CWCA FALL 2025 SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES

Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Time: 7:00PM-8:30PM
Location: Chesterbrook Elementary School Cafeteria

Members in Attendance: 57

I. CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF BOARD MEMBERS

President Lizzy Conroy welcomed residents, thanking outgoing Secretary Kim Kalhor for her service. Vice President Richard Elliott introduced Molly Hamilton as the nominee to serve as Secretary for the new fiscal year and reminded those members in attendance of the rules for voting at the meeting (including the new rule that each household gets only one vote). Molly provided some background on herself and explained her interest in serving on the board. By a show of hands, the members then approved the full slate of board nominees: Lizzy Conroy (President), Richard Elliott (Vice President), Susan Garrahan (Treasurer), and Molly Hamilton (Secretary).

II. TREASURER’S REPORT (SUSAN GARRAHAN)

The treasurer presented the current budget on large display boards so the numbers were visible to attendees.

• Starting Cash Balance: $28,900

• Dues Collected: $8,600

• Expenses (mainly snow removal): $19,300

• Cash Balance End of FY 24/25: $18,200

Snow Removal

• This was the neighborhood’s largest expense last winter, costing $11,100 for three separate snow events. Attendees discussed how unpredictable snow removal costs can be from year to year.

Dues Discussion

• The board proposed increasing annual dues from $20 to $40 (the first significant increase in at least 5 years) to meet increased costs and to be prepared for snow events if they occur this fiscal year.

• Treasurer Susan Garrahan noted that it would be desirable to keep CWCA’s reserve fund above $10,000 and that, without a meaningful dues increase, this would not be accomplished if we have snow events similar to last year (or worse). Vice President Richard Elliott added that, based on our experience last year, it is clear that a series of even minor snow events can impose significant costs on CWCA. Treasurer Susan Garrahan also noted that, if the reserve fund is not sufficient to cover snow events, the membership would have to go through the cumbersome process of approving a special assessment in the middle of the fiscal year in order to maintain snow removal services.

Dues Participation

• 378 of 535 households paid dues last year – a 70% participation rate. Susan shared past efforts by herself to boost participation and noted that the proposed budget assumes a slight increase in payments for FY 25/26. There was then some discussion of additional methods to increase participation.

Decisions

Motion #1: Dues Increase

• Approved. After some discussion, members approved by a show of hands the increase in annual dues to $40.

Motion #2: FY 25/26 Proposed Budget

• Approved: By a show of hands, members approved the proposed budget for the new fiscal year.

• Estimated cash on hand after projected expenses for FY25/26: $14,700.

Action Items

• You can now pay your dues for the current fiscal year (starting Oct 1). Dues can be paid by checks, PayPal, and – NEW THIS YEAR – Zelle; or in cash at the Oktoberfest party (this is the only venue where cash is accepted). See the bottom of these minutes for further payment instructions.

• Residents willing to volunteer time on efforts to increase dues participation should contact Treasurer Susan Garrahan (susan.garrahan). Ideas discussed during the meeting included distributing flyers, posting signs with QR codes for payment, and offering tiered pricing (more expensive after Oktoberfest).

III. SECURITY UPDATE (AKMAL ALI FOR SECURITY COMMITTEE, AND FCPD OFFICER DAN GOLDMAN)

Community Safety Concern

• Akmal reported an uptick in thefts from parked cars during the daytime (not forced entry, but targeting unlocked cars—especially those belonging to contractors, nannies, or visitors). Both cash and other valuables were stolen when left visible or otherwise readily accessible.

• Block captains should communicate the need to lock vehicles, not leave valuables in vehicles, and watch for suspicious behavior.

Police Support

• Officer Goldman shared that the McLean District officers are aware of the issue and have increased patrol coverage and encouraged residents to supplement police efforts. For perspective, there are 12 officers supporting the McLean District, which equates to 1 officer for every 5 square miles.

• The idea of hiring a security firm to patrol the neighborhood during the daytime for a period of time was discussed as an option, as was bringing back a neighborhood patrol during the day.

Technology Options

• Attendees also discussed license plate reading cameras at the periphery of the neighborhood, as well as linking home security cameras to the “Connect Fairfax” County registry.

Action Items

• Contact Cabell Fooshe (cabell_fooshe@kw.com) if interested in joining or otherwise assisting the Security Committee).

• Call the non-emergency FCPD number (703-691-2131) to report incidents that are not ongoing, such as property crime. Call 911 for crimes in progress.

IV. TRAFFIC UPDATE (DAVE FITZGERALD)

Traffic Calming Efforts

• Dave summarized recent work installing new “Squiggly Road” signs and speed limit signs along Forest Lane to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety.

• A temporary “Your Speed Is” electronic sign is expected to be installed on Forest Lane next week. Placement will be determined by VDOT

• Discussion included other traffic calming ideas, but changes such as speed humps or one-way streets are very challenging to get approved.

V. DOMINION ENERGY UNDERGROUND TASK FORCE (ARTHUR ST. ANDRE)

Power Line Projects

• Arthur reported on behalf of the committee. He recapped the history of attempts to bury neighborhood power lines. Although two small portions of the neighborhood have gone through the undergrounding process with Dominion, efforts to expand beyond these areas have failed due to a lack of neighborhood consensus, in part because of resistance to utility box placement on properties and/or the terms of the access/easement agreements required through the process.

• The Task Force has contacted TRC engineers, the right of way engineers for Dominion Energy, to see if Dominion would be willing, as a starting point, to consider a project to bury power lines on Woodacre, Highwood, and Laburnum. Given the past neighborhood opposition, TRC is not confident that Dominion will have any interest in pursuing this, but TRC will report back when it has an answer.

Action Items

• If Dominion is willing to consider this latest request, an information sheet will be created and distributed to the neighborhood.

• Contact Arthur St. Andre (arthur.st.andre) if you are interested in learning more about this project and/or becoming involved in these efforts.

VI. PIMMIT RUN PROTECTORS (MARIAN & CHRIS COOPER)

Parcel Preservation

• Marian and Chris shared the success of the Pimmit Run Protectors in preserving Parcel A (three acres of wilderness at the bottom of Grady Randall Ct)) from development after an 18-month legal process. Much hard work was required to get to this point. In a negotiated settlement, the property was purchased from the developer and now sits in a trust to preserve the property in perpetuity.

• As a result of this lengthy effort, the Pimmit Run Protectors have run up legal expenses in the six figures, and are asking for further neighborhood contributions to cover these expenses.

Action Items

• Donations: Via Zelle (pimmitrunprotectors), or by check to Pimmit Run Protectors, drop-off at 5845 Aspen Wood Ct.

• For info: Contact Michelle Stuntz (202-341-7868, michelle.stuntz) or Marian Cooper (703-508-1239, marianpcooper).

VII. STREAM RESTORATION & SIDEWALKS (BETTY ENDE)

Infrastructure Updates

• Fall 2025: Construction of a new sidewalk segment from Forest Lane to 41st Street, with completion targeted for Fall 2026.

• Second segment between Forest Lane and Maddox Lane, along with stormwater pipe replacement, is expected to be bid mid-2026, with completion targeted for fall 2028.

• This multi-faceted project will intermittently affect traffic patterns along Chesterbrook Rd for the foreseeable future.

Action Items

• Questions or updates: contact Betty Ende (eende1).

• Project statuses available on county websites:

  • Stormwater Projects

  • Sidewalk Projects

VIII. OKTOBERFEST/HALLOWEEN PARTY (LISA MAYR)

Event Overview:

• The neighborhood Oktoberfest/Halloween Party is planned for 10/23, rain date following week.

• The budget for the party is $4,500, some of which is covered by sponsorships from local businesses. In addition, a voluntary $10 per adult contribution can be made at the party to defray party cost.

• Mission BBQ will cater. Organizers are still seeking adult volunteers for some activities and supplies. (See the invitation that was sent around by e-mail on 10/11).

IX. DIRECTORY UPDATE (LIZZY CONROY & AFSHAN GINER)

Neighborhood Directory

• Afshan was thanked for her work on the upcoming directory, expected to print mid-November.

• Kids of Chesterbrook Woods are encouraged to submit artwork for possible inclusion; the deadline is October 26th.

Action Steps

• Submit kids’ artwork by October (chesterbrookwoods@gmail.com).

X. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE (ELIZABETH ENDE)

Tree Champions Highlights

• Twelve households will plant 19 new native shade trees this month, bringing the program’s three-year total to 79 trees.

• Betty discussed the importance of removing invasive plants to help trees thrive.

Action Steps

• Residents should check for and remove invasive vines.

• Neighborhood info on invasives to be distributed by Betty Ende.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:30PM.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAYING DUES:

1. By Zelle – send $40 payment to susan.garrahan. You will see “Chesterbrook Woods Citizens Association” after you enter that email address. Enter the dues amount and include your CWCA address (# and Street) in the memo section so we can credit your household.

2. By PayPal — Go to paypal.me/chesterbrookwoods and send $40. Include your name and CWCA street address in the “What’s this for?” memo, so we can credit your household.

3. By Check — Make your $40 check payable to “CWCA” and include your street address, so we can credit your household. You can bring your check to the Oktoberfest party or mail it to Susan Garrahan at 1714 Oak Ln, McLean, VA 22101.

**Payment by cash will be accepted at the Oktoberfest Party only (but not thereafter).

Minutes submitted by Molly Hamilton, CWCA Secretary
Date: October 19, 2025