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County to get $96,000 grant for emergency services
Washington County is getting more than $96,000 in a matching grant from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 on Tuesday to accept the grant. Commissioner John F. Barr did not attend the meeting.
Kevin L. Lewis, the county’s director of emergency services, said this has been a solid source of funding each year.
A memo Lewis prepared says: “MEMA distributes funding to all local jurisdictions on an annual basis to enhance and strengthen emergency management capabilities at the state and local level.”
Local governments must match 100 percent of the grant money.
County to buy land for repair of Marble Quarry Road bridge
Washington County has agreed to buy land for a right of way for the repair of the Marble Quarry Road bridge near Keedysville.
The county commissioners voted 4-0 on Tuesday to spend $1,602 on the purchase.
Joe Kuhna, the county’s real property administrator, said the property the county is buying is a little less than 6,000 square feet in a flood plain.
The bridge, which was built in 1920, will expand from one lane to two lanes, Kuhna said.
County to hold second hearing on proposed 911 ordinance
The county will have a second public hearing on a proposed ordinance governing 911 addresses.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing nearly three months ago on the ordinance, which, county officials say, would codify longstanding practice for assigning and enforcing 911 addresses.
Deputy County Attorney Kirk C. Downey said the county needs a second public hearing because the commissioners want to change the penalty portion of the ordinance.
Initially, violation of the ordinance was proposed to be a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 a day.
The commissioners decided a few weeks later that that penalty is too harsh. They agreed to lower it to $75 — a set fine by resolution rather than a maximum fine written into the ordinance. A violation would no longer be a misdemeanor.
Downey said the second public hearing, which has not been scheduled, will be limited to that change.
Students recognized with Youth Meritorious Awards
Joseph Micco, a Clear Spring Middle School eighth-grader, and Shelby Griffith, a Boonsboro High School 12th-grader, were given Washington County Youth Meritorious Awards on Tuesday.
Earl Meagher nominated Micco, writing that he respects adults, students and learning and has been on the distinguished honor roll many times. He also participates in several extracurricular activities, including all-county chorus.
