WEEKLY TOWN UPDATES
April 21, 2023
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Upcoming Special Events
Trash & Treasures, April 22 & 23
Recycling & Repurposing, April 22
Town Coffee, April 26
Spring Festival, April 30
Garden Tour, May 7
Town Book Club, May 8
Live Music "Round," May 11
Dennison Garden Celebration, May 13
The Great Zucchini, May 21
Jump to special events
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Residents Encouraged to Complete Bethesda Market Park Community Survey
In mid-March, the County Parks Department hosted community meetings to review and discuss ideas for features and amenities in the new park to be created adjacent to the Farm Women's Market. One part of the park will occupy most of the parking lot behind the market; the other part will be built on the parking lot between Leland and Walsh streets. The Parks Department has published the presentation from the community meetings. The presentation contains three images that we think would be of particular interest to residents. These images present the concepts for how the space would be used and propose certain key features.
The Parks Department is now conducting an online survey, open through April 30 (this date was extended), for Bethesda and Chevy Chase residents to share their ideas and feedback. We encourage residents to participate in this survey, including younger residents and residents who were not able to attend the community meetings. The presentation and the particular images highlighted above provide sufficient background to respond to the survey. The Town's survey requesting residents’ suggestions for park amenities closed on April 15, and we thank all who responded. The results of our survey show that the top five amenities that a majority of residents would like to see in the new park are: 1) a dog park or dog-friendly area; 2) trees and gardens; 3) an open lawn area for play and entertainment; 4) benches and tables; and 5) a playground and exercise equipment. We have sent our survey results to the Parks Department so that they can reference them as they develop the next concept plan, which will be presented to the community at a virtual meeting in June. More information on the Bethesda Market Park project is available here.
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Corso Rezoning and Redevelopment Update
At its April 19 meeting, the Council discussed Corso Chevy Chase’s rezoning application, including the status of the Letter of Agreement and Declaration of Covenants between Corso and the Town.
The Declaration of Covenants memorializes commitments related to perpetual use of the land and improvements that are enforceable by the Town. The Letter of Agreement obligates Corso to execute the Declaration and includes short-term requirements that the Town wants the developer to commit to but that do not need to be conditions in perpetuity. These short-term requirements include providing the Town with temporary garage space during construction; completing traffic and parking studies prior to submission of the preliminary plan; including the Town forester in development of the final forest conservation plan; and executing a construction management agreement with the Town prior to issuance of building permits. At the meeting, the Council agreed to finalize the documents and submit them to Corso for ratification. The Council also discussed next steps for the Corso redevelopment, including preparation of a site plan and completion of traffic and parking studies.
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Safe Streets Community Project“Slow Down and Stop”
The Public Services Committee, with approval of the Town Council, is launching a “Slow Down and Stop” Campaign. The campaign envisions a small-town ambience where all residents can safely enjoy walking, biking, chatting with neighbors, and benefitting from our beautiful tree-canopied neighborhood.
This campaign is intended to remind drivers to observe the Town's speed limit and come to a full stop at stop signs. We see the campaign as a supplement to the Town's existing tools to enforce traffic regulations. We want your input! Please visit bit.ly/TOCCSafeStreets to: - Share your ideas about how to encourage people, residents and nonresidents alike, to drive safely in the Town, especially around the public amenities -- Chevy Chase Elementary School, the Lawton Community Center, Wonders Early Learning, and Oneness School.
- Give feedback to the Committee about the campaign initiative.
- Report observed incidents of unsafe driving. Please include date, approximate time, location and description of the vehicle. Include the direction of travel and what was unsafe about the incident (speeding, near miss, failure to stop, etc.).
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Excavation and Blasting to Commence at the Bethesda Connection to Metro's Red Line
On or about April 25, 2023, crews will resume excavation in the Purple Line's elevator shaft to create the future connection to Metro's Red Line in Bethesda. This operation will include blasting the rock to loosen it within the work zone on Elm Street near Wisconsin Avenue. Blasting is limited to weekdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., while additional work, such as removal of spoils and other excavation methods, may occur in two shifts, weekdays and weekends. In advance of each blast, warning sirens will be utilized.
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2023 Council Election & Annual Meeting
The Town Council has five elected members. In the 2023 election, Town residents will elect two members, each to serve for a two-year term. The terms of Joel Rubin and Joy White will expire in May. There are two candidates on the ballot in the 2023 election: Stephanie Martz and Joy White.
Balloting will be undertaken by mail and drop box only. Balloting materials and the Election issue of the Forecast newsletter were mailed to residents this week. For a resident’s vote to be counted, ballot return envelopes must either be mailed by May 2 and received by May 9 or placed in the drop box outside the Town Hall by 5 p.m. on May 2. On May 2 at 7 p.m., the Town will hold its Annual Meeting both in person in the Town Hall and by Zoom video conference. During this meeting, Mayor Barney Rush will provide an overview of the Town’s accomplishments over the past year, and Town Treasurer Irene Lane will present the proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year (see below), followed by a public hearing and Council adoption.
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FY24 Proposed Budget & Public Hearing
On April 4, the Town Council introduced an ordinance to approve the Town's budget and tax rates for the next fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2023. The Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget at the Annual Meeting on May 2.
The proposed budget and accompanying narrative are available here, and a budget summary is included in the Election issue of the Forecast newsletter.
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The Town’s spring Trash and Treasures is scheduled for the weekend of April 22 & 23. The Town offers this curbside bulk trash collection so that residents can dispose of items that are no longer usable. Please remember to bag, box, or contain all of your discards, and do not put items at the curb before noon on Friday, April 21 or after 7 a.m. on Monday, April 24.
The following items will not be collected as bulk trash: construction debris; vehicle parts; loose glass; firewood or fencing; paint cans; flammable or hazardous materials; recyclable items; and yard waste. If you have items that can be recycled or repurposed, we encourage you to come to the Lawton Center on Saturday, April 22 for our Recycling & Repurposing event (see below).<
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Recycling & Repurposing Event, April 22
The following services will be provided on Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Lawton Center Parking Lot.
Shred Your Documents: Shred Ace will shred documents. Staples and paper clips are okay. No batteries, binders, or books. Recycle Clothing and Home Goods: The Interfaith Works Clothing Center will collect clothing and home goods to donate to low-income County residents. Please put items in secured plastic bags. Donate Furniture & Household Items: A Wider Circle will collect gently used furniture and household items to donate to families in need. For large items, please email furnish@awidercircle.org or call 301-608-3504 to schedule a pick-up. Recycle Electronic Equipment: SAMR will collect electronic equipment -- anything with a plug or a battery -- for recycling. Donate Sports Equipment: Leveling the Playing Field (LPF) will collect used and excess sporting equipment to donate to programs and schools serving low-income communities. Donate Books: The Town will collect books for Friends of the Library, Montgomery County (FOLMC). Please bring clean, gently used books in a box or bag. No magazines or encyclopedias. Note: The County’s light bulb exchange service will not be available at this event. Click here to find out how to exchange inefficient light bulbs for energy efficient ones.
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Town Coffee, April 26
A Town coffee will be held on Wednesday, April 26, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Town Hall. Please join neighbors -- newcomers, longtime residents, and everyone in between -- for conversation and refreshments. Please RSVP here if possible, but not required.
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Spring Festival, April 30
The Town of Chevy Chase is partnering with the Jane E. Lawton Center to host the 2023 Spring Festival. The event will take place on Sunday, April 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lawton Center parking lot. Join us for live music, food, games, and art & crafts. All ages are welcome!
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Garden Club of Chevy Chase Garden Tour, May 7
Peek behind the lovely facades and fences of some of Chevy Chase Village’s most exquisitely landscaped gardens at the Garden Club of Chevy Chase Garden Tour. The tour will be held on Sunday, May 7, from 12 to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
This year’s tour will highlight seven distinctive Chevy Chase Village gardens, including expansive, lush gardens with grand ornamentation and also small intimate gardens that will inspire you. In addition, visitors will be able to tour the newly renovated Chevy Chase Circle, which will be celebrating its reopening all weekend. Tickets are available on the Garden Club of Chevy Chase website (www.gardenclubofchevychase.org).
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TOCC Book Club, May 8
Our Town of Chevy Chase Book Club will meet Monday, May 8 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall to discuss Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. A contemporary David Copperfield in Appalachia, surviving the perils of modern child poverty and addiction. Sponsored by the Community Relations committee; all are welcome.
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Live Music ‘Round’ by Award-Winning Singers, May 11
The Community Relations Committee is pleased to present an evening with three regional and national multi-award-winning singer/songwriters who will trade stories and share songs in a traditional "round" at our Town Hall on Thursday, May 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. Join your neighbors for an intimate gathering featuring superb talent with wine, beer, snacks, and other refreshments.
Wes Collins hails from North Carolina and tours extensively nationwide. He offers a songbook dense with ideas, haunting melodies, intricate fingerpicking, and deep literary intelligence. (www.wescollins.com) Annette Wasilik is a lifelong DMV native, performing regionally since her teenage years. Marked by her compelling alto, her moving songs "touch you to the bone" in the rich tradition of the poet songwriter, weaving a spell of intimacy and expansive vision. (www.annettewasilik.com) Tom Prasada Rao's voice belies his musicianship and his extraordinary songs. From headlining major festivals to producing in the obscurity of recording studios, Tom also created the songwriting curriculum and taught at The University of Virginia’s Young Writer’s Workshop. (www.tomprasadarao.com) This is a Town sponsored event, but guests will be encouraged to donate $10 or more with all proceeds going entirely to the performers. Please RSVP at bit.ly/TOCCMusic by May 1.
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Lee Wick Dennison Sustainable Garden Celebration, May 13
Celebrate the Lee Wick Dennison Sustainable Garden, located at the corner of Lynn Drive and Maple Avenue in Zimmerman Park, on Saturday, May 13 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
- Paint and Plant a Pot of Pollinators!
- Tour the Sustainable Garden!
- Consult a Garden Expert About Your Garden Concerns!
- Nosh on Delicious Food!
- Fun & Learning for All Ages!
Please RSVP here by May 5. More information about this event, Lee Dennison, the sustainable garden, and sustainable gardening practices is available here.
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The Great Zucchini, May 21
Join us on Sunday, May 21 at 10:30 a.m. in the Lawton Center Social Hall for The Great Zucchini, Washington’s funniest and most magical preschool and kindergarten entertainer. The Great Zucchini will perform a colorful magic show where every child is a star and guaranteed to laugh! Please RSVP here.
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Chevy Chase at Home (CC@H)
CC@H is a member organization providing social and educational programs to neighbors of all ages and support services to older adults. You can learn more at www.chevychaseathome.org.
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Free COVID Test Kits & Masks
The Town has COVID test kits and N95 masks available for pick up at the Town office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The kits and masks are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
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