August 10, 2006 Town Meeting
1
Town of Cheverly
Meeting Minutes
August 10, 2006
Call to Order
Mayor Mosley called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. in the Cheverly Community Center. There were 6 citizens in attendance.
In attendance: Attorney Colaresi, Chief Robshaw, CMs Oslik, Hofmann, Watson, Oladele and Schacther.
Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda/Approval/Changes
Approved as written.
Minutes – 7/13/06 Town Meeting
Approval was deferred to the Worksession.
Minutes – 7/27/06 Worksession
Approved as written.
Town Administrators Report
Mr. Warrington announced the Police Station construction is well underway. Occupancy is still scheduled for Thanksgiving. A new curtain and gymnasium floor will be installed over the next two weeks. This project will be 75% funded by Program Open Space.
Mr. Warrington responded to CM Oslik that he has not heard anything from PEPCO.
Mayor Mosley asked Mr. Warrington to draft a letter to PEPCO requesting an update on what they are doing to correct the outage problems and letting them know that the Town has gotten through most of the summer satisfactorily.
CM Watson asked for an update on pathway lights. Mr. Warrington responded that authorization has been received from the State and the contractor has been contacted.
Mayor Mosley added that Mr. Warrington was aware that additional money might be available for award to the Town, so a decorative wrought iron fence was included in that proposal.
Mayor Mosley asked to move County Councilmember David Harrington’s place on the agenda up before Citizen Input.
· CM Oslik moved to excuse CM Ford. Seconded by CM Watson. Unanimously approved.
Police Report
Chief Robshaw reported that there were nine (9) robberies in July, which equals the total number of robberies for 2006 to date. Eight (8) of those robberies were closed with an arrest. More information on these cases will be shared at the September meeting. All robberies occurred in the apartment complex with the exception on one, which occurred at the Cheverly Metro.
Chief Robshaw asked residents to be aware of their surroundings. Overall crime is down and he summarized the Three D’s: Deterrence, Detection and Defense.
Deterrence: patrols will be increased at night and on weekends. The electronic message board will be used.
Detection: Increased crime scene response from detectives.
Defense: The Women’s’ Self Defense class was well attended. The anti- burglary program is on the rise, the whistle program, Elder Watch and Neighborhood Watch programs are all in effect.
Chief Robshaw thanked citizens, Outback Steakhouse and volunteers for contributing towards a successful National Night Out.
Chief Robshaw responded to Mayor Mosley that the new cruiser computers would require personnel training. Currently, all County communications to Cheverly Police are conducted via radio. The disadvantage of this system is that calls may be placed on hold. The computers would eliminate this inefficiency.
CM Schachter asked whether Cheverly Officers have the authority to question suspicious individuals and suggested a curfew for Cheverly.
Chief Robshaw responded that the County has a 10:00 PM curfew on weeknights and a midnight curfew on weekends. Parents can be fined and prosecuted by the State Attorney if they do not know where their children are after the appointed hours. The County regulation is more than sufficient and has been very useful for Town enforcement in recent months.
Chief Robshaw responded to CM Hoffman that indictments are being sought for the suspects in connection with the July robberies.
CM Oladele asked what is being done to resolve the issue involving the apartments. Chief Robshaw responded that he is worried about the displacement of District residents. The number of man-hours spent patrolling the apartments has been doubled to address this concern.
CM Oslik added that he was impressed by the National Night Out turnout and attributed its success to volunteers. He also acknowledged Cheverly Police for their prompt response to a fallen tree that blocked the road.
Chief Robshaw acknowledged the critical role that Public Works plays in public safety.
County Councilmember David Harrington – Check Presentation
Mayor Mosley introduced County Council member David Harrington, Town Lobbyists Stephen Proctor and Cheryl Harrington (Proctor & Associates).
Councilmember Harrington announced that he negotiated funds from the County's supplemental budget for award to Cheverly for the Police Department in the amount of $150,000. He presented the check to Chief Robshaw.
Mayor Mosley added that this is one of the large grants awarded to the Town.
Stephen Proctor thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to serve Cheverly.
Councilmember Harrington added that a resolution was passed today that will allow "The Pointe at Cheverly" development to proceed.
Mayor and Council Announcements
Mayor Mosley reported that there was an impressive presentation from Republic Properties on "The Pointe at Cheverly". The Metro Task Force has stalled. The Acting Director of Metro, Councilmember Harrington, Delegate Ramirez and Senator Britt attended a meeting recently to discuss the Metro project. Hopefully the project will move forward again.
Worksession: Blue Star Memorial marker location, designating Cheverly Avenue as a Blue Star Memorial Byway, department head goals and objectives, discussion of MML convention, discussion on email and the website, Benton Street issue.
CM Oslik added that there was discussion at the MML convention regarding emergency preparedness and he recommended the Council revisit this item. The Cheverly Election Board wants to use paper ballots. He recommended the Election Board Chair write an article for the Newsletter on this topic and also discuss it at the September Town Meeting.
Mayor Mosley added that she would put both items on the Worksession agenda and ask Dr. Foley to write an article for the Newsletter. She would rather the Council discuss emergency preparedness prior to tasking Staff with a report so that they have clear direction.
Renewal of Lobbyist contract was added to the agenda per CM Oslik.
CM Schacther asked that an update on the Dog Park be added to the Worksession agenda.
CM Watson mentioned that Mayor Mosley is sending a letter to Park and Planning requesting a feasibility study for the Dog Park.
CM Watson suggested a Special Meeting be added in September to fully discuss goals and objectives.
Committee Reports
Recreation Council
There was no report.
Cheverly Day Committee
CM Watson reported that Cheverly Day, Inc. has space on the Board. Interested volunteers should contact him. The Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Cheverly Day 2007 will be held on May 19.
Citizen Input
Jim Grothe, Hawthorne Street, stated his concerns regarding mosquitoes and presented information on Purple Martin (birds) and Purple Martin Houses.
Mayor Mosley added that the State no longer sprays and the Town has put up bat houses.
Discussion.
In response to Mr. Grothe, Mayor Mosley stated that Special Trash could be dropped off on Sundays at the facility on White House Road.
Howard Lathe, 5805 Greenleaf Road expressed concerns about a burglary that occurred on Sunday. The lighting is poor on Greenleaf Road and he requested if there were any solutions the Council could offer.
Mr. Warrington suggested he contact PEPCO directly with the pole number and closest address or he ask the Town to contact PEPCO. Mayor Mosley added that there is a small budget for light post replacement. Approximately one or two are replaced per year.
Mr. Madison 6509 Maureen Court added that the mosquitoes are a problem on his street. There is a stream behind his house that appears stagnant at times and leaves are allowed to accumulate in the storm drain. The area needs to be weeded and trash cleaned.
He is also concerned about the people who were moved from the park who now loiter in the street. They throw trash on Oak Street and Hillside Avenue.
Greg Sprawl, 3303 Laurel Avenue, asked for elaboration on Tuxedo Road and Metro development.
Mayor Mosley added that a developer purchased lots on Tuxedo Road, which is outside Town limits. The Council is trying to set up a meeting with the developer There has been an offer to annex the property in order to entice the developer to build. This project is also tied to the Metro station development. The Michael Company property abutting Metro was sold to Smith and Sons Recycling; Smiths’ wants only to build a parking garage. The old Fairfield Kitchen site is also being considered for development. There is a staff reporter hearing on September 8 for change of zoning (from industrial to mixed use).
Discussion.
CM Oslik encouraged Mr. Sprawl to join the Cheverly Metro Task Force.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15PM.Town of Cheverly
Summary of Action
August 10, 2006
1. CM Oslik moved to excuse CM Ford. Seconded by CM Watson. Unanimously approved.
| 
