FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: NORMAN BASSETT
240-313-2077
Review of Actions Taken in the Washington
County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
March 23rd, 2004
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
Human Resources Administrator Dee Hawbaker brought 6 new employees
before the Board for introductions. Brenda Newton was recently
hired as a Police Communications Officer in the Sheriff's Department.
Daniel Baker and Chirsti Line have filled Equipment Operator
I positions at the Highways Department. John Dunlap is the new
Assistant State's Attorney I in the SAO. Marylyn Harris and Gregory
Patterson were recently hired as Detention Officers at the Sheriff's
Department.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Jim Kercheval commented on a question about APFO
fees, the large subdivision moratorium and a waiver of Adequate
Public Facilities Ordinance fees due to incomplete information
given to a developer. An update by the Planning Department will
be provided.
Commissioner Bill Wivell commented on a meeting with the Board
of Education facilities committee to discuss a uniform school
bus replacement schedule. The ideal schedule would replace 10
buses each year, Wivell said.
Commissioner John Munson commented on a meeting of the Agricultural
Education Center Board. That organization is looking to expand
the park, and has been in talks with the University of Maryland
on the possibility of acquiring additional land. Land adjacent
to the park is going on the market, but there are no state Program
Open Space funds for parkland acquisition. The Ag Board is looking
at alternative funding methods for that property, Munson said.
Commissioner
Dori Nipps reported on the Airport Commission’s
most recent meeting. Statistics released indicate that Rider
Jet Center at Hagerstown Regional Airport has the most reasonable
fuel costs within a 50-mile region, at $2.50 per gallon of aviation
fuel. The Board of Education facilities committee discussed charges
to community groups for use of school facilities. Nipps said
that Booster groups at schools put money back into the education
system through purchase of band uniforms and the like. With the
increase in facility use fees, some groups are canceling after-hours
fund raising efforts at the schools. The BOE will address that
issue, Nipps said. The official groundbreaking invitations for
the runway extension have been sent, Nipps said. That event is
scheduled for April 16 th from 3-5 p.m. at Hagerstown Regional
Airport-Richard A. Henson Field. Governor Ehrlich will participate
in the groundbreaking ceremonies. A Habitat for Humanity fundraiser
will return $40,000.00 to the community, Nipps said.
Commissioners’ President Greg Snook told the Board that
the state correctional institutions have offered additional numbers
of inmates for County work crews. A complaint regarding radio
interference on television systems in the Maugansville Road area
will be referred to the Federal Communications Commission. The
recent meeting of the Traffic Advisory Committee discussed accessible
parking signage in towns and timing of traffic signals on U.S.
route 40. The cost of installing speed control devices on Hanging
Rock Road is estimated at $25,000.00, Snook said. Public Works
Director Gary Rohrer said the Highways Department would work
to reduce costs associated with that project. Governor Ehrlich
has sent a letter proclaiming March 25 th as Maryland day in
honor of the 37th anniversary of the state’s founding.
A survey of comparative housing costs finds Washington County’s
average price for new homes in the month of December to be $180,000.00.
This figure compares with $68,000.00 in Allegany County, and
$350,000.00 in Garrett County. Snook asked the Board if it wished
to take a position on the most recent PenMar Corporation bill
as drafted by the local delegation to the Maryland General Assembly.
The Board will suppprt the legislation, as amended, by Consensus.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Department Director Gary Rohrer discussed testifying
on bills concerning highway funding in Annapolis recently. The
staff is working on the Pavement Management goal. The transportation
funding bill passed by a single vote in the house, Rohrer said.
The Senate version would reduce the fines for DWI and DUI that
were increased in the House Bill. A meeting was held recently
with several town mayors to discuss Adequate Public Facilities
Ordinance fees, Rohrer said.
Budget
and Finance Department Project Manager Petra Stambaugh reported
on the PeopleSoft software upgrade that has been ongoing since
February. The technicians are near the end of their portion
of the project< ands training programs are slated to begin
soon. The software upgrade will change the look of utility billing,
and will be in place in June, Stambaugh said.
OTHER BUSINESS
County
Attorney Issues: Assistant County Attorney John Martirano said
that the employee pension fund is housed at M&T Bank,
and requested authorization for the Human Resources Director
and County Administrator to execute certain financial documents
relating to that account. The measure was approved by consensus.
BUDGET
PRESENTATION: FIRE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION
Director
of Emergency Services Joe Kroboth and Chair of the Washington
County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA) Budget
Committee Jay Grimes brought the group's budget request for
Fiscal Year 2005 before the Board. Grimes outlined the WCVFRA
operational needs for the coming fiscal year. The County is one
of several funding agencies for the non-profit organization.
The Association requested a total budget of $1,587,657 million,
an increase of about $285,000 or 12% over FY '04. FY 2005 is
the year that the utility expense reimbursement will reach 100%
for fire and rescue companies. The reimbursement program has
been phased in over a four-year period. The WCVFRA proposed that
the County support each company for maintenance and operation
of emergency vehicles. The companies would receive a total of
$464,000 is this plan were fully implemented. In addition a new
program, Rapid Intervention Teams, was proposed. Several teams
would be created, which would stand by at the site of a fire
top rescue trapped or injured firefighters. Specialized equipment
and training would be needed, and the cost would be $57,500.00.
The WCVFRA wants the County to begin looking for land for a future
Fire and Rescue Training Center. Paid personnel will increase
at Fire and Emergency Services companies as need increases, Grimes
said. The majority of a company’s time is spent in fund
raising, which amk8nt to 40% of companies’ funding base.
Only 33% of citizens donate annually to Fire or Rescue companies,
and only 1% of County businesses donate. Additional budget discussions
will be held by the Commissioners prior to approval of funding
for the coming fiscal year, which will take place in May. WCVFRA
represents 27 volunteer companies in the County.
BUDGET PRESENTATION: SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Sheriff
Charles Mades, Captain Doug Mullendore, Warden Van Evans, and
Lieutenant Randy Wilkerson presented the FY 2005 Budget request
for the Sheriff Department’s four divisions. The
Judicial Division is requesting a 9.51% increase to a total of
$992.160.00. Sheriff Mades told the Board that the District Court
might request the Department to assist in serving court documents.
Two additional personnel would be needed, Mades said, costing
about $75,000. The revenue received from the Court would total
$116,000, producing about $40,000 in excess revenue. The Patrol
Division requests an increase of $487,518.00 or 10.1%, bringing
its total budget to about $5.3 million. Major expenses would
include new police cruisers. 9 Ford Crown Victoria cruisers are
requested at a cost lower than those purchased in FY ’04.
The Detention Center is requesting $449,232.00 in additional
funds, a 6.3% increase, bringing the total budget figure to $7.58
million. Increases in the food contract costs, overtime and building
improvements were requested in the Detention Center budget fir
the coming year. The Narcotics Task Force requested an increase
of $5,000 or 3.61% over FY ’04. For the coming fiscal year
the total budget request for the Department is $14.3 million.
Employee salary and benefits are the largest categories in all
of the budgets. Budgets will be discussed several times before
final approval, is given following the Public Hearing in May.
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.
No one appeared to comment on this date.
BUDGET PRESENTATION: HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Washington County Health Officer Bill Christoffel and members
of the staff presented the Department's Fiscal Year 2005 budget
request to the Commissioners, meeting as the Board of Health.
Christoffel asked for an increase of $150,000.00, to help offset
cuts in state funding for School Health Nurses. The Health Department
receives funding from state and County resources. The total budget
for FY '05 is set at $16.93 million, of which $3,747,958 would
be in the form of County support, Christoffel said. An increase
in Diabetes among school age children is being seen, and the
teen pregnancy rate continues to rise. Washington County has
a birth rate of 109 per 1,000 to women ages 18 and 19, Christoffel
said. Hepatitis C is seen as a new threat to public health to
be handled by the Department. Christoffel said he might ask for
permission to levy fees on Commercial trash burning, and increase
the well cap and septic testing fees at a later date.
BUDGET PRESENTATION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Washington
County Department of Social Services Director David Engel,
Members of the DSS Board of Directors and staff presented the
annual request for budget support to the Board. Rent for the
Family Support Center is increasing by $3,000.00, and that
amount would bring the County allocation to $154,569.00, up
about $1.98% over last fiscal year. The DSS Board may begin
investigating alternate locations for that Center. The allocation
for the Family-School Liaison program would remain static at
$62,970. The program helps reduce truancy in middle and high
schools, and works with families to determine appropriate intervention
strategies. The Adult Foster Care program assists seniors and
adults with disabilities who require protection and security
of out-of-home assisted living arrangements. Clients are assisted
in finding funds for permanent assisted living arrangements.
The allocation requested for FY ’05
would be $40,059.00 that is the same amount granted in FY ’04.
All budgets will be reviewed prior to final approval in May.
PROCLAMATION; HOME CHEMICAL SAFETY WEEK
Emergency
Services Director Joe Kroboth, Emergency Management Coordinator
Verna Brown and Special Operations Chief John Bentley presented
the annual awards for the Home Chemical Safety Week poster
contest (photo). Each year the Local Emergency Planning Committee
(LEPC), Emergency Management Agency and the County Special
Operations Team host a poster contest about home chemical safety
in the elementary schools. Special Operations Team and Emergency
Management Agency personnel present a curriculum to students.
The program is supported by a number of local businesses, government
agencies, the County Commissioners and the Mayor and Council
of Hagerstown. LEPC members John Bentley and Bill Shawley accepted
proclamations from the Commissioners’ President Greg
Snook and Mayor Bill Breichner of Hagerstown, designating the
week of March 21-27, 2004 as Home Chemical Safety Week in Washington
County. The County proclamation cited the LEPC for its contributions
to the community through programs of emergency planning and
notification, Community-Right –To-Know
and toxic inventory reporting. The LEPC Educational committee
has done an excellent job since 1996 in disseminating information
to schools, businesses and citizens about chemical safety initiatives,
the proclamation said. Poster contest semi-finalists from 11
elementary schools were presented with certificates and Silver
Medals. Top three finalists receive a backpack with LEPC logo
and filled with gifts provided by LEPC agencies and area businesses.
The Third {lace Winner is Taylor Rockwell from Paramount Elementary
who received a Gold Medal, a $50 gift certificate from Toys-R-Us,
and a $50 U.S. Savings Bond. Second Place went to Lynsey Miller
from Boonsboro Elementary, who received a Gold Medal, $50 Toys-R-Us
gift certificate and $50 U.S. Bond. First Place went to Jessica
Ambrose from Clear Spring Elementary who won a Gold medal, a
$100 gift certificate from Circuit City, and a $100 Savings Bond.
These three schools, Paramount, Boonsboro, and Clear Spring,
will receive pizza parties for all the fourth graders at their
school. All students who participated in the program will receive
an ice cream treat from Good Humor/Breyers. And all finalists
receive a McDonalds Lunch provided by Special Operations. Sponsors
for the event were Good Humor Breyers Ice Cream, Ewing Oil, Shawley’s
Gas, BJ’s Custom Embroidery, Onsite, Washington County
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, Washington County Public
Schools, Leitersburg Ladies Auxiliary, and Washington County
Ladies Auxiliary, and Washington County Special Operations. Posters
are on display in the hallway of the County Commissioners floor
during Home Chemical Safety week. Special acknowledgements go
to the Washington County Ladies Auxiliary for providing take
home thank you gifts to all students and the Leitersburg Ladies
Auxiliary for providing T-Shirts. This is the
Fourth year for the Home Chemical Safety program in the Public
Schools and approximately 2,000 students have been educated in
Home Chemical Safety through this program.
THE COMMISSIONERS MET WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WASHINGTON
COUNTY FREE LIBRARY AT THE NOON HOUR TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET REQUEST
FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR.
The Library, which receives funding from state and federal
as well as County sources, asked for an increase of $241,207.00,
a 15.1% increase. Library Director Mary Baykan told the Commissioners
that per capita support for the Library ranks dead last among
the 24 public library systems in the state. The increase would
pay for Air conditioning equipment, computers and technology
equipment, service contract increases, costs for subscriptions
to periodicals and new books, new audio-visual materials and
salaries.
BUDGET PRESENTATION: COMMISSION ON AGING
Washington County Commission on Aging Director Dr. Fred Otto
and COA Vice-Chair Paul Swartz brought the FY 2005 budget request
for that agency to the Board for discussion. Otto told the Board
that the agency is increasing its request for funding by $97,678.00,
or $25.36%, which would take the County support to $482,768.00.
The COA receives support from the State Department of Aging,
various federal grant programs and local funding from the United
Way, the Gaming Commission, donations and the Senior Fair. Total
Operating Budget for the coming Fiscal Year is requested to be
$1,986,270.00. Otto told the Board that staff has had no raises
for two years, and services and positions have been cut to keep
up with the cost of health insurance. The Commission serves 5,550
seniors annually of the 25,993 seniors in Washington County.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
Department
of Emergency Services Director Joe Kroboth brought the recently
completed Basic Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to the Board
for review. Kroboth told the Board that the EOP provides the
framework for county government and non-government entities
to respond and recover from public emergencies. The EOP presents
a broad organizational approach for all hazards that affect
the County, Kroboth said. This is the first revision to the
EOP since 1991. More than 90 different agencies were involved
in the production of the plan, Kroboth said. A Three -week time
period is being allowed for public comment, prior to the approval
and adoption of the document by the Commissioners. The EOP revision
is one step in the completion of a Commissioners' Goal for the
year, " Develop a master plan to ensure adequate emergency
medical services for the citizens of Washington County." A
copy of the basic plan will be available for public review at
the Department of Emergency Services Office at 33 West Washington
Street, and at the Board of County Commissioners' Office at 100
West Washington Street. Public input is encouraged. A two-week
period will be allowed for public comment.
YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARDS
The
Washington County Community Partnership presented the Youth
of the Month (YOM) Meritorious Awards to three local students
for the months of December 2003, January 2004 and February 2004
(photos). December's winner is Aaron Mills of Clear Spring
Middle School. Son of John and Sandra Mills, Aaron is an eight-grade
student at Clear Spring Middle School, and is currently a member
of the school band. Academically, Aaron has been on the Distinguished
Honor Roll many times and was a “Star Student in 7 th grade.
Aaron is an active member of Grace United Methodist Church, has
helped with the homeless shelter and has participated in many
fundraisers to help the disadvantaged. Aaron served as tour guides
for the student orientation at the beginning of the 2003 school
year and again during the “Meet the Teacher” night
for 2003 school year. Aaron participated in the 2001 and 2002
United Way Run at Clear Spring Middle School and in the Junior
Olympics. Aaron has also played on the Clear Spring and Maugansville
Little Leagues and the Hagerstown Pony League All-Star Team.
Aaron has been called cooperative, kind to others, extremely
motivated, and well liked by his classmates. For January, the
YOM goes to Amber Morris of Boonsboro Middle School. Daughter
of Matt and Kim Brant, Amber is a sixth-grade student at Boonsboro,
was on the Honor Roll for the first marking period and the Distinguished
Honor Roll the second marking period. She was also nominated
for the Citizenship Pillar in the Character Counts Program. Amber
is involved with a traveling soccer team in the community and
is also a member of the Student Council at Boonsboro Middle School,
where she serves as a homeroom representative. Amber possesses
many leadership qualities, helps to motivate her teammates on
her soccer team and has served as Captain of the team. Involved
in her local church youth group for several years, Amber also
regularly donates clothes to the needy and contributes to the
local canned food drive at the school. Amber has been recognized
for her respect for others, her kindness to others and her “treat
others the way I want to be treated" attitude. For the month
of February, the YOM is Derek Reichard, of Clear Spring Middle
School. Derek is an eight-grade student and the son of Craig
and Julie Reichard. Academically, Derek has been on the honor
roll since first grade. An active member of the Clare Spring
U-14 youth soccer traveling team, Derek has assisted with food,
medicine and clothing drives for American Indians in America’s
most impoverished county, Pine Ridge, South Dakota. He has been
a member of the Destination Imagination Team was the 2002 Regional
Champion and the 2003 State Champion and Global Finalist. He
is also a member of Explorer Post 2, Hagerstown –Potomac
Dancers. Dedicated to preserving the culture of the American
Indian, this organization frequently performs throughout the
Tri-State area, including weekly campfire performances at Camp
Sinoquipe in the summer. Derek attends weekly meetings to learn
dances and to design and create his dance outfits. He has received
Character Counts awards, and Physical Fitness awards, in both
6 th and 7 th grades. Derek also participates in Middle School
Youth Group activities at St. John’s United Church of Christ
and is a member of the 8 th grade chorus at the school. He has
also been a Spelling Bee finalist in 6 th and 7 th grade and
was a Geography Bee finalist in the 5 th grade.
AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION DISTRICT
Agricultural Land Preservation Administrator Eric Seifarth brought
to Public Hearing a request that the Board approve establishment
of three Agricultural Land Preservation Districts in the County.
Bowman Farms is made up of 373.48 acres at the intersection of
Dam #4 and Woburn Roads south of Williamsport. The David and
Linda Shank property, comprised of 77.8 acres on Lehman's Mill
Road east of Marsh Pike. Applicants Harold and Sharon Carbaugh
seek approval of 144.18 acres on Broadfording Road east of Clear
Spring. No one appeared to make comment either for or against
the plans. The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
ZONING REGULATION IMPACT ON RURAL BUSINESS
Bill
Sprague, Director of Permits and Inspections and Task Force
member Fred Frederick brought this issue before the Board for
review. There have been a number of contacts with landowners
wishing to pursue Rural; Business ventures recently. The requests
have come from areas where such usage is permitted. Under proposed
zoning changes, there is no assurance that these proposed businesses
would be accorded the rights and privileges currently given to
existing rural businesses. The anomaly creates a gap and a delay
in development of businesses in rural areas. Discussion centered
on a definition of a project's "start date". Staff
will review the issue and make a recommendation to the Board
in two weeks.
REVISION TO ENFORCEMENT OF BUILDING EXCISE TAX COLLECTIONS
Sprague
also brought information regarding appeals by two mobile home
purchasers requesting relief from provisions of the Building
Excise Tax Ordinance. Current enforcement and collection was
based on an administrative interpretation of the Ordinance that
assesses mobile homes at the $1.00 per square foot rate for multifamily
dwellings rather than the $.25 per square foot rate charged other
single-family dwellings. Single-family mobile homes should logically
be accorded the same treatment as single-family modular or stick-built
homes. They do not fit the definition of “multifamily residential
construction” that would justify the higher rate of taxation.
They are also treated as single-family dwellings under the Zoning
Ordinance and the Tischler study, according to the Interim Planning
Director. Since this is based upon an administrative interpretation
of the Ordinance, it is not necessary to amend the Ordinance
to correct it. Guidance to the staff is all that is needed. The
Ordinance may also be amended if desired. A motion was made by
Commissioner Munson, to treat mobile homes as single-family homes,
and make refunds to mobile home owners where applicable. The
measure was approved by a 4-01 vote with Commissioner Wivell
voting "no".
ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITY ORDINANCE REVISION DISCUSSION
Commissioner
Bill Wivell requested this discussion take place, regarding
the recently adopted revisions to the Adequate Public Facilities
ordinance (APFO). A determination as to whether recent changes
to the APFO, Article V – Schools, specifically Section
5.5 – Residential Building Permit Approval are adequate.
Options include amending the APFO to include language that
gives the County the flexibility to stop the issuance of building
permits once school capacity reaches either 85% of the State
Rated Capacity in the case of elementary schools, or 100% of
State Rated Capacity in the case of middle and high schools.
Additional language could also include limits on the number
of permits being issued once these capacities are reached.
The County Attorney's office will draft clarifying language
and make a recommendation to the Board.
Home Chemical Safety Week Poster Contest Winners
Front: L-R Taylor Rockwell, 3rd Place, Jessica Ambrose, 1st Place,
Lynsey Miller, 2nd Place.
Rear: Commissioner Greg Snook; Joe Kroboth, Dept. of Emergency
Services; Bill Shawley, LEPC; John Bentley, Special Ops; Verna
Brown, Emergency Management Agency; JoEtta Palkovitz-Brown, WCPS
Aaron Mills , Amber Morris and Derek Reichard
were honored as Youth ofnthe Month for December, January and
February.
