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
October 14, 2003.

The Board of County Commissioners held a joint meeting with the Board of Education to hear about Intervention Successes at Antietam Academy, Eastern Elementary and Hancock Elementary, about planned Interventions for FY 2004 as well as an update on Consolidation of the Human Resources Function

COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Jim Kercheval reported on a meeting of the Mental Health Advisory Committee that discussed lobbying the Local Delegation for continuation of state funding, and a possible merger of functions between the Mental Health Authority and the Washington County Health Department. A meeting with members of the Greater Hagerstown Committee discussed possibility of expansion of the Urban Growth Area limits, Kercheval said.
Commissioner Dori Nipps commented on a meeting of the Airport Advisory Committee. Under discussion was a timing issue involving fill dirt for the runway expansion project .
Commissioner John Munson reported on the Housing Authority of Washington County meeting last week, which heard a presentation from the Interfaith Housing group.
Commissioner's Vice-President Bill Wivell commented on the recent Water Quality Advisory Committee meeting. Under discussion was a new wireless communication system and what it will bring to the Department of Water Quality operations. The PenMar Development Corporation Board meeting approved a sub lease of the Gymnasium building to the CSL sports group, presented a new marketing brochure, ratified a Committee to work with the Lerner Corporation, and approved leases on the old PX building and housing units known as Building 700.

REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer told the Board that he will present transportation funding issues to the Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues meeting on November 5th, and has scheduled a meeting with the Local Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly to discuss the impact state funding cuts are having on infrastructure in the County. Culvert replacement on Reno Monument Road should be completed soon, and the Bridge over the Antietam at Garis Shop Road has been cleaned of debris. Rohrer said.
Interim Director of Permits and Inspections Bill Sprague requested temporary assignment of the Zoning Administrator to that department, until such time as the new Zoning Ordinance is developed. Purpose of the move would be to lessen the burden on the current Planning Department staff. A motion to approve naming the Permits and Inspections Director as the Zoning Administrator was approved by a 4-0 vote.
Director of Budget and Finance Debra Bastian told the Board that Moody's Financial Services has affirmed the County's A1 rating for the coming bond purchase, and assigned a positive outlook to the County's overall financial status and to its outstanding debt balance of $151 million. Moody's is very pleased with the fiscal actions Washington County has taken in the past several years, Bastian said, and if conditions continue as they are, is likely to upgrade the County's financial status. Budget and Finance has also been working with Hagerstown Regional Airport on refinancing about $15 million in bonds under the Maryland Water Quality bond program.
Interim Planning Director Steve Goodrich reported on the second Public Hearing on the proposed Comprehensive Rezoning of the County. The record is still open for written comments for the next several days, and there are about 30 individual requests from citizens for changes in current zoning status based on the proposed zoning update. The Planning Commission will hold a workshop in mid-November to deal with the public input to the plan, and should make a report to the Commissioners around the first of December. The Planning Commission will hold a workshop to evaluate plans for two of the 8 subdivisions requesting to be grandfathered in under the current moratorium on large developments. Two of the 8 have been approved already, and one was received too late to be included on the Planning Commission agenda, Goodrich said.

WATER QUALITY ISSUES
Washington County Health Department (WCHD) Director of Environmental Health Laurie Bucher and Debi Turpin, representing the County Home Builders' Association appeared before the Board. At last week's meeting, Commissioner Bill Wivell reported on a letter from Bucher that stated water quality problems will continue in the County due to what is called "Karst Geography". Cracks and fissures throughout the rock strata under Washington County allow contaminants to seep into ground water. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the Washington County Health Department (WCHD) and the Washington County Home Builders Association recommend new disinfection and treatment requirements for individual wells located in the Karst areas of the County. The new requirements would have to be met before a Certificate of Potability is issued by the WCHD. The United States Geological Survey, the Maryland Geological Survey, MDE, and the WCHD have found serious water quality problems with wells located in the Karst area of the county resulting in risks to the public health of the users. Karst geology is located in approximately 89% of the county, Bucher said, and warrants extra caution because the surface water and ground water travel quickly through the carbonate channels, caves, fractures and fissures without first being treated by any type of soil. These carbonate rocks are very soluble, and the channels and fractures have been enlarged as rock is dissolved by circulating ground water. Karst formations do not provide adequate natural filtration and the ground water is often under the influence of surface water, so that wells become susceptible to contamination. Once in the ground water, contamination can be transported quickly and for many miles through these caves and channels. Extensive water sampling and dye testing indicate that despite all efforts that were implemented as a result of the R.E. Wright study conducted in 1981, the water quality of the County has not improved. Approximately 30% of the wells in the County were contaminated with total coliform and approximately 10% with fecal coliform both before and after the R.E. Wright implementations. Health Department and MDE recommendations include requiring all individual wells located in the Karst areas to install a continuous disinfection and treatment system after the well is drilled and water is hooked up to the house. A maintenance contract administered by the WCHD would be signed by the homeowner and the system recorded in the deed. WCHD would conduct testing before and after the treatment system is installed. The well would still have to meet the existing turbidity and nitrate levels required by the Code of Maryland Regulations. The system would contain a water softener and Ultra Violet Light with high intensity radiation, plus one filter that filters down to 1 micron. The system would include an alarm system, an automatic shut off with no by-pass and a tap before the treatment system to obtain raw water samples and could cost $2,000 -3,000. While this treatment addresses the majority of water quality problems in the County, there is a slight possibility that still exits of contracting waterborne diseases, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. These can be addressed through the installation of a more advanced method that utilizes a step down filtration system that filters down to the 1 micron level. While there is no intent whatsoever to curtail the use of land or its development, it must be recognized that the role and mission the WCHD and MDE is to ensure that those citizens dependent on ground water have safe water to drink, the report concluded. Full testing of wells, or construction of localized community well systems could improve the situation, Bucher said, but testing is often very time consuming, and local systems often must be operated by the County. Commissioner Jim Kercheval supported the Community well idea, and said more information on the problem is needed. Commissioners' Vice-President Bill Wivell asked Bucher to take the information before the Water Quality Advisory Committee and have recommendations brought back to the Board.

CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Each week the Board of County Commissioners sets aside time to hear from citizens of Washington County on matters of importance to the community.
Attorney Tom Lynch, representing Marsh Run Associates, requested the Board grant inclusion of his client's subdivision in the Urban Growth Area, to allow for Water and Sewer utilities. The developers had until October 31st to have the plan approved, in order to fall within the grandfathering clause of the subdivision moratorium. This is the second time the group appeared before the Board to make the request. The Board voted 3-1 to allow the inclusion with Commissioner Kercheval voting "no".
Developer Sasson Shaool and Engineer Jerry Kumpf appeared and requested an extension of the October 31st moratorium deadline for their project on St Paul's Church Road. Shaool told the Board that the State Highway Department delayed alignment of an entrance to the planned subdivision by three months. Commissioners' Vice-President Wivell said that the issue will be taken under advisement.

BID AWARD: PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS AND REFUNDING OF 2003 SERIES A BONDS
Budget and Finance Director Debra Bastian, Fiscal Advisor Lester Guthorn and Bond Counsel Timmy Ruppersberger brought this award before the Board, to the low on-line bidder for $19.750,000 in Series A Bonds for 2003. The bid was accepted at 11:00 a.m. from Morgan Stanley, at an interest rate of 3.59%. The Capital Improvement Program for FY '04 was approved at a level of $9 million of new bonds. Only $5.4 million in "new money" bonds will be issued and total borrowing will not exceed $7 million. In May, the Board signed a Declaration of Intent to Reimburse to allow project expenditures prior to actual bond sale. If the bid was not awarded, funding deficiencies and significant cash shortfall would occur since many of the projects are in progress. Guthorn said that about $1.3 million will be saved over the term of the bonds through the refinancing process. The low interest rates were due, in part, to the County's continued high rating by financial organizations such as Moody's Financial Services and Standard and Poor's. Earlier in the day, the affirmation of the County's A1 Bond rating and positive outlook on the County financial picture by Moody's was announced. After third party review of the refinanced bonds Bastian and Ruppersberger brought the issue back before the Board. The resolution authorizing the bond issuance and refinance was approved by unanimous vote.

The Board attended the "Washington County's Most Wonderful Citizens" awards at the Venice Inn, at the noon hour.

PROCLAMATION; WHITE CANE DAY
Allen McGinley, President of the Appalachian Trail Chapter of the American Federation of the Blind received the proclamation declaring October 15th as "White Cane Day" in Washington County for 2003 from Commissioner Dori Nipps. Purpose of the day is to make people aware of the white cane as a symbol of independence and freedom for people who are blind and to promote public awareness of blind people as equal and productive citizens. The day symbolizes the struggle for equal rights that all people with disabilities have endured and serves to remind motorists that the law requires drivers to exercise care when approaching blind persons. The National Federation of the Blind reminds employees that when citizens who are blind receive proper instruction and opportunity, they compete on equal terms with sighted persons across the employment spectrum. 2003 is the 63rd year that the NFB has endeavored to promote the dignity, independence and quality of life for people with visual impairments.

HAGERSTOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY GATEWAY CROSSING PROJECT
Ted Shankle, Director of Hagerstown Housing Authority (HHA), brought this request before the Board. HHA has been revitalizing housing in Hagerstown's West End through construction of the HOPE VI Gateway Crossing Project. The County supported the project in 2001 by donating 9 acres of land to the operation, which is building 83 homes and a community center in its Phase I. The first phase of that project is 70% complete, Shankel said. With imposition of the County's new Excise Tax, the cost for the project could escalate by $500,000. HHA formally requested exemption for the Gateway Crossing project due to the fact that the total project was outlined prior to the consideration and implementation of that new tax. Commissioner Nipps said that the only way she would give support was if all private non-profit organizations that build low-income homes in the County were exempt, and that the purpose of the tax is to fund school construction and renovation. Commissioner Munson made a motion to exempt Phase II of the project, which would build 45 homes and 45 rental units. The motion failed to carry by a 2-2 vote and no action was taken

OTHER BUSINESS
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought a request from the Ethics Commission that Scott Schubel be appointed to a vacant position. That nomination was approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop brought an update on the annual state Gypsy Moth spraying project to the Board. 115 acres were sprayed this year, mainly along the Appalachian Trail and in the Reno Monument area. A survey to assess damages is underway, but the infestation was expected to be light this year due to wetter than usual conditions, Shoop reported.
Policeman Brett McCoy of Hagerstown was recognized as winner of the Washington County Most Wonderful Citizen competition by Commissioner Kercheval. Runner up in that event was the Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, Kercheval said.