HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.17.1987
March 17, 1987
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
The Commissioners met for a breakfast meeting with the Extension Advisory Council
off the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service. Betty Bures,
Director of the Regional Center, presented budget and funding information and also
presented an outline of classes which will be offered to the public. Bill Mason,
Advisory Council member, made a request for larger facilities since overcrowded
conditions and parking problems exist at the present building.
The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County was
called to order at 9:00 a.m. by the President, Ronald L. Bowers, with the following
members present: Vice President Richard E. Roulette and Commissioners R. Lee
Downey, Linda C. Irvin, and Martin L. Snook.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Bowers, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag by the full Assemblage.
CHILDREN'S COUNCIL NOMINATION FOR YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARD
James Deaner, Vice President of the Children's Council, appeared before the
Commisisoners to submit the nomination of Michell Martin for the Youth of the Month
Award. The Commissioners approved the nomination but felt that future nominations
decided upon by the Children's Council would not have to have prior approval from
the Commissioners.
BUDGET AND ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE - UNITED WAY
Commissioner Downey was selected to serve on the United Way Budget and Admissions
Committee.
GOLF COURSE ACCESS ROAD
The Commissioners approved using Roads Department personnel and equipment to
construct the Golf Course Access Road for an estimated cost of $l34,000, without
installed guardrail at this time.
PROCEED WITH BIDDING CAPITAL PROJECTS
The Commissioners gave their approval for Glenn Dull, County Engineer, to proceed
with bidding capital projects which have been designed and are ready to go to bid,
this would allow the projects to be started during the current construction
season. These projects include: the CHIEF Access Road, 800' on Landis/Day Road,
Doub Road #3, Beaver Creek Road Relocation and drainage projects for LuRose
Estates, State Line and Mayfair/Gilbert Avenue, for an approximate cost of
$250,000.
PAYMENTS FROM FIRE, AMBULANCE AND RESCUE FUND
Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Roulette to divide equally among
fire and rescue companies outside of Hagerstown the monies received from the State
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for eligible expenditures in
accordance with the Procedures for Administration of the Fire, Ambulance and Rescue
Fund and to transmit $l2,227 of this money, as specified, to the City of Hagerstown
along with a letter stating the purpose of these funds and requesting information
on the placement of the funds. Unanimously approved.
SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM - HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Snook to appropriate up to
$20,000 for the restoration of the School Health Services Program for the
remainder of the l987 school year with the funds to be taken from the Commissioners
Operating Contingency. Unanimously approved.
RESOLUTION OF CONDOLENCES - TROOPER LARRY E. SMALL
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette to present a Resolution of
Condolences to the family of Trooper Larry E. Small who died March l0, l987, while
engaged in the performance of his duties as a law enforcement officer. Unanimously
approved.
BOONSBORO STADIUM LIGHTS
Rev. Tom Fralin, Earl Gillespie and Joe Roberson appeared before the Commissioners
to present their concerns regarding the stadium lights at Boonsboro High School
which cannot be used next year since the Electrical Inspector has determined that
they are a safety hazard. Mr. Gillespie presented the written testimony he had
presented to the Board of Education which included background information. The
Commissioners suggested that the Boonsboro Warrior Club submit a proposal to the
Board of Education to include the Booster Club's financial and/or in-kind contri-
bution, with the Board of Education then submitting a Capital Improvements
Supplement request for some portion of the cost for lighting to the Commissioners
prior to the beginning of next fiscal year in view of the emergency nature of the
situation, so that the problem can be resolved before the l987-88 school year.
MARCH 17, 1987
MINUTES, CONT'D.
AMENDMENTS TO ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE - PUBLIC HEARING
The President convened the Meeting in Public Hearing at ll:l0 a.m. to permit any
resident of Washington County to testify concerning the proposed amendments to the
Animal Control Ordinance as advertised. The first amendment under consideration
would change the meeting date of the Animal Matters Review Board from the "first
and third Monday" to "as required". The second amendment being considered would
levy a $25 fine for any violation of the Ordinance. Several of those in attendance
felt that the amount of the fine proposed was too high and that there should be a
warning system for the first violation or if the animal showed signs of having been
restrained. The third amendment proposed would allow the Humane Officer to collect
fines for citations by check only, if collected in the field or the fine may be
paid at the Animal Shelter by cash or check. The amendment would also provide for
a $l0 fine being charged if a check is returned for insufficient funds. Pat
Morgan, Director of the S.P.C.A., expressed reservations regarding Humane Officers
collecting fines in the field and felt that it would impose too many responsibilies
upon the Officer. It was also suggested that a l5 day period be given the owner
of an animal from the date a citation is issued for the owner to have any required
innoculations administered to the animal or for a license to be purchased. The
final amendment under consideration was the definition of "nuisance animal" which
would amend Section l2, paragraph C-l to add "unless provoked by a third party".
Several people questioned the definition of a third party. There being no one else
present to speak for nor against the said Amendments, Commissioner Bowers announced
that the record would remain open for ten days for additional comments to be
submitted in writing, and the Hearing was closed at ll:50 a.m. and the Meeting
reconvened in Regular Session.
CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Downey to convene in Executive
Session at ll:50 a.m. in regard to personnel and property matters in accordance
with State Government Article l0.508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Unanimously approved.
RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION
Motion made by Commissioner Irvin, seconded by Snook to reconvene in Regular
Session at 2:35 p.m. Unanimously approved.
EMPLOY MAINTENANCE MAN I POSITIONS - PARKS DEPARTMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Snook, seconded by Downey to employ Robert L. Mills and
Eugene Bittner in the positions of Maintenance Man I at the Parks Department to
fill existing vacancies, to be promoted to Maintenance Man II at the end of
satisfactory completion of their probationary period. Unanimously approved.
EMPLOY PART-TIME MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT - COUNTY COMMUTER
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Irvin to employ Allen Green in the
position of Part-time Maintenance Assistant at the County Commuter to fill an
existing vacancy. Unanimously approved.
CLERK TYPIST II - HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Roulette, seconded by Irvin to employ Pam Yesacavage in
the position of Clerk Typist II at the Housing & Community Development department
to fill an existing vacancy. Unanimously approved.
REAPPOINTMENT - BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
Motion made by Roulette, seconded by Snook to reappoint Reno Powell to the Board of
Zoning Appeals for a three-year term. Unanimously approved.
PAINTING - COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Roulette to approve the painting of
the County Office Building while the scaffolding is in place to G. M. Gehr who
submitted the low proposal of $2,3l0 to be taken from Operating Contingency.
Unanimously approved.
RECESS
The Meeting was recessed at 2:45 p.m. to be reconvened at 7:00 p.m. for a public
meeting at the Williamsport Town Hall.
EVENING SESSION
The Evening Session was convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Williamsport Town Hall by the
President Ronald L. Bowers with the following Commissioners present: R. Lee
Downey, Linda C. Irvin and Martin L. Snook for the purpose of meeting with
officials from the towns of Williamsport, Smithsburg and Funkstown. Also present
MARCH 17, 1987
MINUTES, CONT'D.
were Mayor John Slayman of Williamsport and Town Council members, Mayor Paul
Boswell of Smithsburg and members of the Town Council and Mayor Robert Kline of
Funkstown.
TAX DIFFERENTIAL PAYMENTS
Barry Teach, County Administrator, explained the payment in lieu of services
program which is based upon expenditures the County makes for highway, police
protection and parks if the County was providing these services to the
municipalities. He further explained that the payments would be adjusted based
upon audited expenses. The Town of Smithsburg will receive approximately $8,l59,
the Town of Funkstown - approximately $3,965, and the Town of Williamsport will
receive approximately $7,740, or the continuation of the services of a fulltime
Deputy Sheriff, as the Town chooses.
PROPOSED SEWERAGE TREATMENT PLANT
Mike Harsh, Williamsport Town Council member, raised concerns regarding the site
for the proposed sewer treatment plant. Citizens of Williamsport who were present
at the meeting also expressed concerns regarding the plant site. Commissioner
Bowers stated that a committee will be formed to address the issues and chosse an
appropriate site. The Commissioners' representative will be Commissioners Snook,
Irvin and Roulette and Williamsport representatives will be Councilmen Harsh,
Hartle and Sprankle along with Mayor John Slayman. Commissioner Bowers also
informed the assemblage that no action has been taken regarding the plant and that
public hearings will be held for the citizens to voice their opinions.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Downey, seconded by Irvin to adjourn at 8:l0 p.m.
Unanimously approved.
County Attorney
, Clerk