 Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Yesterday, the Council elected it's new leadership. Congratulations to Councilmember Kate Stewart and Councilmember Will Jawando on your election to Council President and Council Vice President respectively. Thank you to Councilmember Andrew Friedson for your leadership over the last year.
Here's to another great year of hard work at the Montgomery County Council!
Councilmembers vote during the December 3rd County Council session.
Did you know that the winter holiday season accounts for the highest number of cooking fires? As we wrap up Thanksgiving and enter into December, it is incredibly important to be alert and keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from fire related incidents. One way to do this is to ensure that your smoke alarms are operational - that is exactly why I spent last Saturday on the ground in Germantown with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services and the Red Cross, checking and installing smoke detectors for our residents.
IF YOU ARE READING THIS, PLEASE DO A QUICK TEST OF THE SMOKE DETECTORS IN YOUR HOME: Every smoke alarm comes with a test button, and you should test your alarms at least once a month. Simply push and hold the test button; when you hear a loud beeping sound, you'll know your alarm is active and operational. If you find that your smoke detector is not working, visit the MCFRS website or the Red Cross website for resources and assistance.
Fire Chief Corey Smedley recently posted an incredibly informative blog post about ways to prevent fires during the holidays. Below are some helpful tips about cooking safety. You can read the blog post in full on the MCFRS website.
- Be alert! Stay in the kitchen when using the stovetop and use a timer. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a minute, turn off the stove.
- Keep anything that can catch fire at least 3 feet from the stove, toaster oven, or other heat source. This includes pot holders, food packaging, dish towels, paper/plastic bags, etc.
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Do not pour water on a grease fire. Pouring water on a grease fire can cause the fire to spread. In the event of a range-top fire, turn off the burner, put on an oven mitt, and smother the flames by carefully sliding a lid or cookie sheet onto the pan. Leave the lid in place until the pot or pan has cooled.
- Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup which can ignite.
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Always wear short, tight-fitting sleeves when cooking to prevent clothing from coming in contact with a burner and catching fire.
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Do not hold children while cooking or carrying hot foods or drinks. Keep children at a safe distance from hot surfaces, liquids, and other kitchen hazards.
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Plug microwaves and other kitchen appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire.
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Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house. Make sure all other appliances are turned off and that any candles or smoking materials are safely extinguished.
- Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home, test alarms monthly, and change batteries annually or as recommended by the manufacturer if your alarm features long-life batteries.
If you have any fire safety questions, please reach out! Happy holidays, and stay safe!
Councilmember Balcombe and MCFRS Chief Corey Smedley alongside volunteers who participated in the Red Cross' Sound the Alarm program in Germantown.
Economic Development (ECON) Committee
The Economic Development (ECON) committee met earlier this week on Monday, December 2nd to discuss two executive regulations. Read more about them below. You can review our staff packet on the Council website, and can watch a recording of our session on the Council YouTube channel.
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Executive Regulation #13-24, Adoption of the 2021 International Building, Energy Conservation, Mechanical, Fuel-gas, Residential Code, Swimming Pool and Spa Codes, and the 2021 International Existing Building Code
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Executive Regulation #14-24, Adoption of Fire and Life Safety Codes
Transportation and Environment Committee
The Transportation and Environment (TE) committee did not meet this week, and our next meeting will be held after the Council returns in January. As always, you can check out the Council website for updates.
Council Legislation
During yesterday's Council session, we held public hearings on two pieces of legislation that were recently introduced. Learn more about the bills below.
Upcoming Public Hearings
To testify at a Council public hearing or to submit written, audio, or video testimony, please visit the Council website or call 240-777-7803. The deadline to sign up to testify for a 1:30PM public hearing is 2PM the day prior. The deadline to sign up to testify for a 7PM public hearing is 5PM the day prior.
January 14, 2025
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1:30PM: Bill 24-24, Taxation - Paper Carryout Bags and Prohibition on Plastic Carryout Bags (“Bring Your Own Bag”)
The following County boards, committees, and commissions are seeking applicants:
- Mark your calendar for the Montgomery County Community Resource Fair, which will be held this Sunday, December 8th from 1-4PM at the Executive Office Building cafeteria in Rockville. Check out the flyer above for more information. Attendance is free, and no registration is required to attend.
If you would like to get in touch with me regarding anything mentioned in this newsletter or any other concerns you may have, please email me at Councilmember.Balcombe@montgomerycountymd.gov or call my office at 240-777-7960.
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