ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - The Community Voice Committee, or CVC, discussed APG quality of life issues during its second meeting of the fiscal year, Jan. 22.
The committee, which meets quarterly, is led by Garrison Commander Gregory McClinton and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Adams. Staff Action Officer Karen Dern, Office of the Garrison Commander, facilitated the meeting.
Three new members included Rita Hewitt, a member of the APG Retiree Council, Robin Bruns, wife of CECOM Command Sgt. Maj. William G. Bruns, and Ayesha Varnadore, president of the APG Spouses Club.
McClinton said community members - especially spouses living on post - should log on to the At Hoc web portal and add their contact information to receive automated notifications in the event of emergencies on the installation.
Adams said the daily bugles calls at 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. will continue at the same sound level, so as not to disturb community members outside of the installation.
He informed the committee that some people on post are not stopping their cars when the bugle call is played and asked them to spread the word about bugle calls, noting that failure to stop vehicles could become punitive.
Committee members discussed ongoing and upcoming issues affecting the APG community, as well as newly-submitted community concerns and questions.
Todd Henricks, deputy director of Public Works (DPW), opened the meeting with the organization's paving plan for Fiscal Year 2015. He said paving will be concentrated in various locations around APG South (Edgewood) and APG North (Aberdeen). Some road and parking lot striping will also take place on APG North.
While paving projects won't begin until the weather improves, Henricks said DPW will continue to repair potholes as needed because they are a safety hazard. He encouraged community members who see potholes, broken curbs or other roadway obstructions to call the DPW 24/7 service desk hotline at 410-306-1400.
DPW is working with APG South and the US Army Corps of Engineers to get a feasibility study and industry day for potential developers to come look at the Gunpowder Club to see if there are opportunities and what industry might have to offer, he said.
Henricks also explained the installation's ongoing, multi-faceted energy conservation program. In addition to the many ways each person can individually help in energy reduction across the installation, he added that the Garrison also has Energy Savings Performance Contracts, which enable a wide variety of energy-savings devices to be installed, such as high-efficiency lights and ballasts and occupancy sensors. Significant progress has been made in energy conservation, but there is still room for improvement and everyone needs to be involved.
Mike Lupacchino, director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, said deer hunting locations were reviewed by DPW's safety office and environmental division, and that based on the results, a controlled hunt is not planned for Aberdeen South (Edgewood).
He also said that so far this year, 393 deer have been harvested at APG, down more than 100 since last year, and more than 500 individuals have applied for hunting permits, a figure that has increased since last year. Lupacchino reminded attendees that deer population control is reviewed and suggestions are made by the environmental division each year.
Lupacchino also noted that they are awaiting a response from Maryland Blind Industries to respond to them if they are interested in operating the Southside Grill at APG South (Edgewood). They were the only vendor out of 80 businesses solicited that expressed interest. DFMWR should have a response by the first week of February.
FMWR is considering if there is a need for more or less CDC hourly care in Patriot Village based on results from a community survey that can be found on the APG MWR web page through Feb. 3.
Garrison Public Affairs Officer Kelly Luster reminded attendees to check Facebook, Twitter and the Snowline at 410-278-SNOW for installation closures, delays, and early releases due to weather emergencies.
Allison Fenwick, a program manager from Corvias, informed attendees that Corvias has hired a new landscaping company and encouraged residents to contact her with any feedback.
A representative from the Installation Safety Office (ISO) said the updated motorcycle policy is almost complete, and that more motorcycle events are scheduled for spring 2015.
New issues discussed included installation-wide energy conservation efforts, additional stork parking spaces at Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic and the Post Commissary, maintenance issues, and CORVIAS customer service requests.
Also, it was announced that an Active Shooter Awareness briefing for APG housing residents will be held in the Corvias Community Center March 11, at a time to be determined.
The next Community Voice Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 19 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. in Bldg. 305, main conference room. For more information, contact Karen Dern at 410-278-0001 or karen.a.dern4.civ@mail.mil.
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