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July 6, 1999
Hagerstown, Maryland
A special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County,
Maryland, was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by the Vice President Paul L.
Swartz with the following members present: Commissioners Bertrand L.
Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly, and William J. Wivell. Also present was
County Administrator Rodney M. Shoop. Commissioner President Gregory I.
Snook was absent.
VISIT BY U.S. SENATOR BARBARA MIKULSKI
Senator Barbara Mikulski thanked the Commissioners for arranging their
.
schedule to meet with herCommissioner Swartz then introduced each of the
Commissioners and the County Administrator.
Home Health Care Service
Dr. Robert Parker, County Health Officer, presented a report detailing the
critical state of home health care services in the State. Dr. Parker stated
that there has been a 50% closure rate for health care agencies in
Washington County over the past two years due to regulations designed to end
Medicare fraud nationwide. Senator Mikulski indicated that the regulations
were far too rigid and stated that she will meet with President Clinton in
the near future to discuss this issue.
Hagerstown Regional Airport - National Transportation Safety Board Proposal
Carolyn Motz, Airport Manager, informed Senator Mikulski of several projects
being done at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. She stated that the County is
has submitted a proposal to have a National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB) training center located at the facility. Ms. Motz explained that the
project would bring the reconstructed TWA Flight 800 aircraft and would
serve as a training facility for airport personnel as well as federal and
state transportation employees, safety inspectors and firefighters. She
stated that they are waiting on a request for proposal from the NTSB.
Senator Mikulski indicated that she and Senator Sarbanes would sent letters
of endorsement for the project and promised to help to bring the training
center to Washington County. Senator Mikulski also agree to support a study
on possible re-routing of US Route 11 if the extension of the runway at the
Hagerstown Regional Airport is approved.
Fort Ritchie Base Closure
Senator Mikulski recommended that the Commissioners send a letter to her
detailing their frustration regarding the delay of the complete turnover of
the Fort Ritchie property to the PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC). The
Commissioners explained that there is unexploded ordnance in a number of
areas on the base. Rodney Shoop, County Administrator, stated that the PMDC
should have the authority to handle the cleanup of the prime areas for
redevelopment to allow the land to be sold to interested investors.
Widening of Interstate 81
Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works, presented a report on the need to
widen Interstate 81 to six lanes through Washington County. He explained
that neighboring Pennsylvania and West Virginia have already begun their
projects to widen the interstate. Senator Mikulski stated that she supports
the proposed legislation for increased TEA-21 federal transportation funds.
University System of Maryland Campus
Robert , Coordinator for the Hagerstown campus of the University System of
Maryland, provided a progress report on establishing a campus in Washington
County.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
County Administrator
County Attorney
, Clerk