HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Washington County officials say state law leaves the county with little authority to prevent small recovery houses from locating in residential neighborhoods, despite growing concerns from residents about the facilities.
County Administrator Michelle Gordon told commissioners Tuesday that the county has received numerous calls and emails about recovery houses. Under Maryland law, facilities serving four to eight people must be permitted in residential zones, while those serving nine to 16 people are treated as multifamily dwellings and can locate where that type of housing is allowed.
County officials raised the issue with Washington County’s state legislative delegation during the 2026 General Assembly session in hopes of gaining greater local control. Gordon said no meaningful legislation resulted.
A separate change in state law will require recovery houses to be licensed beginning Oct. 1, including facilities currently operating without a license. Gordon did not indicate that the new licensing requirement will give the county additional authority over where the houses may be located.
The county has also had difficulty determining how many recovery houses are operating locally. Gordon said officials sought a detailed list of licensed facilities but were told addresses could not be provided because of health privacy requirements.
Officials say they will continue tracking the issue as the new licensing requirements take effect.
Engineering study underway for proposed ICE facility
Engineering and environmental work is continuing at the proposed federal immigration detention facility near Williamsport while a court injunction prevents the full conversion of the warehouse.
Gordon said contractor KVG contacted the county in August and is preparing an engineering study of electrical, water and wastewater utilities required as part of the environmental assessment. She said KVG and its subcontractors continue to comply with the federal injunction.
Work previously disclosed at the property has included security systems and temporary fencing. The injunction allows limited work to secure and maintain the building but blocks its conversion and operation as an immigration detention facility while litigation continues.
Gordon also reiterated that the county has no jurisdiction over the federal project. Commissioners did, however, adopt a resolution in February supporting the project and pledging not to use their elected positions to oppose or hinder it.
Data center moratorium does not apply inside municipalities
Gordon also told commissioners that the county’s temporary moratorium on new data center development applies only to unincorporated areas governed by county zoning,
Commissioners adopted the six-month moratorium June 30 to give the county time to study how data centers should be regulated. Officials have raised concerns about their heavy electricity and water demands, noise, environmental effects, land-use compatibility and potential impact on roads and other public infrastructure.
County staff members have begun studying possible zoning and policy changes, while commissioners and staff members have attended conferences and seminars on data center development.
Municipalities with their own planning and zoning authority remain free to consider data center proposals under their own regulations. County officials are using the moratorium period to study possible zoning and policy changes before commissioners decide how such developments should be regulated in areas under county jurisdiction.
County moves ahead with $1.42 million in landfill equipment
Commissioners approved about $1.42 million in five-year lease-purchase agreements for two pieces of heavy equipment used by the county’s Solid Waste Department.
The county will acquire a Caterpillar D7 bulldozer for about $969,000 and a John Deere 744 wheel loader for about $454,000. Both agreements carry 4.99 percent interest rates and allow the county to purchase the equipment for $1 at the end of the leases.
The bulldozer will replace a 2008 Caterpillar D6 that has accumulated nearly 19,000 operating hours. The wheel loader replaces a 2002 model with more than 10,000 hours.
Commissioners questioned whether purchasing the machinery outright would be less expensive than financing it. Solid Waste officials said the department’s enterprise fund does not have enough available reserves for an outright purchase and that the equipment is kept well beyond the five-year financing period.
“We use them until they die,” Deputy Solid Waste Director David Mason said.
The original agenda also called for leasing a new John Deere backhoe, but Mason removed it from consideration after pricing changed.
New drug analyzer for Task Force
Commissioners approved the sole-source purchase of a roughly $140,000 drug analyzer for the Washington County Narcotics Task Force.
The equipment will allow investigators to identify and measure illegal drugs, pharmaceuticals and other chemical substances. The Sheriff’s Office requested equipment from Agilent because it is compatible with instruments already in use.
The purchase is being funded through the county’s contraband account.
Prefab bridge for regional park
Commissioners awarded a $51,000 contract for a prefabricated bridge that will be incorporated into the planned 1.85-mile multipurpose trail at Washington County Regional Park.
The 25-foot fiberglass bridge will accommodate pedestrians and bicycles along with utility vehicles and emergency vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. County officials decided to purchase it separately from the larger trail construction contract to reduce lead time and avoid contractor markups.
Creative Pultrusions Inc. of Alum Bank, Pennsylvania, submitted the only bid.
12 nonprofits added to funding list
Commissioners unanimously approved requests from 12 nonprofit organizations to become eligible to compete for funding through the county’s Community Organization Funding program.
Placement on the county’s eligibility list does not award an organization money or guarantee future funding. County officials said about $1.3 million is available through the program, while requests typically exceed the amount available.
About 60 organizations applied for funding last year, with requests totaling more than $3 million. Applications are reviewed by a five-member volunteer committee before funding recommendations are presented to commissioners.
Preservation total tops 44,000 acres
Washington County has now permanently preserved more than 44,000 acres of agricultural and environmentally significant land.
Rural Preservation Administrator Chris Boggs told commissioners an easement completed last week pushed the county past the milestone.
Commissioners also approved a conservation easement covering about 20 acres on Ashton Road near Clear Spring. The property includes woodland, pasture and nearly 2,000 feet along Toms Run, with the approximately $97,000 easement funded entirely by the state.
Forget-me-nots
Commissioners also proclaimed September, October and November as “Forget-Me-Not Months” in recognition of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 14 and its annual fundraising campaign.
