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Allegany County raises public-necessity declaration to pursue taking two Bel Air-area water systems
Summary
County officials introduced Resolution 26-10 declaring a public necessity to acquire two privately owned water systems serving the Bel Air area; staff said they will first seek negotiated purchase with Maryland Water Service and may file suit if talks fail.
Lee, a county official, introduced Resolution 26-10, which the board will consider as the first formal step toward acquiring two private water systems that serve the Bel Air area. “The large point of this resolution…is that you all are declaring that there's a public necessity for the government to take these private utilities,” Lee said, describing the measure as the start of an eminent-domain process.
Lee told the board the systems named in the resolution are the Pinto Water and Highland Estates Water System and said county staff will “endeavor to negotiate purchase price with Maryland Water Service.” If negotiations do not resolve the matter, Lee said the county would file suit in the circuit court to commence eminent-domain proceedings.
Commissioners and staff framed the action as a procedural step, not a completed transfer. Several members expressed hope the county can reach a negotiated settlement and avoid protracted litigation. Chair (speaker 2) and other commissioners asked clarifying questions about timing and outcomes but no vote or final decision on acquisition was recorded in the transcript.
The item was presented as Resolution 26-10; the transcript records it being placed on the agenda for consideration and described as the county’s first step toward exercising eminent-domain authority if negotiations fail.
Next steps described by officials are (1) consider Resolution 26-10 at the board meeting, (2) attempt negotiation with Maryland Water Service over purchase terms, and (3) if negotiations fail, file suit in the county circuit court to initiate eminent-domain proceedings. The transcript does not record a final vote or any payment terms.
For context, commissioners also discussed related utility-rate issues earlier in the meeting and said any acquisition would follow the county’s legal process and be documented in the record. The transcript spelled the county name differently in one passage; the correct county name used throughout county materials is Allegany County.
