Note: This is a SUMMARY of the Commissioners Meeting for the purposes of a Press Release. These are not the official minutes of the meeting.
Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
July 31, 2007
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ATTENDED THE HALFWAY MANOR NEIGHBORHOOD
WATCH DAY AT THE NOON HOUR
Commissioners' President John Barr presented
the Halfway Manor neighborhood watch group with a proclamation designating July
31st as "Halfway Manor Neighborhood Watch Day" in Washington County,
commending the group's efforts to keep its portion of the community safe. The
proclamation said the Commissioners realize that one such neighborhood program
can make a difference in a community
ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
County Administrator Greg Murray announced The
Commissioners' intent to hire Bradley Nicer as an Engineering Technician III
to fill a vacant position, as discussed in Closed Session earlier in the day.
In Open Session, the action was approved by unanimous vote.
INSURANCE DESIGNATIONS RECOGNITION
Commissioner
John Barr presented Becky Maginnis, Risk Management Administrator in the
Department of Human Resources with a certificate of merit, recognizing her
for achieving Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Risk Manager designations.
She completed the Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Risk Manager
designations concurrently, taking a series of nine classes and examinations
over the last 18 months. The Certified Insurance Counselor designation from
the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research follows a successful
completion of a rigorous insurance education program consisting of demonstrated
professional competence through a combination of experience, formal training
and a series of comprehensive written examinations focusing on all major fields
of insurance, insurance management, and agency operations. The Certified
Risk Manager designation proves advanced risk management knowledge and expertise. Only
a limited number of professionals successfully complete this program each year
which consists of course work and extensive examinations in each of the five
subject areas of risk management: Principles, Analysis, Control, Financing,
and Practice. The program features
practical "hands-on" course content, designed to be applied immediately
to the risk manager's daily work. The Certificate of merit cited Maginnis'
dedication to the citizens of Washington County and commended her hard work
in achieving the certifications in her profession.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION
Director
of the Division of Emergency Services John Latimer brought this presentation
before the Board. Deputy Chief of 9-1-1 Dispatch Roy Lescalleet was recognized
for attaining the national Emergency Numbers Professional (ENP) Designation
The National Emergency Numbers Association (NENA) offers the professional designation to
establish the benchmarks of performance that will signify a broad-based competence
in the professional field. To qualify to sit for the written examination,
an applicant must undergo a peer review of his/her qualifications, education
and experience. If chosen for further consideration, the applicant will
sit for a comprehensive written examination. After successfully completing
the process, the professional must recertify every four years after completing
all recertification processes. Commissioner John Barr presented Lescalleet with
a Commissioners' Certificate of Merit, commending his dedication to serving
the citizens of Washington County, and his diligence in devoting time and effort
to attaining the professional designation.
Chewsville Streetscape Project
Director
of Special Projects (DSP) Gary Rohrer brought this item before the Board to
provide the Commissioners with an overview of an urban street reconstruction
project currently in design by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA)
for the Chewsville community. Some six years ago, a group of Chewsville residents
approached SHA about a streetscape project in their community. Since
Chewsville is an unincorporated village, the County was involved in early discussions
about the project but since that time, SHA has worked directly with a large
citizens group, and provided occasional updates to the DSP. Washington
County’s only other involvement has been through the usual drainage and
stormwater management review process. As a result, SHA has developed
a functional design that will enhance the community and improve safety. Rohrer
told the Board that the primary limits of the project extend along Twin Springs
Drive (Maryland Rt. 804B) from Md. Rt. 64 on the east, to Md. Rt. 62 on the
west. SHA put most of these projects “on-hold” over the past
several years, largely due to funding constraints. The community has
expressed its approval of the concept and the project has moved into final
design and expected to go to construction in FY-2010. The design incorporates
two significant geometric improvements that will facilitate traffic calming. The
first is at the intersection with Rt. 64 where the eastbound “ramp” from
Rt. 64 will be removed and replaced with a right-turn onto Twin Springs Drive. The
second change will be the removal of Track Side Road, which is a long, straight
connection from Twin Springs Drive, near the center of Chewsville, onto Rt.
64. The pavement section will be removed and the right-of-way will revert
to adjacent property owners. SHA will be depending on the County's new, yet
to be adopted, Ordinance for sidewalk maintenance. The current cost estimate
stands at $3.2 million and does not involve any County funding while right-of-way
and utilities will add additional costs. SHA has expended several hundred
thousand dollars for design, Rohrer said.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS
County Administrator Greg Murray requested a
budget transfer of $26,390.00 from the Health Department budget to the Department
of Social Services (DSS) budget for the Child Advocate position. Services have
been provided at the Health Department but the position was actually under DSS
direction. The Request came from County Health Officer Earl Stoner and DSS Director
Dave Engel. The measure was approved by unanimous vote.
Murray requested a change order to the Resh Road
Capping Project, Phase II, in the amount of $38,452.00. The Maryland Department
of the Environment and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined a dry stream
at the corner of the cell currently being capped to be an intermittent stream,
resulting in a need for downstream mitigation. The measure will fund a study
to delineate wetlands in the area and determine the proper course of action.
The measure was approved by a 3-1 vote with Commissioner Wivell voting "no".
AN EVENING MEETING WAS HELD IN THE TOWN OF HANCOCK, AT 7:00 P.M. AT TOWN HALL
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner’s President John Barr welcomed Hancock citizens to the
Commissioners meeting. Barr told approximately 75 persons attending that the
Zoning Hearing for a proposed campground east of the Town was held in May,
and the official record on that decision had been closed. Those attending
were welcome to comment on any issue, but the Commissioners cannot accept
further comment on the rezoning into the official record. Barr commented on
attending closing ceremonies for Antietam Youth Work Camp activities last
week, Over 300 youth assisted low-income homeowners in making repairs to properties
over a two-week period. 50 work teams fixed up 45 homes in the County, Barr
said. 60 youth from a number of countries are attending multicultural events
at St. James School this summer as part of a UNESCO Center for Peace function,
Barr reported.
Commissioner
Bill Wivell commended Hancock area citizens for attending the meeting and said
Mayor Dan Murphy and the Hancock Town Council are doing a good job for that
community.
Commissioner Terry Baker also commended Murphy and the Hancock Council and
cited evening meetings in municipalities as presenting opportunities for working
class citizens to participate in County government. Baker said the recent
Tractor Pull event at the Agricultural Education Center drew paid attendance
of 5,000 persons. A recent Gaming Commission hearing on contributions to charitable
organizations in the County showed the members of that Commission's concern
for the well-being of Washington County.
Commissioner Jim Kercheval provided an explanation of rezoning hearing
procedures and processes. The Commissioner commended the Hancock Mayor and
Council on organization of the meeting. Organizers of the Agricultural Expo
also deserve to be commended for the work that went on in holding the many
events at the Ag Center this year, he said. The Emergency Services Council
meeting held on Monday heard an update from the Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Association on improvements in accounting procedures. Better data will be
provided on how funding is raised and how it is spent. The Association urged
that the Commissioners follow up on phases of the Emergency Services Plan. The
Local Management Board meeting last week saw the Good Samaritan House in Hancock
receive state funding, Kercheval said.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Appointments
to County Boards and Commissions: County Clerk Joni Bittner brought
a request from the Economic Development Commission to appoint Stuart Mullendore
to fill the remainder of the term of an at-large representative on that board,
with the term to expire on June 30, 2008. The measure was approved
by unanimous vote.
Reports from County Staff: Public Works Director Joe Kroboth commented on the
recent Triathlon event held at Snook Park and cited Engineering and Highways
departments for coordination with various law enforcement agencies. A balloon
test was conducted last week at the Keep Tryst Road water tower site to gauge
impact of a new communications tower on the viewshed. Lightning during the
recent heavy storms knocked out three traffic signals on Robinwood Drive and
one at the Halfway Boulevard and York Road intersection. Laying grout in the
Maugans Avenue sinkhole began last week, and one lane of the road between
Pennsylvania Avenue and I-81 is being closed for a time, while work is done
in the roadway. Commissioner Kercheval asked Kroboth to look into traffic
control measure at the Pennsylvania Avenue/Maugans Avenue intersection.
County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator Greg Murray reminded
the Board that the next evening meeting will be on August 7th in Sharpsburg,
at the Town Hall. The following week, the Commissioners will attend the Maryland
Association of Counties (MACo) meeting in Ocean City. Murray reminded those
gathered that Commissioners' open session daytime meetings may be heard live
via internet at www.washco-md.net.
HANCOCK MAYOR/COUNCIL CONCERNS
Mayor Dan
Murphy thanked the Commissioners for holding the meeting in Hancock, and
commented on the many partnerships the Town and the County share. Program Open
Space funds assist the Town's parks, Sheriff's assistance with law enforcement
issues, water/sewer expertise and equipment sharing, fire and rescue funding,
Codes enforcement and permitting and Animal Control issues were cited as examples
of the partnership between Hancock and County government. Murphy commended Public
Works Director Joe Kroboth for that Division's many examples of assistance to
the Town. Questions posed by the Town included Excise Tax issues, Hotel-Motel
Tax usage, streamlining of the permitting process, information from the recent
water and sewer study conducted by the County, and improvements to the Sheriff's
Patrol Division. The Commissioners and County Administrator Greg Murray provided
information and answers to those questions.
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Each week
the Board of County Commissioners sets aside time to hear from citizens of Washington
County on matters of interest to the Community