Elections, May 2025 Town Meeting, and Updates
Nicole Bryner
Hello! I created this Google Group to share information about Ward 3 and Cheverly. If you would like to be removed from this list, please use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.
Thank you so much for entrusting me with a third term as your Council Member. It continues to be my honor to serve, and I look forward to the next two years of the work I believe in: thoughtful, collaborative leadership—grounded in relationships, responsive to residents, and clear-eyed about both our opportunities and our challenges. I’m grateful for your trust and support.
My family has been an incredible source of support this campaign season, and it would be a disservice not to recognize them in every medium I can. Emmett and Lulu have knocked doors, stuffed envelopes, delivered signs, and cheered me on every step of the way. My husband Josh keeps the household running—making sure we’re all fed, clothed, and cared for—and never flinches at any of my wild ideas. All three of them have sacrificed more than they probably realize, and I’m deeply grateful for their love and support.
I also want to thank my fellow elected officials who voted for me to serve as Vice Mayor this term. I’m honored by the vote of confidence. Mayor Watson and I collaborated on several projects during our time on Council, and I’m ready and willing to work together again to keep our town moving forward. I said this during the meeting, but I want to repeat it here: Former Mayor Munyeneh and Councilmember Fry elevated the role of Vice Mayor in ways that expanded the town’s capacity and reach, and I deeply appreciate their leadership. In particular, Former Mayor Munyeneh accomplished more in her four years at the helm than many could hope to achieve in a lifetime. Any progress we make from here will be building on the strong foundation she laid. We owe her a debt of gratitude; one that may be difficult to fully measure, but that will continue to shape Cheverly’s future for years to come.
This was my third campaign here in Cheverly, and by far the most stressful and exhausting election season that I and probably the whole town has experienced. Some will say that candidates sign up for scrutiny when they run for office, and that’s true to an extent. But my concern is with the inordinate toll this election climate has taken on staff and volunteers, who did not sign up for that.
Staff were yelled at, called names I won’t repeat here (words my children aren’t allowed to say), and in at least one case, met with threats to the effect of “just you wait until after the election—things are going to change in that office.” The all-volunteer Board of Election Supervisors endured similar treatment with a similar tone. I encourage everyone to watch their committee report from Thursday’s meeting. Ms. Kaye’s remarks begin right around the 20-minute mark.
I called out this behavior repeatedly during the campaign, and it’s still gutting that any neighbor thinks it's acceptable to abuse our staff or volunteers—election season or not. Going so far as to threaten someone’s job security crosses a serious line. I will be asking Council to take a hard look at staff morale now that the election is over, and to explore ways to create meaningful consequences for this kind of behavior moving forward. As I said during the meeting, I also hope that in future elections, candidates will have the courage to speak out against this conduct and call on their supporters to stop before Election Day, and not just after the election is won and damage is done.
MEETINGS
May 8 Town Meeting
Agenda can be found here.
You can watch recordings of all town meetings here.
Committee Reports
Planning Board
- A multifamily development is planned for 5900 Old Landover Road, next to the Landover Metro parking lot. This land had been slated for a WMATA rail yard a few years back, but after community pushback, that project was relocated. While the site is not within Cheverly’s town limits, it's close enough to affect us, and it lies within our watershed. The land appears to be largely wetlands, and it's unclear what kind of stormwater management is being proposed.
- There was also a question about plans for the former Walgreens site. We’ll be reaching out to the owner to discuss the kinds of retail the community would like to see. Let me know if you have ideas, or have heard any rumors!
Board of Elections Supervisors (BoES)
- As mentioned above, I encourage you to watch their report.
- Monday’s voter turnout was record-breaking. While there were some hiccups, the BoES and many of the volunteers did a fantastic job keeping things running smoothly.
- The BoES will present recommendations to Council soon, which will likely include clearer policies, increased funding for a scanning machine, and more formal training for candidates and volunteers.
-This was the first year that 16- and 17-year-old residents could vote, and while we don’t have exact numbers for the under-18 vote, the BoES reported that there were 75 voters registered directly with the Town—while some of these could just be folks who prefer not to register with the state, we presume that most are those who fall under the town’s expanded voter rights, which includes both youth voters and non-citizen residents.
- A recurring conversation this week has been about election logistics and terms. Currently, Council Members serve two-year terms, and the Mayor serves three. This means elections happen nearly every year—some for just Council, others for just Mayor, and some, like this year, for both. This setup is logistically complex and costly. One potential idea is a referendum to align the terms and simplify the election cycle. If you have thoughts, I’d love to hear them.
Asian American Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI) Proclamation
Happy AANHPI Month! You can read the proclamation here.
Vice Mayor Selection
I was selected to serve as Vice Mayor for this term. The vote was 5 in favor (Mayor Watson and Council Members from Wards 3, 4, 5, and 6) with 2 abstentions (Council Members from Wards 1 and 2). I appreciate the support and look forward to serving.
Department Reports
Town Administrator
- There’s a slight change to the budget approval schedule. The final review and first reader will be Thursday, May 15 at 6 PM. The second reader will be during the May Worksession, with final adoption at the June Town Meeting. The tax rate is set to remain the same.
- Please join me in welcoming Deputy Town Administrator Farana Abdul! She brings decades of experience at the County level and will be a great asset to our town.
- The Mayor and Council will attend the Maryland Municipal League Conference in Ocean City at the end of June. It’s an important opportunity for training and collaboration with other municipalities. Because of the conference, there will be no June Worksession.
Police Department
- You may have seen the notice about a recent uptick in catalytic converter thefts. Here’s a link to the advisory. Please stay vigilant and contact CPD if your car is tampered with.
Public Works
- Composting is coming! We’re launching a pilot composting program in partnership with Edmonston, Compost Crew, and EcoCity Farms, funded by USDA grant funds.
- The pilot runs June–November and will help us evaluate the cost and viability of a full program.
- Sign-ups open Monday, May 12 and will be shared through the Town’s News and Announcements. The pilot will begin with 60 participants and expand over time.
Odds and Ends
Community Market
Yesterday was a busy day with the season’s first Community Market, the Garden Club Plant Sale, the Legion Auxiliary Bake Sale, and the Cheverly Native Shrub Sale. Thank you to everyone who came out! A few clarifications:
- Yes, that was a lot in one day! Typically, the Market avoids Mother’s Day Weekend to prevent overlap with the plant sale. But this year, because Cheverly Day falls on October 4, the Market shifted its calendar. Everyone involved has agreed: next year, we’ll coordinate earlier to avoid schedule pileups!
- Yes, the County Health Inspector (along with the fire and permitting departments) visited the Market, as they do multiple times through the market season to ensure the market and its vendors are in compliance. One vendor was found in violation of health codes. While the Market Board works hard to encourage compliance, it’s ultimately the vendors’ responsibility. Everyone is working to ensure proper codes are being followed for next market.
- Unfortunately, some attendees (not vendors or Board members) were reportedly hostile toward the inspector. She was doing her job—and keeping us safe. I hope we can all extend a bit more grace moving forward.
Mount Hope Commission
Thank you to the Mount Hope Commission, who hosted a personal storytelling activity during the market yesterday and dedicated a time capsule in Town Park which will be opened in 2032. I really value the wonderful work they do in town; they are small but mighty. If you’re not familiar with the Mount Hope Commission, here’s their mission statement:
The Mount Hope Commission believes that a just, fair, and loving community is achieved by understanding our history and how it has shaped who we are today. By building an understanding that binds us together, we can acknowledge and reconcile our past and mindfully build our future. Visit our website at: https://www.mounthopecommission.org
They are currently recruiting for board members, specifically a board secretary and a communications/outreach lead. If either of these roles interest you please reach out to them at mounthope...@gmail.com.
WSSC Contractor Work
WSSC contractor, MT Laney, will be performing asphalt work at the locations listed below. Work is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 12, 2025, and continue through Friday, May 16, 2025, weather permitting. Please note, inclement weather or unforeseen conditions may extend the project beyond May 16th, 2025.
Please observe all posted signs in the area. MT Laney will have traffic control signs and flaggers in place to help guide traffic safely around the work zones. No road closures are anticipated at this time.
Asphalt Work Locations:
-2500 Block of Crest Avenue
-3400 Block of 63rd Avenue
-6400 Block of Kilmer Street
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Thank you for staying engaged! Please reach out with any questions, concerns, or feedback.
Best,
Nicole Bryner
Vice Mayor
Ward 3 Council Member
Town of Cheverly
Where to find me
Email: CMW...@cheverly-md.gov
Text, WhatsApp, Phone: 301.892.6384
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Upcoming Events
For more information about these and other events, check out the town newsletter
Wednesday, May 14
9am-3pm
Town Hall
Final Review and First Reader of Budget Ordinance
Thursday, May 15
6pm
Hybrid
Friday, May 16
8:30am
Meet at Legion Park
Wednesday, May 21
6:30pm-8:30pm
Town Hall
Town Worksession (Second Reader of Budget)
May 22
7:30pm
Hybrid
Saturday, May 24
8am-noon
Town Hall
Memorial Day: Town Offices Closed and Services Suspended
Monday, May 26
Public Safety Day
Friday, May 30
5:30pm-8:30pm
Town Park
Rec Council Pickleball Tournament
Saturday, May 31
9am-5pm
Cheverly Day
Saturday October 4