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HomeMy WebLinkAbout910716 July 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 Gary Rohrer, Chief, Division of Planning and Codes Administration, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. TAX CREDIT APPLICATION - IMPROVEMENTS TO HISTORIC STRUCTURE Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Snook, to approve the application for a tax credit from County property taxes in the amount of $3,666 to M R Partnership for restoration and preservation of the "Walker House" located at 49 Summit Avenue, which is in the Hagerstown Downtown Commercial Core National Register District. Unanimously approved. ANTIETAM RAILROAD STATION - PRESERVATION EFFORTS The Commissioners signed correspondence to be sent to the Norfolk and Western Railroad requesting time to allow interested parties to meet and organize proposals to lease or purchase the historic Antietam Railroad Station, located in Sharpsburg, in regard to the Railroad's plan to demolish the station. Commissioner Irvin-Craig stated that the Save Historic Antietam Foundation (SHAF) is interested in purchase of the building, possibly for use as an information center or museum. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 27 AND JULY 2, 1991 Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to approve the minutes of June 27 and July 2, l99l, as corrected. Unanimously approved. FACILITIES DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE - ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING Gary Rohrer, Chief, Division of Planning & Codes Administration, reported that the first meeting of the newly appointed Facilities Design Review Committee was held last week. Mr. Rohrer stated that the Committee got off to a good start and discussed procedures to divide and review plans in a timely manner. He also noted that the Board of Education submitted a list of capital projects for the Committee to review. The next meeting will be held on July 22. REFUND OF VIDEO GAME PERMIT FEE - YMCA Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to refund the license and permit fee in the amount of $l25 which was paid by the YMCA for one amusement device, with the condition that proceeds from the video game be used for the youth programs. Unanimously approved. SIX MONTH PROGRESS REPORT - RECYCLING Harvey Hoch, Recycling Coordinator, presented a six-month progress report on recycling efforts. Mr. Hoch reviewed the drop-off site program and amounts collected at each site. He stated that over one million pounds have been recyled through the drop-off containers. He also noted that commercial businesses have started recycling cardboard and a special telephone directory recycling will begin in August. The municipalities of Funkstown, Keedysville and Clear Spring will have full-time recycling trailers effective July l7. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee has been meeting and will make a trip to Tennessee to tour a new materials recovery facility. BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS Steven West, representing the Economic Development Commission's Advertising & Promotions Committee, announced the companies selected to receive beautification awards. Commissioner Roulette and Councilman William Breichner, representing the City of Hagerstown, presented plaques to Gerald Minnich, owner of Minnich Funeral Home, located on North Potomac Street; Calvin Mahaney, President of Brethren Mutual Insurance Company, for their property on Mt. Aetna Road; and Richard McCracken of Citicorp, for their property on Citicorp Drive. Each Commissioner commended the award winners on the appearance of their businesses and stated that this motivates other business owners to improve their properties. Commissioner Roulette noted that the names of these companies will be inscribed on a brass nameplate to be mounted on the permanent plaque displayed in the Administration Building. HOUSE RENUMBERING PROGRAM - PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS Ronald Karn, Chief, Fire & Rescue Communications, and Paulette Sprinkle, Community Coordinator, appeared before the Commissioners to distribute a press release on the house renumbering program and the flyers which will be distributed to those in the JULY 16, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. Hagerstown postal districts who will be affected by the changes. The Commissioners also viewed a public service announcement which will be shown on WHAG-TV and Antietam Cable emphasizing why the address changes are imperative for response by emergency service agencies. The announcements will begin airing this week. Ary VanSteamburg, Grid Technician, answered questions from the Commissioners and explained how the house numbering will be phased in. Commissioner Roulette commended the media for their support. SLUDGE UTILIZATION PERMIT APPLICATION The Commissioners agreed to request the State Department of the Environment to hold an informational meeting regarding an application for a Sludge Utilization Permit on agricultural lands in Washington County, which was submitted by Washington Township, Pennsylvania, Municipal Authority. AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION TRANSFER TAX CERTIFICATION Eric Seifarth, Associate Planner - Agriculture, met with the Commissioners to explain the procedure to obtain Agricultural Transfer Tax Certification which would allow the County to retain 75% of the Agricultural Transfer Tax instead of the current l/3 which is retained. Mr. Seifarth diagrammed the process by which the monies are divided from the State and noted that the County would have to submit a plan demonstrating the qualifying expenditures. Motion made by Commissioner Bowers, seconded by Shank, to authorize Mr. Seifarth to proceed with the application process for Agricultural Land Preservation Transfer Tax Certification. Unanimously approved. Mr. Seifarth recommended that the County commit $585,000 of the $608,000 received in Agricultural Transfer Tax for the purchase of easements. Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Bowers, to commit $585,000 of the Agricultural Transfer Tax received to be used for purchase of agricultural easements in conjunction with Agricultural Land Preservation Program. Unanimously approved. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION There was no one at the meeting who wished to participate. BOARD/COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Irvin-Craig reported on the Commission for Women meeting and a meeting with Secretary Robinson of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; Commissioner Shank reported on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting; and Commissioner Snook reported on the Fire & Rescue Communications Advisory Board meeting, the Recreation Commission meeting and the Airport Commission meeting. APPOINTMENT - COMMISSION FOR WOMEN Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to appoint Marie Nowakowski to fill the unexpired term of Denise Feeser extending to July l, l994. Unanimously approved. FIRE HYDRANTS - MOUNTAIN LAUREL DRIVE - BOONSBORO Barry Teach, Administrator, reported to the Commissioners that he had spoken to Mayor Kauffman regarding the request made by residents of Mountain Laurel Drive in Boonsboro requesting the County's assistance with the charge for installation of fire hydrants being assessed by the Town. The Mayor stated that Town officials and the Utility Commission discussed this matter but decided to require the $2l9 fee for the hydrants. The Commissioners requested that Lynn Palmer, Executive Director of the Sanitary District, look at the situation after contacting Mayor Kauffman. CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to convene in Executive Session at ll:50 a.m. in regard to personnel, property and legal matters, 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 Snook, seconded by Shank, to reconvene in Regular Session at 1:55 p.m. Unanimously approved. JULY 16, 1991 MINUTES, CONT'D. EMPLOY CONSTRUCTION INSPECTORS - CONTRACTUAL Motion made by Commissioner Shank, seconded by Snook, to hire Dale M. Brown as Construction Inspector for the Hopewell Road project at the rate of $l2/hour and to employ John W. Phillips, III, as Construction Inspector for the Leitersburg/Smithsburg Road at the rate of $ll/hour, as contractual employees. Unanimously approved. EMPLOY TOURIST INFORMATION SPECIALIST - PART-TIME Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to employ Pamela Deal as Permanent, Part-time Tourist Information Specialist to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved. SUPPORT OF FARMER'S MARKET Motion made by Commissioner Irvin-Craig, seconded by Bowers, to provide matching funds in an amount up to $2,000 in support of the Farmer's Market, through Economic Development Committee advertising and promotion funds. Unanimously approved. COMPENSATION - FACILITIES DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Bowers, to compensate the Facilities Design Review Committee at the rate of $50 per meeting, and to review this decision after a three-month period. Unanimously approved. RECESS The Meeting was recessed at 2:00 p.m. to be reconvened at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers in order to hear the presentation of the Hagerstown Urban Growth Area Water & Sewer Plan. PRESENTATION OF WATER & SEWER PLAN The Commissioners met with Mayor Steven Sager and Hagerstown City Councilmembers William Breichner, Susan Saum-Wicklein, and John Schnebley in the City Hall Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. in order to hear a presentation of the Hagerstown Urban Growth Area Water & Sewer Plan Executive Report by BCM Engineers, Rick Thoesen and Dale Allen. Mr. Thoesen stated that the major objectives were to project the service needs to 20l0 including industrial and commercial areas as well as residential; to optimize existing capacities for the water treatment and distribution system and the sewer collection and treatment system; to direct growth to the extent possible towards areas with existing infrastructure; and to develop a policy consideration regarding areas to be served and the extent of government participation. Also presented were the following recommendations for the water system: Priority l - upgrade of R.W. Wilson Water Treatment Plant - cover and line West End reservoir - Sterling/Wrench Road transmission line - Zone 2 storage and water main - new Zone l valves Priority 2 - Hopewell Road transmission main - Zone 3 storage - Zone 5 storage - Poffenberger Road transmission main Priority 3 - Hopewell Road transmission main - Zone 5 water line - Eastern Boulevard transmission main The following recommendations were made for the sewer system: Priority l - expand Hagerstown Water Pollution Control facility - upgrade lower Hamilton Run relief sewer Priority 2 - Antietam Creek interceptor - Potomac Edison area facilities - Williamsport Interstate Industrial Park facilities to serve Conococheague Basin Marsh Run interceptor Eastern Middle Antietam Area Interceptors St. James area facilities Priority 3 - West branch interceptor - lower Antietam/Landis Spring branch facilities MINUTES, CONT'D. JULY 16, 1991 - Maugansville facilities and pumping station - Washington County Business Park interceptor The engineers then answered questions from the Commissioners and City Councilmembers. Commissioner Roulette suggested that the group meet to discuss the recommendations made and proposed policy changes. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Irvin-Craig, to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Unanimously approved. County Attorney , Clerk