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In Memoriam - Elizabeth
A. Evans
Beth Evans, a long-time resident and
community volunteer passed away April 9th. A retired U.S. Department of State
employee, Beth was a proactive member of the community engaged in many
activities -- all focused on making Laurel a quality place to live.
A community Memorial service is scheduled
for April 17th at 7:00pm at the Bethany Community Church on Riding Stable Road,
West Laurel. All are welcome to attend.
WSSC Cleanup Dates
April 27th - Planting Paw Paw Trees-
Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to Noon-Scott’s Cove, 11000 Harding Road,
North Laurel. A study by the American Water Works Association shows that trees
along a river that is a drinking water source (such as the Patuxent River)
reduces water treatment cost. Birds and other wildlife enjoy trees too. So we
will be planting paw paws and other plants to help reduce sediment from going
into the Patuxent as well as providing food and shelter for birds and other
wildlife. WSSC will provide gloves. You may want to bring a shovel and wear
shoes that can get muddy.
Bradford Pear Replacement Program Is Underway
Once
named the County tree, the Bradford Pear has been retired by the
Prince George’s County Government. Planted freely across the County,
the tree is proving to be a huge economic liability to the County
government, local utility companies and homeowners who together
planted thousands of them over the past 50 years. A plan has been
put forward to systematically replace the Bradford Pear trees over
the next few years. The pilot program is an unusual partnership,
which has been formed between the County Department of Public Works
and Transportation, Several Contractors and Civic Associations.
The trees that are to be removed have been marked
with a white dot. Over the next few weeks trees will be
removed and new trees planted.
Click
here for a short presentation on the program.
 WSSC
Pipeline Update #3 (November 2012) .
The pipeline running the length of West Laurel has been
slowed down. The WLCA Board met with project manager Cheryl Young at the October
board meeting. The preliminary survey has been completed.
Beginning in
November 2012, WSSC will begin test pits for utility locations. This
process will take 90 days. January 2013 will begin work on 70% plan which
will take all of 2013 followed by bid solicitation. Construction begin early to
mid-2014.
WSSC Pipeline Update #2
The second meeting with WSSC was held on 27 July, again
with representatives from WSSC, WLCA, and Councilwoman Lehman's office.
BGE and State Highway Administration restated their original position -- no
longitudinal use of their rights-of-way. This means the pipeline alignment
remains along the length of Bond Mill Road. WLCA once again brought up our
concerns on safety for walkers/joggers, environmental impact of disturbing the
creek, and inconvenience to the neighborhood. WSSC took note of all
concerns, including the environmental impacts and will be re-doing their survey
with this in mind. The survey is scheduled to begin around September with
construction not beginning until late 2012-early 2013. The WLCA will
continue to monitor this project with WSSC and provide information to residents.
We are also still working with the 21st delegation to see if there are any other
alternatives to be explored.
WSSC Pipeline Update #1
At the General Meeting many residents expressed their concerns
regarding the route selected and the extensive disruption of the entire
community. As a result, the WLCA along with Senator Rosapepe,
Delgates Pena-Melnyk, Frush and Barnes have met with WSSC, BGE, and State
Highway Administration. Both BGE and State Highway are reviewing their
initial responses and the possibility of use of their rights-of-way. The
next meeting is scheduled from late July.
General Meeting - WSSC Pipeline Route
The primary speakers at the May General Meeting were a
team from WSSC who provided an overview of the proposed new 48" pipeline
scheduled to run from the dam through West Laurel, then across Route 198 to the
WSSC plant. Of eight routes explored by WSSC, the proposed route is down
Brooklyn Bridge Road to Bond Mill Road to the BGE right of way adjacent to Bauer
and across Route 198. The alternative routes along the length of the BGE
right-of-way and/or along the I-95 right-of-way had been removed consideration
based on the response of BGE and State Highway Administration. The
project will take 12-18 months.
WLCA Supports Increased Pedestrian and Bike Lanes
Over the past year,
the WLCA has submitted multiple inputs to the County Executive, County Council
and Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission requesting that
pedestrian and bike lanes be included in the development of new roadways and
re-development of existing roadways.
Our most recent submission was to County Executive, Rushern Baker (
March 2011 letter) re-emphasizing our past submissions on the need for
safe walking and biking alterntives.
County Excutive Rushern L. Baker responded with a letter outlining his
initiatives to support friendlier and safer streets.. In the FY12 proposed
budget, he has included a
"Green Streets" intiative and is working with the Department of Public Works
& Transportation to accommodate bike lanes when resurfacing roadways.
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ICC Updates - April 2013
Dear Resident/Property Owner:
During the next two weeks the Maryland State Highway
Administration’s (SHA) Intercounty Connector (ICC) contractor will continue with
work required for removing and replacing the approximately 610 feet of the sound
wall adjacent to Bradford Lane and Fitzpatrick Drive. The contractor is
expecting to complete removing the sound wall panels on or about April 16. The
contractor will then continue with the necessary clearing and installation of
erosion and sediment controls within the construction zone, as mentioned in the
last notification. Installation of some erosion and sediment controls, which
includes temporary black silt fencing, has already begun. Once the erosion and
sediment controls are installed, the contractor will prepare for caisson
drilling. In order to install the caissons, drilling equipment needs to be
brought onto the site. The contractor will first bring fill (earth) from the
sediment trap (located at the north end of the sound wall adjacent to
Fitzpatrick Drive and Redmiles Road) to the sound wall work area in order to
create a stable ground area for the drilling equipment. This work should
continue into late April.
The work will occur predominantly Monday through Saturday
between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. There will be times, however, when it may be
necessary to work on Sundays and during evening and nighttime hours. When the
contractor must work on Sunday or during the night, we will let you know 72
hours in advance so you may plan accordingly. Please be aware that workers will
need to move vehicles and equipment at the start and end of each workday so you
may hear some additional activity outside of these work hours.
Please do not enter the construction zones and be careful when
traveling near the construction zones. Also, talk with your children about the
dangers of a construction zone and make sure they know not to play in the
construction areas.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding construction,
please contact Ms. Genevieve Rubrecht, toll free at 866-462-0020 or at
grubrecht@iccproject.com. Please feel free to let your neighbors know that
they can also receive these project update emails by sending a request to the
email address above. If you did not sign up to receive these email updates or
would like to stop receiving them please let us know by replying back to this
email and we will remove your address from our list.
Thank
you for your patience as we continue construction on this segment of this
important project.
**Please note
that all work is weather dependent.
Special Services for Seniors (Prince Georges)
Prince Georges County provides back door collection of refuse for senior
citizens over 65 years of age and for disabled persons. To qualify, no one
living in the home can be under 65 years of age or be physically able to carry
the collection containers to the curb. To make arrangements for back door
collection, call (301) 952-7630.
- Hazardous Waste pick up, call 301-883-6026
- Free pet licenses for spayed/neutered animals, call
301-780-7251.
 
News of Interest to West Laurelel
-
West Laurel Is Swimming In Small Town Spirit, Washington Post Real Estate
Section
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Children bike with Police in West Laurel, The Gazette
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Bikes Strengthen Community Ties,Laurel
Leader
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District 1 Town Hall Meeting Draws Large Crowds, College Park Patch
Entry Sign to West
Laurel
The new entry sign has been put up thanks to Bryon White and Tony Spezio.
The WLCA is working to price the cost of stone end posts to complete the job.
Community Notes
Choices in Recycling. In addition to the county recycling
programs, West Laurel residents may drop off their magazines and newspapers at
the Bond Mill Elementary School. The two Abitibi recycling bins have been
moved back by the caferteria entrance. NO CARDBOARD is accepted!
Maryland State
Representatives. The updated list of our Maryland State Representatives and their
contact information is posted on the
Prince George's & Montgomery County
Sex Offenders Listing.
Nowavailable to residents is a listing
of sex offenders based on zip code.
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Last Updated:
04/15/2013 |
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