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November

Date: November 11, 2014

Place: 5906 Connecticut Avenue, Village Hall

Time: 7:30 PM

Present: Tim Hanlon, Frances L. Higgins, Scott Livingston, Nancy Pines, Chris Richardson, 4 Section 5 residents, Jerry Pasternak, V-Pres. Pepco, Jack Goode, engineer A. Morton Thomas Corp.

Chris welcomed everyone to the meeting.

  1. Agenda Item: Minutes

    Scott moved that the October 14, 2014, Council meeting minutes be approved as revised; Tim seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

  2. Agenda Item: Remarks Regarding the Merger of Pepco with Exelon

    Jerry Pasternak, Vice-President, Pepco, said that Roger Berliner, a County Council Member, has put together a coalition titled "Utility 2.0". The objective of this coalition is to use the proceeding before the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) concerning the merger of Pepco Holdings, Inc. and Exelon to bring about a significant reform of the electric distribution system serving our communities. Jerry said that the objective of this coalition cannot be realized in a hearing before the PSC in connection with the merger of Pepco and Exelon.

    Jerry said that the merger of Pepco with Exelon will provide certain benefits for the people who receive their electricity from Pepco. Pepco customers will receive: 1) more reliable service, 2) improved customer service, 3) more rapid power restoration and 4) certain economic benefits Maryland's economy. If Pepco does not provide more reliable service, a fine will be levied against Pepco by the Maryland PSC.

    He said there will be no immediate changes in Pepco's electric rates as a result of the merger. Pepco's rate increases are now determined by the PSC and will still be determined by the PSC after the merger.

    A resident asked how the unions have responded to the merger. Jerry said that Exelon is committed to no involuntary merger-related job losses at Pepco. Pepco has successfully negotiated contract extensions with all four of the unions representing its utility employees.

    Jerry said that Exelon and Pepco have made transaction-related filings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the other State Public Service Commissions in the states where the other companies involved in this merger are located. Presently Pepco has filed a request with the Maryland PSC for approval of the merger.

    Action:
    Jerry asked Section 5's Council to write a letter supporting the merger to the Maryland Public Service Commission. The Council said that it will consider this request.

  3. Agenda Item: Report Concerning Traffic Survey of All Section 5 Streets Both Volume and Speed

    Jack Goode, an engineer from A. Morton Thomas, Inc. (AMT), presented an analysis of the traffic data containing both the volume and speed of vehicles which his company collected in early October 2014 from the Section 5 streets. On Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014 on Thornapple St. between Dalkeith St. and Thornapple Pl. there was a total of 423 vehicles and 55% of these vehicles were traveling at 20 mph or below; 45% were traveling above 20 mph.

    On Wed., Oct. 8, 2014, on Thornapple St. between Dalkeith St. and Thornapple Pl. there was a total of 425 vehicles and 50% of these vehicles were traveling at or below 20 mph; 50% of these vehicles were traveling above 20 mph. On Tuesday Oct. 7, 2014, on Underwood St. between Dalketh St. and Thornapple Pl. there was a total of 412 vehicles and 77% were traveling at or below 20 mph; 23% of these vehicles were traveling above 20 mph. On Oct. 8, 2014, on Underwood St. between Dalkeith St. and Thornapple Pl. there was a total of 341 vehicles and 77% were traveling at or below 20 mph; 23% of these vehicles were traveling above 20 mph.

    On Tues. Oct. 7, 2014, on Williams La. between Conn. Ave. and Brookville Rd, there was a total of 314 vehicles and 77% were traveling at or below 20 mph; 23% of these vehicles were traveling above 20 mph. On Tues. Oct. 7, 2014, on Woodbine St. between Conn. Ave. and Glendale Rd., there was a total of 595 vehicles and 73% of these vehicles were traveling at or below 25 mph.

    On Wed. Oct. 8 on Woodbine St. between Conn. Ave. and Glendale Rd. there was a total of 587 vehicles and 77% were traveling at or below 25 mph.; 23% were traveling above 25 mph. On Tues. Oct. 7, 2014, on Leland St. between Conn. Ave. and Glendale Rd. there was total of 1,047 vehicles and 73% were traveling above 20 mph.; 27% were traveling below 20 mph.

    The engineer said that some municipalities have parked a trailer with a radar attachment on a street to let motorists know their speed. This could be used to slow motorists. Scott asked the engineer what Section 5 could do to make the streets safer for pedestrians. The engineer said that Section 5 would need to post someone to count the number of pedestrians that walk the streets.

    Action:
    Chris said that according to the results of this data analysis Section 5 does not have a problem with motorists exceeding the speed limit.

  4. Agenda Item: Update of Section 5 Land Survey

    Someone from AMT contacted the manager and said that the company has not as yet completed the town survey. The survey project will be finished by the end of November 30, 2014.

    Action:
    The Council asked the manager to contact AMT and ask if the company will send an engineer to attend the Section 5 Council meeting, Dec. 9, 2014 and explain the aspects of the land survey.

  5. Agenda Item: Discussion of Serving Alcoholic Beverages at Section 5 Social Functions

    There was some discussion concerning this issue.

    Action:
    Nancy moved that Section 5 residents be allowed to bring their own alcohol beverages to Section 5 social functions; Scott seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

  6. Agenda Item: Treasurer's Report

    Tim gave each Council member a copy of the revenues and expenditures for FY 2014. All the revenues and expenditures are within budget with the exception of the State Income revenue. The first large State income tax check should be sent to Section 5 Nov. 30, 2014.

  7. Agenda Item: Building Inspector’s Report

    Permit granted:
    3826 - a stone wall to surround the swimming pool and a stone wall to run along the west side of the property 3 ft. from the public sidewalk.
    3706 Woodbine St. - installation of driveway made of permeable material

  8. Agenda Item: Manager’s Report

    The manager said that Comcast has refused to pay for Section 5's attorney's fees which have been paid to David Podolsky and Ron Bolt, attorneys, for negotiating the contract between the County and Comcast on behalf of Section 5. In previous contracts Comcast has paid for Section 5's attorneys fees.

    Scott said that he would like to receive a copy of the previous Comcast contract as well as the present one to determine what these two attorney's have done on behalf of Section 5.

    Action:
    The manager will contact Ron Bolt and ask for a copy of the previous Comcast contract and will send it to Scott.

    The Council agreed to spend no more than $20.00 to purchase flowers for each new Section 5 resident. The manager will also give the new residents a copy of the information brochure for Section 5, a copy of the Historical Society CD, a new telephone book and recycle bins if needed.

    The manager has contacted the State Highway Administration and asked the SHA to install a stop sign on Brookville Rd. at either Thornapple St. and Brookville or at Underwood St. and Brookville Rd. The manager has made this request because a child was struck by a car on Brookville Rd. at Thornapple St.

    Section 5 as part of its Urban Reforestation Project will plant 16 trees in private gardens and 4 on the public strips this fall.

    The manager provided a copy of the audit for 2013/2014 to each Council member. There is a Maryland State law that requires municipalities to have an audit conducted.

  9. Agenda Item: Adjournment

    Chris adjourned the meeting. The next Council meeting will be held Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at the Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Ave. at 7:30 PM. The Hall has handicapped access. Everyone is welcome.