MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, November 18, 2002

CITY OF FREDERICK’S WATER SERVICE

COMMITTEE BEGINS MEETING THIS WEEK

Frederick, Md. --- Please be advised that the first meeting of the City of Frederick’s Water Service Committee will take place on Wednesday, November 20, at 1 p.m., in the Board Room, on the main floor of City Hall.

The Water Service Committee was created as a part of the City of Frederick’s recently adopted Water Allocation Ordinance. The purpose of the WSC is the review and approval of Exemptions to Water Allocation Ordinance outlined in Section 25-33.4, review and approval of Claims of Entitlement outlined in Section 25-33.5, review and approval of Water Service Contracts set forth in Section 25-33.12, review and approval of variances to Water Service Contracts as outlined in Section 25-33.16, and review and approval of Water Service Contract Expiration and Revocation set forth in Section 25-33.16 of Water Allocation Ordinance. To review the Water Allocation Ordinance log into the City’s website at www.cityoffrederick.com

Initial meetings of the WSC will focus on Exemptions to the Executive Order. Actual allocation cannot take place until the City finalizes its allocable supply from the Monocacy River and has received a permanent permit for Well #4. Well #4 is currently operating under an emergency permit from Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) that will expire on December 24th. The City is actively working with MDE to obtain a permanent permit.

Mayor Jennifer Dougherty commented on the importance of this provision in the Water Allocation Ordinance, “The Water Service Committee will make sure that the Water Allocation Ordinance is followed without political compromise ensuring that the City does not find itself again in the predicament of over allocation again.”

Committee members include; Paul Lee, Interim Departmental Manager of Engineering; Roger Twigg, Division Chief of Permits and Inspection; Chuck Boyd, Director of Planning; and Heather Price Smith, Chief Legal Officer.

The Water Service Committee has a tentative schedule set for the first and third Wednesday’s of each month. Meeting are open to the public, however, public comment will not be accepted.

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