Due to ongoing social distancing recommendations, WHCA can't host our seasonal cleanup events. However, we can all do our part to keep our community trash free! We're looking for volunteer Cleanup Captains to commit to collecting one bag of trash per month. Send us a picture of yourself with your full bags and we'll highlight you on our website and social media (@WheatonHills)! The Wheaton Hills Civic Association can provide Cleanup Captains with gloves and plenty of trash bags. We can also loan out our collection of 4 litter grabbers (but these must be returned after your cleanup for the next volunteer!). If interested please contact Tricia (triciac13@gmail.com) to schedule a pickup of materials.
|
Many of you know that a lot of folks in our neighborhood have major drainage issues on their property. In an effort to alleviate some of these issues and to put less pressure on the existing drainage infrastructure,
Montgomery County government has set aside funds in their capital improvement budget to install a number of stormwater facilities in our area that will absorb some water during heavy rainfalls. The Department of Environmental Protection Green Streets program is planning to install 62 stormwater management facilities in Wheaton Hills and Glenmont Forest, which will include Raingardens, Bioretention Gardens and Tree Boxes. Construction of these facilities is expected to start in February 2021 and be completed in Spring 2022. To find out more and to ask questions, there will be a virtual open house for residents on May 6 from 7-8pm. You can join this meeting by going to this website and following the prompts: https://zoom.us/j/313627516 You will need this information to join the meeting: Meeting ID: 313627516 Passcode: 023489 Here is the link to the project website for more info on the project: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/water/restoration/glenmont-forest.html. If you want to see what these installations look like, pictures from around Montgomery County are here: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/water/restoration/green-streets.html There are also examples on Arcola Avenue (on the East side of Georgia Avenue). Did you know that the Census determines how much funding and what services our community receives? If we and our neighbors are not counted, our community could be missing out on vital funds and services.
Want more funding for stormwater management issues, or outdoor equipment for seniors in a park? Do you think there needs to be greater access to services for the children of Wheaton Hills, and more public transportation for everyone else? Then it's important to fill out the Census survey. North Wheaton is predominantly made up of three Census tracts (7034.04, 7037.01, 7037.02). As of Sunday, April 12th, each of the Census tracts are showing no more than a 58.1% self-response rate. That means that nearly half of our community is unknown to Montgomery County officials and to future grant funders; this could mean that grants could go to other communities showing greater need due to a higher Census response rate. You can check for yourself how your neighborhood Census tract is doing on the Self-Response Census Tracker Map. The Census survey (www.my2020census.gov) takes less than 5 minutes to complete online. It does not ask for information regarding your immigration status. In fact, here is exactly what will be asked of you: 1. Your address; 2. Your name and telephone number; 3. How many people live in your household; 4. The names of each person in your household; 5. Whether your home is owned or rented; 6. Who is the person(s) in the household who rents or owns the mortgage on the home/apartment; 7. The sex of each person in the household; 8. The birthdate and age of each person in the household; 9. The ethnicity and race of each person in the household; 10. The relationship of each person in the household to the person filling out the Census survey. It’s important to Be Counted: www.my2020census.gov. ¿Sabía que el Censo determina cuántos fondos y qué servicios recibe su comunidad? Si usted y sus vecinos no se cuentan, su comunidad podría estar perdiendo fondos y servicios vitales porque su estado, condado y organizaciones sin fines de lucro. No sabrán que usted o sus vecinos viven en North Wheaton. ¿Necesita fondos de subvención para resolver problemas como aguas pluviales o equipos al aire libre para las personas mayores ? ¿Crees que debe haber un mayor acceso a las escuelas para los niños que viven North Wheaton y una mejor transporte pública para el resto de la comunidad? Complete la encuesta del censo. North Wheaton está compuesto predominantemente por tres secciones censales (7034.04, 7037.01, 7037.02). A partir del domingo 12 de abril, cada una de las secciones del censo no muestra más del 58.1% de tasa de auto-respuesta. Eso significa que la mitad de su comunidad es desconocida para el Condado y para futuros financiadores de subvenciones; Esto podría significar que las subvenciones/fondos podrían ir a otras comunidades que muestran una mayor necesidad debido a que tienen mayor numero de respuestas. Puede comprobar por sí mismo y seguir el Mapa del censo en auto-respuesta y asi ver si su comunidad esta respondiando al como deberia. Comuníquese con sus vecinos a través de llamadas telefónicas, mensajes de texto, correos electrónicos o servidores de listas para recordarles que la encuesta del Censo es rápida, importante que requiere de unos minutos y que completarlar el Census es una cuestión comunitaria. Empodera a comunidades que han sido olvidadas. La encuesta del censo (www.my2020census.gov) tarda menos de 5 minutos en completarse en línea. No solicita información sobre su estado migratorio. De hecho, esto es exactamente lo que se le pedirá: 1. Su dirección; 2. Su nombre y número de teléfono; 3. ¿Cuántas personas viven en su hogar? 4. Los nombres de cada persona en su hogar; 5. Si su casa es propiedad o está alquilada; 6. ¿Quién es la persona (s) en el hogar que alquila o posee la hipoteca de la casa / apartamento; 7. El sexo de cada persona en el hogar; 8. La fecha de nacimiento y la edad de cada persona en el hogar; 9. El origen étnico y la raza de cada persona en el hogar; 10. Cual es la relación de cada persona que vive en casa con la persona que esta completa la encuesta del Censo. Es importante ser contado: www.my2020census.gov. The Wheaton Hills Civic Association will be having a community meeting this Thursday, November 14, at 7:00 PM at Highland Elementary.
This meeting will focus on what it takes to run a neighborhood association - what are the benefits, what are the most time-consuming things, what's the truly hard work - and to conduct elections for the next two-year term for the executive committee. Few frills, few special guests, just an honest discussion and a vote. There have been very few nominations received for officers. If you would like to self-nominate or nominate a WHCA member to serve, please email your/their name and why to whcaelections@gmail.com. We need folks to step up as I and a number of the current officers will be moving on. After six years of organizing, consulting, and leading - and now dealing with a very serious family medical issue - it's time for me to take a back seat. We hope to see you on Thursday. We hope some will step forward to help continue the work the WHCA has done, and even take things to the next level. Sean Corbett WHCA President Every two years we hold elections for the executive committee positions of the Wheaton Hills Civic Association. This includes the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The duties of each position can be found in Article 5 of the by-laws.
The next election will be held in mid-November at a general community meeting; the date is TBD. Right now, we're asking you, our neighbors and friends, to submit nominations for the executive committee positions. You can submit someone else for a position or self-nominate. The link for the Nomination form is here (but please keep reading for important instructions/information.) Who can be nominated? Any WHCA "Active Member". Active members are those that have submitted a membership form - new or renewal - in the last two years. (NOTE: To be able to vote in the election, you'll need to be an active member yourself. To join or renew, submit the membership form on the WHCA website.) Don't worry if you don't know if your nominee is an active member. Our Officer Nominating Committee will verify their eligibility and acceptance of the nomination. (Special, heartfelt thanks to Melanie Newbrough, Rob Salerno, and Sarah Jackson for volunteering for the ONC.) The ONC will be collecting nominations, present a ballot of nominees, and manage the election process at the November meeting. They are currently looking into a method of electronic voting for members that can not make the meeting in person. Stay tuned for more on that as we get closer to the election. The ONC can be contacted directly at whcaelections@gmail.com. Lastly, let me just say that the Wheaton Hills Civic Association, closing in on just its sixth anniversary, has made tremendous progress on a large number of priorities. We continue to present the cares and concerns of you, our neighbors, to improve the quality of life and sense of community in - and around - Wheaton Hills. It has been my pleasure, and the pleasure of the full Wheaton Hills Civic Association Executive Committee - to advocate and work for this neighborhood. As I've said before, Wheaton Hills thrives when we come together. Let's keep the momentum for positive change and see some great nominees to continue our work. Regards, Sean Corbett Wheaton Hills Civic Association, President WHCA Executive Committee Nomination Form Representatives from the Wheaton Hills Civic Association met this week with the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) regarding their plans (they don't really have any yet) for the Lindsay Ford/Ambassador building at the corner of Veirs Mills Road and University Blvd. As you may know, HOC will be redeveloping this property once the current tenants completely vacant. HOC, still very early in the process, is soliciting community ideas, feedback, comments. We know this is short notice - and we objected to such when we were informed of the meetings - but HOC will be holding two community meetings next week. We encourage everyone to come out and share your thoughts on the future of this prime Wheaton location... and on potential short- and long-term uses for the current Lindsay Ford parking lot on Kensington Blvd, within our neighborhood boundaries. All residents should receive a letter from HOC on or about this Saturday. A copy of the letter is displayed below. The meetings are both being held at Highland Elementary (3100 Medway St):
Can't make one of the meetings? That's OK! HOC will be launching a new website, http://www.wheatongateway.com, where you can provide your input as well. Please mark your calendars for this summer's Wheaton North neighborhood event. Scheduled for Saturday June 15th, the event will include food, a craft station for neighbors to paint house number/address signs to take home, tables from county service providers as well as a bouncy castle and face painting for the kids. The event will include the neighborhoods of Wheaton Hills, Glenmont Forest, and Connecticut Avenue Estates, and is supported by The Montgomery Housing Partnership/MHP. Join us @ Highland Elementary on June 15, from 1PM to 4PM!
Wheaton Hills CA General Meeting
Meeting Start Time: 7:07Pm Exec. Board Attendees: Shana, Sean, Joseph, Sandi, Rob, Kristy Sean: Civic Association of the Year Award Announcement Sean: Agenda presentation DEP Mural Project: Graffiti at the entrance to Wheaton Claridge Park, DEP would have painted over the graffiti, however, a solution was to paint a Mural. Anna from DEP spoke about the “storm art project” and the highlighted the storm drain markers. Partnering with the community to submit art for the storm drains. They painted 6 in 2018 in downtown Wheaton. The Paint used is the same used for street markings. 24 storm drains painted in Montgomery County. Question: is there a coating that can be glazed over the mural for protection? Question: Is the community in agreement that we should paint a mural? (Posed to the audience in attendance) DEP would work with the MCParks, MCPD and local HS (Einstein). DEP will not paint in the drain pipe. Sean: will reach out to Einstein Storm water Management — UMD Presentation: Mike from Env. Finance Center applied for a grant from the Chesapeake Trust to work with MC communities on storm water drainage plan(s). Michelle talked about the specifics of the plan. Provided maps that outlined the walk through they did with the stakeholders (WHCA). Provide the Stormwater Action Plan for the Glenmont Forest Neighbors Civic Association. This provides information the resources to get things done in the community to manage stormwater issues. Community Priorities Areas — Big ticket items that MCDOT needs to intervene on. Community Action Areas — not currently an issue but could become one if not kept on top of E.g. trash/pet waste. Discussed the advocacy needed by the community to have them take action on the issues that were outlined in the action plan. Provided an outreach calendar for suggested events in the action plan. This plan will be available as a downloadable document that will posted to the WHCA site. The message will be provided to social media outlets. What is a flooding identified flooding area? An area that is overrun with water during storms or heavy rain that flows down hill into property owners yards. MCDEP and other county agents are looking into Wheatons problem with stormwater drainage. Where can we best benefit from the action plan? Trash cleanups multiple times a year and neighbor education on best practices for a healthier environment. Distribution of environmental information E.g. RainScapes Program. What the cost of a RainScapes? Anna from DEP mentioned that there is a class that the Montgomery Parks provides. She will check the minimum number for the class for the WHCA community. Suggestion: Stormwater harvesting (rain barrel) locally by the property owner Brookside Gardens Greenfest this weekend Sunday 4/27 June 4th UMD Finance presentation at the Silver Spring Civic Center for homeowners. Wash. Gas Dawson Ave Community Gas Main Replacement Project Q/A: Dave Thomas Construction Manager with Washington Gas and Victor Martinez Construction Supervisor. MD STRIDE Accelerated Replacement Program is for timely upgrades of the natural gas main and service lines which is a 20 year program. 11,495 feet of steel gas main is being replaced in the neighborhood. 228 affected people in the neighborhood Dawson — to Fenimore and several surrounding streets. Private property yards will be restored as close to the original state. A disruption in Natural Gas is about 48 hrs at the worst. Notifications are sent out at least a few weeks before the project along with door hangers and door knocking. The slides will be available to WHCA and contact information provided. How do you determine where the work will be done? The leak history, type of pipe installed and year of installation. How do you detect a plastic pipe? Designs, Metallic tape or trace wire. Call if you smell gas during the project, using the 844-WASHGAS Target date of completion? Early Fall 2019 Is there a listing of residences the pipe through? Unfortunately not an outline. Will the sidewalks be replaced with the concrete? Yes, the asphalt is temporary. If there is yard work needing to be done in the homeowner yard. Then they will get your information and work with the residence based on the project schedule. There is a restoration to the Maryland restoration email address that was provided to them. Are meters replaced? No Is there a website detailing what projects are going on? Yes, only provides information on information within zip code. WHCA has the listing of full addresses. Mid County Update: Up to Floors 9 and 10 — May 2020 is the completion date for the MC Planning Board bldg. May 18, in the Claremont Town Home Park @ 10am — Wheaton Safety Walk ( Elected Officials will be there including County Exec.) Any concerns with the state highway. Kristy has more information. Veirs Mill Master Plan — A master plan runs from the Gas station to Rockville. They are working on how things can be zoned and the transportation going through Veirs Mill. A complete street which incorporates sidewalks, bike lanes. Does not mean it will actually get built. We need to push as a community to get things done. No red light camera a Veirs Mill and Newport Mill —county has been asked about getting this put in. Sign up at nomoredeadpeds.org Are there any enforcement plans for the new speed limit? Sean to follow up with DOT? Can we extend the speed limit for Georgia Avenue? Kristy to follow up with DOT Suggestion: Take new speed limit to the light at Popeyes. Create a catalog of issues Officer Nominating Committee: 3 volunteers who manage the nomination of WHCA board members. email address is: wheatonhillscivicassociation@gmail.com Do these offices have term limits: Yes, and the By-Law committee is reviewing what positions require term limits. Dan will volunteer to help with By-Laws New Business: Pete asked that sidewalks be widened on Grandview to be ADA compliant and asked this in his letter to County Executive; that the whole stretch get cross walks. Also asked about street light installation along the stretch too. We're proud to announce that the Wheaton Hills Civic Association has won the Mid-County Citizen Advisory Board's CIVIC ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR Award!
Join us at the Wheaton/Kensington Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet on Wednesday, April 24th! https://wkchamber.org/events/annual-awards-banquet/ Please join your neighbors for the next meeting of the Wheaton Hills Civic Association at Highland Elementary School on Thursday, April 25 at 7:00pm.
We'll hear from the University of Maryland on their stormwater management recommendations, from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection on a mural project, discuss upcoming community activities, outline WHCA elections planned for later in the year, and much more. If you have any particular topics you'd like to see addressed, please let us know and we'll try to include in the meeting agenda. Email WHCA at wheatonhillscivicassociation@gmail.com. |
