Chevy Chase Village Annual Meeting: 

Monday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. 
Reception Beginning at 7:00 p.m. 

The Annual Meeting is an excellent opportunity to get caught-up on issues affecting the Village. Residents who have moved into the Village during the past year are especially encouraged to attend to see their Village government in action, and to meet Village Committee/Commission members and elected officials. 

Committee/Commission Chairs and representatives will provide reports of their Committee/Commission’s activities over the past year. Also at the Annual Meeting, the Board will adopt the operating budget for FY 2020 (July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020) and will set the real estate and personal property tax rates for the same period. Candidates for the Board of Managers will be announced by the Election Supervisors.

All residents are invited to join the Board in recapping the past year’s events and accomplishments and to discuss the Village’s goals in the upcoming year. 

Please click below to view the agenda. 

Click here to view the agenda

6 Bicycles Stolen Since March 1 

Thieves are entering unlocked garages looking for bikes

• Keep all bicycles in a secure location.  Keep them inside and out of sight.  If you store bikes in your garage, lock the garage day and night—even when you are home.  An unlocked garage is a prime target of these thieves, and they’ve entered garages virtually unnoticed even when residents have been at home.  If you cannot store your bicycles inside, then lock them to an immovable object.

• Write down the serial number from every bicycle.  Without a serial number, we cannot identify your bicycle, we likely will not be able to arrest a suspected thief found on your bike, and police will not be able to return your bicycle to you if/when it is found.  To make it easy for you, the Village Police Department will register your bicycle for you for free.  We will record the serial number and description of your bike and apply a sticker to the frame. 

• If your bike is stolen, please report it to us right away.

• Leave your exterior lights on all night long, and call the Village Police Department whenever you see or hear anyone that arouses your suspicions.

Friends of Chevy Chase Circle

CORRECTED DATE - Saturday, May 4, 9am-12noon, “Help Trim the Azaleas on the Circle” event. Grab a hand clipper and come on out. Sponsored by the Friends of Chevy Chase Circle and Chevy Chase BSA Troop & Crew 255. 

Saturday, May 25, 8:30am-12noon, BSA Troop 255 will be inviting the community to help pull the invasive ivy that has spread amongst the rose bushes and the azalea. Bring trimmers and wear long sleeves. 

For any questions, please email: info@friendsofCCC.org

Record High Groundwater Levels Affecting
Frequency of Sump Pump Activation

We have received many inquiries regarding why sump pumps have recently been running on a much greater frequency than ever experienced before. We consulted data produced by the United States Geological Service (USGS) who monitor groundwater levels in the metropolitan area. Since August 2018, greater than average rainfall in our area has caused the local groundwater level (or “Water Table”) to rise closer to land surface than is considered within the “normal” historical range.  In fact, the February 2019 water table data indicated record-high elevations (above the previous record set in 1972). The water table is always highest in winter when plants are dormant and there is little or no evaporation during times of snow melts and/or rainfall. However, water-table elevations, and therefore sump pump activation, can be expected to decrease within about two months as Spring rainfalls come to an end. In the meantime, we recommend annual professional preventative sump pump maintenance to check the condition of the pump motor and clean the sump pit to prevent fouling of the pump intake.

To view the USGS monitoring well graphic data, an interactive clickable map of Maryland can be found at: https://md.water.usgs.gov/groundwater/web_wells/current/water_table/counties/index.html

This greater than average rainfall has also impacted residents’ yards.  From flooded yards to the loss of private landscaping, all corners of the Village have been impacted by the increased rainfall. As residents seek to manage the water on their property, we remind you that many water remediation and management solutions require a Building Permit from the Village.  The Village’s permitting process typically includes review by the Village’s contracted civil engineer.  In order to issue a Building Permit, the Village Code states that the Village Manager must determine that the proposed work will not alter the existing or natural flow of water onto neighboring properties or into the public right-of-way.

For more information on the Village’s permitting requirements and process, please visit the Village website, call the Administrative Office or email ccvpermitting@montgomerycountymd.gov.

How to Join the Village Listserv

 
The Chevy Chase Village Listserv through Yahoo! Groups was launched in 2006 as a forum for email communication from the Village to residents and as a forum for information sharing between residents.  In 2012, the Village created general and urgent email-blast systems through which official communications are disseminated from the Village government to residents and the we ceased using the listserv for this purpose.  The listserv remains in operation as a means of communication between residents.  Messages range from requests for vendor/contractor recommendations, to items for sale and upcoming events and activities of interest.
 
In March of 2012, the Village Board designated Tim Slagle of Kirkside Drive as the listserv’s moderator and officially turned the group over to the community. Tim has created an information website that provides instructions for subscribing to the listserv, guidelines that have been established for use of the listserv as well as a link to view previously posted messages.
 
The information website can be found at www.ccvillage.info. The moderator, Tim Slagle, can be contacted via email at ccvillage-owner@yahoogroups.com.

Do Your “Doody”

The Brookville Road Dog Park has become a successful gathering spot for four legged friends and their human companions. Residents report that their dogs love the exercise and their humans, too, are enjoying the opportunity to socialize with pet loving neighbors.
If you are chatting with friends or using your cell phone, still pay attention to and clean up after your pet. It’s a necessary responsibility of pet ownership- and it’s the law. Waste bag dispensers and receptacles are available at the park. Pet waste is an environmental hazard- it carries germs, attracts rodents and contaminates the watershed. Help us keep the park a safe place to visit- Do Your Doody!

Pepco Giving Free Trees to Help Customers Save Energy 

Customers can reserve a free tree through the
Arbor Day Foundation beginning March 11th!

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 11, 2019) – Pepco is giving away 1,000 free trees to residential customers through the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees program. This initiative helps customers conserve energy and reduce household energy use through strategic tree planting. For the ninth year, Pepco is stepping up to support this important environmental and energy saving program. Starting today, customers can reserve one free tree per household by visiting arborday.org/pepco.
 
"We value the strong and important relationships we’ve built and continue to cultivate with our communities across the District of Columbia and Maryland over the last 100 plus years," said Donna Cooper, Pepco region president. "While we are known for our commitment to providing clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy service to our customers, we also see it as our duty and obligation to give back to the communities that we are a part of and that we are privileged to serve. Seeing the outcomes of our continued contributions and volunteerism, with our outstanding nonprofit partners, is another reminder of our deep connection to our communities and the vested interest we have in their continued success."
 
Customers will have the ability to choose from a selection of trees, including Redbud, Crepe Myrtle, River Birch, Red Oak, Red Maple, most available in varying sizes.  
One-gallon trees will be delivered to customers’ homes between April and May. All three- and five gallon trees will be available for pickup only during company planned events in April. More information on these events can be found online during the reservation process.  
 
Through the “Right Tree, Right Place” tree planting program, Pepco is also offering 250 trees on a first-come, first-served basis to District of Columbia homeowners in partnership with Casey Trees, a D.C.-based nonprofit committed to restoring and protecting the nation's capital’s tree canopy.  District residents can request up to two trees by calling Casey Trees at 202-833-4010. Casey Trees will send out a professional arborist to evaluate the landscape and recommend a suitable tree for the area. Once the appropriate tree is chosen, Casey Trees will come to the home and plant the tree. For the consultation and planting valued at $400, a co-payment of $50 per tree payable to Casey Trees, is required prior to planting.
 
Through the Arbor Day Foundation’s website, customers also have the power to explore interactive tools, including a tool to help customers determine the best location on their property to plant their tree for energy savings benefits. Properly planted trees can provide a homeowner many benefits, such as reducing energy use through summer shading and by slowing winter winds. 
 
Throughout a tree’s growth period, trees have the potential to lower energy bills by 15 to 30 percent. Additionally, trees provide benefits to a community by improving air and water quality, reducing stormwater runoff, and adding to the visual appeal of a neighborhood. In fact, since 2012, Pepco customers have planted more than 17,650 trees, saving nearly 29 million kWh, and removing close to 363,584 lbs. of air pollutants from the atmosphere. 
 
Prior to receiving a tree, Pepco reminds customers to call 811 to have utility-owned underground lines marked before they start to dig. One free call to 811 connects you to Miss Utility, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of your intent to dig. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811. 
 
Customers unable to reserve a free tree through the internet are encouraged to call 855-670-2772 to secure a tree.
 
To learn more, readers are encouraged to visit The Source, Pepco’s online news room. Find additional information about Pepco by visiting www.pepco.com.

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pepcoconnect and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pepcoconnect. Our mobile app is available at  www.pepco.com/mobileapp.

Tax Return Reminder (MD Form 502)

 
Revenues received through our residents’ paid income taxes remain the most significant source of Village revenues. We need our residents’ help to ensure that all income tax revenue due to the Village actually gets here. This money goes directly to services benefiting Village residents.  Village residents DO NOT pay any additional income taxes to live in Chevy Chase Village. By law, as a municipality, the Village receives a portion of the tax you pay to Montgomery County. It is very important, however, that the State of Maryland knows to return this revenue to the Village. Consequently, please take special care to mark your tax return as shown below.

Please remember that MD Form 502 was updated last year with a separate political subdivision section located under your mailing address.  When you complete your Maryland income tax return, remember to put Town of Chevy Chase Village under “Maryland Political Subdivision” and include 1613 the “4 digit Political Subdivision Code” to ensure the Village receives our share of the state income tax (see below).   

Click on the image below to see the full form

Beware of Mulch Volcanoes

As landscape crews begin spring garden cleanups, please be sure they do not create the infamous “mulch volcanoes” which cause damage to trees. 

Deciduous trees can benefit from the application of a 2-3” layer of mulch around the base of the tree. The mulch can help maintain moisture, reduce weed germination and protect trunks from lawn care equipment. Mulch materials can be shredded hardwood, pine bark, pine fines or compost. Unfortunately, over-zealous landscape crews frequently apply too much material and mound mulch against the trunk of the tree, hence the term “mulch volcanoes”. This is detrimental to the health of the tree and can cause serious decline. Remember not to pile the mulch around the stem of the tree.

Visit the following website for tree care tips, including an article detailing proper mulching technique:

http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/mulching.aspx

Please be a Considerate Owner/Handler at the Brookville Road Dog Park

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 the Village's primary method of communication with residents. 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 official emergency communications service for Montgomery County, MD. During major crisis, emergency or severe weather events, Montgomery County 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 forms 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 created to assist you in your preparedness efforts is our House Check Program. Always request a House Check when you are leaving 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 2019 Crier.

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