[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6286817,"mediaKeyId","2556691-a28ca09c56ac1e8c22d1f534375036d7","parentId",2556691,"title","Council debates 'prohibited lodging out of doors' ordinance; staff told to draft six‑month sunset trial","audioSeconds",3494,"startMs",2685000,"endMs",6179000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556691-a28ca09c56ac1e8c22d1f534375036d7&start=2685&end=6179","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556691-a28ca09c56ac1e8c22d1f534375036d7/thumbnail_2685000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286817/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Council-debates-prohibited-lodging-out-of-doors-ordinance-staff-told-to-draft-sixmonth-sunset-trial","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286817-5172b9c9e7996cd53e825e8bdae6edaa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176801&Signature=HCDCg-VqBVq3TKcnilzxfNW~SpZweHixZrYn78dSQbLMT25evdnMlfjqU5XpvAaXVyaiOLFN3aafr3~onu7eSYinRsEoB1DVSZtpOkKMfHvZ1uggyEECWwyhcqHy2cUuj1uqSk2fJMEp~uPnbw1NB8F9lEwy~~AKHJ27AOuIE32aGP2BJ9exJMwmVo0uAtnnDrA69WF02gHMgrqiXyGwk1c6AW85lTq0skqlr3AiJg-ZtGWSENakT16n5Q8zuzRSt5CUqrI~WpmoIbTuhj6K58SQVSZgsPyQZIHzFZ4~yeR~hGv7de5p2hrT2NHqA~MjMwlaQFUUs3qTJDbPFYNd2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hagerstown, MD","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Hagerstown City Council spent the longest portion of its work session debating a proposed ordinance, retitled by staff from \"anti‑camping\" to \"prohibited lodging out of doors,\" that would create a new enforcement tool for people who establish sleeping or sheltering activity on city‑owned outdoor property.

Chief Paul Greifer of the Hagerstown Police Department and Sergeant Ed Plummer described the change in language and the limited scope: \"We don't want people to think that camping is the recreational sport... the actual wording of 'prohibited lodging out of doors' kind of explains it,\" Sergeant Plummer said. Chief Greifer said the measure is meant as an additional, narrowly used tool and \"is not a silver bullet\" for homelessness. He added it is intended for rare, repeat or combative situations in public spaces that currently fall into enforcement gaps.

Councilmembers expressed concerns about criminalizing homelessness, the availability of social services and the burden on police. Councilwoman Burnett and others pressed for more data on the population affected and on service alternatives; Chief Greifer and staff said they would provide data and described existing outreach, social‑service referrals and recent coordination with community partners. Officer and liaison staff noted that officers carry resource guides and routinely offer social‑service referrals at contact.

After discussion, council directed staff to prepare an ordinance with a six‑month sunset/trial period and to return to council with reporting and recommended data points for evaluation. Council members said the trial will allow the city to capture contact counts, compliance rates and follow‑up outcomes before deciding whether to make the ordinance permanent. Police leaders said the department treats this as a last‑resort tool and that officers will continue to prioritize voluntary referrals and non‑criminal interventions.

Speakers emphasized the tension between addressing repeat public‑space impacts and avoiding punitive outcomes for people in need. \"This is just a tool,\" Chief Greifer said. \"I wish there were other resources that we could do that we didn't have to put this out... but the reality is those are independent organizations and agencies that are gonna abide by the rules they have and their money that they get through those grants is very specific about how they can spend it.\" Community members and several councilmembers urged continued collaboration with the local homeless coalition and other service providers during the ordinance trial.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 11, 2025 | Mayor & Council: Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","The Hagerstown City Council instructed staff to draft a \"prohibited lodging out of doors\" ordinance with a six‑month sunset so the city can evaluate whether the new enforcement tool reduces repeat or combative public encampments.","taxTitle","Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland","taxId",4678,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286822,"Maryland Tech Council plans tech networks for Western Maryland; council hears data center discussion",278,176000,454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556691-a28ca09c56ac1e8c22d1f534375036d7&start=176&end=454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556691-a28ca09c56ac1e8c22d1f534375036d7/thumbnail_176000.jpg","/articles/6286822/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Maryland-Tech-Council-plans-tech-networks-for-Western-Maryland-council-hears-data-center-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286822-118f672f898b45ffda19af2d0a6d40f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176801&Signature=W2OJ2fufdX01uodzyAfe5G5XIhj4CqMRnp8D0YM5uC9ORpns0gaVuYi3IGOxUmuFzpbeylB1C9nRD-fPdYRHf4q0QMGG6zoIM7Nl5Dt2esu~XeW8E6IRykj7uLqf5gVF9f~1FdK~aUx9Tx09ogeORMeL6uWPvZKKnB5CMs5Yx1escX3b5DOpbQryUsrxofnwugPFLc4INjQpPANZH-if~KgElGseBXSIojsU4Chrd~Ce7C8awNgOplUuS1oRwLGFfcmCnBA3a3Zbt-EE4jgFJqVylSv5Hw7~lOx4rvI3Rqs7HOs8Ki5WomJhw9PXH1AfcPpevoXmkXOSEVmsoLchZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kelly Schultz, former Maryland Secretary of Commerce and current Maryland Tech Council leader, briefed the Hagerstown City Council on the council's work and plans to expand technology networks into the state's rural regions.

Schultz said Maryland Tech Council represents both life sciences and broad technology sectors and that a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development grant will fund tech networks in Western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore. \"Once they start putting that money through, within probably the next month, be starting a tech network in Western Maryland and a tech network on the Eastern Shore,\" Schultz said. She told the council the networks will add staff \"boots on the ground\" for events, networking and training in rural areas.

Schultz described the council as an industry advocate and connector: \"Maryland Tech Council is the largest tech association, trade association in the state,\" she said, and noted the group represents a spectrum from IT and cyber to energy, life sciences and data centers. She said the state has more than 10,000 technology and life-sciences businesses employing about 400,000 workers.

Councilmembers asked about data centers, local impacts and resident opposition. Schultz said data centers are capital‑ and energy‑intensive but typically generate smaller local employee bases, and she described ways operators manage water and backup power. \"One of the cons that some of the people that are opposed to data centers call out is they do utilize backup diesel generators,\" she said, while also noting industry developments such as battery storage and microgrid opportunities. She suggested local leaders and community members need clear information about what data centers entail.

Schultz offered to return with more detail and to introduce the council to the Maryland Tech Council staff who will lead the local network effort once the USDA funds are deployed.","Kelly Schultz of the Maryland Tech Council briefed Hagerstown council on the council's statewide role, a USDA rural development grant to create tech networks in Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore, and the economic opportunities and community concerns around data centers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286827,"Council introduces ordinance to quitclaim alley right-of-way behind 528 E. Franklin St.",34,138000,172000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556691-a28ca09c56ac1e8c22d1f534375036d7&start=138&end=172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556691-a28ca09c56ac1e8c22d1f534375036d7/thumbnail_138000.jpg","/articles/6286827/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Council-introduces-ordinance-to-quitclaim-alley-right-of-way-behind-528-E-Franklin-St","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286827-3b0a084f200bb2b62fc88a043627d1af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176801&Signature=McmXQFtyl9i9cg~~QiI2SKUB~0bs3YDSueFPVFq~7auZepl1Lpr2RmWoccFCiknVn664K4YhrtlHhycLLo7WcdN7IF9eygSsUzBCdikspifoHAswemQPXEbEISsi6AvgRELrPOcibD5V8mzaQDsKDGUg-VR1X9nt~W4prduxlLOgZLj1W-esVXr-bHUi7U~ls7uMFggdQg7CmuuJxA8h6ZGEYCCy1eNQeiseVe29npdMECSOvTqX7Fk7BQBrI-nFDvXQi5ldg7Aj7j69rAcKiArGb570PUPfmfIOqoW-dlWLuxcIG9DJS3zW7sMWAzt1bAMa9~h75FO9icLJqtARFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hagerstown City Council on a motion introduced an ordinance to quitclaim a portion of an unimproved alley right-of-way behind 528 East Franklin Street.

City staff said the alley was previously quitclaimed in 1973 when council determined it was no longer needed for a public purpose, but no deed was recorded to convey the right-of-way to the adjoining property. During the meeting a council member moved to introduce the ordinance and the motion received a second; the council voted in favor of introduction.

City staff said the move starts a formal process to record a deed that staff say was omitted in 1973; the introduction does not itself convey title. Councilmembers did not provide further detail on the intended grantee, fundraising or related easements during the introduction.

The council approved the ordinance for introduction; staff will return with the requisite paperwork and next steps for final consideration and any required public notice.","The Hagerstown City Council introduced an ordinance to quitclaim a portion of an unimproved alley at the rear of 528 East Franklin Street after staff said a 1973 decision to quitclaim the alley was never recorded.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286810,"City recommends $75,000 in summer‑camp grants; two programs fully funded, two nearly funded",47,1544000,1591000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556691-a28ca09c56ac1e8c22d1f534375036d7&start=1544&end=1591","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556691-a28ca09c56ac1e8c22d1f534375036d7/thumbnail_1544000.jpg","/articles/6286810/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/City-recommends-75000-in-summercamp-grants-two-programs-fully-funded-two-nearly-funded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286810-e3d23168340ac643717de87402daecaa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176801&Signature=cm1w-JnqE-~LzwURNYr~G97kHyt52HwylqN6rpPzYqfjqEhGFI9a3ls7QiYXKoA0eGUS7g57129fROfC5Vkx9WQ-37Ry-fB59fmlH0rO0829Ae1L2uR~-~iv3QGDEgVYUmLTuzJyhtYG4IRhB9N7Hs~ZV3Y-QrzhdRLslbITqYjcw834PP8DZU-iS9~MHAH8WDogyXYr3~cw4ZPRdsMd~0PfXNr3ApB3XM1IaZ5Q13SMmqMdVH39zsbif8jPwiTq~7pZ4l-owg7ivQwhRh~q4TrWrQZ1DrCB7kaJ2NYAsE7tSG-a8Oh~yrGXWsdfMMd~yD0rb2oZ4Ri8r0teV~OTrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Public Works Director Eric Dyke briefed the Hagerstown City Council on the city's 2025 summer‑camp grant program, which provides a $75,000 annual pool to support local summer‑camp providers.

Dyke said four organizations applied this year. Staff recommended full funding for two applicants and near‑full funding for the other two; Dyke told council that two applicants are \"just $500 short\" of the funding they requested. In Dyke's summary, the requests and staff recommendations were: Boys & Girls Club — requested $20,000, recommended $24,000 (as presented in staff memo); Girls Inc. — requested $22,500, recommended $22,000; YMCA — requested $18,500 and recommended for full funding; RW Johnson Community Center — requested $15,000 and recommended for full funding.

Dyke said the program is an annual allocation and the funding requests and operating costs are similar to previous years. Councilmembers asked whether applicants had been consistent over time; Dyke said groups that previously folded or stopped running programs have in the past returned funds to the pool and the grant program has been consistent over multiple years. Council did not take a final recorded vote during the work session; staff stated the allocations were a staff recommendation and will be processed per normal budget/purchase procedures.","Public Works Director Eric Dyke reported the city received four summer-camp funding requests totaling more than $75,000; staff recommended allocations that would fully fund two applicants and leave the other two each about $500 short of their requests.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286813,"Wheaton Park update: parking, misting pad complete; natural play area and stage planned for spring–summer",736,1640000,2376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556691-a28ca09c56ac1e8c22d1f534375036d7&start=1640&end=2376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556691-a28ca09c56ac1e8c22d1f534375036d7/thumbnail_1640000.jpg","/articles/6286813/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Wheaton-Park-update-parking-misting-pad-complete-natural-play-area-and-stage-planned-for-springsummer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286813-02dc67df8ebfd2e69694c2cafe09e93c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176801&Signature=JWLoZ0opns5QhaDGUiAggbdLDa9hIUtybWiH3iXYbNMyRWPhSA8cZm8Vu0qgR5yiiRVBw57BjzB86t0wUeCmMgUeVmBFjWK-9rZ9y6XhCMh-TJjI~cmuTg6Sm-Gq9g2jPWQQGHrCcu4QMIEQ4QMwBtz1BicQ3wZRoM8gXNEs4kjlFQzRGc7LZQPpwm-c2nMiCqe7A4FKII3GCNXNPLy7dBP3Qz6DXyTj~KTZ8Js0~OFKQvuo-fpRevYd3OPY64mrzryc1GnM5iDRxTdADdSALfcxzm~VVAkCwGxICKR1r81en~-Te3v2w76wwkERTtBFg~vYSYJoQHwkxQpgIGVGmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City engineer Jim Bender updated the Hagerstown City Council on Wheaton Park improvements, reporting that phase 1 — including a paved parking area and a misting pad, plus demolition of a former caretaker house — is complete and that phase 2 work is underway.

Bender described two main phase 2 elements: a natural play area next to the misting pad and a new performance stage sited between the tennis courts and the bleachers. \"The natural play area... we're hoping that they're gonna be complete probably by the April,\" Bender said, adding the schedule is weather‑dependent because of installation and curing requirements for safety surfacing. On the stage he said, \"we're thinking that we're gonna be in a position to put that project out to bid, hopefully, in April... and then construct it over the summer,\" with a target of completion by September.

Councilmembers praised the community‑driven design process and the interpretive mural and signage. Bender said the city will evaluate resurfacing and spot repairs to walkways; full replacement is not planned. He also discussed possible funding sources for additional park improvements, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds already allocated to this project and Program Open Space (POS) funds for equipment that meets useful‑life criteria. Bender said countywide POS funding this year is limited, describing it as roughly \"$540,000 for the entire county,\" and cautioned that submitted projects exceed available funds.

Staff offered to return for a focused work session on Wheaton Park funding and prioritization; councilmembers encouraged continued community engagement for later phases.","City staff reported completion of phase 1 improvements at Wheaton Park and outlined phase 2 elements: a natural play area expected by April and a new stage to be bid in April and built over the summer, with project completion expected by September.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council debates 'prohibited lodging out of doors' ordinance; staff told to draft six‑month sunset trial

Maryland Tech Council plans tech networks for Western Maryland; council hears data center discussion

Council introduces ordinance to quitclaim alley right-of-way behind 528 E. Franklin St.

City recommends $75,000 in summer‑camp grants; two programs fully funded, two nearly funded

Wheaton Park update: parking, misting pad complete; natural play area and stage planned for spring–summer