert Michael for 210.9 acres along the east side of Big Pool Road southwest of Clear Spring, and 211.8 acres in the same area, Richard Newcomer for 125 acres on Benevola-Newcomer Road near Boonsboro, and Robert Ziem for 53.3 acres on Spielman Road near Fairplay. Seifarth told the Board that $32,000.00 in property tax credits would be involved for the four parcels. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.

CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Each week the Board of County Commissioners sets aside time to hear from the Citizens of Washington County on matters of community interest.
Human Resources Department Assistant Director Dee Hawbaker introduced Dirk Schultz of Smithsburg as the new Pro Shop Manager for Black Rock Golf Course.
Donald Allensworth of Hagerstown spoke in opposition to the process used by the Zoning Commission in several recent cases, and the input from Planning Staff. Commissioners President Snook said that the Board has recommended that the 60-day period for presentation of information to the Planning Commission on a particular case be extended in order that the County Commissioners have ample review time for controversial planning matters.

EARLY INTERVENTION PROJECTS FUNDING
Washington County Community Partnership (WCCP) coordinator Melissa Nearchos brought this measure before the Board, to approve a recommended vendor for Early Intervention Projects. Projects approved for this funding source had to meet several guidelines including areas convenient to county residents, serve children birth to age five, meet a gap in service based on local needs, and utilize "best practices' or research-based strategies of intervention. Any project funded should embrace the Children Entering School Ready to Learn initiative, the Children Safe in their Families and Communities, or both. $3,881.00 is available for projects occurring in Washington County during the period of April 1, 2003 to June 30, 2003. Funding is contingent upon continued availability of sufficient state funds. Recommended vendor is the Washington County Early Intervention Program for its project "Closing an Early Intervention Speech/Language Service Gap for Infants and Toddlers". This project would provide speech-language services to children from birth to three years who have been referred due to suspected developmental delays or disabilities affecting the communication domain. Services would include speech and language evaluation/assessments, provision of speech therapy and development of home programs. A subcontracted speech therapist would be utilized to provide the service. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION SCHOOL AGE SUMMER OPPORTUNITY FUNDS
WCCP coordinator Paula Fisher presented a recommendation to the Board, for funding vendors for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)/WCCP School Age Summer Opportunity Funds for 2004. $30,536.00 is available for the programs. No one program may receive more than $24,999.00. Projects funded through the DDA/WCCP School Age Summer Opportunity Fund must be designed to achieve the Communities Which Support Family Life initiative. DDA stated that the primary purpose in transmitting these funds to the WCCP is "to assure that families and children with disabilities have the same access to child care services and opportunities as any other child in the community and the caregivers have the training, capacity and desire to serve children with disabilities in inclusive settings". Funds can be used for summer recreational activities for children with special needs; to provide monies for additional staffing/supervision, transportation and/or program materials needed to support children with special needs in inclusive before and after school and/or summer programs; and/or to provide for costs associated with Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations for children who have disabilities. Programs must be conducted within an inclusive setting. The WCCP/DDA recommendation is to fund the Hagerstown YMCA in the amount of $24,993.00 for a comprehensive summer camp program to serve children with a range of disabilities in an inclusive environment. The program will address the primary barriers encountered by parents of children with disabilities which are availability, accessibility, inclusion, and cost. The program will be integrated into both Kinder Kamp for ages 5 to 6, and Camp Holiday for ages 7 to 14, during an eight week period and offers recreation, academic and social development activities. Each week will have a different thematic unit of activities for which a curriculum has been developed. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

MENTAL HEALTH FLEX FUND PROGRAMS
Fisher also brought this request, to fund award of Mental Health Flex Funds to community programs, before the Board. Disbursement of this funding had been previously approved by the Board, $100,000.00 total is available for the programs, and no one award will receive over $24,999.00. Behavioral Health Sciences of Hagerstown is recommended to receive the full funding amount to provide therapeutic, individual and group psychotherapy as well as medications management to children diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). ODD is defined as a pattern of negativistic, hostile and defiant behavior lasting at least 6 months in duration. These characteristics cause clinically significant impairment in the living, learning and social environments of choice and frequently create dysfunctional impairment to family units. The BHS program will provide clinical treatment to the child, educational and clinical services to the parent, and integrated family services. The need for ODD services is evidenced by a waiting list of 15 individuals ready to begin the program immediately. Potomac Case Management would receive the full amount of funding to provide General Case Management services to at least 30 families where the adult primary care giver has a DSM IV AXIS I mental health diagnosis and whose impaired role functioning demonstrates a negative impact on the family unit. Negative impacts frequently include, but are not limited to, current or past incarceration, hospitalization, risk of homelessness, unemployment and loss of custody of children. Project components include initial and ongoing assessment, service planning and the implementation of both formal and informal activities identified within the plan, service linkage and monitoring, crisis intervention, case coordination, family support and consumer advocacy and outreach. General Case Management services would be time limited to a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 6 months with an aftercare follow up plan not to extend past 6 months. The need for General Case Management services is evidenced by the fact that 1 in 4 current program referrals are ineligible for Targeted Case Management services authorized and funded through Maryland Health Partners due to guideline changes and funding cutbacks at the state level. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.

CIP BUDGET DISCUSSION
Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian, Planning and Community Development Director Bob Arch and Public Works Director Gary Rohrer brought draft two of the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Budget for Fiscal Year 2004 before the Board for discussion and review. Option 1, presented previously called for borrowing $12 million to fund Capital projects including school construction. Bastian presented Option 2, calling for $10 million in borrowing and Option 3, $8 million in borrowing. After discussion, 3 of the Board members came to consensus to borrow $9 million, and to support enacting the Excise and Transfer taxes, which would provide an additional $2.5 million. $400,000 of the new tax revenue would support Agricultural Preservation by statute. The Capital Improvement budget would be supported at $11 million, which would provide $5.9 million in capital improvements for the School Board, and an additional $100,000.00 for Hagerstown Community College. The school construction funds would include $531,000.00 for purchase of land for a new Maugansville Elementary school. The current CIP would eliminate $1.1 million previously earmarked for the Maugans Avenue widening project, moving the start of that project to Fiscal Year 2005. An additional $400,000.00 in miscellaneous capital projects would be eliminated.

YOUTH OF THE MONTH
Commissioner John Munson presented the Youth of the Month Meritorious Award to Jennifer Miller of Hancock. Jennifer is a 11th grade student at Hancock Middle-Senior High School, has been a class officer for the last three years, a member of Student Council for three years as Secretary and President, involved in the FBLA for the past three years, serves as a Peer Tutor, is part of Maryland Peers Using Leadership Skills Everywhere, a D.A.R.E. role model, and has been active in a multitude of other extra-curricular activities while maintaining a 3.75 GPA. Munson said Jennifer has earned a Certificate of Merit, is a University of Maryland Completer and will graduate early as a Junior. Among her community service endeavors, she is a Bible and Sunday School Teacher, a member of Camp Joy and a Youth Center Helper for the Hancock Town Council. Her teacher Ms. Norris notes "Jennifer is a hard worker, meets all deadlines put towards her and is a highly motivated individual".

Once each month, the Board holds an evening meeting in one of the 9 County municipalities in order to give citizens increased opportunity to interact with local government. This month, the meeting was held at the Clear Spring Town Hall.

CITIZEN OF THE MONTH
Danielle Shives of Big Pool was honored as the Washington County Citizen of the Month for March, 2003. Citizen of the Month honors a Washington County resident who has, by word and deed, made a positive impact on the lives of fellow citizens. The Board of County Commissioners choose nominees for the honor. This month, Commissioner Bill Wivell chose Danielle, a 10th grade student at Clear Spring High School, due to her abilities and dedication. Danielle, blind since age 2, serves as an inspiration to all Washington County citizens for her life pursuits, and her educational
achievements. Among other amazing exploits, Danielle goes hunting with her Father, and last November shot a five-point buck. Her teachers and Clear Spring High Principal Martin Green laud Danielle for her school work ethic and leadership abilities. Commissioner Wivell read a proclamation stating that the Washington County Board of County Commissioners believes that every citizen of our county should be able to pursue his or her dreams and goals, and citing Danielle Shives as possessing abilities many people do not have, such as leadership and a highly developed work ethic. The proclamation cited Danielle as a role model who does not allow her blindness to interfere with any life activity she chooses to pursue, and that her teachers and principal at Clear Spring High School say she is studious, dedicated and focused, earning a straight A average. A Braille version of the proclamation was also presented to Danielle and her family.

TAX SETOFF FOR CLEAR SPRING AND HANCOCK
Commissioners' President Greg Snook told the Mayors and members of the Clear Spring and Hancock Town Councils that the tax setoff for 2003 decreased by 0.7% due to several factors. Clear Spring, with 455 residents, has the lowest population of any municipality. The minimum amount allocated is $2,000.00, which is neither a gain nor loss from the previous year.
Hancock, with 1,725 residents is the third largest municipality in the County, and received $42,273.00 from the Police and Parks allocations. Hancock is interested in participating in the annual County overlay program, information should be provided as soon as possible so that bids can be let and the process begun right away, Snook said.

TOWN COMMENTS
Mayor Paul Hose of Clear Spring told the Board that the town¹s water customers may face a rate increase as large as 157% due to state-mandated additions to the Town¹s water treatment plant. Filtration system and storage tanks are the major expenses, Hose said. The town has a low-interest Maryland Water Quality Project loan. Mayor Dan Murphy of Hancock said that the Raylock Road improvements are underway, and asked if the bridge project is still in the County Capital Improvement Project budget. Commissioners' President Snook said that the Department of Public Works will follow up with Murphy on that question. The Soil Conservation District is assisting the town with a stream
restoration project, with funds supplied by the County. The 40-West landfill project was required to provide stream restoration, but location for the project was not part of the mandate. Restoration projects are being done at
40-West, on Beaver Creek and in Hancock to satisfy state regulations. Murphy also asked that the Town¹s 4-person Police Department be added to the County¹s retirement system. Murphy said that in the past, requests of this
nature had been denied. County Administrator Rod Shoop will investigate the policy and report to the Board.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Clear Spring Vice-Mayor Julie Albowicz asked about possible additions to the parks in the town using Program Open Space (POS) funds. Commissioner Snook said that the funds are in jeopardy of being cut by the state, and that the Planning Department fears they will be cut by at least half. POS funds are provided by the state for parkland purchase and park development. Tom Grosh, also of Clear Spring echoed the request, asking for Commissioners' assistance in developing soccer and softball fields in the town¹s parks. Joan Hull of Clear Spring commended the Commissioners for the current historic and Agricultural Preservation programs. Snook said that Washington
County is doing all it can to preserve agricultural lands, and that earlier in the day some 400 acres near Clear Spring had been placed under a ten-year agricultural district. The lands cannot be developed during that period, Snook said.