Hagerstown Council to Convene for Public Services, Infrastructure, Grant Decisions on November 25th

The Mayor and City Council of Hagerstown, Maryland, are scheduled to convene for their 27th voting session on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The meeting, which will commence at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall, will address a wide array of agenda items, including proposed ordinances, significant financial appropriations for public services and infrastructure, and updates to community grant programs. Residents can participate by pre-registering for citizen comments, which are allotted a 30-minute period and each speaker is limited to three minutes.

A substantial portion of the meeting will be dedicated to reviewing and approving various expenditures under the Consent Agenda. These include the annual software licensing for Arctic Wolf Endpoint Security Detection Software at a cost of $160,447.54. Engineering projects on the agenda involve the refurbishment of the Police Athletic League (PAL) building exterior for $72,374.34 and architectural design services for renovations to the fourth floor of City Hall, estimated at $46,500.00. Additionally, a change order for sidewalk accessibility ramps for Fiscal Year 2026 is proposed, not to exceed $125,000.00.

The Police Department’s needs will be addressed with a request for ballistic vests costing $15,793.30. Public Works items include the replacement of hydraulic systems on two snow operation trucks for $19,826.00 and a contract for Potterfield Pool management services with the YMCA of Hagerstown for $198,601.78. Fuel procurement for the city fleet is also on the agenda, with tank wagon deliveries estimated at $695,200.00 and transport deliveries also totaling $695,200.00.

Under the Utilities department, the Council will consider the purchase of distribution line transformers for $44,376.00, an increase to a consulting services blanket contract for FY26 amounting to $150,000.00, and an annual contract renewal for generator preventive maintenance for $15,732.00. Wastewater system needs include the purchase of butterfly actuated valves for $21,216.88, replacement of an oil cooler for $13,206.08, and a SCADA iFix software upgrade for $34,744.48.

Under Unfinished Business, the Council will address the removal from the table and subsequent approval of an ordinance authorizing the purchase of an easement over a portion of real property on Mt. Aetna Road, Parcel 973.

New Business items are extensive and include the introduction of an ordinance to amend Chapter 79, concerning juvenile curfews, and another to amend the zoning map for the Lorich Property at 1912 Day Road. The Council will also consider applications for FY27 Program Open Space funding and approve guideline changes for the Invest Hagerstown Sign and Facade Grant Program and the Fire Suppression System Grant Program. A withdrawal from a Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) grant agreement is also on the docket, along with approval for a fireworks display at Meritus Park in December 2025 and for the 2026 Flying Boxcars Baseball Season, requesting an exemption from the noise ordinance. A request from the Town of Smithsburg for a stream restoration project on Beaver Creek, located on City of Hagerstown property, will be reviewed, with the understanding that the Town of Smithsburg will bear all costs. Finally, the Council will consider the approval of emergency procurement for the demolition of a garage at 525 Frederick Street, and a blanket purchase order for camera equipment for the city-wide camera system.

The meeting will conclude with comments from the City Administrator and Mayor and Council members.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from a press release from the City of Hagerstown.

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