Town of Cheverly
Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2009
Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 8:00 pm in the Cheverly Community Center.
In attendance: Mayor Mosley, Mr. Warrington, Chief Robshaw, Mr. Colaresi and CMs Callahan, Watson, Eldridge, and Schachter.
Pledge of Allegiance
CM Eldridge moved to excuse Vice Mayor Ford. CM Schachter Seconded. Unanimously approved.
Agenda/Approval/Changes
Approved as written.
Minutes – Town Meeting 12/13/08
Approved as written.
Minutes – Town Meeting 1/9/09
Approved as written.
Worksession 1/29/09
Approved as Written.
Town Administrator Report
Mr. Warrington announced that there will not be a printed handbook for Cheverly Day. It will be available on the Cheverly website under “about the town.” The Town will save money by not publishing and printing the handbook.
Police Department Report
Chief Robshaw reported on the month of January. It was a very good month, with only 20 incidents. There were 2 assaults, both closed by arrest; 4 burglaries, with 3 closed by arrest. The radio system is fully operational. Almost $3,000 of the Pedestrian Enforcement money provided by the State Highway Administration has been spent. Another $8,000 grant is expected. Flyers were sent to the residents of the Landover Road apartments informing them of the pedestrian laws. A new Crown Victoria police car has arrived. Most of the money was raised from resident vehicle donations. The deal of the month continues to be free home inspections. This is the 38th anniversary of the ride along program with the police. Citizens are urged to take advantage
of this program. It provides a sense of crime trends. Also, the citizen ride along seems to attract attention by officers and citizens as to what is going in the community.
Mayor Mosley thanked police officers Sergeant Cathcart and Officer Lamb for there assisted with the home residence fire at Euclid and Valleyway.
Mayor and Council Announcements
CM Callahan announced that on Feb. 22, St. Ambrose is hosting a spaghetti dinner.
Also, there is a survey for Park and Planning for 2010. Residents are urged to go onto the website and fill out the survey.
CM Eldridge urged residents to get involved with the Planning Board, which meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Also, CM Eldridge thanked the officers of CAPS for their advocating on behalf of the TAG programs available in our schools.
CM Callahan acknowledged, on behalf of CM Watson, the excellent work of the Town Public Works director, in coordination with Pepco, relating to the tree renovation on 59th Place.
Mayor Mosley announced that the next worksession will be on February 26, 2009. Topics for discussion include: the sidewalk snow/ice removal policies and procedures (the Town has sent a letter to the County and State regarding their responsibility for timely removal from the Columbia Park Road bridge and 64th Avenue in the old ward); Pepco’s proposal to reduce Town power outages; Dot Wilson will present information on the upcoming census; Joyce Lang of the Woman’s Club will present on Peace Month; the regional dog park; town concession building; Cheverly Avenue lighting and Magruder Springs; the police take home vehicle policy; the Federal Stimulus package; and the Sector Plan discussion.
CM Callahan suggested discussing the old police station. In addition, CM Callahan suggested discussing placing the meeting announcements of the Cheverly Newsletter Community Bulletin Board on the Town’s website.
CM Mosley stated that these topics may be placed on next month’s agenda.
CM Eldridge discussed the Planning Board’s request to present at the worksession.
Mayor Mosley stated an additional meeting may be necessary to address these additional items.
CM Schachter requested an additional item: to continue discussing the hours of the worksession meetings and bring it to a conclusion with a vote; specifically, to start and end the meetings on time.
Mayor Mosley stated that the worksession will be on Feb. 26 at 7:30pm.
Committee Reports
Recreation Council
Barbara announced that Feb. 24 is an open meeting. March 1 the recreation council will start taking reservations for the April 4th flea market. Tables are $15. The Easter Egg Hunt is on April 11. Volunteers are needed to set up the Easter eggs.
Cheverly Day Report
Nick D’Angelo announced that Cheverly Day is June 6. There will be no parade, dance, or book. The Cicada Crunch is to be determined. There will be a midway, music, and fireworks. The history of Cheverly will be highlighted. Sponsors and volunteers are very much needed.
Green Infrastructure
Sheila Salo stated that the Land Use Working Group is trying to map corridors, the Green Environment group is studying best practices, the Science Group is assembling Cheverly’s green hubs for significant resources during working walks, the Finance Group invited a speaker from the University of Maryland from the Environmental Finance Center. The Outreach and Education Group is preparing a power point presentation for community organizations and would like to present to the Town staff. The Steering Committee is planning on attending County meetings. The Green Infrastructure meetings will be posted in the newsletter.
Citizen Input
Madeline Gold of 3020 Parkway, announced that Maryland’s Attorney General will attend March’s meeting (the meetings are always the 1st Thursday of each month at Hoyer), and Donna Edward’s will attend April’s meeting.
Introduction O-2-09 Amending the Parking Restrictions
Mr. Colaresi announced the minor change to the parking regulations as a result of recent thefts to cars left running in the street in front of homes. The Town has drafted an ordinance to make it illegal to leave cars running unattended. This is currently a state violation. Cheverly is considering making this a town code.
Mayor Mosley stated this change will be announced in the newsletter.
CM Watson asked if residents have been issued tickets for such violations.
Mayor Mosley stated that she is not aware of ticketing those residents that just had there car stolen, and residents found with there cars running have been spoken to. Mayor Mosley stated she will inquire further with Chief Robshaw. Mayor Mosley clarified that the violation is a moving violation, and not a criminal violation.
CM Schachter stated that the law appears to extend to cars in driveways left running. The law is justified in terms of the amount of time and expense of investigating cars stolen in this manner, and the danger of leaving running vehicles unattended. However, it is a convenience to warm a car up on private property, particularly in inclement weather. CM Schachter suggested adding exceptions for ice storms conditions or when the temperature is below a certain degree.
Community Gardens at Boyd Park
Dave Kniep of Inwood Street, stated that the Crescent Cheverly Environmental Committee has worked on developing community vegetable gardens at Boyd Park. Approximately 40 plots have been drawn out. The Master Gardeners for Maryland has a new initiative for this year – to have 1 million Marylanders to grow vegetables, so the community garden fits well with the initiative. The Committee has three hour long courses on gardening, March 6 at 7pm, March 7 at 2pm, and March 16.
Mayor Mosley stated that there is an agreement form for those desiring a plot. Ward 4 has preference, and then it is open to the entire Town. There is a $20 fee. If a plot is secured but the individual fails to use it, then the plot must be returned.
- CM Schachter made a motion to adopt a resolution approving development of the community garden at Boyd Park consisting of approximately 41 plots to be run under the auspices of the Cheverly Garden Club. CM Watson seconded. Unanimously approved.
Budget Adjustment – Demolition Funding for Landover Road
Mayor Mosley announced that the Town received the final audit for FY 2008. The results were good. The year ended with $352,000 more in the fund balance than what was budgeted. There were increases in revenue; tangible personal property increased by $81,000; hotel/motel taxes increased by $31,000; and local income tax increased considerably. There are several positions frozen (i.e. Public Works, Front Office). The drop in home prices was not too drastic last year. Most homes were sold in the first half of the year. Public Works will be purchasing a much needed new truck. All council member positions are up in May. Any discussion on raising Town taxes should take place early in the year. However, it is fairly safe to assume that taxes will not be
raised.
Mayor Mosley also discussed the old palm reader’s house at 5811 Landover Road. The house was purchased with Project Green Space funds. The plan is to take the house down to return it to green space and make it a more attractive entry into town.
Mr. Warrington stated that the gas and water of the home was turned off. A master plumber must be hired to cap off the sewer gases and plumbing. There is a street light with a large transformer and a large poplar tree. Therefore, burning the house is not an option, and demolition is required. Mr. Cranford of Tuxedo is a master plumber and will go through the permit process and cap off the plumbing. It will take about 6 months. At that point, the demolition process will begin. Park and Planning will be consulted for an opinion on how to plan the green space. Further, the 3 properties next to this location will be returned to green space. However, since the homes are owned by the Department of the Interior, it will take some time to take the 3 homes
down. Deconstructing 5811 Landover Road through a group like Community Forklift is more expensive than demolition, and the building may be open for long periods of time, which is not ideal. In the past, the Town has taken out the metal and brick of a home, and nearby companies will take insulation and 2x4s. Public Works and the Town are discussing having Public Works do the demolition. It may cost the Town approximately $25,000 if a private contractor is used for the demolition. Permits alone will cost approximately $4,000.
- CM Callahan moved to make a budget adjustment for the demolition of 5811 Landover Road (which would be from urban renewal fund 01-06-4040). CM Watson seconded. Unanimously approved.
Mayor Mosley stated that the vote is 4 council and 1 mayor. All attending are CMs Eldridge, Watson, Schachter, and Callahan. The Mayor cast her vote as the 5th vote.
Meeting adjourned.
Town of Cheverly
Summary of Action
February 12, 2009
- CM Eldridge moved to excuse Vice Mayor Ford. CM Schachter Seconded. Unanimously approved.
- CM Schachter made a motion to adopt a resolution approving development of the community garden at Boyd Park consisting of approximately 41 plots to be run under the auspices of the Cheverly Garden Club. CM Watson seconded. Unanimously approved.
- CM Callahan moved to make a budget adjustment for the demolition of 5811 Landover Road (which would be from urban renewal fund 01-06-4040). CM Watson seconded. Unanimously approved.
| 
