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HomeMy WebLinkAbout910116 The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, on January l5, l99l, pursuant to Section l0.508, State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, by unanimous consent, met in closed session from 9:00 a.m. until 2:20 p.m. at the Sheraton Inn, l9l0 Dual Highway, Hagerstown, Maryland, to discuss personnel, property, litigation and to consult with counsel. Following the discussions, no action was taken on any of the matters discussed, and no votes were taken. January 16, 1991 Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by the President, Richard E. Roulette, with the following members present: Vice President Ronald L. Bowers and Commissioners Linda C. Irvin-Craig, John S. Shank, and Gregory I. Snook. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation was delivered by Kelly Ausherman, Secretary in the Economic Development Commission office, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEE Pete Loewenheim, Supervisor of Communications Maintenance, introduced Dave Iseminger, who was recently hired as a Technician in this department. RESOLUTION OF CONGRATULATIONS - NACD POSTER CONTEST WINNER The Commissioners recognized Joseph Roberts III of Smithsburg, Maryland, for winning the National Association of Conservation Districts poster contest and presented him with a Resolution of Congratulations. The NACD's press release noted that Mr. Roberts' entry "was selected overall winner for its great artwork and outstanding message that encompasses global perspectives of agricultural and environmental issues". BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Snook reported on the Board of Education's workshop meeting; Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Mid-Maryland Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council meeting and the Transportation Commission meeting; and Commissioner Roulette reported on the Library Board of Directors meeting and on the Governor's briefing of the State's budget situation. RE/APPOINTMENTS - MID-MARYLAND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to reappoint Verna Brown and Wayne Williams and to appoint Kathryn Reihard and Mary Jane Blickenstaff to the Mid-Maryland Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council for three year terms. Unanimously approved. APPOINTMENT - COMMISSION FOR WOMEN Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Snook, to appoint Sherry Koontz to the Commission for Women to fulfill the unexpired term of Susan Witmer, which extends to June 30, l99l. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 2 & 8, 1991 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to approve the minutes of January 2 and 8, l99l, as submitted. Unanimously approved. COURT COSTS - STATE OF MARYLAND VS. RALPH WILLIAM MILLS The Commissioners discussed the response received from Secretary Bishop Robinson, Department of Public Safety & Corrections, regarding payment of court costs for the case of the State of Maryland vs. Ralph William Mills. Secretary Robinson determined that Washington County is responsible for payment of court costs even though Mr. Mills committed the crime while incarcerated at the Maryland Correctional Institution. Barry Teach, Administrator, informed the Commissioners that legislation will be introduced by the Washington County Delegation this session to address this issue. After discussion, the Commissioners directed Mr. Teach to resubmit the bill to Secretary Robinson and contact Allegany County to inform them that payment will be deferred until a final response is received. GRID NUMBERING SYSTEM - STATUS REPORT James Brittain, Director of the Planning Department, met with the Commissioners to review the status of the grid numbering system. Mr. Brittain briefly reviewed the process used in the numbering program. He stated that the Hagerstown postal district should be completed in mid-June or early July of this year and only the Smithsburg and Williamsport postal districts remain to be numbered. He also informed the Commissioners that the program is on schedule and should be implemented by the end of l99l. Mr. Brittain then answered questions from the Commissioners. JANUARY 16, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. HEAD START HUMAN SERVICES - ADVANCE FUNDING Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to advance up to $40,000 to Head Start Human Services to provide interim funding until they receive their Federal grant in February, at which time the funds will be repaid to the County. Unanimously approved. EASTERN BOULEVARD - REQUEST FROM CITY OF HAGERSTOWN Barry Teach, Administrator, informed the Commissioners that the City of Hagerstown has sent a formal request for the County to provide 50% of the funding necessary for construction of the next section of Eastern Boulevard, which will run from Dual Highway to the Municipal Light Plant. The total cost of this project is estimated to be $2,400,000. The Commissioners took no action at this time. REJECT BIDS - DEMOLITION OF BURKHOLDER FARM Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to reject all bids for the demolition of the Burkholder farm. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners agreed to allow Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company to burn the Burkholder farm for training purposes as they requested, with a 90 day time period to achieve this. PERSONNEL REQUEST - STATE'S ATTORNEY Barry Teach, Administrator, informed the Commissioners that he has received a request from the State's Attorney to elevate one part-time attorney to full-time status. The Commissioners took no action at this time. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Donald Klick, who represents his eight brothers and sisters, appeared before the Commissioners to again request that the County return the 50' x 450' strip of land on Antietam Drive which they purchased in l989 to allow closing of the railroad crossing. Ralph France, County Attorney, informed Mr. Klick that he is in the process of advertising for the closing of the connector road and reconveyance of the land to Mr. Klick and appropriate family members, but the County must hold public hearings before they can reconvey the land. The Commissioners directed Mr. France to advertise for the hearings as soon as possible to get the matter expeditiously resolved. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to convene in Executive Session at ll:20 a.m. in regard to personnel, property and to confer with the County Attorney, in accordance with Section l0.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. The Commissioners recessed at l2:45 p.m. for lunch and reconvened in Executive Session at l:30 p.m. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSSION Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to reconvene in Regular Session at 2:20 p.m. Unanimously approved. MEETING WITH SANITARY COMMISSION The Commissioners met with the Sanitary Commission members at their office at 2:50 p.m. to discuss the status of several projects. Commissioners Roulette, Irvin- Craig, Shank and Snook were in attendance. Also present were Sanitary Commission members Louise Fahrney, William Ryan, William Winebrenner, Robert Holsinger and Paul Waggoner, along with Executive Director, Lynn Palmer. Jefferson Boulevard/Smithsburg Sewer Study Lynn Palmer showed the Commissioners a map of the area to be studied on Jefferson Boulevard and the Smithsburg area. He noted that there is a l to l l/2 mile gap between these two areas which the Sanitary Commission feels should also be included in the study. The Sanitary Commission is requesting that the contract with BCM be amended to include the entire area in one study and recommended that they be authorized to negotiate with BCM to provide this in the contract. Mr. Palmer also noted that the District has heard from 64 property owners between Rts. 64 and 66 who have failing septic systems. Hopewell Road Water System The Commissioners discussed establishing boundaries for the service area of the proposed Hopewell Road project. Mr. Palmer suggested that they set the boundaries at I-8l, Rt. l44 and Rt. 63. The Commissioners agreed to use the suggested boundaries. The Commissioners asked the Sanitary District to include the Cedar Lawn area when they distribute the questionnaire to see if they would be interested in having public water. JANUARY 16, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. Reappropriation of Series E Bond Funds for the Sharpsburg/Keedysville Sewer System Lynn Palmer reviewed the sources of funding for the Sharpsburg/Keedysville sewer system project and stated that there is a total of $390,892 in unfunded costs and an additional $387,035 is required. The Sanitary Commission is requesting that the Commissioners pass a resolution authorizing them to redistribute $200,000 of Series E bond funds from the Conococheague Project to the Sharpsburg/Keedysville project. Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to authorize the Sanitary Commission to redistribute $200,000 of Series E Bond Funds from the Conococheague project to the Sharpsburg/Keedysville project. Unanimously approved. St. James School/St. James Study Mr. Palmer discussed the Wastewater Facilities Study Draft Report as submitted by PSC Engineers & Consultants for the St. James/Clover Heights Community with the Commissioners and distributed copies of this report. He also stated the St. James School is experiencing septic problems and may have to put in their own system and there has been a significant number of septic failures in this area. Commissioner Shank raised concerns that properties outside the Urban Growth Area may be served and this could encourage growth in these areas. Mr. Palmer responded that the Sanitary Commission is trying to address health issues in these areas and suggested a change in the law to make proposed developments subject to the Water & Sewer Plan approval as well as the Zoning Ordinance, to help control growth. The Commissioners made no decision at this time. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to convene in Executive Session at 4:30 p.m. in regard to personnel, property and potential litigation, in accordance with Section l0.508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Unanimously approved. RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to reconvene in Regular Session at 5:30 p.m. Unanimously approved. TOUR OF SANITARY COMMISSION BUILDING The Sanitary Commission members and Mr. Palmer stated that their projects have tripled since l985 and, even though they have only been in their new facility for a short time, they need to expand to provide for additional office space. The Commissioners then toured the facility to view the plans for expansion areas. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Shank, to adjourn at 5:45 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk