The CWCA Board Spring 2025 CWCA Semi-Annual Meeting.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 7:00-8:30
There were 32 people in attendance in person at Chesterbrook Elementary School.
Welcome, Call to Order – 7:00 (Lizzy Conroy)
Jimmy Bieman started speaking at 7:05
- There are two infrastructure projects for Chesterbrook Rd and residents: the sidewalk project and a stormwater management project. These projects have interdependencies, especially near Albemarle Rd and more broadly in the stretch from Maddux Ln to near Forest Ln.
- The latest sidewalk plan involves two Phases: Phase 1 is the sidewalk installation where no coincident stormwater management work is required – from Forest Ln to 41st St; Phase 2 is from Maddux Ln to Forest Ln where both projects are essential. Also, certain utilities need to relocate service to support the sidewalk project – eg, water line relocation. For Phase 1, water line relocation should be done by early 2026 and sidewalks by summer of 2026.
- Phase 2 will be completed thereafter (no firm date given but no sooner than 2027).
- To track progress, you can find the Transportation Design Division monthly status reports here: Hungarter
- County Leaf Collection: there is now NO plan to stop this service.
- County Budget season, final vote happens 2 weeks from CWCA meeting. You can go to the website to get more details https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dranesville/. Bierman reported that commercial real estate tax receipts have not fully recovered, so to raise more revenue, the Board of Supervisors decided to institute a meals tax instead of increasing the tax rate on residential properties. He addressed overall spending, saying 51% goes to public schools, the rest goes to county services. Bierman talked about BoS efforts to cut spending. An example is closing the Pimmit Hills Senior Center since the Lewinsville Center is close by and attendance at Pimmit is down (total savings $400K). An audience member asked when will MHS be renovated? Answer was that School Board sets that…Sandy Anderson should know the answer, but Mr. Bierman did state that MHS is the 3rd most overcrowded school in the county.
- Mr. Bierman finished speaking at 7:42
Revised CWCA Bylaws Update – 7:43 (Richard Elliott)
The board decided with 20+ yr old bylaws that it was time to update them. Some of the updates include:
- Introduces concept of voting by email. A member suggested that the bylaws more broadly permit voting by electronic survey. It was agreed without objection to adopt that change to the revised bylaws.
- Adds specified duties of each of the officers, instead of simply referring to Robert’s Rules of Order.
- Permits businesses located in Chesterbrook Woods (such as assisted living facilities) to become non-voting members upon payment of dues.
- Eliminates the requirement for an executive committee and a nominating committee.
- Provides that member meetings shall be conducted informally (with Robert’s Rules of Order no longer binding).
- Makes changes to align with CWCA’s current fiscal year (October-September)
- Provides that CWCA is non-partisan and non-sectarian.
A member suggested that the revised bylaws be changed to limit member votes to one vote per household on any given matter (rather than two votes per household). After discussion, this change was agreed to by a show of hands.
A motion was made to adopt the revised bylaws, subject to the two changes specified above. This motion was approved by a show of hands, meeting the two-thirds affirmative vote threshold specified in the existing bylaws. (A blackline showing the changes to the draft revised bylaws distributed prior to the meeting is attached to these minutes, and the revised bylaws are being placed on the CWCA web site.)
Treasurer’s Report – 7:20 (Susan Garrahan)
- Mid-year update provided. The current balance was $29K at the start of fiscal year. We received $8K in dues, and with major spending on snow removal ($11,100), the Octoberfest party ($4,500), directories ($1,800), and insurance ($1,400) leaving a current balance of about $18K.
Pimmit Run Protectors Update
Marion Cooper presented:
- Thanks to everyone who came to the BBQ, had a great time, the event made some money for the cause. On June 1st there will be another event, wine tasting
- Will Shiffman spoke as well, trial is set for June, about 35 homeowners were sued, he gave an update on mediation, time frame, etc..
Committee Reports – 8:05
Social Committee (Lisa Mayr, Oktoberfest party chair)
- Lisa Mayr gave a recap on the very well received Oktoberfest party. Attendance was about 170 neighbors. It was catered by Mission BBQ, with music, kids moon bounce, and a kids costumer parade. Please let Lisa know if you have suggestions for improvements for the next party.
Security Committee – (Cabell Fooshe)
- There was an egging in the neighborhood. A reminder to everyone, If you see a suspicious car, take a picture of the license plate. Cabell will send out a “What Not to Do” email (to deter burglars)
Pineapple Patrol –
- Let Bonnie Sadler know if there are new neighbors. Block Captains, please also let Bonnie and/or the Board there is a new neighbor on your block.
Snow Committee –
- It was a busier snow removal season than recent years and neighbors were very happy with the service. Talked about snow, everyone is happy, need another person on the snow committee, Steve is single threaded. (someone asked to add here is what to expect if you are interested in the position) One of the things is scout when there is a snowstorm predicted and note where things were cleared and where they weren’t.
Environmental Committee-
Some suggestions:
- Plant a shade tree – Back again by popular demand, the CWCA Tree Champions program offers residents the option to buy a native shade tree at a low price with all the work done for you. Watch for an email from CWCA with more info.
- Save trees/remove invasive vines – CWCA has many invasive vines lurking which can choke or kill your trees. Visit www.plantnovatrees.org/rescuing-trees for info on how to remove vines and rescue your trees.
- Plant native plants – As you plan your gardens, consider planting native plants because they need less water and care than non-natives and they support native butterflies, birds and pollinators. Check out plantnovanatives.org for more information.
- Skip the mosquito spraying, even organic – If a spray kills mosquitoes, it kills pollinators too. For those who are interested in natural mosquito abatement (Dump, Dunk, and Screen), here is a guide https://www.upmd.org/222/Community-Mosquito-Control
- Compost food waste – Food waste generates an estimated 8-10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of disposing of food waste in the garbage, you can compost materials at home, collect food waste and drop it off at the McLean Farmer’s market or other local compost drop off sites or sign up with a local vendor to pick up your compost at the curb each week.
Wrap-Up – 8:30 (Board)
- Emily is taking over as block captain for block 4. A sincere thank you to Doug Broome for his many years of service as the Block Captain for block 4, CWCA is very grateful for your service.
Thank you,
CWCA Board
Chesterbrook Woods 