CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Diehl called the Regular Session Meeting of the Water and Sewer Advisory Commission to order at 6:03 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, Secretary Michael Armel, Commissioner Gordon Crabb, Commissioner Bonnie Parks, Commissioner Ed Renn, County Commissioner William Wivell, Gregory B. Murray, Director of Water and Sewer and Jamie Calandrelle, Office Associate. Absent: Commissioner Steve Klick (Attachment #1)

READING, CORRECTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Session Minutes – January 11, 2001
Motion made by Commissioner Parks, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Fishack to approve minutes as submitted.
Unanimously approved.
Regular Session Minutes – February 8, 2001
Due to uncontrolled circumstances, this meeting was cancelled.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
None. (Attachment #2)

ADVISORY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
The subject of holding Advisory Commission meetings throughout Washington County was discussed at length. Secretary Armel stated he will contact the Halfway Fire Department and express the Advisory Commission’s interest in having a meeting at their location.

Commissioner Fishack initiated discussion of marketing matters relative to the CIPF. (See Director Comments on this matter.)

Commissioner Parks commented on a recent article in the Herald Mail relating to property owners in the Sharpsburg area regarding water and sewer bills. Director Murray stated the mayor and council of Sharpsburg annually assist citizens with offsetting their water and sewer bills. Discussion followed.

Chairperson Diehl referred to an article in the Herald Mail regarding the City of Hagerstown hiring a lobbyist. Discussion followed.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER WIVELL COMMENTS
County Commissioner Wivell referred to a letter from Senator Barbara Mikulski dated March 2, 2001 in reference to federal funding for the Conococheague Wastewater Treatment Plant Biological Nutrient Removal project. (Attachment #3) Discussion followed.

County Commissioner Wivell provided an update regarding the status on Fort Ritchie. Several issues are currently being addressed including liquidated damages. Discussion followed.

County Commissioner Wivell stated that the State of Maryland gave Washington County $500,000 toward the Sharpsburg Pike project. Motion made by Commissioner Parks, seconded by Commissioner Crabb to send a letter to Virginia Kearney with the Maryland Department of the Environment thanking her for her effort put forth in providing assistance to Washington County.

Unanimously approved.

DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Director Murray gave an update report on the Conococheague Industrial Pretreatment Facility (CIPF) and status on the partnership with Spirit Services, Inc. Regulations involving private agencies and publicly owned treatment facilities accepting categorical waste streams was discussed. The Advisory Commission members concurred that they respectfully request to be invited to participate in further discussions, including those with the Board of County Commissioners, relative to the CIPF related issues. Discussion followed.

Director Murray stated the letter sent to The Housing Authority of Washington County regarding the request for waiver of allocation fees for Springfield Manor is attached. (Attachment #4)

Director Murray also reviewed the letter sent to Mr. Benjamin Black regarding his request for waiver of a disconnection fee. (Attachment #5)

Director Murray reviewed mileage expense reports as requested. He stated mileage expense reports need to be turned in a monthly basis if needed. (Attachment #6)

CIPF Revenue (February, 2001 total) (Attachment # 7) Director Murray reviewed this report and stated the revenue for the month of February was $65,043 due to receiving less leachate during this period. Discussion followed.

Budget Summary – As of 2/28/01 – (Attachment #8) Director Murray reviewed this report and stated expenses were slightly higher due to an air quality study was performed. Results are pending the completion of the report. The water fund expenses have been slightly higher due to intake at Sharpsburg as well as the demand. Discussion followed.

Project and Summary Report dated 2/22/01 (Attachment #9) – Director Murray commented on the BNR Upgrade as well as the Pretreatment Facility Flushing . Director Murray also commented on the Inflow and Infiltration Study (I & I). He stated the scheduling of smoke testing and televising the lines in the area will begin in the near future. The Water and Sewer Department sent notices last month to affected sewer customers in the Sharpsburg Pike area explaining the "switching" of billing. Discussion followed.

FY02 Operating Budget Comparison dated 2/1/01 (Attachment #10) – Director Murray stated this report shows the comparison between FY 2001 and FY 2002 and the specific categories and overall fund differences.

FY02 Budget Summary Memorandum dated 2/2/01 (Attachment #11) – Director Murray stated the budgeted expenses directly related to operational costs not including wages, overhead, insurances, or administrative costs such as debt have been reduced by 4.03%, or $86,140 for FY 2002.

Director Murray stated the administrative offices of the Water and Sewer Department will be relocating to the front of the building within the month. Discussion followed.

Motion made by Commissioner Renn, seconded by Commissioner Crabb to recommend to the Board of County Commissioners the acceptance of the FY 2002 Operating Budget with personnel requests as presented.
Unanimously approved.

NEW BUSINESS
None.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.

NEXT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING: APRIL 12, 2001
ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Commissioner Renn, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Fishack to adjourn at 8:45 p.m.
Unanimously approved.