FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: NORMAN BASSETT
240-313-2130
Review of Actions Taken in the Washington
County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
May 4th, 2004
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
Human Resources Administrator Dee Hawbaker brought one new
employee before the Board for introduction. Dean Wilkins is a
Utility Worker II recently hired by the Department of Water Quality.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Dori Nipps commented on a presentation to a Government
class at Hagerstown Community College. Roads, bridges and education
topics were discussed, Nipps said.
Commissioner John Munson requested that the Board consider
taking $2 million from the reserve funds to held deal with the
deteriorating condition of Washington County roads.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval commented on the Chamber of Commerce
Farewell to Fred Teeter event held last week. Reading Day at
Hagerstown Community College was well attended, Kercheval said.
At Monday evening's Planning Commission meeting, an update on
the Saint James Village development was presented, the Tractor
Supply Company site plan was approved, and the Crosspoint building
near Valley Mall also received site approval. Kercheval reported
that this week, he and Interim Planning Director Steve Goodrich
will meet with developers of the large subdivision to be located
off Maryland Route 65, to discuss amenities developers will contribute.
The possibility of a site for future school construction will
be among topics discussed. A meeting of church members in the
Robinwood area with Public Works Director Gary Rohrer and Chief
County Engineer Terry McGee was productive Kercheval said.
Commissioner Bill Wivell reported on making a proclamation
to AFL-CIO workers last week. The recent meeting of the Cascade
Committee discussed donation of $2,000 to CSL, Inc. to assist
with Gym operations at Fort Ritchie, reuse of the Victor Cullen
facility and the annual donation to the Blue Ridge Library by
the County Commissioners. In past years, the County has assisted
with operations of that small library through donation of $1,500
from the Commissioners Contingency fund. Wivell made a motion
that the donation take place again for fiscal year 2005. The
measure was approved by unanimous vote. Wivell also discussed
a meeting of the Greenberry Hills Neighborhood Watch Association
and presented an article on the problems associated with use
of the new electronic voting machines nationwide, to the Board.
Commissioners'
President Greg Snook told the Board that the Chamber of Commerce
has narrowed its candidates for Chamber President to 5, and
that the agency has moved into its new location on West Washington
Street. A letter from the State Highway Administration has
announced a project dealing with drainage and other improvements
on Pennsylvania Avenue in the Maugansville Road and Showalter
Road areas. Governor Ehrlich has sent a letter confirming the
5% state share of various projects at the Hagerstown Regional
Airport. The Soil Conservation District has notified the County
of a stream restoration project on Beaver Creek, Snook said.
The Motor Vehicle Administration is asking the County to comment
on a change in the state law that would allow emergency service
vehicle drivers to only have a class "c" license, based
on the vehicle's weight. The Commissioners will send the request
to the Emergency Services Committee for review and a recommendation.
A letter from the Maryland Board of Elections announced the new
salary schedule for the Board of Elections Supervisors employees.
This is a mandated change that the County must assume. The Regional
Educational Support Agency (RESA) has proposed to consolidate
its operations into the building housing the Tri-County Commission
in Cumberland for a one-year trial period, Snook reported. Maryland
Realtor Magazine quoted average new home prices in Washington
County at $189,000 for the month of February, and new home construction
up 36% over this time last year.
PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
FEES
County Health Officer Bill Christoffel and Environmental Health
Officer Laurie Bucher brought these fee increase requests before
the Board for approval. House Bill 1541 amended the portion of
state law that deals with inspecting and testing wells, by allowing
inspection fees to increase from $80.00 to an amount not to exceed
$160.00. That legislation is awaiting the signature of Governor
Robert Ehrlich. The Health Department is requesting the fee be
raised the full amount, to become effective July 1, 2004. In
addition a recommendation was post forth to raise the commercial
open burning permit fee to $50.00 effective on adoption. All
other Health Department fees would remain at current levels.
A motion to sit as the County Board of Health for the Public
Hearing was approved by unanimous vote. Barbara Hovermale of
Citizens for the Protection of Washington County testified in
favor of the proposals. No one appeared in opposition to those
proposals. The measures were approved by unanimous vote. Christoffel
told the Board that Bucher would leave the County Health Department
May 20 th to accept a post at the State Milk Control Board. The
position will not be filled for 3-6 months as a cost-saving measure,
Christoffel said.
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 give comment on this day.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop
reminded those gathered that the annual Budget Hearing will get
underway this evening at 7 p.m. at Hagerstown Community College's
Kepler Theater, and will be cablecast on Antietam Cable TV channel
65.
SALARY STUDY COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
County Attorney Richard Douglas brought this matter before
the Board. According to Maryland law, a Salary Study Commission
will review the salaries of elected officials every four years.
That Commission is slated to meet again before July 1 st of this
year. The law requires that a commission of 9 members be appointed.
The Commission does not deal with employees so it does not create
a conflict with the recent wage and classification study. The
statute specifies the various bodies from which the appointments
are to be made and the required qualifications for Commission
members. It also directs the County Commissioners to appoint
the individuals recommended by each of these specified bodies.
The County Commissioners are also directed to provide professional
staff and funds necessary to advertise public hearings of the
Salary Commission. Members of the Commission are not compensated
for their service. Officials whose salaries are reviewed are:
the Board of County Commissioners, the Board of Education, Orphans'
Court judges, the Sheriff, the State's Attorney, the County Treasurer,
the Board of Supervisors of Elections, and the Board of Liquor
License Commissioners. After the County Commissioners have the
opportunity to review the report by that Commission, the Board
is to submit recommendations to the Washington County Delegation
for any salary changes by December 15 th of this year. The Board
of County Commissioners can vote not to approve the recommendations,
can lower recommended salary levels, but is not able to increase
the recommended salary levels. The proposed slate of Commissioners
consists of Rick Hemphill of the Democratic Central Committee,
Philip Baker-Shenk of the Republican Central Committee, John
Peckyno of the Chamber of Commerce, Gerald Ditto of the Washington
County Farm Bureau, Christene Madeo of the League of Women Voters,
Charles Shindle of the Central Maryland AFL-CIO Council, and
2 members representing the PTA, Leslie LeBlanc, and Bonnie Blandford.
The Washington County Taxpayers Association, that had been represented,
has been disbanded. The law prescribes that the members of the
Salary Commission meet and choose a member of the public as a
replacement. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
MORATORIUM ON NEW BILLBOARDS
County
Attorney Douglas also brought this issue, a draft ordinance
establishing a temporary moratorium on the construction of new
billboards, to the Board for review and adoption. Last week,
such a moratorium was suggested, to give staff and the Planning
Commission time to study and formulate amendments to the current
sign ordinance, which lacks specific regulations for billboards.
The Board requested the Legal Department to put together a draft
regulation. The issue arose following citizen complaints about
a large billboard to be erected near a historic structure in
the County. Hagerstown City Council also complained about large
advertising signs constructed just outside the city limits. Douglas
told the Board that the moratorium would take effect 10 days
after a public hearing on the subject, which could be held on
May 25. Only three advertising companies in the County are believed
to be affected. Commissioners' President Snook asked Interim
Planning Director Steve Goodrich to make those companies aware
of the Board's intentions. There are four applications for the
signs in various stages of approval that would be allowed to
continue. A review of the Sign Ordinance by staff and the Planning
Commission would be forthcoming within the next ninety days.
A measure, to proceed to public hearing, was approved by a 4-1
vote with Commissioner Munson voting "no".
BID AWARD: ELECTRICIAN SERVICES AT COUNTY FACILITIES
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther brought this bid award,
for Electrician Services at County Facilities before the Board
for approval. The low bidder is Kube Electric of Williamsport,
with a total base bid of $26,500.00. The contract is for one
year beginning on July 1, with an option to renew for up to four
additional one-year periods. In addition to the County buildings,
the contract covers services to the Health Department, Children's
Village, the Museum of Fine Arts, Housing Authority of Washington
County, and the Washington County Free Library. The measure was
approved by unanimous vote.
CONTRACT RENEWAL: CONTRACT SERVICES AT TRANSFER STATIONS
Luther and Solid Waste Department Director Bob Davenport brought
this request before the Board, to renew the contract with Peck's
Refuse Disposal LLC, of McConellsburg, PA, for hauling services
at the Landfill transfer stations. The contract amount would
be $263,112.00 for services to 5 County locations at Greensburg,
Kaetzel Road, Dargan, Hancock, and Resh landfill, providing containers
and hauling to the 40-West Landfill. The measure was approved
by unanimous vote.
PROCESS SERVICE FOR DISTRICT COURT
Sheriff Charles Mades brought this issue before the Board,
to authorize the Sheriff to assume duties of serving all civil
and criminal process and papers in District Court, effective
July 1 st. Judge Milnor Roberts, Administrative Judge for District
11 has indicated that an order for the assumption of those duties
will be forthcoming. That order, under Maryland Law, provides
that civil process and papers of the District Court be served
by constables, except where the Administrative Judge dictates
that the Sheriff perform those duties. Case law establishes the
Sheriff's duty under this law, as 22 of 24 Counties in Maryland
operate in this manner. Information provided by Sheriff Mades
indicates that all costs will be paid from revenue the program
will generate. A motion, to amend the Sheriff's Department budget
to reflect the increase in revenue, pending receipt of the judge's
order, was approved by unanimous vote.
HUMANE SOCIETY BUDGET DISCUSSION
Paul Miller, Humane Society of Washington County Executive Director
brought this discussion back before the Board. State law mandates
that the County provide animal control services, and the Humane
Society has a contract with the County for provision of those services.
At issue is the amount of funding to be given to the Humane Society,
over and above that authorized in the current fiscal year budget
and for FY '05. In previous meetings, the Society has said that
its costs have increased dramatically since moving into a new building
on Maugansville Road. Previous discussions included levels of service
to be provided, length of time animals will be housed, acceptance
of animals from outside Washington County, and adding a department
to the County to handle the animal control issues. By Humane Society
figures, Washington County bears about 84% of operations costs
as Animal Control expenses. That figure is up from a previous estimate
of 70%. Miller presented information on relative costs by selected
County for animal control in Maryland. Washington County showed
the highest per capita cost, at $8.47 per person per year of the
14 Counties polled. A per-animal cost of $178.00 for the County
was shown, compared with $135 for Frederick and Carroll Counties,
and $171 for Montgomery County. Miller presented financial information
for 2003-2004, proposed salary figures for personnel, information
on number of animals housed each year, and adoption figures. The
Board discussed cuts in services, and Commissioner Kercheval called
for further review of the Society's budget. Commissioner's President
Snook said that additional time will be scheduled for discussions
of that budget.
