The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has granted the City of Takoma Park a $90,000 grant for low-to-moderate income home energy efficiency renovations. The grant will assist approximately 10 energy efficient makeovers for qualifying low-to-moderate income homeowners within the City.

Upon completion of the required application, eligible applicants receive a free home energy audit and assessment. The assessment will identify which energy efficiency improvements would make the greatest impact. Possible energy upgrades include insulation improvements, draft reduction, heating and cooling equipment, appliances, and more. The average savings on electric and gas bills for participants is expected to be over $500 annually.

Residents can download an application or pick one up from Public Works at 31 Oswego Avenue M-F 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Grants will be awarded on a first come first served basis until funds are exhausted.

Takoma Park is committed to achieving an environmentally sustainable community, and this award puts the City one step closer in obtaining that goal.

For questions, please contact:
Gina Mathias
Sustainability Manager
Department of Public Works
ginam@takomaparkmd.gov
301-891-7623

You are invited to join the City of Takoma Park for the annual Arbor Day celebration and tree seedling give-a-way on Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Takoma Park Library grounds.

Participants have their choice of 6 varieties of seedlings including: bald cypress, white oak, sycamore, red bud, persimmon and hazelnut.

The event is open to everyone and members of the Tree Commission will be present to answer questions about trees and their care. We hope to see you there!

The FY18 Proposed Budget is now available for review by clicking this link.

The City Manager will present the Proposed Budget at the Council Meeting on Wednesday, April 5, 2017. Residents are also invited to the Budget Open House on Thursday, April 6, 2017. More information about the open house can be viewed here.

Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart and Montgomery College President DeRionne Pollard today urged residents of Silver Spring and Takoma Park, members of the College community, and other interested parties to participate in the upcoming series of three community conversations about the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus. The first meeting will be on Tuesday, March 21 in the Takoma Park Community Center, located at 7500 Maple Avenue. A reception with refreshments begins at 7 PM, with the program scheduled for 7:30 – 9:00 PM.

“We encourage everyone who cares about the campus, including access to quality facilities and instruction, and what the campus will look like in the coming years, to attend these gatherings,” the two leaders said. “The College has proposed significant construction to replace or modernize existing buildings on the East Campus within Takoma Park, and these meetings will give participants an opportunity to learn more about the proposals, provide feedback and suggest changes.”

“Initiating this public dialogue will help ensure that the Takoma Park community along with the array of campus stakeholders have a meaningful opportunity to consult with the College on its building and renovation plans,” Stewart and Pollard continued, “with the goal of both meeting MC’s academic needs and preserving the residential character of the neighborhood.”

As part of its Facilities Master Plan, MC has proposed the replacement or renovation of most of the older campus buildings on the East Campus within Takoma Park. The next project is the replacement of out-of-date facilities with the construction of a new math-science building on Fenton Street.

In addition to March 21, community conversations are scheduled for May 9 and June 6. All the meetings will take place at 7:30 PM in the Takoma Park Community Center, and will be led by a facilitator.  Each event date is a separate important part of the community dialogue, and the public is invited to participate in all three.

The Takoma Park Grants Review Committee is now accepting letters of inquiry from organizations seeking funding through the City of Takoma Park’s FY 2018 Community Grants Program.

The Community Grants Program is designed to provide financial support for specific projects occurring between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. These projects and events must improve residents’ qualify of life by providing greater access and opportunities for participation in the arts and sciences.

A letter of inquiry is required for all interested applicants. To be considered for funding, letters of inquiry must be submitted electronically to grants@takomaparkmd.gov on or before 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 13, 2017.

Organizations are strongly encouraged to review the Community Grants Program guidelines found on the City’s website prior to submitting the letter of inquiry. For a full listing of requirements and necessary documents, please visit the City of Takoma Park’s website.

For question or more information, please contact the City of Takoma Park’s Housing and Community Development Department at 301.891.7118 or grants@takomaparkmd.gov.

On Saturday, February 4,  during Takoma Park’s “Sanctuary City Teach-in,” Poet Laureate Merrill Leffler shared an original poem entitled “Together, We.” This cento or collage poem featuring a collection of over 14 different voices examined just what it means to “be American.”

This poem is a beautiful way to continue the conversation surrounding immigration and what it means to be a sanctuary city. Read the words and decide what “Together, We” means to you. How will you celebrate our togetherness? Will you embrace the beauty of our differences and similarities?

(You can also listen to Merrill read the poem below, starting at 4:22.)