Spring Brings Increase in Code Violations;
Confirm Permitting Requirements
BEFORE you Perform Work

As spring arrives, we are seeing an increase in unpermitted work taking place across the Village.  Residents are reminded that most exterior home improvements, including what may be classified as “maintenance”, may require permits from the Village as well as from Montgomery County.  Examples include:

• New and resurfaced walkways and driveways
• New sheds
• Drainage and irrigation projects including installation of irrigation systems, French drains, drywells and underground drainage pipes
• New and replacement air conditioning units and generators
• New and replacement decks and patios
• New and replacement fencing, including electronic pet fencing
• Installation of outdoor lighting
• Planting and other improvements in the public right-of-way

Residents are urged to contact the Village office BEFORE hiring a contractor to perform work at your property to confirm permit requirements.  Village staff can not only advise you of work requiring a Village permit, but can also alert you to permitting requirements by the county.  Failure to obtain permits in advance of work can result in enforcement action including posting of the site under a Stop Work Order, fines and citations, and/or remedial action to remove an improvement that does not comply with the Code.
To confirm permit compliance, please call the Village office at 301-654-7300 or email ccvpermitting@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Simple Steps to Converting Your Lawn to Organic

 
Environment and Energy Committee

Spring is here and it a good time to take simple steps to convert your lawn to organic.  The key to a healthy lawn is healthy soil and good mowing, watering and fertilizer practice. A good first start is to analyze your soil to determine what your specific needs are. A basic soil test that gives readings for soil pH, phosphate, potassium, and magnesium levels is sufficient for most home gardeners. The Extension Service at the University of Maryland page can provide that Service.

Fertilizing your lawn ensures good growth and root development for your grass. Look for organic slow release fertilizers that contain nitrogen, potassium but no phosphorus. Products that are compatible with organic landscape management are listed at the Beyond Pesticides web site or on the Environmental and Energy Committee web site. 
 
Talk to your landscape contractors and find our what products they are using. For lawns that have had high pesticide use, the costs may be a little higher initially but in the long run will cost you less money, reduce your water use, and most importantly, your lawn will be safe for children and pets.
 
Marilyn Bracken

Chevy Chase Village's Community Relations Committee
Invites Residents to Enjoy

 The Seriously Fun Singing Group
Sunday, May 20, 2018 - 4PM to 6PM

SFS is group of 22 singers that began three years ago when two friends in Chevy Chase were looking to sing popular and “fun” music in a small group setting.  They ended up organizing their own group, recruiting many like-minded, musically-talented neighbors from Chevy Chase and nearby Bethesda and Chevy Chase DC.

Since May 2015, SFS has been performing programs of pleasingly eclectic popular music to enthusiastic audiences! Their concert on May 20th will focus on the music of Leonard Bernstein, celebrating 100 years since his birth, along with Gershwin standards, other selections from the American Songbook and some bossa nova jazz pieces to round out the program.  
 
Chevy Chase Village Hall
5906 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815
RSVP to ccv@montgomerycountymd.gov
OR call 301.654.7300

Brookville Road Park Closed for Improvements

The Brookville Road Park remains closed for redevelopment and construction of a new dog exercise area.

The contractor will try to ensure that pedestrian access along the Brookville Road public sidewalk is maintained, however, there may be occasions when the sidewalk needs to be closed due to deliveries or specific work. Construction plans for the proposed park can be viewed on the Brookville Road Park page.

For more information or questions please contact the Village’s Municipal Operations Coordinator Ellen Sands by phone at 301-654-7300 or via e-mail at ellen.sands@montgomerycountymd.gov.

We thank you for your patience as we undertake this project.

Sidewalk Replacement in the Buffer

Replacement of the brick sidewalk through the Buffer is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 7, weather permitting. The work is anticipated to take about three weeks.  Please follow detour signage.

We thank you for your patience as we complete this project.

The Citizens’ Coordinating Committee
on Friendship Heights
invites community members to a forum for
District 1 Candidates for the Montgomery County Council

When:  Thursday, May 10, 2018, 7:30-9:00 p.m.

Where: Cafeteria/All Purpose Room, Westland Middle School, 5511 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda

Candidates joining us: Bill Cook (D); Pete Fosselman (D); Andrew Friedson (D); Ana Sol Gutierrez (D); Jim McGee (D); Reggie Oldak (D); Dalbin Osorio (D); and Meredith Wellington (D)…GOP candidate declined to attend

If you share our concerns with school overcrowding, traffic congestion, excessive density in Westbard and downtown Bethesda…then note:

• The County Council bears responsibility for approving plans.
• Our District 1 Councilmember has been term limited out of office.
• We have eight Democrat candidates vying for that position.
• The primary election on June 26th will determine our Councilmember.

Our organization’s focus for the past half-century is on planning and zoning issues.  We will be questioning all eight Democrat candidates on these matters. We will solicit questions from the audience as well.

Who should you vote for? How will you decide? Become informed!

If you care who makes crucial decisions regarding our communal well-being, then join us on May 10. 

VOTE – IT MATTERS

Are You Prepared?

As we have experienced during various seasonal events, 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.

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.

You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to receive general news updates from Chevy Chase Village. Did you know the Village sends out urgent news updates as well, click here to sign-up.