Board of Managers Seeks Residents’ Feedback on Possible Adoption of the County’s Healthy Lawns Act

The Chevy Chase Village Board of Managers is seeking opinions and feedback from residents on a proposed new ordinance regarding the use of pesticides in lawn care. The Board mailed a letter to all Village households on October 19 outlining the proposal for adoption as recommended by the Village’s Environment & Energy Committee. Broadly, the Pesticide Law forbids the use of synthetic herbicides and other pesticides on lawns. The Board’s letter also referenced opposition to adoption of the Act from local representatives for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Click on the below link to view the letter and email ccv@montgomerycountymd.gov to provide feedback for the Board’s consideration:

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3790/Pesticides-Law-Mailer

Latest Presidential Election Information

The Chevy Chase Village Hall will NOT serve as an in-person polling site for the November 3 election; however, Village residents will be able to access early voting beginning this Monday, October 26 through November 2 at the nearby Jane E. Lawton Center in the Town of Chevy Chase or vote by mail by requesting a mail-in ballot that can be dropped off at any of the over 40 drop-off box locations.

Over 40 ballot drop box sites are confirmed at locations across the county, including one outside the main entrance to the Friendship Heights Village Center at 4433 North Park Avenue, which is the closest drop-off location to the Village, within walking distance to many Village households.

Please click on the below link for an overview of election information including the current list of ballot drop-off box locations and the list of approved early voting centers that can be accessed by all registered voters regardless of assigned precinct:

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=846

Preparing for Halloween
During COVID-19

This is the time of year when our littlest residents are looking forward to the special night in late October when they can dress up and trick-or-treat throughout the community. With the COVID-19 pandemic’s mark still being felt throughout our region, Halloween is the latest cherished tradition to be impacted.

As announced last month, the Village Halloween Party has been canceled, however, we know that many families are seeking guidance regarding COVID-safe trick-or-treating. We anticipate that many households will simply choose not to participate in trick-or-treating activities due to the increased risk of interacting with others and the difficulty of ensuring there is no cross-contamination.

Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management has issued guidance for county residents regarding Halloween. Please click the link below to view this guidance:

https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=26894

Village residents—including ghosts and goblins—are reminded to avoid crowds this holiday and to always wear a mask when unable to maintain a social distance of at least six feet.

Chevy Chase At Home

An Aging-in-Place Village

Do you know that there’s an organization in your neighborhood that helps seniors remain in their own homes safely when they need help doing so? Chevy Chase At Home is a group of neighbors helping neighbors. Volunteers bring needed support to members with a smile. Even, or especially, during this time of the Covid 19 pandemic, the value of an engaged peer community cannot be overstated.

CC@H offers a rich program of affinity groups, continuing education, socialization, and exercise – all currently via Zoom, which actually makes it easier for many to participate.

Please consider whether you, a family member, a friend or neighbor might benefit from the help and sense of community that Chevy Chase At Home can provide. We welcome members and volunteers. Visit https://www.chevychaseathome.org/ for more information and applications.

Reminder: The Village’s Medication Drop Box is Accessible 24/7

Located on the main entry porch of the Village Hall

Saturday, October 24 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. While the Village is not participating in this year’s event, this is an opportunity to remind residents that the Village’s Medication Drop Box was moved to the main entry porch at the Village Hall during the summer to ensure the box remains accessible to residents 24/7 while the Hall itself remains closed to the public.

When depositing medications, please remember that we DO NOT accept liquids, needles, or empty pill bottles. We also ask that if you remove the pills from their respective containers that you place the pills into a sealable bag that will not accidentally open when dropped into the box.

Additionally, free drug neutralization pouches are available for those who wish to dispose of unused medications at home. They are simple to use: add water, shake, then seal the pouch. Medications will be deactivated for easy disposal in the regular trash. The pouches are located in a box by the Village Hall’s entrance. Take as many as you like.

To view a list of sites that are participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 24, visit: TakeBackDay.DEA.gov.

Outdoor Food and Diaper Drive
at the Village Hall

Sunday, November 8th
12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

If you would like another opportunity to provide aid to families in need, Village resident volunteers will be collecting non-perishable foodstuffs to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank, and packages of diapers and pull-ups to benefit Friendship Place. There will be bins placed outside along the benches near the sidewalk where you can kindly drop off donations.

Most needed items include beans, peanut butter, canned vegetables, pasta, cereal, protein bars, and canned chicken. Diapers and pull-ups of all sizes are appreciated. During the pandemic, household donations are important as ever- no donation is too small!

If anyone is available to assist the volunteers in transporting the donations, please send an email to ccv@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Please Note: the Village Hall remains closed to the public.

Leaf Collection Reminders

The Public Works Department’s yearly leaf collection effort has begun and will continue as often as needed through December.

Each week, the leaf truck on the west side of the Village will begin on West Melrose Street and work south ending on Western Avenue; and the leaf truck on the east side will begin on East Irving Street working north and ending on Quincy Street. Leaves on each block in the Village should be collected once per week, weather permitting.

Click on the below link for reminders for residents and their contractors to assist Village crews to assure a safe and efficient leaf collection operation:

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=845

Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection Alerts Consumers and Restaurant Owners to the Large Fees Charged by Online Food-Delivery Services

Washington Consumers’ Checkbook,
a Nonprofit Organization, Releases Report Detailing
Impact on Restaurants and Patrons

Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is alerting consumers and restaurant owners about the confusing and costly fees charged by third-party online food ordering-and-delivery services.

Although these companies often advertise free or low delivery fees, the commissions they charge restaurants are far higher, typically totaling 20 to 40 percent or more of each order. Many patrons are unaware of these high costs, and therefore do not know to seek more sustainable ways to support their favorite eateries.

A recent report in Washington Consumers’ Checkbook provided details on the impact the fees have on restaurants and patrons. The report can be found linked from the OCP website at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ocp/ or directly from the Consumers’ Checkbook site at https://tinyurl.com/y6geenfg.

During the COVID-19 health crisis, consumers are increasingly placing food delivery orders, and many restaurants must rely upon companies such as Grubhub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash. Those companies have bought up many of their competitors and now dominate their industry. Restaurants have turned to delivery companies to compensate for the loss of dine-in revenue.

However, the fees imposed by the major ordering services may result in restaurants losing substantial portions of any revenue these companies might provide.

“Our restaurants and food establishments have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic; necessary efforts to protect the public health have been difficult for restaurants,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Many residents have been eager to support their local restaurants by getting take-out and delivery. I don’t think they realize how much some of these delivery services charge the restaurants, and I think that this is an important step – to let customers know that the restaurants may be paying way too much to these companies. Numerous states and local governments continue to craft creative legislation to address nationwide issues related to food delivery apps. While we explore legislative remedies, I believe Montgomery County is best served by full disclosure and knowledge.”

The Consumers’ Checkbook report describes how the big food-ordering services are dominating the industry and causing major financial problems for restaurants. Checkbook reports that even consumers who never use these apps stand to be affected as restaurants raise their menu prices to account for large commissions paid to these websites and apps.
The report sheds light on this complicated issue and provides guidance for consumers and restaurant owners. For example:

Checkbook created illustrative orders for eight restaurants using a variety of delivery services and found the three largest services—Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats—took a huge cut of each order. On average, Checkbook estimates that fees charged by these three companies were 38 percent of total order costs.
Restaurants may be required to pay extra fees to receive better placement in companies’ search results.
Consumers wishing to support their favorite restaurants should order directly from the restaurants. By using a restaurant’s own phone number, website or app, people can ensure their money goes to the eatery. But Checkbook says to make sure to use the restaurant’s real phone number: Grubhub sets up proxy phone numbers for restaurants so that it can capture its commission even for phone orders.
If you want to order via an app, ChowNow charges restaurants low fees, compared with the other services Checkbook compared.
Do not be fooled by cheap or “free” delivery. To tantalize first timers, apps often offer deals. But those consumer savings often are charged back to the restaurant.

Kevin Brasler, Checkbook’s executive editor, said that it is surprising that the three largest online-ordering companies can demand such high fees and commissions.

“These businesses do little work, acting as mere booking agents for restaurants,” he said. “Consumers need to know that huge portions of their orders are going to well-financed Internet giants, not to the restaurants that pay workers’ salaries and for ingredients, rent, utilities, taxes, licensing and other costs. I think that if most consumers were aware so much of their money were going to these apps, they wouldn’t use them.”

Checkbook’s report also notes that these middlemen squeeze their own restaurant clients by paying big money to Google and other Internet search engines to steer customers to place their orders via their apps and websites, instead of those of the restaurants.

Montgomery County organized several working groups to respond to the COVID-19 health crisis. Issues related to food delivery apps were discussed and debated during several meetings of the Restaurant and Retail Workgroup.

OCP is gathering and posting information on its website regarding the different legislative approaches that states and local governments have introduced or enacted since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example:

Washington D.C. enacted C. Code §48-641 which requires, during a declared public health emergency, the registration of the third-party delivery platform, caps commission fees to restaurants at 15 percent, forbids reducing driver compensation to comply with the cap and requires clear and conspicuous disclosures of the commission, fee or payment structure charged to consumers.
Chicago enacted a Rule titled “Third-Party Food Delivery Services” that requires clear and conspicuous disclosures to consumers of the pricing, commissions and fees, before the transaction and afterwards on the receipt. The Rule is not limited to a declared state of emergency.
New York City enacted two laws applicable during the declared state of emergency. The first prevents third-party delivery platforms from charging restaurants for telephone orders that did not result in a transaction. The second law capped the amount of commission a third-party delivery service is allowed to charge at 15 percent per order for delivery and 5 percent order for all other types of charges.

“Food delivery apps come with a side order of confusion and lack of transparency,” said OCP Director Eric Friedman. “Small restaurants may feel forced to pay steep fees and commissions in order to stay in business. Full disclosure is essential to ensure integrity in the marketplace.”

Consumers’ Checkbook is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help consumers get the best service and lowest prices. It is supported by consumers and takes no money from the service providers it evaluates.

# # #

Media Contacts: Montgomery OCP—Eric Friedman, 240-777-3719 /

Consumers’ Checkbook—Jamie Lettis, 202-454-3006

County Announces COVID-19 Testing Schedule
for Upcoming Week

Montgomery County health officials are urging all residents to get tested for COVID-19 and will provide free walk-in and drive-thru COVID-19 testing at multiple sites during the upcoming week. Testing is important for everyone so that health officials can track the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Some individuals with COVID-19 can be asymptomatic (without symptoms) and spread the disease to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly.

Testing clinics are free, no doctor’s order is required, and no appointments are needed. Residents who are experiencing symptoms should call the Testing Helpline at 240-777-1755 for assistance with scheduling testing, as not all sites accept residents with symptoms. The County’s home-based testing and human services screening is also available for eligible residents. Find more information on the home-based testing and eligibility on the testing website.

The self-administered nasal swab tests provided at the clinics are from CIAN Diagnostic Laboratories in Frederick. These tests are nasal-swab molecular tests. Also called a PCR test, this diagnostic test detects genetic material of the COVID-19 virus using a lab technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Find a complete schedule of upcoming clinics at www.MoCoCOVIDTesting.org.

For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website as well as the County’s data dashboard or follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCountyMD.

# # #

Media Contact: Mary Anderson, mary.anderson@montgomerycountymd.gov

New Rates for Compost Collection
Join The Compost Crew Today!

The food-waste collection program in Chevy Chase Village continues to grow as the community looks for more ways to be conscientious consumers. We recently hit a milestone of 75 households who are recycling their food-waste with Compost Crew. As a result of increased participation, the price per household for Compost Crew’s convenient food-waste collection will now be $16 per month for the standard size bin- a 20% savings from the previous cost. The monthly cost for the larger 12-gallon bins has dropped to $20/month.

Pricing for existing customers will also reflect the new rates. Compost Crew will be in touch with residents who are already composting to share details of the new rates. To sign up for collection services, or if you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact info@compostcrew.com or visit their website via the link below.

The Compost Crew Website

Support the Nearby Farmer's Market in Section 3

Bring cash or a check for the
Newly Launched “$5 for Food”
Donation Drive Benefiting the
Capital Area Food Bank

The Farmers Market at Taylor St. and Brookville Rd. in Section 3 is open with ample parking at La Ferme restaurant. The market features only organic products sold in a COVID-compliant manner. Patrons must wear a mask and bring their own bag and pay by credit/debit card.

The market is open on Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. for seniors and other vulnerable individuals and opens for all patrons at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain or shine). Neighbors visiting the market are encouraged to bring cash or a check for a food donation drive benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank.

Click on the below link for more details:

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=816

COVID-19 Operations Modification and Reminders

Click on the below link for the latest directives on access to the Village Hall and the status of non-essential staff as well as useful links for up-to-date information regarding COVID-19:

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=810

Sign-Up for Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Updates

Montgomery County is continuously pushing out useful information and updates related to the COVID-19 health emergency. Please visit the below site to sign-up for the county’s COVID-19 updates:

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MDMONTGOMERY/signup/14849

Join the Village Listserv on Groups.io

CCVillage (CCVillage@Groups.io), is the neighborhood mailing list (listserv) for residents of Chevy Chase Village. As residents continue to practice social distancing, CCVillage is a resource to allow neighbors to stay connected with one another other. For more information and to join, visit:

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=806

Are You Prepared?

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. Click on the below link to view this information:

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=813

Emergency Contact Sheet

EMERGENCY - 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

or visit the website at Pepco.com/Outages/ReportanOutage
to report their outage and receive restoration information.

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.

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