108th Annual Meeting Recap and Year in Review

This past Monday, the Village held its first in-person Annual Meeting since 2019. Residents were also able to join virtually. As always, this meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the work undertaken by Village officials and volunteers over the past year and to hear about the goals and objectives for the year ahead. The meeting began with the State of the Village presented by Board Chair Elissa Leonard and ended with the Board’s adoption of the budget and tax levy ordinance for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022. The Board issued a Proclamation recognizing former Board Member Richard Ruda, and Certificates of Appreciation to members of the Village staff recognizing their years of service to the Village (Public Works Steward Clarence Ricks for over 30 years, Police Lieutenant Adventino Dasilva and Public Safety Coordinator Jackie Parker both for over 20 years).

This year’s agenda also included reports from the Village Manager and Police Chief, the Board Treasurer, and Chairs of Village committees and commissions. The Election Supervisors report—presented by member Sarah Brau—was delivered, declaring that there will not be a contested election this year.

Written reports are posted online for residents to view at their leisure. These include a detailed State of the Village overview, reports pertaining to permitting activity over the course of the past year, an annual police report and reports from the Village’s commissions and committees.

Please click here to view these and other annual reports online.

Village’s Annual
Paper Shredding Event

Saturday, April 23
10:00 a.m. - Noon

Village Hall Driveway Loop off of Laurel Parkway.
Click here for details.

Montgomery County GreenFest returns Saturday, April 23

The Seventh Annual Montgomery County “GreenFest” will return as a free in-person festival celebrating Earth Day from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, located at 1800 Glenallen Ave. in Wheaton.

Onsite parking will be restricted to handicapped visitors. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the free parking at the Glenmont Metro Station and shuttle service to Brookside Gardens. Free shuttles will run every 15 minutes starting at 10:30 a.m., with the last shuttle leaving Brookside Gardens at 5:30 p.m. Pets are not allowed at Brookside Gardens, with the exception of service animals.

This free event will have plenty of environmental activities, games and demonstrations, as well as resources that will both entertain and educate attendees.

~Brought to you by the Environment & Energy Committee

Follow-Up Regarding Maryland Department of Transportation's "Needs Analysis" Report for Connecticut Avenue

Report Includes What Could Be Significant Changes Along the Corridor

Last week, the District 18 General Assembly Delegation hosted two virtual community meetings regarding the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration’s (SHA) analysis of Connecticut Avenue—MD Route 185. The “Needs Analysis” report includes short- and long-term recommendations to “balance the needs” of drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians along the corridor. In the long-term, the report outlines significant changes to Connecticut Avenue, south of East-West Highway, including an operational evaluation to determine if elimination of a travel lane in either direction is suitable to provide space for buffered bike lanes, widening of the remaining two travel lanes in each direction, and dedicated left-turn lanes.

The meetings included an introduction from District 18 elected officials, followed by a presentation from SHA representatives and a Q&A where residents were able to ask questions and provide feedback.

Below please find links to the recordings of the two meetings:

Recording of the April 13^th community meeting on the southern sections (includes the Village):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TZI66KDEtvM6P9KJoBcbOFMZlKKYrX36/view?usp=sharing

Recording of the April 14^th community meeting on the northern sections:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wfRX9eu4aoRV_MumZgVFmAPD7CI39x4q/view?usp=sharing

CLICK HERE to download the PowerPoint slides from SHA’s presentation. SHA has also created an easier to review version of the Needs Analysis report, which can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

If you would like to share comments on the Corridor Study or your recommendations on how to make Connecticut Avenue a safe thoroughfare, please complete the community survey here: https://forms.gle/QVhbCayAGD6bFPb66.

Garden Club of Chevy Chase Floral Design,
Horticulture, and Photography Show

STOP! Do you have a permit??

Spring is a great time to refresh and enhance your yard, and the past two years have highlighted the importance of outdoor spaces as an extension of our homes for entertaining and enjoyment. But before you begin that spring project, ensure you have obtained the necessary permits from the Village (and, when applicable, Montgomery County and the Historic Preservation Commission).

When is a Building Permit required? For the installation, replacement or expansion of the following:

Air conditioners, generators and geothermal systems
Garages, accessory buildings and sheds (of any size)
Decks, patios and terraces
Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces
Fences, gates and walls
Driveways and walkways
Lampposts, handrails and freestanding electric vehicle charging stations
Permanently anchored play equipment
Swimming pools and outdoor therapeutic baths
Landscape feature items such as fountains, trellises, and arbors
Regrading and any work that alters the existing flow of water on a property

(See Sec. 8-5 of the Village Code to review the full list of projects that require a Village Building Permit.)

When in doubt, Village staff are here to help! Email ccvpermitting@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 301-654-7300 to confirm if your planned project requires a permit. Confirming permitting requirements in advance will save you time and money and ensure you can get to using your outdoor space that much sooner!

Recording of the Town of Chevy Chase’s Green Town Series:
How to Manage Your Lawn Organically

If you missed or would like to re-watch the Town of Chevy Chase’s Climate & Environment Committee’s Green Town Series presentation on how to manage your lawn organically, you may access the recording at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CQWNU4CyjU.

Expert presenter Mary Travaglini, Manager for Montgomery County’s Organic Lawn and Landscape Program, presented information regarding the county’s cosmetic pesticides ban (which applies in Chevy Chase Village), and why organic is the way to go in lawn care, what to do, and how and when to do it.

Pepco Performing Line Clearance Work

Pepco’s tree contractor, Asplundh, will begin their next round of vegetation management to prune trees away from power lines the week of April 18 (weather permitting). The following blocks are included in this round of pruning:

Brookville Road (between Bradley La. and Oxford St.)
Quincy Street
Primrose Street (between Brookville Rd. and Western Ave.)
Oxford Street (between Broad Branch Rd. and Quincy Street)
Summerfield Road
Broad Branch Road
Newlands Street (between Brookville and Broad Branch Rds.)
East Melrose Street (east of Brookville Rd.)
Nevada Avenue
East Lenox Street (between Brookville Rd. and Nevada Ave.)
East Kirke Street (east of Brookville Rd.)

Pepco has indicated that they have mailed notices to all customers along the feeder lines where trees are scheduled for pruning and Village arborist Dr. Tolbert Feather has reviewed the proposed work.

Questions/concerns should be directed to Matt Young, Pepco’s Vegetation Management Senior Program Manager at 667-313-2169 or myoung@pepcoholdings.com.

Gas leaf blower graphic inside circle with slash

Alert Your Landscapers:
Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers are
Banned in the Village

A ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers went into effect January 1, 2022.

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.

Residents are responsible for discussing these restrictions with your yard maintenance crews.

Click here for more information.

COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits
and N95 Face Masks

Available at the Village Office,
while supplies last.

Montgomery County’s Departments of Health and Emergency Management have provided the Village with a supply of rapid (antigen) test kits and N95 masks for distribution to the community.

Village residents may stop by the Village office to pick-up up masks and test kits. Read more about the mask and test distribution at the Village Hall or other means of accessing COVID-19 tests.

Lending Library to Feature Environment-Related materials

The Environmental and Energy Committee is building a collection of resources that will soon be available at the lending library bookcase in the Village Hall including materials with information on environmentally related topics such as: environmentally friendly gardening, native plants and trees, pollinating gardens, bird books, solar and other sustainable sources of power, recycling, composting, etc.

Contributions to this resource that we hope will be useful to residents young and old are welcome. Please drop by the Village Hall to borrow or contribute materials to the collection.

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.

Updated Guidance on Recycling for Village Residents

Recently several E&E Committee members, along with Board and Village staff, went to the facility that processes the Village's recycling to learn more about how it's handled and what changes in recycling practices might be warranted in light of changing markets for recycling waste. Click here to read more, see a photo of the new facility in action and access a printable chart of single stream recycling guidelines.

Submitted by the Environment & Energy Committee

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

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 here to access a list of organizations accepting used items along with an organization that provides free paper shredding, year-round.

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

Updated: 3/29/2022

COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Information

FDA Authorizes Second Dose Booster
for Older and
Immunocompromised Individuals

Second dose COVID-19 boosters are now approved for individuals over the age of 50 and immunocompromised people who have received their first booster at least 4 months ago.

COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals age 5 and up remain available across the state and county. Montgomery County offers free COVID-19 testing and urges those doing at-home tests to report their results.

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/

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. Click for more information and to join the listserv.

Are You Emergency 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 to view emergency preparedness information.

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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