CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Diehl called the Regular Session Meeting of the Water and
Sewer Advisory Commission to order at 6:07 p.m. at the Washington County
Water and Sewer Department Administration Office, 16232 Elliott Parkway,
Williamsport, Maryland.
ATTENDANCE
A quorum was present including: Chairperson Christopher Diehl, Commissioner
Bonnie Parks, Commissioner Ed Renn, Commissioner Gordon Crabb, Secretary
Michael Armel, Commissioner Steve Klick, County Commissioner William Wivell,
Gregory Murray, Director of Water and Sewer and Jamie Calandrelle, Office
Associate, Greg Larsen, Marketing Coordinator. Absent: Glenn Fishack, Vice-Chairperson.
(Attachment #1)
READING, CORRECTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Session Minutes - June 10, 1999
Motion made by Secretary Armel, seconded by Commissioner Klick to approve
minutes as submitted with changes and/or additions.
Unanimously approved.
Regular Session Minutes - July 8, 1999
Motion made by Secretary Armel, seconded by Commissioner Crabb to approve
minutes as submitted with changes and/or additions.
Unanimously approved.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Ms. Lori Joseph, 25467 Military Road, Cascade, Maryland attended the
previous meeting held July 8, 1999 and was requesting the waiver of allocation
fees. Motion made by Secretary Armel, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to
recommend to the Board of County Commissioners regarding the request of
Lori Joseph be denied based on current policy.
Unanimously approved.
Motion made by Secretary Armel, seconded by Commissioner Crabb, to recommend
to the Board of County Commissioners the water and sewer department either
1) develop a proposal for revision of current policy to establish an alternative
to current policy and not necessarily to replace or delete current policy
that would enable users and/or customers to pay unpaid fees covering an
unconnected period of time. This policy would apply to any disconnection
since January 1996 or 2) advise the Water and Sewer Advisory Commission
why such a policy should not be established.
Unanimously approved.
Betty Burker, 17500 General Lee Drive, Sharpsburg, Maryland - Mrs. Burker stated her concerns regarding the water being discharged from her swimming pool. She requested a reduction in her sewer bill. Discussion followed. Chairperson Diehl stated a decision regarding her request will be made at the next scheduled advisory meeting to be held September 9, 1999.
Timothy Rohr, 5422 Sharpsburg Pike, Sharpsburg, Maryland - Mr. Rohr submitted a letter titled "Concerns Voiced to the Water and Sewer Advisory Board dated August 12, 1999" (Attachment #2) Chairperson Diehl requested his letter be entered into the record and a listed as part of the minutes. Discussion followed.
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Wamsley, 17503 General Jackson Circle, Sharpsburg,
Maryland - Mr. and Mrs. Wamsley stated their concerns regarding a leak
their residence. This generated a very high bill which was reduced according
to the leak adjustment policy. Director Murray stated due to the leak being
at the pigtail area in the pipe his bill was adjusted to $1500.00. Mr.
and Mrs. Wamsley requested assistance with this bill. Director Murray stated
based upon verification he is recommending adjusting that particular bill
by reviewing the previous four (4) quarter average consumption readings.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER WIVELL COMMENTS
Town of Smithsburg Interceptor Line - County Commissioner Wivell stated he spoke to the Mayor of Smithsburg. They stated the Town has taken 60% ownership of the line. That ownership starts at Smithsburg/Leitersburg Road and extends to Sherry's Way. Discussion followed.
Black and Veatch - Commissioner Wivell stated Black and Veatch have
agreed to hold a workshop for a fee of $5,000. Discussion followed.
CIPF Update
Marketing Director Greg Larsen distributed the CIPF Revenue Projected
and Actual 1/99 to 6/00 (Attachment #3). Discussion followed.
DIRECTOR COMMENTS
Director Murray mentioned an updated Advisory Commission Members List (Attachment #4) was distributed for their use.
Director Murray stated Mandatory Water Conservation Order for the Mt. Aetna Water System (Attachment #5) and Highfield/Cascade water system (Attachment #6) were distributed and currently still in effect.
Drought Information (Attachment #7) - Director Murray received this packet from the Maryland Department of the Environment's office dated August 8, 1999. This packet provided the most recent information on the statewide restrictions issued under the Governor's Executive Order. Also listed is the Drought Hotline toll free number 1-877-4-DROUGHT (1-877-437-6844) as well as website: www.mde.state.md.us. Director Murray stated there has been a 13.7% water use reduction since the Water Conservation Order for Highfield and Mt. Aetna Notices have been issued.
Consolidated City/County Services Laboratory / Industrial Pretreatment Program Proposal dated 7/16/99 (Attachment #8) - County Commissioner Wivell stated his concerns regarding cost for employees. Director Murray stated all costs including overhead were considered and are a part of this proposal. Discussion followed.
City of Hagerstown Water and Sewer Rates - Updated (Attachment #9) - Director Murray provided the updated rates for their use and information. Discussion followed.
Project & Summary Report dated August 11, 1999 (Attachment #10) - Director Murray reviewed the report and stated Pangborn East project is near completion. Connection Notices are currently being issued which will allow the property owners to connect within the next six (6) months.
Director Murray stated he received a letter (Attachment #11) from Mark Feiser, President of the Smithsburg Athletic Booster Club. He stated they are currently building a permanent restroom facility at the athletic complex. Although they are experiencing financial difficulties they are committed to the school administration to complete this project by 9/1/99. He stated the Town of Smithsburg has waived their fees and they are requesting the Water and Sewer Department waive their water and sewer hook-up fees as well. Director Murray stated he spoke with Mr. Feiser and informed him he would relay their request to the Advisory Commission.
Motion made by Commissioner Parks, seconded by Commissioner Renn, to
deny their request for waiver of water and sewer hook-up fees based on
policies established.
Unanimously approved.
Secretary Armel requested a letter be sent to Mr. Feiser explaining the status of their request.
Budget Summary - As of 7/31/99 (Attachment #12) Director Murray explained
the revenues and expenditures for each fund. Discussion followed.
ADVISORY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Crabb stated he had questions regarding the Project & Summary Report dated June 8, 1999 relating to the transfer of budgeted money not spent. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Parks stated she met with former Chairperson Clarence Scheer,
Delegate Bob McKee and Delegate Chris Shank. Their discussion included
water and sewer issues as well as pretreatment issues.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Motion made by Commissioner Crabb, seconded by Commissioner Renn to
revise the Mission
Statement as submitted. (Attachment #13)
Unanimously approved.
CIPF Revenue - Projected & Actual 1/99 to 6/00 (Attachment #14) Greg Larsen, Marketing Coordinator explained the graph which indicates the breakdown between projected, budgeted and actual points. Director Murray also discussed the oil line and tank farm. Discussion followed.
Chairperson Diehl stated the Notice for Public Hearing regarding the
tax-map amendment scheduled for August 24, 1999 at 11:00 a.m. was published
in the Herald Mail. Discussion followed.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Crabb, seconded by Commissioner Parks to
adjourn at 9:55 p.m.
Unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted by:
____________________________
Date: ________________________
Jamie L. Calandrelle,
Office Associate IV
Reviewed by:
____________________________
_____________________________
Gregory B. Murray,
Michael V. Armel,
Director of Water and Sewer Operations Advisory
Commission Secretary
Date: _______________________ Date: ________________________