February 2025 Worksession 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. With so much happening across the country, it can be difficult to know where to focus our attention and energy. As someone working for a quasi-federal institution, I understand how overwhelming the instability and unpredictability can feel. However, I remain committed to keeping you informed about our community no matter the chaos around us. I promise to continue to send these newsletters following town meetings and work sessions, making it easy for you to stay up to date on important developments in Cheverly.
In addition, Councilmember Fry and I are developing a plan to bring residents together for a collaborative discussion on how our community can best support and care for one another during these uncertain times.
Hospital Hill Annexation
I’m pleased to share that we have reached an agreement ensuring that Bladensburg will amend its annexation plan, and will not be annexing Hospital Hill. Our town staff and legal team have been diligently working towards this resolution, and I appreciate their efforts. The town will continue to send updates via News & Announcements.
MEETINGS
February 27 Worksession
Agenda can be found here.
You can watch recordings of all town meetings here.
This was a long meeting! It’s been a long time since we’ve had a meeting last until midnight (for which I am very grateful—it was once the norm rather than a rarity). Below is a summary of key discussions. Let me know if you need further details.
Stream Restoration Update
-Restoration near 63rd Place and Cheverly Hills Court is 95% complete.
-Next steps include removing invasive species and planting native vegetation.
-The Clean Water Partnership will provide a sizable match for the $1.6 million flood mitigation funds we received last year. Stay tuned for updates on community engagement efforts for flood risk reduction.
5801 Annapolis Road
-An architect and engineer working on the potential new townhome development at 5801 Annapolis Road briefed Mayor & Council on the project.
-We had requested this briefing in an effort to keep the town and community better informed; in May of 2024 the project held its county-required community meeting at 6pm on a Friday, without formally notifying the town and other stakeholders. This is not the kind of community engagement that Cheverly expects from developers in town.
-While the project aligns with zoning regulations, we emphasized the need for improved community engagement and responsiveness to concerns regarding capacity and environmental impact.
5701 Landover Road
-Representatives from the Cheverly Native Planting Project and Anacostia Watershed Society presented on the impressive progress made on the green space at 5701 Landover Road
-I think the numbers speak for themselves: over the course of 13 months, the project has received written or in person input from 231 people. They have had 30 work sessions, and the dollar value of the work of their volunteers comes to $23,000.
-Thank you to all the volunteers for their dedication to improving this corner of Cheverly!
-I am hopeful that we can make similar progress on the Kilmer Street Arboretum.
WSSC Task Order 201
-WSSC presented updates on on corrective actions regarding compaction issues in road repairs.
-As a reminder, after a few issues with sinkholes, our staff determined that WSSC’s subcontractor had not been properly measuring the compaction of materials in their road repairs. This uncovered the fact that the work did not meet WSSC’s standards, and that there was a significant disconnect in the oversight and accountability processes between WSSC and its subcontractors.
-Specifically regarding Work Order 201, town staff and WSSC has identified several locations that will be closely inspected and measured to ensure proper compaction, with potential rework if results are unsatisfactory.
-This project has been going on for what feels like forever, and I know that the prospect of the subcontractor redoing this work is not a welcome one. However, I am so grateful to Mr. Brayman, Mr. Cardenas, and the entire staff for ensuring quality standards are upheld. We don’t want any more sinkholes!
Pepco
-Many residents have reported unusually high electricity bills. Pepco cited a combination of colder-than-normal temperatures and rate increases.
-Some of the programs the Pepco representatives suggested are:
1. Budget Billing. They said that “everyone should be using this program.” It takes your energy bills over the previous twelve months, averages them out, and that is what you pay monthly for the next 12 months.
2. Assistance Finder. You can use this tool to determine which assistance programs you are eligible for based on your income and other factors.
3. Home Energy Assessments. Pepco has a number of programs to help residents identify ways that they can reduce their energy consumption and save money.
4. The presenters stressed that, if you find yourself unable to pay your electric bill, your first step should be to call their customer service line. Their staff will work with you to help find a workable solution.
Board of Elections Update
-Preparations for the May 5 town election include:
-Implementing electronic voting.
-Hosting a town hall for new 16–17-year-old voters.
-Organizing voter registration drives.
-Exploring a second ballot box at Cheverly Station Apartments for absentee ballots.
Homestead Tax Credit Ordinance
-We had the second reader of the Homestead tax credit ordinance, which will raise the tax credit for those who qualify from $50 to $150. It will be voted on in our March town meeting.
Community Organizations Policies Packet
-Council adopted updated policies on community organizations, facility usage, town grants, newsletter inclusion, and advisory committees.
-These policies clarify previously undefined processes and will help guide decisions regarding the new Eley Building.
-That being said, policies are by their nature iterative and malleable. Council will revisit and adjust them as needed to ensure they remain effective.
-A special thanks to fellow policy committee members Councilmembers Dalaker and Garces, as well as the town staff, for their dedicated efforts in shaping and refining these policies, some of which have been in the works for years. Their contributions have been invaluable in ensuring these guidelines effectively serve our community.
Kilmer Street Path
-Challenges remain in creating an ADA-accessible path between the Kilmer Park Arboretum and 63rd Ave/Kilmer Street/63rd Place.
-Town staff are working with the county to explore cost-reduction options.
-Efforts are also underway to build a sidewalk at 62nd Place between Landover Road and Monroe Street, a much-needed safety improvement.
Boyd Park Playground
-Council reviewed flooring options:
-Wood chips (cheapest).
-Rubber flooring (mid-range, least desirable).
-Corkeen (most expensive but preferred).
-A final decision will be made at the March town meeting. Let me know your thoughts!
Stop Sign Camera Update
-A hearing will be scheduled soon to discuss implementing stop sign cameras.
-One test site, Kilmer Street at 62nd Place/63rd Avenue, had an 87% violation rate—meaning nearly 9 out of 10 cars did not fully stop.
-The high rate of violations underscores the need for action to improve safety.
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
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Upcoming Events
For more information about these and other events, check out the town newsletter/en Español
Cheverly Forum Q&A for Federal Workers
March 8
3-5pm
The Dugout at the Cheverly American Legion
Public Hearing: Crest Avenue Traffic Calming Devices
March 13
6:30pm
Hybrid
March 13
7:30pm
Town Hall/Hybrid
Town Meeting
March 13
8:00pm
Hybrid
Blood Drive
March 19
10am-3pm
Town Hall
March 19
6pm-8pm
Town Hall
March 24
7:30pm- English
8:00pm- Spanish
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.