Town of Berwyn Heights

Town Meeting Minutes

September 13, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Calvo, CMs Dennison, Jewitt and Lofgren. CM Gourley and Town Administrator Murphy had an excused absence. Also present were Treasurer Lape, Clerk Harper, Corporal Hartnett, as well as Chair of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC) Ann Harris Davidson and citizens.

Mayor Calvo led the Pledge of Allegiance.

1. Minutes

Clerk Harper read a summary of the August 9 Town meeting minutes.

2. Treasurer’s Report

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

3. Mayor’s Report

Mayor Calvo announced the primary election results. Current County Executive Jack Johnson narrowly defeated former State Delegate Rushern Baker 52% to 48%. In contrast, Berwyn Heights voted 240 to 54 for Rushern Baker. In the District 3 County Council race, former College Park City Councilmember Eric Olson defeated the runner-up 41% to 28%. Berwyn Heights voted 221 to 45 for Eric Olson. In the US Senate race, Benjamin Cardin (D)defeated Kweisi Mfume (D). Berwyn Heights voted 145 to 92 for Ben Cardin. Current Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele won the Republican nomination. In the State Comptroller's race, Peter Franchot won the Democratic nomination and Ann McCarthy the Republican nomination. Berwyn Heights voted 160 to 82 for Peter Franchot over the runner-up.

In other news, Mayor reported that the Town Council received a presentation from Commerce Bank, which plans to open a branch office on the 5800 block of Greenbelt Road. Traffic impact of the proposed development topped the list of concerns of the residents in attendance. The developers promised to work with the Town on the possible closing of 59^th Avenue between the commercial and residential district, which was supported by those present. Another presentation will be scheduled for the October Town meeting.

Further, the Council decided to switch to a different recycling contractor, after having been told by the current recycling contractor, Burch Trash Service, that it would no longer pick up on Thursdays. The Council declined to switch to Saturday pick-ups. The Council began working on a Commercial Clean Lot Ordinance that would give Berwyn Heights Code Enforcement additional tools to enforce clean lot standards in the business district. The Staples/Blockbuster property has been a large reason for this legislation. The Council initiated discussion of a draft mission statement for a Safe Streets/Traffic Study Committee, which will be charged with devising a comprehensive plan to improve traffic safety and mitigate pass-through traffic.

Mayor Calvo continued that the M-NCPPC Planning Board, on September 14, will hold a hearing on a Special Exception for Best Pawn, which wants to open a pawn shop next to the Washington Post plant entrance on Greenbelt Road. In April, the Town Council took a formal stand against the proposal, as did College Park and Greenbelt. Berwyn Heights' strong opposition was reiterated in a letter sent to the Chair of the Planning Board, Sam Parker, last week. Should the Planning Board rule for Best Pawn, Berwyn Heights will send representatives to the District Council hearing to testify against it. Residents are encouraged to attend the hearings.

The Town has been invited to participate in a School Facilities Planning Task Force to study the need for additional school seats resulting from the proposed Greenbelt Metro and Springhill Lake developments. The Council will select a representative when the Task Force becomes operational. Lastly, the Council at the September 5 worksession, held an executive session to discuss two separate personnel issues.

4. Department Reports

Administration: Reporting for CM Gourley and TA Murphy, who were absent, Treasurer Lape said that the Department continues to work on mailing out personal property tax letters and other routine tasks.

Code Enforcement: CM Jewitt reported that Charles Hall of 56^th Avenue, who has a law enforcement background, has been hired as the part-time code enforcement officer. Director Solomon wishes to remind residents to clean up after their dogs when taking them on walks. Trash cans have been placed at busy locations to make trash disposal easy. Residents, who plan to waterproof their basements, must first obtain County and Town permits. Loose leaves must be bagged for pickup until the leafer begins to operate on November 1. He concluded with a report of code statistics and pointed out that this month's Bulletin has information on what to do in case of rabies.

Parks and Recreation, Education and Civic Affairs: CM Dennison announced that the Ice Cream Social will be held on September 15, the Berwyn Heights Elementary School Walk-a-Thon fundraiser takes place on September 15. On October 15, the Berwyn Heights Historical Committee will run its bus tours “A Perspective on Our Past,” for which residents can sign up at BHHCTour@yahoo.com. On October 28, from 6 – 8 p.m., a Halloween party will take place at the Town Center. Attendees should come in costume. A magician will perform and snacks will be served. There is a $2 entrance fee. The date for the Tree lighting ceremony has been set for December 9, 6 – 8 p.m.

In school news, Rosalind Johnson came in first and Robin Barnes Shell second in the primary for the School Board District 1. Donna Hathaway Beck came in first among at-large candidates.

The Berwyn Heights Education Advisory Committee (BHEAC) plans to hold a candidates forum on October 10. The general elections will take place on November 7. Lastly, CM Dennison shared citizen comments from Ray Smith, who thanked the Town for having the election signs removed from the Staples property and from Berwyn residents reminding Berwyn Heights to send representatives to the Best Pawn hearing on September 14.

Public Works: CM Lofgren reported that the Public Works trash trucks passed the health inspections and have stickers to admit them to the County dumps. The new trash truck has been ordered and is scheduled for delivery at the end of October. Bids for a new dump truck are in hand and ready for Council consideration. The leafer has been repaired. Line painting on Town roads and tree trimming continue. One of two CDL drivers handed in his resignation.

Public Health and Safety: Corporal Richard Hartnett reported for Chief Murphy who was away attending the Maryland Conference of Chiefs of Police. Under crime statistics, he highlighted two deaths from natural causes, no cars stolen and 2 cars recovered in Berwyn Heights. He reminded residents not to leave keys in the ignition when going into a store or gas station. Insurance carriers may not pay a car theft claim if the key is left in the ignition. He recommended getting steering wheel locks, on sale at the Town Office and the Police station, to help deter theft. He also reported that on the night of September 7, vandals spray painted a large amount of graffiti on the State Employees' Credit Union and the Simmons Property Management Building. Detective Antolik is investigating. He asked residents to report suspicious activities in the business district. For more information, resident can go to the Berwyn Heights Police Web site at www.berwynheightspd.com. The Town Bulletin is also available at the web site.

Mayor Calvo added that the Berwyn Heights Police web page recently received praise from the National Association of State Legislators as the most comprehensive source of information on motorized scooters. Corporal Hartnett said that the Motor Vehicle Department also uses the site as a reference for motorized scooters.

5. Committee Reports

Education Advisory Committee: Chair of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC) Ann Harris Davidson reported on the school board elections. She said that there were 18 candidates who advanced in the September 12 primaries: the top 2 vote getters in each of 5 districts and the top 8 vote getters, who ran at-large. All will run county-wide in the November 7 general election. Donna Hathaway Beck, Ron Watson, Gloria Lawlah, Jeana Jacobs, Nate Thomas, Howard Stone, Kenneth Johnson and Anthony Lee were the winners of the at large race. In District I, Rosalind Johnson and Robin Barnes Shell advanced; in District II Amber Waller and Heather Iliff; in District III Pat Fletcher and Regina Williams; in District IV Stephen Morris and Linda Thomas; and in District V Owen Johnson and Katie Costello.

The October Bulletin will have more information on the school board elections process and candidates. On October 10, the EAC plans to have a meet and greet for school board candidates, where candidates can present their ideas and talk to constituents. At the November 8 Town meeting, the newly-appointed principal of Parkdale High school, David Burton, will be in attendance to present its current and new programs. In Jay Matthews' AP Challenge Index of top rated high schools, Parkdale this year was ranked second in Prince George's County behind only Roosevelt. Lastly, she thanked Berwyn Heights Principal Dr. Singer for having signage at the school fixed.

Mayor Calvo commented he was surprised that Howard Stone came in 4^th in the school board races despite his unresponsiveness to Berwyn Heights requests to adjust its school boundaries. Ms. Davidson said that he was one of 4 candidates endorsed by the District 22 Delegation.

Historical Committee: CM Dennison said that the next meeting is on September 26.

Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness: Mayor Calvo reported that the Committee decided to postpone its elections and to hold meetings on the first Tuesday of the month for the rest of the year. The next meeting is on October 3.

Recreation Council: CM Dennison announced that the Ice Cream Social will be this Friday, September 15 at the Town Center. Everyone is welcome.

6. Unfinished Business

There was none.

7. New Business

There was none.

8. Citizens Discussion

Ann Harris Davidson of 58^th Avenue announced that people wishing to testify at the Pawn Shop hearing tomorrow may sign up before the meeting, which begins at 9:00 a.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk