Washington County Commissioners briefs

December 03, 2008|By HEATHER KEELS

County OKs deal to keep AT&T equipment on tank

The Washington County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a lease agreement allowing AT&T Mobile to keep its existing equipment on the Sharpsburg water tank.

Earlier this year, AT&T acquired Dobson Cellular, which has had equipment on the tank for 10 years, Real Property Administrator Joe Kuhna said. The previous arrangement with Dobson expired and AT&T wants to keep its equipment on the tank, Kuhna said.

The county currently receives $1,776 per month in rent, but the new lease agreement raises the rent to $1,995, with a 3 percent increase each year, Kuhna said.

The commissioners voted for the agreement 4-0, with Commissioners Vice President Terry Baker absent.

County considers district preservation agreements

County officials must decide whether to continue on a county level an agricultural preservation district program discontinued by the state, land preservation officials said Tuesday.

Until recently, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program has preserved farmland by purchasing permanent easements, which permanently restrict the land to agricultural use, and by entering five- and 10-year district agreements, which place temporary limitations, land preservation planner Eric Seifarth said. On July 1, the state eliminated the district agreements aspect of its program, allowing counties to decide whether to continue offering district agreements, Seifarth said.

The Washington County Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board recommended that the county continue the 10-year district agreements so landowners can continue to take advantage of a tax credit while waiting to be chosen for an easement sale, Seifarth said.

The commissioners will hold a public hearing on the matter at their Jan. 6 meeting.

County accepts $1,200 grant for EMS workers

The Washington County Commissioners on Tuesday accepted a $1,200 Emergency Medical Dispatch grant for fiscal year 2000 from the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems.

The annual award goes to help pay for recertification of 911 dispatchers and for other training, county spokesman Norman Bassett said.

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