April 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.
Before we dive into the meeting recaps, I want to take a moment to speak from the heart. Election season in Cheverly is never easy—it often brings out some of the more difficult dynamics in our town. This year, in particular, feels especially heavy. We’re navigating a national landscape filled with attacks on civil rights, immigrants, federal workers, and more. Like many of you, I feel the weight of it all. As someone who works for a quasi-federal institution, I’m personally unsure about the security of my employment—and that’s a tough place to be. I think many of us are feeling stretched thin, unsure where to focus our energy.
That’s why I’ve been even more intentional about how I spend my time, energy, and resources. Beyond caring for my family, my priority remains being the best Councilmember I can be. That commitment keeps me busy—writing these newsletters, attending two to three meetings a week, staying on top of my Council inbox, and yes, sometimes wading through knee-deep water at 7 a.m. to respond to town emergencies. As I shared during our last Town Meeting, as a woman of a certain age, I often find myself reflecting on how I want to spend my “one wild and precious life.” I hope I’m spending it well—serving my community and contributing to positive, meaningful change right here at home.
All this is to say: I recognize that many of us are under a lot of pressure right now. I try to approach every issue with grace and assume good intent, and I hope we can all offer that same kindness to one another. If you ever have questions or concerns for me, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly—I’m always happy to talk.
Speaking of election season, please make a plan to vote! If you can’t make it to Town Hall on May 5, here’s information on mail-in/absentee voting: https://www.cheverly-md.gov/266/Mail-In-Voting
MEETINGS
April 10 Town Meeting
Agenda can be found here.
You can watch recordings of all town meetings here.
Consent Agenda
Council approved a grant request from the Cheverly Community Market
Committee Reports
Board of Elections
The Board of Election Supervisors is working hard to ensure a smooth Election Day on May 5. This year, voters will have two options: electronic voting machines or paper ballots. Please note that paper ballots must be hand-counted, so election night results may take longer than usual.
They also reported a record number of mail-in ballot requests this year. Those ballots will be mailed out this week—so if you’ve requested one, keep an eye on your mailbox! The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is April 28.
Voter registration opportunities will be available on April 26 at two events: the Spring Cleaning event in the morning and the Candidate Forum in the afternoon.
The Board also shared that two individuals have filed as write-in candidates. Their names will be announced once they’re certified, likely after this Tuesday’s meeting. I have a hunch one of them will be running for the Ward 3 seat—we’ll see!
The Board is looking for volunteers for Election Day. If you’re interested email them at b...@cheverly-md.gov.
Ethics Commission
There have been some recent questions about elected officials’ financial disclosure forms. The head of the Ethics Commission explained that over the past few years, the Commission has been reviewing town policies to ensure they align with current practices.
One of their early findings was that the past practice of collecting financial disclosure forms only from candidates for office did not match the town’s policy, which actually requires annual filings from all elected officials. The Commission acted quickly to correct this.
Personally, I’ve filed a disclosure form every time it’s been requested—I think five times since 2019—and I believe my colleagues have done the same. I also know that Town staff are working to clarify the process for requesting this information. I’m happy to share details about my own finances with anyone who’s curious (spoiler: there’s not much to see!).
I regret the confusion around this issue. But as with many situations like this, I believe there was no ill intent or attempt to evade responsibilities—everyone did their best based on what they knew, and made adjustments as needed when new information came to light.
Swearing-In
A warm welcome to Lieutenant Gleason, who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Cheverly’s Police Department.
WSSC Water Tower
The Town Administrator continues to work with WSSC and our town lawyers to try to acquire the parcel of land just north of Tremont at Lockwood that includes an old water tower.
Crest Avenue Update/Speed Humps
Some initial confusion around the placement of speed humps on Crest Avenue has been resolved, and installation will begin soon.
While doorknocking, I’ve spoken with many residents who are curious about how to request speed humps. If you’re concerned about pedestrian safety on your street, please reach out to me. We can schedule a meeting with the Town’s Traffic Engineer. If there’s strong community interest in speed humps, the next step is to circulate the petition linked below and collect signatures from at least 60% of residents on your block.
Traffic Calming Petition: https://www.cheverly-md.gov/DocumentCenter/View/407/Traffic-Calming-Petition-PDF
Traffic Calming Devices in Town Code: https://library.municode.com/MD/Cheverly/CODES/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIIOR_CH24STSIOTPUWOPR_S24-16.1TRCADE
Director Reports
Chief Morris reported that the Cheverly Police Department has ramped up traffic enforcement, resulting in 75 traffic stops over just three days. As we all know, it’s not just visitors who break the rules—so please be mindful when driving around town.
He also mentioned that we’re getting closer to implementing red-light enforcement cameras on Columbia Park Bridge Road.
Mr. Brayman from Public Works shared that leaf collection has officially wrapped up for the season. After completing scheduled pickups, crews did a town-wide sweep to help ensure our streets are as clear as possible.
A reminder: the town offers a great tool called SeeClickFix, available as an app or on the town website. It’s a convenient way to report issues like potholes and code violations—and you can track the status of your request in real time. Check it out here.
Thank you to the Eagle Scout who installed a new chess table at Town Park—what a wonderful addition!
Odds and Ends
Air Monitor Letter
I want to provide some context about an item that didn’t make it onto our last agenda. A request came in for Mayor and Council to sign a letter supporting the placement of a Federal Reference Air Monitor near the intersection of 295 and 50. However, the request was sent less than 24 hours before the meeting and lacked essential background or a clear deadline.
According to the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Council decisions must be made in public meetings—not over email—so we couldn’t discuss over email. Additionally, we’ve received recent feedback about ensuring transparency around agenda items and providing enough notice for residents to review materials, and less than 24 hours is not a sufficient amount of time for resident review.
During resident input at the meeting, we received more context and learned of the deadline, so Council empowered the Town Administrator to review the information and decide whether to move forward with endorsing the letter.
This situation reflects an ongoing challenge: balancing transparency and efficiency. I appreciate the hard work our Town staff is doing to get information out as early as possible.
Election Season
Town elections are May 5. Voter Information is here. I'm running for re-election as your Ward 3 Councilmember, and if you’ve found these newsletters helpful, I’d be honored to have your vote. I also have a few yard signs left if you’d like to show your support publicly! I’ve been truly encouraged by the support I’ve received this election season. It’s a privilege to represent such a kind, engaged, and community-minded ward.
A voter registration drive will be held on April 26 from 8 AM to noon and from 1 PM to 5 PM. You do not need to be registered in Maryland to vote in Cheverly. This is also the first election where 16- and 17-year-olds can vote, so I encourage all eligible teens to make their voices heard!
Budget
We’ve begun reviewing the FY26 budget. So far, we’ve looked at the General Government and Police budgets, and Public Works is up next. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I’m impressed by the efforts staff are making to keep costs down and avoid raising taxes. I’ll continue to share updates as we move through the process.
Public Safety
As the weather warms up, we tend to see an increase in auto-related incidents. Thanks to 24/7 policing, our officers have been able to recover stolen property and make arrests quickly. Still, please remember to lock your car doors, keep valuables out of sight, and stay alert.
2025 Prince Georges Beautification Awards
Call for Entries for the 2025 Prince Georges Beautification Awards! The Prince Georges County Beautification Awards Program honors those who have contributed to the community through excellence in gardening and landscape design. You are encouraged to apply on your own behalf or nominate a friend or neighbor whose property you consider beautiful.
Thank you for staying engaged! Please reach out with any questions, concerns, or feedback.
Best,
Nicole Bryner
Cheverly Ward 3 Councilmember
Where to find me
Email: CMW...@cheverly-md.gov
Text, WhatsApp, Phone: 301.892.6384
Have a neighbor who would appreciate these newsletters? Send them this link to sign up!
Upcoming Events
For more information about these and other events, check out the town newsletter
April 15
6:00pm
Hybrid
April 15
7:00pm
Zoom
April 17
6:00pm
Hybrid
April 17
7:00pm
Hybrid
April 23
Noon-1pm
Town Hall
Town Worksession
April 24
7:30pm
Hybrid
April 26
8am-noon
Town Hall
April 26
1pm
Hybrid
April 26
8am-noon
1pm-5pm
Town Hall
CPRC Spring Festival
May 3
Details TBD
Budget Meeting
May 1
7:00pm
Hybrid
May 5
7am – 8pm
Town Hall
Tentative: Constant Yield Tax Hearing
May 6
6:00pm
Hybrid
Final Budget Review
May 7
7:00pm
Hybrid
Town Meeting (First Reader of Budget)
May 8
8:00pm
Hybrid
Town Worksession (Second Reader of Budget)
May 22
7:30pm
Hybrid
Cheverly Day
Saturday October 4
Have you thought about getting more involved around town? We know that people love the sense of community here in Cheverly, and so many of the good things around town are driven by volunteers! Some opportunities:
Planning Board: Exploring future development plans and opportunities in and around town and advising Town Council on related issues
Recreation Council: Planning and executing some of the town’s favorite events, like the Halloween Parade, Easter Egg Hunt, Pickleball Tournaments, and Flea Markets
CERT (Cheverly Emergency Response Team): Responding to and planning for emergencies and natural disasters, supporting large scale town events to ensure everyone’s safety
Board of Elections: Planning and running town-wide elections
Police Chief’s Advisory Board: Connecting with residents around public safety issues and policies and making recommendations to the Chief of Police about community’s articulated needs and perspectives
Cheverly Day Committee: Planning and executing Cheverly Day
If any of these sound like your cup of tea, please let me know! I’d be happy to connect you with the right folks for a conversation.
Do you have a talent you are interested in sharing with the town, but it doesn’t line up exactly with one of these? Get in touch and we’ll see if there isn’t a town org or ad hoc committee that would work.