Hagerstown takes first step toward selling former U.S. Army Reserve property

Incoming city council members Donald F. Munson and Penny M. Nigh attended both meetings Tuesday.

In an interview after the commissioners meeting, Munson said he’d vote for the sale of the former Reserve building to the county when it comes up.

“The senior center issue is old and needs to be resolved,” he said.

Nigh was skeptical. She said an important issue not being addressed is a swimming pool, which senior citizens need either at the center or through another arrangement. The former Reserve building doesn’t have a pool.

Addressing concerns that the sale is a “rush job” by the current city council before it leaves office, Councilman Lewis C. Metzner, who was re-elected, said the sale would illustrate the goodwill fostered between city and county leaders over the past three-plus years.

The uncertainty of the real estate market and ensuring that the land remains in use for city and county residents were other key factors to the city council’s support of the proposed sale.

In an informal vote Tuesday afternoon, four of the five county commissioners tentatively agreed to pursue buying the former Reserve property.

Terry L. Baker, the president of the commissioners, wanted to wait. He said senior citizens who would use the center haven’t had a chance to comment on the newest plan.

A Washington County Commission on Aging property committee is scheduled to meet Thursday to talk about the former Reserve building.

At the start of the commissioners’ meeting, Baker alleged that it hadn’t been properly advertised and was illegal.

The commissioners weren’t scheduled to meet on Tuesday, but the plan changed. The county sent out a news release about the meeting on Monday.

County Attorney John M. Martirano said the county gave “reasonable” notice for a meeting that was quickly scheduled to address a developing issue.