The regular Mayor & Council meeting has been rescheduled again due to the weather for Monday, February 22, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Funkstown Fire Company located on Westside Avenue.
The regular Mayor & Council meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, February 15, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Funkstown Fire Company located on Westside Avenue.
COMMISSIONERS VISIT FUNKSTOWN
As part of its regular meeting on January 26th, the Washington County Board of County Commissioners held a joint meeting with the Mayor and Council of the Town of Funkstown.
Mayor Robert Kline requested information on the proposed Funkstown Bypass, which would reduce traffic into and out of the town. County Administrator Greg Murray stated that design for the first phase of that project is 60% complete, and that construction could begin in the fall of 2010. The road would ultimately connect U.S. 40 with East Oak Ridge Drive. Phase one would run from East Oak Ridge to Frederick Street north of the Antietam Creek Bridge.
Commissioners also discussed long-range transportation plans, stimulus funds, the Courthouse project and drainage issues with town representatives and citizens.
Councilman John Philips lauded the Board for distribution of Hotel-Motel Tax funds to the municipalities, saying the funding has helped several town events.
Vice-Mayor Paul Crampton commended the Sheriff’s Department for exemplary police services to the town.
Councilman Kim Ramer asked about the planned route of Smith Boulevard, possible location of a large box store in the area, and impact of current economic conditions on County finances.
Staff commented that Smith Boulevard, a joint County/City of Hagerstown project is expected to connect Edgewood Drive with Hebb Road when complete. A site plan was submitted to the Planning Department showing location of a possible Wal-Mart store in the area between Rench Road and Col. Henry K. Douglas Drive, off Sharpsburg Pike. Commissioners reported that the County’s conservative fiscal planning over the past several years has prevented employee layoffs, and overall the finances are in good shape. Further cuts in State funding are possible during the current legislative session.
Commissioners approved receipt of a $76,000 grant to the Community Partnership/Local Management Board from Maryland Physicians Care for mental health services in Boonsboro schools, and heard of plans to use reinvestment funds to retrofit a location for The Family Center, and provide a school-based health center in the Boonsboro schools.
County Administrator Greg Murray reported that a meeting will be
held on Friday, January 29th with representatives of the 9 municipalities to begin a public information process regarding the Hotel-Motel Tax setoff plan.