May 2025 Work Session 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.
Hello Ward 3! Memorial Day offers a moment to reflect on the lives lost in military service. It’s also a time when many people gather with loved ones. However you’re spending the weekend, I hope it includes both rest and community.
The calendar keeps moving, and somehow summer is nearly here. I’m looking forward to the work ahead and the chance to slow down where we can.
MEETINGS
May 22 Work Session
Agenda can be found here.
You can watch recordings of all town meetings here.
LGIT Grant
A representative from LGIT (Local Government Insurance Trust) presented the town with a $4,700 check to support HR training. LGIT offers a wide range of trainings for Maryland municipalities and also runs a grant program that funds trainings outside its typical offerings, so long as they help reduce liability and risk. I’m so grateful to our town staff for seeking out and applying for opportunities like this, which both improve our practices and save the town money.
(Side note: LGIT is a fascinating organization if you're a nerd like me: What is LGIT?)
Update on Hospital Hill
Representatives from Home Team 5 and Urban Atlantic joined us to give a brief update on the Hospital Hill development. The Preliminary Plan of Subdivision (PPS) has not yet been formally submitted to MNCPPC. Once submitted and reviewed, MNCPPC will forward the plan to the town, which will then have 30 days to submit formal comments. The development team does not expect to submit the plan before mid-July.
If you’ve been reading these newsletters, you may remember I first flagged the possible submission of the PPS back in February 2024. I mention that to underscore just how long large-scale planning and development can take, especially when it comes to permitting and approvals. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Still, I hope to see forward momentum soon.
On a positive note, there’s been significant conversation around ensuring a safe pedestrian and bicycle connection from the site to the Anacostia River Trail. This has been a shared priority of both the town and the developers, and they’re in active discussions with the Maryland Department of Transportation and the State Highway Administration. The town plans to apply for an MDOT grant to help make this connection a reality.
As always, more information about how to invest in the broader project is available at cheverlyhill.com.
Records Retention Policy
Town staff reviewed our records retention guidelines at the last meeting (you can find the details in the agenda packet). Our current policies align with state and local requirements. Some questions were raised about digital access to records. All records since Mr. Galloway’s appointment as Town Administrator are available digitally. Prior to that, we didn’t have a comprehensive digital archiving system—so while earlier records exist, most are only available in physical form.
There was a suggestion back in 2021 or 2022 to digitize those older records, but the Council at the time (I was not yet a member) decided against it due to cost. That said, it’s something we can revisit. There are always records digitization vendors present at the MML Conference, and I expect we’ll be speaking with several of them in June.
FY26 Budget
We completed the second reader of the FY26 budget (you can view the draft here). The only significant change since the first draft is the addition of $50,000 for land acquisition, added at the Mayor’s request. This brings the projected deficit for FY26 to about $380,000, which would be covered by our unrestricted fund balance, which is currently $5.6 million. The budget is scheduled for its third reader and formal adoption at the June Town Meeting on 6/12.
Rules of Procedure
As is customary at the first Work Session of a new Council term, Mayor and Council reviewed our Rules of Procedure and discussed potential updates. Much of the discussion centered around two areas: special meetings and resident input.
Special Meetings:
Any meeting outside of the regularly scheduled Town Meeting or Work Session is considered a special meeting. These typically focus on a single issue. The Mayor can call a special meeting, or, if the Mayor declines, four Council Members can do so. While we always try to provide as much notice as possible, special meetings often involve time-sensitive matters. We strictly follow the Maryland Open Meetings Act, which most Council Members and staff are trained on annually.
Resident Input:
I've talked a lot about this before—especially during election season—because of claims that I’ve tried to limit resident input. That’s not true. I do believe there’s a meaningful distinction between “resident input” in the general sense (emails, calls, conversations, etc.) and “Resident Input” as the formal meeting agenda item for public comment. I want residents to know that there are many more effective ways to share input than waiting until right before a vote at a Town Meeting. Reaching out earlier is far more likely to influence the outcome.
That said, Resident Input during meetings is still valuable. It becomes part of the official record and helps amplify your perspective. It’s disingenuous to suggest that encouraging earlier engagement is equivalent to abolishing public input at meetings, which has never happened.
The current Rules of Procedure allow Mayor and Council to identify specific agenda items for Resident Input in addition to the standing public comment time at the start of each Town Meeting. They also allow resident input on every agenda item during Work Sessions. Following our recent discussion, it sounds like we’ll be revising the language to more clearly encourage public comment during specific agenda items.
Advisory Committee Liaisons
Mayor and Council have finalized our Advisory Committee liaison assignments:
CM LeGloahec (Ward 2) is now liaison to the Cheverly Day Committee.
CM Wade (Ward 1) will continue serving as liaison to the Recreation Council.
CM Tansey (Ward 4) will now serve as liaison to the Planning Board.
I’ll continue to chair the Policy Subcommittee, joined by CMs Garces (Ward 5) and Fry (Ward 6).
I’ll miss working with the Planning Board, but I have plenty to keep me busy with the Policy Subcommittee and my Vice Mayoral duties.
MML Summer Conference
Every June, Mayor and Council have the opportunity to attend the Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference in Ocean City. (Yes, it’s in Ocean City. No, I’ve never had time to swim while there!) It’s always a valuable experience—full of learning, networking, and inspiration from other towns.
We’re working to coordinate our schedules so we can attend different sessions and share notes afterward. Because of the conference, there will be no Work Session in June.
Odds and Ends
Keep an eye out for more information about Hometown Heroes, the program that will give families an opportunity to honor their loved ones who have served with a banner on Cheverly Ave.
The town continues to pursue funding for an ADA-accessible path linking Kilmer Park Arboretum with the stretches of Kilmer Street and 63rd Ave that are just outside the town boundaries, allowing residents from Cheverly Station Apartments safe accessible access to the rest of town.
Speaking of Kilmer Park: Public Works has been hard at work improving the pond to make it both more attractive and a healthy habitat for the fish that live there. A new solar-powered filtration system was recently installed, but unfortunately, staff have had to repair it multiple times due to damage. Children have been seen pulling out the tubing and trying to fish with nets.
Just to be clear: it is not appropriate to wade in the pond, attempt to catch the fish, or touch the filtration system. Please make sure everyone in your household understands these guidelines. It’s a beautiful spot, and we’d like to keep it that way without placing an ongoing burden on town staff. Thanks for your help in taking care of it.
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 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
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
Memorial Day: Town Offices Closed and Services Suspended
Monday, May 26
Friday, May 30
5:30pm-8:30pm
Town Park
Saturday, May 31
9am-5pm
Saturday, June 7
8am-noon
Town Hall
Pride Flag Raising
Saturday, June 7
11am (tentative)
Town Hall
Town Meeting (Third Reader and Passage of FY26 Budget)
Thursday, June 12
8pm
Hybrid
Juneteenth Festival presented by CAACO
Saturday, June 14
12-4pm
Town Hall
Saturday, June 21
8am-noon
Town Hall
Cheverly Day
Saturday October 4