Hello! If you want to be removed from this list, please use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.
Neighbors, I hope October is going well for you. You are invited to join me and Council Member Garces (in costume) TONIGHT at Cheverly Station Apartment Visitor Parking Lot for Trunk or Treat! All of our neighbors are welcome and invited to join us for our inaugural event in Ward 5! See the attached images to share.
October has been a busy month for the Council and the Town. Today there is a slew of events at Town Hall. Tomorrow is the Parade and CBGC Soccer Playoffs, and Haunted Hike. Tuesday is Halloween. Make sure you're subscribed to News & Announcements to receive updates.
You may head down to the town park and notice some new fencing. This is for the new pipes that will be installed that connect from Forest Road to the site. Access to the Town Park Fields will be maintained, and you will see a new pedestrian path to accommodate the area within the new fence line. There will be limited parking, particularly along the hill. Staff is doing their best to ensure the charging stations are not impacted. Many folks have asked about the track usage. The full track should only be out of service for several days until the new path is created for full-circle usage. Thanks for your patience as we start to build our new public works building and if you have any issues/questions, make sure to let me know.
Neighbors, please slow down. Please be mindful of the increased impatience on our roadways. With the earlier sunsets, it's harder to see pedestrians and bikers. We can all do our parts to make our Cheverly roads safer and to make the roads outside of Cheverly safer by being cautious and slowing down.
Happy Halloween - more info below on it!
Please reach out if you have a concern - CMW...@Cheverly-MD.GOV
Crime
Per my last message, we have seen this crime trend move throughout the county, and we are seeing more of it in Cheverly. The Town had its 3rd Community Conversation on crime this year, with the first being in March on the 21st Century Policing Panel, the 2nd was one that Council Member Garces and myself hosted at CSA in the wake of the murder of a young person, gun violence, and auto & tire thefts happening to our neighbors in Ward 5 and 6. The most recent conversation was held last week.
Please note that this is an issue that the Town Council and Town staff take VERY seriously. We continue to invest in our police department and look for ways to recruit and retain officers. Part of that investment is taking a look at the classifications and salaries (bonuses and other incentives) not just at the early years but at the mid-year level as well. We are unfortunately down to a very small force, but the interim Chief is actively recruiting more solid officers to join our department and has the full support of the Town Council. Interim measures are being taken to ensure everybody is equipped to deter crime with tire wheel locks, steering wheel locks, and rebate incentives for cameras, and I will disperse that info when it is available for the community.
There was a suggestion of a neighborhood watch program in our community and more meetings with our chief. I encourage everyone to consider joining PCAB, who meets monthly to discuss issues like this. I also encourage you to consider joining CERT to always be prepared for any emergency. Both groups are a great way to get involved, stay active, and be a good neighbor. I hope that you continue to stay engaged on this topic as we continue to look for ways to combat the crime we are seeing escalate all over the county.
SHA Visit re: Traffic at Columbia Park Bridge, Speeding on 202 and Tuxedo, and more
SHA reps came to join us at the work session last night. We discussed 202, Columbia Park Road /Bridge, Tuxedo, and other spots. None of the issues at Columbia Park Bridge is new. I think my first emails to the county started months into my first term in October 2019. I asked for IMMEDIATE SHORT TERM Solutions last night, but I was not given any because, unfortunately, this bridge is a design flaw. While this is very discouraging, I plan to continue to press upon SHA for solutions because what we have now is unacceptable and downright dangerous.
We are seeing an increase in pedestrian deaths/injuries all over the county but even along 202/450 -with two hit-and-runs just in the last week alone. I know County Council Member Jolene Ivey had a meeting recently with SHA about those incidents and to find ways to find immediate solutions to prevent more deaths and injuries.
Just as an update, here are some of the things we are working on with SHA and the County and that I have requested:
202
- 202 & Kilmer - Speed Camera - How to appeal the denial?
- 202 & 63rd / Old Landover Road - Status of this request
- 202 & 62nd Place/Neighbor Lane - Pedestrian Safety per Council Member Bryner's Advocacy
- 202 & Cheverly Ave - pedestrian/bike crossing light requests should be approved around the new year and go to the next steps.
- How do future Bike Connections (202 Bike Feasibility study) affect short-term solutions in this area?
Columbia Park Bridge - Red light running
- Illegal turning
- Dangerous merging
- Long waits at lights
- Pedestrian safety
- The timing worked for about a week, and then it didn't; what is happening?
- What are short-term solutions like a barrier to prevent the cutting off and running of red lights at the entrance to 50 E
Tuxedo
- Speeding
- Blind Curve
- Sidewalk Request/Bike Path?
- Pedestrian crosswalk
- Dumping Camera
Along 50
- Erosion from the stream between Forest Road and Highway 50
- Sound Barrier
- Lighting from the on-ramp off of 295 as well as the lack of light bulbs in the light fixtures on 295 (which is National Parks, not SHA)
WSSC
Representatives from WSSC joined yesterday to discuss many of the issues we have seen from the subcontractors of their contractors. They are aware and have committed to ensuring that these issues do not continue to happen in our town. Here is some info in case you need to reach out to WSSC.
The work day is meant to be restricted to 8 am to 4 pm. If you observe WSSC subcontractors working outside of those hours, please contact WSSC.
Cheverly Youth Council and Advisors
Cheverly Youth Coordinator Yvonne White is organizing a new opportunity for high school and college students to participate in a Youth Council, which will provide a voice for young people in town matters. Applications will be live soon for these opportunities to young Cheverly residents between the ages of 16 and 22.
Pepco Tree Trimming and Removal
The list of public trees to be removed and the map of areas to be trimmed has been posted here: https://www.cheverly-md.gov/mayor-and-council/agenda/september-work-session. Background: Every four years, Pepco reviews the overhead wires in town and identifies branches and trees that threaten power lines for trimming or removal. Pepco has done this in collaboration with our town arborist, Dr. Tolbert Feather. Their recommendations will be shared with the town, and work will begin once the town signs off. If Pepco intends to trim or remove trees on private property, they will be in touch with the homeowner to obtain authorization first. Don't hesitate to get in touch with the town if you have any questions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CSA Trunk or TREAT
HAPPENING TONIGHT!!!
5:30 pm - 7 PM
6407 Landover Road
Boy Scout Haunted Hike
Saturday October 28
6:30pm-9pm
Cheverly Rec Council Halloween Parade
Saturday, October 28
10:30am
From Gast (Cheese) Park to Town Hall
Trunk or Treat (hosted by CPD)
4PM-8PM
Legion Park
Cheverly United Methodist Church Trunk or Treat
6PM-8PM
2801 Forest Road
Public Hearing: Lowering Voting Age to 16
Thursday, November 9
7:00pm
Hybrid
Town Meeting
Thursday, November 9
8:00pm
Hybrid
Veteran's Day Offices Closed
November 10
District 5 & 47 Food Distribution
Saturday, November 11
10am
Kentland Community Center
County Council Member Jolene Ivey's Turkey Distribution
Saturday, November 18
10am
First Baptist Church of Highland Park
Warmly,
Amy Jean Chung Fry
