MoCo Archives - Page 333 of 605

Groundbreaking for MoCo’s Largest Ever Affordable Housing Development

Published January 20, 2023 at 8:46AM

Montgomery County has partnered with Habitat for Humanity and AHC to build nearly 200 multi-family homes, located at Randolph Road and Bushey Drive, near Veirs Mill Road, in Silver Spring (Wheaton-Glenmont)– the project broke ground this week. According to Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, the county was able to leverage the land value, coupled with reduced property taxes, through the County’s PILOT program and a substantial loan from the County’s Housing Initiative Fund, which enabled this construction to move forward despite dramatic increases in both construction costs and interest rates.

“I am thrilled that this will include homeownership options for low-income residents. When we began discussing this project, I pushed for home ownership opportunities, and I am grateful to our partners for making sure that was included. It is an outstanding, innovative project. Because affordable housing is a priority, we must seek out partnerships and ideas like this to spark projects that deliver many deeply affordable units and benefit a broad range of wage earners.” said Elrich.

Kayla DiCello, Northwest HS Alumna, Named SEC Specialist of the Week (Gymnastics)

By MCS Staff

Published January 20, 2023 at 8:25AM | Updated January 30, 2023 at 3:21PM

Kayla DiCello, a freshman from Boyds who recently graduated from Northwest High School in Germantown, was recently named the “SEC Specialist of the Week” a week after being named the “SEC Freshman of the Week.” DiCello won the all-around in the quad meet against Ball State, Lindenwood and West Virginia with a top score of 39.475. DiCello’s score was the highest all-around mark among SEC freshmen, second among nation’s freshmen and tied for nation’s 10th highest for the opening weekend.

She is now one of seven Gators to win the all-around in their first meet since 1986. DiCello tied with Trinity Thomas (2019) for Florida’s top all-around in the first collegiate meet. She shared second place on balance beam with teammate Ellie Lazzari at 9.90, and also captured third place on bars (9.925) and floor (9.875). In July DiCello was selected to compete at the upcoming Pan American Championships. In August, DiCello competed at the National Championships. She finished finished fourth in the all-around and third on balance beam.

Weekly Update by County Executive Marc Elrich: Welcoming the New Leadership of Maryland

By MCS Staff

Published January 19, 2023 at 11:04PM

“Dear Friends,

With a new year comes an opportunity to change things up from what you have come to expect each week. In the video link that is part of our weekly Montgomery Update newsletter, we have a bit of a different approach. This week, County Chief Administration Officer Richard Madaleno and I talk about the just released recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Capital budget.

Montgomery County Announces Its 10th Annual Energy Summit

By Patrick Herron

Published January 19, 2023 at 7:46PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County will host its 10th Annual Energy Summit over two days on Tuesday, March 28, and Wednesday, March 29, at the at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The Summit will be presented by the County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and will focus on preparing the commercial building sector for compliance with the County’s energy benchmarking and building energy performance standards, as well as educating building owners about cost-cutting opportunities and programs. Since 2013, the Summit has offered cutting-edge education and workshops focused on the latest trends in green building, energy efficiency, renewable energy and related commercial, multifamily and residential topics.

New this year will be the featured “Innovation Alley,” a display of innovative products and services available to the commercial and multifamily building sector to aid in building energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, building decarbonization, healthy buildings and zero-emission vehicles. Exhibitors interested in participating should submit an expression of interest on the Energy Summit website by Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Montgomery County Seeking Residents Who are 100 and Older for Special Celebration

By Patrick Herron

Published January 19, 2023 at 6:44PM

Montgomery County Recreation is seeking residents who are 100 and older for a centenarian celebration that will be taking place this May. Interested residents are asked to fill out an online form by March 10. Additional details courtesy Montgomery County: “Are you a Montgomery County, Maryland resident? Were you born in 1923 or earlier? Do you know someone who is turning 100 in 2023 or currently 100+? Montgomery County Recreation is looking for individuals who are turning 100 years old or older to participant in our centenarian event on May 12. If you are interested or know someone who would be interested, we would love to contact them!

If you know a centenarian living in the County, fill out this online form or contact the senior programs team at [email protected]. Please include the centenarian’s name and address and the contact person’s name, email and telephone number. The deadline to submit is March 10.”

County Leaders, Law Enforcement and Advocates to Discuss Rise in Student Opioid Overdose and Deaths

By MCS Staff

Published January 19, 2023 at 8:46AM

Per MCPS: Key leaders in education, law enforcement, health services, and drug use prevention advocates will gather to speak to an alarming rise in Illegal Opioid use, especially Fentanyl, in our youth. Data is showing not only a rise in overdose cases but a rise in death rates. These are dangerous trends that parents and students must be aware of.

Multiple county agency leaders discuss the rise in the use and availability of illegal opioids, often laced with Fentanyl, and the alarming rise in overdose cases, including those resulting in death. This will take place on Thursday, January 19th at 3pm at the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Dr. Rockville MD, 20850 (Auditorium) also hybrid via Zoom https://mcpstv-org.zoom.us/j/84524812357?pwd=Z1FFSkFLa1lMYUs1Qk9YMTJJam9kUT09

RainScapes Rewards Rebate Program Application Portal Reopens Wednesday, Feb. 1; Eligible Properties Could Recieve up to $7,500

By Patrick Herron

Published January 18, 2023 at 6:07PM

RainScape is a landscape or design technique that helps reduce stormwater runoff from individual properties. They include:

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich Releases $5.4 billion Recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY23-28 Capital Improvement Program

By Patrick Herron

Published January 17, 2023 at 5:04PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich today transmitted his $5.4 billion Recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY23-28 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to the County Council. The recommendations are a $136.7 million (2.6 percent) increase from the previously approved capital budget. This is the second year of the County’s two-year capital budget. As a result, adjustments are limited to project changes that either meet the County’s CIP amendment criteria or are necessary to address capital or operating budget constraints. To see the complete recommended FY24 Capital Budget and amended FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program, go to https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/omb/publications.html

“My FY24 CIP amendment recommendations take advantage of opportunities to leverage significant non-County resources and reflect our broadly shared values of prioritizing education and core infrastructure improvements while considering racial equity and climate change concerns,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “These amendments are all affordable within available resources. However, high inflation due to supply chain issues, labor shortages and a tight construction market has had a major impact on this CIP proposal. Without more funding, we are limited in our ability to solve local problems and to build the kind of healthy, just, economically vibrant community we want for our residents.”

Montgomery County Council Seeks Applicants for Montgomery County Planning Board; Deadline for applications has been extended to Jan. 20, 2023 at 5 p.m.

By MCS Staff

Published January 17, 2023 at 1:52PM

The Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the Montgomery County Planning Board. In October 2022, the County Council appointed five temporary acting Planning Board members. All members serve until their successors are appointed. The Council intends to appoint successors for three members. The following temporary Board members will vacate their positions at the end of February 2023: Ms. Presley, Mr. Hill and Ms. Branson. The following vacancies are available to fill the unexpired terms of the prior Planning Board members:

• One Montgomery County resident registered to vote in the County as a Republican (term ends June 14, 2024).

Collision Closes Muncaster Mill Rd on Sunday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published January 15, 2023 at 9:13AM | Updated January 15, 2023 at 1:32PM

Updated with additional information

Montgomery County Police issued a traffic advisory, at 8:05am on Sunday morning, that states Muncaster Mill Rd. is is closed between Windsor Manor Lane and Sycamore Lane due to a traffic collision. Per the advisory, drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and significant delays are expected.

Montgomery County Council to Meet on Tuesday, January 17

By Patrick Herron

Published January 14, 2023 at 3:20PM

Bill 1-23, Property Tax Credit – Elderly Individuals and Retired Military Services Members – Amendments

Introduction: Councilmember Sidney Katz will introduce Bill 1-23, which would update eligibility for certain elderly individuals and retired military service members to receive a property tax credit, increasing the assessment threshold by $50,000. This bill seeks to update the assessed value to $700,000 for senior residents and $550,000 for retired members of the military to account for increases in property values during the last few years. The existing credit amount is 20 percent of the County property tax imposed on the dwelling. The credit must be granted each year for seven years, if the individual remains eligible for the credit. Councilmembers Luedtke, Marilyn Balcombe, Natali Fani-González, Gabe Albornoz and Vice President Andrew Friedson are cosponsors of the legislation.