HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Washington County commissioners will consider nearly $1.7 million in leases for three pieces of heavy equipment used by the county’s Solid Waste Department when they meet Tuesday.
The proposals include a five-year lease for a new Caterpillar D7 bulldozer at a total cost of about $969,000 and leases totaling about $744,000 for a John Deere wheel loader and backhoe. The equipment would replace county machinery dating from 1989 to 2008 that has reached replacement thresholds based on age or operating hours.
The new bulldozer would replace a 2008 Caterpillar D6 with nearly 18,800 operating hours. The county would use a competitively bid Sourcewell cooperative contract offering a 20% discount rather than conducting its own bidding process.
The John Deere leases would replace a 1989 backhoe and a 2002 wheel loader. Those purchases would also use a Sourcewell contract, with discounts ranging from 32 to 41 percent.
Money for the lease payments is included in the Solid Waste Department’s operating budget.
Funding for jail addiction treatment
Commissioners will also consider applying for and accepting a $200,000 state grant to expand medication-assisted treatment and recovery services at the Washington County Detention Center.
The money would pay for a part-time peer recovery specialist, long-acting injectable buprenorphine and assistance for people leaving the detention center, including connections to treatment and community services. Some funding could also provide basic re-entry needs such as cellphones and clothing.
County officials say the program is intended to maintain addiction treatment after inmates are released and reduce the risks of relapse, overdose and repeat offenses. The required match, estimated at about $67,000, would be provided through existing Sheriff’s Office employee payroll costs rather than additional spending.
Drug analyzer for narcotics task force
The Sheriff’s Office is seeking approval to purchase a $140,000 drug analyzer for the Washington County Narcotics Task Force.
The equipment would be used to identify and measure illegal drugs, pharmaceuticals and other chemical substances in samples. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking a sole-source purchase from Agilent because the analyzer is compatible with equipment already in use.
Funding is available in the county’s fiscal 2027 contraband account. Because the purchase would not be competitively bid, approval requires support from four of the five commissioners.
New bridge for regional park trail
Commissioners are scheduled to consider a $51,000 contract for a prefabricated bridge that will become part of the planned 1.85-mile multipurpose trail at Washington County Regional Park.
The 25-foot fiberglass bridge would accommodate pedestrians and bicycles as well as utility vehicles and emergency vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. County officials want to purchase the bridge before bidding the larger trail construction project to reduce delays and contractor markups.
Only one bid was received for the bridge. Creative Pultrusions Inc. of Alum Bank, Pennsylvania, submitted the $51,000 proposal.
Preservation of 20 more acres
Another 20 acres near Clear Spring could be placed under a permanent conservation easement through the state’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.
The JA Horst & Sons property on Ashton Road includes 14 acres of woodland and six acres of pasture. The easement would also protect about 1,950 feet along Toms Run.
The easement is valued at about $97,000 and would be paid entirely with state money. The county has used the program to preserve more than 2,000 acres since 2010.
Nonprofits seek eligibility for county funding
Commissioners will hold a public hearing on requests from 12 organizations seeking placement on the county’s list of nonprofits eligible to receive community organization funding.
Applicants include the Literacy Council of Washington County, South Prospect Street Porchfest, Boonsboro Athletic Boosters, Gatekeepers Organization, Hancock Flag Football, Meritus Health Foundation, Music Instrument Collection and Spectrum Strong Foundation.
Placement on the list makes an organization eligible to seek county support but does not guarantee that it will receive funding.
Emergency preparedness agreements
Commissioners will also consider federal grants of about $93,000 for homeland security programs and $98,000 for emergency management operations and equipment. The homeland security grant requires no county match, while the emergency management grant’s match would be met using the emergency management director’s existing salary.
A separate agreement with Washington County Public Schools would establish procedures for using school buildings as temporary mass shelters during disasters. The county would operate the shelters and cover costs associated with their use, while the school superintendent would determine which facilities are available.
The commissioners’ regular meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday at 100 W. Washington St. in Hagerstown. The board is also scheduled to meet with Town of Keedysville officials at 6 p.m. at the same location. For the full agenda, click here.
