WASHINGTON COUNTY WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION MEETING
JULY 13, 2000

CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Diehl called the Regular Session Meeting of the Water and Sewer Advisory Commission to order at 6:22 p.m. at the Washington County Water and Sewer Department Administration Office, 16232 Elliott Parkway, Williamsport, Maryland.

ATTENDANCE

A quorum was present including:Chairperson Christopher Diehl, Vice-Chairperson Glenn Fishack, Commissioner Gordon Crabb, Secretary Michael Armel, Gregory Murray, Director of Water and Sewer and Jamie Calandrelle, Office Associate IV. Absent: Commissioner Bonnie Parks, Commissioner Ed Renn, Commissioner Steve Klick, County Commissioner William Wivell(Attachment #1)

READING, CORRECTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Regular Session Minutes – May 11, 2000 

Motion made by Commissioner Crabb, seconded by Secretary Armel to approve minutes as submitted.   Unanimously approved.

Regular Session Minutes – June 8, 2000 

Motion made by Commissioner Crabb, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Fishack to approve minutes as submitted with changes and/or additions as requested.   Unanimously approved.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

(Attachment #2)

Woodrow Barron stated his request regarding the property he owns at 10120 Crystal Falls Drive. He stated he requested this particular water meter be disconnected due to the fact that his tenant was occupying that property and not paying his bills. He has an outstanding bill in the amount of $272.12 and is asking for waiver this bill or a reduction. As of 6/6/00, the water meter was removed. The mobile home has been removed from the property. The Advisory Commission recommended he submit in writing the chain of events. Discussion followed.

Director Murray explained that, upon receipt of a written request by the property owner of a rental property to have service to that rental property disconnected, information is relayed by the Water and Sewer Department to the Permits & Inspections Department who provide written notice to the tenants of the property. Thereafter, service can be disconnected.

One issue in matters such as this is the utilization of water/sewer service disconnection by landlords to force tenants to pay bills or other amounts due. There is the question of the costs to other county departments of taking these actions.

ADVISORY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

Commissioner Crabb referred to the letter addressed to Chairperson Diehl from Senator Sarbanes regarding the Conococheague Wastewater Treatment Plant (Attachment #3) Discussion followed.

Commissioner Crabb inquired about a copy the Water and Sewer Debt Reduction Actthat was distributed at the February 12, 2000 public hearing. Discussion followed.

Commissioner Crabb referred to the Washington County Annual Report (Attachment #4) He expressed his concern regarding the Advisory Commission being excluded from the Annual Report. Discussion followed.

Secretary Armel discussed holding the advisory commission meetings at outlying areas throughout the county. He suggested coordination with the County Commissioners meeting schedule and with consideration of being of assistance to the Water and Sewer Department. Director Murray stated he will provide the Board of County Commissioner Meeting Schedule at the next advisory commission meeting to be held August 10, 2000. 

Relative to I & I (Infiltration and Inflow), Director Murray advised that ground water levels have been very low for the last twelve months. The Halfway area will be the first service area for which bids for I and I “repair” contracts will be sought. 

Vice-Chairperson Fishack stated his concern over the recent transactions occurring at Fort Ritchie. He requested that his comments be entered into the record. Vice-Chairperson Fishack stated, “I want my comments to go on record and I hope my comments are sent to each commissioner. I think it’s fraud, I think we’re hooking taxpayers and if you think the fifty million debt is a problem, you haven’t seen anything yet. Fort Ritchie is getting ready to turn the property over to the Masonry Group and they will be deeded the property. When that’s done, next July, the governor will be out of there. We, at Washington County, will be left holding the bag. I think that the Board of County Commissioners, especially Mr. Gary Rohrer, should investigate. As a member of this commission, I want it to go on record that I am strictly against accepting anything without the payment from the government for the taxpayers of Washington County to take this over. I’m not even sure if we start taking this over that the grand jury ought to be involved in this county and investigate. That’s how strong I am on this.” Discussion followed

Motion made by Commissioner Crabb, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Fishack, that over the past couple of years, the Water and Sewer Advisory Commission has expressed concern and asked for information regarding the potential cost to the County in taking over, forced or otherwise, the water and sewer facilities at Fort Ritchie. 

In light of the developing situation at Fort Ritchie, the Water and Sewer Advisory Commission requests an update and an estimated costs to the County, including any engineering reports that have been completed, to the county in the event the county has to take over the system and bring it up to state standards.

The Water and Sewer Advisory Commission recommends to the Board of County Commissioners not to accept any part of the Fort Ritchie water and sewer systems that could negatively impact costs to the water and sewer rate payers and county tax payers.

Unanimously approved.

DIRECTOR COMMENTS

CIPF Revenue Projected & Actual 6/99 to 6/00 – (June, 2000 Total) (Attachment#5) Director Murray stated $59,896 was the revenue amount for June. Discussion followed.

Budget Summary – As of 6/30/00 (Attachment #6) – Director Murray distributed and discussed the Budget Summary for their review.

Director Murray distributed the Nicodemus Closure packet for review and use.(Attachment #7)

Director Murray reviewed the Water and Sewer Department/Sewer Connection Fees (Attachment #8) which indicates the water and sewer fees that went into effect July 1, 2000 including grinder pumps. 

Director Murray reviewed and distributed the City of Hagerstown water and sewer rates dated July 1, 2000. (Attachment #9)

NEW BUSINESS

Director Murray stated he received a request from the Arc of Washington County, Inc. dated July 3, 2000.(Attachment # 10)Due to the fact that this pavilion facility will be used only once or twice a year and the fact that a manhole for this project is already in tact, they are requesting waiver of sewer connection fees. Discussion followed.

Motion made by Vice-Chairperson Fishack, seconded by Commissioner Crabb that the requested waiver is not consistent with established policies. The Water and Sewer Advisory Commission is of the opinion that a waiver of fees reduces the revenue required to pay for capacity used and should not be supported by the users of the Water and Sewer funds. The Advisory Commission also recommends that Arc of Washington County present their request to the Board of County Commissioners if they wish to pursue this matter.

Unanimously approved.

Director Murray distributed a packet of information regarding National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) for their use. (Attachment #11)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Vice-Chairperson Fishack stated he will be absent at the next scheduled advisory commission meeting to be held August 10, 2000.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Vice-Chairperson Fishack, seconded by Commissioner Crabb to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.  Unanimously approved.

NEXT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING: WORKSHOP SESSION AUGUST 10, 2000

Respectfully submitted by:

____________________________Date: _______________________________

Jamie L. Calandrelle,
Office Associate IV

Reviewed by:

________________________________________________________________

Gregory B. Murray, DirectorMichael V. Armel,

Water and Sewer OperationsAdvisory Commission Secretary

Date: ________________________Date: ______________________________

Revised: 8/11/00