The current issue of the Journal can be viewed online at www.townofsomerset.com
SOMERSET
TOWN JOURNAL
“ Where People Have Deep Roots
and Grow Strong”
Volume 60 • No. 5
July
|
2015
Date of Publication: June 29, 2015
Save the Date:
Brown Bag Lunch on Thursday, July 23
By Mayor Jeffrey Slavin, Warwick Place
Come celebrate summer at our third quarterly Brown Bag lunch of the year on Thursday, July 23 from
noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. Among other things, we can discuss the proposed changes in land
use in the vicinity of the Town that could have a dramatic impact on Somerset. As always, Council
Members and I will host anyone from Town interested and available to talk about issues or share a
story of two.
Remember to bring a sandwich or dish to share–and a friend. Beverages, plates and utensils are
provided. Please email me at [email protected] if you have any questions.
!!!
Get Ready for Somerset’s Annual Fourth of July Celebration!
Please refer to the flyer that came with this month’s Journal for a description of the day’s festivities, including
the picnic, games, parade to the Pool, and the cupcake competition!
Park Improvement Projects on Capital Crescent Trail:
Public Notice from Montgomery County
Capital Crescent Trail/Bethesda Avenue
Beginning June 2015 through July 2015
Several improvement projects are underway on the Capital Crescent trail
that will affect access and regular use of the trail. Montgomery Parks and a
private firm are performing ongoing tree work on the trail between Dorset
Avenue and Woodmont Avenue throughout the month of June. The work
should not limit trail access, however trail users are urged to proceed with
caution around work areas.
Also, the trail just south of Bethesda Avenue will be closed for about two
weeks to allow for improvements that are a part of the Lot 31-apartment
continued on page 2
Calendar
Thursday, July 23
Brown Bag Lunch
Monday, July 27
MVA Mobile office
Don’t forget to check the Town website
throughout the month for an up-to-date
calendar. Go to www.townofsomerset.com
and click on Town Calendar.
The Preliminary Agenda for each month’s Town Council meeting is posted on the Town website (www.townofsomerset.com)
seven days prior to the meeting. A copy is also posted on the bulletin board on the Town Hall porch.
On My Mind
By Mayor Jeffrey Slavin, Warwick Place
Swimming Pool Adds Immeasurable Value
Next to the elementary school, it can be argued that the
most significant public asset in Town is the swimming pool.
The fact that we devote such a large part of the operating
budget towards it is proof. Recent large capital expenditures further the case.
And let it be said that the pool truly benefits everyone, whether you swim or
not. Not only does it increase what our houses are worth, the manner in which
it contributes to the establishment of our sense of community and our identity
cannot be overestimated. The same can be said for the swim team which operates
out of the pool. How ironic it is that this asset is only used four months a year!
Unfortunately, the benefits of the pool are now threatened by the recent
Supreme Court decision in the Wynne case. Its impact on taxes will lead to a
dramatic reduction in the Maryland State revenues we receive in the years to
come. In the short term, we will also have to pay a large price because of what
the Court said.
To accommodate this, it is inevitable that our Somerset property taxes will
have to be raised. Given that this tax rate is relatively low and the actual dollar
amount minor (compared to our County property tax), hopefully we will not
have to suffer too much.
During budget season next year when revenue enhancement ideas are raised,
there will be those who will call for the reinstitution of membership fees at the
swimming pool. I am adamantly opposed to this. We don’t need to create a
country club atmosphere and it would be a costly administrative nightmare
for the staff.
Park Improvement Projects from page 1
building construction project, the Flats.
Trail users will be directed onto a detour
along a new public pathway. Pedestrians
will be able to gain access to sidewalks on
Woodmont Avenue and bicyclists will be
able to use the newly marked bicycle lanes.
For additional information on the projects,
please visit www.montgomerytrails.org or
call 301-495-2595.
Please refer to the flyer that came with this
month’s Journal for a description of the
day’s festivities, including the picnic, games,
parade to the Pool, and the cupcake
competition!
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All About People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Annual Pool Kick-off Party . . . . . . . . .6
Classified Ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Composting Service Dos and
Don’ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Council Meeting Actions . . . . . . . . . .7
Emergency Preparedness for
Residents Who Do Not Use
Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
From the Mayor’s Desk . . . . . . . . . . . .8
General Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Get Ready for Somerset’s Annual
Fourth of July Celebration! . . . . . . .1
Manager’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
On My Mind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Park Improvement Projects on
Capital Crescent Trail . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Preliminary Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Save the Date: Brown Bag Lunch on
Thursday, July 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Somerset Budget Will Take a
Serious “Hit” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Somerset’s Helping Hand . . . . . . . . .10
Barbara Marenus, Editor – [email protected]
The Town Journal is the official publication of
The Town of Somerset, Montgomery County, MD.
Post Office address: 4510 Cumberland Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
www.townofsomerset.com
If you prefer to receive the Journal via email, please provide your request to
[email protected] or call the Town Hall at 301-657-3211.
Deadline for copy and ads is the 15th of the month at 4:30 p.m.
Let’s keep the swimming pool as a free
benefit for everyone, always.
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In This Issue
MAYOR
Jeffrey Z. Slavin, 5706 Warwick Place
301-654-6767
Town Hall Telephone: 301-657-2229
[email protected]
MEMBERS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
Marnie Shaul, Council Vice President
5509 Uppingham Street
301-913-5973
[email protected]
Barbara Condos, 4706 Falstone Avenue
301-656-0461
[email protected]
Franny Peale, 5521 Uppingham Street
301-652-9695
[email protected]
Cathy Pickar, 4915 Dorset Avenue
301-907-4881
[email protected]
| July 2015
Barbara Zeughauser, 5412 Trent Street
301-951-8560
[email protected]
TOWN MANAGER
Richard Charnovich
301-657-3211
[email protected]
TOWN ARBORIST
Tolbert Feather
[email protected]
TOWN CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Larry Plummer
[email protected]
TOWN HALL
Open: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday thru Friday
301-657-3211
Fax: 301-657-2773
TTY users call Maryland Relay
Somerset Budget Will Take a Serious “Hit”
from U.S. Supreme Court Wynne Decision:
Your Property Taxes Could Go Up Next Year
By Council Member Marnie Shaul, Uppingham Street, in collaboration with the Council and the Town’s Ad
Hoc Budget Committee
A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision will require many Maryland counties and municipalities to refund
income taxes, and it will also reduce their future income tax revenues. Somerset is one of the communities that
faces this serious financial problem. In Comptroller v. Wynne, the Court decided in favor of Maryland residents
who filed a lawsuit to get full credit for taxes paid to another state and not be taxed twice on the same income at
the county level in Maryland. Our state already grants its residents a credit for taxes paid to another state, but
no such credit is offered at the county level.
As a result, Somerset will need to repay income taxes paid on out-of-state income by residents who applied for
the credit. Refunds for residents who filed “protective claims” could go back to 2006 and are not subject to a
three-year statute of limitations. In anticipation of the Supreme Court decision, Somerset’s Mayor, Council,
Town manager, and Ad Hoc Budget Committee met with staff of the Maryland Comptroller’s Office in
February. We asked if their office could estimate Somerset’s potential liability, but it
could not do so at that time.
In early June, the Maryland Municipal League (MML), of which Somerset is a member,
sent out estimates for three years’ worth of refunds. For Somerset in 2009, 2010 and 2011,
MML’s estimates were about $45,000 per year plus interest, for a total of about $150,000.
Later in June, MML provided rough estimates for Somerset for 2012 and 2013 totaling
more than $50,000. It is too early to obtain estimates for 2014. Based on current estimates,
Somerset will need to repay about $300,000, excluding any claims for 2006-2008. Over
the next few months, we expect better estimates, which could raise or lower that number
substantially. We will of course share that information as soon as we receive it.
The Comptroller’s Office has said it will process refund requests for 2006-2011 by January 1, 2016, and will pay
for these refunds from a special reserve fund. Counties and municipalities will have two choices: to repay the
state with a lump sum in FY2017 (which begins on July 1, 2016) or pay the liability over nine quarters starting
in July 2016. That means that Somerset will have to raise perhaps $300,000 within a two-year period starting
in July 2016. In addition, this ruling permanently reduces the amount of income tax revenue that Somerset
receives, perhaps by $50,000 per year. To put these numbers in perspective, for this fiscal year we anticipate
total revenues from income taxes at about $750,000 and total revenues of about $1.2 million.
Over the next ten months, Somerset residents and the Council will need to decide how to repay refunds and to
deal with a lower revenue stream. Possibilities include raising taxes, reducing spending, and charging new or
higher fees for recreational activities. The only tax Somerset can levy is the property tax, currently at $.08 per
$100 assessed value; each cent raises about $50,000.
We will need to discuss suggestions that we can implement in the next budget cycle, which starts in February
2016. The Council and Mayor look forward to hearing from you!
As background, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the county component of Maryland’s personal income tax,
ruling that it violated the Commerce Clause because it discriminated against interstate commerce. There are
many citations about Comptroller v. Wynne, such as http://www.scotusblog.com/2015/05/opinion-analysismarylands-personal-income-tax-violates-the-commerce-clause/.
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Emergency Preparedness for
Residents Who Do Not Use
Computers
By Cathy Pickar, Council Member, Dorset Avenue
If you are a resident who does not use computers, smart
phones or other mobile devices, please inform the Town
Hall at 301-657-3211 and speak with Nicole Ventura. In
the unlikely event of a major emergency, we would like to
have a phone tree set up to contact you. Otherwise, notices
would be sent electronically via email to those residents
with email addresses registered at Town Hall, or
who have created an account on the new website
or, pending final setup, are “friends” with the
Town of Somerset on Facebook or follow Town
of Somerset on Twitter.
Composting Service Dos and
Don’ts
By Sarah Morse, Environment Committee, Dorset Avenue
Somerset residents have a new amenity – curbside compost
service! As of June 2, the Town contracted with the Compost
Crew for weekly pickup of kitchen scraps and other organic
materials. The bins are picked up on Tuesday – our garbage
and recycling day. Residents must register for the service at
http://compostcrew.com/somerset. There is also a onetime fee
of $16 (payable to the Town of Somerset) for the air-tight bin.
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How does the Composting Service Work?
During the week, residents fill the bin with kitchen scraps
and other compostable items. On Tuesday, the bin is put
by the curb. Compost Crew will empty the bin and leave
a new liner. Take the bin back to your house and fill it up
again! Hint: Keep a container next to your sink for food
scraps and empty it in the bin at the end of the day.
What Can Go in the Bin?
You can compost all kitchen scraps including vegetable
peels, eggs shells, moldy cheese, chicken bones, apple cores,
fruit peels, left-overs from the back of the fridge – really
anything in the edible category – and a lot of inedible
things too. Napkins and uncoated paper plates (like
Chinette plates) are a happy addition to the bin. There
is no need to scrape the plates – just throw them in the
compost bin, food scraps and all. And don’t forget to
scrape your plates into the compost bin. You can also
compost coffee filters, tea bags, dryer lint, hair trimmings
and floor sweepings. The list is very long.
What Can’t Go in the Bin?
Animal or human waste (NO poop), charcoal ash, cigarette
butts, kitty litter, diapers, newspaper, and dead animals are
some of the things that can’t be composted. In general –
non-organics, medicines and poisonous things should be
kept out of the bins.
For the complete list of items, visit the Compost Crew
website at http://compostcrew.com/wordpress/wp-content/
uploads/2013/05/TheList.pdf.
By Rich Charnovich,
Town Manager
Manager’s Corner
Somerset’s Annual July 4th
Event: Volunteers Needed!
The Town is looking for volunteers to
help with the planning and set-up
of the Town’s annual July 4th event
held at the Town Hall. Students could
gain community service hours for
volunteering. Please contact me if you
are interested in helping out.
Summer Is Here: Be Extra
Mindful of Pedestrians
With the arrival of summer and school
over for the year, please be mindful of
pedestrians, including many children,
who will be walking to and from the
pool, tennis courts, biking, etc. Please
be extra careful and make sure you
follow the speed limit/traffic signs and the no handheld
device law.
Status of Safety
Measures at the River
Road and Greystone
Street Intersection
I have been receiving inquiries
about when the State Highway
Administration will install
safety measures at the intersection of Greystone Street and
River Road. I currently do not have any new information to
share. However, when I receive an update, I will send out
an email to inform the community and or provide an
update in the August Journal.
Maintenance of Shrubbery over Sidewalks
and Common Areas
With summer upon us, I want to remind residents to
properly maintain any shrubbery/vegetation on your
property that may be hanging over sidewalk areas. It is
much safer for walker, bikers, etc. if the sidewalk areas
are kept clear.
Section 4-101 of the Code addresses this topic. Please
contact the Town Hall if you would like a copy of this section.
Alternatively, the Town Code in its entirety can be located
on the Town’s website at www.townofsomerset.com.
Annual Newcomers Party on Saturday,
September 19th
Please save the date for the annual Newcomers Party, which
will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 4:00 p.m.
to 6:00 p.m. at the Town Pool. More information will be
forthcoming.
E-Journal Sign-Up
We would like to urge as many residents as possible to
receive their Town Journal electronically. As a Tree City
USA and a PLANT Maryland Community, Somerset wants
to reduce its impact on the environment by encouraging
residents to receive their copy of the Town Journal by
email. If you are not currently on the email distribution
list and would like to receive an electronic copy, please
contact the Town Hall at [email protected]
or at 301-657-3211.
General Permits
Tree Removal Permits
Fence Permit
5514 Trent Street, 10” Pine tree
4519 Cumberland Avenue, 12” Japanese Maple
4815 Essex Avenue, installation of fence sections on each side of
the house to the property line in order to enclose the back yard
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2015
Annual Pool
Kick-off Party
Photos from Somerset's June 13th Pool Kick-Off Party
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Council Meeting Actions
The Town Council met in regular session on May 4, 2015. The Town Council took the following actions:
1. Approval of the April 6, 2015 Council Meeting Minutes.
2. Approval of a HVAC Unit replacement application at 4702 Essex Avenue.
3. Approval of a 1-foot waiver request from the front yard setback at 4708 Essex Avenue.
4. Approval of permits to construct a second story addition, front porch, rear screened porch and to install a
temporary dumpster at 4708 Essex Avenue.
5. Approval of a recommendation by the Council acting as the Local Advisory Panel to the Historic Preservation
Commission on an application submitted by Nick and Debbie Fox, 4712 Cumberland Avenue to install a fence
along the left property line and a small portion along the front property line.
6. Approval of a recommendation by the Council acting as the Local Advisory Panel to the Historic Preservation
Commission on an application submitted by Mark and Kelly Klapow, 4707 Cumberland Avenue. The applicants
are requesting the following:
One story addition at the rear of the house
A covered porch at the rear of the house
A deck in the rear of the house
A second story roof deck
A patio in the rear of the house
A screened porch in the rear of the house
7. Approval of a recommendation by the Council acting as the Local Advisory Panel to the Historic Preservation
Commission on an application submitted for 4817 Dorset Avenue to construct a second story addition on an
existing accessory detached garage.
8. Approval of a recommendation by the Council acting as the Local Advisory Panel to the Historic Preservation
Commission on an application submitted at 4705 Dorset Avenue to install a fence and parking pad.
9. Approval of a permit application submitted by Washington Gas to replace 225 feet of gas main from Cumberland
Avenue onto Warwick Lane (alleyway between Somerset and Drummond).
10. Approval of the following 3 Town trees as recommended by the Town Arborist:
5609 Warwick Place Pin Oak Tree #763
5807 Surrey Street Zelkova Tree #591
5517 Uppingham Street Norway Maple Tree #709
11. Approval of revised Tennis Court Rules as recommended by the Tennis Committee.
12. Tabled a contract with Bishop Tennis to install NovaProBounce on the Town Tennis Courts.
13. Approval to name the driveway adjacent to the Town Hall in memory of former Mayor, Walter Behr. The dedication
is scheduled to take place on July 4.
14. Approval of the Mayor’s nomination of Richard Charnovich to serve as Town Manager-Clerk/Treasurer for FY16
as per the Town Charter.
15. Approval of the Mayor’s nomination of Council Member Barbara Condos (Falstone) to serve as the Town of
Somerset representative on the Bethesda Fire Board.
16. Mayor Slavin presented his monthly report to the Council. Town Manager Charnovich provided the monthly
financial report. The application scheduled for 4919 Cumberland Avenue was withdrawn by the applicant. Council
Members Peale and Condos provided an update on the Town Code and Charter project with General Code. We are
still waiting for General Code to provide us with the information for the next phase of the project. Discussion of a
Green Purchasing Policy took place, but it was tabled until a later date.
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From The
By Mayor Jeffrey Slavin
Mayor’s
Desk
It was gratifying to see such good attendance at the recent third annual Bike to Work Day event
held at the Friendship Heights Metro stop. The weather cooperated, vendors gave out coffee,
fruit and other food items, and a lot of good information was circulated. I had the privilege of
emceeing again, and Council Member Barbara Condos (Falstone) also participated and drew
many of the prizes. I am glad that more and more of us are biking to work and/or using public transportation.
While I am extremely pleased that the Town Council funded a major curb and gutter improvement project to maintain
and even enhance our streetscape, I do want to apologize for any inconvenience this has caused, in addition to the extra
traffic. The Town staff and I have pledged to do a better job in the future of personally informing folks in advance when
work will take place.
My hat is off to the Town Council for establishing a comprehensive and equitable gift policy. As a result, I donated a dog
waste disposal unit which was recently installed on Dorset Avenue in Founders Park. One of my intentions was to set an
example for others to follow. In this way, Somerset could receive donations such as trees, benches and other items that
can’t always be funded in a given budget year. My thanks to anyone who follows my lead! Please contact the Town staff
if you are interested.
New Pet Station On Dorset Avenue
Town Foreman Enrique Cabrera and Thomas
Villanova installing a new “pet station,” recently
donated by Mayor Slavin, on Dorset Avenue
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Pet station plaque
| July 2015
All About People
By Alan Dock, Falstone Avenue
Summer is upon us, and I hope many of you enjoyed the Town’s annual Pool kickoff/get-together
on June 13th.
“
Enjoy Your
Somerset
There are three new resident families this month, so let’s start off by welcoming them to Somerset.
Kathryn and Sebastian Deschler with their children Hannah (12 years) and Sarah (10 years) are
making their home on Surrey. Alisson and Taise Gasparete and their five year old daughter are
living on Warwick, and Frederick Perry and June Carter have become my neighbors on Falstone.
A warm summer welcome to all of you!
When you read this column, the Town’s annual July 4th celebration will soon follow, and I am
pleased to note that last year’s well received cupcake competition will be held again this year. Mayor
Summer!
Slavin recently commented on the competition in his monthly report to the Town Council: “Originating
in a suggestion last year from the Town’s Administrative staff, I am for the second time promoting
a contest to select the most creative and/or appealing cupcakes. We would like to have three to five volunteer judges,
including a Chief Judge, and would like to hear from those interested in this fun task. Please contact Nicole Ventura at
Town Hall if you are available. Remember, too, each contestant must bring one dozen cupcakes to Town Hall on the 4th
and the winners will be announced later that day. Last year the contest was lively and many of you asked us to continue
this new tradition.”
”
Now let’s move to the list of graduations that have been reported to me: Abby and Michael Nolan’s (Surrey) son Matthew
graduated from Sidwell Friends School and is going to the University of Michigan in the fall; Olivia Muro, daughter of
Mark Muro and Elizabeth Hewitt (Dorset) graduated from the Emma Willard School and be attending Bowdoin College,
after a gap year in Spain; Gavin Springer, son of Steven and Caroline Springer (Dorset), graduated from Sidwell Friends
School and will be attending Harvard College in the fall; Tess Joseph, daughter of Tom and Jen Joseph (Surrey), graduated
from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School and will be going to Oberlin College in the fall; Luisa Rego, daughter of Alexandre
Rego and Alessandra Guedes ( Dorset) has graduated from our own Somerset Elementary School and will be going to
Westland Middle School in September. Further up the “ladder of success,” Amanda Bernard daughter of Cathy Bernard
(Greystone) was awarded a Bachelor of Arts from High Point University, North Carolina. Sarah and David Morse/Kathan
(Dorset) have two graduations to celebrate: Joey Kathan received a BA, double major in History and Gender Women and
Sexuality Studies (GWSS) from Grinnell College, Iowa and will be working with at-risk teenagers in Minneapolis next fall.
Their daughter, Abby, received a BA in Ceramic Sculpture from Warren Wilson College, North Carolina, and is settling in
Asheville, NC and looking for a job!
Congratulations to all our 2015 graduates (and to their parents) for reaching these milestones on the pathways of life!
A different and memorable achievement by Nat and Esther Finkelstein’s (Surrey) daughter Maura was her recent
completion, along with 2500 other cyclists, of the 547-mile Aids Life Cycle bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Maura raised about $7,000 from her ride and the group raised a total of $16 million! A video of the ride is available at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQT8slxjeDI. Maura moved back east this month, and starts a professorship at Muhlenberg
College in PA.
Stanley Weiss (Essex) was recently honored with a Career Achievement Award from Ohio State University, where he
received his doctorate. This award honors alumni who have “proven records of career accomplishments and have made
outstanding contributions to their professions.” Dr. Weiss’s citation noted that he had served as head of the Winter
Conference on Animal Learning and Behavior, was selected president of the Eastern Psychological Association, the oldest
and largest regional psychological associations in the United States, and held Fellow status in the American Psychological
Association, the American Psychological Society, and the Eastern Psychological Association.
Somerset is a storehouse of talent and achievers. We salute you Dr. Weiss!
Lastly a few snippets of Somerset family news: Barbara Hoover (Cumberland) writes “our son Matthew Hoover and
family will shortly be returning from an assignment in Oman. They are much looking forward to living close by in the
continued on page 10
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Classified Ads
Miscellaneous
BOZEMAN, MONTANA: Ski Big Sky & the Bridgers! Enjoy our furnished four-bedroom+ home on 20 acres with
spectacular 360 degree vistas. Only ten minutes from downtown Bozeman, 30 from skiing at Bridger Bowl, and 60
from Big Sky Ski /Resort. Hiking /biking trails everywhere! And then there’s the fishing! Weekly/monthly rentals.
Contact Birdie Pieczenik for more details at [email protected] or 301-652-1207.
PARIS, FRANCE: Paris is affordable again. Enjoy our furnished, one-bedroom, well-located apartment in the heart of
historic Paris. Walk to the Louvre, the Pompidou Center, the Seine and two Metro stops. Available to rent on a weekly or
monthly basis. For additional information, contact Birdie Pieczenik at [email protected] or 301-652-1207.
Shereen’s PEACE OF MIND SOAP: Homemade soap in the neighborhood! Essential oils and dazzling colors make these
soaps the perfect and unique “feel good” gift for friends and family. Also popular for teachers, bar/bat mitzvah hotel bags,
wedding/bridal/baby shower favors, office parties, etc. You can choose the fragrance and color to match your occasion!
Call Shereen Rubenstein at 301-613-3838.
LIFESTYLE AND WELLNESS COACHING: Would you like to get unstuck and upgrade your lifestyle and wellness
habits? Small changes can make a lasting difference. If you are curious to see if coaching is right for you, contact
Certified Wellness Coach Diane Horn RDH CHHC at 301-654-0310 or at [email protected].
HOUSE FOR RENT FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED: Short or long term. Cul-de-Sac on Trent Street. Ultra spacious,
5 bedrooms 3 1/2 baths 2 car garage – immaculate and all updated – email or call Luba Marx at [email protected]
or 301-233-2727.
Ads are printed as a courtesy to Town residents. The Town makes no representations as to quality, safety or otherwise regarding the
goods and services advertised. Readers should make their own inquiries. To place an ad, submit typed or neatly printed copy to the
Clerk-Treasurer. Ads must include a Somerset phone number.
Price: $5 per advertisement per issue. Check or exact change. Fifty word limit per advertisement.
Somerset’s Helping Hand Is Just a Phone Call Away
If you need a ride, someone to pick up some groceries or a prescription, or even if you just
want to get to a friend’s house, give us a ring. We have a list of 30 Somerset volunteers who
can help. Call Zola Schneider at 301-654-7481 or Council Member Barbara Zeughauser
at 301-951-8560 and we will set it up.
All About People from page 9
Chevy Chase DC area for the next three years. Ann Bisconti Dyke and Bill Dyke (Greystone) are happy to announce that
Giulia Bisconti and Tom TerBush (Cumberland) will return home in August after an assignment in Paris, bringing with
them a new baby boy, Lucas Thomas Bisconti TerBush, born May 22, 2015. His three big sisters are eager to return to
school with their Somerset friends: Francesca to Westland, Emilia Sophia to Somerset Elementary grade five, and Arabella
to Somerset Elementary’s first grade. You will find them late summer at the pool or in the busy Falstone-Greystone cul de
sac with their ecstatic grandparents!
Finally, if anyone fancies a night out, why not get tickets to see 1776 – The Musical at Toby’s Dinner Theater in Columbia,
Maryland. Brendan McMahon (Greystone), a former Pool lifeguard, plays Thomas Jefferson in the play. The play runs
Tuesday through Sunday night and ends July 5. Here is the link to the theater: www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.
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Preliminary Agenda
Regular Somerset Town Council Meeting
Somerset Town Hall, July 6, 2015 – 7:30 p.m.
The Somerset Town Council will meet in regular session on Monday,
July 6, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at the Somerset Town Hall. Agenda updates
are posted on the Town website: www.townofsomerset.com.
Council Work Session – 7:00 p.m.
Council Members: Barbara Zeughauser, Cathy
Pickar, Marnie Shaul, Franny Peale, Barbara
Condos
Council Meeting Convenes – 7:30 p.m.
Comments: Public Comment Period – 7:30 p.m.*
CONSENT
1. Motion: To consider approval of the May 4, 2015 Council Meeting Minutes.
2. Motion: To consider approval of the June 1, 2015 Council Meeting Minutes.
3. Motion: To consider approval of the June 17, 2015 Special Meeting Minutes.
4. Motion: To consider approval of a HVAC replacement application submitted by Arnobio Freire,
4600 Dorset Avenue.
5. Motion: To consider approval of a HVAC replacement application submitted by David and Sherry
Bindeman-Kahn, 4715 Essex Avenue.
NON-CONSENT
1. Discussion: Update by Lila Snow, Town representative to the board of directors of Montgomery Municipal
Cable Television/MMC-TV – 7:35 p.m.
2. Discussion: Town Manager’s June Financial Report – 7:40 p.m.
3. Public Hearing/Motion: To consider an application submitted by Andrew Weiss and Kate Julian,
5513 Trent Street, to install a fence and deck – 7:45 p.m.
4. Public Hearing/Motion: To consider confirmation approval for the removal of the following Town tree
located in Capello Park near the intersection of Wisconsin and Dorset Avenue – 7:50 p.m.
1 twin trunk elm: 11” and 14” in diameter
5. Public Hearing/Motion: To consider a proposals from The Sanders Company and Oscar Decorators Inc.
to supply and install sliding glass doors in the Town Hall meeting room – 7:55 p.m.
Sanders Company cost (supply): $5,261.12
Oscar Decorators Inc. cost (install): $1,680.00
6. Public Hearing/Motion: To consider approval of a contract with Bishop’s Tennis, Inc. for the installation of
NovaProBounce on the Town tennis courts which has been approved in the FY16 budget (*Will be removed
from Agenda if Special Meeting is held in June) – 8:05 p.m.
continued on page 12
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Preliminary Agenda from page 11
7. Public Hearing/Motion: To consider approval of revised Pool Party Rules as recommended by the Pool
Committee (*Will be removed from Agenda if Special Meeting is held in June) – 8:15 p.m.
8. Discussion: General Code Project Update – 8:20 p.m.
9. Discussion: Mayor’s Report – 8:25 p.m.
10. Adjourn: – 8:30 p.m.
Key
Public Hearing Item: Agenda item where public comment is permitted.
Discussion Item: Agenda item limited to discussion among the Council, Mayor and Town Staff.
Motion Item: Agenda item requesting action, limited to Council discussion.
Comments: Opinions and Questions from Town residents.
* Residents who wish to be present for a particular Agenda item are advised to arrive 20 minutes ahead of the item’s scheduled
discussion time since discussions sometimes run ahead of schedule.
This is a preliminary Agenda prepared to meet the Journal press deadline, which typically is two to three weeks prior to the
next Town Council meeting. During this period, there will likely be changes to the timing of items, and some items may be
added or deleted. Please contact Rich Charnovich at Town Hall if you are interested in what has been added, or consult the
bulletin board on the Town Hall porch or the Town website/email blasts for the most up-to-date Agenda.
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| July 2015