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January 19, 1996
The Washington County Commissioners hosted a meeting of the Western Maryland
County Commissioners at the Ft. Ritchie Army Base in Cascade, Maryland. The
meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Gregory I. Snook, President of the
Washington County Commissioners with the following members present: Ronald L.
Bowers, R. Lee Downey, and James R. Wade. Also present were Donald Dell,
representing the Carroll County Commissioners; Commissioners Mark Hoke, Ilona
Hogan, Terre Rhoderick, and Bruce Reeder, representing Frederick County; and
Commissioners John Braskey, Roger Glotfelty, and H. Wayne Wilt, representing
Garrett County.
Art Callahan welcomed the Commissioners to Ft. Ritchie on behalf of Colonel
LeFleur and Robert Sweeney, Executive Director for the Reuse of Ft. Ritchie.
He provided information regarding the schedule for closure of the base and the
background of the Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) Executive Committee.
Western Maryland Health Planning Agency
The group discussed the close out of the Western Maryland Health Planning
Agency. Commissioner Hoke informed the group that Allegany County is acting as
custodian of the records for the organization and that any remaining funds will
be disbursed back to the participating counties at the end of this fiscal year.
Regional Landfill Options
The Commissioners considered the option of utilizing a regional approach for
landfill operations. Gary Rohrer, Director of Public Works for Washington
County, stated that the four-county study which was done in 1985 regarding
regionalized landfilling options will be revisited by the appropriate
department heads in the four counties and they will also ask the Maryland
Environmental Service to review the data. Commissioner Wade stated that he
feels that the general public is opposed to bringing trash in from other
counties and that incineration would have to be considered in a regional
approach. Commissioner Hoke agreed that a combination of incineration,
transferring, recycling, composting, and crushing would have considered. The
group then discussed their landfill operations, fees, and current recycling
programs. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to have their staffs meet
to see if the regional concept is preliminarily feasible.
The Commissioners then discussed sludge disposal, water and sewer rates, and
the structure of the various operations.
Economic Development
The Frederick County Commissioners stated that their Economic Development
Commission created an "advance team" composed of private business volunteers in
the areas of finance, legal, construction/development, and utilities.
Commissioner Hoke stated that their ECDC is recommending that the County
privatize the entire organization. He said that Frederick County will still
contribute funding for marketing and recruitment to the organization.
Commissioner Bowers expressed his concern that control of economic development
could be lost by the county government under this scenario or that the advance
team could discriminate in recruiting businesses if a prospective firm would be
competing against an established business in the area. In response to
questions regarding control of direction of economic development in the county,
Commissioner Hoke indicated that the Commissioners have an ex-officio member on
the board for input, however, they could re-establish the County-operated ECDC
as they deem necessary.
Legislative Issues
The Commissioners discussed requests for legislation to provide exemptions from
the Forest Conservation Ordinance in industrial/commercial districts.
Also discussed were probable State funding cuts and construction of new
schools. The Commissioners agreed that the Western Maryland counties need to
have a strong coalition in Annapolis. It was the consensus to organize a
representative Commissioner panel from Western Maryland to testify in Annapolis
regarding funding for education. Commissioner Bowers stressed the need to work
together with the larger counties in legislative efforts rather that working
against them. The Commissioners discussed the maintenance of effort formula
for education and funding levels for school budgets.
Casino Gambling
All those in attendance were in opposition to legalizing casino gambling in
Maryland.
January 19, 1996
Western Maryland Counties' Meeting
Future Meeting
The group agreed to meet again on April 26 to hear from the staff members on
their findings regarding the previous study on utilizing a regionalized
approach for solid waste disposal.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
County Administrator
County Attorney
Clerk