Category:garrett county commissioners
Garrett County recycling plan focus of March 5 public hearing
State requires program needed for schools, fluorescent light bulbs
From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to the county’s 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan on March 5, according to a news release.
Amendments for recycling electronics, fluorescent light bulbs and recycling in public schools will be discussed. Although a program for recycling the items is already in place, it has never been adopted formally into the plan, according to Dave Baker, manager of the Garrett County Department of Solid Waste And Recycling. State law requires counties to have a plan that has been formally adopted, according to the news release.
The Maryland Department of the Environment requires that a recycling program be provided for schools and fluorescent light bulbs; the county is adding the recycling of electronics into the plan, said Baker.
In accordance with MDE regulations, counties are required to conduct a public hearing prior to amending their Solid Waste Management plans.
“There is a growing concern regarding the disposal of computers, electronics, covered electronic devices and video display devices in landfills,” said the news release. “These devices can contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and hexavalent chromium in circuit boards, batteries and cathode ray tubes.”
A program for the separate collection of electronics from residents, municipalities and businesses is needed to reduce the quantity of the electronics being sent to the landfill. A program may include computers and monitors, laptops, TVs, PDAs, peripherals, telephones, printers, fax machines, copiers, VCRs, camcorders, DVD players, CD players, calculators, typewriters and cell phones, according to the news release.
The county plans to use funding from grants or the solid waste and recycling enterprise fund budget to operate a permanent collection program for electronics.
“A permanent program should be initiated at one refuse and recycling collection site in Garrett County,” states the news release.
If funding is not available for a permanent program, annual one-day events to collect electronics for recycling will be planned if its economically feasible.
The county has a fluorescent, compact fluorescent and non-PCB ballast recycling program and plan in place, which has been approved by MDE. The department plans to use enterprise funds also to operate a collection program for residents for those items. The recycling program is free to county residents, however this may or may not change based on market conditions, according to the news release.
Immediately upon collection, all fluorescent bulbs, tubes and non-PCB ballasts will be placed directly into prepaid mailing containers provided by an independent recycling contractor; this method of storage will eliminate breakage, according to the news release. When the containers are full, they will be sent to the recycling contractor for processing.
All county public schools and Garrett College have recycling plans in place and are participating in a recycling program.
The board of education is responsible for scheduling the pickup of all recycling materials from each school in the public school system.
Copies of the language contained in the amendment and the proposed resolution are available for public review at the Ruth Enlow Library, county commissioners office, and the landfill. The information is also available at www.co.garrett.md.us.
Garrett dissolves fracking advisory group
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — Garrett County commissioners have decided to discontinue meetings of the Garrett County Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Advisory Committee until the state completes its work.
The advisory committee will meet on an as-needed basis, which will be determined by Bob Gatto, county commission chairman, the commissioners announced during Tuesday’s public meeting.
Commissioner Jim Raley, who serves as an ex-officio, or nonvoting, member on the advisory committee and is on Gov. Martin O’Malley’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, indicated that the committee should continue to meet to discuss the issues surrounding shale drilling. The best practices management report from the state will be out soon, according to Raley.
“I would love for the local committee to make sure they look at it (the report) and see if they view anything that has been missed,” said Raley. “There are things I think the committee can do. I don’t believe in meeting just to meet. The jury is still out on whether (shale drilling) is an economic boom or economic bust.”
A survey that was sent to the 22 advisory committee members indicated that 62 percent wished to discontinue the meetings while the state and others try to develop best practices and 38 percent wanted to continue as is, according to Gatto.
No one favored the option of disbanding the advisory committee.
Raley stressed that there shouldn’t be gaps in the regulation of Marcellus shale.
“In the wind industr,y there are gaps and we are facing the consequences of those gaps because the state put nothing regulatory in place. Now we are backpeddling, trying to fill that gap,” said Raley. “I don’t want to see that happen with shale gas development.”
Rodney Glotfelty, advisory committee chairman, asked that the commissioners communicate the mission of the advisory committee again.
“The majority of the public (during the meetings) have been very useful, making sound recommendations,” said Glotfelty. “I think there is an expectation on some of the public’s part that the committee should recommend to you to ban hydrofracking in Garrett County. That is really not our purpose. The committee was established to look at the process of permitting hydrofracking in Maryland and in Garrett County specifically.”
If fracking were to come to the county, the committee would look at what could be done locally to mitigate any environmental impacts and what could be done to maximize the economic benefits.
“As long as that is the mission of the committee, I think we won’t get bogged down in some of these inflammatory arguments that go on,” said Glotfelty.
Raley agreed with Glotfelty and said the commissioners would give the advisory committee direction at times.
“Obviously, it’s a sensitive issue. When you try and put the committee together it’s virtually impossible to find someone who is totally neutral,” said Raley. “The public has not been as kind and considerate some nights.”
Raley stressed that he hopes information would continue to be provided via the advisory commission website.
Eric Robison, president of the nonprofit group CitizenShale, said the advisory committee should be looking at local issues such as emergency management, road bonding, gas pipelines and tourism.
“With us not having the ability with comprehensive zoning, we have got to be looking at how permitting is going to be able to address those types of things,” said Robison.
The committee has made recommendations to commissioners on emergency management and pipelines, according to Glotfelty.
Robison suggested setting standards or guidelines that are specific to the gas industry.
“This is the industry that may impact us more prominently than the wind turbines,” said Robison. “I am really bothered that we are going to shelve this temporarily until we find items that need to be addressed. There are items that need to be addressed right now.”
The committee has been meeting for more than two years and was formed around the same time the governor’s commission was formed, according to Gatto.
“I’m very proud of the work the committee has done in the last two years,” said Glotfelty.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
Garrett schools due extra security
For the Cumberland Times-News Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — In response to concerns expressed by students, staff, parents and community members in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., shooting, the Garrett County Board of Education has reprioritized some of its fiscal 2012 carryover funds to provide for extra security, according to a news release.
Every public school building will have door entry access control systems and video intercom systems, bus camera surveillance and archive GPS systems.
“Bus cameras have been proven to reduce acting out behaviors on buses, allowing students to experience a safer, more enjoyable ride to and from school,” stated board president Cynthia Downton.
The estimated cost of the door security and bus camera systems is $260,000, according to Superintendent of Schools Janet Wilson.
“I am thankful for the board’s support,” said Wilson. “The time to do this is now and the board is doing the right thing for our school communities. Installation of the door entry systems will be the first priority and will begin as soon as contracts are completed.”
The board appreciates the county commissioners’ support to provide two school resource officers through Sheriff Rob Corley’s office but believes that on-site door access control systems must be put into place immediately.
“When it comes to the safety of our children, waiting for someone else to make a decision is not a viable option,” said board member Rodney Reckart.
Board member Tom Carr echoed Reckart’s sentiments.
“We need to have technology work for us — when we can neither afford nor depend on human security always to be in the right place at the right time when some unfortunate event is about to happen,” said Carr.
Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed fiscal 2014 budget includes money for school security, but detailed information regarding the timing or intent of those funds is not readily known at this time, according to the news release.
“We place student safety and staff security topmost on our list of how to best serve our students and community,” said Downton. “We have learned hard lessons from other schools, such as, a matter of 10 to 12 seconds can make a huge difference in the number of survivors of a random act of violence. Our students need to know that while they are in our schools, their main focus should be on learning, and not worrying about whether or not they are safe.”
Having originally earmarked a majority of the carryover funds for instructional materials, the board now plans to place that request in its fiscal 2014 budget.
Garrett commissioners approve hotel tax raise
Representative asks county for longer transition period
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
— OAKLAND — Garrett County commissioners unanimously approved on Tuesday a resolution to raise the Hotel Rental Accommodations Tax rate from 5 percent to 6 percent, effective July 1.
The commission also voted to discuss the implementation of the increased rate after hearing from a representative from Taylor-made Deep Creek Vacations.
The representative stressed that the company understood the need for a rate increase and asked the commission to allow for more of a transition period, explaining that updates of company software will be necessary in order to compensate for the new increase. The representative also said that the company wasn’t happy with the process of notification.
The commission followed the same procedure of notification in the summer of 2005, when the rate was increased from 4 percent to 5 percent, according to Wendy Yoder, director for the Department of Financial Services.
Because of the hardships of those rental contracts, the county decided to amend the reporting procedure in advance, according to the notification sent to county rental agencies.
“Contracts and confirmed reservations made prior to the receipt of this notification will be honored at the 5 percent tax rate,” said the email notification that the rental agencies received form the county.
“You will be required to submit taxes calculated at the new rate of 6 percent for contracts and reservations made after the receipt of this notification for all arrivals July 1, 2012, and after. What this means is that for any month whereby you are remitting the tax to the county that includes tax collected at both rates, you must remit your gross rental receipt to us broken down by the rate at which they were collected.”
For example, if a gross rental receipts in a given month is $6,000 and charged taxes at the rate of 5 percent on $2,000 and 6 percent on $4,00 then the remittance must be broken down that way, according to the notification. Hotel rental tax collected on the amount would total $340, with $100 collected on the 5 percent rate and $240 collected on the 6 percent rate.
The hotel rental tax is due to the county by the 21st of each month. If it’s not remitted by that date, penalty and interest charges will apply.
The rate increase resolution came about after the requested legislation was passed in General Assembly and was approved by Gov. Martin O’Malley, according to Chairman Jim Raley.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com
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Garrett County commission agrees to take ownership of ASCI
Will pay $600,000 to secure debt
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
2012 — OAKLAND — On Tuesday, Garrett County commissioners voted unanimously to take ownership of Adventure Sports Center International and authorized the expenditure of $600,000 to secure the assignment of ASCI debts from Susquehanna Bank.
“We have basically changed the assignment of debt as of today. So the debt is really a repayment to the county,” said Chairman James Raley.
Susquehanna Bank will split the debt and distribute half to First United Bank & Trust, according to Commissioner Gregan Crawford.
“As part of that process, ASCI’s principal financial partners, First United Bank & Trust and Susquehanna Bank, proposed and offered a significant debt re-duction opportunity to the county in the event that the county accepted ASCI’s offer,” said Crawford. “The financial partners, who have contributed significantly to the process and the county’s consideration of this matter, have agreed to accept the assignment of debt in the sum of $600,000 in full satisfaction of ASCI’s debt obligations to those financial institutions.”
The $600,000 debt from ASCI will be paid with hotel/ motel accommodations tax revenue, according to Crawford.
The money for the debt came out of the general account to pay the banks, with the amortization coming out of the accommodations tax, according to Raley.
The accommodations tax is used to fund the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, according to Crawford.
“Accommodations tax can not be used to fund the school system,” said Crawford. “Once this debt is resolved, ASCI can concentrate more of its resources on fulfilling its corps functions. As public funds were used, we have a responsibility to succeed. The easy way out would to turn our backs, walk away and watch $24 million in capital costs go away. Whose interest will that serve then.”
A bill that is currently in consideration in Annapolis would raise the accommodations tax from 5 percent to 6 percent, according to Raley.
“That bill has progressed and gotten favorable readings from Senate side and the House side,” said Crawford.
ASCI is a nonprofit and is home to a manmade whitewater course and Forks Run, a 550-acre recreation area. The original debt accrued by ASCI was $3 million.
“We can not allow ourselves to give up this project,” said Raley. “I think this project is still in its infancy. I think we can grow this project and I think if you work with us we can make that happen.”
On Jan. 5, the board of directors of ASCI offered the full title to the facilities to the commissioners. The commission has been deliberating this matter since then, according to Crawford.
“The county has reviewed all information concerning the ASCI’s facilities, including its assets, liabilities, long-term value to county and community and has consulted with ASCI’s financial partners,” said Crawford. “The taxpayers of this county, the state, the federal government have made significant investments in this property.”
The $17.7 million project was built with $6.1 million from the county, $5.8 million from the state and $2.6 million in federal funds, according to The Associated Press.
Before the public had a chance to ask the commissioners questions, Raley noted that he understood their concern over the county’s decision to assume ownership of ASCI.
“I do believe it has its best chance of success under the current setup,” said Raley. “It’s not done. We still have some work to do after today. But I want you to note they have been open discussions to the extent that they can be. I have read your emails. I have read your social media posts and I do understand what you are saying.”
Negotiations would have to be handled in executive session, according to Raley.
The majority of the business owners and residents that spoke at the press conference had a variety of questions and some made it clear they were not happy with the decision.
“I just think this is a bad decision. It’s going to put us in a mess for years,” said Mountain Lake Park Mayor Leo Martin.
Martin noted that he didn’t fully understand where the $600,000 was coming from.
“That $600,000 is going to push something out of the budget sometime,” said Martin. “It has to, unless you are going to raise taxes. It’s the tax payers financing all of this. I think you guys need to speak in clear language about that.”
Raley reiterated that it was coming from the accommodations tax.
“The accommodations tax is up this year compared to other years. It has been another record year,” said Raley.
One resident questioned whether the general funds that are being used to pay the debt are taken from taxpayer money. Raley agreed that the general fund contained taxpayer money.
“We are using our funds (out of the general fund) to fund the payoff from the bank,” said Raley in response. “We are not borrowing money from the bank or paying the bank’s interest. We are using our own funds and they will be repaid,” said Raley, noting that it was a one time expenditure.
Raley encouraged residents to keep faith.
“I encourage you don’t give up. Think positive,” said Raley. “Roll up your sleeves like you do here in Garrett County. Let’s make it happen because we own it. It’s part of the Garrett County economic picture and the project is somewhat of the envy of many other places.”
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com
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Garrett County officials detailing takeover of flailing whitewater course in western Md.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: March 27, 2012 – 3:16 am
Last Updated: March 27, 2012 – 3:16 am
HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Garrett County officials are publicly revealing details of their planned takeover of a manmade whitewater course in western Maryland near McHenry.
The county commissioners have scheduled a news conference Tuesday morning in Oakland.
The county said last week it will take over the recreational and training site from Adventure Sports Center International.
The nonprofit group opened the publicly funded course in 2007. It has defaulted on more than $3 million in bank loans to cover construction cost overruns.
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Garrett County to take over manmade whitewater course
Deal will not affect 2014 ICF championship
Associated Press
HAGERSTOWN — Garrett County will assume ownership of a manmade whitewater course near McHenry after the nonprofit developer of the Western Maryland tourism and training site defaulted on more than $3 million in bank loans, county officials and the development group said Wednesday.
The deal won’t affect the International Canoe Federation’s plans to hold its 2014 world whitewater paddling championships at the 5-year-old mountaintop course, said Duane Yoder, board chairman of Adventure Sports Center International, the nonprofit developer.
Yoder and Garrett County Administrator G. Lamont Pagenhardt said the county won’t be liable for the center’s bank debt.
County officials will announce details of the transaction Tuesday, Pagenhardt said.
Yoder said the deal will sustain the publicly-funded enterprise.
“I think it’s a pretty successful outcome in terms of keeping what we have out here, keeping the whole outdoor-recreation brand alive in the county,” Yoder said.
The center’s executive director, two-time Olympian Matt Taylor, said he’s leaving to become executive director of the Westwind Stewardship Group in Otis, Ore. Westwind owns 529 acres of mostly undeveloped coastal land used for outdoor education activities.
Yoder said Taylor’s departure wasn’t due to Adventure Sports’ financial problems.
Taylor said the Adventure Sports complex, which also includes 550 wooded acres, remains a relevant and exciting part of the Deep Creek Lake resort area.
“The ultimate long-term sustainability of any nonprofit or public entity can be a challenge because of the economy,” Taylor said.
The $17.7 million project was built with $6.1 million from the county, $5.8 million from the state and $2.6 million in federal funds. The 1,700-foot, recirculating whitewater course is used by both raft-riding tourists and world-class athletes.
Unexpected construction costs led the center to borrow $3.2 million from Susquehanna Bank and First United Bank & Trust. The center defaulted on the loans after D.C. Development LLC, the struggling owner of the nearby Wisp ski resort, stopped making $180,000 annual payments to the center for marketing services.
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MACo Supporting Local Lawmakers' BOE Funding Bills
Feb. 16, 2012
Garrett County commissioner Gregan Crawford announced yesterday that the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) has voted to support House Bill 660/Senate Bill 586 – Education – State Aid – Grant to Limit Decreases in Funding. Crawford is a member MACo’s board of directors and Legislative Committee.
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The proposed legislation, which was introduced by Sen. George Edwards and cross-filed in the House of Delegates by Delegates Wendell Beitzel, Kevin Kelly, and LeRoy Myers, was drafted for the purpose of requiring the state to provide a certain grant to a county board of education for fiscal years 2013 through 2015 if certain funding provided to a county board decreases by not more than 5 percent.
Approval of this legislation by the Maryland General Assembly would equate to additional funding for the Garrett County Public School System, estimated to be $1 million. The Garrett County Board of Education is estimating a loss of state revenue for FY 2013 of $2.7 million. Favorable review of this legislation by the General Assembly and the governor would reduce the predicted deficit, according to county administrator Monty Pagenhardt.
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Commissioners Issue Statement On Board Of Education Funding Issue
Feb. 9, 2012
The Garrett County commissioners issued a statement during their public session on Tuesday concerning the local Board of Education’s fiscal year 2013 funding woes. About 50 local residents turned out to hear the announcement.
Commission board chair Jim Raley prefaced the statement reading by noting that he and the other two commissioners have attended all the BOE public hearings regarding the possible closures of Dennett Road, Friendsville, and Kitzmiller elementary schools.
“It is important to understand that while the state of Maryland has cut funding to education in Garrett County due to the wealth factor formula and the declining student population, the county has increased funding in excess of requirements known as the maintenance of effort by $860,000,” Commissioner Gregan Crawford read from the statement. “In fiscal year 2012, the Board of Education funding level was reduced by the state by $1.5 million, while Garrett County increased funding by $1.7 million, which is equivalent to all new tax revenue due the county.”
The commissioners noted that they recognize the serious financial situation that the BOE faces and that closing schools requires complex decisions that will have long-term implications on communities.
“The commissioners also recognize and emphasize that the issue and actions regarding school budgets, closure of schools, and the overall decisions about our school system rest in the elected members of the Board of Education,” Crawford read. “Any action on the part of the board of commissioners as the funding sources is not intended to usurp their difficult decisions.”
The statement notes that Garrett County government has also experienced a financial shortfall and that there are numerous challenges to securing funding for public services for residents, property owners, and visitors.
“Initial estimates reveal that the county real estate values have declined for FY 2012 and likely will result in a loss of $1.4 million in revenues to the county,” Crawford read. “Therefore, we are willing and open to increase county government’s financial appropriation to the Garrett County public school system, but are unable to provide a solid figure at this time, due to several variables.”
In the mean time, he indicated, the commissioners will do the following:
• Encourage the BOE to review retirement incentives in order to encourage retirements that will allow for the reduction of staff numbers without eliminating the jobs of new employees.
• Encourage the BOE to collaborate with the county to identify areas where overlapping services and practices may be consolidated and/or reduced in order to mitigate costs related to maintenance of effort.
• Encourage the BOE to continue to engage the public, central office staff, instructional staff, and administrative personnel for input in ways to enhance and maximize operations, as well as consider all options and proposals that can generate savings.
• Provide and direct additional funding, within affordability parameters, thus allowing the BOE the opportunity to look at a long-range vision of school needs based on projected enrollments and community interests as contained in the reports to be presented by the school communities.
• Support legislation (SB 586/HB 660) proposed by Sen. George Edwards and Del. Wendell Beitzel to cap the loss of state funding to any school district to a 5.5 percent limit.
Raley asked for the public’s help in getting SB 586/HB 660 passed in the Maryland General Assembly.
“We need to inundate the legislative folks with calls, , e-mails on that bill,” Raley said. “We need to give that bill some momentum.”
More here.
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Md. county won't bail out whitewater course
Posted: Feb 07, 2012 12:19 PM EST Updated: Feb 07, 2012 12:19 PM EST
OAKLAND, Md. (AP) – The Garrett County Commissioners say they won’t bail out a manmade whitewater course near Deep Creek Lake.
The nonprofit Adventure Sports Center International asked the county last month to consider taking over the mountaintop complex, including payments on about $3 million in bank loans.
The commissioners said Tuesday they won’t consider a takeover that would include the debt obligations.
The center’s operators defaulted on the bank loans after the group that owns the nearby Wisp ski resort stopped paying them for marketing services. The Wisp owners filed for bankruptcy protection in October due to a slowdown in sales of vacation home sites.
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