Snook

More than 150 members of the business community turned out Tuesday for breakfast and a look at Washington County's future at the annual "State of the County" meeting. As Commissioners' President Greg Snook noted, the new board has been in office only eight weeks, too little time, it would seem, for the honeymoon to be over yet. To give the commissioners their due, however, judging from Snook's presentation, the new board seems to be proceeding in a cautious and business-like manner.

HAGERSTOWN The Washington County Commissioners met with Health Officer William Christoffel and his attorney in closed session for more than an hour Tuesday but made no decision on his employment status. A state investigation report completed last month alleged Christoffel on numerous occasions engaged in sexually harassing behavior while on the job. Commissioners President Gregory I. Snook said the commissioners heard Christoffel's side of the story in closed session.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - Changing demographics, water allocations and road construction were on the minds of some Washington County Commissioners during recent meetings with county and state officials. For Commissioner Doris J. Nipps, the Maryland Association of Counties' annual conference also provided the opportunity to talk turf. "The jury's still out. I still have to look at it a little bit closer, but I think there may be some use for it," said Nipps, who took part in a discussion about artificial turf while at the conference, which ended Saturday.

The University of Maryland wants to establish a small campus in Washington County but no specific location has been selected, county officials said Monday. County officials are hoping that someone will donate 20 acres of land for the campus, said Washington County Commissioners President Gregory I. Snook. Under the plan unveiled Monday, students could earn bachelor's, graduate and professional degrees from the university system and any other college that wanted to offer classes.

tarar@herald-mail.com The state wants to erect a 330-foot communications tower near the Maryland State Police barracks in Hagerstown, but the Washington County Commissioners said Tuesday they're hesitant to support the structure. Commissioners President Gregory I. Snook said he wanted more information about the tower. Commissioner Bert Iseminger said the tower might have an adverse effect on the skyscape of the area. "My main point is that I didn't want anyone to feel that the county is pushing this," Snook said.

Washington County would save about $11 million by refinancing bonds at a lower interest rate and re-funding bonds and loans, Finance Director Debra Bastian told the County Commissioners at Tuesday's meeting. Bastian said interest rates could drop from 7.1 percent to 1.1 percent. Water and sewer bonds, Maryland Water Quality bonds, Maryland Industrial Act Loans and Industrial Redevelopment Fund Loans are eligible to be refinanced, according to a county document. The estimated $11 million in savings includes $3 million in sewer fund savings, $2 million in savings for the solid waste fund and $2 million in savings to the county's general fund, Bastian said.

The Washington County Ethics Commission is to release written opinions today in response to separate questions about Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II and Washington County Commissioners President Gregory I. Snook. Ethics commission Chairman Omer T. Kaylor Jr., a Hagerstown lawyer, said he would not discuss those opinions until the other members of the ethics commission have a chance to read them. --cont. from news page -- The ethics panel writes an opinion even if panel members find an allegation is without merit, said County Attorney Richard Douglas.

Williamsport will get less tax setoff money this year WILLIAMSPORT - The Town of Williamsport will receive less property tax setoff money for fiscal 2001 than in the last fiscal year, according to Washington County Commissioner Gregory I. Snook. Williamsport was allocated $48,275 for fiscal 2001 compared to $53,061 for fiscal 2000, said Snook. The county will deduct $16,563.37 from Williamsport's tax setoff to pay off a town utility debt, he said. The commissioners attributed the tax setoff decrease to growth in taxable income and the tax base in unincorporated areas of Washington County.

Washington County Commissioners President Gregory I. Snook said the commissioners did not take any action dealing with the Human Resources department after a closed session Tuesday. He also said the county did not issue a public statement regarding the matter after the closed session because there was nothing to report. Snook said last week an unspecified Human Resources issue would be discussed in closed session on Tuesday and that a public statement would be forthcoming.

County briefs The Washington County Commissioners Tuesday designated Nov. 12-18 American Education Week. The proclamation was presented by Commissioners President Gregory I. Snook to Sharon Chirgott, president of the Washington County Teachers Association. Shirley Alexander was appointed Tuesday to the Washington County Mental Health Advisory Committee The County Commissioners appointed Alexander to fill the unexpired term of Morris Anderson. The term will begin Dec. 1, 2000 and expire 2003.