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 NEWS
CONTACT: NORMAN BASSETT RELEASE
240-313-2130

Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
June 3, 2003

COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner John Munson commented on calls and letters in regards to the recent vote by the Board on the Airport runway extension. Munson called for a new vote on the issue, but did not receive a second.
Commissioner Dori Nipps reported on a Civil War Roundtable presentation at Smithsburg High School. Nipps cited retiring Public School administrator Yogi Martin on contributions made to the Recreation and Parks Board over the years. Nipps asked about the Western Maryland Commissioners meeting this Friday in Frederick. Commissioners' President Greg Snook said that Public Works Director Gary Rohrer will give a presentation on the loss of Highway User Fund revenues and the impact on County roads.
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on negotiations with the City of Hagerstown on Water and Sewer issues. A meeting with Chief Smith and City residents on a proposed Pit Bull Ordinance resulted in a request for assistance from the Humane Society, Wivell said. The Department of Social Services Board meeting this week discussed Teen Pregnancy and development of a task force to implement prevention programs.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on the Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting held last week. The Organization adopted the Transportation Improvement Program for Fiscal Years '04 through '06. The Planning Commission approved the Hunter's Green site plan, and discussed the proposed park at St. James, which would now be called Westfields Park. A second meeting on rezoning updates will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 9th and a specialist on Transfer of Development Rights will address the Planning Commission at 3 p.m. on June 16th at 80 West Baltimore Street.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook reported on the Veteran's Memorial Day ceremony, on addressing the Register of Wills' state meeting held in Hagerstown, and on a meeting of the Traffic Advisory Committee. The July 4th commemoration at Antietam Battlefield is expected to draw 35,000 attendees, Snook said. A letter of request from Blue Ridge Summit Library was overlooked during budget development. The Library, although located in Pennsylvania, serves a number of Washington County Patrons each year, and usually receives a donation from the Commissioners. Snook requested $1,500.00 from the Commissioners Contingency fund to be given to that Library through the Washington County Free Library budget. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Department of Emergency Services Director Joe Kroboth gave the Board a copy of new Standard Operating Procedures for Fire and Rescue Officer Training and Certification Requirements and Minimum Apparatus Staffing, in development for four years, and recently adopted by the Emergency Services Council. Kroboth called adoption of the standards a tremendous step forward in fire and rescue operations in our County. Washington County Government stands to receive about $115,000 in reimbursements for costs associated with the Presidents Day snowstorm and its aftermath. A number of governmental entities in the County have received reimbursement checks, the largest to date in the Town of Boonsboro, at $11,850.69. The Emergency Communications tower at Fairview was struck by lightning over the weekend, causing a loss of several backup frequencies for a time. The main frequency stayed on the air, Kroboth said, and Communications Maintenance worked through the weekend to repair the service. The City of Hagerstown sent a letter some months back asking the County to match a $50,000 donation to Community Rescue Service. Recently the Emergency Services Council voted to deny the request, based on improperly filed paperwork and operational issues. Kroboth requested that the Commissioners accept the Council's recommendation. The measure, to deny the $50,000 grant, was approved by unanimous vote, and a letter to CRS and the City will be drafted.
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer reported on debris removal at the bridges over County creeks and tributaries. The Highways Department is working with the State Highway Administration in the cleanup effort. Solid Waste Department permit sales are up, as are mulch and compost sales. General Waste revenue is ahead of projections for the year, Rohrer said. A review is underway for relocation of the cemetery at the 40-West landfill, Rohrer reported.
Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian reported on Maryland Water Quality Bond refunding to take advantage of lower interest rates. The refinancing will involve the Utility funds and the Landfill fund. The full accounting of Solid Waste is being finalized this week, Bastian said. A Board of Education Finance Academy intern will work in the Department through the summer, Bastian reported.
County Planning and Community Development Director Bob Arch told the Board that an Early Action Compact agreement will be brought before the Board for approval next week.

RENTAL ALLOWANCE PROGRAM ADDITIONAL FUNDING
Community Action Council (CAC) Director Dave Jordan and Case Management Coordinator Sherry Neil requested approval of a Rental Allowance Program (RAP) bonus funding application and Amended Grant Agreement to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. $41,341.00 in extra funds would be available to CAC for the current fiscal year to help meet needs of housing for low-income families in the county. Some 60 families benefit from the RAP program and can receive $150 to $250 monthly depending on family size. The RAP program is available to households for 6 months, and case management is provided. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.

AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION EASEMENT PAYMENT
An Ag Preservation Easement payment on the Lee Worthington property in Ringgold has been stalled since January due to a state freeze on land preservation funds. Planning and Community Development Director Bob Arch brought a letter from the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) which states that the funds, some $204,323.08, will not be unfrozen until after July 1. Options for payment include the County fronting the money and being reimbursed in July, or the entire payment being put off until that date. The Ag Preservation Advisory Board supports Planning staff's recommendation that the contract be funded with two contingencies. 100% funding would be provided from the FY '02 Ag Preservation funds only with the expectation that the state reimburse Washington County, and if the County is billed for 60/40 match no penalty would be assessed by the state. The state can charge a 17% interest penalty in some cases. Total payment would be $246,483.98. Discussion centered on the small amount of time before the reimbursement is to take place, and staff was requested to find out if there was an emergency need for the payment at this time. No action was taken pending a report next week.

PRELIMINARY CONSULTATION STATUS: NON-GROWTH AREAS
Arch also brought a report to the Board dealing with preliminary subdivision consultations in the rural area that have not progressed due to the moratorium on major subdivision activity in non-growth areas. 8 subdivisions containing 313 lots are not being processed due to the moratorium, invoked last October. In all cases, the plans were submitted before the moratorium took effect, and Preliminary Consultation was performed prior to that ruling in all but one case. Arch told the Board that an alternative would be to grant exemptions for moving the preliminary consultations forward, as allowed under the Moratorium Ordinance. The Board took no action, requesting a week to think about the matter.

PLAN EXAMINER POSITION REQUEST
Arch also requested approval to add one Plan Examiner position, Grade 13 at $37,780.00 to the Permits and Inspections staff due to the current backlog in that department. Economic factors have generated more building permit business than the present staff can handle, leading to a backlog of 6 to 8 weeks. Arch told the Board that a grade 13 Plan Examiner would be capable of completing all plan reviews including commercial, residential and rehabilitation permits. Funding for the position would come from increase in application fees for plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits. The measure was approved, with permit fees to be reset in the near future, by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell voting "no".

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.
Karen Hendrickson, an employee in the State's Attorney Office, reported on Operation Keep Connected, which partnered County employees with the local Red Cross chapter to collect donations for service personnel in combat zones. 15 donation cans were placed in various locations in the County. $414.67 and 3 phone cards were collected. In addition, the Williamsport Council was able to get 50 cards donated. Small flags were made and sold to benefit the drive, and $170.00 was raised from that effort, Hendrickson said. Red Cross volunteers were cited for their contributions to the drive, as were all County employees who donated funds to the event. Each phone card worth $20 contained over 600 international minutes at government rates, Hendrickson said.
Don Allensworth of Hagerstown commented on the development moratorium, and said that exemptions could be granted for good cause.
Jim Willits of Rohrersville cited growth control measures needed in the County, and lauded the Commissioners for the current regulatory actions.

OTHER BUSINESS:
Appointment to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought a request from the Public Guardianship Review Board for reappointment of Sara Ann Godwin and Cindy Pellegrino to additional three-year terms. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
Request was also made by the Antietam Battlefield Advisory Committee for reappointment of George Anikis, Edwin Itnyre and John Powell to that group. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop commented on
the recent Employee Casual Day supporting the American Cancer Society. That event raised $352.00 in charitable donations, Shoop said.
A meeting has been set with the Airport Commission for June 9th to discuss several issues. Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian will review the County's Debt Policy, Debt Affordability, the impact the Airport has on County debt, and the runway extension finances. Airport Director Carolyn Motz will discuss the reduction of flight restrictions around Camp David to three nautical miles, pre 9/11 figures, and 10 nautical miles when President Bush is at the retreat. The event will be an official meeting of the Board of County Commissioners because three Board members are expected to attend, Shoop said and will be held in the third floor conference room of the County Administration Building at 100 West Washington Street at 7:30 a.m. on that date.

REQUEST TO FILL VACANCY
County Administrator Rod Shoop brought a request to fill the vacant Human Resources Director job at grade 16, with a salary range of $47,592 to $76,148. Shoop told the Board that a revision of the department role and function has taken place, and a revised job description developed. The position would require a Bachelor's degree and extensive personnel management experience, and a Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification would be desired but not required. Realignment of staff responsibilities within the department was also recommended, with elimination of the Assistant Director position, renaming it Human Resources Administrator at Grade 13. Additional assistance would be granted the Benefits Administrator by upgrade of the Office Associate III position to Assistant Benefits Administrator at Grade 9. The pay and compensation function and Investment Services administration have been transferred to the Budget and Finance Department. The Public Information Officer and Community Partnership Director, formerly positions within HR, would report directly to the County Administrator. Shoop told the Board that the proposed changes would improve the overall support and service to County employees and that the job realignments within the department distribute workload and duties more evenly, enhance the ability to cross-train personnel, improve productivity and promote a team concept. In addition, savings would be realized by reducing the Director's grade from 18 to 16, Shoop said. Commissioner Wivell questioned the need to fill the position given recent talks with the County School Superintendent on possibilities of consolidation of some HR functions. Commissioner Nipps said that there are immediate needs within the County and that filling the position did not preclude consolidation of some functions. Questions were raised about wording of the job description for the position, with Commissioner Nipps requesting that union negotiation experience be added, as well as requirement for additional coursework in Human Resources under education. The measures were approved by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell voting "no", with the revisions to the job description as requested.

LIBRARY-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP
Washington County Deputy Public School Superintendent Dr. Patricia Abernethy and Free Library Director Mary Baykan presented the World "Class" partnership agreement to the Commissioners. Class stands for Connecting Libraries and Schools for Success, and is modeled on a similar agreement developed in Howard County. Focus of the agreement is to aid Washington County students in completion of school assignments, reward scholarship, promote a love and respect for reading and create a community atmosphere conducive to academic success. Baykan said that one of the major initiatives would be wireless connectivity with the internet at schools in the Western areas of the County through the Library. Abernethy said the initiatives would also benefit School Board employees.

ONE COUNTY-ONE BOOK PROGRAM
Baykan and Kathleen O'Connel of the Library staff presented the Commissioners with a copy of County Resident Jim Lehrer's book "No Certain Rest", as the first book in a program that invites the community to read together and discuss the work. The Free Library will sponsor discussions during the month of June. The book is a murder mystery involving the Battle of Antietam. The murder takes place in 1862, but is solved in modern times. Reading teams will be formed across the County, and on June 19th, historian John Frye will lead a discussion group. Battlefield tours will also be conducted in concert with the reading group activities, O'Connel said.

TOWN OF BOONSBORO WATER AND SEWER PROJECT
County Health Officer Bill Christoffel and Director of Environmental Health Laurie Bucher brought this discussion to the Board. The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Health Department are recommending that the water and sewer line at Boonsboro be extended. The water line would run along Route 40 west 6,000 feet from Lappans road to Mill Point Road, and the sewer line would run 2,000 feet from Lappans Road to the Boonsboro Square Auction House, due to septic system failures. WCHD is asking the Commissioners to sign the MDE application for project funding prior to a cutoff date of June 15th. Part of the project area lies in the Priority Funding Area (PFA) and would have to be annexed into the town, which has that requirement for sewer service. Serious water quality problems have been found in wells adjacent to the town resulting in health risks to the populace. Bucher discussed findings of tests, systems affected, Federal Clean Water compliance issues, costs and financing for the project. The Mayor and Council of Boonsboro have given their concurrence, along with MDE, Boonsboro Ambulance Company, businesses and churches in the area. The water line would cost $430,000.00 and the sewer line would cost between $100,000 and $220,000 depending on the type installed. Commissioners' President Snook asked if the Town would extend sewer service outside its boundaries without annexation. Boonsboro Council members said that annexation would have to take place. The question of the County assuming additional debt for Water and Sewer lines, the possibility of mandatory hookups for residents, and the lack of input from County Staff and the Water/Sewer Advisory Commission were brought forth. The original request was to apply for funding in the form of either a grant or a loan. The Board requested approval of support for application for a grant, with the provision that no county debt be involved, and the measure was approved by unanimous vote.

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT: RICHARD COSS
Board of Election Supervisors Chairman Richard Coss was presented a Commissioners' Certificate of Merit by Commissioners' President Greg Snook. Coss has served the Board for fourteen years, and has been the chair for 10 years. Always active in County Politics, Coss was willing to assist with all facets of the election process, Board of Election Supervisors Director Dorothy Kaetzel said. Coss retired from that Board effective June 1st. The Certificate cited Coss' long service to the County, his expertise and competency.

YOUTH MERITORIOUS AWARDS LUNCHEON
The Board of County Commissioners attended the Youth Meritorious Awards Recipients Luncheon at Hagerstown Community College at the noon hour. The Washington County Community Partnership (WCCP) sponsors the Youth Meritorious Awards Banquet each year to honor award recipients and nominees. Students are nominated from public and private schools throughout Washington County for their leadership and service to home, church, community and school. The Commissioners presented awards to winners and nominees from September 2002 through May, 2003, and extended special thanks to the WCCP Community Outreach Committee for its support in selecting the recipients for the Youth of the Month awards.  See photo.
Youth of the Month for September 2002 was Emily J. Myers, daughter of Mark and Amy Myers, and an 8th grade student at Clear Spring Middle School. In October 2002, Scott Allen Stevens was the winner. The son of Mark and Kathy Stevens of Hagerstown, Scott is an 8th grade student at Western Heights Middle School. November 2002's winner was Jesse Latta, son of Carol Hull and Jeffrey Latta, and a senior at Heritage Academy. December 2002 saw Danielle Hose of Hagerstown take the award. Daughter of David and Sherri Hose, Danielle is an 8th grade student at Springfield Middle School. In January 2003, Elizabeth N. Plume of Hagerstown was the winner. Beth is an 8th grade student at Western Heights Middle School and the daughter of Robert and Cathy Plume. In February 2003, the winner was Jennifer Miller, daughter of Russ and Donna Miller of Hancock and an 11th grade student at Hancock Middle-Senior High School. In March, 2003, Eric Rollins, an 11th grade student at North Hagerstown High School and son of John and Angie Rollins was the winner. April 2003's winner, Erin Kittel, is the daughter of Kenneth and Beverly Diffenderfer of Smithsburg and a 7th grade student at the Middle School there. In May, 2003, Bradley D. Kretzer took the award. Son of David and Paula Kretzer, Bradley is a 7th Grade student at E. Russell Hicks Middle School in Hagerstown. Nominees included Alisha Commer, Erik D. DeVault, Erica Hernandez, Sarah Holler, Brenna L. House and Rebecca T. Slate, all students at Clear Spring Middle School.

 

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