This week's blast contains several important updates and information. Please take a few minutes to read through this week's blast and encourage neighbors who may not have signed up for our weekly email blasts to do so today!

Board of Managers Meeting: Monday September 11, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall 

The Board of Managers will hold its regular monthly meeting on September 11, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall. Please click below to view the agenda and the Board's briefing materials.

Click here to view the agenda

Public Invited to Comment on Revisions to the County’s Master Plan of Highways & Transitways

Proposed Reclassifications of Local Roadways

 
The Montgomery Planning Department is in the process of updating its Functional Master Plan called the “Master Plan of Highways and Transitways”.  This is the first comprehensive update to the plan since 1955.  The plan is being updated to incorporate the various Master Plans that have been adopted by the County Council in recent years as well as to reflect the roadway designations pursuant to the county’s “Road Code”, which provides the roadway classifications and corresponding design guidelines (last updated in 2013).  Among the 129 proposed changes to the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways are reclassifications to the following roadways in or abutting the Village:
 

• Brookville Road—reclassification from the existing “primary residential” to “minor arterial
• Grafton Street—classification as a “primary residential”
• Western Avenue—proposed for removal from the plan as it is fully located within the District of Columbia

 
Changes to the Western Avenue and Grafton Street Classifications
Village Manager Ms. Shana Davis-Cook has been in communication with the lead Planning Board staffer regarding the above reclassifications. The Village has no objection to the proposed removal of Western Avenue from the plan’s scope.  In turn, Grafton Street and all references to it should be removed from the plan as the county has no jurisdiction or oversight of this roadway.
 
Changes to the Brookville Road Classification
Brookville Road’s reclassification is a result of its current and anticipated continued use.  Under the Planning Staff’s review, any roadway where 50% or more of the vehicles are not seeking destinations along the specific span of roadway are being reclassified as “minor arterial”, which is defined as “a two-lane arterial meant nearly equally for through movement of vehicles and access to abutting property”. 
 
As a minor arterial, Brookville Road would receive increased priority response for things such as snow removal, removal of roadway obstructions and maintenance.  The reclassification does not dictate any changes in use, however, some neighboring communities have expressed concern that the reclassification could make open the possibility of public buses being placed along the roadway.  Ride On attempted to redirect buses to Brookville Road under a plan that was considered several years ago, under the roadway’s current “primary residential” classification.  This effort was averted in response to objections voiced by the abutting communities. 
 
The Planning Board staff urges that there are no current plans to place buses or make any other physical or use changes to Brookville Road under the proposed reclassification.  The roadway is currently—and would remain—under the control of the State Highway Administration (SHA).  The reclassification would not have any effect on the current truck restrictions, which were established by SHA at the request of the abutting communities.
 
Ms. Davis-Cook is working with the County’s Department of Transportation and the State Highway Administration to learn what, if any, practical effect the reclassification might have on the design, maintenance and use of Brookville Road.
 
Public Outreach Meetings
The Planning Staff has scheduled five Public Outreach Meetings to be held throughout the county next week.  The local meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 13 from 7-9 p.m. at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, Room West A, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda.  This meeting will cover the entire slate of proposed recommendations and will not be limited to the Bethesda/Chevy Chase portions of the plan. 
 
Timeline
The Planning Staff’s originally proposed recommendations, along with any submitted comments from concerned residents and organizations, and any Planning Staff proposed changes to its original proposal will be submitted to the Planning Board in November (date TBD). Following the initial staff presentation in November, the Planning Board will hold one or more Public Hearings (depending upon the level of interest).  The Planning Board’s final adopted recommendations will be transmitted to the County Council in early 2018, at which time the Council will hold a separate set of Public Hearings. If the tentative schedule holds, the revised plan is anticipated to receive final County Council action in August 2018.
 
Informational Website
Below is a link to the information page that has been created regarding the proposed changes, which includes an interactive map where comments can be left regarding specific roadways:
 
http://montgomeryplanning.org/planning-department-launches-digital-interactive-map-to-inform-public-about-updates-to-master-plan-of-highways-and-transitways/

Police Receive Complaints About Cars Passing Stopped
School Buses on Brookville Road

See the below graphic to review the law about stopped school buses

Schools are back in full swing now, and children and school buses are everywhere during our commutes.  Recently, Village Police received a complaint that cars on Brookville Road are passing stopped school buses when the buses are actively loading or unloading children with red lights flashing.  This is dangerous and illegal.
 
Village police officers will be strictly enforcing the law that prohibits vehicles from passing a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing.  Please pay attention wherever you drive and heed the school bus law. 
 
For the drivers in your household, below is a graphic which explains when you may not pass a school bus.  Please review it and share it with all of the drivers in your home.

Public Comments Sought Regarding Early Voting Sites

 
Per State law, which requires a bi-annual review of early voting sites, the Montgomery County Board of Elections is seeking residents’ comments on the list of early voting sites that will operate beginning with the 2018 elections.  Village residents may recall that our local early voting site at the Jane E. Lawton Community Center in the Town of Chevy Chase was a candidate for removal from the list in 2015, however, the Village and other neighboring communities weighed-in and were successful in our efforts securing the site for the 2016 presidential elections. 
 
The Montgomery County Board of Elections will take public comments on the proposed early voting sites and recommendations for new sites beginning at 10:00 a.m. on September 23 at the lobby auditorium of the Montgomery County Executive Office Building, located at 101 Monroe Street in Rockville.  Public comments will also be accepted at the Board of Elections offices located at 18753 North Frederick Avenue, Suite 210 in Gaithersburg during the Board’s meetings on September 18 and October 16.  Both meetings begin at 2:30 p.m. 
 
If residents would like to submit written comments including recommendations for additional sites, please do so by email to elections@montgomerycountymd.gov before October 14.  The final county-recommended sites will be submitted to the State Board of Elections for final approval.
 
For more information, including a listing of all proposed early voting sites, please visit:
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/EarlyVoting/2015EarlyVotingfor2016/EarlyVotingSitesfor2018.htm

Office of Consumer Protection Alert Regarding Coupon-based Air Duct Cleaning Services

 
Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has released a consumer alert video regarding deceptive practices by air duct cleaning services. This Consumer Alert Air Duct Scams Video warns consumers about coupon-based air duct cleaning firms that engage in deceptive marketing by promoting misleadingly low prices, making unsubstantiated health claims and up-selling additional services. 
 
The video highlights a two-step “deceptive dance” prevalent in this industry. First, coupon-based air duct cleaning firms typically gain access to a consumer’s home by advertising that they can provide a service at an extremely low cost, and then attempt to scare a consumer into purchasing hundreds or thousands of dollars of additional services by representing that dangerous conditions are present in the ducts.
 
The video also highlights other problems with the coupon-based air duct cleaning industry:

• Services may not be needed in most residential homes
• Contracts typically fail to comply with Maryland’s door-to-door sales act, and
• Services are not being performed properly; or with the proper license

 
“Most of these firms do not even disclose their business address on their coupons and receipts,” said OCP Director Eric Friedman. “The coupon-based air duct cleaning industry has been the subject of national and local television news hidden-camera reports, yet consumers continue to file complaints with our office year after year.”
 
The video refers to information provided by Washington Consumer’s CHECKBOOK Magazine, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It also advises that a license from the Maryland Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration would be needed to provide certain services to a consumer’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system.  Consumers should contact OCP with any questions or complaints.
 
For more information, call the Office of Consumer Protection at 240-777-3636 or visit OCP’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OCP

Helpful Reminders for Those Seeking to Assist Hurricane Victims

Last week’s devastating hurricane that affected residents in Texas, Louisiana and other gulf states as well as residents of states expected to be affected by Hurricane Irma have touched the hearts of those in our area and many locally now seek to assist those in need.  As in any disaster, these events bring out the best and worst in people. There ARE scams out there right now to steal donations intended for hurricane victims. Please carefully review any organization to whom you are sending resources. 
 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a press release with information to connect individuals with legitimate organizations:

https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2017/08/29/how-help-disaster-survivors-texas

Montgomery County Ride On Bus Announces Changes to Several Ride On Bus Routes Effective September 17

Montgomery County’s Ride On bus system will combine certain routes, improve schedules, and eliminate three routes. All of these changes will take effect September 17.

Routes 3, 93 and 94 will be eliminated

• Each year, Ride On creates a performance indicator for each route and ranks them accordingly. The performance indicator compares the resources allocated to each route with the number of average daily riders. The routes being eliminated were the lowest performing in Ride On’s system.
• Some alternative transit options are available for each of these routes. Transit riders are urged to call 3-1-1 or visit the WMATA Trip Planner to identify available options. For example:
  • Route 3 alternatives: there are multiple options along the route, except Dale Drive
  • Route 93 alternatives: Routes 26 & 45 run along Twinbrook Parkway; Route 10 runs along Parklawn Drive; there is no alternative direct service to the NIH
  • Route 94 alternatives: Route 75 provides access to Germantown Transit Center, with transfers available for Routes 61 or 97 to the MARC Station

• Executive Connector buses will operate along Executive Boulevard and East Jefferson Street between Old Georgetown and Montrose Roads toward White Flint or Twinbrook Metrorail Stations
• Route 81: This route will run along Old Georgetown Road instead of Marinelli Road
• Route 75: Montgomery County Correctional Facility/Clarksburg/Outlets/Milestone Center/Germantown Transit Center
  • New Saturday and Sunday service will be added; weekday service will be extended until 11:30 p.m.
  • New routing - This route will begin serving Stringtown Road and Clarks Crossing Drive. The map on the timetable dated September 17, 2017 will show the old routing.

Route 55
Sunday service will be extended to Rockville. All service will depart from the west side of Rockville Metro.

Route 10
Ride On will adjust the Monday through Saturday schedule to coordinate better with Metrobus C8 along Randolph Road. 

Route 34 and Route 46 at Medical Center Metro
Route 34 southbound will remain on Rockville Pike. Route 34 northbound and Route 46 will move to Bay D.

Schedule Updates
The following routes will have time changes so that the schedule reflects the actual travel time along the route or minor changes to the schedules:
1, 11, 21, 22, 26, 28, 33, 39, 46, 70, 73, 76, 81, 83, 96, 97, and 98

**UPDATE: Event time has been changed to 8:00 p.m.**

Fall Social - Save the Date!

To help welcome new residents and to give everyone a chance to visit with one another, we will have our annual Fall Social at the Village Hall on Sunday, October 8th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. There will be refreshments for all ages and a moon-bounce for the children. More details will be available as we get closer to the date.

The Fall Social Flyer can be found in the September 2017 Crier. 

Are You Prepared?

As we saw last season during the record Blizzard of 2016 and as gear up for the upcoming winter season, the Village reminds residents that it is important to be prepared. 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.

Village Website and Blast Email System – Have you signed up for the Village’s blast email system? This is primary electronic method of communication with you. The Village has 2 email lists you can sign-up for:

Urgent News Alert – include messages such as criminal activity, neighborhood disruptions such as water main breaks, power outages and road closures and major weather events.

General News Alerts – include messages about Board and committee meetings, community events, changes in public services such as refuse/recycling collection schedules and upcoming road closures.

To sign-up for the blast email system visit the Village website at www.chevychasevillagemd.gov and click on the tablet icon at the top of the Village’s homepage.
 

Alert Montgomery – Alert Montgomery is the office emergency communications service for Montgomery County, MD. During major crisis, emergency or severe weather events, Montgomery County officials will send event updates, warnings and instructions directly to you on any of your devices. To sign-up for Alert Montgomery please visit the OEMHS website www.montgomerycountymd.gov/oemhs and click on the “Alert Montgomery” link at the top of the page.

Family and Community Preparedness Information – Emergencies can take many form and occur with or without warning. By taking a few simple steps now, you can ensure that you, your family and your community are better prepared to handle emergencies. To assist in your family planning please visit the Village’s emergency preparedness page, www.chevychasevillagemd.gov/emergencyprep for helpful tools and links. Another important tool the Village has to assist you in your preparedness efforts is to always request a House Check when you are out town and ensure that your emergency contacts are up to date with the Village office.

For additional information please visit the Village’s website at www.chevychasevillagemd.gov and click on the “Are you prepared? – Emergency Preparedness Tips” link listed in the Quick Links on the homepage.

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

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 2017 Crier.

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