Rockville has made WalletHub’s annual list of Best Small Cities in America for 2019.

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Ashton, Feinberg, Myles and Pierzchala Elected to Council Seats

Rockville voters re-elected Bridget Donnell Newton as mayor, with 7,561 votes, or 63.75% of the total, according to unofficial results in the City of Rockville’s historic Vote by Mail election, which were announced early Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Four councilmembers were also elected: Monique Ashton, Beryl L. Feinberg, David Myles and Mark Pierzchala.

The Mayor and Council serve four-year terms.

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Look for Rockville’s latest 2019-2020 winter guide, “LIFE in Rockville,” which lists all the programs, events, classes and fun available from the city’s Recreation and Parks Department.

Rockville has something for you and your kids to take part in, whether it’s preschool programs, sports, arts, dance or getting fit.

Also look for “60+,” the Rockville Senior Center’s guide to classes, programs and events for those aged 60 and older.

The guides will be available in print and online by early December.

General registration for Recreation and Parks programs begins Thursday, Dec. 5. Most winter programs will begin the week of Jan. 6.

Find recreation guides at www.rockvillemd.gov/guide, and search and sign up for courses and programs at www.rockvillemd.gov/registration.

Last Minute Tips, Where to Find Results, and Inauguration Information

The deadline for Rockville voters to get their ballots to City Hall for the 2019 Vote by Mail election is 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Casting Ballots

• Mail the ballot back in the postage-paid envelope — postmarks don’t count so ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Nov. 5.
• Bring your ballot, 24/7, to the secured drop box, before 8 p.m. Nov. 5, in the upper parking lot of City Hall.
• Bring your ballot to the vote center at City Hall from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, where voter assistance will be available. Qualified Rockville residents will be able to register and vote the same day on Election Day.

Ballot Replacement
For voters who have not received a ballot, or who have lost or incorrectly filled out their ballot, a replacement ballot can be issued at the vote center.

Qualified Rockville residents who register and vote the same day on Nov. 5 will be issued a provisional ballot, and will be required to bring a current, valid photo ID with a City of Rockville address or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document with the voter’s name and current address. Documents must be dated within three months of the election.

There will be only one vote center on Election Day. The city will no longer operate polling places.

Results
Unofficial results will become available as soon as all ballots have been counted after the election deadline, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 in the following places:

• www.rockvillemd.gov.
• Broadcast on Rockville 11 (channel 11 on county cable systems).
• Via social media on the City of Rockville’s Facebook and Twitter accounts (www.facebook.com/cityofrockville and www.twitter.com/rockville411 respectively.
• On Nextdoor at www.nextdoor.com.Via text alert (text ROCKVOTES to 888777 to sign up).

Following the Election
Official results will be certified and announced on Nov. 12.

An inauguration ceremony for the new Mayor and Council will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Drive. The inauguration is open to the public.

The first meeting of the Mayor and Council will be 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18.

City Pairs Helpers with Seniors

Each winter the Rockville Senior Center looks for ways to help older Rockville residents with snow removal. If you’re handy with a shovel and don’t mind digging out an extra driveway or clearing a walkway or two, you can sign up and volunteer for the program.

The senior center’s home maintenance coordinator organizes the program and can connect you with neighbors in need near your home. What better way to celebrate the season of selfless giving?

To sign up to volunteer or to request snow-shoveling assistance, email Jerry Jones at jjones@rockvillemd.gov, call him at 240-314-8819 or call the Senior Center Support Services office at 240-314-8810.

To sign up for assistance or volunteer online, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/snowshoveling.

For more information about Rockville Senior Services, call 240-314-8800 or email seniorcenter@rockvillemd.gov.

When winter weather strikes, turn to the city’s website at www.rockvillemd.gov/winterweather for information about Rockville’s snow removal policies.

The installation of small-cell antennas will begin in city rights of way during the next few weeks.

Rockville adopted guidelines and fees for small-cell installations subsequent to a Federal Communications Commission order that went into effect Jan. 14. That order pre-empted many aspects of the city’s ability to regulate the installation of the small antennas used in the wireless network.

Small-cell antennas seek to create a next-generation 5G network that delivers faster internet and increases cell phone service coverage, as well as providing additional capacity for existing 4G networks. They can be a maximum of 3 cubic feet, with up to 28 cubic feet of associated equipment. They are intended to provide additional coverage in areas with a high volume of cell traffic, or to fill in areas with marginal coverage.

The FCC order requires local governments to allow the antennas in public rights of way; to act on applications to install antennas within 60 or 90 days, depending on the type of installation; and to publish aesthetic standards for the installation. It also regulates the fees that local governments can charge.

Fourteen permits for small wireless facilities have been issued so far by the City of Rockville, mainly on city-owned streetlight poles, which will be replaced and reinstalled to match existing poles.

For more information, visit RockvilleReports.com and search for “small cell.”

The State Highway Administration will host a series of public workshops in Frederick and Montgomery counties in mid-November to provide an overview of plans for Interstate 270 between interstates 370 and 70. The workshops will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. as follows:

• Tuesday, Nov. 12 at Clarksburg High School, 22500 Wims Road, Clarksburg.
• Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Lincoln Recreation Center, Lincoln Elementary School, 200 Madison St., Frederick.
• Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Urbana Fire Department Banquet Hall, 3602 Urbana Pike, Frederick.
• Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg.

The workshops will provide an overview of pre-National Environmental Policy Act activities and the NEPA process; discuss the transportation needs of the corridor; and identify potential solutions and existing environmental considerations.

Pre-NEPA activities include a review of existing and future traffic, roadway and environmental conditions to inform the development of alternatives. There will be a brief presentation at 7 p.m. during each workshop. Attendees will be able to review display boards and meet with SHA staff.

Meeting materials, including an online presentation, will be available at 495-270-p3.com.

Free sessions at the Rockville Senior Center will show you ways to live fuller and more healthily this month.

Register at the senior center’s information desk, by calling 240-314-8800 or online with the course number at www.rockvillemd.gov/registration.

• Introduction to Jin Shin Jyutsu: Self-Help for Healing and Optimum Health. In this free session, from 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, learn about an ancient healing art that helps the body’s energy and promotes optimum health and healing. Simple self-help will be taught for daily maintenance, and to help with stress, anxiety, preventing colds, breathing issues and more. Betty Figlure has been a JSJ practitioner for over 35 years. Register with course #10605.
• Random Acts of Kindness. Wednesday, Nov. 13 is World Kindness Day! That day, from 1-2 p.m., a free presentation and discussion will explore the science and health benefits of being kind. Register with course #10607.
• Moving Forward with Parkinson’s Disease. Whether from genetic makeup or environmental factors, certain triggers put us at risk for developing the neurodegenerative brain disorder Parkinson’s Disease. Discover current research and findings with Dr. Kelly Mills, a Johns Hopkins assistant professor of neurology, from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14. Register with course #10579 for this free session.
• Living Well Self-Management Workshop. This free six-week workshop on Tuesdays, from Nov. 5-Dec. 10, aims to help you enjoy a healthier life. Maximize your potential even when a long-term health condition may require you to alter your activities. Discover new ways to break the “symptom cycle.” Anyone with long-term health conditions, as well as their family, friends and caregivers can attend. Sessions take place from 10:30 a.m-1 p.m. Register with course #10624.

Rockville will honor veterans of our nation’s armed forces at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Park.

The ceremony, which is open to the public, will include a wreath laying and a military salute by the American Legion Post 86 Honor Guard. A reception will follow at American Legion Post 86, at 2013 Veirs Mill Road.

Rockville and Montgomery County residents who have retired from, or currently serve in, the United States military are eligible to take part in the ceremony.

If you are a military member interested in being a guest speaker at future city events, please contact Amanda Knox at aknox@rockvillemd.gov or at 240-314-8620.

For more information, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/veteransday, email specialevents@rockvillemd.gov or call 240-314-8620.

The City of Rockville’s Department of Public Works brought home its first-ever championship trophy at this year’s Snow Road-eo, hosted by the City of Gaithersburg, on Oct. 10.

The friendly competition, which allows snowplow crews to hone their skills in preparation for snow season, involves eight obstacles, set up to simulate tight turning conditions crews often face while using large trucks to clear snow from city streets. Rockville’s 12 teams scored 8,595 total points to Gaithersburg’s 8,480.

Rockville’s teams were (driver/spotter): Billy Pritchard III/Danny Dodson, William Moore Jr./Brad Stotler, Max Alfaro/Alfonso Alfaro, Angel Abarca/Eddie Poe, Jake Harrison/Trevor Davis, Travis Epley/Pat Ground, Mark Winpigler/Don Bowman, Danny Dodson/Billy Pritchard III, Brad Stotler/William Moore Jr., Alfonso Alfaro/Max Alfaro, Eddie Poe/Angel Abarca, and Trevor Davis/Jake Harrison.

The top three Rockville teams were, in order: Jake Harrison/Trevor Davis, Alfonso Alfaro/Max Alfaro, and Eddie Poe/Angel Abarca.

Crew supervisors Hilleary DeMar and Duane Pickett served as coaches. Julia Huang, a public works secretary, was the team’s coordinator. Members of the city’s fleet maintenance team joined Gaithersburg staff as judges.
It was a true team win, with the city’s streets crew setting up and taking down obstacles as plow teams trained and the department’s administrative staff assisting with various tasks and coverage.

Find a photo album from the friendly competition on the city’s Facebook page.

Learn more about how Rockville removes snow from city streets at www.rockvillemd.gov/winterweather.