The proposed location for juvenile detention center in Waldorf does not have the infrastructure in place to support the needs of the detention center, according to Charles County. Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) spokesperson Jay Cleary said the department is now reviewing the location.
Charles County Chief of Resource and Infrastructure Management Jason Groth made the statement in testimony before the Charles County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday afternoon.
“In July 2011, when we made the announcement to the board of commissioners and the public that we identified Acton Lane, our research showed the Acton Lane site had all the infrastructure that we needed to serve our water needs on the site there,” Cleary said on Wednesday. “So, we’ve now learned that, since that time, it appears Charles County has decided to move forward with two housing developments that will apparently use up the remaining capacity at a local sewage pumping station that would serve the Acton Lane site.
“Where we are now, the Department of Juvenile Services and the Department of General Services are now collecting data and specifications of local pumping station that would be affected by our Acton Lane facility if it’s put there. Our goal is to work with Charles County to see if our water needs could be addressed through the existing utility infrastructure.”
When asked if this stalled the process, Cleary said, “We have to make sure we work with Charles County to confirm the data and specifications of the plan related to infrastructure”.
“What were they thinking?” Commissioner Ken Robinson (D: 1st) asked.
Regional Policy Advisor Gary Hodge said the plan would affect development of the Waldorf Urban Design Plan.
“I can envision eye-rolling that would result from that scenario from potential developers and investors,” Hodge said.
Hodge suggested the county litigate and seek legislation before the Maryland Board of Public Works as a way to stop the proposal. He also cited a United States Department of Justice report regarding the placement of facilities and said that a number of communities would be affected by the location.
A motion, made by Robinson, was passed unanimously by the board to have the County Attorney’s office draft an official resolution expressing the county’s opposition to the location of the proposed detention center.
