Meeting Roundup: University Park's Council Talks Town History, Permits and Anniversary

University Park's mayor and council met Monday night at University Park Elementary to discuss an agenda of permits, proclamations and a presentation on the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area.

• Councilwoman Jacqueline Bradley Chacon wants "no dumping" signs along Wells Pkwy to deter trash dumping near and in Wells Run.  Councilman Mickey Lucas and Mayor John Tabori agreed with the idea, but Councilman Len Carey said the town will need to be aware of its shared borders. Police Chief Michael Wynnyk said there’s county laws with stiff fines and jail time. Wynnyk said before it was only $25 fine for dumping, and people would dump a lot, but the law has changed. Officers are aware of the issue and are looking out for it, but he doesn't believe it's necessary to change the town's laws or post more signs.
• Aaron Marcavitch, of the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area (ATHA), discussed the 200th year anniversary of the Battle of Bladensburg and the War of 1812. Marcavitch said the area is looking to receive millions of tourists, about 1.5 million will visit Baltimore, and he wants to bring some of these tourists to University Park and the ATHA area. The group is also looking to expand and Cheverly and Bowie have shown interest to join.
• Council approved an application to construct a shed at 6412 40th Avenue, two renewals for a parking waivers at 6705 Forest Hill Drive and 6904 40th Avenue, and an application to replace an existing fence at 4333 Clagett Road.
• Tabori presented Town Attorney Suellen Ferguson with a plaque to recognize 25 years of service to the town. "It's been a great pleasure having you as the town attorney during my tenure, it’s made my life easier,” he said.
• Tabori said the town's 75th Anniversary committee should be able to rename a park, Henson Park, after one of it's famous residents Jim Henson. He said the planning of the town's walking tour has started and they have nailed down various dates in the town’s history. He found the original minutes from first meeting of the town in 1936 and found the original guest book from the opening of town hall in 1982.
• A lot going on with the budget—in regards to presentation issues for the grants the town has received from numerous agencies. He said they have to determine how to show it in the budget and run it through the process because they are one time items.
• Tabori put together a document with American Community Survey information on Hyattsville, University Park, College Park and Riverdale Park for residents to view on the website.
• Police Chief Michael Wynnyk said the town had two robberies in February. One suspect robbed someone in University Park and ran to change their clothes in front of the Hyattsville substation, where they were caught. "They are possibly tied into one of our other robberies, too, "Wynnyk said. Prince George's County Police closed out a bunch of robberies in College Park. He said March has been pretty good. "We had a meeting with CERT members, who are six extra eyes and ears out there, on radios."
• Wynnyk said the department also got a letter from Westboro Baptist Church thanking them about the professionalism for how they were treated in town. “We thought it went pretty smoothly," Wynnyk said of the protest earlier this month outside of Northwestern High School.
• Carey wants to see some data about traffic citations along Adelphi Road. Wynnyk said they have done some studies of speeding on Adelphi Rd.  data: hours, min and max. Carey wants to know if the town should have speed cameras there.
• Tabori said the RFP for the street maintenance plans has been delayed by two weeks.
• Council marked Arbor Day in University Park as April 29, 2011
• They also signed a proclamation 70th anniversary celebration of the Woman's Club on March 27.
• Council approved the town accepting grant of $30,000 from Chesapeake Bay Trust.