WASHINGTON COUNTY — The Washington County Commissioners say they understand the concerns of historic preservation advocates but remain divided on what should be done to protect the Brumbaugh-Kendle-Grove farmstead near Hagerstown Regional Airport.

The commissioners met Tuesday with members of the Historic District Commission to discuss the farmstead, which includes a house, barn and other structures.

The farmstead is registered as a historic place with the county and Maryland Historic Trust, but airport officials and the Federal Aviation Administration have said the vacant buildings pose a security risk and will hamper development at the airport.

The farmstead is at the corner of U.S. 11 and Airview Road and is within several hundred feet of the airport’s runway.

Historic District Commission members asked the county commissioners Tuesday for $40,000 to stabilize the structures, which are damaged by mold and decay.

Some of the commissioners were cool to the request, though several said the buildings should be saved.

“There’s no point in tearing it down. I think it’s salvageable,” Commissioner William J. Wivell said.

He said he would rather try to subdivide and auction the property than spend $40,000 of taxpayer money paying for repairs.

The county currently owns the property.

Commissioner Kristin B. Aleshire said he might support spending money to stabilize the structure if it came with a stipulation that the state and federal governments resolve an ongoing dispute about what should be allowed on the property.

For almost 10 years, the FAA has periodically requested demolition permits for the farmstead, which the Maryland Historic Trust has responded to by saying the government has not thoroughly investigated other options, such as reuse.

“If we spend $40,000...are we going to be stuck holding the bag while the state and FAA continue to disagree?” Aleshire asked during the meeting.

Commissioners Vice President Terry L. Baker said he wants to know what the $40,000 will pay for before deciding whether to support the request.

Commissioners President John F. Barr said he is opposed to spending $40,000 to stabilize the structure.

He said he thinks it would cost more than that amount to secure the buildings and wondered if saving the farmstead is worth government intervention.

“How many old houses can you preserve and put on the taxpayers’ back?” Barr asked.

Commissioner James F. Kercheval said the farmstead is on a valuable piece of land that could be linked to the airport’s runway with a taxiway.

He said moving the structure to another corner of the property might be a solution.

“We’re going to have to decide what to do. Do we try to put money toward saving the building, work around it or move toward returning the property to green space? There’s no saying both sides can’t be satisfied here,” Kercheval said.