July 2021 Issue of the Crier

The July 2021 issue of the Crier is now available online. Please click the below link to view it.

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=920

Village Hall Reopening Protocols

Hall will Reopen to the Public on July 5

After more than 15 months, we are excited to announce the reopening of the Village Hall to the public on Monday, July 5 following the refinishing of the floors that is currently underway.

In preparation for the reopening, below are protocols and updates for your reference:

The Village Hall will reopen on July 5 (the administrative office and Public Works Department will be closed that day in recognition of the Independence Day holiday; however, residents will be able to access the Communications Center).
The Village will follow the county’s guidance, which has reopened government building with no access, social distancing or mask/face covering requirements; however, unvaccinated individuals will be strongly encouraged to wear a mask/face covering and there will be posted signage encouraging them to do so.
Private rentals may resume at full capacity, as well as classes and organizational activities, such as Chevy Chase@Home events.
Administrative personnel will return to the office; however, some members of the staff will continue to work a hybrid schedule to leverage opportunities for focused, uninterrupted work time and on days when working partial days to avoid unnecessary commuting time. Residents are encouraged to call/email administrative personnel to ensure the staffer they seek is on-site.
We will continue to require online submission of permit applications (whenever possible) and electronic processing of all permits and plan reviews. Our process over the last year has drastically reduced our paper usage and improved our internal review time.
Unvaccinated members of the Village staff are required to remain masked when in contact with others, and all members of the staff are welcome to wear a mask/face covering whenever they feel comfortable doing so.

Permitting Administration

Though the Village Permitting & Code Enforcement Coordinator position is currently vacant, residents who have questions or need information regarding Village permitting should continue to email ccvpermitting@montgomerycountymd.gov. This email account is being actively monitored by Village staff and you will receive a response.

Thrive Montgomery 2050
Draft County General Plan Calls for Increased Density

Residents Encouraged to Submit Comments to
County Council by June 29

Thrive Montgomery 2050 (or “Thrive” for short) is Montgomery County’s general plan update. It is the blueprint for how and where the County will grow over the next 30+ years. On its own, Thrive does not modify any laws, but it sets the policy agendas for the County Council and County Planning Department, and will impact all future Master & Sector Plans.

The second of two County Council Public Hearings is scheduled for June 29 and residents should voice their opinions on Thrive directly to the County Council. A recording of the council’s June 17 hearing is available at https://montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.

Click on the below link for additional information, including a sample letter that residents can use to write the County Council:

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=919

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 county’s leaf blower notice, visit: https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=912

To review 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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