PenMar Development Corporation
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
September 12, 2011
Chairman Sam Cool called to order the monthly meeting of the PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC)
Board of Directors at 7:30a.m.on September 12, 2011, in the Bob Davis Meeting Room at the Fort Ritchie
Community Center, Cascade, Maryland.
In addition to Chairman Cool, the following Board members were present: Peggy S. Bushey, Ruth Anne
Callaham, William D. Carter, James Devlin, Jason Divelbiss, Patrick Fleagle, Tim Henry, Eleanor Lakin,
W. Christopher Motz, Patrick Pascoe, and John Van Der Cruyssen. Also in attendance were, Annabelle
Sher of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (representing ex officio member
DBED Secretary Christian Johansson), ex officio member Tim Troxell of the Washington County
Economic Development Commission, ex officio member Robert Brennan of the Maryland Economic
Development Corporation, and PMDC Executive Director Dori Nipps. Corporate Office Properties Trust
(COPT) Senior Property Manager, Bill Hofmann attended, as did Bob Spence, Executive Director of the
Fort Ritchie Community Center, and Jef Bohn of SEK. Chairman Cool said board members Peter Kurz,
Steve Patterson and Michael Zampelli had been excused.
Chairman Cool welcomed the new board members, James Devlin, Patrick Fleagle and Christopher Motz
and asked each to introduce themselves to the other PMDC board members. Each board member also
introduced themselves.
Approval of Minutes for the July 11, 2011 Meeting
Chairman Cool called for a motion to approve the minutes of the July 11, 2011 meeting. Bill Carter moved
that they be approved. He was seconded by Bob Brennan, and they were approved unanimously.
Financial Report
Treasurer Tim Henry presented financial statements for July and August 2011. Total assets declined for
the July by approximately $2,600, due to normal operating expenses and in August by $14,000 due to the
final payment of $11,126.83 for the Cascade Elementary School renovation project. This completes
PenMar’s obligation.
Draft FY2011 Audit Report
Mr. Holmes and Ms. Chaposky of Albright Crumbacker Moul & Itell presented the draft FY2011 Audit
Report to the Finance Committee. Some small revisions were made to the form, but not content of the
report .The draft report had no findings and PenMar will be receiving a clean audit. The 990 should be
completed for presentation to the PenMar Board of Directors for their approval at the October board
meeting.
The auditors asked for additional information on two payments. Jef Bohn informed the board that the
information had been forwarded to the auditors and all questions have been answered to the satisfaction of
the auditors.
Archivist
Ms. Nipps presented a report outlining the causes which resulted in additional costs and the extension of
time for the completion of the archival project (see attached). A final report is being written by the
archivist for presentation to the PenMar Board of Directors at the October board meeting. After review and
discussion, the committee supported making an additional payment for work at the completion of the
project, for an amount of not more than $1,000.
Blue Ridge CD maturing on 9/29/2011
After discussion of upcoming expenses and maturation dates of other corporation CDs, the committee
decided that the total amount of the CD which matures on September 29 should be rolled over into an 18
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month CD. Ms. Nipps will solicit rates from various financial institutions for consideration by the Finance
Committee.
Finance Committee meeting date change
Because of conflicting meeting dates for some committee members, the FY2012 meeting dates have been
changed to the Tuesday preceding the monthly PenMar Board of Directors meetings.
The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at Centra Bank, 1219 Mt.
Aetna Rd., Hagerstown.
Peggy Bushey moved that the financial statements and report be approved. She was seconded by Eleanor
Lakin, and the report was approved unanimously.
Executive Director’s Report
Ms. Nipps reported that the past 2 months she has been involved with the two exhibits of PenMar
archive materials, one at the Washington County Historical Society and the other at the Holocaust
Memorial Center at Farmington Hills, Michigan. She sent a film clip to the board about the
exhibit and Ritchie Boy reunion in Michigan.
Peggy & she have been involved in the planning sessions with FRCC staff, looking at the
activities and specifically fundraising for the community center.
Ms. Nipps reminded the board members of the Washington-County Chamber of Commerce
Annual Meeting on September 28. PenMar will pay for board members and their spouses to
attend.
Chairman Cool invited board members to attend committee meetings.
Fort Ritchie Community Center (FRCC)
Executive Director Bob Spence reported that:
 Revenues were 23% over the readjusted budget in July. Year-to-date revenues are 12% over the
readjusted budget, with 4 of 7 COPT contributions. The net change in assets for the month of July
was -$2,367.
 Expenses 32% over budget for the month and 1% over budget for the year.
 Cash position as of July 31 was $7,522.14.
 An independent financial review is complete. This was the final act required to achieve State of
Maryland charitable organization status. There were issues surrounding the lease of the building
from COPT and the “in-kind” donation by COPT of the fair market value of the monthly rent. This
needed to be resolved before the review could be considered complete. The report will be given at
the FRCC’s board meeting on Tuesday, September 13.
 Current membership is 1,493, and transactions are well above those projected.
 A second Fort Ritchie Triathlon was held on August 7 with over 300 participants.
 Summer Camp was a success with an average of 40 children attending each day. A camp summary
report will be given to the FRCC board on Tuesday.
 The FRCC staff and board members have been holding planning sessions focusing on
development/fundraising.
 FRCC received a $7,500 grant from the Washington County Gaming Commission which will be
used as a match for grant funds received from PMDC.
 FRCC will be holding a reception on Friday, September 30 to celebrate the center achieving nonprofit status and its ability to receive donations and grants.
 Busy fall is planned with additional classes and events.
COPT Report
Senior Property Manager Bill Hofmann had nothing new to report regarding development. The stop work
order is still in effect. Because of the reduction in force of the COPT staff at Fort Ritchie, barricades have
been constructed at the main gate to divert traffic and reduce the operational area of the property. The
army corp. of engineers submitted a report indicating that there is still significant contamination of the area
around and under the old motor pool. Chemicals used to neutralize the contaminants have proved
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moderately successful because of the high percentage of clay in the soil. The army will continue their work
in that area.
On October 6, the 7th Military Information Support Battalion (MISB) from Fort Bragg will be using the
parade ground for an activation and transfer of colors ceremony. The MISB originated here at Fort Ritchie
(the intelligence school). Approximately 120 soldiers and invited guests are expected to attend.
Ruth Anne Callaham stated she understood the use of the road barriers but suggested that aesthetically they
were not welcoming to persons doing business on the property. She suggested making them more
“welcoming” to visitors.
Public Comments
One Mountain Foundation (OMF) Chairman Bill Carter updated the Board on upcoming events. There is
a Dinner Theatre on September 30, October 1 & 2 to raise funds for the OMF Scholarship Fund.
Scholarships will be given to seniors in the four high schools which touch the mountain top area. The
scholarship will be based on need. PenMar will purchase tickets for PMDC board members and their
spouses if they would like to attend.
On September 11, OMF sponsored a joint commemorative service with 7 ministers officiating and 9
congregations participating. Approximately 150 community members attended.
Convene in Closed Session
At 8:05 a.m. Bill Carter moved that the Board go into closed session to discuss matters as permitted in
Section 10-508 of the “State Government Article” of the Annotated Code of the Public General Laws of
Maryland. The motion was seconded by Peggy Bushey, and approved unanimously by the Board. During
the closed session, the Board discussed contract and litigation issues. Jef Bohn was present during the
closed session.
Reconvene in Open Session
At 9:15 a.m. the Board reconvened in open session. During closed session the board approved, by
unanimous vote, to provide $150,000 in support to the Fort Ritchie Community Center for the 2012
calendar year.
Adjournment
Peggy Bushey moved to adjourn. She was seconded by Bill Carter. The motion was approved
unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for October 10, 2011
Respectfully submitted,
Doris J. Nipps
Secretary
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