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.
Review
of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
April 22, 2003
The
Board attended the annual Employee Service
Awards Breakfast at the 4 Points Hotel,
at 7:30 a.m. (See attached release)
PROCLAMATION:
CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
Washington County Citizens currently
serving in the Armed Forces or who have
served their country were honored as
Citizens of the Year by the Board, with
Commissioner John Munson presenting
the proclamation. The honor recognized
those serving in the Middle East, on
active duty elsewhere, and on Guard
and Reserve status as well as County
Veterans. The event takes the place
of Citizen of the Month for April, 2003,
and is held in support of our troops
in Iraq and around the world. Since
its founding in 1776, Washington County's
sons and daughters have served their
country well in time of war and peace.
County government supports its employees
serving in the National Guard and Reserves.
The proclamation recognized that troops
may be deployed for an extended period
in the Middle East, and cited families
and loved ones for the sacrifice they
must make when service personnel go
overseas. All citizens of Washington
County are urged to honor and support
County Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and
women, Marines and Coast Guard personnel
for their choice to help keep this nation
and other nations free from oppression.
Names of all active duty personnel,
members of Guard and Reserve units,
employee's family members in service
and names of employees who are veterans
were read during the ceremony by Commissioners'
Vice-President Bill Wivell. That list
will be attached to the proclamation,
and copies will be posted in all County
buildings as a gesture of support from
Washington County Government.
COMMISSIONERS
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Jim Kercheval told the
Board that a recent meeting of the Black
Rock Golf Course Board of Directors
noted a $60,000 deficit in the budget,
due to lack of revenue in periods of
bad weather this spring. Black Rock
Staff has been trained in First Aid,
and a Golf Cart has been adapted as
a First Aid vehicle, Kercheval told
the Board. A letter from the legislative
delegation states that Washington County
received only 2.1% in new funds, which
ranks 16th in the state, but was cut
33.3% in General Government spending,
ranking the County as the worst in the
state in that category. Loss of the
Disparity Grant was cited as a possible
cause for this percentage of lost funds.
Commissioner John Munson acknowledged
employees honored for longevity in employment
earlier in the day, and said greater
attendance was needed at the annual
event.
PUBLIC
HEARING: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FEES
County Attorney Richard Douglas, County
Healkth Officer Bill Christoffel and
Environmental Health Director Laurie
Bucher brought this request before the
Board, to approve a modified fee schedule
for the Washington County Health Department
(WCHD). Staff of WCHD have asked that
the Commissioners sit as the Board of
Health and consider a one-time per year
fee for temporary food service in the
amount of $15.00. The $50 fee is charged
for year-round food vendors, and the
Health Department had been asked to
modify the policy. Repeat users would
still need to pay the $50.00 annual
fee, and applicants will be asked if
they will be holding more than one event
during the year at the time the permit
is issued. Commissioner Munson questioned
the need for such a fee for yard or
garage sales. This Public Hearing drew
no comment either in support of, or
against the measure. The amendment was
approved by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner
Munson voting "no".
REPORTS
FROM COUNTY STAFF
Division of Public Works Director Gary
Rohrer told the Board that a meeting
was held recently with developers in
the Longmeadow-Leitersburg Pike area
to discuss traffic studies and impact
on residential development. Stream Bank
restoration programs are underway in
the Beaver Creek and Black Rock Run
areas, Rohrer said. The mitigation has
come about as a result of construction
of the 40-West landfill and the need
to meet state and federal regulations.
Department of Emergency Services Director
Joe Kroboth reported that part-time
9-1-1 Communications dispatcher Joey
Chojnacki was honored as Dispatcher
of the Year, and Shift Supervisor Dave
Pheil was named Supervisor of the Year
by a group made up of 9-1-1 Communications
Centers from a three-state region. The
Federal Emergency Management Administration
has granted Washington County 75% reimbursement
for expenditures related to any 48-hour
period during the recent President's
Day Storm and aftermath, Kroboth said.
Planning and Community Development Director
Bob Arch told the Board that information
is being gathered from the National
Park Service about excess property conversion
as parkland. The contact came in response
to the recent revision of rules regarding
reuse of Fort Ritchie. Information is
being compiled on the number of building
permits issued in the last year for
purposes of determining the impact of
the new excise tax, should the Board
adopt that measure, Arch said.
EMERGENCY
SHELTER GRANT APPLICATION
Community Action Council Director Dave
Jordan and CAC Case management Coordinator
Sherry Neil requested approval of the
submittal of the annual Emergency Shelter
Grant (ESG) application to the State
Department of Housing and Community
Development. ESG funds help prevent
homelessness and improve the quality
of existing shelter programs. CAC, CASA,
St. John's Shelter and REACH all benefit
from the grant. The total requested
is $50,000.00, with $25,000 to CAC,
$10,000 each to CASA and St. John's
and $5,000 to REACH. The measure was
approved by unanimous vote.
RENTAL
ALLOWANCE TO WORK PROGRAM
Jordan and Neil also requested approval
of the Rental Allowance Program (RAP)
to Work for FY 2003. Funds come from
the Maryland Department of Community
Development's Office of Rental Service
Programs. This competitive funding is
offered to local jurisdictions that
have a plan to use funds to support
individuals in making the transition
from welfare to work. Approximately
30 families benefit from the program
through monthly subsidies of $150 to
$250. The program is jointly administered
by CAC and the Department of Social
Services. The initial RAP subsidy is
available for up to 6 months, then an
evaluation is made as to continued eligibility.
The grant will bring up to $30,000.00
into the County. Grant-in Aid funds
are supplied by the County in the amount
of $17,404, for program administration.
Neil told the Board that 79% of the
RAP recipients are making the transition
to the workforce successfully and that
cash assistance programs are on the
decline in Washington County. The measure
was approved by unanimous vote.
EARLY
ACTION COMPACT AIR QUALITY MITIGATION
Planning and Community Development Director
Bob Arch and Maryland Department of
the Environment (MDE) representatives
Tad Aburn, Diane Franks and Randy Mosier
presented information to the Board on
Air Quality programs. The County has
authorized pursuing the Early Action
Compact (EAC) program. Air Quality statewide
was reviewed, with the I-95 corridor
cited as the most heavily polluted and
classified as a "Severe Non-attainment
Area". Air pollution from Virginia
and North Carolina as well as some from
the Ohio Valley contribute to the situation,
Aburn said. Purpose of the EAC is to
ensure that Washington County, which
is not classified in the Non-Attainment
Area, take actions that preclude the
need for additional stringent clean
air regulations. The process is the
result of new EPA standards, recently
upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The
EAC impacts transportation planning,
pollution control programs and Air Quality
planning. A timeline for submittal of
plans by the County, working in cooperation
with MDE, has been established, to run
from June 2003 to December 2004. No
Board action was necessary at this time,
and the Planning and Community Development
Department will begin work on the Compact
immediately, Arch said.
CITIZENS'
PARTICIPATION
Each week the Board of County Commissioners
sets aside time to hear from citizens
of Washington County on matters of interest
and concern to the community.
T.S. Alphin of Hagerstown commented
on the rent charged for two hangars
at Hagerstown Regional Airport. Commissioners'
Vice-President Wivell said that the
Airport Board will be in contact on
the matter.
Donald Allensworth of Hagerstown commented
on state highway user fund cuts, excise
taxes and transfer taxes.
OTHER
BUSINESS
County Attorney Issues: Assistant County
Attorney John Martirano brought the
JOBS Program Grant agreement for 2003,
before the Board. The JOBS program provides
transportation to and from job locations
and daycare facilities for employed
persons who have been on welfare. The
program is funded 50% by federal funds,
25% by state funds and 25% by county
funds. The Department of Social Services
pays the county portion, and there is
no impact on the General Fund. The $85,000.00
grant was accepted by unanimous vote.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions:
County Clerk Joni Bittner brought a
request from the Board of Zoning Appeals
for reappointment of Jan Wetterer to
another three-year term. The measure
was approved by unanimous vote.
The Recreation and Parks Board has recommended
appointment of Deborah Murphy to fill
a vacant position on that Board, Bittner
said The measure was approved by unanimous
vote.
The Board of Examiners and Supervisors
for Electricians has requested reappointment
of Daniel Shank to an additional three-year
term. The measure was
also approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator Comments: County
Administrator Rod Shoop introduced Ruth
Ann Callaham, Director of the Washington
County Food Bank. That organization
applied for, and has been granted, an
additional $10,000.00 for a mobile food
bank to assist in delivery of food to
Senior Citizens who could not otherwise
travel to agency's central location.
A modification of the current contract
with the County was requested and approved,
by unanimous vote. Shoop also thanked
the "Honor Our Troops" committee,
Vicki Lumm of the County Attorney's
Office, Tina Rupert of Public Works
and Public Information Officer Norman
Bassett for their work in coordinating
the proclamation presented earlier in
the meeting. County Sheriff's Deputies
are monitoring speeding in Clear Spring
in the afternoon hours, as a result
of Mayor Paul Hose's request at the
Board meeting held in that municipality
on March 25th.
REVISED
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS POLICY
County Attorney Richard Douglas brought
forth this revision to the policy governing
Boards and Commissions, for adoption.
An exception to the current policy was
requested by the Economic Development
Commission. As the policy stood, it
limited members of those groups providing
advice and expertise to the County Commissioners
to residency in Washington County. The
revised policy reads: "Applicants
must be Washington County residents
to be considered for appointment, except
for the Economic Development Commission
(EDC). Applicants for the EDC will be
considered who are employed by or affiliated
with business entities with a substantial
presence in Washington County. The extent
of the affiliation of the applicant
and the presence of the entity in Washington
County shall be factors in the deliberations
of the Commissioners on the application
for appointment to the EDC." The
measure was approved by unanimous vote.
The
Board toured the Agricultural Education
Center Park at the noon hour.
COMMENTS
REGARDING THE NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
AND REVISED ZONING
Former County resident Thomas Firey
brought a report to the Board for informational
purposes regarding possible compensation
to rural landowners whose property will
be devalued by downzoning. Firey said
pending downzoning outlined in the revised
Comprehensive Plan will result in economic
loss to rural landowners. The rural
charm of the area is intended to be
preserved through the zoning actions,
which will benefit all residents of
the County. Firey told the Board that
if the cost of downzoning is too high,
the zoning measures should not be adopted.
Firey cited a cost estimate of $111
million but said that accurate land
values will not be available until 2004.
The County could offer tax credits as
an alternative to payments, Firey said.
BID
AWARD: BROADFORDING BRIDGE
County Chief Engineer Terry McGee brought
this request, to conditionally award
the low bid for rehabilitation of the
Broadfording Bridge over Conococheague
Creek to BEKA Industries, Inc. of Pasadena,
Maryland in the amount of $693,000.00.
McGee told the Board that the contract
award needs State Highway Administration
approval as it is a Federal Aid project.
The stone arch bridge over the Conococheague
will be rehabilitated, new concrete
fill added to the spans, minor roadway
work accomplished, concrete parapet
caps replaced, concrete collars repaired,
stone masonry reconstructed, and repointing
of a number of bridge elements. The
contract is for 150 calendar days, with
a provision for damages of $500.00 per
day following that term. Anticipated
notice to proceed would be May 27th
with completion expected on October
23, 2003. Funds are budgeted in the
current Capital Improvement Projects,
with federal funding accounting for
80% of the costs. The planned CIP budget
is $903,000.00, which would include
$722,400 in federal and $180,600 in
local funds. McGee said that the existing
stone arch bridge is deteriorating and
will continue to do so if not rehabilitated.
If the project is delayed, the situation
will likely worsen and repair costs
increase. The measure was approved by
unanimous vote.
BID
AWARD: TENNIS COURT REPAIRS
McGee and Buildings, Grounds and Parks
Director Jim Sterling recommended award
of a contract to repair 26 tennis courts
at North Hagerstown High School, South
Hagerstown High School, Williamsport
High School and Smithsburg High School.
A number of options were described in
the bid, and the inclusive option was
recommended. Low bidder was Craig Paving,
Inc. in the amount of $245,000.00. A
68 calendar-day contract, notice to
proceed could be given by June 16th,
and completion seen as early as August
22nd. Damages of $250.00 per day are
included in the contract. The current
CIP budget amount for the project is
$307,866 with State Program Open Space
funds accounting for $242,316 of that
total. The courts are badly deteriorated,
Sterling said, and all 4 locations may
be closed for the majority of the summer.
The measure was approved by unanimous
vote.
YOUTH
OF THE MONTH
Washington County Community Partnership
Coordinator Angie Helfrick brought the
Youth of the Month Meritorious Award
before the Board. Commissioner Dori
Nipps presented the award to Eric Rollins
of Hagerstown, recipient for the month
of March 2003. Eric is a 11th grade
student at North Hagerstown High School
and an active, energetic member of the
Washington County Boys and Girls Club
(B&GC). He is a teen leader and
effectively works with younger youth
and his peers at the B&GC. As part
of his leadership work, he has become
involved in youth and adult partnership
initiatives through the Washington County
4-H Youth Development Program. As part
of this involvement, he has worked with
County Commuter to secure transportation
to school for North High School students.
In addition, Eric has assumed a major
leadership role with the youth Leadership
Institute Program as part of the planning
and teaching team. He is a dedicated
teen leader and gives unselfishly of
his time and talents. Eric demonstrates
dependability by being involved with
his church as the choir director, and
as part of the Student Government Association
at North High. At the Boys and Girls
Club he serves as the Character Counts
coordinator, pre-teen coordinator and
is active in the Leo Club. Commissioner
Nipps cited Eric as a superior role
model for all youth.
PART-TIME
WEIGH CLERK POSITION
Solid Waste Director Bob Davenport brought
this request before the Board, to advertise
and fill the Part-Time Weigh Clerk position
at the 40-West Landfill. The position
is at Grade 7, or $11.45 per hour. The
previous employee in the position transferred
to Buildings, Grounds and Parks to an
Office Associate position, Davenport
said. The measure was approved by unanimous
vote.
CONTRACT
RENEWAL: ELECTRICAL SERVICES
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther
brought this request to the Board, to
renew the existing electrical service
contract with Kube Electric Company,
Inc. of Williamsport. Kube requested
increases in the regular service hourly
rates for Electrician and Helper from
$19.50 to $20.50 and from $13.50 to
$14.00 respectively. For evening, holiday,
weekend and emergency service, the rates
would increase from $29.00 to $30.50
per hour for the Electrician and from
$19.25 to $20.00 per hour for the Helper
position. Luther told the Board that
funds to cover these increases are available
in various operating budgets. The contract
was approved by unanimous vote.
SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT UNIFORM BID
Luther and Sheriff Charles Mades requested
award of low bid for departmental uniforms
to Red the Uniform Tailor, Inc. of Toms
River, New Jersey for Patrol and Judicial,
in the amount of $14,130.00, and to
Jimmie Muscatello's of Washington D.C,
for Correctional Officers in the amount
of $11.972.00. The Department has changed
the type uniform worn by Correctional
Officers and has realized considerable
savings. The bid is for a one-year period
with option to renew for up to two additional
consecutive one-year periods. Funds
are contained in various Sheriff's Department
line item budgets for the uniforms.
The measure was approved by unanimous
vote.
SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONS
Mades also brought the ceremony for
several interdepartmental promotions
before the Board. Rodney Weicht was
promoted to First Sergeant, Chief of
Security at the Detention Center. Terri
Blair was promoted to Sergeant, Programs
Coordinator, also at the Detention Center.
Promoted to the rank of Corporal in
the Detention Center was Craig Rowe.
Peter Lazich was Promoted to Sergeant.
Mades said that due to growth of staff
and the inmate population, realignment
of duties and responsibilities have
become necessary. Mades also told the
Board that the Narcotics Task Force
Director position entails many duties
and responsibilities and the rank of
Sergeant is appropriate. Funds for the
promotions are included in the current
year budget, Mades said.
COUNTY
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK REPORT
Acting Human Resources Director Dee
Hawbaker brought the newly-revised Employee
Handbook before the Board for review.
Hawbaker told the Board that the manual
had been reviewed by Employment Attorney
Jonathan Topazian, and some changes
to wording would be necessary before
distribution.
###
COUNTY HONORS RETIREES AND EMPLOYEES
FOR LENGTH OF SERVICE
The Washington County Board of County
Commissioners honored 86 employees for
their contributions to County Government
on Tuesday, April 22nd, during the Fifth
Annual Employee Service Awards Breakfast,
at the Four Points Hotel in Hagerstown.
A total of ten retirees were honored
by the Board including Former Commissioner
Lee Downey, who retired after 20 years
service in l998. Other retirees included
John Weller, who with 43 years' service
in the Engineering Department holds
the record for longest service to the
County. Shirley Burkett retired from
the Budget and Finance Department after
29 years, 1 month service. Lee Snyder
served the Engineering Department for
22 years, 9 months prior to retirement.
Hazel Butts retired from the Sheriff's
Detention Center after serving 20 years.
Arthur Barnhart retired from the Sheriff's
Department after 18 years service, as
did Wallace Malkiewicz, who served the
County for 16 years, 5 months. John
Howard retired from the Economic Development
Commission after 5 years' service.
Service Pins were presented to employees
who had reached employment milestones.
Honored for 30 years' service was Dale
Bowser, of the Highways Department.
Those with 25 years' service included
Christine Ellis, Circuit Court; Kathy
Good, Sheriff's Patrol, Frank Huntzberry,
Solid Waste; Terry Kline, Engineering;
Dennis Mummert, Sheriff's Department-Judicial;
Anne-Marie Nave, Treasurer's Office;
Kenneth Rickett, Department of Buildings,
Grounds and Parks; Jay Stenger, Highways;
Bill Vantz, Permits and Inspections;
and Phil Williams, Highways Department.
20-year service honorees included Karen
Luther, Purchasing Department; William
Mallott, Sheriff's Department-Patrol;
Douglas Mullendore, Sheriff's Department-Patrol;
John Snow, Highways Department and Robert
Willis, Sheriff's Department-Patrol.
Those honored for 15 years' service
included Janis Bomar, Sheriff's Department-Detention;
Randall Bradley, Sheriff's Department-Detention;
Richard Curry, Purchasing Department;
Kelly Ellis, Sheriff's Department-Detention;
Daniel Faith, Sheriff's Department-Patrol;
Todd Hershey, Treasurer; Roy Lescaleet,
Department of Emergency Services; Daryl
Long, Sheriff's Department-Detention;
Thomas Long, Sheriff's Department-Detention;
Robert Mills, Highways; Dennis Minnick,
Sheriff's Department-Detention; Stanley
Morris, Highways; William Nutter, Sheriff's
Department-Detention; Arthur Overcash,
Sheriff's Department-Patrol; Edward
Parker, Permits and Inspections; and
Tony Pepple, Sheriff's Department-Detention.
Ten year service honorees included Johnny
Buchanan, Sheriff's Department-Detention;
James Cooper, Sheriff's Department-Patrol;
John Keefauver, Hagerstown Regional
Airport; Ricky Kline, Facilities Department;
Michael Marker, Water and Sewer Department;
Shirley Mills, Solid Waste; Carolyn
Motz, Hagerstown Regional Airport; John
Pennesi, Buildings, Grounds and Parks;
John Phillips, Highways; Mike Rohrer,
Water and Sewer; Terry Schlotterbeck,
Water and Sewer; Vinson Shank, Water
and Sewer; Rod Shoop, County Administrator;
Clarence Swartz, Buildings, Grounds
and Parks; and Terry Wray, Water and
Sewer.
5 years' service pins were awarded to
Steven Bowders, Highways; Michael Carbaugh,
Sheriff's Department-Detention; Ann
Marie Churchey, Sheriff's Department-Detention;
James Clay, Sheriff's Department-Patrol;
Sandra Coffman, Planning; Lucinda Collins,
State's Attorney's Office; Dwayne Flook,
Sheriff's Department-Patrol; Leslie
Groves, Sheriff's Department-Detention;
April Hinckle, Sheriff's Department-Detention;
Robert Hoopengardner, Department of
Emergency Services; Jonathan Hose, Sheriff's
Department-Detention; Daniel Hovermale,
Water and Sewer; Sean Jernigan, Highways;
James Kendle, Solid Waste; James Kirby,
Water and Sewer Department; John Kline,
Water and Sewer Department; Jay Mills,
Sheriff's Department-Patrol; Greg Murray,
Water and Sewer; Eric Powell, Hagerstown
Regional Airport; Timothy Rowland, Buildings,
Grounds and Parks; David Sanders, Sheriff's
Department-Patrol; Tony Shanholtz, Water
and Sewer Department; Raymond Smith,
Water and Sewer Department; Herman Stockslager,
Highways; Shawn Stone, Black Rock Golf
Course; Tina Thomas, Circuit Court;
Mary Turner, Water and Sewer Department;
Valerie Weaver, Sheriff's Department-Patrol,
and Ricky Whittington, Sheriff's Department-Patrol.
The annual event is sponsored by the
Washington County Human Resources Department.
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