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courtesy Republican News


Aug. 21, 2008

The Garrett County commissioners announced yesterday that they have abandoned plans to construct a new $19.4 million public safety center on the current site of the Garrett County Roads Department along U.S. Rt. 219 in Oakland.
"This decision by the Board of County Commissioners was finalized after serious thought and deliberation," said chairman Denny Glotfelty. "The board had to look at the long-term financial outlook of Garrett County government in conjunction with unknown state cutbacks. Operating the county within affordability limits for our citizens, while improving the quality of all public services, will remain our number one priority."

The proposed public safety center had previously been planned as the site to locate a new detention center and administrative offices for the sheriff's office.

Planning is under way to evaluate possible renovations of the county's current detention center and public safety/emergency management offices.

Glotfelty noted that the population of inmates at the jail has not increased according to projection figures from a few years ago.

“We believe that there is sufficient space in the current location to adequately address the detention center needs,” he said, adding that some of the underground parking area could be utilized.

Appraisals on the current roads department site have been prepared, and the course of action to sell the property will be undertaken, according to county administrator Monty Pagenhardt. The property is currently appraised at $3.7 million.

“That number will likely increase,” Glotfelty said, “because of the commercial development that is under way right now along Rt. 219 in Oakland. With the Lowe’s under construction now, and several other projects anticipated, the county roads property can only increase in value.”

The commissioners have also deferred final approval of the bid award for the Community Athletic and Recreation Center so that additional state and private funding can be explored. A final decision on this facility, which has been determined by the board to be a priority within projected financial affordability, will be made after the request for additional funding from the state has been reviewed and definitive funding has been approved, Pagenhardt said.

The commissioners met this week with Senator George Edwards and Garrett College officials to discuss the rec center project, which is to be built on the McHenry campus.

Pagenhardt added that the commissioners asked Senator Edwards to pursue potential additional funding for such a project when the 2009 General Assembly begins in January.


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

courtesy Republican News

Aug. 14, 2008

The new general superintendent of the Garrett County Roads Department, Jay Moyer, presented an update report to the county commissioners on Tuesday. Moyer began his employment on July 21, replacing Fred Polce, who retired at the end of that month.
Moyer said a few changes are being made to the way his department tracks its budget. Nathan Watkins, director of the county's Information Technology Department, has developed a new computer program with the help of Scott Weeks, assistant director of financial services.

"Basically, we're trying to streamline the way data have been entered in the past," Watkins said.

Previously, the entering of such information as purchase requests and project expenditures were the sole responsibility of the general superintendent. Watkins said they are now trying to simplify the data process and spread the workload around, making it more of a "group effort."

Commissioner Denny Glotfelty asked if Moyer would still be ultimately responsible for keeping track of all the data.

"Oh, yes," Moyer said.

But the superintendent added that he wants more participation from the Roads Department foremen and their people so that they can also track expenditures and requests at their garages.

"I think it helps for the persons who are making that request to also understand that there is a limited amount of money in the budget for certain things and that they are aware of what they're spending," Moyer said. "I think it helps them understand that there comes a point when you have to curtail spending, or at least slow down your spending, because there is only X amount of money in the budget to spend."

The county Roads Department is divided into three service and maintenance areas: Accident, Grantsville, and Oakland garages. Each garage is under the supervision of a foreman who receives direction from Moyer.

He and the foremen meet every Monday morning to review projects from the previous week. A report is then forwarded to the commissioners.

Weeks noted, however, that it will be several days before the commissioners can receive information through the new tracking system, as data have to be transferred to the new software program.

The superintendent and commissioners discussed recent increases in fuel and materials. Moyer said costs will be watched and paving projects adjusted accordingly. The officials noted, however, that safety issues and high traffic areas should be considered in that adjustment.

Moyer reported on several Roads Department projects. He noted that the 10-week Swanton bridge initiative was one-third completed. Various paving and patching, shoulder work, grading, mowing, and culvert projects are also under way throughout the county.

The Garrett County Roads Department is responsible for the upkeep of approximately 680 miles of roads and 127 bridges. This includes the design, management, and construction of county roads, bridges, and associated structures.


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350