Fwd: [Cheverly Ward 3 Newsletter] November Town Meeting and Updates
AmyJean Chung Fry
From: Nicole Bryner <bryne...@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Nov 11, 2023, 05:00
Subject: [Cheverly Ward 3 Newsletter] November Town Meeting and Updates
To: Bryner for Ward 3 <bryner-f...@googlegroups.com>
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! Happy Veteran’s Day to all who served!
Applications are now being accepted for the Cheverly Youth Council! If you know someone in Cheverly who is a HS student in grades 10-12 or a young adult aged 18-22, please pass the info along! Applications are due November 26.
https://www.cheverly-md.gov/home/news/cheverly-youth-town-council-applications-open-0
November 9 Meeting
(Agenda can be found here https://www.cheverly-md.gov/home/news/updated-november-9-2023-town-meeting A reminder that you can watch recordings of all town meetings here: https://cheverlymd.new.swagit.com/views/271/town-meeting)
Vote16
Before our town meeting there was a hearing on the Vote16 Charter Amendment. Thanks to everyone who came out to share their perspectives, in particular the young people! Thanks as well to all who sent written testimony. During the town meeting we had the first “reader” of the amendment (remember, changes to the charter require three readers; the amendment has to come before the council in 3 meetings for input and discussion before it can be adopted). I anticipate that the official vote will take place at the January town meeting. As of now the input and conversations I’ve had with Ward 3 residents suggest a strong majority in favor of lowering the voting age. Please let me know if you feel strongly about this matter.
I know that some residents have asked about a referendum. The procedures for a referendum are here: https://library.municode.com/md/cheverly/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTICHLOLA_ARTIVMACO_SC-14.1NOREQUSPIN. In my comments last night on this subject, I expressed my concern about the use of referendum to decide to grant or withhold rights from others. If voting rights for women or Black Americans had been dependent on the results of a popular vote, neither would have passed. It seems unjust to me that residents would be able to exercise their right to vote in order to deny that very same right to others. I’m happy to discuss this further with folks.
Police Report
You have probably noticed that Mayor Munyeneh has been sending out weekly reports on crime in Cheverly. This is in response to requests for more frequent reporting at the Public Safety Forum. As a reminder these reports include only calls for service (both from Cheverly PD and PGPD) that resulted in verified crimes (with the exception of domestic disputes, for privacy reasons). If you haven’t seen the Mayor’s reports, please make sure you are signed up for town News & Announcements: https://www.cheverly-md.gov/subscribe.
Regarding staffing, we were excited to have two new officers sworn in last night. Staff continues to actively recruit for new officers, and is examining compensation options to improve recruitment and retention.
DeRanch Restaurant Entertainment License
While it is not within the boundaries of Cheverly, the town has been asked to provide input on DeRanch’s application for a Special Entertainment License. The restaurant would like to have live music (indoors only) on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Based on previous engagement with the owner, their record in the past year of no calls for police service or code violations, and recommendations of neighboring communities and area leadership, the Council voted to have staff draft a letter of support that also expresses concerns about noise level and parking in the vicinity, particularly for residents at Cheverly Station Apartments.
Contacting the Town
If you have an issue or concern, there are multiple avenues you can use to alert the town. My contact info is below. The town’s contact info and hours are on the website (https://www.cheverly-md.gov) and the monthly newsletter. For Code and Public Works concerns, you can also use the SeeClickFix system: https://www.cheverly-md.gov/home/pages/seeclickfix (this one is a personal favorite. I have downloaded the app so I can report things as I notice them when I am on the go.)
One place that is NOT an official way to bring issues to the town’s attention is the Cheverly Exchange. The Exchange is a private listserv, created by residents and for residents. It is an EXTREMELY active listserv. Elected leadership in Cheverly is not a full-time job; all seven of Mayor & Council work full-time jobs in addition to our town duties. Monitoring and responding to the Exchange would be another full-time job, and neither electeds nor town staff have the time to keep tabs on it beyond our own personal use as residents. Lately I’ve noticed an increase in folks expressing frustration that threads on the Exchange (or on social media) are not addressed officially. I’ve also noticed some misinformation being shared. The way to get information or share concerns about the town is to be directly in touch with staff and electeds, full stop. It’s not reasonable to expect staff or Mayor and Council to respond to issues only aired on the Exchange. Thanks!
Odds and Ends
Pepco Tree Trimming and Removal
A reminder that public tree trimming and removal begins next week. A large swath of Ward 3 is slated to be included in the first circuit: https://www.cheverly-md.gov/home/news/pepco-vegetation-management-program-2023-circuit-one%C2%A0
Context from my last newsletter: 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 town and work will begin once the town signs off. If Pepco intends to trim our remove trees on private property, they will be in touch with the homeowner to obtain authorization first. Please contact the town if you have any questions.
Hospital Hill Abatement
You may see equipment mobilizing next week to begin the abatement process for the Hospital Hill development. My understanding is that the first phase will be a lot of internal work, so residents should not notice much beyond an increase in trucks on the site. I’ll be sure to update when I have a sense of when demolition will begin in earnest.
Eley Building
As I have mentioned in the last few newsletters, the fencing that is currently blocking the grass in front of Town Hall and runs down the hill to the Town Park fields is a temporary measure while workers run new pipe infrastructure from Forest Road down to the new Public Works facility (in part to replace an aging septic system). Residents should not park on the hill along the fence. Staff is hopeful that the fencing will be removed before Spring sports season. The construction firm is also working to create a temporary section of track to replace the portions that are currently covered by fencing.
Where to find me
Email: CMW...@cheverly-md.gov
Text, WhatsApp, Phone: 301.892.6384
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicoleCheverly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolebryner/
Have a neighbor who would appreciate these newsletters? Send them this link to sign up! https://forms.gle/rLyZ1r6WsVBk2npd7
Upcoming Events
Veteran’s Day Observed
Friday, November 10
Town Hall and Public Works Closed
CAACO Coat Drive
Saturday, November 11
9:00am to drop off coats
10:00am-noon for coat drive
Cheverly Station Apartments Visitor Parking Lot
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caaco-annual-coat-drive-tickets-726951360087?aff=oddtdtcreator
Legion Veteran’s Day Ceremony
Saturday, November 11
10:00am
Legion Park
https://www.facebook.com/events/1505460423623246
Blood Drive
Thursday, November 16
10:00am-4:00pm
Town Hall
www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment
Thanksgiving
Thursday-Friday November 23 and 24
Town Hall and Public Works Closed
Town Worksession (Dual session for November and December)
Thursday, November 30
7:30 pm
Hybrid
Community Holiday Caring and Sharing Event (Tree Lighting)
Friday, December 1
Details TBD
Town Meeting
Thursday, December 14
8:00pm
Hybrid
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