Board of Managers Meeting:
Monday, May 11, 2020
Virtual Meeting to Begin at 7:30 p.m.
The Board of Managers will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 11, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. This meeting will be conducted remotely, and there will be no in-person meeting attendance.
Public Participation: Participants who join via audio or video conference will be muted except for members of the Board, Legal Counsel and staff.
To join via video conference, use the GoTo Meeting link below:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/539287733
To join the Board Meeting by phone, dial 1 (866) 899 4679 (toll free).
The meeting access code (for online or phone access) is: 539-287-733.
Public comments or questions may also be made by emailing the Village office at ccv@montgomerycountymd.gov.
All electronic comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2020.
Click here to see the agenda.
|
|
|
|
COVID-19 Operations Modification and Reminders
Village Hall Remains Closed
5/8/2020
Click on the below link to view the local state of emergency order adopted by the Village Board of Managers on April 13, 2020:
https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3580/Adopted-Resolution-04-01-20
Below are reminders regarding the Village’s orders regarding access to the Village Hall and the status of non-essential staff, which remains in effect until further notice:
- The Village Hall remains closed to public access. Only essential personnel will continue to have access to the Hall. (The U.S. Postal Service will issue directives regarding access to the Post Office).
- All non-essential administrative personnel remain in a telework status. Administrative staff are continuing to monitor and respond to emails and are returning calls left on their extension.
- All classes, events and activities in the Hall are canceled. The spring class session has been canceled due to the extended closure of the Village Hall.
- Public Works personnel are working Mondays-Thursdays, with limited staffing. In order to limit person-to-person contact, half of the department’s personnel is working Mondays and Wednesdays and the other half works Tuesdays and Thursdays. The department is closed on Fridays.
- Hazardous waste collection has been suspended. Montgomery County is not currently accepting hazardous waste drop-off at its solid waste facility, so we have temporarily suspended the Village’s collection until the county’s program resumes.
- Refuse and recycling collection continue normally; HOWEVER, should Montgomery County close its Transfer Station, refuse collection will be suspended. No closures are anticipated at this time.
- All previously-issued permits that were scheduled to expire on or after March 14, 2020 are extended through the 30th day after the date by which the Maryland state of emergency is terminated and the catastrophic health emergency is rescinded.
- All new applications for administrative permits (Building, Tree Removal, Dumpster, Sign) must be submitted online. These applications and permits will be reviewed remotely by staff and applicants will receive further follow-up by email/phone.
- All forms for new parking permits must be submitted online. Once processed, Communications Center personnel will maintain a log of approved permits that are pending issuance of the decal/permit for reference by Village patrol officers. Permits/decals will be provided to the applicant when the Village Hall reopens.
- Mail pick-ups—Village Police are continuing our house check program as usual, however, residents are encouraged to contact the U.S. Postal Service to have mail stopped while you are away. If our officers collect mail during a house check, residents will continue to receive a notice that mail has been collected.
If you receive a notice that mail has been collected during your absence, please call BEFORE coming to the Hall. In anticipation of your arrival, Communications personnel will bundle the mail in a bag. Upon your arrival at the Hall, press the doorbell at the main entrance to speak with the on-duty clerk, who will ask you to present your photo ID in front of the camera located on the porch. Once photo ID has been confirmed, the on-duty clerk will electronically open the door to allow you to retrieve your mail.
- Key Pick-Up/Drop-Off—where practical, residents are encouraged to call BEFORE coming to the Hall. Upon your arrival at the Hall, press the doorbell at the main entrance to speak with the on-duty clerk who will ask you to present your photo ID in front of the camera located on the porch. Once photo ID has been confirmed, the on-duty clerk will electronically open the door to allow you to retrieve/leave your house key.
Updates and changes to these service modifications, including any extension of these closures, will be circulated via blast email and posted to the homepage of the Village’s website.
Village officers who will continue to interact with the public are adhering to prevention efforts, including politely avoiding handshakes, maintaining social distance, sanitizing vehicles and work spaces, and staying home when feeling ill. Officers have also begin wearing masks when interacting with the public.
As a member of the Montgomery County Emergency Management Group, Village staff is continuing to receive frequent updates from various county agencies, including the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), and federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control.
Residents should stay informed. Below is a list of website resources (some of these sites provide redundant information):
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
Maryland Department of Health
https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/Pages/Novel-coronavirus.aspx
Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services
https://montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS/RightNav/Coronavirus.html
U.S. State Department Travel Advisories (specific to COVID-19)
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/novel-coronavirus-hubei-province--china.html
U. S. State Department Travel Advisories (general)
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
Should you or a member of your household believe that you have symptoms (fever and cough) or if you have been in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, you should call your health care practitioner or the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Disease Control Office to speak with a nurse at (240) 777-1755. If you are unable to get through, call the state’s Infectious Disease Bureau at (410) 767-6700 (daytime) or (410) 795-7365 (after-hours).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three-Color Signal Approved for Connecticut Avenue Pedestrian Crossing at Lenox StreetDuring the Annual Meeting on April 20, Village Board Chair Elissa Leonard announced the long-awaited news that the State Highway Administration (SHA) has officially approved the Village’s request for conversion of the flashing beacon at the pedestrian crossing on Connecticut Avenue at Lenox Street to a three-color signal.
This news follows a years-long effort by the Village urging SHA to provide a safe passage for pedestrians attempting to cross Connecticut Avenue between Bradley Lane and Chevy Chase Circle. In 2016, SHA installed a pedestrian crossing and flashing yellow beacons at Lenox Street. Village representatives argued that this configuration was insufficient to ensure a safe crossing by pedestrians because drivers frequently failed to stop when a pedestrian was present in the crosswalk. Equally troubling, many pedestrians mistakenly assumed that vehicles were required to stop once they began to cross, creating a very unsafe situation.
Last May, the Village’s ad hoc Pedestrian Safety Committee sent a renewed request to the SHA Administrator asking for the crossing to be reassessed and citing concerns we had received from the community as well as detailing our enforcement efforts. We then worked with officials from the Montgomery County Department of Transportation to reinforce our concerns with the state.
Last week, we received formal notice that the three-color signal had been approved. Pasted below is an excerpt from the notice:
In response to your concerns regarding pedestrian safety at the MD 185 (Connecticut Avenue) and Lenox Street crossing, MDOT SHA District Three traffic engineering staff recently revisited conditions at this location. As part of our re-evaluation, updated traffic counts were analyzed and on-site observations at the subject location were conducted. The pedestrian experience, and motorist response to crossing pedestrians were also carefully noted. We found during our review that while pedestrian-activated Hazard Identification Beacons (HIBs) are currently operational at the existing crosswalk, during field observations some motorists failed to yield to pedestrians within the crosswalk.
We would like to inform you that to enhance safety for all users at this location, a project to construct a full-color traffic signal with Accessible Pedestrian Signals /Countdown Pedestrian Signals was recently approved by our MDOT SHA Office of Traffic and Safety (OOTS). The project is currently in the early design phase. Moving forward, we will keep you and others updated as the project schedule progresses further towards construction. Emphasis added.
We await information from the state regarding the final design, operation configuration and timeline for this change. We will advise the public as this information becomes available. Thank you to the various members of the community and Village staff who advocated for this safety improvement.
|
|
|
|
Warm Weather Brings Increase in Barking and Other Dog Complaints
In addition to the warmer weather allowing Village canines to enjoy the outdoors, the current Stay at Home order means that many residents are working and learning from home. While pets might be enjoying more outdoor time, please be sensitive to the impact of your dog’s barking on neighbors’ tranquility and ability to focus.
In addition to prohibiting excessive barking, Village regulations also contain provisions related to cleaning up after your pet. The Animal Control Code can be viewed online at: https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/448/Chapter-18-Animal-Control-PDF?bidId=
Be a considerate neighbor and bring incessantly barking dogs inside.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Latest Information Regarding Presidential
Primary Election
This year’s primary presidential election will be primarily a “vote by mail” election, with ballots automatically mailed to all eligible voters to the address on file with the State Board of Elections. Registered voters should receive their ballot in early to mid-May. Voters do not need to ask for a ballot in order to receive one.
Voters who would like their ballot mailed to another address or who prefer to download it from the state’s Board of Elections website, should visit https://www.elections.maryland.gov/voting/absentee.html. All mailed ballots will include a return envelope and prepaid postage.
To reduce the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus, voters who can vote by mail should do so. Completed ballots must be postmarked on or before Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
Voters who prefer to drop off their ballots can do so at designated ballot drop off locations from Thursday, May 21, 2020 through Tuesday, June 2, 2020 (see below list). Ballots may also be dropped off at the Montgomery County Board of Elections headquarters, 18753 N. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20879.
If you are unable to vote by mail, you may vote in-person on election day, June 2, 2020, at one of the following vote centers:
- Germantown Community Recreation Center – Germantown MD
- Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center – Burtonsville MD
- Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza – Silver Spring MD (closest to the Village)
- Activity Center at Bohrer Park Social Hall – Gaithersburg MD
The Vote Centers will be open 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Election Day; the drop boxes will be available May 21 through June 2, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. There will be no in-person voting at the Village Hall nor will the Hall serve as a voting center.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Maryland Emergency Management Agency is Asking for Donations to Meet Critical Needs and
Serve Maryland First Responders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guidance Regarding the State’s Stay at Home Orders andWays to be Sensitive to your Neighbors
The Maryland Department of Health has issued guidance for compliance with the Governor’s most recent stay at home orders. The guidance can be found at: https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/Documents/FAQ_covid19_stay_home_isolation_033120.pdf
Among many scenarios addressed in this guidance is whether landscape crews may continue to work. While landscape and yard maintenance contractors have been deemed essential under the Governor’s orders, homeowners who employ these contractors have and should use their discretion in deciding whether their work and the nature of their work is indeed “essential”.
During these unique circumstances when neighbors are home and many are working or participating in distance learning, residents are urged to consult with their construction and landscape contractors to be sensitive to the noise their work produces, which can be highly disruptive to these new routines. Contractors should be asked to look for ways to minimize the severity and duration of noise-producing activities.
In particular, landscape contractors should be reminded that blowing of leaves and yard waste is not necessary and neighbors would greatly appreciate the reprieve from the crews of blowers working throughout the community*. Residents may also choose to limit landscape work, but continue to pay crews until the stay at home orders are lifted as many of the workers may be dependent on this income for their family’s livelihood.
Thank you for your efforts to remain sensitive to your neighbors as we all try to cope under these unique circumstances.
*Village police continue to actively enforce the 70 dBA (decibel level) limit for leaf blowers (per Montgomery County Code, which applies in the Village), which can often be exceeded by multiple blowers being operated simultaneously.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grocery Stores Offering
“Seniors-Only” Shopping Hours
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich announced a new program to help protect seniors as they shop for groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of Thursday, March 19, four local grocery stores and two national store chains will reserve specific hours for seniors only, allowing them to shop among a smaller group of people to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection.
|
|
|
|
Volunteering and Being a Good Neighbor During COVID-19Many Montgomery County residents, seeing their neighbors and members of the community in distress, are looking to help and volunteer during these difficult times.
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center website continues to be a resource for connecting volunteers and nonprofits. There is now a “Volunteer Response to COVID-19” section where people can see any current requests for volunteers and donations posted by local organizations.
|
|
|
|
Join the Village Listserv on Groups.ioLast year, CCVillage, the neighborhood mailing list for Chevy Chase Village, was transferred to CCVillage@Groups.io. During this period of social distancing, CCVillage is a resource to allow neighbors to stay connected with each other.
If you have not done so already, please join the mailing list by visiting https://groups.io/g/CCVillage and clicking on the blue "+ Join This Group" button. Once you are enrolled, the email address to submit messages to the mailing list is ccvillage@groups.io, and you can read the group messages online at http://groups.io/g/CCVillage/topics.
On the website, click on "Messages" in the left column menu to see the most recent CCVillage posts, and click "New Topic" to open an editor that will let you compose and send your message. You can search the database of old messages by clicking the "Search" button above the message list.
The CCVillage information website is at http://CCVillage.info. For assistance with joining or posting messages, please contact moderator and Village resident Tim Slagle at ccvillage+owner@groups.io.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residents Reminded to Work
with Landscapers to Operate Blowers Legally, this Spring and BeyondBan on Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers goes into effect January 1, 2022
A ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers will go into effect on January 1, 2022. The Village Board approved the ban last December citing the adverse environmental, human health (principally for the equipment operator) and quality of life impacts resulting from the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. These impacts were highlighted in a report from the Village Environment & Energy Committee, dated August 15, 2019, which can be viewed on the committee’s page on the Village website.
Village staff are finalizing a handout to communicate the effective date of this ban to yard maintenance contractors who work in the Village. If you would like your landscaper/yard maintenance contractor to be included in the distribution of these materials, please email your contractor’s information to ccv@montgomerycountymd.gov.
As you prepare for yard maintenance this spring, residents and landscapers are reminded that all blowers remain subject to Montgomery County’s Noise Ordinance, which applies within the Village. The county’s Noise Ordinance states that “a person must not sell, buy, offer for sale, or use a leaf blower at any time that has an average sound level exceeding 70 dBA at a distance of 50 feet.” Additionally, the simultaneous use of multiple leaf blowers that are compliant with the 70 bDA limit can create noise of a sufficient level to qualify as a violation and/or noise disturbance.
If a blower seems loud, it may be in violation. Contact the Village Communications Center to request a Village officer respond to confirm the unit(s) product information and to measure the decibel level using the Village’s calibrated meter. First time violators will receive a warning. Residents are encouraged to discuss this restriction with your yard maintenance crews before they begin working this spring.
To view the Montgomery County Noise Ordinance and the provisions pertaining to leaf blowers (Section 31B-9), visit: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dep/resources/files/downloads/compliance/noise-control-ordinance.pdf
|
|
|
|
Help Village Staff Keep the Community Safe and BeautifulReport Areas for Repair and Maintenance Village staff prides itself on being responsive and working hard to ensure that the Village remains a safe, beautiful and welcoming community—but we cannot do it alone. While we are constantly on the lookout for areas that need to be addressed, we need the support of residents serving as our eyes and ears throughout the community:
Sidewalk Repairs The Village maintains brick paver sidewalks throughout the community. The brick pavers are not mortared and are set on a bluestone base to allow the sidewalks to gradually move as adjacent tree roots grow. Compared to the former concrete sidewalks, the dry-laid brick pavers are much easier for Public Works staff to repair by removing and resetting sections that have shifted. This is ongoing maintenance that our crews perform throughout the year as trip hazards are identified by staff or are brought to our attention by residents.
Tree Maintenance There are well over 2,500 “public” trees located within Village parks, greenspaces and public right-of-way. The Village’s consulting Arborist and our Director of Public Works perform a quarterly assessment for tree maintenance needs including areas for pruning, removals or treatments to improve a tree’s health. These quarterly assessments supplement our ongoing response to observations made by staff and residents.
How to Report an Issue or Concern Residents can use the Village’s online form system to report any number of issues/concerns, by visiting: https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/RequestTracker.aspx. From this page, residents can report sidewalk trip hazards and streetlight outages, and request public tree maintenance and recycling toters.
As always, residents may also call the Village’s 24-hour Communications Center or email requests/concerns to the Village’s main email address at ccv@montgomerycountymd.gov (emails are then routed to the appropriate department).
Thank you for helping us to continue addressing the needs of the community!
|
|
|
|
Join the Crew; The Compost Crew
Food-waste recycling--otherwise known as “composting” is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and greenhouse emissions while returning nutrients to our soil and food system.
The Village has partnered with The Compost Crew to provide low-cost household collection of food-waste. The Compost Crew provides each household with an airtight bin and compostable bags; all you have to do is separate your organic waste and leave the bin by your trash and recycling receptacles for collection on the designated day for weekly pick-up. The collected waste is processed at a composting facility in Maryland and, after six months of service, households can request that a portion of your contributed waste be returned in the form of rich, finished nutrient-rich soil.
For more information regarding the household composting collection service, including current rates, please visit the “Food Waste Recycling Program” page on the Village website under Quick Links on the homepage. The more households that sign-up,the cheaper the service is for all, so sign up today!
|
|
|
|
Are You Prepared?
As we have experienced during various seasonal events, it is important to be prepared for local weather emergencies. In order the assist residents in their preparedness, the Village in partnership with the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) offer a number of helpful tools, plans and free alerts to assist and keep you informed. Village Website and Blast Email System – Have you signed up for the Village’s blast email system? This is the Village's primary method of communication with residents. The Village has 2 email lists you can sign-up for:
Urgent News Alert – include messages such as criminal activity, neighborhood disruptions such as water main breaks, power outages and road closures and major weather events.
General News Alerts – include messages about Board and committee meetings, community events, changes in public services such as refuse/recycling collection schedules and upcoming road closures.
To sign-up for the blast email system visit the Village website at www.chevychasevillagemd.gov and click on the tablet icon at the top of the Village’s homepage.
Alert Montgomery – Alert Montgomery is the official emergency communications service for Montgomery County, MD. During major crisis, emergency or severe weather events, Montgomery County will send event updates, warnings and instructions directly to you on any of your devices. To sign-up for Alert Montgomery please visit the OEMHS website www.montgomerycountymd.gov/oemhs and click on the “Alert Montgomery” link at the top of the page. Family and Community Preparedness Information – Emergencies can take many forms and occur with or without warning. By taking a few simple steps now, you can ensure that you, your family and your community are better prepared to handle emergencies. To assist in your family planning, please visit the Village’s emergency preparedness page, www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/emergencyprep for helpful tools and links. Another important tool the Village has created to assist you in your preparedness efforts is our House Check Program. Always request a House Check when you are leaving town and ensure that your emergency contacts are up to date with the Village office. For additional information please visit the Village’s website at www.chevychasevillagemd.gov and click on the “Are you prepared? – Emergency Preparedness Tips” link listed in the Quick Links on the homepage.
|
|
|
|
Emergency Contact SheetEMERGENCY - 911
Chevy Chase Village Police
Non Emergency/24hrs - 301-654-7300
Montgomery County Police
Non Emergency/24hrs - 301-279-8000
Bethesda - Chevy Chase Rescue Squad - 301-652-0077
Chevy Chase Fire Dept
(Opposite Columbia Country Club) - 240-773-4707
Bethesda Fire Dept
(Wisconsin Ave and Bradley Blvd) - 240-773-4706
National Capital Poison Center
(George Washington University Hospital) - 800-222-1222
Utilities
Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO)
Emergency-Live wires down, power failure - 877-737-2662 Customer Service - 202-833-7500
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Emergency - 301-206-4002
Complaints, Leaks, Information - 301-206-4001
Washington Gas Emergency - 703-750-1400
Information & Customer Service - 703-750-1000
Comcast - 800-934-6489
Verizon - 800-837-4966
**A cut out sheet is also located on page two of the January 2019 Crier.
|
|
|
|
You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to receive general news updates from Chevy Chase Village. Did you know the Village sends out urgent news updates as well, click here to sign-up. |
|
|
|
|
|
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
