Homeless Man Spends Daytime Hours in
Western Grove Park Lately

Village Police have spoken with the man and are monitoring;
no apparent threat.

On Wednesday, May 23, Village Police responded to Western Grove Park to check the welfare of a man lying on a bench in Western Grove Park.   Police located him; his name is Stephen, he is a white male, about 5’7” tall, 200 pounds, with brown hair and a graying beard.  He often paces and talks to himself, so we understand why we received calls about him.  Stephen suffers from some form of mental illness, but he is very smart and he can carry on a conversation with ease. 
 
Officers spoke with Stephen at length and learned that he is homeless by choice.  Village officers offered to connect him with several social services—from housing to food to clothing—and he declined them all.  With the limited information that Stephen provided, officers were later able to positively identify him.  He is not wanted by the police, and there is no indication that he presents a threat to others.  Officers have advised Stephen that Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission regulations prohibit him from sleeping in the park at night, and he acknowledged that.
 
Village officers have made our Park Police partners aware of Stephen, also.  Village and County officers patrol the park, and both agencies have checked on him.
 
Village officers will continue to patrol the park and to check on Stephen.  If you witness him bedding down in the park at night or engaging in behavior that damages the park or alarms you in some way, please call the Village Police Department so that we can follow up right away.

Simple Steps for Converting Your Lawn to Organic

 
Environment and Energy Committee

Now is a good time to take simple steps to convert your lawn to an organic lawn. 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 provides this service at https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/soils/soil-testing
 
Fertilizing your lawn ensures good growth and root development for your grass. This should be done in the fall. Look for organic slow release fertilizers that contain some nitrogen (essential for green grass growth) and potassium, but no phosphorus (not essential for lawn maintenance and can contribute to nutrient run-off which flows into surface and ultimately coastal waters, triggering algal blooms and dead zones).  Products that are compatible with organic landscape management are listed at www.BeyondPesticides.org or on the Environment and Energy Committee website. 
 
Talk with your lawn care contractor to see if they currently provide organic lawn care options.  Are they certified in organic lawn care?  Can they show you examples of lawns they care for organically? For lawns that have had high pesticide use in the past, the costs to convert to an organic lawn may be a little high initially, but in the long run will cost you less, reduce your water use, and most importantly, your lawn will be safe for children and pets.
 
Montgomery County Department of Environment has a new site for Organic Lawn Care to help do-it-yourself residents and tips if you are looking to hire a company at www.montogomerycountymd.gov/lawns/ 
 
Marilyn Bracken, Ph.D.
Co-Chair, Environment and Energy Committee

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 has begun. The work is anticipated to take about two more weeks.  Please follow detour signage.

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

Residents Reminded to Comply with Local “Signs” Ordinance

Chevy Chase Village has its own “Signs” Code (Chapter 12) which outlines a series of regulations and parameters for signs erected in the Village, both on private property and in the public right-of-way.
 
The regulation of signs is intended to enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety and to preserve the attractiveness of the streetscape.  Key provisions include:

• Signs allowed on private property, with certain limitations, including political and religious signs, flags, and scholastic or collegiate banners; no permit is required.

• Signs allowed on private property and/or in certain locations within the public right-of-way: real estate signs--both the wooden yard signs and for open house events; location signs for estate and yard sales; and directional signs intended to guide or direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic; Village sign permit required for each sign erected.

• Commercial signs are not allowed within the Village. (Exception: security/alarm system signs, which are allowed within certain size and location parameters.) Commercial signs include: fence company name plates, attached to new fences containing the fence company’s name, such as “LONG FENCE”; and construction or contracting company signs. Commercial signs placed in the public right-of-way will be promptly removed by Village staff. If a commercial sign is observed on private property, notice will be provided by Village staff to the property owner requesting prompt removal.

• An “electronic pet containment system” (i.e., electric pet fence) sign, issued by the Village, must be posted at each property where said system is in operation.

• No signs of any kind are permitted within the “tree box”, the area located between the sidewalk and curb/roadway.

Residents may view the full “Signs” Ordinance on the Village website (www.chevychasevillagemd.gov). For questions concerning signs, associated permits or to request an “electronic pet containment system” sign, please contact the Village office at ccv@montgomerycountymd.gov or 301-654-7300.

Holiday Weekend Reminder: Noise Regulations

Please advise your contractors that may be working over the holiday weekend of the Village's noise regulations. Noise-generating activity from construction and equipment is prohibited between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on holidays and weekends. 

These regulations also apply to landscape crews that may be working over the holiday weekend.

As a note, this is strongly enforced by the Village Police and Code Enforcement Coordinator.

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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