The City of Takoma Park is proud to announce that it has achieved recertification for its sustainability efforts and has been named Sustainability Champion 2017.

Takoma Park accumulated 650 points, 500 above the minimum requirement of 150 and completed the mandatory priority actions necessary for certification. Priority actions consisted of implementing a community garden, performing municipal energy audits, developing a municipal carbon footprint, passing a green purchasing policy, creating a watershed plan, and developing a stormwater management program.

“Takoma Park is thrilled to receive the Sustainable Maryland Certified award for our commitment and hard work to maintaining and creating a livable community for all who live, work, and visit our beautiful city,” said Mayor Kate Stewart.

Takoma Park has been a pioneer of sustainable initiatives in Maryland. The City is fully committed to the idea of acting locally while thinking globally. If we all do our part on the local level, we will ensure that generations have a healthy planet to call home.

During last week’s City Council meeting, Neighborhood Development Company (NDC) presented the design concept plan for the Takoma Junction Redevelopment project. The presentation provided an overview of the plan and highlighted some exciting proposed features including:

• underground parking
• retail, office, and event spaces
• emphasis on access and mobility
• public/gathering space
• incorporation of green space, including a large green roof

NDC did a nice job of incorporating many of the features which residents identified from community conversations and the online survey into the concept plan.

Moving forward, City Council will hold a work session to discuss the concept plan further during the October 11 City Council Meeting. Additionally, Council will hold a voting session expressing the sense of the Council regarding the Takoma Junction Redevelopment concept plan on October 18.

As always, public engagement is encouraged and we invite members of the public to join us at 7:30 p.m. on most Wednesday’s for our City Council Meetings.

For a complete overview of the Takoma Junction Redevelopment project please take a moment to view the project page.

A section of Sligo Creek Parkway near Glengary  Place will have a single lane closure on Thursday 9/14 and Friday 9/15.  The closure will enable a contractor to replace a collapsed storm-drain pipe under the Parkway. The work will take place between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm.

Members of the public are invited to a discussion on suburban deer management on October 16 at 7:00 pm in the auditorium of the Community Center (7500 Maple Ave).  George Timko, Deer Management Expert from Maryland DNR, will conduct the presentation. The presentation will last about 30 minutes and will conclude with a Q&A session. For questions please contact Rick Baravechia at duaneb@takomaparkmd.gov.

The City of Takoma Park will hold an unveiling ceremony for two newly installed solar streetlights outside of the Takoma Park Community Center on September 7^th.

The City is thrilled to participate in a pilot program in partnership with UNO, a South Korean business, and the Korean Institute for Civil Engineering and Building Technology. Takoma Park was selected as a pilot because of its reputation as a sustainability leader throughout the region.

“Being chosen as a testing site for this new solar streetlight driver technology is really exciting,” said Gina Mathias, Sustainability Manager. “Takoma Park will be able to provide feedback which will help the company develop better, more efficient, more sustainable products to cities around the world.”

The project not only complements the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also will illuminate a footbridge which will increase overall pedestrian safety.

Members of the public are invited to join Montgomery County Councilmember Tom Hucker and Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart for the ceremony on September 7, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. in front of the Community Center (7500 Maple Ave).

Takoma Park is committed to fostering an environmentally sustainable community and this addition reaffirms that commitment.

The Takoma Park City Election will be here before you know it, and we want to make sure everyone is ready to engage, register, and vote during the upcoming election!

Are you thinking of running for office? Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Three-year term in 2017 (two-year term will resume in 2020)
• Must be nominated at the Nominating Caucus on September 12, but start preparing now
• Detailed candidate qualification information is available here

You may register to vote in Takoma Park elections if you:

• Are a resident of the City of Takoma Park
• Do not claim the right to vote elsewhere
• Will be at least 16 years old on election day
• Are not be under guardianship for mental disability or, if you are, you have not been found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote
• Have not been convicted of buying or selling votes

Important dates:

• Nominating Caucus – Tuesday, September 12, 2017, 7:30 p.m. Auditorium, Takoma Park Community Center
• Early Voting – Wednesday, November 1 – Sunday, November 5 (times and locations vary)
• Election Day – Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Takoma Park Community Center
• Certification of Results Reported to Council – Thursday, November 9, 7:30 p.m. Azalea Room, Takoma Park Community Center
• New Mayor and City Council Sworn In – Wednesday, November 15, 7:30 p.m. Auditorium, Takoma Park Community Center

Please Remember:

Both United States citizen residents of Takoma Park and non-U.S. citizen residents are eligible to register and vote in Takoma Park elections.

Not everyone who registers to vote in City elections will be eligible to vote in county, state or national elections. Review the registration form carefully to understand the requirements for voting in the State of Maryland.

For more information about the Takoma Park City Election 2017, please visit takomaparkmd.gov/election-2017.

Acting Chief Richard A. Bowers announces that for the first six months of the year, overall crime in the City of Takoma Park has declined 13%.  There were significant decreases in Aggravated Assaults (72%), Burglary (52%) and Auto Theft (12%).  In reviewing the statistics, it was noteworthy that residential burglaries were down 61% from last year.  People feeling safe in their homes is one of our top priorities; this reduction is very significant.

Unfortunately, theft from autos is up 44% and we continue to address this issue and look for ways to reduce this from happening.  We currently have a theft from auto summer initiative underway, “If they see it, they can steal it.”  We have officers in cars, on foot and on bikes participating in this initiative to remind residents to remove all valuables from vehicles.  We need your help to make it hard for the criminals!

The Department is pleased with the results, but cautioned the residents of Takoma Park to remain committed to being security conscious and reporting all crimes and suspicious activity to the police.  Acting Chief Bowers attributed the decreases to the efforts put forth by the entire police department.

Let’s continue to make a difference together! If you see suspicious activity, please call Takoma Park Police at 301-270-1100.

Following a nearly two-year process, Montgomery College President DeRionne Pollard will soon make a decision on the location of the College’s new Math-Science Building. Once a decision is made, there will be a public charrette process and a review by the County Planning Office, both of which will enable the community to explore design and construction details.

This year the City and the College jointly sponsored three community conversations regarding the Math Science Building design and location, and other related topics. Following the third meeting, Mayor Stewart and Councilmember Kovar wrote to Dr. Pollard in support of the prior master plan. A letter was sent by Casey Anderson, the Chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board. To review the video of the community conversations and view the letters you can go here http://takomaparkmd.gov/initiatives/project-directory/montgomery-college-facilities-master-plan/.

You can offer your views on which Master Plan you believe should form the basis for the new building here http://mcblogs.montgomerycollege.edu/conversations/tpss-campus-community-engagement/.

We encourage residents who submit comments to describe their stakeholder connection to the College.

Residents are reminded that our trash, recycling and yard waste collection is now on the summer schedule.

This means that instead of a collection time of 7:00 a.m., waste will now be collected starting at 6:00 a.m. until the rest of the year.