CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Scheer, the presiding officer, called the Regular Session Meeting of the Water and Sewer Advisory Commission to order at 6:04 p.m. at the Washington County Water and Sewer Department Administration Office, 16232 Elliott Parkway, Williamsport, Maryland.
ATTENDANCE
A quorum was present including: Chairperson Scheer, Vice-Chairperson Diehl, Commissioners Parks, Commissioner Crabb, Secretary Armel, Commissioner Fishack, Commissioner Renn, Greg Murray, Director of Water & Sewer Operations, and Jamie Calandrelle, Office Associate IV.
Other Attendees - (Attachment #1)
READING, CORRECTION, AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Session Minutes - October 22, 1998
Motion made by Commissioner Parks, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Diehl to accept minutes. Unanimously approved.
Chairperson Scheer opened discussion regarding minutes dated October 22, 1998. Motion was made by Secretary Armel, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to amend the original Motion to revise the minutes in accordance with the following changes:
1. Page 2 - Announcements - change two-year term to three-year term.
2. Page 2 - Unfinished Business - 4th par. "taking over the line" should read, "regarding the proposed Beaverbrook Project".
3. Page 2 - Below Announcements - Indicate when closed session occurred and reconvened in regular session for the record.
Unanimously approved.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Rowland Ridge Subdivision (Frederick Co.) - Director Murray introduced Mr. Merle Holsinger and Mr. Lee Royer. They gave a brief summary of their request to install sewer in this subdivision. Discussion followed. Commissioner Armel asked if this service area could fiscally stand on its own under the current rates. Director Murray advised that it could not.
Commissioner Crabb recommended Director Murray to develop a cost to provide sewer to the proposed subdivision in Frederick County. Director Murray stated that before any costs can be developed he has to receive approval from Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works. Chairperson Scheer informed Mr. Holsinger and Mr. Royer that they will make a recommendation at their December 3, 1998 meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Request for Line to be Moved - Mr. and Mrs. Rice - Motion was made by Secretary Armel that the proposed sewer lines be moved based on the following conditions be met:
1) $2750 - the actual cost of moving line as projected to be prepaid.
2) All contingencies encountered as the result of cost overlays exceeding $2750 paid by the property owner with $1000 being prepaid. All contingency fees not used would be refunded.
3) The Rices would be given a copy of material and labor charges and what it was incurred for.
The Motion was seconded by Commissioner Parks. Unanimously approved.
Request for Waiver - Cavetown Connection Fee - Mr. and Mrs. Richard Metzger - Chairperson Scheer explained their request according to a letter submitted at the advisory commission meeting held October 22, 1998 asking that we waive the connection fee based upon financial hardship. Motion was made by Secretary Armel, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to advise the Metzgers that consistent with established county policy and precedence, the Advisory Commission does not recommend approval of their request. Unanimouslyapproved.
Request for Waiver - Cavetown Connection Fee - Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie May - Chairperson Scheer explained their request asking to waive half of the connection fee also due to financial hardship. Motion was made by Vice-Chairperson Diehl, seconded by Commissioner Parks to deny their request. Unanimously approved.
The Advisory Commission feels that granting these types of requests would place the financial burden on remaining users of the systems.
Public Service Utility Commission - Chairperson Scheer commented on two letters he received from Maryland People’s Counsel both dated October 29, 1998. (Attachment #1 and #2) Motion
was made by Commissioner Parks to appoint Ed Renn as spokesperson to the Maryland People’s Counsel, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Diehl. Unanimously approved.
Warrenfeltz Lane Property Owners - Commissioner Renn stated that he met with Kellar Smith, spokesperson for Warrenfeltz Lane Property Owners, and Bill Breichner, Councilman, City of Hagerstown. Mr. Breichner has agreed to take care of their problem regarding low water pressure and that it is now being handled by the City of Hagerstown.
ADVISORY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Schedule of Advisory Commission Meetings - Chairperson Scheer asked Jamie Calandrelle, Office Associate, to provide the members of the Advisory Commission with a schedule for upcoming months. (Attachment #3)
Commissioner Crabb inquired about a summary budget report. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Crabb also asked Director Murray to contact Mayor Bowers with the Town of Smithsburg regarding use of the Town’s gravity interceptor for the Beaverbrook Pump Station.
DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Director Murray stated that before any agreement regarding Mr. and Mrs. Rice is entered into he will have to receive approval from Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next Regular Session Meeting of the Advisory Commission is slated to be held on Thursday, November 19, 1998 at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Works Annex Building, 16232 Elliott Parkway, Williamsport, Maryland.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Crabb,
seconded by Vice-Chairperson Diehl to adjourn at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Jamie L. Calandrelle,
Office Associate IV
Reviewed by:
Gregory B. Murray, Michael V. Armel,
Director of Water and Sewer Operations Advisory Commission Secretary
Unanimously approved.
Revised: 12/17/98
Revised: 12/17/98