Hagerstown meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Hagerstown Council: $27.7 million wastewater contract set for vote; no minutes yet for recent work sessions

Hagerstown's Mayor and Council have not yet published minutes for the work sessions held Oct. 13 and Oct. 20, so the official record available for this roundup shows no final decisions from those meetings. The largest item on the near-term agenda is a $27,732,047.00 contract for Phase I improvements at the city's wastewater treatment plant, listed for a vote at the Tuesday, Oct. 27 regular session.

Wastewater plant contract tops the Oct. 27 agenda

The Oct. 27 regular session agenda lists a proposed award to Carl Belt, Inc. for Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements - Phase I at $27,732,047.00. A separate item lists construction-phase engineering for the same project with Black & Veatch at $2,841,509.

The agenda describes the session as including votes on various city contracts. Under the agenda as published, both wastewater items are scheduled for action rather than finally decided.

Other contracts listed for Oct. 27

• Curb and Sidewalk Improvements with Concrete Central, LLC, not to exceed $285,000.00.
• An audio/visual upgrade to Council Chambers with Washington Professional Systems for $213,776.94.
• Police equipment is also listed among the agenda's contract items; the agenda summary does not give a dollar figure for it.

Annexation public hearings scheduled

Public hearings are scheduled Oct. 27 on the annexation of Meritus Health, Inc., Burkholder Lane, and McDade Road. The Oct. 20 work session agenda included an amendment to Annexation Plan A-2026-02 (Burkholder-McDade), which was listed for review. No outcome of that review has been published.

Opioid restitution funds reviewed in work sessions

Both recent work sessions took up opioid restitution money. The Oct. 13 agenda listed a memorandum of understanding with the Washington County Health Department for Opioid Restitution Funds. The Oct. 20 agenda listed a Five-Year Targeted Abatement Plan (TAG) for Opioid Restitution Funds.

Neither item is recorded as acted on. Both were listed for discussion at work sessions, and minutes have not been published.

Budget, programs and other work session items

The Oct. 13 work session agenda also listed the FY28 Preliminary Budget for General Fund Agency Contributions, proposed guideline changes to Invest Hagerstown Programs, a procedure for naming a park, a preview of the 2027 Legislative Session, and a police update on speeding on S. Potomac Street.

The Oct. 20 agenda additionally listed a proposed FUSE Executive Fellowship, disposition of unexpended CDBG CV-CARES funds, and an additional fireworks event at Meritus Park.

Executive sessions

An executive session was held Oct. 13 to discuss a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, and personnel issues including appointment, employment, compensation, or performance evaluations. A second executive session is listed for Oct. 29 to consult with counsel for legal advice and to discuss a business or industrial organization proposal.

Coming up

• **Tuesday, Oct. 27 - Regular Session.** Public hearings on the Meritus Health, Inc., Burkholder Lane and McDade Road annexations, and votes listed on the wastewater, engineering, curb and sidewalk, and Council Chambers audio/visual items.
• **Thursday, Oct. 29 - Executive Session.** Agenda lists consultation with counsel for legal advice and a business or industrial organization proposal.

Agendas and any minutes later published are the authoritative record; readers should consult the official city documents for the full text of each item.

Hagerstown agendas list no final votes; $27,732,047.00 wastewater contract heads to Oct. 27 session

Two Hagerstown Mayor and Council work sessions and two closed executive sessions fell in the past two weeks, on Oct. 6 and Oct. 13, but the published records for those meetings list no votes or final decisions. Minutes have not yet been published, so any action the council took is not reflected in the material available. The largest item now moving toward a decision is a $27,732,047.00 contract for Phase I improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, listed on the agenda for the Oct. 27 regular session.

Wastewater and city facilities on the Oct. 27 agenda

The Oct. 27 regular session is scheduled to include votes on several contracts, according to the agenda:

• Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements, Phase I: Carl Belt, Inc. for $27,732,047.00
• WWTP Improvement Project construction phase engineering: Black & Veatch for $2,841,509
• Curb and sidewalk improvements: Concrete Central, LLC not to exceed $285,000.00
• Audio/visual upgrade to Council Chambers: Washington Professional Systems for $213,776.94

These are agenda items scheduled for consideration. The supplied records do not show that any of them has been approved.

Opioid restitution funds

The council discussed a memorandum of understanding with the Washington County Health Department for Opioid Restitution Funds at its Oct. 13 work session. On Oct. 20, the work session agenda lists a Five-Year Targeted Abatement Plan (TAG) for Opioid Restitution Funds. No dollar amounts for the opioid funds appear in the supplied records.

Budget, programs and annexation

The Oct. 13 work session agenda included the FY28 Preliminary Budget for General Fund Agency Contributions, proposed guideline changes to Invest Hagerstown Programs, a procedure for naming a park, a preview of the 2027 Legislative Session, and a police update on speeding on S. Potomac Street.

The Oct. 20 work session agenda lists an amendment to Annexation Plan A-2026-02 (Burkholder-McDade), the disposition of unexpended CDBG CV-CARES funds, a proposed FUSE Executive Fellowship, and an additional fireworks event at Meritus Park.

Annexation also appeared on the Oct. 6 agenda as a briefing on the Groh Estate annexation by Stephen Bockmiller, Deputy Director for Planning and Zoning Administration, and Matthew Ross, Planner. Public hearings on annexation of Meritus Health, Inc., Burkholder Lane and McDade Road are scheduled for Oct. 27.

Closed sessions

The Oct. 6 executive session was scheduled for 2:30 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Its agenda listed a personnel matter, contract review related to collective bargaining, legal advice from counsel, and a business proposal concerning a company locating, expanding or remaining in the state. The Oct. 13 executive session listed a business or industrial organization proposal and personnel issues including appointment, employment, compensation or performance evaluations. The agendas give no further detail on the individuals, contracts, legal questions or businesses involved, and no outcomes are published.

Other business from Oct. 6

The Oct. 6 work session opened with a 4:00 PM proclamation recognizing Fire Prevention Month. The council heard a community coalition support and funding request from Paul Frey, CEO/President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, and Jim Kercheval, Executive Director of the Greater Hagerstown Committee. CFO Michelle Hepburn and John Prodan of Invoice Cloud presented on credit card fees. The session closed with a Trick-or-Treat discussion led by City Administrator Scott Nicewarner and comments from the City Administrator and Mayor and Council.

Coming up

• **Oct. 20, Work Session:** Five-Year Targeted Abatement Plan for Opioid Restitution Funds, amendment to Annexation Plan A-2026-02 (Burkholder-McDade), disposition of unexpended CDBG CV-CARES funds, proposed FUSE Executive Fellowship, and an additional fireworks event at Meritus Park.
• **Oct. 27, Regular Session:** Votes scheduled on the $27,732,047.00 wastewater Phase I contract and related engineering, curb and sidewalk, and Council Chambers audio/visual items, plus public hearings on the Meritus Health, Inc., Burkholder Lane and McDade Road annexations.

Agendas are subject to change; the linked official documents are authoritative.

Hagerstown council to vote on annexations, $4M+ in contracts at Aug. 25 meeting

The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council held several work and executive sessions over the past two weeks to discuss business recruitment, nuisance codes, annexations, and a law enforcement diversion program. No public votes were taken at those sessions. The council's next regular session on Aug. 25 will include votes on multiple annexations and contracts totaling more than $4 million.

Recent meetings

Aug. 11 executive session

The council met in closed session to discuss a proposal concerning a business or industrial organization locating, expanding, or remaining in Maryland. No public details were provided.

Aug. 11 work session

The council reviewed an additional fireworks event at Meritus Park scheduled for Sept. 18, 2026, along with updates to the nuisance abatement and property maintenance code and the weed code. They also discussed the Cline Farm annexation. The agenda included approval of FY27 CDBG Subrecipient Agreements and a Year 3 contract with Granicus for the Meeting Management System, but no votes were taken.

Aug. 17 work session

The council held a strategic discussion on the Washington County Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program. This was a discussion only, with no final decision.

Aug. 18 executive session

The council met in closed session to discuss a business proposal, board appointments (Charter Review Committee, Ethics Commission, Hagerstown Youth Council Partner Group, Hagerstown Housing Authority), and legal advice regarding a court order.

Aug. 18 work session

The council reviewed the preliminary agenda for the upcoming regular session, including acceptance of an urban tree grant, new full-time positions for Communications and the Hagerstown Police Department, and three annexation requests: Cumberland Valley Veterinary Clinic (17747 Virginia Avenue), Meritus Health Doey's House (11370 Caring Pathway Lane), and Burkholder-McDade Annexation. They also received an update from the Department of Housing and Community Development and discussed legislative priorities for the 2027 Maryland General Assembly.

Coming up

Aug. 25 regular session

The council will hold a public hearing on Land Management Code Amendments and consider annexation resolutions for Cline Farm (1140 Jefferson Blvd), Cumberland Valley Veterinary Clinic (17747 Virginia Ave), Meritus Health Doey's House (11370 Caring Pathway Ln), and Burkholder-McDade Properties. The consent agenda includes:

• Pavement Preservation Program FY27-FY28 (Craig Paving, Inc., not to exceed $1,300,000)
• Wastewater Pelletizer Facility Operations Contract (NEFCO, $1,768,387.87)
• HPD Police Mobile Annual Software Renewal (Keystone Public Safety, $165,462.00)

The meeting also includes appointments, a proclamation, and citizen comment periods. All recent meetings listed above were agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published.

Hagerstown Council's Recent Sessions Yield No Final Votes; Aug. 25 Session to Consider Annexations, Contracts

Over the past two weeks, the Hagerstown Mayor and Council held several work sessions and executive sessions, but no final decisions were recorded. All recent meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. The council's next regular session on Aug. 25 will include votes on multiple annexations and contracts totaling more than $4 million.

Recent work sessions

On Aug. 4, the council held a work session to discuss six items, including the ENOUGH Community Parks Initiative, presented by Keith Fanjoy; an update on the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area by Liz Schatto; a Sister City update by Mike Keifer; a review of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) subrecipient agreements by Letizia Turner and Margi Joe; and proposed changes to the 2026 Land Management Code, presented by Stephen R. Bockmiller.

On Aug. 11, a special work session agenda included approval of FY27 CDBG Subrecipient Agreements, a Year 3 contract with Granicus for a Meeting Management System, an additional fireworks event at Meritus Park on Sept. 18, a review of nuisance abatement and property maintenance codes, and a review of the Cline Farm annexation. No votes were recorded, as minutes have not been published.

Executive sessions

The council held four executive sessions during this period—on Aug. 4, Aug. 6 (twice), and Aug. 11—to discuss proposals from business or industrial organizations to locate, expand, or remain in Maryland, as well as legal consultation. These closed sessions provided no public details or decisions.

Upcoming meetings

The council will hold a work session on Aug. 17 to discuss the Washington County Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program. This is a strategic discussion, not a final decision.

On Aug. 18, an executive session will cover a business proposal, board appointments (Charter Review Committee, Ethics Commission, Hagerstown Youth Council Partner Group, Hagerstown Housing Authority), and legal advice regarding a court order. A separate work session that day will review three annexation requests—Cumberland Valley Veterinary Clinic (17747 Virginia Avenue), Meritus Health Doey's House (11370 Caring Pathway Lane), and Burkholder-McDade—along with acceptance of an urban tree grant, new full-time positions for Communications and the Hagerstown Police Department, and legislative priorities for the 2027 Maryland General Assembly.

Aug. 25 regular session

The regular session on Aug. 25 will include public hearings on Land Management Code Amendments and votes on annexation resolutions for Cline Farm (1140 Jefferson Blvd), Cumberland Valley Veterinary Clinic, Meritus Health Doey's House, and Burkholder-McDade Properties. The consent agenda includes a Pavement Preservation Program contract with Craig Paving, Inc. (not to exceed $1,300,000), a Wastewater Pelletizer Facility Operations Contract with NEFCO ($1,768,387.87), and a HPD Police Mobile Annual Software Renewal with Keystone Public Safety ($165,462.00). These items total over $4 million.

Coming up

• **Aug. 17** – Work session: LEAD program discussion
• **Aug. 18** – Executive session: business proposal, appointments, legal advice
• **Aug. 18** – Work session: annexations, grants, new positions, legislative priorities
• **Aug. 25** – Regular session: public hearings, annexation votes, consent agenda contracts

Hagerstown Council Set to Consider Water/Sewer Fee Ordinances, Settlement, and Grant Acceptances; Budget and Charter Review on Work Session Agenda

Hagerstown's Mayor and Council have a full slate of recent and upcoming meetings centered on utility fee ordinances, a contractor settlement, grant acceptances, and early FY28 budget planning. Because minutes have not yet been published for the July sessions, the items below reflect what was scheduled on the agendas — not confirmed outcomes.

Water and Sewer Miscellaneous Fee Ordinances (July 28 Regular Session)

The July 28 regular session agenda listed two ordinances that would establish miscellaneous water and sewer fees across five fiscal years:

• An ordinance amending Chapter 238 to create Water Miscellaneous Fees for FY27 through FY31.
• An ordinance amending Chapter 240 to create Sewer Miscellaneous Fees for FY27 through FY31.

If adopted, these ordinances would set the fee structure residents and businesses pay for water and sewer miscellaneous services through FY31. No vote tally or dollar figures for the fees themselves appear in the agenda materials provided.

Settlement with Boulevard Contractors, LLC at 32 N. Potomac Street

A resolution on the July 28 agenda would approve a settlement agreement with Boulevard Contractors, LLC related to 32 N. Potomac Street. The same settlement item appeared on the July 21 work session agenda, indicating it was discussed before being scheduled for a vote. No settlement amount is listed in the provided materials.

Grant Acceptances on the July 28 Agenda

The council was scheduled to vote on resolutions accepting two grants:

• The Entertainment District Security Grant.
• The Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network Grant.

No dollar amounts for either grant appear in the provided agenda data.

Consent Agenda: Police Vehicles and Other Purchases

The July 28 consent agenda included a series of contracts and purchases, among them police vehicle acquisitions. One listed item is a 2026 Ford Explorer ST-Line at $47,000. The agenda also references utility system upgrades among consent items, though specific additional amounts are not provided.

July 21 Work Session: Charter Review Committee, Parking, and FY28 Budget

The July 21 work session agenda covered several items:

• A resolution to establish a Charter Review Committee.
• A proposed parking permit system for the Historic Heights Neighborhood.
• Water and sewer miscellaneous fee adjustments.
• FY28 Budget discussion.

These items were scheduled for discussion; no decisions are confirmed in the available materials.

July 21 Executive Session: Historic District Commission and Business Proposal

A separate July 21 executive session agenda included appointments to the Historic District Commission, consultation with city counsel for legal advice, and consideration of a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the state. No further detail on the business proposal is provided.

Coming Up

• **August 4 — Executive Session:** Closed-door discussion of a potential business relocation or expansion proposal, plus legal consultation.
• **August 4 — Work Session:** Presentations and reviews including the ENOUGH Community Parks Initiative (Keith Fanjoy), the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area update (Liz Schatto), a Sister City update on Hagerstown, Indiana (Mike Keifer), CDBG FY27 Subrecipient Agreements review (Letizia Turner and Margi Joe), and proposed Land Management Code amendments ZT-2026-02 (Stephen R. Bockmiller).
• **August 6 — Executive Sessions:** Two scheduled closed-door sessions, both addressing proposals for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the state.

All upcoming agendas are subject to change. Residents can verify details through the city's official meeting postings.