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Text Box: NEW TRASH CONTRACT AWAITS PASSAGE OF CHARTER CHANGE By Kathleen Kotcher The 45-day limit for contesting the Charter Amendment for Competitive Bidding/Purchases Ordinances set to expire on February 18. Since there have been no objections to the amendment, it will become effective on February 28. The signing of a new trash contract awaits the passage of this amendment. Mayor Debbie Beers and Clerk-Treasurer Cathie Polak have been meeting with Kevin Young from Waste Management (the company providing waste removal services for the town). The town is currently operating without a written contract and Waste Management wants one. While it has been passing along increased dump fees and a small fuel surcharge, Waste Management has not increased prices in quite some time. In the new contract Waste Management proposes, prices are scheduled to increase, with the primary difference being a charge for yard waste. Waste Management hasn’t charged the town for this service in the past. The increases would bring the new monthly price to $3,325 compared to the present $2,548. Service levels would remain the same, with the exception of heavy bulk pickup. Residents will no longer be able to put large appliances (also known as white goods) or scrap metal (mattresses and other large items containing metal) out for the monthly Friday bulk pick up. Waste Management would be able to provide this service for a monthly fee of $400. Clerk-Treasurer Polak suggested that rather than signing a contract containing a scheduled bulk pick up, the town could see if there was a need for one. An alternative could be an annual or semi-annual white good/scrap metal pick up day. This would cost $400 per time. However, there will continue to be a monthly bulk pick up for regular items. The proposed contract would become effective next month. The 2006 budget for trash removal is $35,000/year; the new total would be about $40,000/year. The proposed contract would include a three percent increase in each successive year. Mayor Beers will have to wait until the new charter amendment ordinance is passed before the contract can be signed.

Text Box: basement was “the wettest I have ever seen.” He stressed that a builder would have bought the house and knocked it down. He anticipates construction will begin in approximately a year to 15 months. The steps he has to complete before he can begin construction are: 1. rezoning the lots 2. A site plan review by the Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning which would review parking, lighting, and storm water control. 3. Application for a building permit. Mr. Leggin said that although he was petitioning the town council for a letter of support for his project, he doesn’t need such a letter to proceed with his plans. He felt it would make passage of his proposed plans go more smoothly if he could demonstrate the support of the town. Council member Nancy Long stated she would not support “any level of commercial activity in town” and expressed concern that that whole end of Glen Echo would be solely commercial. Council member Steve Matney questioned whether a letter of support from the town for a commercial enterprise set a bad precedent. The council ultimately declined to endorse the project in writing. They emphasized that, while they were not necessarily opposed to his project, they were concerned about setting a precedent in supporting commercial projects.

Text Box: Petey had just had his rabies shots. His wounds were stitched at the animal hospital and he was treated with pain medication and antibiotics. He will be quarantined for 45 days, although he can be walked on a leash. Staffers at the Friendship Animal Hospital said that lately they had seen quite a few animals with rabies. Other residents said that recently they had seen the raccoon, who was quite large and looked healthy, in various locations around Glen Echo.

next town council meeting

Monday, March 13—8:00 p.m.

Glen Echo Town Hall

Contact the mayor to add an item to the agenda