Evening star., 1949-02-09
.Legis|atorsG
Bill 10 Expand
Takon1a Park
CounciI-Monoger.
Plan Is Studied by
County Legislators
By J. B. Zotmon
Stor Sfoff Correspondent

ANNAPOLIS, Feb. e.--Proposed
legislation to expand Takorla
Park to nearly double it's present
area with a council-manager form
Of government was being studied
today by the Montgomery and
Prince Georges County legislative
delegations.
The bill was presented to the
two groups last night by members
Of a committee representing five
civic organizations in the Prince
Georges section of the city.
Also submitted was request by
Frank Warfield, representing
Safeway Stores. for an amend
ment to the State liquor laws to
permit the sale of beer in the
firms Montgomery and Prince
Georges stores.
Under the Takoma Park bill, the
city's boundaries would be ex-
tended to take in the 22d pre-
cinct of the 18th election district
in Montgomery County and part
of the 4th precinct of the Chill
lum election district in Prince
Georges.
Population Would Be 21,O0O.
If approved, the municipalities
population would jump from about
1880 to approximately $1,000,
according to Lawrence Osterhous,
spokesman for the civic groups.
The proposal would be placed
before the voters in a referendum
next November 2.
The bill calls for the election
March %. 1850, of seven council
men, five from the Montgomery
County part of Takoma Park and
two from the Prince Georges
section.
After being sworn into Office,
the new council would designate
one of its members as Mayor. In
addition. the council would ap-
point a city manager.
Finally, the ceiling on the tax
rate of the proposed new city
would be 80 cents per $100 instead
of So, as at present. The town
tax rate now is $1.20 per $1O0.
Mr.. Osterhous contended ap-
proval of the plan would result
in more economical and efficient
municipal operation, and would
give residents more service at no
extra cost.
Plan to Expand Police.
Perry o. Wilkinson, chairman
Of the Prince Georges delegation,
suggested that the proposal be
submitted to the Mayor and
Council Of Takoma Park, so the
two county delegations could OBJ
tain their reaction.
The Prince Georges delegation
received petition from DR.. Sher-
wood Citizens, a member of the
City Council. asking that IL cents
OF the Is cents per $100 now paid
Prince Georges County each year
by the Prince Georges section of
the town for police protection be
returned to the municipality.
DR.. Citizens explained the ap-
proximately $4,000 involved would
be used to expand the city police
force while the county police
would be relieved of patrol duty
in that portion of Takoma Park
lying in Prince Georges.
He added that if the Prince
Georges delegation supports the
necessary legislation similar re-
quest would be presented for the
Montgomery part of the city.
At present Montgomery County
has four policemen and three desk
clerks at the Takoma Park sub
station, he said. He claimed, how
ever, that the Montgomery police
men cannot be integrated with
our city police and they cannot
operate on the Prince Georges
side of the town."
Six Bills Explained.
Prince Georges Delegate William
H. McGrath said the Council
would have to reach an agreement
with the Prince Georges County
Commissioners before the delega-
ton could take any action.
Provisions of six bills dealing
with Takoma Park were explained
by Councilman w. H. McClenon.
They would:
/. Advance the election date in
the town from the first Monday
in May to the fourth Tuesday
in March, fix the date of taking
Office to the second Monday in
April and permit the use of vot-
ing machines in town elections.
2. Repeal an obsolete law re-
lating to assessments.
3. Authorize city officials to
assess property owners for drain
age systems either on the as
sessed value or on a square foot
basis of the property affected.
4. Eliminate discounts for ad-
vance tax payments.
S. Require the Boards of Elec-
tion Supervisors in Montgomery
and Prince Georges Counties to
certify lists of eligible voters in
the town before February i, dur
ing election years.
6. Require the Mayor and
Council to hold a public hearing
before adopting a budget.