All posts by Ryan Kelly

News, Public Notices

Message from Code Enforcement: Why Flaking & Peeling Paint on Your Home Could be a Problem

I recently received a Courtesy Notice from Code Enforcement alerting me to flaking and peeling paint on my house. Why is this a problem?
This information from the Environmental Protection Agency might be helpful:
Older Homes and Buildings

If your home was built before 1978, it is more likely to have lead-based paint. In 1978, the federal government banned consumer use of lead-based paint, but some states banned it even earlier.

Lead-based paint is still present in millions of homes, normally under layers of newer paint. If the paint is in good shape, the lead-based paint is usually not a problem. Deteriorating lead-based paint (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, damaged, or damp) is a hazard and needs immediate attention.

Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear, such as:

  • Windows and window sills;
  • Doors and door frames; and
  • Stairs, railings, banisters, and porches.

A few tips to reduce sources of lead exposure in older homes and buildings:

  • Inspect and keep all painted surfaces in excellent shape and clean up dust frequently with a wet cloth or paper towel.
  • Consult a certified lead professional before beginning renovation, repair or painting projects. Renovation, repair or painting activities can create toxic lead dust when painted surfaces are disturbed or demolished.
  • Avoid tracking lead dust into the home by wiping and removing shoes before entering the home and placing dust mats both inside and outside of entryways.
  • Learn if you have a lead service line. Contact your water utility or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead.
Soil, Yards and Playgrounds

Soil, yards and playgrounds can become contaminated when exterior lead-based paint from houses or buildings flakes or peels and gets into the soil. Soil may also be contaminated from past use of leaded gasoline in cars, from industrial sources, or even from contaminated sites, including former lead smelters. Lead is also naturally occurring and it can be found in high concentrations in some areas.

Lead in soil can be ingested as a result of hand-to-mouth activity that is common for young children and from eating vegetables that may have taken up lead from soil in the garden. Lead in soil may also be inhaled if resuspended in the air or tracked into your house thereby spreading the contamination.

Older playground equipment can still contain old lead-based paint, and artificial turf and playground surfaces made from shredded rubber can contain lead. Take precautions to ensure young children do not eat shredded rubber or put their hands in their mouth before washing them.

To reduce exposures to lead from soils, yards and playgrounds:

  • Check the exterior of your home, including porches and fences, for flaking or deteriorating lead-based paint that may contaminate soil in your yard or be tracked into your house.
  • Put doormats outside and inside all entryways and remove your shoes before entering to avoid tracking contaminated soil into your house.
  • Wash hands several times a day using soap and water, especially after playing or working outside.
  • Plant bushes close to the house to keep children from playing in soil near your home.

In addition to the lead-based paint concerns, please remember that paint is a protective coating. Without it, wood can rot and metal can rust. Rotted wood and rusted metal can cause structural safety issues.

Learn more about Code Enforcement Initiatives on the City webpage.

News Alert, Public Notices

Join the Waitlist: Adult Learn to Ride a Bike Class on Saturday, May 11 from 10am – 1pm

 

Registration is SOLD OUT for the Adult Learn to Ride a Bike Class at the Takoma Park Food Co-op! However, we encourage you to sign-up for the waitlist to help us determine the need for future classes.

WABA’s Adult Learn to Ride class is for participants 18 and older. Our experienced Instructors break the skills down step by step to get you on a bike and rolling in no time. Participants learn to start and stop, balance, glide, pedal and steer a bike and progress at their own pace.  Although registration spots are limited,  we encourage you to sign up for the waitlist if space runs out to help determine the need for future classes!

  • When: Saturday, May 11 · 10am – 1pm
  • Where: Takoma Park Food Co-op (201 Ethan Allen Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912)

 Learn more and join the waitlist on the official event posting: https://bit.ly/adultlearntoride

 

News, Public Notices, Takoma Park Newsletter

Celebrate 10 Years of Safe Grow: Yard Signs Available!

by Rick Baravechia, Code Enforcement Manager

Avoid the Chemical Romance

Harmful chemicals are not necessary to beautify our surroundings. This is the reasoning behind the creation of the Safe Grow Act that the City enacted in 2014. This law was created to protect ourselves and our environment from harmful pesticides and herbicides.

The Safe Grow Act places restrictions on the use of cosmetic pesticides for lawn care on public and private property. The list of restricted pesticides includes products that are known to cause cancer, endocrine disruption, and are identifi ed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as having other toxicity characteristics.

Of the 30 most commonly used lawn pesticides, 17 are possible and/or known carcinogens, 18 have the potential to disrupt the endocrine (hormonal) system, 19 are linked to reproductive effects and sexual dysfunction, 11 have been linked to birth defects, 14 are neurotoxic, 24 can cause kidney or liver damage, and 25 are sensitizers and/or irritants.

Children are especially sensitive to pesticide exposure, as they take in more pesticides relative to their body weight than adults and have developing organ systems that are more vulnerable and less able to detoxify toxic chemicals.

In 2019, Montgomery County enacted the Healthy Lawns Act, which mirrors our Safe Grow legislation, so that all Montgom-ery County residents can reduce their ex-posure to the unhealthy effects of harmful lawn care pesticides.

Organic lawn care isn’t diffi cult— in fact, it can save time and money, while protecting you, your family, your pets and the environment. Find a list of restricted chemicals at takomaparkmd.gov/safegrow. On that page, you will fi nd other resourc-es about maintaining a healthy lawn and yard, including a series of videos about natural landscape management.

Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy lawn, as we transition to spring: remove winter debris, test soils, dethatch your lawn, overseed thin areas, and apply corn gluten for inhibiting germinating weeds. Also, consider aerating your lawn and applying lime, if needed, for pH ad-justment. Overwhelmed? Don’t be. Reach out with any questions to Rick Baravechia, Takoma Park code enforcement manager, at Duaneb@takomaparkmd.gov or 301-891-7113

Let the World Know that Your Yard Is Safe

Is your lawn, apartment, and/or patio garden free of synthetic pesticides (including herbicides and fungicides) and safe for wildlife, pets, and people? If so, let us and your neighbors know! Free yard signs are available. Celebrate 10 years of Safe Grow today!

Safe Grow

News, Public Notices

Congressman Raskin Hosts Virtual 2024 Tax Season Information Session

 

It’s tax season! This year, the deadline to file taxes is Monday, April 15, 2024. While tax season can often be stressful and intimidating, there are plenty of resources to assist in simplifying the process. We encourage you to take advantage of the following resources as you prepare to file your taxes!

Update: March 13, 2024
Congressman Jamie Raskin IRS Virtual Information Session
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Join Congressman Jamie Raskin and special guests from the IRS and the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service as they answer some common tax questions, including questions about the filing process, tax credits and rebates, and more.

Congressman Raskin  2024 Tax Season FAQ guide

From Congressman Jamie Raskin

  • How can I get my tax return processed as soon as possible?
    The IRS encourages you to file electronically as early as you can and to opt for direct deposit if you anticipate receiving a refund. This is the best way to ensure you receive your tax refund in a timely fashion. Taxpayers with Adjusted Gross Income less than $79,000 can file electronically for free using IRS Free File.
  • Do I qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit?
    Low- to moderate-income Americans may qualify for the EITC, which can reduce the taxes you owe and potentially increase your refund. You can find out if you are eligible with this tool on the IRS website. If you have children, you may qualify for the Child Tax Credit. Visit Credits and Deductions for more details.
  • What improvements has the IRS made for the 2024 tax filing season?
    Congress and President Biden worked together to pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in August of 2022, which provided historic investments in the IRS, allowing the agency to make much-needed improvements to its customer service, modernize its technology and operations, and more. Prior to the IRA’s investments in the agency, the IRS saw an 18% cut to its budget over last 20 years and saw dramatic staffing reductions of over 20,000 employees—even as its responsibilities continued to increase. It processed millions more tax returns each year and implemented new legislative mandates from Congress, even as its resources were dwindling due to partisan attacks. With the investments from the IRA, the IRS has made the following improvements:
    1. Expanded in-person service by opening or reopening Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs), including eight additional centers since the first anniversary of the law’s enactment. The IRS will offer extended hours at many TACs nationwide for the 2024 tax season.
    2. Increased help available on the toll-free line and expanded customer call back.
    3. Answered over 7.7 million calls during the 2023 tax filing season, an increase of over 65% compared to the previous year.
    4. Reduced the average call wait time from 28 to 3 minutes.
    5. Enhanced paperless processing that allows taxpayers to submit correspondence, non-tax forms and responses to notices digitally.
    6. Enhanced the IRS Individual Online Account which includes chat, the option to schedule or cancel payments, revise payments and validate bank accounts.
    7. Eliminated nearly all of its processing backlog of individual tax returns.With the IRA’s historic investments, the IRS will continue improving taxpayer services for the 2024 filing season. Sustaining this investment beyond 2031 will yield over $851 billion in revenue over the next decade. On the other hand, slashing IRS funding—as some of my conservative colleagues have proposed—would worsen the IRS’s customer service and widen our country’s $688 billion tax gap in which wealthy corporations and individuals choose to evade the taxes they owe.
  • Where can I find more detailed information about the 2024 filing season?
    The IRS website is a great resource for all things taxes. In particular, its Interactive Tax Assistant can answer more of your questions, help you find out how much your standard deduction is, determine whether or not you can claim dependents, discover what tax credits you may qualify for and more.My district office stands ready to help you communicate with the IRS, should any problems with your return arise. For example, if your return is not processed within five months from the date of filing, please feel free to contact my district office for assistance.To get our help with the IRS or any other federal agency you may be interacting with, please fill out my online request form.
News, Takoma Park Newsletter

Takoma Park Offers “Open for Business” Grants

by Sean Gossard

Takoma Park is open for business! And to help those businesses, the city is offering local entrepreneurs grants to relocate or expand their shops in the city.

Using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the city has allocated $119,157 to help local businesses.

“The city’s been really lucky that we had some ARPA money to help support small business in a way we haven’t before,” said acting Housing and Community Development Director Ira Kowler. “We’ve been able to leverage the ARPA dollars into grant programs.”

Applications for the grants opened at the end of January and will be available until the funds run out. Grants are capped at $10,000 per business. For ground-floor businesses outside of the Old Takoma commercial district, they may be funded at up to $6 per square foot. Any Old Town businesses, and upper-floor businesses elsewhere in Takoma Park, may be funded at up to $4 per square foot.

Businesses must be opening or expanding in Takoma Park, with an ownership deed or a signed lease of at least three years for the property with start date no earlier than Oct. 1, 2023; have not have received prior funding from the city; are in good standing with the State of Maryland; are in compliance with city, county and state
regulations; and have a valid Use & Occupancy Certificate.

“There’s a lot of expenses that go into growing or moving a business,” says Kowler. “The more flexible getting the money to people, the easier it is to use.”

The funds will come with no restrictions on their use and can be applied where most needed, “whether to support capital expenditures and hard costs related to new business fit-out, existing tenant improvements, or serve as a one-time subsidy to offset cost of lease,” according to the city’s website.

The grant program is the outgrowth of the city’s recent Business Investment Grant (BIG) program. The grant helped several businesses, including Cielo Rojo, a regionally recognized fine casual Mexican restaurant that has expanded to a new, larger location; Muoi Tieu, a former Vietnamese food truck that opened its first
permanent location in the former home of Mark’s Kitchen; and People’s Books, a locally owned bookstore in Old Takoma. It also helped A Plus Medical, a medical services provider in the Takoma-Langley Crossroads, and Healing Practice Center, a new wellness practice that has opened in the Professional Building on the Washington Adventist site.

For more information contact the City’s grants coordinator at grants@takomaparkmd.gov or 301-891-7235.

Access the full March Edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter here.

Public Notices

Proposed Administrative Regulation for Sidewalks

 

Notice of Proposed Administrative Regulation to Provide Guidance for Compliance with Article X, Section 1003 Powers as to Sidewalks of the Takoma Park Charter.

An Administrative Regulation is being proposed to provide guidance for the interpretation of Article X, Section 1003 Powers as to Public Ways and Sidewalks of the Takoma Park Charter. The regulation replaces City Council Resolution 2015-32, pending the formal rescinding of the City Council Resolution. It addresses the process to request, evaluate, and advance new sidewalk installation by members of the public, elected offi cials, and City staff. Pursuant to the requirements of the “Administrative Regulations Ordinance” (Authority: Chapter 2.12 “Administrative Regulations,” of the Takoma Park Code), a notice of the City’s intention to adopt an administrative regulation must be publicly noted, allowing residents the opportunity to comment on the proposal.

The proposed regulation is available for review at:
Sidewalk blog link:

To obtain further information about the proposed regulation, contact :

Written comments on the proposed regulation may be emailed to:

 

Public Notices

Proposed Administrative Regulation for Traffic Calming

 

Notice of Proposed Administrative Regulation to Provide Guidance for Compliance with Chapter 13.28 Traffic Calming Devices of the Takoma Park Code.

An Administrative Regulation is being proposed to provide guidance for the interpretation of Chapter 13.28, Traffic Calming Devices of the Takoma Park Code. The regulation replaces Administrative Regulation No. 96-1. It addresses the process of requesting, evaluating, and advancing new traffic calming measures by members of the public, elected officials, and City staff. Pursuant to the requirements of the “Administrative Regulations Ordinance” (Authority: Chapter 2.12 “Administrative Regulations,” of the Takoma Park Code), a notice of the City’s intention to adopt an administrative regulation must be publicly noted, allowing residents the opportunity to comment on the proposal.

The proposed regulation is available for review at :
Traffic calming blog link:

To obtain further information about the proposed regulation, contact :

Written comments on the proposed regulation may be emailed to:

News Alert, Public Notices

HCD: Housing Division Launches New Tenant Survey

 

Are you a renter in the City of Takoma Park? If so, the City is looking to hear from you! The City’s tenant survey will occur between March 1- April 30. We encourage you to complete the short, 5-minute survey if you rent in the City.

Survey Details:
  • Survey length: 5-10 minutes
  • Access the survey online here: https://arcg.is/jb85W0
  • Survey Deadline: May 1, 2024
  • You should receive a survey mailed to your home with a QR code to access the survey online, or a paper version you can fill out and mail back (there is a pre-paid envelope you can use included!).

By answering the survey, you will help the City enforce housing laws and develop new programs and policies. We thank you for your time and consideration!

News Alert, Public Notices

City Manager DiSpirito Promotes Ira Kowler to the Role of Permanent Director of Housing & Community Development

 

From City Manager DiSpirito

I want to announce that I have promoted Ira Kowler to the permanent Director of Housing and Community Development.

Ira has performed very well this past year in the acting HCD Director role while still covering his economic development duties.  He has the enthusiastic support of his department staff, works quite well with the Senior Leadership Team, and has earned this opportunity.  His knowledge of planning, housing, and economic development, coupled with his productivity, will continue to serve us well.  He will report to Deputy City Manager Eubanks.

Please join me in congratulating Ira on his permanent role.

News Alert, Public Notices

City Manager DiSpirito Appoints Andrew Bolduc and David Eubanks as Deputy City Managers of TKPK

 

A Message from Robert DiSpirito, City Manager:

In the weeks since I started, I have, among many other things, observed and assessed what I believe would be the most productive executive administrative structure that will most effectively serve the Mayor and Council, this organization, and our residents. Therefore, I have appointed a two-deputy city manager structure. I am pleased to announce Andrew Bolduc (internal operations) and David Eubanks (external operations) as Deputy City Managers for the City of Takoma Park.

Please join me in congratulating Andrew and David on their new positions!