[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6224620,"mediaKeyId","3549917-326e357655b8fe28cf365ce0fdb6ecd4","parentId",3549917,"title","Residents urge city to preserve Locomotive 202 and raise public-safety concerns during public comment","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2244000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3549917-326e357655b8fe28cf365ce0fdb6ecd4&start=2244&end=2244","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3549917-326e357655b8fe28cf365ce0fdb6ecd4/thumbnail_2244000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6224620/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Residents-urge-city-to-preserve-Locomotive-202-and-raise-public-safety-concerns-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224620-08736a72141d405697f5a04bee45a5b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214866&Signature=EoDRd47ovhoEoakS6-IKbOVPVqZIKRHqWYfPyLn-sLVVAmkQxYZcKxvoJonu~tJRMocRRhBQwskptDCDnpRiFjTXlKe8JyI0tUr2UvIECdUb2PlmCzl929mjjr~3F4JjUv209SB4V46ceTWNLiSZzPF1immPlhvMqBWkFn1n4XAZbuggDFFTEAzQJWc3fZ2h~CvZ6Gj3WP0kAGGpxurJyliCUNCoi~4TMPMO0Ma44pH5MS2t~gajEs6XGFrofaxeRBSaHnCkyZHJ3H1chiW8pXRUS42p7Kx0C7fY4phYqcvaHlX5qeuo6kwpwhZ5x8ReNdOwwy3QuZkC~AEvfLjF9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hagerstown, MD","date","2025-05-28T16:17:01.367Z","article","During the general public comment period on May 27, several residents and nonprofit representatives urged the Mayor and City Council to preserve and restore Locomotive 202 at the City Park train hub and asked for city support in obtaining restoration quotes.

Karen Swappert, representing the Hub City chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, said the chapter is now incorporated as a nonprofit and requested the council help obtain restoration quotes so the group can make a case to keep Locomotive 202 in Hagerstown. Swappert said the nonprofit is partnering with Parks and Recreation for living-historian events and youth tours. Volunteer organizer Scott Churchill said community events using the locomotive drew more than 100 families and that volunteers currently maintain the area.

In separate public comments, Alva Moses reported that items commonly used for drug use — glass roses, metal screens, nitrous-oxide canisters known as “whip-its” — are being openly sold in local convenience stores such as Melody’s and Penny Mart. Moses cited Maryland criminal law 5-619 (sale of drug paraphernalia when seller knows or should reasonably know of illicit use) and asked the council to partner with the city to ensure stores are not enabling misuse.

The council read into the record an email from Ken Butler of Radio Free Hub City urging the council to reconsider any partnership with Flock Safety, the license-plate reader vendor, and to invest in “evidence based community driven safety alternatives.” The email asked the council to weigh civil‑liberties concerns.

Bill Johns urged expanded tools for police and collaborative programs with the county for diversion, recovery services, supervised housing and daytime workforce opportunities for vulnerable populations. Johns asked the council to consider peer recovery specialists and joint efforts with nonprofits to address trash removal and other service gaps.

Council members acknowledged the comments and several thanked speakers for their advocacy. No formal council action on Locomotive 202, store sales, or license‑plate readers was taken at the meeting; some agenda items related to grants and heritage programming were approved elsewhere on the consent agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 27, 2025 | Mayor & Council Meeting: Regular Session","oneSentenceSummary","Residents and nonprofit advocates urged the council to keep Locomotive 202 in Hagerstown and sought restoration quotes; other public commenters raised concerns about retail sales of drug paraphernalia and a proposed license-plate reader partnership.","taxTitle","Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland","taxId",4678,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6224625,"Council adopts amendments to land-management code limiting locations for cannabis enterprises",50,647000,697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3549917-326e357655b8fe28cf365ce0fdb6ecd4&start=647&end=697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3549917-326e357655b8fe28cf365ce0fdb6ecd4/thumbnail_647000.jpg","/articles/6224625/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Council-adopts-amendments-to-land-management-code-limiting-locations-for-cannabis-enterprises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224625-a5d0d9d01a167a3b341e32ef76e9a526/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214866&Signature=Z5oPP~pxKbLamVTqWNlx2xmZlmkZgQd5ZjicAvQy6inglraLSPJUFxD8qNpP8JCMX2wd4or3E52sQcrjvIjH6fRpB7lPMg3C7ogGM0b26EjO3-PnELtEHYWhd11xqsSVONRDkYKIrvHI7v48aOIniS~59ualSRjTfRAMuN6V4Jso0QaHugpgo4HDLSf625chca~O9ZtIRx8uZQnI89J4~xbtD0XsdaP~ptbJ1juOFirHa7W2d9hhGx1nZMQpnJYSE14-rjMXuB35I4hJo9kz0dHKzmqPsgkfDiUTDkKdO6bEsvvkXZRbM5MuZq9HwHB9olrZTfybKRY0U0Utg8UIwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council on May 27 approved amendments to the City Code, Chapter 140 (Land Management Code), to add or revise definitions and permitted/special-exception uses related to cannabis enterprises.

A council member introduced the ordinance and noted the council’s action responds to conflicts between federal and state law; the motion’s stated purpose was to limit locations where cannabis businesses can locate in the city to protect residents’ health, safety and welfare. The amendments implement text changes identified as case ZTDash2024Dash04 and were incorporated into the Land Management Code as version 3.12.

The motion to approve the ordinance was seconded and the council voted in favor. The ordinance was adopted as presented; no detailed implementation schedule or effective date beyond standard ordinance adoption procedures was provided during the meeting.

Staff noted the amendments reflect state-mandated direction on land-use regulation for cannabis enterprises and will adjust allowable commercial and outdoor recreation uses in relevant zoning districts.","Hagerstown’s council voted May 27 to amend Chapter 140 of the city code to add or revise definitions and zoning provisions related to cannabis enterprises, citing a need to limit dispensary locations in the city.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6224630,"Council approves license for Hager 5 LLC near Cultural Trail amid fencing and access concerns",527,1157000,1684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3549917-326e357655b8fe28cf365ce0fdb6ecd4&start=1157&end=1684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3549917-326e357655b8fe28cf365ce0fdb6ecd4/thumbnail_1157000.jpg","/articles/6224630/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Council-approves-license-for-Hager-5-LLC-near-Cultural-Trail-amid-fencing-and-access-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224630-dc546c6a202953dc13ed2abd3830cec2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214866&Signature=jOyFQ1OsN4GyYwR~~PyEQN4FN0-BSmLofo1FAa43N76y5yNve-BkbZIoRk01d8uq~m~Rk5~LRgzZdtjfe934Z502sPTquxDt1fgBVVXGwbX2SOTTL8g3bifx2~HIkOeUj2kLVh5Za1IcC04apDSv0zmH0GqL-qjMEBuRtCM~DS7TJxlhAYt-9nyDF9QtyCg2KpXxOdfKOdLQf9yR8VgNxe64F3RrBmz7qctMVtQxib3L7iVY17VWgTNcAjMYB2X7Hg1uEJi6DuxA9L6g75iNLAa6bkzTVdoMO1LoWVBVr2xHcWKx0fV43LkFX8el~t2ojcTzpApfQRjXZPLFbwdXEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council on May 27 approved a license agreement permitting Hager 5 LLC to occupy city‑owned land adjacent to the Hagerstown Cultural Trail for improvements at the Antietam Paper Building, 37 West Antietam Street. The agreement allows the company to construct a deck, steps and patio adjacent to the trail but states the improvements may not obstruct the trail itself.

Council members asked for details about the extent of the license area and whether fences or other barriers might reduce the trail’s openness. A council member asked whether the license allows fencing along the entire length or only in a small, defined area; city staff responded that the applicant had not submitted detailed plans and that the license limits use to the space between the building and the cultural trail. The staff presentation also noted the city engineer must approve the design.

One councilmember expressed concern that earlier visions for a wide, promenade‑style trail near the stadium had given way to a narrower sidewalk in current plans and worried that incremental improvements could “marginalize” the Cultural Trail’s intended openness. Staff replied the license agreement includes a condition restricting the licensee’s use to the city parcel shown in the drawing and that the license does not allow improvements to occupy the painted trail area.

The council moved and passed the license agreement. The motion approves the license terms as presented; staff indicated the license will include language that limits use to the city property shown on the drawing and that city staff (including the city engineer) must approve final designs.","The council approved a license agreement allowing Hager 5 LLC to build a deck, steps and patio adjacent to the Hagerstown Cultural Trail at the Antietam Paper Building; council members pressed staff about whether improvements might obstruct the trail and about approvals required of the city engineer.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6224635,"Hagerstown ordinance to ban outdoor lodging fails to advance after 2–2 split",116,884000,1000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3549917-326e357655b8fe28cf365ce0fdb6ecd4&start=884&end=1000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3549917-326e357655b8fe28cf365ce0fdb6ecd4/thumbnail_884000.jpg","/articles/6224635/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Hagerstown-ordinance-to-ban-outdoor-lodging-fails-to-advance-after-22-split","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224635-8b559df710998bd64a92caaa8f302e21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214866&Signature=NsCssD0FJqtIrfjVVbiaeH-BmO53DXkmB6STBmPjDBlrV6WRbB1ET0gAPic-qioEh1X~zs0PfxIRI8-Ib37l8kgCEfsX9UefrUcXA8KS9-eR~iNwWv0HzYFHEpdXxWNBoTGJbeo0XepsexYUf9yzjcDpEPAbcbXHzNsg5B-w0FvZbU2ZaSzE3W~VtfTxznlAGers7U9q5-zabolHwjOJglOeCjT~J0T1qM6AfzgR8uJPoV3aA0NUYJTPF85Q53Edo~fKomRHRm9C6kSsXzHXKS8mbpFX3ps0jWqKkwb62DDRKC0Sik0QvcLHHCO7qsktwolG4LyiMYcqoK8L7WaL2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council considered an ordinance on May 27 to prohibit lodging outdoors in the city, including sleeping in vehicles on public property, but the measure did not advance after council members split their votes 2–2.

The proposed ordinance would have added chapter 170-332 to the city code making it unlawful to “sleep and or lodge out of doors in any public place within the city limits of Hagerstown, Maryland.” The proposal included a six-month sunset provision that would end the ordinance unless the mayor and council renewed it.

A council member noted the city already has enforcement tools available to the Hagerstown Police Department and described the proposed ordinance as “redundant” of existing enforcement options. Votes recorded in the meeting identified Councilman O’Shire voting yes and Councilwoman Bell voting no; two other votes split the body evenly. The council observed that the mayor does not cast a deciding vote on ordinances when the council vote ties, so the measure could not move forward without an additional affirmative vote.

Because the ordinance was only introduced and did not receive the required majority to proceed, no ordinance was adopted and no enforcement change took effect. The transcript indicates the council discussed the scope of the ordinance (including vehicles) and the sunset provision but did not adopt the measure.","Council introduced an ordinance that would prohibit sleeping outdoors in public places, including in vehicles, but the measure did not progress after a 2–2 vote and requires three affirmative votes to advance as an ordinance.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":102,"_46":115,"_48":116,"_50":117,"_52":118,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":119,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":120,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6224640,"Hagerstown adopts $222.99 million budget and keeps tax rate unchanged for FY26",30,854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3549917-326e357655b8fe28cf365ce0fdb6ecd4&start=854&end=884","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3549917-326e357655b8fe28cf365ce0fdb6ecd4/thumbnail_854000.jpg","/articles/6224640/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Hagerstown-adopts-22299-million-budget-and-keeps-tax-rate-unchanged-for-FY26","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224640-8f7ec2264220c4311bdaa6bcfd154b9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214866&Signature=P2mW1m4HKtGtSPlcQSMhZ9M8X5cO6uIpf7R-yxJq71ZybQqTXgqXV3YGxfVzmC3cgoyztPct14iK5oIe2xOZwnMLtUqBQMoJg1bwb73ohtnyzzo0HD5w4308-Cz7I6NT98HzxmBbZZ1xpj-s9ObUxIgVtgbssEhtjEIseahSB3-Jd7PZfoD7t9gVnN3Y7z3T9l5IXrHBWJwAL4p9vp1vI5CJz~RGjlo~6JxWHosHIY9St9Vh2Zv0AHP3vKuwmvE1~xC4WlZnQzYOus4ta4dkpH0rN0XZ17z7x7eJdUAKtbtFnJEPIgJkPUu0rpwX0uM05dQyLRo321Ou55QL40784w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hagerstown Mayor and City Council adopted the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget on May 27, approving a $222,997,300 spending plan and tax rates that will take effect July 1, 2025. The council also set the real property tax rate at $1.057 per $100 of assessed value and the business personal property rate at $2.643 per $100.

The vote lets the city continue services and avoid a potential shutdown as the new fiscal year begins. Acting City Administrator (name not provided) opened remarks on the agenda by thanking staff and highlighting continuity of services following the council’s vote.

Councilmembers said the budget was the product of months of review and compromise. Councilwoman Burnett said the proposal “began months ago with extensive review and input from many individuals, including our city directors” and noted the council made “necessary adjustments” while preserving public amenities and staffing levels. Burnett also told residents the tax rate has not changed in six years.

The council preserved funding for community amenities named in the meeting — the pool, golf course, ice rink and the train museum — kept public safety funding intact and chose not to implement a hiring freeze or cut staff positions. The council also reduced funding for the Invest Hagerstown program; the exact reduction was not specified during the meeting.

The budget includes a mix of general fund sources and capital funds across departments. During the meeting the council approved a number of related financial items on the consent agenda, including FY25 transfers to finalize costs for the Hagerstown Fieldhouse (reallocating $168,300 in highway-user revenue and $247,040 from additional general fund revenue) and other grants and procurement authorizations.

The budget ordinance was moved and seconded on the record and the motion passed. With adoption, department spending authority and the tax rates become effective July 1, 2025, for the 2025–26 fiscal year.","The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council on May 27 adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget of $222,997,300 and set tax rates for real and business personal property, enabling city operations to continue without interruption.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge city to preserve Locomotive 202 and raise public-safety concerns during public comment

Council adopts amendments to land-management code limiting locations for cannabis enterprises

Council approves license for Hager 5 LLC near Cultural Trail amid fencing and access concerns

Hagerstown ordinance to ban outdoor lodging fails to advance after 2–2 split

Hagerstown adopts $222.99 million budget and keeps tax rate unchanged for FY26