[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6247690,"mediaKeyId","3212718-2b12b1da8c660cb61f98dc64fa7e0de4","parentId",3212718,"title","Hagerstown moves toward regulating vending machines on public sidewalks; council backs registration tied to businesses","audioSeconds",687,"startMs",4111000,"endMs",4798000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212718-2b12b1da8c660cb61f98dc64fa7e0de4&start=4111&end=4798","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212718-2b12b1da8c660cb61f98dc64fa7e0de4/thumbnail_4111000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6247690/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Hagerstown-moves-toward-regulating-vending-machines-on-public-sidewalks-council-backs-registration-tied-to-businesses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247690-b7729cc40fe3cc9e3160addae1c85cfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145200&Signature=kauiBTlhGW1di3zxpCCkFT5rYodzyYaZ2WEs5WYbtivAN~Neu-Hl2gyQwCLARophzCwYG~D3VUzsrYUPRCAVBSA37-9UbWhTH0Yx-ZPQXeKXX7KGXJDBlq1wki8vAkRnw2w7Xb1QxUPkyB5po-S8RSLNuEutS2gbPxuwGLsN0RebGaD4C73QZLbFBRQXvXzh5SzN5IamgOjIoY0n0bDWGuVvO0DJrpAWAzU8-HrtNqbEVCkn2Zy4pNNUeDnlqnlO8jj-y20LXtXyYbhkQpdZ8TCFGpNPfCK~a6giBxN-8fI10V9SqYZ-o~ub5RHISt1t22QpKo6o3I4XbyZavyuOtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hagerstown, MD","date","2025-05-07T16:25:54.33Z","article","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — City staff told the Mayor and City Council on May 6 that vending machines and similar structures are increasingly appearing on Hagerstown sidewalks and can narrow pedestrian clearance below Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recommendations.

Richard Paul, a city staff member who presented the item, described three options: a registration/licensing system for machines on public sidewalks; zoning‑ or code‑based restrictions (including outright prohibition in specific districts); or no change to current code. Paul said staff favors a program that requires registration, minimal documentation and location standards, and that staff would work with the city attorney on ordinance language for council consideration.

Why this matters: Sidewalk width, accessibility and safety are local regulatory responsibilities. Staff documented examples where machines between curbside poles and vending units left as little as 23 inches of clear pedestrian way — shorter than the 36 inches recommended for wheelchair passage and narrower than a short‑distance minimum.

The options and staff recommendation: Paul explained licensing already exists at state and other local levels for some vending activities: the Comptroller requires machine licensing for taxable sales; the Health Department has permitting authority over consumable goods; and the city’s business licensing (Circuit Court) covers taxable activity. The options presented were:

• Registration program: a city registration with a time period and minimal fees or a free registration, documenting state licenses and ensuring placement does not block sidewalks; set limits on number of machines per frontage and special rules in historic districts. Staff recommended this option.
• Zoning/code restrictions: amend property maintenance or the streets and sidewalks chapter to limit machines by zoning district or minimum sidewalk width, or prohibit them citywide.
• No change: leave code silent and address individual problems case‑by‑case.

Council discussion and direction: Councilmember Bell said a registration approach tied to a business frontage and a simple documentation requirement (proof of state licensing, nonobstructing placement) made sense. Several council members said the fee should be nominal or free, and that staff should focus on preventing machines from forcing pedestrians into the street.

Staff next steps: Staff said it will draft ordinance language with legal counsel, restricting sidewalk vending machines to locations that do not block pedestrian clearances, requiring registration and the submission of any relevant state licenses, and presenting proposed code amendments for a future work session.

Ending: Council provided general direction in favor of a registration approach with location standards; staff will return with proposed ordinance language and legal review.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 6, 2025 | Mayor & Council Meeting: Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — City staff told the Mayor and City Council on May 6 that vending machines and similar structures are increasingly appearing on Hagerstown sidewalks and can narrow pedestrian clearance below ADA recommendations, and staff recommended a registration system tied to business frontage.","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},6247695,"Hagerstown council confronts $6 million FY2026 gap, weighs 5.5‑cent tax increase as events and state law changes complicate balance",3951,89000,4040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212718-2b12b1da8c660cb61f98dc64fa7e0de4&start=89&end=4040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212718-2b12b1da8c660cb61f98dc64fa7e0de4/thumbnail_89000.jpg","/articles/6247695/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Hagerstown-council-confronts-6-million-FY2026-gap-weighs-55cent-tax-increase-as-events-and-state-law-changes-complicate-balance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247695-109a5777a0db17f9025adad287dac231/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145200&Signature=OQe1mrvr0ezPC~j14Uoc6ZS7CJPyJapiAGbBHYLwe3JExTjM4tmmFJOdGeA-~fyAVcchHBnY7b1RtLm1ktOVUeazV7i1GE3hyBPJvYrjC-HDo8Ag9kzoWKlXmSbVwk7CYsSYcWuBgU0EbtGCHFlkctM7G69eMm~ITJ~p5ECN0ir86rVrpNypulQQGcOJfgRG77WcF5I922JdoCAxpSD2YDeJ4IZXPSk0-dUIdVbYe7hM7cRvlOjB3Rj~WTmPpazWqctS6ZJX8SpBt7u92Eq1eQQm-W8u~Q7-7wYnlAUSoCe56FwkZ7wLFwTzoBz7c6oVy4eMneFCE15BjC2ier2Gmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — City staff and council members said at a May 6 work session that the proposed FY2026 general fund budget faces roughly a $6 million shortfall and that, absent additional growth or cuts, the gap would require a roughly 5.5‑cent property tax increase — an amount council members and staff estimated would add about $110 to the annual tax bill for the average homeowner.

The shortfall was driven by higher health insurance costs, wage and pension increases in public safety, and lower one‑time capital funding, officials said. Councilmember Alshar, who led the budget breakdown during the session, said “that means about $110 more on my taxes next year.”

Why this matters: The general fund covers most city operations, and officials said property tax revenue makes up a majority of general fund income. Council members said public safety, parks and events, and capital projects are central to the city’s service level and political priorities, forcing tradeoffs between recurring costs and one‑time spending.

City staff and councilors described the budget math and options. Councilmember Alshar outlined the major drivers: roughly $1.5 million added for rising employee health premiums; roughly $3.8 million in agreed base‑wage increases concentrated in police and fire; about a 14% increase in pension costs for police and fire; and a drop in the capital improvement program from about $30 million last year to roughly $14 million in the proposed FY2026 plan. He said the city planned to use about $4.1 million in one‑time sources this year (bond proceeds and fund balance) to moderate the tax rate impact.

“Roughly, we’re getting $2,000,000 in growth. We’re getting about $2,000,000 in changes and assessments. And so we’re short about $2,000,000 or about 1.7. If you take that 1.7, that’s about the 5 and a half cent tax increase,” Councilmember Alshar said, describing the council’s revenue options.

Events, Invest Hagerstown and parking funds: Staff and council discussed cutting discretionary line items to avoid a tax increase but repeatedly noted the limits of one‑time savings. The community events budget totals $361,400; staff said about $325,000 of hotel‑motel revenue and some grants currently help offset event costs. Brittany (staff present for community engagement) warned that eliminating events “will completely eliminate any momentum that has been built” for downtown programming and said many outside organizations rely on the city’s event sponsorships; she added that cancelling events would affect parks and recreation and downtown small businesses.

Invest Hagerstown — a homeownership and economic investment program that council members noted is a roughly $1 million line item — was discussed as a potential temporary reduction, but members cautioned that pausing investments could enlarge next year’s deficit and erode program momentum. Councilmember Alshar said freezing Invest Hagerstown for a year would save about 2.5 cents but increase the structural gap in the following year.

The parking fund was another point of concern: staff projected about a $650,000 operating shortfall next year. The fund currently holds about $1 million in reserves that staff said could be used for one or two years but not as a long‑term fix.

State law change and assessed value loss: Councilmember Alshar said a recently enacted state legislative change — identified in the meeting as Senate Bill 596 — altered the local fiscal picture by making one major proposed private development (the stadium/music venue discussed at the state level) fully tax‑exempt rather than eligible for a negotiated, phased payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes. Alshar estimated the city will lose about $375,000 in revenue from that change and said the loss equates to roughly a quarter‑to‑a‑penny on the tax rate; he raised it as an unanticipated “elephant in the room” that the city must absorb in FY2026.

Public safety and personnel: Multiple council members and staff emphasized that recent decisions to increase police and fire staffing and wages drive a substantial share of the recurring cost increases. Staff noted an anticipated addition of positions and salaries that together increase recurring public safety payroll and benefits costs; one council comment said police salary and benefit increases amount to roughly $2.8 million in this budget proposal. Councilors repeatedly framed public safety as a community priority but also the largest budgetary pressure.

Process and next steps: Michelle Hepburn, the staff presenter, reminded the council that legal notices and the ordinance text for the proposed budget and proposed tax rate will be included in next week’s packet and that the formal introduction will proceed as advertised; the public hearing is scheduled for the next meeting. Council members asked staff to return with specific line‑item cut proposals and clarifications (for example, how grant funds and hotel‑motel revenues are applied to events) and to provide a more concrete list of possible one‑time reductions versus recurring savings. Several members asked that any recommended cuts be presented publicly prior to the hearing.

Council direction and outcome at the session: Councilors discussed eliminating events as an initial, visible cut; several members opposed removing downtown events because of tourism and quality‑of‑life concerns. After discussion the council instructed staff to prepare options and did not adopt specific cuts or a final tax rate at the work session. Staff said they would return with recommended reductions and clarified estimates in advance of the public hearing. The meeting record shows no final vote on the budget at the May 6 work session.

What to watch next: Staff will present revised options and any proposed ordinance introductions at the next public hearing packet. The council must introduce the budget ordinance as advertised before the statutory adoption window; staff noted that delaying introduction would compress the adoption schedule.

Details and numbers mentioned during the work session (attributed where speakers stated them): Councilmember Alshar — ~$1.5 million increase for health premiums; ~$3.8 million total in base‑wage increases concentrated in police and fire; city CIP cut from about $30 million to ~$14 million; estimated $6 million general‑fund gap; $4.1 million in one‑time sources used to soften the increase; Invest Hagerstown approximately $1 million; events budget $361,400 with ~$325,000 hotel‑motel revenue offset; parking fund projected $650,000 shortfall with ~$1 million in reserves; estimated lost local revenue from SB596 about $375,000.

No formal ordinance or budget adoption occurred at the work session; the council directed staff to return with detailed cut options and clarified revenue assumptions for the public hearing.

Ending: The council scheduled further budget discussion and the public hearing in the coming week; staff and council signaled that any final decision on the tax rate and cuts will be taken at or following the advertised hearing.

","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — City staff and council members said at a May 6 work session that the proposed FY2026 general fund budget faces roughly a $6 million shortfall and that, absent additional growth or cuts, the gap would require a roughly 5.5‑cent property tax increase — an amount officials estimated would add about $110 to the average homeowner's annual tax bill.",{"_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},6247685,"Hagerstown studies closing Summit Avenue railroad crossing; CSX safety concerns and state funding influence next steps",654,4770000,5424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212718-2b12b1da8c660cb61f98dc64fa7e0de4&start=4770&end=5424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212718-2b12b1da8c660cb61f98dc64fa7e0de4/thumbnail_4770000.jpg","/articles/6247685/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Hagerstown-studies-closing-Summit-Avenue-railroad-crossing-CSX-safety-concerns-and-state-funding-influence-next-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247685-55472395712f4ef2fbb3dc6d461bbe19/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145200&Signature=LOpJaMWtlOsGo~Dksai8ogRgl5uKvSQsHG~WFtyzv5rOhdF8BxjKCqd2rFvUrbTI4jVFQcw-rbE06doCfLpwbNtvdnyuWDP9yrQwLqr4doxoJ2eBllnJZzpT2l~oNE1d8HK4L9jFKIfwN9KkWO0E3QxkUJ5bWANC8drjSzKOIfl6hcRrXc6BRtoxZDPTGyInwcjnAF75~CkCGVqkae2gW~huEoTPMCwvbG74v0uBkfhbAmf8SwDXnX64YsNWGfP7JF66GpDIttjN4cLtj2z0sc0ZyhfSesJdXb3UIC8P80gmYmBAKv8m0By24UYLuYxXFzaUuuSUy6HkYI77CKisQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — City engineering staff updated the Mayor and City Council on May 6 about a long‑running review of the Summit Avenue railroad crossing in Park Circle and asked for direction to proceed with additional public outreach and data collection.

Staff said CSX Transportation has repeatedly told the city it prefers closure of the Summit Avenue crossing because that crossing lacks the safety features of nearby crossings and CSX considers it redundant. Engineering staff reported that state funds are available to upgrade the other Park Circle crossings (Walnut Street and Virginia Avenue), but release of those funds depends on CSX authorizing the work and the city’s action on Summit Avenue.

Why this matters: Closing a railroad crossing changes traffic patterns for residents and businesses, affects freight and deliveries and can alter access for industrial users. One nearby business — Columbia Gas — uses the Summit Avenue crossing for large truck deliveries, and staff said any closure would need to account for Columbia Gas’s operational needs.

Background and recent activity: The Summit Avenue closure conversation dates to about 2015, with renewed study around 2020–2021. A city survey completed earlier produced roughly split reactions among residents. Staff reported doing targeted traffic counts earlier this spring: with the Summit crossing open they measured about four cars per minute on a short stretch of Memorial Boulevard; with the crossing temporarily closed the count rose to about six cars per minute. Staff said the increase did not cause observable operational issues during the test week.

Staff recommendation and council direction: Engineering recommended another targeted survey of businesses and residents most likely to be affected and said a development partner and CSX have been engaged in negotiation for some time. The council asked staff to circulate a short follow‑up survey to businesses close to the crossing (the prior survey covered roughly 700 recipients) and to return with updated survey results and an implementation plan for council consideration. Several council members suggested the recent opening of Meredith Park and local traffic changes may have shifted public opinion since the prior survey.

Funding and timing: Staff warned that available state funding for crossing upgrades may be time‑limited and that delays could jeopardize funds. At least one past federal grant tied to a related multiuse trail (the Marsh Run Trail) was clawed back after the project did not advance to construction within the required window.

Ending: Staff will conduct another survey of nearby businesses and residents, continue discussions with Columbia Gas and the development partner and return to council with results and a recommended action for a future vote.

","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — City engineering staff updated the Mayor and City Council on May 6 about a multi‑year review of the Summit Avenue railroad crossing in Park Circle and said CSX prefers closure because the crossing lacks modern safety features; staff recommended a targeted follow‑up survey of businesses and residents.",{"_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},6247681,"Council reviews revised outdoor lodging ordinance language; staff adds 'appropriate use' language and sunset clause",138,5577000,5715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212718-2b12b1da8c660cb61f98dc64fa7e0de4&start=5577&end=5715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212718-2b12b1da8c660cb61f98dc64fa7e0de4/thumbnail_5577000.jpg","/articles/6247681/Hagerstown/Washington-County/Maryland/Council-reviews-revised-outdoor-lodging-ordinance-language-staff-adds-appropriate-use-language-and-sunset-clause","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247681-02b32f4ac0048349365082526fe18ca9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145200&Signature=Z7tcsckI8fMtvQDdDjXzMw~QHIVCnw7OZlrRxmY-ASP-Dnv1843hE99z8Q1kYwW-Ifu-hzlm16ZbnylcjJBRCznXVp~AHnOv1jWUw2YAetbMYGhtMR34tl-nUe3cyExqWfkSLva149RzOSIVSC0A37SK8l8bZEM8tWGJKA-uL044DdvKgo7UQgA20hC~QxqI875IrehR0YStBqbE2brOPAd25Q7TWjJTv4gVY149-zqYjOgyoM6huGu59EeT2MgIgSSpbZ39JVBbqpS06OJODhQCnBrrdnd712iy2O0P12a~OedG-vKF3PE~msmI2vArUp7RWjob85bNtK7exFdfng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAGERSTOWN, Md. — City staff presented a revised draft ordinance on May 6 that would prohibit lodging out of doors in certain circumstances and added clarifying language and a sunset clause after prior council feedback.

Staff said the revision replaces prior wording that used the term “enjoy” to describe permitted uses of public space and now refers to the “appropriate use of public spaces by our residents and visitors.” The draft also includes a sunset clause (a temporary expiry unless reauthorized) intended to allow the city to assess effects and further refine rules.

Why this matters: Ordinances that restrict outdoor lodging raise homelessness, public‑space use and civil‑liberties considerations. Council members previously asked for clearer phrasing; the staff changes were made to address that request.

Process and timing: Staff told the council the revised text will be introduced at the next advertised introduction meeting (the presenter referred to the “20 seventh” date during the session) and that formal adoption would be scheduled at a subsequent meeting following the required notice period. Council did not take a final vote on the ordinance at the May 6 work session.

Next steps: Staff will include the revised text in the packet for introduction and return for formal consideration on the advertised adoption calendar.

","City staff returned to the council with a revised draft ordinance addressing lodging out of doors, replacing the word “enjoy” with “appropriate use of public spaces” and adding a sunset provision; council agreed to introduce the revised text at the advertised introduction date and to consider final adoption at a later meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hagerstown moves toward regulating vending machines on public sidewalks; council backs registration tied to businesses

Hagerstown council confronts $6 million FY2026 gap, weighs 5.5‑cent tax increase as events and state law changes complicate balance

Hagerstown studies closing Summit Avenue railroad crossing; CSX safety concerns and state funding influence next steps

Council reviews revised outdoor lodging ordinance language; staff adds 'appropriate use' language and sunset clause