Holiday Office Closure and Refuse/Recycling Schedule

The Village Administrative Office and Public Works Department will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2022 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As a reminder, the Communications Center and Police Department are open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Collection of Special Pick Ups will not be affected by the Holiday. The trash and recycling pick up schedule is amended as follows during the week of January 17-22:

County to Provide Rapid At-home Test Kits at Libraries Beginning Monday, January 10

For Immediate Release: Friday, Jan. 7, 2022

To make COVID-19 testing more available, Montgomery County residents can pick up free, rapid at-home test kits at any one of 19 Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) beginning Monday, Jan. 10. The iHealth COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test kits will be available on a first come, first served basis until supplies run out. Residents can receive a maximum of two test kits per person (each containing two tests) per visit.

The tests are recommended for asymptomatic people. People showing symptoms of COVID-19 should NOT go to a library distribution site and should contact their health care provider or make an appointment for a PCR test at one of the many locations providing testing throughout the community.
Library branches distributing kits from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday are:

Library branches distributing kits from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 2 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday are:

“Securing these tests, that are currently in great demand, will help our County mitigate community transmission from the Omicron variant surge,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We appreciate the District of Columbia assisting us and thank our procurement team for their diligence to track down and acquire these tests. We are going to make sure these tests will be given out equitably and fairly throughout the community.”

The kits being distributed at County libraries were purchased directly by the County and deliveries will be ongoing for as long as supplies last and the Omicron surge continues. So far, the County has ordered nearly two million kits and 500,000 kits have been received so far.

“Rapid home tests for COVID-19 are important public health tools to help control the transmission of the virus and are more important than ever given the current spike in cases we are experiencing in our community,” said Council President Gabe Albornoz, who also serves as chair of the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee. “We encourage our residents to get tested and get boosted, while Councilmembers continue working with County Executive Elrich and our public health and emergency management teams to provide the resources needed to get our community through this latest phase of the pandemic.”

The iHealth Rapid Antigen test is an at-home test that enables a person to collect a specimen which shows whether the person has the nucleocapsid protein antigen from the virus which causes COVID-19. Test results are available in 15 minutes. Rapid test specimens are collected using a nasal swab. A swab is inserted into each nostril, one side at a time, the swab is then rotated around the inside of each nostril, to gather mucous. Detailed instructions on how to perform the self-test are included with each test kit.

In late November 2021, the County received 10,000 rapid test kits from the Maryland Department of Health and those kits were distributed to specific community-based organizations to be used for individuals identified as having an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 or decreased access to available test sites because of their occupation, such as food service workers; their vaccination status or who live in areas of the community with lower vaccination rates; limited access to other testing resources due to access to health care, transportation or work hours; or due to a physical or developmental disability.

More information is available on the County’s COVID-19 testing page at www.MoCoCOVIDtesting.org.

County’s MLK Week of Service Event Offers Virtual and Onsite Volunteer Opportunities

Every January, for more than a decade, the Montgomery County Volunteer Center has brought thousands of area residents together for an afternoon full of volunteer activities featured at its large-scale Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day of Service event. However due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year, like last year, the event has gone largely virtual and expanded to a week, with a variety of home-based and safely distanced service opportunities available online at http://bit.ly/MoCoMLKDay.

Technology Makes it Easy for Someone to
Track Your Every Move

Apple Airtags can be used to find your missing car keys—or to track you

Recently, a resident alerted Chief Fitzgerald to an article about how Apple AirTags have been used by persons to stalk their unwitting victims (often following the break-up of a domestic relationship).

AirTags are small, coin-sized devices that transmit their location—very precisely—to the owner’s iPhone. AirTag owners often attach the devices to important items such as car keys or purses so that, when the item is misplaced, the owner can use their iPhone to find the item. This is the ‘good’ side of these devices.

On the other hand, these same devices can be used diabolically to track or stalk someone. A person with bad intentions can simply slip an AirTag into a victim’s car, purse or backpack and track the victim’s whereabouts around the clock. This is the ‘bad’ side of such devices.

The links below will take you to articles explaining how AirTags work, how you can determine if an AirTag is tracking you, and what steps you might take to prevent this from happening to you.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/05/05/apple-airtags-stalking/

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/apple-airtags-can-be-used-to-track-you-how-to-protect-yourself/

FY2023 Budget Work Session

The Village Board of Managers will hold a virtual work session to review the Village Manager’s draft FY2023 budget (fiscal year begins on July 1, 2022 and ends on June 30, 2023) on Wednesday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. (this meeting will be held virtually).

The work session will be open to the public, although public comment will not be permitted until the public hearings on the budget during the Board’s regular meetings in March and April. Additional work sessions may be scheduled as deemed necessary by the Board.

Montgomery County Council Approves Amended Board of Health Regulation to Continue Indoor Masking until January 31 to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Click on the below link to view the Press Release and to access the amended Board of Health Regulation:

PRESS RELEASE

Christmas Tree Disposal

Please remove all ornaments and lighting

As part of the regular yard debris pick-up Public Works staff will collect trees, natural wreath and garlands left at the curbside. Please remove all ornaments and lighting. The trees are recycled into mulch and any wires left on the trees will damage the chipping equipment. Wire-framed wreaths and wire-strung garland should be disposed of in the regular trash.

Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Now Banned in the Village

The ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers went into effect January 1, 2022. The Village Board approved the ban (which also went into effect in the District of Columbia on January 1) 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.

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. A Village officer will be dispatched to confirm whether the blower(s) are being operated in compliance with Village and county regulations. 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.

To view the county’s leaf blower notice, visit: https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=912. Click here to review the Montgomery County Noise Ordinance and the provisions pertaining to leaf blowers (Section 31B-9).

PCR COVID-19 Testing

Testing Sites Available through the County, State and Private Facilities

Various facilities across the county and state are providing COVID-19 testing for those exhibiting symptoms as well as testing for those who may be asymptomatic and need to be tested for clearance/travel purposes.

To view available testing sites in the county (county government operated and private), visit:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/testing.html

To view available testing sites provided by the State of Maryland, visit:
https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/symptoms-testing

WSSC Billing Concerns

Resident Response Options

Numerous residents have indicated that their more recent quarterly WSSC water bill has been considerably higher than normal. If you feel there may be an issue with your own bill, WSSC has recommended that residents reach out to the WSSC Customer Advocate for our area, Mr. Brandon Stewart (Brandon.Stewart@wsscwater.com). WSSC indicates WSSC can perform an evaluation of the meters, service lines and billing history for the specific properties as these requests are received. WSSC is not able to perform a community-wide assessment and must respond to individual reports of billing errors.

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF A CHARTER RESOLUTION

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to Article XI-E of the Constitution of Maryland, §4-304 et seq. of the Local Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland and the Charter of Chevy Chase Village, the Chevy Chase Village Board of Managers on December 13, 2021, duly adopted Resolution No. 11-01-21 (Charter Amendment No. 21-1) to amend Section 301 of the Chevy Chase Village Charter to change the date on which elections are held, change the date by which a petition for candidacy must be filed and the extension date for filing, authorize an election ballot to be mailed to all registered voters in the Village, allow the ballots to be voted through the mail, deposited in a drop box, or submitted in person on the day of the election, set the date by which a ballot must be received, and to make conforming changes.

This amendment shall become and be considered a part of the Chevy Chase Village Charter on February 1, 2022, unless properly petitioned to referendum in a manner prescribed by law on or before January 22, 2022. A complete copy of the Resolution and Charter Amendment can be obtained from Shana Davis-Cook, the Village Manager, at 5906 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815 and is available online at:

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4204/ReslNo_11-01-21_Charter-Amendment-21-1-Elections_FINAL

Montgomery County Launches 2021 Biennial Online Resident Survey, With Response Deadline of Jan. 17

Montgomery County has started conducting its biennial online survey of County residents. The survey is available online and is designed to get residents’ assessment of the local government, its services and their quality of life. The survey will be open until 11:59 p.m. on January 17.

The 39-question survey asks residents age 18 or older to rate how they feel about the quality of life, County services, use of existing amenities and facilities, whether they take advantage of County programs, their impression of County employees, how well the County communicates with its residents, and various household practices such as recycling. It is recommended that respondents use a browser other than Internet Explorer to minimize problems accessing the survey.

To generate a more equitable sample, the survey was mailed to 5,000 randomly selected households with instructions in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean, Vietnamese, Persian/Farsi and Amharic. However, the survey is open to all residents. Households that received the mailed survey should use the link and access code contained in the mailer.

Updated: 12/10/2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Booster Eligibility Expanded to 16 Years and Up (Pfizer only for 16- and 17-year-olds)

COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals age 5 and up remain available across the state and county. Clinics are also providing third/booster doses for eligible individuals.

UPDATE AS OF 12/9/2021: The Maryland Department of Health has issued a new bulletin (eff. 12/9/2021) directing all providers to administer upon request a booster dose of any FDA approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 years and older who completed a primary series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago AND to administer upon request a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 16 and 17 years old who completed a primary series of Pfizer-BioNTech.

Individuals who received a primary series of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago continue to be eligible for a booster dose.

State health officials continue to strongly recommend that the following individuals get a booster shot as soon as possible:

Individuals age 65 years and older
Individuals who live in long-term care settings, those who have underlying medical conditions, and those who work or live in high-risk settings or in communities with high transmission rates

The bulletin further emphasizes to providers that they may not turn away any individual requesting a booster dose.

Click on the below links for additional vaccine information:

Montgomery County: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/

The county provides Free Taxi Service to COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Sites for Seniors 65-and-Over and Residents with Disabilities.

State of Maryland: Visit covidvax.maryland.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Support Center at 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).

Retail pharmacies are also providing vaccinations at locations across the state. To access scheduling information through the state’s website (search by zip code), visit:

https://maryland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/nearby/index.html?appid=0dbfb100676346ed9758be319ab3f40c

Marylanders Can Receive a Digital Version of their COVID-19 and Other Vaccination Records

Marylanders who were vaccinated in the state can now receive a digital copy of their vaccination record on the website ImmuNet. This website makes it easier for those who have misplaced their COVID-19 vaccine records.

The website is free and secure to use and is used by healthcare providers in the state to maintain the vaccination records of Marylanders of all ages. Records for people who received their vaccination outside of the state are not included on the website.

To receive your vaccination records on the website, you’ll have to register and follow the directions to confirm your identity and then link your official vaccine records with your account. If your vaccination records appear incorrect, you should contact your healthcare provider.

The CDC does not currently have a database with COVID-19 vaccination records.

-Article courtesy of Montgomery Community Media

Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Offers Tips to Prepare for the Winter Storm Season

Click on the below link to view a press release from the county's Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security with tips for winter storm readiness:

Press Release

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

NEW HOURS! The Farmers Market in Section 3 is open through the third week in March 2022 (and will resume at the beginning of May 2022). 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 8-8:30 a.m. for seniors and other vulnerable individuals and opens for all patrons from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain or shine).

NOTE: If you are driving to the Farmers Market, please park in the La Ferme parking lot and NOT by the Brookville Market to leave sufficient parking for the retail shops along Brookville Rd.

Click on the below link for more details:
Section 3 Farmer's Market Information

Catalytic converter theft is on the rise nationally

What is it and how can I prevent it?

Click on the below link to read an article from Police Chief John Fitzgerald regarding the increase in catalytic converter thefts and what you can do to protect your vehicle:

Catalytic Converter Theft

Latex Paint Disposal Policy

Effective Immediately

Wet latex paint is not hazardous waste. Cans should be left open to dry and then disposed of in your regular household trash. We are receiving an increase in requests for hazardous waste pickups including latex paint, which is not permitted. We have established a clear procedure for residents to follow. Click here to read the policy.

Farmers Market in Friendship Heights

Open Year-Round;
Within Walking Distance to the Village

Twin Springs Fruit Farm holds a fruit market in Friendship Heights year-round on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 4433 South Park Avenue (adjacent to the Friendship Heights Village Center). The market offers a variety of fruits, berries and vegetables based on their seasonal peak availability.

For more information regarding Twin Springs Farm and the market, visit: https://www.twinspringsfruitfarm.com/

Local Goods Donation Organizations

Looking to donate used items for general reuse or for use by those in need?
Looking to safely discard old papers?

Click on the below link to access a list of organizations accepting used items along with an organization that provides free paper shredding, year-round.

https://www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=921

Please refer to the listed organizations’ websites for changes in collection days/times and operations.

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.

CC@H offers a rich program of affinity groups, continuing education, socialization, and exercise – many 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, over 80 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

Join the Village Listserv on Groups.io

CCVillage (CCVillage@Groups.io), is the neighborhood mailing list (listserv) for residents of Chevy Chase Village. 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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