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
September 30, 2003.

OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioners' President Greg Snook presented a letter of commendation to Amy Short, who has served as Western Maryland representative of the Office of Senator Barbara Mikulski for the past three years. Snook said the interests of Washington County were always made known to the Senator during Short's tenure in that opffice.
County Administrator Rod Shoop introduced Dave Hankinson to the Board as the new Director of the Departmemt of Human Resources. Hankinson, 49, of Hagerstown, has more than 23 years' experience in Human Resources management in the manufacturing sector, most recently as Human Resources Manager for Essroc Cement in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He holds the Masters of Science Degree in Industrial Relations from West Virginia University, a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Frostburg State University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Frostburg. He has been acknowledged as a Certified Professional in Human Resources through the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). Dave has held management positions in human resources in Hagerstown and Chula Vista, California with Goodrich Aerospace, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania with the James River Corporation, and in Newport News, Virginia with Newport News Shipbuilding. For 12 years, he served in HR functions at Mack Truck's Hagerstown Plant. His experience includes organizational and management training, coaching, and leadership development.

ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES WORKSHOP
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer and Interim Planning and Community Development Director Steve Goodrich brought the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) to the Board for discussion. In a similar workshop last week, the Board laid groundwork for amendments to the Ordinance that would require developers to pay a larger share of infrastructure and school costs in Washington County. Developers could have to contribute costs on a per-student basis for construction of new schools or additional classrooms, when the school serving the area for development is at or over capacity. The current APFO does not count students from developments that have been proposed, or those for which approval has been granted, but construction has yet to begin. The amendments could be used to move proposed developments towards areas where adequate classroom space exists. Today's discussion also centered on those school capacity issues. The state rates each school as to the maximum number of students it can serve. The ideal would be for each school to have 85% of listed capacity, to allow for growth and student population turnover throughout the year. Currently, Washington County's Elementary Schools have about 8900 students enrolled, and that figure has increased by about 200 pupils per year over a three year period. Proposed amendments to the APFO would require developers to pay a portion of the cost for classroom space if proposed subdivisions increased the enrollment above the 85% level. If the number of students reached 105% of enrollment, housing permits would be suspended for those areas causing the overages. Many lots already recorded could be exempted from the ordinance. The Board reached consensus that the date of adoption of the ordinance would be the limit of any grandfathering for those lots already recorded. However, major subdivisions, those containing greater than 5 lots, would not be grandfathered. Commissioner Bill Wivell suggested that the APFO school capacity requirements be applied at the time of subdivision approval, and that measure was approved by unanimous vote. Rohrer requested that school issues be worked out prior to other areas of the APFO. As regards school capacity, several exemptions contained in the current ordinance were discussed. Exemptions to be left in the ordinance included dealing with new development for non-residential uses, developments that are restricted to elderly citizens according to applicable federal regulations, and new developments of retirement communities. The term "retirement" would be redefined and restrictions placed on the exemption. For school capacity purposes, an exemption for subdivision of a tract of land for an immediate family member would to be removed from the ordinance. Goodrich told the Board that developers receive information on APFO requirements at the preliminary consultation stage, and at various stages during the planning and permitting process. Some schools in the City have pupils from County as well as City neighborhoods. Hagerstown is being asked to adopt the County's school adequacy requirements so that developers in the City and County will receive equal treatment. Rohrer and Goodrich will develop a draft of the amendments and present it to the Board prior to dealing with other sections of the APFO.

PUBLIC HEARING, PROPOSED CHARGE IN ADDITION TO 9-1-1 TELEPHONE FEE
Chief of 9-1-1 Communications Bardona Woods and Assistant County Attorney John Martirano brought this issue to Public Hearing. Under changes in state law, Washington County can impose an additional charge to the existing 9-1-1 fee reflected on monthly phone bills. The additional fee would be added to current bills for switched local exchange service, for Commercial Mobile Radio Service or other 9-1-1 accessible service. The current surcharge is 50 cents per month, and the additional charge may not exceed 75 cents. Amounts generated can only be used to supplement 9-1-1 maintenance or operating costs and cannot be used to offset current spending. On October 1st, state charges increase from 10 cents to 25 cents. The charge would apply to cell phones as well as wired telephones, and would be used primarily for an enhanced system that would enable 9-1-1 dispatch operators to locate cell phone callers. Woods told the Board that 60% of calls to the dispatch center come from cell phones. The charges would raise about $846,000 for the 9 months of the fiscal year from October to June, an increase of about $295,000 over the current revenue. No one appeared to comment either in favor of or against the proposal. The record will remain open for one week in order to gather written comments from the public, and the Board will vote on the matter in its October 7th meeting.

RESOLUTION: PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AND REFUNDING BONDS OF 2003
Director of Budget and Finance Deb Bastian, Financial Advisor Lester Guthorn and Bond Counsel Walt Calvert brought these measures to the Board for approval. Resolutions authorizing issuance of Public Improvement Bonds for 2003 and Refunding of 2003 Bonds were needed. $5.4 million in new bonds were recommended for issue, to include $4 million for education projects, $946,357 for airport projects, $277,143 for expansion of public facilities, and $176,500 for issuance costs and bond discount. In addition, $22 million in previously issued bonds would be refinanced to take advantage of the current low interest rates. Approximately $750,000 would be saved in interest on debt over the life of the bonds. In addition, the County's Maryland Water Quality bonds will be reviewed and refinanced if savings occur. Bastian told the Board that the bond issue proposed for next fiscal year has been reduced from the proposed $10.4 million to about $7.9 million with a portion coming from the Maryland Water Quality program. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
Once each month, the Board holds an evening meeting in one of the municipalities in order to give citizens increased opportunity to interact with local government. This month, the meeting was held at the Smithsburg Volunteer Fire Company Fire Hall.

COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner John Munson commented on a recent meeting of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Tonnage and revenue at the 40-West landfill were both up during the summer months, Munson reported. That committee is also investigating possibility of closing landfill transfer stations, and introducing a countywide trash pickup system. Modeled on Frederick County's system, the service would have an $11 per month base fee and supply costs. The landfill would become a pay as you go operation under that plan. Munson said the plan is only in the formative stages. Munson also called for a civic panel to look into the provision of public transportation in the County. The issue of using tires for fuel at a local cement plant is still under investigation, and the Solid Waste Committee will make a recommendation to the Board when a plan is developed, Munson reported.
Commissioner Dori Nipps reported on a meeting of the Community Action Council Board of Directors. An employee policy handbook has been developed and the Council's bylaws are under review. A meeting of the Greater Hagerstown Committee with the Board of education and Commissioners discussed funding issues, Nipps said. Last weekend's Smithsburg Steam and Craft Show was a success and well attended, Nipps reported.
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on the Chamber of Commerce business awards event, a meeting of a neiborhood watch committee in the Halfway area, as well as the Steam and Craft Show and parade held in Smithsburg. Wivell reminded the Board of the MACo Legislative Committee meeting this week that will discuss school construction and transportation issues.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on the Greater Hagerstown Committee meeting with the Board of Education, and last week's visit to Washington County by Governor Bob Ehrlich. Questions from citizens this week dealt with the proliferation of small advertising signs along county roads, and drainage issues at Brightwood Acres.
Commissioners' President Greg Snook told the Board that Discovery Station will hold a dedication ceremony this week at Valley Mall. Millie Fierey will be honored on October 6th in Annapolis for volunteer work in Washington County. 25 issues were discussed by the recent meeting of the Traffic Advisory Committee. The State Highway Administration is conducting a number of traffic analyses and studies in the county, including the Dual Highway/Edgewood Drive intersection. A second business will apply for Foreign Trade Zone status soon, Snook said. The first of the Foreign Trade Zone sites, designed to foster economic development, recently opened at Hagerstown Regional Airport. A gift of Smithsburg Apples was presented to Governor Bob Ehrlich during his visit to the County last week, Snook reported. The Board recognized a government class from Hagerstown Community College in attendance at the meeting.

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.
Judith Ferro of the Smithsburg Library Committee reported that $725,000.00 has been raised through donations and fund drives towards construction of that facility. Federal funding may be available for the building through the efforts of Senators Sarbanes and Mikulski.
Bob Darby of Smithsburg asked that bus schedules to Smithsburg be expanded to aid people riding public transportation to work in the mornings.
Carrie Gouff of Smithsburg asked about progress on the draft of the sublease for the gym at Fort Ritchie between the county and the Chewsville, Smithsburg, Leitersburg Sports League. Gouff was told the document had been emailed to her earlier in the day.
Jim Lehman of Cascade commented on the availability of the gymnasium facility.
Glenn Fishack, President of the Smithsburg Fire Company commended the County government and staff, especially the Highways Department, for the work in clearing roads and communication during the Hurricane Isabel event.
Robin Biser of Cascade commented on CSX railroad replacing rail ties and leaving them in drainage areas along Cascade Road. Biser also commented against possible issuance of bonds by the School Board.

PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED RIGHT TO FARM ORDINANCE
Land Preservation Administrator Eric Seifarth and Assistant County Attorney John Martirano brought this matter to Pubic Hearing. The Board of County Commissioners has been granted authority to adopt ordinances or regulations that protect a person's right to farm or engage in agricultural or forestry operations. A draft of the rule says that the Board believes that protection of this right is in the best interests of county citizens. The Ordinance would also add to the ability to efficiently regulate land use in the county. The general purpose of the Ordinance is to promote Agricultural operations and preservation and improvement of Ag lands. The Ordinance would promote a more clear understanding between farmers and their non-agricultural neighbors. Complaints are often driven by odors, dust or farm vehicle use of the highways. The rule would limit a right to private action against an agricultural enterprise if the farm or business was operating in accordance with accepted agricultural management practices. Notification of the right to farm would be included in transfer tax documents. The Ordinance also creates an "Agricultural Reconciliation Committee" for the County to arbitrate and mediate disputes involving Ag operations. In the Public Hearing 4 persons testified in favor of the proposal, and several persons raised questions about aspects of the proposed ordinance. Farmers' ability to operate during night-time hours, the County Health Department acting as enforcement agency and possibility of the ordinance being circumvented, the ability to appeal decisions by the Reconciliation Committee, and the appointment process for Committee members were areas of public concern. The record was left open for 10 days to allow for written comments from citizens and to make any changes deemed necessary from the hearing and the written comments. The Board is scheduled to vote on the issue on October 21st, Commissioners' President Greg Snook said.
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