Worcester County News In Brief

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Commissioners discussed a variety of business at their March 17 meeting. The following is a review of sorts.

The free prescription card program begun last year through the National Association of Counties has been a success, said Marty Pusey, Director of Prevention for the Worcester County Health Department.

“Fortunately, our pharmacies have been very supportive of this program. All our pharmacies in Worcester County participate in it,” Pusey said.

When the program began, organizers estimated that card users would see savings from 14 to 32 percent on prescriptions.

“We’ve averaged a savings of around 25 percent by our citizens,” said Pusey.

Over 9,000 people in Worcester County have used the cards in the last 12 months, for over 20,000 prescriptions.

“Worcester County residents have saved over $311,000,” Pusey said. “It’s been a very, very successful program.”

Reportedly, one man described by Pusey cut his prescription costs from $1,200 to $400 a year with the card.

The free prescription cards, which do not require any sign up, were designed for people without prescription insurance. Cards can be obtained at pharmacies and government offices.

“You’ve really gotten the word out and followed up and we appreciate it,” said Commissioner Judy Boggs.

Work on the design of a sewer connection between Showell Elementary School’s wastewater system and the Ocean Pines wastewater system has been awarded to George, Miles and Buhr engineers for $51,000.

The design work award does not guarantee funding for construction of the project.

Public Works Director John Tustin said he would bring in the design when completed to determine if and when the commissioners could fund the work.

A contest among Worcester County staffers to suggest ways to cut costs and increase efficiency yielded 167 entries. The three top entries received prizes Tuesday for their suggestions.

The county’s Efficiency Committee, established in January, assessed the entries in the SAVE (Suggestions for Achieving Valuable Efficiency) contest.

Kathy Whited, budget officer, was awarded a $100 Visa gift card for the first-place suggestion to consolidate county cell phone plans under a corporate account instead of individual accounts.

Patrick Pruitt of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office took second place, receiving a $75 Visa gift card, for his idea to offer buy-outs for early retirement, 

Third place went to Katherine Munson, who received a $50 Visa gift card, for her suggestion to buy paper and other office goods in bulk for the entire county, instead of individual departments purchasing those items.

“I have never been prouder of our staff,” said County Commissioner Judy Boggs.

A local woman has offered to donate an agricultural easement on 135 acres, 68 of which are cropland, on Nassawango Rd.

This would be the first donated agricultural conservation easement in Worcester County and only the second in the state.

Irma Lee Henshall has offered to donate the easement, extinguishing development rights on the property, to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation. She has also asked that part of the easement contract prohibit chicken raising on the property in perpetuity.