[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6311231,"mediaKeyId","2396452-765b00ee8799bf0a2215c1f7d1896c14","parentId",2396452,"title","Citizens press council to preserve Locomotive 202; advocates offer volunteer group and events","audioSeconds",2837,"startMs",3386000,"endMs",6223000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2396452-765b00ee8799bf0a2215c1f7d1896c14&start=3386&end=6223","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2396452-765b00ee8799bf0a2215c1f7d1896c14/thumbnail_3386000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6311231/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Citizens-press-council-to-preserve-Locomotive-202-advocates-offer-volunteer-group-and-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311231-37d70261b27f22e88073328fa2c6dfe3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189669&Signature=ow8FvJqp~rL6W0-yTBLdQ5RvPjih4m0C-XFtRgk-pdnt8JAm0jRVSDTomt4zmFqSSE0poafQaShCr-HPRhKgsL0KZ0HfhSkNKAvi3gdDR1~rtQJQcUFzOygsNKLlAgBY-x5X9sIBrm3aiGN6g7lDU1lUbyRXR5bmZIkRoGKdlkrB3xtx-87VJ3n1GDCujqjR0lAPhK7sA1VzE0x2c9gVzMuX08GM~hgXT88DDT2ckKlJN4bzNjRxVM8A6vI2O7R8evYvnAt6~K2qPmjPU3zk9nEEwPWYdt6rJb1TAlW1RYxDwjUF4lZ0nA4wpbY51gBDhIMxSxBTz0oym7JroYENmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hagerstown, MD","date","2025-02-26T02:10:10Z","article","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Multiple residents urged the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council on Feb. 25 to preserve and restore Locomotive 202, and members of a citizen group said they have formed an incorporated chapter of the National Railway Historical Society to support restoration, fundraising and public events.

Karen Dunn Swafford and other speakers described a volunteer effort, Hub City Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, that the group has begun to incorporate and said they already have donations and an approved Easter‑bunny community event planned at the locomotive site. “The fate of Locomotive 202, however, is in the hands of five people in this room,” Swafford said, and she urged the council to act.

Speakers presented past engineering estimates and a history of bid activity. Swafford said architecture plans from 2020 estimated a restoration cost of about $300,000 and a pavilion replacement cost of about $500,000 — a combined $800,000 — but that a later local bid arrived at approximately $3.3 million when solicited. She asked the city to pursue additional bids and not let the project lapse after what she called a five‑year pause.

Richard Roach, who said he and fellow volunteers have raised funds and organized events, said the group had more than $8,000 in donations or pledges and that the organization is prepared to host community activities at the site. “We believe we have a partnership,” Roach said, “we intend to move forward.”

James McGarity and other residents urged expedience because he said a state grant related to the locomotive expires Aug. 1 and that restoration work requires upfront payment for contractors with subsequent state reimbursement.

Council members thanked speakers for their professional approach and said they were willing to consider proposals. Council members noted staff and outside parties have been engaged in parallel conversations; the council did not take action on ownership or transfer at the meeting, but members encouraged the volunteer group to continue providing proposals, fundraising commitments and operational plans.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 25, 2025 | Mayor & Council Regular Session","oneSentenceSummary","Speakers urged the Mayor and City Council to pursue restoration and long‑term preservation of steam Locomotive 202 and presented a citizen organization offering volunteer support, fundraising pledges and a calendar of events.","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},6311237,"Hagerstown council approves contracts, grants and ordinances; tables Pangborn fishing ban",4699,542000,5241000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2396452-765b00ee8799bf0a2215c1f7d1896c14&start=542&end=5241","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2396452-765b00ee8799bf0a2215c1f7d1896c14/thumbnail_542000.jpg","/articles/6311237/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Hagerstown-council-approves-contracts-grants-and-ordinances-tables-Pangborn-fishing-ban","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311237-596e50f404b7e0a0d5d963e458d288fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189669&Signature=exjZJDkdS5whRLbeHqDCf9G35E0~3mHQ4Pmw5XyLFlLjRq9Mkiq7NcBpG6UF9thDKzBYq3nVPnZRu1R02Ijf1nNWE7SbK6~YKSaxcdsBP~rl~xQGZ5x9sNwpMGFeOd1Doa6BR0ABXpCbymoVcnZaF3M1xYxzBVPBkZKIb7KLkHXOeUSvOIXWZnBMAr3jGLS0ekRi9CWRQH-vwdwYwe4fWjvIoANS1TUsgmN43qoVGS-X7Dk6z6-TfQHfhTgwSWIawWhukIpHI2r01nfXkxl07MpAaJdebi-QKC0kYov5LKbsY72rOMC13RMXwWRLd-uDFjX-zOv5DhDl0a~VvM~uuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council approved a series of consent items, contract awards, grant acceptances and introductory ordinances during its Feb. 25 regular meeting, including a labor contract, strategic plan and multiple street‑acceptance resolutions. Council members also tabled a separate motion to ban fishing at Pangborn Park after extensive public comment (see separate coverage).

Key actions approved by the council (motions seconded and passed unless noted):

- Appointments: Larry Baer and Hope Klein were appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals; terms will expire Aug. 27, 2027 (Baer) and Feb. 25, 2028 (Klein).

- Minutes and consent agenda: The council approved minutes for prior meetings and adopted the consent agenda as presented.

- Introductions (ordinance first reading): The council introduced an ordinance to repeal and reenact Chapter 140 (Land Management Code) as version 3.12; introduced an ordinance to amend Chapter 64 (Building Construction) Article 3 to codify property‑maintenance standards including unused/abandoned pools; and introduced an ordinance to repeal and reenact Chapter 2-24 (Tax Sale Property Repurpose Program) with clarifying amendments to nonprofit definitions, withholding properties from tax sale and related end‑user eligibility rules. All three introductions were seconded and the motions to introduce passed.

- Resolutions and acceptances: The council approved resolutions to accept a perpetual drainage easement adjacent to Paul Smith Boulevard; accept portions of Paul Smith Boulevard and Edgewood Drive and the entirety of Lois Harrison Boulevard into the city street system (effective immediately); and accept Pelican Street (Burrhontas Village development) into the city street system (effective immediately).

- Contracts and procurements: The council authorized a contract with UP Development Planning LLC (dba Urban Partners) for a 10‑year downtown plan implementation strategy ($196,264); renewed the citywide mowing contract for 2025 ($290,492.16); authorized BFI Waste Services LLC dba Republic Services of Hagerstown as dumpster service contractor ($85,500); and approved other routine procurement items listed on the consent agenda.

- Grants and donations: The council accepted a Coverdell grant totaling $44,000 to purchase equipment for the Western Maryland Regional Crime Lab; accepted an Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant totaling $29,200 to purchase license‑plate‑reader software and overtime for community resource officers; and approved a $5,000 donation to the police auxiliary unit from HPD’s operating budget.

- Labor and planning: The council approved the AFSCME Local 0373 labor contract effective July 7, 2025–June 30, 2028; and approved the Mayor and City Council Strategic Plan for 2024–2028.

- Ceremonial and community items: The council approved a ceremonial sister‑city flag design by a local arts student and recognized multiple community organizations and volunteers in proclamations.

Several items were discussed briefly by council members during the consent and deliberation periods, including an $86,000 change order for the Hub City parking deck project (staff said it is covered by project contingency) and the timing of further consideration of Pangborn Park. Where the transcript recorded no roll‑call tally, the record shows the motions were seconded and the mayor called for general assent, recorded as “Aye” and “Motion passes.”

","At its Feb. 25 regular session the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council approved multiple consent items, contracts and grant awards, introduced three code ordinances and approved personnel and procurement actions; a proposed ban on fishing at Pangborn Park was tabled for later consideration.",{"_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},6311243,"Hagerstown council tables proposal to ban fishing at Pangborn Park after hours of public comment",2884,2458000,5342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2396452-765b00ee8799bf0a2215c1f7d1896c14&start=2458&end=5342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2396452-765b00ee8799bf0a2215c1f7d1896c14/thumbnail_2458000.jpg","/articles/6311243/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Hagerstown-council-tables-proposal-to-ban-fishing-at-Pangborn-Park-after-hours-of-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311243-6bac37579205621c016e01b2560bb3f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189669&Signature=i6vTIlBLXIR2sw~kF0gTAf4xcxQyJwVgo805Dj9kQYNCj9RKJreBRJ6ZXBhwnpXyQySPe0iQUJ9KkBDC25UDzHVz8JIqFQn5qMrWdkibJaJPrACmVPMyh~4S-GCHtrnfJvp4JN~jS4090jYRBXGTKyxTkKeRAF7CR1E7XkLlx3ViP~jGIyvjFfweZIggILR4zDEVTAvjYUKMI12cEsWJ1nJVlTy2lmycSF6eRbFvfVjJ6-JWpjZQPKVjJPid3iXYJfG161vlM6InVQUDGyFFByKg9cCI6kVwKwVDhp9xhV80z8ke1BGB5ESD561hrsFwy0Ji5puveqCqJDOYtm5GrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council on Feb. 25 moved to table a proposed immediate ban on fishing at Pangborn Park after more than an hour of public comment from local anglers, residents and a woman who documented an injured goose she said was entangled in fishing line.

Supporters of keeping the pond open said it is a low‑risk, accessible place for children, older residents and people with disabilities to learn fishing, while opponents said persistent littered line and abandoned tackle have harmed wildlife and public safety and argued for limiting fishing to supervised events.

The debate opened during the public‑comment period when Bill Ruling, representing the Antietam Fly Anglers, said the pond is “a perfect place for parents to take their children fishing for the first time,” and urged the council to prioritize education and proper disposal of fishing line rather than a ban. Jim Klein, founder of the Antietam Bassmasters, described two decades of youth fishing programs that he said draw families to the park and provide equipment and instruction.

Several longtime anglers said closing Pangborn would disproportionately affect older residents and those who can walk to the park. “To stop the fishing out there is gonna hurt all of us older people and the younger people that are just looking,” said Wayne Smith, who told the council he has fished the pond for nine years.

Renee Bergen, who urged the council to limit fishing to special, supervised events, described finding discarded hooks, knives and line and recounted rescuing an injured goose in July 2023. “It took four months of myself and my friend Amy and our constant commitment to catch him and assure that he received the much needed treatment and rehabilitation,” Bergen said, and added that she purchased a $350 net gun after she said she received no assistance from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources or Natural Resources Police.

Council discussion reflected competing priorities. A council member who introduced a motion to ban fishing immediately said staff and council had implemented several measures but that the problem continued and enforcement was difficult, especially in evening hours. Another council member said she did not favor bans generally and urged finding a compromise that would protect wildlife while preserving recreational access.

Rather than vote on a ban, the council voted to table the motion and asked that the item be returned for further discussion. The council indicated it wanted the matter addressed before the pond’s next stocking window and discussed scheduling further deliberation in March or April. The motion to table passed; the council did not take up a final ban at the meeting.

The city clerk recorded multiple emailed comments for the record, including letters from the Maryland DNR Freshwater Fisheries Program manager, the Big Hunting Creek Working Group coordinator, the presidents of local angling groups and several residents supporting either side of the issue. Council members said they had read the emails. The council did not adopt an enforcement penalty at the meeting beyond the existing statement that prohibited activity could be cited if observed by staff or DNR.

Next steps: Council members directed staff to return with additional information and options for limited or conditional use prior to the next scheduled stocking; no ordinance or code change was adopted at this meeting.

","After hours of public comment from anglers, residents and an injured-wildlife advocate, Hagerstown Mayor and City Council moved to table a proposal to ban fishing at Pangborn Park and asked staff to return with further options and discussion before the next stocking season.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Citizens press council to preserve Locomotive 202; advocates offer volunteer group and events

Hagerstown council approves contracts, grants and ordinances; tables Pangborn fishing ban

Hagerstown council tables proposal to ban fishing at Pangborn Park after hours of public comment