Updated: 5/14/2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Vaccine Now Available for Children 12+; Links to Information from Montgomery County and Updates from the State of Maryland

Click on the below link for the latest available vaccine information from Montgomery County and the State of Maryland:

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=911

Maryland Governor Amends COVID-19
Public Health Orders

Changes to State Capacity Restrictions and Indoor Mask Mandate;

Montgomery County Orders Remain in Effect

Maryland Order (see below for Montgomery County Information)
This week, Governor Hogan announced that he is lifting all capacity restrictions on outdoor entertainment, art, and sports venues and indoor entertainment venues and conventions, and all remaining restrictions on indoor and outdoor dining as of Saturday, May 15.

The governor also announced that the state’s indoor mask mandate will be lifted as soon as 70% of adults receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

EFFECTIVE SATURDAY, MAY 15:

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR VENUES (see definition at below link). Indoor and outdoor venues may resume normal operations, all remaining capacity restrictions will be lifted on all indoor entertainment venues and conventions, and all outdoor entertainment, art, and sports venues, including all ticketed events.
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING. Restaurants may resume normal operations, as all remaining capacity and distancing restrictions and all other limits will be lifted on indoor and outdoor dining.

Read the updated executive order.

Indoor Mask Mandate to Expire After the State Achieves 70% of Maryland Adults Vaccinated.
Governor Hogan announced that the state’s indoor mask mandate will be lifted as soon as 70% of Maryland adults receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Earlier this week, the state officially surpassed the milestone of vaccinating more than 65% of adults.

Montgomery County
Counties in the state may continue to maintain more strict capacity requirements, and Montgomery County’s more restrictive phased reopening order remains in effect. The order, which went into effect on April 27, adds phases for reopening, based on the percentage of the County population receiving a first COVID-19 vaccination. The three phases of reopening are automatically triggered when the Health Officer reports the vaccination progress to the Board of Health. The reopening requires continued face covering usage and social distancing.

County Council Approves Plan for Municipal
Tax Duplication Payments

Thanks to a large-scale push by Montgomery County municipal leaders and residents, as well as a proposal for a path forward presented by County Councilmember Nancy Navarro, this past Wednesday, the full County Council approved its Government Operations & Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee’s recommendation to:

Approve the FY22 appropriation of the subject budget as recommended by the Executive;
Add $2.0 million, $1.5 million, and $1.5 million tranches to the Category 2 List* for the difference between the Executive’s recommended appropriation and the estimated amount the municipalities state they are owed; and
Add a provision to the FY22 County Government Operating Budget Resolution as follows:

It is the Council’s intent that by October 1, 2021, in collaboration with the municipalities, that the County will codify a consistent process and method to update the property tax duplication formulas and to allow payments for shared services. The County Council delegates this effort to the County Executive, or his delegate, to work with municipalities and provide revised property tax duplication formulas and any County code amendments to allow for payments of shared services related to police services. The Council anticipates that the Executive and municipalities will provide regular updates, about every two weeks, to the Council on this effort until a revised resolution and proposed amendments are transmitted to the Council.

* Additions to the base budget that should be considered as soon as additional resources are available. During FY22, perhaps as early as this summer, the Council can consider adding items from this list to the base budget if additional resources become available. For example, receiving more FEMA reimbursements than anticipated could free up County General Fund dollars.

Work Begins on Intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Jones Bridge Road

Project to Continue Through 2023

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has started work along a half-mile portion of Jones Bridge Road in North Chevy Chase that includes the intersection of MD 185 (Connecticut Avenue) at Kensington Parkway. The work is being done in conjunction with the federal government’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) in North Chevy Chase.

Click the below link for more information regarding the project scope:
https://www.roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/pressreleasedetails.aspx?newsId=3871&PageId=818

County Health Officials Caution Residents About
Cicada Emergence and Rat Population

The 2021 Brood X cicadas are emerging in Montgomery County, and County health officials are urging residents to take steps to prevent an increase in the rat population. During the last cicada invasion in 2004, health inspectors noted a large increase in the number of residential and commercial complaints received about rats. They theorize that cicadas are a popular food source, and when the cicadas are gone, the rats continue to seek out other food sources. During June 2004, there were 436 complaints compared to 60 in 2003 and 31 in 2020.

The Brood X cicadas burrow near the roots of trees and emerge by the millions (or billions by some estimates) every 17 years to mature, mate, lay eggs and die over several weeks.

Homeowners and property-owners are urged to take steps so as not to provide additional food sources and hiding places for rats. Rats have an average of three to six litters of six to 12 offspring each year.

Do not put food out for stray animals, use a catch-tray under bird feeders and keep all pet food indoors and in tightly sealed containers.
Get rid of clutter on your property. Clutter can provide places for rats to hide, sleep, nest and reproduce. Control weeds and shrubs so that rats cannot burrow under bushes and plants.
Manage your garbage by bringing garbage cans and bags to the curb as close to pick up as possible. Leaving them out overnight can invite rats. Make sure that you have enough trash cans to store trash between weekly pick-ups and use hard, plastic or metal cans with tight-fitting lids.

According to Montgomery County Code, Chapter 39, “it shall be unlawful for anyone to allow their property to be infested with rats or to be in such condition as to contribute to an existing or potential rat infestation.” Rats are known carriers of disease and, when living near humans, a public health problem can develop.

If you suspect that there are rats on your property or an adjacent property, call the Licensure & Regulatory Services (L&R) section of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services at 240-777-3986 or call 311. If a rat infestation, or other rat-related issues are identified, the owner of the property or tenant will be given written notice of inspection findings and the notice will outline what is required to eliminate the problem. L&R inspectors do not bait or provide bait to property owners.

# # #

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

Support the Nearby Farmer's Market in Section 3

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

The Farmers Market in Section 3 is open through the winter until the third week in March. Located at Taylor St. and Brookville Rd. with ample parking at La Ferme restaurant, the market features organic products sold in a COVID-compliant manner. Patrons must wear a mask, bring their own bag and pay by credit/debit card. The market is open on Saturdays from 9-9:30 a.m. for seniors and other vulnerable individuals and opens for all patrons from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain or shine).

Click on the below link for more details:

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=905

Reminder to Work with Landscapers to Operate Blowers Legally;
Ban 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 in December 2019 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 have created and begun circulating 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 receive this handout, please email your contractor’s information to
ccvpermitting@montgomerycountymd.gov.

In the interim, residents and landscapers are reminded that all blowers operated within the Village remain subject to Montgomery County’s Noise Ordinance. The county’s Noise Ordinance states that “a person must not...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. Residents are encouraged to report blowers that are suspected to be in violation to the Village Communications Center to allow staff to follow-up with the contractor and property owner. First time confirmed violators will receive a warning and guidance for operating legally.

Residents are responsible for discussing these restrictions 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.

Income Tax Return Reminder (MD Form 502)

Revenues received through our residents’ paid income taxes remain the most significant source of Village revenues. We need our residents’ help to ensure that all income tax revenue due to the Village actually gets here. This money goes directly to services benefiting Village residents.

Village residents DO NOT pay any additional income taxes to live in Chevy Chase Village. By law, as a municipality, the Village receives a portion of the tax you pay to Montgomery County. It is very important, however, that the State of Maryland knows to return this revenue to the Village. Consequently, please take special care to mark your tax return as shown below (if filing electronically, there is a character limit, therefore, you may have to use the abbreviation “Ch Ch Village”).

Please be aware that MD Form 502 features a separate political subdivision section located under your mailing address. When you complete your Maryland income tax return, remember to put Chevy Chase Village under “Maryland Political Subdivision” and include 1613 the “4 digit Political Subdivision Code” to ensure the Village receives our share of the state income tax (see below).

Click on the image below to see the full form.

Little Lending Library Needs Children’s Books

We are so pleased to have the Little Lending Library at the Village Hall. The concept behind this library is a book-sharing honor system in which neighbors take and leave books of interest for one another.

Unfortunately, the large supply of children’s books that once graced our library has been depleted. If you have taken children’s book from the library, we remind you to return them once your little readers have finished enjoying them, or leave others in their place. We want all children in the community to be able to walk or bike up to the Hall to check out a new book to enjoy, but our lending library will only work if we all agree to take AND leave a book for the next family to enjoy.

We are always looking for donations, so please feel free to donate a book or two today!

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.

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. Currently, 75 Village households 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 is $16 per month for the standard size bin--a 20% savings from the previous cost. The monthly cost for the larger 12-gallon bins is $20/month.

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

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

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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Updated: 5/14/2021COVID-19 Vaccine Information