[{"_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",6324419,"mediaKeyId","2338267-7098546f76b604da66c4ff37d4c0eb57","parentId",2338267,"title","City outlines $1.5 million police pay enhancements in tentative AFSCME contract; formal signing to come","audioSeconds",176,"startMs",2870000,"endMs",3046000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338267-7098546f76b604da66c4ff37d4c0eb57&start=2870&end=3046","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338267-7098546f76b604da66c4ff37d4c0eb57/thumbnail_2870000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6324419/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/City-outlines-15-million-police-pay-enhancements-in-tentative-AFSCME-contract-formal-signing-to-come","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324419-1104f5a44a2642155b8c78476d9bc6b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424518&Signature=CvKJ6WI1nRHV-dMTYqai~Ot7ggFvGGTvhChG47fq8OiYY-UUlPycSyAZwUJHztCMbZDCRH4~fGt6m6sLiblHByPydkKnf1RVGtT003b~trZOLkw6jg0fDQkB4TR2Lj9~gC1LB6PwCsUVNUvVY7962-Nk~yjiUWnmayo12-RA7Qwl-Vr585f78K4jGuyY-8DOMeOajDQC-MrFUIA-qOL8VKnNGodYYmVQUH4TGJpeX3riY8SGWqljbYv03Uf5RJyM5zR8G5vCwroBONDJ3pxMb9Vd87xp5CrNHYsB7yyJx6aUQi0keuhE5eP5WVBjzLqbtBo4vjYDitpF7OzVayrd-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hagerstown, MD","date","2025-02-12T10:38:25Z","article","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — City staff reported a tentative agreement with the police union AFSCME Local 3373 at the Feb. 11 work session that would raise pay scales, allow limited increases in employee healthcare premiums, offer recruiting and lateral-pay enhancements and impose a cap on sick-to-vacation payout for future hires.

Donald Francis presented the agreement and described its fiscal impact. He said the fiscal-year 2026 pay enhancements for sworn officers will cost the general fund “a little less than $1,500,000” and cover roughly 100 sworn officers. About $556,000 of that amount relates directly to nine additional officers the mayor and council approved late last year. Francis said the agreement would limit the amount eligible for conversion from sick leave to vacation payout at retirement to $12,000 for employees hired after July 1, 2025; employees currently in the system would still be paid the full amounts already earned but would be ineligible for conversions once the $12,000 threshold is exceeded.

Why it matters: The contract represents a sizable municipal investment in police compensation intended to boost recruitment and retention. Francis said starting pay will have increased substantially between fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2028 under the city’s pay changes; he noted “between FY21 and the end of this contract … starting pay will have increased 62 and a half percent.”

Next steps: Francis answered council questions and said he would return at a formal session for final presentation and signing of the contract. The work session did not include a formal approval or signature; councilmembers expressed support for market-competitive pay to retain officers.

Ending: The tentative agreement will be presented at a future regular session for final council action and signature; until then it remains an administratively negotiated tentative agreement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 11, 2025 | Mayor & Council Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented a tentative agreement with AFSCME Local 3373 covering pay-scale increases, a possible switch to biweekly payroll, healthcare premium adjustments, and a limit on sick-to-vacation payout for new hires; the mayor and council will consider final approval and signing at a later regular session.","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},6324425,"Resident seeks council approval for Hagerstown–Hagerstown, Ind. sister-city flag design",727,1000000,1727000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338267-7098546f76b604da66c4ff37d4c0eb57&start=1000&end=1727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338267-7098546f76b604da66c4ff37d4c0eb57/thumbnail_1000000.jpg","/articles/6324425/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Resident-seeks-council-approval-for-HagerstownHagerstown-Ind-sister-city-flag-design","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324425-69df61e3d004ab1c744d9d3d0124ee7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424518&Signature=hc~XaquKAz3oklo7xKVrVLVO2ReUMcwjXaL44WKyh3Ev6q~QZXjMmAFoXaz8BMFNpGZnGbB~xc2SZ7nt1WO0xLit4Leqbo8eF7Y3h1Xk626179XKZRNGBh5nce6EWFirVQ-hbVvtRK3VJ2wuqIhXGp3AVKYOCEPrlDyMM52ePT7MN4cVZWus8zrfMBQsV4FKh8-O5fAXxBfss8HflmjRIZS3MW4bt7Af6ub5HC0p-x8CJh03cE2q1O6vjZD23MGdl1n7y7a7ipj1JDe2hgQ9wEw2~b2FQYmBHtQTpzLCKElzR2J0tVTdCmUuXCyeRjrxtJ~26FFpitXritgQvn82eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Michael Keeper told the Mayor and Council on Feb. 11 that he wants the city to adopt a sister-city flag to represent Hagerstown’s formal relationship with Hagerstown, Indiana, and asked the council to place an adoption vote on a forthcoming regular-session agenda.

Keeper said the sister-city link began in February 2013. He described a student-led design process with Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and said he selected a winning design by student Brielle Thayer; Keeper said he plans to award the student $100. He asked the council to include the design in the agenda for a regular-session vote at the end of the month and said he will hold off on producing commercial flags until the council takes formal action.

Why it matters: Sister-city flags are ceremonial symbols intended to recognize civic ties and support cultural and educational exchanges. Keeper suggested the flag could anchor exchanges such as student collaborations, scholarships and visits between the two communities.

Council reaction and next steps: Several councilmembers expressed support for the idea and suggested a formal vote at a regular session. Keeper said he plans to travel to the Indiana sister city in late May and invited council members to join.

Ending: No formal council vote was taken at the work session; Keeper asked the council to include the design on a regular-session agenda for formal action.","Michael Keeper presented a student-designed flag to represent the sister-city relationship between Hagerstown, Maryland, and Hagerstown, Indiana, and asked the council to consider adopting the design at a regular session.",{"_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},6324429,"Council weighs banning fishing at Pangborn Pond after repeated wildlife incidents",912,1876000,2788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338267-7098546f76b604da66c4ff37d4c0eb57&start=1876&end=2788","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338267-7098546f76b604da66c4ff37d4c0eb57/thumbnail_1876000.jpg","/articles/6324429/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Council-weighs-banning-fishing-at-Pangborn-Pond-after-repeated-wildlife-incidents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324429-eee52d0741305305254b7f4a9c9e4f7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424518&Signature=isVPdHPvUYdsAVNUxVOZPb8yt9wlj8pNVxv4fQvTbD1kXTMT8TPK4YK-kTNWLd0wyNrHax2oBQD5GKbRua0ASBE59YTw2GindjA~jhc9hFklhmTNX0-iILgUtcVFssqGK1sZgSXglNNjAgCtUD-XkvC~C1aExqNRPwlsYDRnbhJKOe8awVlb-Dadh1b~uRdO66Ir7-r~-diYIcBYbFUuKT8MKHvwL2mxNxrmUXRQBeLCJHam74TEvuzKF98zhzQltzrAOurh8yKvsYk9IULDUITnfe54B1Au2GE3EwgT7Ux~N0GXqQxoI~32KSBQ3BUfE32GYrYVrwdeOXPzV~VL1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Hagerstown public-works staff urged the Mayor and Council on Feb. 11 to consider ending routine fishing at Pangborn Pond, saying enforcement has not stopped repeated incidents of fishing line entangling geese and that the site’s accessibility makes persistent violations difficult to prevent.

Eric Dyke, director of public works, told the council Pangborn Pond is one of two city locations open for fishing and is uniquely accessible with a walking path; Kiwanis Park and other waters are harder for residents to reach. Dyke said the Maryland Department of Natural Resources stocks the pond — “they stock about 1,200 fish or more every year,” he said — and that the city has received letters of support for keeping managed fishing from groups including the Antietam Fly Anglers and a Big Hunting Creek working group. Still, Dyke said staff recorded “2 or 3” incidents in the past year of wildlife harmed by fishing line.

Why it matters: Pangborn Pond is used for youth events and is designated to allow fishing by young people, seniors and people with mobility limitations. Councilmembers said they do not want to lose community events that depend on the pond, but they also raised concerns about recurring irresponsible behavior and the welfare of waterfowl.

Council deliberations and proposed approach: Several councilmembers said enforcement resources are limited and that repeat violators have undermined previous efforts such as signage, periodic cleanup and trimming vegetation. Some members favored restricting fishing to supervised, event-specific stocking and rodeos rather than allowing open, unsupervised fishing year-round. At the work session a council member summarized city staff’s recommendation and indicated the council should move to end general fishing at the pond, while allowing event-specific fishing under city supervision; the council directed that the matter be placed for a formal vote at the next regular session and that, if a ban is approved, staff must post notice and coordinate stopping stocking in advance of the season.

Ending: No final ban was enacted at the work session; councilmembers asked staff to bring a formal ordinance or motion to a regular session for a recorded vote and public notice if the council chooses to proceed.","City staff and councilmembers debated whether to ban general fishing at Pangborn Pond following repeated incidents of fishing line entangling geese and ongoing enforcement challenges; the council signaled support for limiting fishing to monitored events and plans a formal vote at a regular session.",{"_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},6324434,"Nonprofit asks Hagerstown to add field lighting at Wheaton Park; council asks staff to return with plan",687,286000,973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338267-7098546f76b604da66c4ff37d4c0eb57&start=286&end=973","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338267-7098546f76b604da66c4ff37d4c0eb57/thumbnail_286000.jpg","/articles/6324434/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Nonprofit-asks-Hagerstown-to-add-field-lighting-at-Wheaton-Park-council-asks-staff-to-return-with-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324434-1cdf1db9117bae2a3d16b62e024c37c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424518&Signature=gSEWFYuAqO9Lbl7kSNe8afjme6FOxrRIbL5jhVTyqcwSkpAiKHeqEn~98Lz8L7og1TBgAWHhQY6sNSF9Yb1LIvdnlUraZfXYT0YI2QHr19EkK~6qIb4Z6uEUgU4Jfo5gexuaPNjCJxXRTVVbOGCBqHpHgrwvQp4KgMOIZGjFbBApLKD4YFxkNA35-pdY7fTo69ndqGE7ksXfYCAu7jJZzyJSmoDC9dcAzJwjSZ4Rq21vd4VMS9OKL6h~lnohlPdJk71mDGh-jBZT8jfErG-x4PUWlETENVfdviLDODDCLRZ-37-lZjmo5bP5stF5jnzxjuQK4lRcAMIZ4N8hUORmnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Scott Myers, a local representative of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, asked the Hagerstown Mayor and Council on Feb. 11 to approve installation of field lighting at Wheaton Park to extend evening practice time for youth football and to help start girls’ flag and high-school-age teams.

Myers said the nonprofit has operated a youth sports program at Wheaton Park since 2019 and has raised local funds to support year-round activities. “We began working with the youth in this area,” Myers told the council. He asked the city to approve lights for the field, assist with engineering review so the wiring and poles work with other planned park improvements, and consider any available city funds to help pay for installation. Myers said he has an estimated budget from a vendor and is prepared to fundraise if necessary.

Why it matters: Lighting would lengthen practice and game hours in the fall when daylight is limited, potentially allowing the nonprofit to add girls flag teams and high-school 7-on-7 squads. Councilmembers noted the park already has court lights and an active, funded Wheaton Park project that includes a bandstand and playground equipment; they asked staff to ensure new poles and fixtures would not conflict with the existing plan.

Council concerns and next steps: Councilwoman Bell and Councilwoman Burnett both said they support better lighting but want details on hours and neighbor impacts. One council member raised the risk of light spilling into adjacent homes; Myers said he had a vendor review pole height and directional fixtures to reduce spillover. Eric Dyke, director of public works, told the council staff had met Myers on site and that installing poles is “doable” and could be coordinated with the park improvements. The council asked staff to return to the next regular session with an update and engineering recommendations.

Ending: The council did not vote on funding at the work session; members directed staff to evaluate engineering compatibility, glare mitigation, and hours-of-operation limits before a formal funding decision.","The Fellowship of Christian Athletes requested lights and engineering support for Wheaton Park to extend youth football practice hours. Councilmembers expressed support but asked staff to check compatibility with an ongoing park improvement project and to study potential light spill to nearby homes.",{"_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},6324439,"Mayor and Council approve police training tuition, license-plate readers and multiagency forensic MOU",149,88000,237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338267-7098546f76b604da66c4ff37d4c0eb57&start=88&end=237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338267-7098546f76b604da66c4ff37d4c0eb57/thumbnail_88000.jpg","/articles/6324439/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Mayor-and-Council-approve-police-training-tuition-license-plate-readers-and-multiagency-forensic-MOU","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324439-648864ce666851594006a553aae69364/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424518&Signature=OaOb2EBeje-N5FfvJLHYCu7iPbZp6wS3Crexsgp7rAc8w2C6h5QnFaB9mow-aoT4JmtM8JNhoD2h8-gEYO4FNGhseeF-p60bEFitVvthfB5RN-dSTC7FTHTVMt24Asgz3t22JmLGE7pVF6vaEufmCWJB9Q8sBUo9nvCCKRFFPK-iWntM1Lk8W-0PToFiUct0G9Q71ZfK553yLK4eb9iSf9ufbuT7gNb88vWLavMCxH5idboIMHGX7MkjO~wbTpjxj0QD35ia1aasR2nPLgokt8WtxtOzV0-B0B3qH9K98SMxAx0kWRPjgoYfg3pD8Jy7iKhc4~IzsLld83Y-jpQrBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Hagerstown Mayor and Council at a Feb. 11 work session approved three police-related items: payment of 19 cadets’ tuition to the Washington County Police Academy, the purchase of Flock Safety license-plate reader (LPR) cameras and a memorandum of understanding to join a multiagency forensic response team.

The motions were introduced and approved by voice vote during the session; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the work-session transcript. The council closed a brief special session that opened at the start of the meeting before considering the police items.

Why it matters: The purchases and interagency agreement expand Hagerstown’s public-safety capacity by funding training, adding automated camera tools, and formalizing cooperation with regional partners on victim services and forensic response. The LPR purchase will be paid from the Prime Camera Capital Improvement Program (CIP); the cadet tuition will come from the Hagerstown Police Department operating budget.

Details and background: A council member moved approval of tuition to send 19 cadets to Washington County Police Academy No. 10; the motion was seconded and approved. A separate motion to buy the Flock Safety platform LPRs said the units “will be added to and complement the existing equipment” and that Prime Camera CIP funds would be used. Later in the session the council approved a memorandum of understanding to participate with multiple Washington County agencies, including the Washington County Narcotics Task Force, in a forensic response team. The MOU term listed in the packet begins Oct. 1, 2024, and continues through Sept. 30, 2029.

No additional conditions, funding offsets or roll-call vote data were provided in the work-session record. The agenda items will proceed to the appropriate final-session or implementation steps as required by city policy.

Ending: The work session moved on after the motions; council staff will carry forward any administrative steps needed to process the purchases and to finalize the MOU in line with the listed term dates.","At a Feb. 11 work session the Hagerstown Mayor and Council voted to fund tuition for 19 cadets at the Washington County Police Academy, approved purchase of Flock Safety license-plate reader cameras and authorized a memorandum of understanding with a Washington County forensic response team.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City outlines $1.5 million police pay enhancements in tentative AFSCME contract; formal signing to come

Resident seeks council approval for Hagerstown–Hagerstown, Ind. sister-city flag design

Council weighs banning fishing at Pangborn Pond after repeated wildlife incidents

Nonprofit asks Hagerstown to add field lighting at Wheaton Park; council asks staff to return with plan

Mayor and Council approve police training tuition, license-plate readers and multiagency forensic MOU