Town of Berwyn Heights

Town Meeting Minutes

August 9, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Calvo, CMs Dennison, Gourley, Jewitt and Lofgren. Also present were Chief of Police Murphy, Treasurer Lape and Clerk Harper, as well as Chair of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC) Ann Davidson, Representative of the Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness (NW/EP) Carmen Greenwell, Gazette Reporter Michael Zimmerman and citizens. Town Administrator Murphy had an excused absence.

Mayor Calvo led the Pledge of Allegiance.

1. Minutes

Clerk Harper read a summary of the July 12 Town Meeting minutes.

2. Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Lape gave the Treasurer's report for the month of July.

3. Mayor’s Report

Mayor Calvo reported that Public Works employee Bruce Hochman, Code Enforcement Director Sonjia Solomon and General Government employee Kerstin Harper were recognized as employees of the year at a July 26 employee appreciation lunch. Officer Chapman had been given an Officer of the year award at the June 14 Town meeting.

Mayor Calvo and TA Murphy met with the newly-appointed Chair of the Prince George’s County Planning Board Sam Parker to discuss issues of concern. Mr. Parker acknowledged the need to develop a more cooperative relationship with Prince George's municipalities. As a follow up, a letter was sent to Mr. Parker's office detailing the areas in which Berwyn Heights needs the help from Parks and Planning, especially regarding the maintenance of the ball fields, and areas in which Berwyn Heights may be of assistance to the agency.

Mayor Calvo also spoke with the Director of Maintenance of the Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS), Larry Pauling, about cutting the grass around the tennis and basketball courts at the back of the school. Mr. Pauling was under the impression that these areas belong to Berwyn Heights and were not their responsibility. He said, however, that his crew would maintain the grounds if it can be shown that they belong to PGCPS. Mayor Calvo reported that he sent Mr. Pauling the required documentation and hopes that the grass will be cut before school starts.

The Town Council sent a letter to County Executive Jack Johnson to protest a breakdown in communications between Prince George's County police and Berwyn Heights police with respect to a bomb threat to a family planning clinic located in Berwyn Heights. The information about the bomb threat should have been shared with Berwyn Heights police when County police first learned of it on June 3 so that Berwyn Heights police could have protected the clinic's employees and Town residents. Instead County police waited until June 7 to notify the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms who defused the device resulting in the partial destruction of the structure.

The Town Council at its last worksession authorized a $3,000 allocation to support the artist-in-residence program at Berwyn Heights Elementary School (BHES). The program's funding was threatened this year due to a scheduling conflict between two fund raisers. Lastly, Mayor Calvo reminded residents that election primaries will be held on September 12 to nominate candidates for elective offices of County Executive, County Council and the Prince George's County Public Schools Board of Education.

4. Department Reports

Administration: CM Gourley reported that the Administration Department continues to collect personal property taxes, that plans for revamping the Town's web site are being explored and that the Council has begun discussing the renovation of the Council chamber. He invited Town residents with carpentry skills to contact the Town Office regarding the repair of shed. Amount of payment is to be negotiated.

Code Enforcement: CM Jewitt congratulated Director Solomon on her employee recognition award. He then announced that the Code Department is seeking a part-time employee to work 10 – 16 hours per week mostly on nights and weekends. Spanish language skills are desirable. The position would pay $12 – 15 per hour depending on qualifications. He reminded residents not to store bulky trash in their yards, including appliances, furniture and toys. He further reported that he took a ride around Town with a resident who contacted him to compare high grass on different properties. As a result, a new reporting system for code violations is being implemented. In the future, the statistics will be broken down into total warnings issued and continued violations that receive certified letters, fines and abatements. This will better reflect the compliance rates after a warning is issued.

Parks and Recreation, Education and Civic Affairs: CM Dennison reported that the Council received word from Public Works Director Coleman that the Pontiac Streets fields will be usable by school children this year. Progress has been made regarding maintenance of the grounds after talks with the school system's maintenance department and custodians at the school, and grass should be cut by the time children go back to school. A number of interesting events are planned for the coming school year including a Hello Huskies back to school picnic, a fall walk-a-thon and a hoe-down. The new PTA president is Julie Gowan. The Historical Committee is making progress on putting together a bus tour for October 15 entitled “Berwyn Heights: a Perspective on the Past.” On September 15, the Seniors will host the annual Ice Cream Social and on September 10, the Education Advisory Committee will discuss the school board candidates up for election in the September 12 primaries. The general election is scheduled for November 7. Lastly, CM Dennison thanked the police and Neighborhood Watch for hosting another successful National Night Out and cautioned residents to drive carefully when children go back to school

Public Health and Safety: Mayor Calvo thanked the police and Neighborhood Watch for putting on a terrific National Night Out. He reported that, with Officer Van Dyke having left the police force, the Town is seeking to fill two vacant police officer positions.

Chief Murphy gave the police activities report for July. There were 11 Part I offenses including 1 armed robbery resulting in an immediate arrest. It is on par with the 5-year average of July of 11.2 Part I offenses. There were 99 Part I offenses this year to date, which is higher than the 5 year average of 73. The Department is advertising for two police officers positions but will only consider applicants certified by the Maryland Police Training Commission.

Chief Murphy reported that National Night Out was a great success and is a reflection of citizens' support of its police force and Neighborhood Watch. He continued with highlights from press releases. In connection with the armed robbery of a Berwyn Heights resident, John Martin of Berwyn Heights was arrested and taken to jail. His handgun was recovered by Public Works employees the following day in the 6200 block of Quebec Street.

In response to Mayor Calvo, Chief Murphy explained that 3 youths were arrested by Prince George's County police last weekend after having broken into the elementary school. A 4^th suspect may have escaped. Berwyn Heights police have not yet received a report from Prince George's County, but Detective Antolik is following up. Meanwhile, he has met with Principal Singer to discuss the break in and how security in and around the school can be improved. Berwyn Heights police have increased patrols around the school.

Public Works: CM Lofgren reported that Public Works has been trimming tree branches and shrubs in the Town right of way. Residents are requested to report any problems with trees and shrubs obstructing fire hydrants and traffic signs. Public Works employees have also been busy cutting grass around Town and Director Coleman has contacted the State Highway Administration (SHA) regarding a broken fence along Greenbelt Road. Further, both refuse trucks and the large dump truck have undergone repairs; the leaf machine had a new impeller installed; a new light fixture was installed at the Town Center to illuminate the flag; and the Council authorized the purchase of a new refuse truck at its last worksession.

5. Committee Reports

Education Advisory Committee: Chair of the EAC Ann Harris Davidson reported on the school board elections. Primary elections will be held on September 12. However, early voting is now allowed and citizens can vote early from September 5 - 9 from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Hyattsville Public Library. Among those to be elected are 45 school board candidates. Each voter can vote for 1 candidate from the District in which he/she resides and for 4 at-large candidates. Berwyn Heights is in District 1. The top two vote-getters for each seat will remain in contention for the general election on November 7. The Berwyn Heights EAC plans to hold a candidates forum for the surviving candidates of District 1 and District 2 on October 10 and work with other EACs to host discussions in other districts. Lastly, Ms. Davidson thanked the Council for supporting the Berwyn Heights Elementary School artist-in-residence program.

In response to Mayor Calvo, Ms. Davidson said that school board elections are non-partisan and that all voters regardless of their party affiliation can vote for school board candidates in the primaries.

Historical Committee: The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for September 24. It is to be decided whether elections of officers are going to be held in the absence of the committee chair.

Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness: Carmen Greenwell reported for Mike Attick. She thanked the Berwyn Heights Police Department, especially Clerk Carter and Corporal Sullivan, as well as Alan Greenwell, Joan Hayden, M. Weindrige, Mike Attick, Jodie Culpa Eddie, Patti Dennison, Dr. Singer and Darlene Ericson for their contributions to another successful National Night Out. The next meeting will be held on September 6 at which a new chair will be elected. In other news, she and Mike Attick attended a debriefing to assess the response to the June flooding of Lewisdale homes. Eighteen Prince George's CERT members, including Ms. Greenwell and Mr. Attick, had helped clean up residents basements that had 6 – 7 feet of water in them.

Recreation Council: CM Dennison announced that the next Recreation Council meeting will be held on September 7. Volunteers are welcome and needed to plan next year's community events agenda.

6. Unfinished Business

There was none.

7. New Business

There was none.

8. Citizens Discussion

Donna Hathaway Beck, at-large candidate for the Prince George's County School Board, introduced herself. She said that campaigning for an at-large position has been difficult because it requires campaigning in communities throughout the entire County. She thanked Ms. Davidson of the BHEAC for being a point of contact in Berwyn Heights. Ms. Hathaway Beck said that she has been a longstanding advocate for Prince George's County Public Schools, attending every school board meeting for 9 years straight and serving on a number of commissions and task forces. However, her focus has been on how schools fit into the County's growth and development plans. In that capacity, she most recently served on the High School Capacity Task Force, Commission 2000, which reviewed the County's Master Plan and spearheaded the CB 40 Referendum to repeal legislation allowing developers to build in areas with overcrowded schools after paying a fee. She concluded by saying that she hopes the school board will return to 9 district representation in the next election.

Ms. Davidson said that she cannot think of anyone more qualified to be a school board member and whose judgment she trusts more than Ms. Hathaway Beck's.

In response to CM Dennison, Ms. Hathaway Beck said that, if elected, she would review the entire boundary setting process to make it more transparent, allow for community input and avoid overfilling schools. With respect to the northern Prince George's high school, she believes that there is definitely a need for a new high school but no land on which to build it. The originally proposed 4 sites for a northern high school were rejected by the affected communities and the high school was awarded to Bowie. If acceptable sites could be found, however, a northern high school might still come back on track.

Mayor Calvo asked what Ms. Hathaway Beck's governing philosophy is. Ms. Hathaway Beck said her philosophy centers on restoring trust in the school system's leadership. Once trust is restored, additional funding is more likely to be secured and teachers recruited and retained. She believes that CEO Deasy will be able to restore trust and supports his his management model. To promote accountability and transparency of the Board of Education, she would institute open meetings broadcast live. This would also help to get the next generation of parents involved. She would also work towards making the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) process more open and allow citizens to see how the school system plans to spend those funds.

Ann Harris Davidson asked if the Town is investigating whether a dead rabid raccoon was removed by the County's Animal Control Division from the 8500 block of Cunningham Drive. If true, residents might want to know this so that they can take care and get their pets vaccinated. Further, she wondered what the mechanism is by which the Animal Control Division notifies communities of such incidents. Mayor Calvo said that the Town will look into it.

CM Gourley asked if the Town could request reimbursement for the maintenance of school grounds it has performed to date. Mayor Calvo said that the Town could raise the issue with the PGCPS Director of Maintenance Larry Pauling.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m.

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk