WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, Maryland 20707-5902. (301) 206-8100. Fax:(301) 206-8186. E-Mail:communications@wsscwater.com

WSSC Chair Changes Monthly Meeting Format

New Schedule Designed For More Efficient Use of Staff,
Vendor and Commissioner Time

LAUREL, MD (August 3, 2009): Public meetings at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) will have a new structure to make the meetings more user-friendly. Newly-elected chair Gene W. Counihan announced today several important changes to the Commission’s monthly meeting structure that will impact attendance by the public.

The meeting will open at 8:30 a.m. in the WSSC Auditorium. Commissioners will begin the public business with a report from the General Manager and Internal Auditor. Then they will vote to award contracts and to approve other matters related to operations at WSSC. Once all of the voting items have been completed, Commissioners will conduct the remainder of the business matters in the Commissioners' Conference Room. The agenda for the meetings are always published on the WSSC website, www.wsscwater.com and are subject to change.

Chair Counihan lifted the requirement that WSSC vendors be present at any meeting where they will receive a contract award. "It is no longer required that these vendors be present when the Commissioners vote to award contracts but they remain welcome to attend the public meeting" Counihan said. Commission meetings are open public meetings subject to Maryland's Sunshine laws.

Both the auditorium and the conference room are located on the first floor of the WSSC headquarters building at 14501 Sweitzer Lane in Laurel. “The changes will be part of an evolving process, said Counihan. “But overall, I believe this new order of how we conduct the public meeting will be a tremendous improvement, ultimately allowing the Commissioners and staff to accomplish more in less time.”

All changes to the Commission’s monthly, public meeting agenda take effect at the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.

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WSSC is the 8th largest water and wastewater utility in the nation, serving nearly 1.8 million residents in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. We operate and maintain seven water and wastewater plants, 5,500 miles of fresh water pipeline and nearly than 5,400 miles of sewer pipeline. In our 91-year history, our drinking water has always met or exceeded federal standards.