Minutes of October 10, 2007 RCHCA Meeting Joe Rosenberg, President of RCHCA, called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
Guest Speaker
Denise Gill from the police department’s Community Relations office spoke about crime and safety in our neighborhood. There are 7 beats, or Primary Reporting Areas, 4 of them designated “Edward” and 3 “Delta.” We are part of “Delta,” which extends up Connecticut past Plyers Mill Road and south to East-West Highway. One officer is assigned to our section, with back-up in emergencies.
Crime is very low in our area. As of mid-year, there have been no robberies, no burglaries , 3 thefts from vehicles, 1 vehicle theft, 44 false alarms, 8 disconnects from 911 calls and 1 vandalism. Cars are stolen for the GPS devices. 99.9% of all calls are false alarms.
Nonetheless, Officer Gill emphasized the importance of trusting our instincts and calling when we perceive suspicious activity. (For example, we should be alert to “vendors” appearing to peddle goods because they are often actually casing a house. Real vendors have licenses.) It is better to err on the side of calling because citizen involvement is the only way to prevent crime--one police officer cannot reasonably cover the entire area. It is not necessary to give your name when you call to report suspicious activity.
She also stressed the importance of evaluating your home for vulnerability to crime (entrances left unlocked, bushes shielding predators from detection, poor lighting, etc.) The PD offers home security surveys; call Officer Mathis.
Old Business
A. Janis Pliner, representing the Rosemary Hills Elementary School PTA, asked RCHCA to make a contribution to support improving the school playground, including new fencing, tables and a water fountain. A motion was made and seconded that “RCHCA donate $2000 to the Rosemary Hills Playground Improvement Fund.” The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.
B. The Treasurer’s Report was approved.
C. The minutes from the January 7, 2007 meeting were approved.
D. Shannon Hamm reported that the Nominating Committee is searching for candidates for two Board positions opening in January, 2008: Treasurer and Vice-President. We have some volunteers, but the Committee is looking for a few more. Joe Rosenberg urged people to come forward to support the Association, giving examples of some of our activities and successes in the past year: addition of new trash cans, renovation of RCH Park, reinvigoration of the Covenants Committee, installation of traffic humps on Kensington Parkway, and sustained campaigns to fight train and Beltway noise.
E. Mike Baker reported on the results of resident surveys on traffic humps on Saul Road and Kensington Parkway: 69% supported humps on Saul, below County law requiring 80%, and 87.5% supported them on Kensington Parkway. Humps on Kensington Parkway were installed in September. Identifying signs are located directly at the humps so motorists will know where they are when it snows.
There was discussion about whether Kent Street would qualify for additional traffic humps. Mike explained that the County had previously rejected humps between Wake and the traffic circle because the distance was insufficient. He suggested that the Town of Kensington, rather than the County, offered the best option for traffic calming on Kent.
The County has located two permanent cameras at schools to enforce traffic laws; the rest are portable, hidden in roving vans.
F. Joe Rosenberg reported on the campaign to reduce train noise. Seven neighborhood associations are on record supporting a solution to the problem. A “quiet zone” with 4 quadrant gates is the safest option because it would prevent cars from skirting around the gates, but this would cost $500,000. CSX continues to stonewall.
New Business
A. Despite the fact that only 15 people attended the potluck preceding the January 2007 meeting, there was strong sentiment in favor of continuing the tradition at least once more to test support.
B. Because our treasury is relatively flush, we discussed various choices, including: reducing dues, improving neighborhood signs, changing Porta Potty colors, and enhancing our website. We rejected reducing dues and will instead entertain proposals at our next meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Alexa Freeman
Secretary