The East County Regional Office links Montgomery County government with citizens and businesses in the Eastern areas of the County that include:

Burtonsville, Briggs Chaney, Burnt Mills, Calverton, Colesville, Cloverly, Fairland, Hillandale, Ashton/Sandy Spring (pt.), Spencerville and White Oak.

East County Citizens Advisory Board (ECCAB)

The ECCAB is an eighteen-member board appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the Council to advise, advocate for and make recommendations to the Executive, Council and East County Regional Director on needs and issues impacting residents and communities of East County.

The Full Board and its Committees Meet Monthly Except in July and August.

Please Note:

The Next ECCAB regular monthly meetings will be (IN PERSON) on

Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 7:00 pm.

The ECCAB Planning and Economic Development Committee will meet on Monday, December 12, 2022, 7:00 P.M.

The ECCAB Quality of Life/Services Committee will Meet on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, 7:00 pm

___________________

ECCAB Meetings Are Held at:

East County Regional Services Office

3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904

______________________

Meetings are open to the public.

For the full meeting agenda please contact-[email protected]

240-777-8414

A message from the County Executive

County Executive Marc Elrich provides updates on the Nov. 16 explosion and fire at the Potomac Oaks Condominium complex in Gaithersburg, telling how to help the victims while fire investigators search for the cause. He has strong feelings about antisemitic graffiti that has been found in various locations in the Bethesda area. He looks forward to working with Dr. Kisha Davis, a Quince Orchard High School alumnus, who he nominated, and this week was confirmed by the County Council, as the new County health officer. In addition, he is enthusiastic that a leading international company in the biotech industry announced it would be expanding its Rockville operations and eventually adding 500 employees in Montgomery County.  Read more.

Budget Forum Calendar

Please mark your calendars for the County Budget Forums. The County seeks your input! The forums will be held virtually and in person starting November 14. 

FREE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE AT THE EAST COUNTY REGIONAL SERVICES CENTER, 3300 BRIGGS CHANEY ROAD

The Department of Health and Human Services is providing free COVID-19 vaccinations (initial shots and boosters) at the East County Regional Service Center on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, for ages 5 and older. To make an appointment go to www.GoVaxMoCo.com or scan the QR code below. Walk-ins are also welcome. COVID booster shots are strongly recommended to maintain immunity against new strains and help reduce the chance of severe illness or death from COVID-19. Vaccinations for 6 months and older are also available at select MCPS school locations in East County on Saturdays and Sundays. Please see the online schedule for more locations and times.

Montgomery County Board Vacancies

Apply Online at Links Below

County Executive Marc Elrich is committed to representation on all of the County’s boards, committees, and commissions that is reflective of, and responsive to, our County’s residents. Public participation contributes to the work of County government and provides an important service to the community when a variety of issues, concerns, and viewpoints are presented.

You may access information regarding boards, committees, and commissions, including application instructions here. Please carefully read application instructions on that page. Then select View and Apply for Vacancies for all currently posted notices.

Currently, there is a valuable opportunity to serve on the following:

East County Citizens Advisory Board

The deadline for application is November 18, 2022.

Please share this notice with anyone who may be interested.

Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, genders, geography, disabilities, ethnicities, and ages are encouraged to apply. Members of County boards, committees, and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. The County Executive’s appointments are generally subject to confirmation by the County Council. Members must complete training on the Maryland Open Meetings Act and basic parliamentary procedure. Members are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended. County boards, committees, and commissions may meet virtually by video and/or teleconference.

Elrich Seeks Applicants for East County Citizens Advisory Board

County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the East County Citizens Advisory Board.

To view the County regional service area in which you reside or work, please click on the map link and enter your address in the box that says “Enter a Mont. Co. address.” The region in which you reside or work will appear on the map. http://mcgov-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0bc839f5e691497aa77da21c1495b669

The 18-member Citizens Advisory Board serves as a liaison between the East County community, and the County Executive, County Council, and County government departments by identifying community concerns and recommending possible solutions. It also advises the Director of the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center on transportation, economic development, housing, education, human services, environment, recreation, public safety, and other issues of importance to the area. The group reviews and comments on the County’s capital and operating budgets and master plans; assists with strategies to tailor services to regional needs; conducts workshops and forums, and acts on other ad hoc issues.

The advisory board is representative of more than 105,000 residents in eastern Montgomery County. This area includes the neighborhoods of Burtonsville, Fairland, White Oak, Cloverly, Hillandale, Briggs Chaney, Calverton, Spencerville, Ashton/Sandy Spring (part of) and Colesville. The service area is bordered on the north by Howard County, on the east by Prince George’s County, on the south by Interstate 495 and on the west along Northwest Branch stream to Ednor Road.

Members serve three-year terms without compensation, but are eligible for travel and dependent care reimbursement for in-person meetings attended. The full Board currently meets the first Wednesday evening of each month at 7:00 PM except for July and August. Meetings are in-person at the East County Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring. There are two committees of the board that also meet monthly.

Holiday Special Schedules for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 24

The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have schedule and program changes for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 24.  Read more.

Arts and Social Justice Fellowship Program Presented by Strathmore and Partner Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company Now Accepting Applications for 2023

The Arts and Social Justice Fellowship, presented by Strathmore with Core Partner Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, is looking toward its second year of identifying a next generation of artists with activism. Applications for the 2023 program are now being accepted, with a deadline of Sunday, Nov. 20.  Read more.

County Executive Elrich Is Holding Hybrid Forums to Seek Input on FY 2024 Operating Budget, With Next One on Monday, Nov. 21, in Silver Spring 

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, the County’s regional services offices and community partners will host eight hybrid forums in November and December to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget. Residents can attend the forums in person or view them via the internet. 

Register for the next forum that will be held on Monday, Nov. 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Recreation Center’s social hall located at 2450 Lyttonsville Road in Silver Spring. Learn more and view the forum schedules here.

More Marching Bands and Floats Will Be In the Line of March at the Montgomery Thanksgiving Parade on Saturday, Nov. 19, in Silver Spring

The annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, which traditionally is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, this year will return in grand fashion—including new special guests— starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, in Downtown Silver Spring.  Read more.

Tips Offered for Cooking Safely

—Indoors or Out—

on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is mostly thought of as a day of celebration—and eating—with family members and friends. However, the holiday also brings some potential danger that comes with dividing attention between cooking and being social. Cooking-related fires happen more often on Thanksgiving Day in Montgomery County than on any other day of the year, according the County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS).  Read more.

Alcohol Beverage Services Partners with Local Businesses to Curb Drunk Driving During the Holiday Season with Coaster Campaign

Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) is partnering with local businesses to curb alcohol-impaired driving during the holiday season. ABS is distributing beverage coasters that feature a QR code directing patrons to an online list of alternative rides to get home safely when drinking.  Read more.

Holiday "Slide" Reminder for County-Provided Recycling and Trash Collection Services

Montgomery County Recycling & Resource Management Division

Thursday, November 24, 2022, Thanksgiving Day: County-provided recycling and trash collections is postponed on Thursday, November 24, 2022 and will slide by one day with last pick-up Saturday, November 26. The Shady Grove Transfer Station is closed Thursday, November 24, 2022.

If your collection day is: Your collection day this week is:

• Monday Monday, November 21, 2022 (no change)
• Tuesday Tuesday, November 22, 2022 (no change)
• Wednesday Wednesday, November 23, 2022 (no change)
• Thursday Friday, November 25, 2022
• Friday Saturday, November 26, 2022

If you have questions or concerns about your County-provided collection, please contact the Montgomery County Customer Service Center at 311 (out-of-County: 240-777-0311) or @311MC311.

If you (or your community) have a private contract for your trash collection, or if you live in a municipality, our schedule announcements may not apply to your collection service -- check with your hauler or community manager.

Montgomery Parks announces Thanksgiving holiday weekend operating hours 

WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, announces programming and operating hours for the Thanksgiving holiday.     

The holiday weekend, November 25 through November 27, is a time when families and friends gather to celebrate, and Montgomery Parks has many offerings that are perfect opportunities to spend time together.

Open Parkways Schedule

The Open Parkways schedule will start on Wednesday, November 23 for the holiday with portions of Sligo Creek Parkway and Beach Drive open to pedestrians and bicyclists for exercise and recreation.

Open to pedestrians and bicyclists (closed to motor vehicles) from Wednesday, November 23, at 9 a.m., to Monday, November 28, at 7 a.m. 

• Sligo Creek Parkway  
• Old Carroll Avenue to Piney Branch Road (1.1 miles)    
• Forest Glen Road to University Boulevard West (1.5 miles)    
• Beach Drive from Connecticut Avenue to Knowles Avenue (2.7 miles)     

Little Falls Parkway is now a pilot linear park with two of the four lanes along Little Falls Parkway, between Arlington Road and Dorset Avenue, available for recreational use daily.

Fun activities available during the holiday weekend include: 

• Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens (closed November 21-24)
• Fall Birding at Black Hill
• Parks, trails, gardens, playgrounds, dog parks, skate parks, outdoor exercise stations, and outdoor tennis/pickleball and basketball courts* are open daily, sunrise to sunset. (*Select outdoor courts are available for rental.)  
• The inline hockey rink at Ridge Road Recreational Park and street hockey/futsal rink at  Dewey Local Park may be permitted, or are available first come, first served, if not reserved.  
• Campfire rings are available for rental at several locations.    
• Little Bennett Campground  
• Ice Skating at Cabin John Ice Rink or Wheaton Ice Arena
• Brookside Gardens grounds open daily sunrise-sunset, Visitor Center open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Gift Shop open daily 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Conservatory open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed November 24 and 25)
• Josiah Henson Museum and Park, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday 12 to 4 p.m.

Thanksgiving weekend operating hours:

The following facilities will be CLOSED on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, 2022:

• Montgomery Parks Headquarters and Permits Offices 
• Montgomery Parks Public Information and Customer Service Office
• Brookside Visitor Center and Conservatory (Gardens remain open)
• Brookside Nature Center
• Cabin John Ice Rink
• Josiah Henson Museum and Park
• Locust Grove Nature Center
• Pauline Bentz Addie Tennis Center
• South Germantown Driving Range
• Wheaton Ice Arena
• Wheaton Indoor Tennis

The following facilities will also be CLOSED on Friday, November 25, 2022:

• Montgomery Parks Headquarters and Permits Offices 
• Montgomery Parks Public Information and Customer Service Office
• Black Hill Visitor Center and Nature Programs
• Brookside Visitor Center and Conservatory (Gardens remain open)
• Brookside Nature Center
• Locust Grove Nature Center

Montgomery County Board Vacancies

Apply Online at Links Below 



County Executive Marc Elrich is committed to representation on all of the County’s boards, committees, and commissions that is reflective of, and responsive to, our county’s residents. Public participation contributes to the work of County government and provides an important service to the community when a variety of issues, concerns, and viewpoints are presented. 

You may access information regarding boards, committees, and commissions, including application instructions here. Please carefully read application instructions on that page. Then select View and Apply for Vacancies for all currently posted notices.

Currently, there is a valuable opportunity to serve on the following:

•  Advisory Committee on Consumer Protection

The deadline for application is November 23, 2022.

Please share this notice with anyone who may be interested. 

Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, genders, geography, disabilities, ethnicities, and ages are encouraged to apply. Members of County boards, committees, and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. The County Executive’s appointments are generally subject to confirmation by the County Council. Members must complete training on the Maryland Open Meetings Act and basic parliamentary procedure. Members are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended. County boards, committees, and commissions may meet virtually by video and/or teleconference. 

County Executive Marc Elrich is committed to representation on all of the County’s boards, committees, and commissions that is reflective of, and responsive to, our County’s residents. Public participation contributes to the work of County government and provides an important service to the community when a variety of issues, concerns, and viewpoints are presented.

You may access information regarding boards, committees, and commissions, including application instructions here. Please carefully read application instructions on that page. Then select View and Apply for Vacancies for all currently posted notices.

Currently, there is a valuable opportunity to serve on the following:

• Housing Opportunities Commission

The deadline for application is December 5, 2022.

 Please share this notice with anyone who may be interested.

Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, genders, geography, disabilities, ethnicities, and ages are encouraged to apply. Members of County boards, committees, and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. The County Executive’s appointments are generally subject to confirmation by the County Council. Members must complete training on the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Montgomery County Ethics Law and basic parliamentary procedure. Members are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended. County boards, committees, and commissions may meet virtually by video and/or teleconference.

# # #

Contact: Beth Gochrach 240-777-2528

Application Deadline: December 5, 2022

Elrich Seeks Applicants for Housing Opportunities Commission

County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the Housing Opportunities Commission for two public members and one member who is directly assisted by the Housing Opportunities Commission either as a public housing resident or a recipient of housing assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher program. The incumbents are eligible to apply for reappointment.

The seven-member commission is responsible for building, managing and financing housing for low and moderate income people. Members serve five-year terms without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended.

The Commission meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 PM in Kensington. In addition, members are expected to attend regular committee meetings and property boards of directors to which they are assigned. Additional meetings are scheduled as needed. Members are required to attend at least 75 percent of the scheduled meetings.

Commissioners are required to file a public financial disclosure statement before County Executive appointment and annually thereafter, and are required to be sworn in by the Clerk of the Circuit Court before their first meeting.

Employment Opportunities

To see all the jobs available with Montgomery County, click here.

Be COVID-Prepared for the Upcoming Holiday Season

The third holiday season with COVID-19 is approaching, and everyone agrees that COVID fatigue exists. A few simple steps of caution can make being with family and friends enjoyable while reducing the risk of illness from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses such as colds and flu.  Read More

Stay Up to Date on COVID-19 and Vaccines

Montgomery County COVID-19 Portal: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/

🔵Sign up to receive the latest updates from the County, view Montgomery County specific COVID-19 data, find information on how to get vaccinated, and more.

COVIDLink: https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/

🟠Latest information from the State of Maryland on statewide data, vaccine, and testing information.

🔵Maryland’s Vaccination Support Center- 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829), 7am-10pm seven days a week.

Montgomery County Testing Information: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/testing.html

🟠Testing is free for all residents, and you can find the complete schedule for upcoming County-run testing clinics online.

Food Resources/Recursos Alimenticios: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get-help/food.html

🔵Or call the Food Access Call Center at 311

Service Consolidation Hubs:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get-help/food.html#hubs