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County Commissioners Approve McHenry Water System Policies

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Oct. 20, 2011

The Garrett County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved new fees and policies for the McHenry Water System District. Included in the document are hook-up time frames and payment schedules for hundreds of property owners who are required to connect to the public system.

“[We’ve] crafted, I think, the most equitable, blanket policy possible for the McHenry Water System,” said commission chair Gregan Crawford. “I’m sure there are people who will certainly take issue with that, but we’re still under a state mandated code. . . . Regardless of the history of who did what portion and when, what extension was done by whom, who paid for what, or what the intentions were, this is our system and we own it, and the responsibility lies with us.”

The previous board of county commissioners held a public hearing on Dec. 7, 2010, on expanding the district to numerous areas around Deep Creek Lake, including Marsh Hill Road, the McHenry Business and Technology Park area, and Sweet Rewards Development.

No written or verbal commentary about the proposal was received at that hearing, and the district boundary changes were approved. The current commissioners held a similar hearing on the issue at Garrett College on March 19. That event also drew little public response.

Shortly thereafter, however, the commissioners received numerous objections to the mandatory connection policy and hookup costs. State law mandates that businesses and homeowners connect to a public system if the lines come within a certain distance of their properties.

During the last seven months, Crawford noted, the commissioners conducted three Saturday morning hearings at Garrett College on the issue, receiving five hours of public comments from those events, plus numerous phone calls, letters, e-mails, and courthouse visits at other times.

As a result of those hearings and comments, Crawford noted, the county came up with policies that reduced and standardized the fees, improved the public hearing notification system regarding water and sewer projects, and amended amortization schedules and connection time requirements.

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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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McHenry Water System Follow-Up Hearing Scheduled

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Sep. 29, 2011

The Board of Garrett County Commissioners will hold a follow-up hearing on the McHery Water System – Water Connection and User Fees and Connection Amortization Policy this Saturday, Oct. 1, at 9 a.m. in the Garrett College auditorium.

The event is scheduled to review and receive public commentary on proposed changes to the existing policy and to address questions on expansion of service to the water district.

The commissioners and GC Department of Public Utilities personnel have compiled answers to several questions that were presented during the initial public hearing on Aug. 27. These are available on the county government web site at garrettcounty.org.

Interested persons who may have questions on this issue are asked to attend the Oct. 1 hearing. For more information, one may call the DPU at 301-334-6983 or the county administrator or commissioners at 301-334-8970.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

877-563-5350 – toll free