Commissioners Hear Staff Reports; Lowe's To Open Later This Year

Commissioners Hear Staff Reports; Lowe's To Open Later This Year

May. 29, 2008
The Garrett County commissioners held their monthly staff meeting on Tuesday, hearing reports from eight departments and agencies. Among the topics discussed this month were economic development projects, farming, tourism, the county tax sale, rabies cases, and the county's scholarship program.
Economic Development
Assistant director Frank Shap, Economic Development, reported that the deal with Lowe's has been finalized and work has started at the proposed store construction site north of Oakland.
"That's good news," Shap said, adding that the store's opening is scheduled for "very much" later this year.
He also reported that a company is interested in operating a deep mine in the Grantsville area. Shap said he did not know the specifics, but Economic Development director Jim Hinebaugh was looking into the proposal.
"We'll keep you posted as that moves forward," Shap told the commissioners.
The assistant director also reported that a company contracted to build 500-kilovolt power lines was interested in locating in the Southern Garrett Industrial Park. The lines will run through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and a small portion of Garrett County as part of the PJM grid extension project.
Shap said the company wants a building in the Oakland area to use as its headquarters/maintenance facility while employees would be working in West Virginia.
"That will be a multi-year construction job in support of that operation," he said.
Economic Development is also working with several local businesses to expand their facilities and employment base, Shap said.
He concluded his report by noting that the county's unemployment rate had improved. Between January and April of this year, the rate was 5 percent, compared to 5.5 percent for the same period last year.
"So, we're holding on well with the unemployment situation, considering the challenges that everybody's facing," Shap said.
Extension Office
Agriculture/natural resources educator Willie Lantz, Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, reported on farming in the county.
"It's been raining, and that's not making farmers very happy, especially this time of year," Lantz said. "However, I think it was a good weekend. A lot of people got some corn in."
He noted that the cost of farming was up, including diesel fuel, which is more than $4.50 a gallon, and fertilizer, which is running anywhere from $600 to $800 a ton.
"Which means for a farmer to plant an acre of corn this year, the out-of-pocket costs alone are over $300," Lantz said. He noted, however, that commodity prices were "pretty high," with corn being around $5 a bushel.
"We are going to see more corn profit in Garrett County this year than we've ever seen in recent history," Lantz said, noting that some farmers have "switched over" from raising hay to corn because of the market price.
"But it is making it pretty risky," he said, "when you think about folks sitting around with fertilizer, seed, and those kinds of costs at $300 per acre. That's quite a few dollars when you're looking at a 100 to 200 acres of field crops."
Lantz said milk prices have been fairly good in the county for the past 18 months. Though the price has dropped a little recently, farmers are still getting $20 per hundredweight. He noted that the break-even point for dairy farmers is now about $15-$16 a hundred. A few years ago, it was $12-$15.
The educator added that farmers were also paying more for feed. As a result, meat prices will probably go up for consumers.
Lantz also reported that the aerial gypsy moth suppression spray program had started in the county. The helicopter companies, he said, are hoping to finish this week, but because of rainy weather, that may not happen until the first part of next week.
"At this point," Lantz said, "we're hoping for Mother Nature to cooperate a little bit so that they can continue to spray. Then, in a few months, we'll know where we stand for next year."
He noted, however, that the rainy weather may help increase a natural enemy of the gypsy moth, a certain type of fungus that lives in soil.
"The fungus is here," Lantz said. "It's just a matter of how fast it will catch up to the [gypsy moth] population."
He noted that the spray program is designed to not only suppress the population to help protect trees, but to also help the natural enemies. About 42,000 acres will be sprayed in Garrett County this spring, compared to 15,000 that were treated last year.
Lantz also reported that the Maryland Department of Agriculture was conducting an emerald ash borer study in several western counties.
Purple box kite shaped traps have been placed in trees throughout Garrett County to see if any of those green insects are here. If they are, the pests will be attracted to a scent located inside the traps.
Lantz said the borer has "wiped out" ash trees in the Michigan/Wisconsin area.
"So it is a very big concern," he said. "It has come into the state (Maryland) a couple of different times, mostly on firewood."
Most notably, the borer has been found in Anne Arundel County. Ash trees within a two-mile radius of the discovery there have been burned to try to contain the pests.
Lantz said most people do not realize there is ban on bringing firewood into Maryland.
Chamber of Commerce
"Indicators, at least so far, for tourism season are up," reported Charlie Ross, president/CEO Chamber of Commerce.
According to local rental companies, advance reservations for this summer are up 6 to 15 percent. At the same time, Ross noted, numbers from the Eastern Shore show that reservations are down 50 percent for Ocean City establishments.
Ross said the chamber thinks part of the reason for the local increase, despite the high cost of gas, is that Garrett County is a "reach-able destination." Area vacationers can get to Garrett County easier and quicker than to destinations in the eastern part of the state, Ross indicated.
He also reported that a contract would be awarded this week to a company to conduct a tourism survey for the chamber. The last such survey was conducted in 1996.
Ross indicated that the new survey will provide reliable data from all four seasons of the year to help improve local tourism efforts. The chamber needs the data for all its future baseline operations, rather than relying on speculations, he said.
An Appalachian Regional Commission grant will be used to pay for the survey work.
Financial Services
Director Wendy Yoder, Financial Services, reported that the county's delinquent properties tax sale was held on May 9. Twenty-seven properties were sold during the event. She added, however, that as of Tuesday, five of those properties have been redeemed.
"The total assessable base of the properties sold amounted to about $2.8 million, and the taxes collected were just over $67,000," Yoder said.
The director noted that her department continues to work on the county's fiscal year 2009 for final approval and adoption next Tuesday, June 3.
Health Department
"We are running a little bit ahead of last year, as far as the number of cases of rabies in raccoons [is concerned]," reported health officer Rodney Glotfelty. There have been four confirmed cases so far this year, compared to eight total last year, he noted.
Rabid raccoons have been discovered along Oak Street in Mtn. Lake Park, Lynndale Road in Pleasant Valley, Crellin, and the Sang Run area, the health officer said.
The Health Department held its first series of low-cost rabies clinics in late April and early May. Glotfelty said the clinics were successful, with 454 animals being vaccinated.
Another round of clinics is scheduled for the northern end of the county at the following locations: June 16, Bittinger fire hall; June 17, Garrett College maintenance building; and June 19, Eastern Garrett fire hall. All clinics will be held from 5 until 6 p.m. The cost is $5 per cat, dog, or ferret.
"That's an important way to protect families from rabies," Glotfelty said about vaccinating pets. "It creates a barrier between domestic pets and wild animals harboring rabies."
For more information about the clinics, persons may call the Health Department at 301-334-7777 or 301-895-3111.
Scholarship Program
Prior to hearing the monthly staff reports, Commissioner Denny Glotfelty announced a change to the Commissioners' Scholarship Program. He said the commissioners had unanimously decided to change the name to the Garrett County Scholarship, since the taxpayers are the ones "footing the bill" for the program.
"We just think it's more appropriate," Glotfelty said about the name change. "And we appreciate the taxpayers helping their own children."

County Commissioners Hear Update Report From Public Utilities Director

May. 22, 2008
Table Rock Road residents are now connected to the Gorman Water System, Director Linda Lindsey, Garrett County Department of Public Utilities (DPU), told the county commissioners on Tuesday. The recently completed line extension project "went really well," she said.
The residents had been without water for several years because coal mining activity had affected their private wells. They had to rely on bottled water and portable water "buffaloes" supplied by Mettiki Coal.
Lindsey also updated the commissioners on several other water and sewer projects, including the following:
McHenry Water Extension
A contract was recently awarded to Robert D. Beitzel Excavating to extend the McHenry water line south along Deep Creek Drive, crossing Rt. 219 to Gravelly Run Road and a portion of that road. Lindsey noted that the completion date is June 19, but work will most likely be finished next week for this phase of the project.
"We're far ahead of the completion date," she said.
The next phase was to include construction of a chlorination station and connection of the existing well along Gravelly Run Road. But, Lindsey said, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) will not issue a construction permit until the final well production report is completed and the appropriation permit obtained.
A change order, therefore, has been proposed to the Beitzel contract to extend the line along Gravelly Run to the connection for the Ridgeview Valley development. Lindsey noted that this change will accomplish two things: provide water service to the two dwellings in that development and allow roadwork, which has been held up because of the line project, to finally be completed.
Future contracts that still need to be bid out include those for the water treatment plant and water storage tank.
Mtn. Lake Park Water
Improvements
Lindsey also reported that steps to improve the Mtn. Lake Park Water System at Landon's Dam were proceeding well. She said Casselberry & Associates is currently completing a report on new wells that were drilled. Four of the six wells, she said, produce a total of 191 gallons per minute, or 275,000 gallons per day, of good quality water.
"Our current need right now is around 250,000 gallons," the director said.
Commissioner Fred Holliday asked if the springs that the system currently relies on will be eliminated once the new wells are connected to the treatment plant.
Lindsey indicated that her department wants to use some of the springs. Additional testing of spring number one (Tile Spring) is being conducted, she said.
"It appears that the spring will produce between 35 to 50 gallons per minute," Lindsay said.
She noted that Tile Spring, one of the first in the Mtn. Lake Park system, was built in the early 1900s in a unique way. The original plans for the spring were recently discovered and show that it was designed to correspond to the needs of the water storage tank.
"So, when the tank level drops, the spring production increases," she said. "As the tank level increases, the spring production decreases."
Casselberry recently lowered a camera down inside the spring to see its condition.
"It's as pristine as the day it was constructed," Lindsey said. "It's just remarkable."
She noted that if Tile Spring passes the GWUDI test (ground water under direct influence of surface water), the MDE will allow it to be used in conjunction with the new wells.
Holliday said that is good, because the wells alone will only provide about 25,000 gallons above the projected need. "And that's not much," he said.
Lindsay said Tile Spring would help provide an additional 50,000 to 72,000 gallons per day above the need. She added that spring number three is being evaluated in order to determine if it can be retrofitted and pass the GWUDI test for possible usage as well.
The director also reported that an in-line booster pump station manufacturer has been located. The device would provide a continuous water supply for the Southern Pines development, a portion of which experience outages when the water tank level drops. DPU is obtaining information on the station for the Purchasing Department to review.
Thayerville Water System
"A test well was drilled on property owned by Mountainside Developers, which did not produce," Lindsay said about the Thayerville Water System project. "A well was then drilled on the Mountainside Marina Club property, approximately 24 feet north of the original well."
She said yields at the second well exceeded 400 gallons per minute. Further tests will be conducted and data collected this month.
Once the hydrologist's report is completed, minor changes will be made to the Preliminary Engineering Report and a public hearing scheduled to present the report to the public for review and comment.
Lindsey noted that Mountainside residents are very anxious to have water.
Crellin Water
Improvements
Well number two will be connected to the Crellin Water System as an alternate supply, the director reported. DPU is proceeding with the design of an iron removal system and related improvement to the water treatment plant, she added.
Friendsville Sewer
The director reported that Friendsville sewer system experiences inflow and infiltration, which has limited the availability of additional connections.
"Currently only five ERUs are available for new connections," she said.
System improvements were designed by the EADS Group, and the project was bid in December 2005. Lindsey noted, however, that bids exceeded the town's affordability level.
After exploring various funding options, the project has been split into phases. Proposed funding sources for Phase 1 will be in the form of grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission, MDE, and the Community Development Block Grant program, Lindsey noted.
"Additional grant funding will be sought for Phase II, with the possibility of a small loan," she said.
Western Conveyance
System
The Garrett County Department of General Services is currently obtaining appraisals of the mainline easements that are still required to the Deep Creek Lake Sewer Western Conveyance System, Lindsay reported.
The director concluded her report by noting that a contract was awarded to Whitman, Requardt, and Associates (WRA) to update the county's Water and Sewer Master Plan. The chapters have been drafted and are being reviewed by DPU.
"Myself and David Nixson from WRA have met with the towns of Accident, Oakland, and Grantsville in order to review their systems' information," she said. "We will meet with Mtn. Lake Park and Loch Lynn Heights on Tuesday, May 27."

Vacation Surfing donates computers

May. 15, 2008
BUSINESS OWNER DONATES COMPUTERS – Chad Taylor of Vacation Surfing and Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations has donated about 100 computers during the last two years to Northern High School. The students are using them in classrooms, labs, and, if needed, homes. The above students were chosen at random to receive computers as an incentive through the Bullying/Harassment Prevention program. Taylor said his desire is "to give back to the community and, especially, the students." "NHS wishes to thank Mr. Taylor, Mr. [Tim] Macauley, and Mr. [Mike] Harvey for their generosity and support," said a school spokesperson. Left to right in the front are Kara House, Macauley, Taylor, Harvey, Jennifer Schmidt, Lindsey Glotfelty, Sierra O'Brien, and Tom Kovach. In the back are Megan Brant Josh Palencar, Ben Joshua, Zach Brenneman, and Kaitlin Walker.

Man Jumps Into Lake In Attempt To Elude Police

May. 8, 2008
A Greensburg, Pa., man attempted to elude police in the midst of a vehicle pursuit by jumping into Deep Creek Lake last Thursday.
Maryland State Police officer Tfc. B. Bond of the McHenry Barrack reported that at 12:15 p.m., he attempted to stop a red Chevrolet Cobalt for speeding on Glendale Road at Monastery Way, but the driver of the vehicle failed to stop. This led Bond on a pursuit, traveling from Glendale Road on to State Park Road, where the vehicle crashed head-on into a tree adjacent to the roadway.
The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Timothy Lee Kelly Jr., 24, "bailed out" of the car and began to run from the scene.
Bond chased Kelly down a small embankment and onto a boat dock, when Kelly jumped into Deep Creek Lake and began to swim away from the dock.
"After about 25 yards, [Kelly] gave up and returned to the dock because he could not swim very well," Bond said.
Kelly was taken into custody, where he was charged with numerous traffic and criminal charges, which included theft of a motor vehicle, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and fleeing and eluding a police officer. Kelly was also charged for an outstanding warrant issued by the Garrett County Sheriff's Office.
A passenger of the vehicle, Edward Scott Moats, 23, Oakland, was also arrested on outstanding warrants with the sheriff's office.
Moats was transported to Garrett County Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries, and Kelly was taken to the Garrett County Jail to await a bond hearing.

Rental Unit At Lake Destroyed By Fire

May. 1, 2008
The cause of a fire that destroyed an unoccupied rental property in McHenry early Saturday is the focus of an investigation by personnel from the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.
The loss was estimated by investigators to be $200,000 to the 1½-story wood-frame structure, plus another $20,000 in loss of contents.
Volunteers from the Deep Creek, Accident, Bittinger, and Oakland fire departments were summoned to 40 Springwood Acres at 2:55 a.m. after a Maryland State Police officer saw the fire and called the Garrett County Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management (911).
Approximately 30 firefighters battled the blaze, which took an estimated 50 minutes to bring under control. The property is owned by Robert Willet of Clarksville, who did have insurance, according to the fire marshal's report.
Also responding was the Northern Rescue Squad. There were no injuries reported.
Investigation into the cause of the fire is being conducted by Deputy State Fire Marshal Jamie Rodeheaver, Howard Ewing with his accelerant-detecting dog Inez, and Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray. Persons who may have information about the incident are asked to telephone the fire marshal's office at McHenry at 301-387-0482.