FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
NORMAN BASSETT
240-313-2077
Review of Actions Taken in the Washington
County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
July 20, 2004
RENEWAL OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ORDER GRANT
Washington County Sheriff's Department Lietenant Randy Wilkinson
and Corporal Daryl Sanders brought this grant before the Board
for renewal. The Domestic Violence Order Entry and Service Grant
is designed to offer law enforcement agencies resources necessary
to enhance existing services regarding domestic violence cases
in District and Circuit Court. The program reduces time between
the issuance of protective and other orders and entry of those
documents into computerized databases. Amount of the grant, from
the Governor's office on Crime Control and Prevention, is $12,500.00
and there is no impact on the County in terms of matching funds.
The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
Human Resources Administrator Dee Hawbaker brought two new
employees before the Board for introductions. Patricia Ryan was
recently employed as a Senior Office Associate in the State's
Attorney's Office and Corey McCarthy is a new Police Communications
Operator for the Sheriff's Department.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Bill Wivell requested information on a farmhouse
and barn located on property owned by the Airport. County Administrator
Rod Shoop said that the house had been gutted by previous owners
to the point that window casings were removed. Wivell requested
an assessment of cost for saving the structure.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval said that Black Rock Golf Course's
end-of-year report showed revenue up by $95,000 for the year
and expenses down by $25,000. The Golf Course Board is looking
into lease-purchase agreements for equipment used at the course,
as a cost-saving measure. Discussions have taken place between
county staff and contractors on the Capital Improvement Project
bid process recently, Kercheval reported.
Commissioner Dori Nipps commented on a meeting of the Airport
Commission last week that reported the Runway Improvement Project
on schedule, and on a meeting of the Women's Commission.
Commissioner John Munson reported on the Smithsburg Pride Days
Parade held on Saturday.
Commissioners'
President Greg Snook commented on a letter from the Maryland
Department of the Environment announcing a public information
meeting regarding the planned "Quiet Meadows" subdivision
to be located south of Rohrersville. The developer will present
information on wetlands and stream mitigation measures at the
Boonsboro Fire Company station on Route 67 at 7 p.m. on August
11 th. A letter from the City of Hagerstown is requesting County
cooperation in the effort to have the state modify City sewer
plant capacity, Snook said. A visit to the landfill last weekend
showed traffic to be flowing smoothly and new sticker registration
underway without problems, Snook reported.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF
Public Works Director Gary Rohrer reported on a meeting with
the consultant for Engineering and Technical Assistance for the
Underpass Way repair project. The cost could be as much as $200,000
to repair that bridge, which was damaged by a container truck
the weekend of July 9 th, and repairs could be completed by the
first of October, Rohrer said.
Human Resources Director Dave Hankinson requested approval
to advertise two Plant Operator positions in the Department of
Water Quality. The request was approved by unanimous vote.
Information
Technology Director Ron Whitt told the Board that anti-spam
hardware and software, installed into the county email system
last week, successfully removed 20,000 pieces of spam email
in seven days time. The control system targets industry-known
spammers. The Washington County Public Network is pursuing
fiber-optic connections from the state "backbone" along
I-70, up Maryland 65 to the downtown area, to link local government
entities and the University of Maryland complex by September.
Cost of the project is being shared by USM, the County, the
City of Hagerstown and the Washington County Free Library.
Connectivity will be 40 times current speed, Whitt reported.
PROCLAMATION: DIVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES 75 th ANNIVERSARY
Commissioners'
President Greg Snook presented this proclamation to Mary Dutterer,
Regional Director for the State Department of Education's Division
of Rehabilitation Services (Photo).
For 75 years, the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
of the Maryland State Department of Education has worked to
assist citizens of Washington County who have disabilities
with their lives. DORS provides programs and services that
help individuals with disabilities go to work, become self-sufficient
and stay independent in their homes and communities. Services
have been provided in Washington County for over 50 years.
The most recent effort, by DORS and other state agencies is
the "Ticket to Work" initiative,
designed to bring people currently receiving Social Security
Disability back into the workforce, lessening dependence on government
programs. DORS Counselors received the proclamation from Commissioner
Snook
RESOLUTIONS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND LOANS
Economic
Development Commission Director Tim Troxell brought these requests
before the Board. The Maryland Department of Business and Economic
Development (DBED) makes loans to business and industry under
its Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund (MEDAF) for
expansion of operations and construction of new facilities.
If certain criteria are met, the state will forgive the loans.
Troxell said the loans are not new, but had not had official
resolutions passed, which is a requirement by the state. 6 firms
currently expanding or constructing facilities in the County
applied. Mountainside Teleport Corporation, located in Friendship
Technology Park requested up to $600,000 in aid in order to lease
or construct 40,000 square feet of office space on a 55-acre
parcel at its current location. County involvement would be provision
of a new jobs tax credit against property tax in the amount of
$12.6 million over 6 years. The measure was approved by unanimous
vote. Lowe's Home Centers requested $150,000.00 to assist in
construction of its flatbed distribution center on Burhans Boulevard.
The County would make a $50,000 conditional loan to Lowe's with
the same terms and conditions as the state program. The measure
was approved by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell voting "no".
GST Auto Leather's request was for $250,000 for expansion and
development of its research and development and laboratory facilities
in Williamsport. A County grant of $50,000 would be made, and
wording in the resolution would be changed to reflect that grant.
The measure was approved by unanimous vote. Home Depot's Your
Other Warehouse requested $300,000.00 to assist in leasing 454,000
square feet for a distribution in the former TruServ building
in Hunter's Green industrial area, as part of Phase I of its
expansion into Washington County. The County was requested to
provide a $50,000.00 loan to the firm with the same terms and
conditions as the state loan. . The measure was approved by a
4-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell voting "no". Tractor
Supply Company asked for up to $250,000.00 to expand its distribution
operations through construction of a new 482,000 square foot
facility. The County would contribute $35,000,00 towards the
project in a loan with the same terms and conditions as the state
loan. . The measure was approved by a 4-1 vote with Commissioner
Wivell voting "no". JLG Industries requested $50,000.00
to expand its operations in the Fountainhead Plaza office in
Hagerstown. The County would contribute $7,500 toward the project
in the form of a loan on the same terms and conditions as the
state loan. The measure was approved by unanimous vote. Commissioners'
President Snook requested EDC staff to send a letter to the DBED
Secretary thanking the agency for its support for Washington
County projects.
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.
Vernon
Randolph of Hagerstown requested additional "off-peak" hours
for County Commuter routes and commented on pedestrian issues
in the Valley Mall/ Valley Plaza area.
OTHER BUSINESS
County Attorney Issues: Deputy County Attorney John Martirano
told the Board that the state-mandated Salary Study Commission
will hold a Public Hearing on August 9 th. Maryland requires
a review of salaries of certain elected officials to be conducted
every 4 years, and a report made by a Study Commission in each
county.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner
requested approval of appointment of Patricia Reynolds to the
Housing Authority of Washington County Board as the Smithsburg
representative, and reappointment of Clifford Eardley for a second
term. The Town of Williamsport requests that the Reverend Marty
Robinson be appointed to that Board to fill an unexpired term.
The measures were approved by unanimous vote.
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Rod Shoop
reminded the Board that the annual County Employee picnic will
take place Saturday July 24 th at Antietam Recreation. Some 500
persons are expected to attend. Casual Day for June netted $335.00
to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Shoop requested that new Planning
and Community Development Director Mike Thompson be designated
Zoning Administrator for the County. The measure was approved
by unanimous vote. A staff committee is reviewing all major County
leases with an eye towards cost savings due to lower interest
rates. The Engineering Department Administrative Assistant position
has been vacated, and should be advertised, Shoop said. The measure
was approved to be advertised in-house.
SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION OF AMENDMENTS TO TEXT AND ZONING MAPS
FOR RURAL AREAS
Chief Senior Planner Steve Goodrich brought this request before
the Board, to establish a timetable for completion of the comprehensive
rezoning of rural areas and adoption of amendments to the Zoning
Ordinance prior to expiration of the construction moratorium
on October 28 th. The moratorium will have been in place for
two years by that time, and several issues were discussed including
the Rural Task Force report, Planning Commission recommendation,
and testimony received at public hearings. Seven individual requests
were received after the hearing held in October of 2003 that
should be acted upon. Staff is suggesting a series of workshops
beginning with a session on the Task Force report on August 10
th, to be followed by one on the Planning Commission's recommendation
on the 24 th, and review of the individual requests August 31st.
Following these discussions, Public hearings could be held the
weeks of September 14 th and 21st . Final action would have to
be taken by the Board no later than October 18 th in order for
the changes to be effective when the moratorium expires. The
timeline was approved by consensus and could be subject to change.
THE BOARD VISITED RECREATION SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS AT MARTY
SNOOK PARK DURING THE NOON HOUR
BID AWARD: CIRCUIT COURT RENOVATIONS
County Purchasing Agent Karen Luther and Public Works Director
Gary Rohrer brought this request before the Board, to award the
low responsive, responsible bid for renovations to the Circuit
Court Annex to Callas Contractors of Hagerstown in the amount
of $4,188,500.00. A budget adjustment was also requested to assist
in funding the project. Rohrer told the Board that the Capital
Improvement Project budget contains a total of $3.85 million
for the renovation. A shortfall, of approximately $819,000.00
exists. Transfer of funds from CIP contingency and increase of
bond issuance in fiscal years '05 and '06 were recommended. Add
alternates 1,3, and 4 must be included in the project as funds
were acquired from the state by the Clerk of Circuit Court for
that work, Rohrer said. A fifth Circuit Courtroom must be constructed
and the ADA accessibility plan for the building updated. Discussion
took place on alternate forms of funding, including using part
of the projected FY '04 surplus. A motion, to approve the bid,
using FY '04 surplus or other funding source, and a budget transfer
to cover the shortfall, was approved by unanimous vote. Clerk
of Circuit Court Dennis Weaver told the Board that his office
will continue to seek additional sources of funding, pro-rated
on the amount of space the courts use in the building.
CITIZEN OF THE MONTH
Commissioner
John Munson presented the Citizen of the Month honor for July,
2004 to Jay Stouffer of Maugansville (Photo). “If
you want to get something accomplished, ask thebusiest
person in town to help.” in Maugansville that would
be Jay Stouffer.
A
lifelong resident of Maugansville, Jay is known for his dedication
to the community and his involvement in charitable works. Jay
is a member of the Maugansville Ruritan, has been its president
and serves in a variety of functions in the organization. Jay
started the Little League program in Maugansville in the 70's
and a field is named for him. He served as Little League District
1 Administrator for 18 years and remains active in youth sports.
His sensitivity to people with disabilities is also well-known.
He started the Challenge program in little league, and spear-headed
community donations to make a house in the community accessible
for a child with a disability. For his contributions to Maugansville
and Washington County, Jay W. Stouffer is honored with the
Commissioners' Citizen of the Month proclamation for July,
2004. Citizen of the Month honors are bestowed on citizens
who have made a positive impact on the Washington County community.
Mary Dutterer, Regional Director for the Maryland Department
of Education's Division of Rehabilitation Services, receives
a County Commissioners' Proclamation in honor of the service's
75th anniversary.
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Citizen of the Month for July 2004 is Jay Stouffer of Maugansville.
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