CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Scheer, the presiding officer, called the Regular Session Meeting of the Water and Sewer Advisory Commission to order at 6:02 p.m. at the Washington County Water and Sewer Department Administration Office, 16232 Elliott Parkway, Williamsport, Maryland.

ATTENDANCE

A quorum was present including: Chairperson Clarence Scheer, Vice-Chairperson Christopher Diehl, Commissioner Bonnie Parks, Commissioner Gordon Crabb, Commissioner Ed Renn, Commissioner Glenn Fishack, Secretary Michael Armel, Gregory Murray, Director of Water & Sewer Operations, Jamie Calandrelle, Office Associate.

READING, CORRECTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Regular Session Minutes - December 3, 1998

Motion made by Vice-Chairperson Diehl, seconded by Commissioner Fishack to approve minutes as submitted.

Unanimously approved.

Regular Session Minutes - December 17, 1998

Minutes were tabled until the next scheduled meeting January 21, 1999.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

None.

ADVISORY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

Government Finance Group - Chairperson Scheer briefly discussed bond structure and general funds. He also stated Government Finance Group will be discussed at the next scheduled advisory meeting to be held January 21, 1999.

Election of Officers - Motion was made by Commissioner Crabb, seconded by Commissioner Parks to recommend the slate of officers remain the same. Unanimously approved.

Chairperson Scheer announced the Board of County Commissioners reappointed Gordon Crabb to the Water and Sewer Advisory Commission for a three-year term extending to January 31, 2002. (Attachment #1 )

Chairperson Scheer brought up the closure of Nicodemus Wastewater Treatment Plant. Discussion continued.

Cost of Service Base Rate - This issue was tabled and will be discussed at the January 21, 1999 Advisory Commission Meeting.

DIRECTORS COMMENTS

Director Murray discussed the Joint Meeting between the Board of County Commissioners and the Advisory Commission held January 5, 1999. Discussion followed.

Director Murray distributed a package titled "Water and Wastewater Utility, Cost of Service-Overview". (Attachment #2 ) This issue will be discussed at length at the next scheduled advisory commission meeting.

Director Murray stated he received a copy of a letter from Rick Thomas, Water Pollution Control/City of Hagerstown to the design engineer regarding the Centre at Hagerstown, a development west of I-81 and north of U.S. Route 40. Its content indicates certain reasonable and cooperative aspects for service into the future for this area. Discussion followed.

Director Murray stated the budget and budget schedule for fiscal year 2000 will be presented at the next scheduled advisory commission meeting to be held January 21, 1999.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Public Service Commission - In light of the potential for reaching some type of cooperative agreement with the City of Hagerstown, and considering the fact that the County’s rates do not strictly follow a cost of service model, this issue will be held in abeyance until further notice.

Pen Mar Development Corporation - Several items were discussed including a meeting with Jim LaFleur outlining the intentions of PMDC regarding public utility issues as well as obtaining a copy of the engineer’s report detailing needed improvements.

Rowland Ridge Subdivision (Frederick County, MD) - After significant discussion, Motion was made by Commissioner Armel, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Diehl, to recommend to the Board of County Commissioners to agree to allow extension of service to subject development based on their deliberations and discussions and the proposed rates dated 12/3/98 (Attachment #3) as may be updated as necessary by the County staff, subject to any additional requirements of the County Attorney. Motion was approved by four (4) advisory commission members, (Armel, Diehl, Fishack and Renn) with two (2) advisory commission members opposed (Crabb and Parks).

ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Vice-Chairperson Diehl, seconded by Commissioner Crabb to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.

Unanimously approved.
 

Respectfully submitted by:
Jamie L. Calandrelle,
Office Associate IV

Reviewed by:
Gregory B. Murray, Michael V. Armel,
Director of Water and Sewer Operations Advisory Commission Secretary