President Joe Carrick called the regular meeting of the Residents’ Council [the Council] to order at 3:00 pm on Tuesday June 3, 2025. 76 residents attended including Residents’ Council members minus two.  Don Grove, Charlestown Executive Director, represented the administration.

Moment of Silence
The Council observed a moment of silence for those who have passed away.
Previously distributed minutes of the May 6, 2025 meeting of the Residents’ Council meeting were approved as presented.

Mission Moment
Andrea Harvey celebrates resident and friend Jim Fitzsimmons for enhancing her and her guests’ appreciation for Our Lady of the Angels Chapel by sharing his time and expertise. When Andrea brought family members and a friend to enjoy the beauty of the chapel during the holiday season, Jim, the only other person in the chapel approached the group and offered a tour.

Jim gave the delighted group an extensive personal tour of the entire chapel, including “its history, the acquisition of the marble, explanations of the statuary and other architecture dressing on the walls and the alter, descriptions of the paintings, the selection of the organ and identification of the honored dead buried there. Andrea concludes, “my guests and I appreciated the thoroughness of the descriptions that Jim gave and the time he was willing to share. We all have a broader understanding of the uniqueness and beauty of Charlestown’s chapel, thanks to Jim. If Jim and Andrea are here would you please stand up to be recognized?

Executive Team Reports

Joe Carrick President
The month of June has always been a favorite month for me. It’s the start of those lazy days of summer and this week we expect temperatures to be in the 90s. June is a time when nature is in full bloom, schools begin their summer breaks, and many people head outdoors to enjoy vacations, festivals, and barbecues. June is also a month of celebration, hosting events like Pride Month, Father’s Day, and the summer solstice—the longest day of the year. With its vibrant energy and promise of sunshine, June often feels like a joyful gateway to the heart of summer. There is much to do at Charlestown this month. The annual softball game is tomorrow, and the Sluggers will do their best to bring home the trophy. Friday the 13^th is the Summer Solstice Spectacular. The Dance Party takes place on June 20 in the Conference Center, and then on June 24 it is the Pride Walk. The special activities for the month end with a concert on June 27 in the auditorium featuring The Pilgrims of Deep Run. What a way to start the summer.

In addition to all the special activities this month, please take time to get to know the candidates for this year election which is on August 6^th. Later we will be introducing these candidates so get to know who they are and why they stepped forward to run for the Council.

While you may have come for the cookies and drink I know the real treat is hearing Committees report what they have been doing for the Community. So, let’s get on with the show. First up is our treasurer.

Connie Cooney, Treasurer

Balance – April 30, 2025                     $ 8,198.16
Expenses                                             $    727.58
Deposit                                                $    186.00
Balance –  May 31, 2025                    $  7,654.58

May Expenses 2025                            Expenses Details
Secretary                                             $        46.23      Supplies
Nomination & Election                       $      681.35      Posters
Total                            $     727.58

Committee Reports

Benevolent Care, Virginia Antevil, Chair
Benevolent Care Legacy Giving/Planned Gifts – There have already been three new Planned Gifts so far this year, and  individual discussions with residents are underway for additional benevolent care gifts.
Upcoming Plans include a focus on KPI (Key Performance Indicators) to increase Planned Giving; continued committee leadership/staff participation in “Neighborhood Chats”; and a seminar to be led by Philanthropy Manager Rachel Susio on Charlestown’s “Home for Life” program with a Planned Giving Focus – “Facts and Myths”.
It was noted that Benevolent Care fundraising needs to be a “year-round” process.

Next meeting: Wednesday, June 25 at 2:30 in Charlestown Square Room 116.

Communications, Larry Taylor, Chair
Our Website Committee changes to CCI-Charlestown.org include:

• Catonsville Restaurant List (which is under Useful Sites).
• Changes to the Dining Menu Layout.
• Updated IT Glossary and Terms (which is under Help, IT Glossary List).
• They also noted that our Pet Gallery has grown and now has about 60+ Pets showing (It’s on the Main menu under Pets at Charlestown.)
• Our Evergreen topics have been posted to ccicharlestown.org, which are now on the Main menu. Evergreen Topics are monthly new and recurring matters of interest for our community.

Resident Resources

• We asked about the Event Registration Project where you can sign up for an event and pay for it in MyErickson. Resident Resources are still working on this.
• The new Club guidebook is still in the works. Resident Resources is having problems getting our club’s information back from about 75 of our clubs. These clubs have not responded back to them, so they are trying to call each group to get their updates.

General Services

• As mentioned last month we are still seeing these Xfinity Scams, they say or read: Please Update Your Account Information or Payment Update Required. Do not reply to any of these texts or emails, just delete them.
• The Committee asked about when the implementation of badge entry into Cross Creek Station, Brookside, Herberts Run and St Charles buildings. No start date has been set to date.
• We have also asked about the Power Outage which occurred Sunday May 11 and which caused surges in some apartments. Per General Services this was due to an outage outside of the Community (BGE).

IT Tech Support updates

• Shuttle Tracker iPads – IT noted that they have the new Mounting Bracket for Herberts Run and were working with General Services to get this installed last week. The committee is still asking for a Shuttle Tracker iPad at the Resident Brookside entrance. Also, the Fountain Hill Tracker will be installed after the lobby Historic refresh.
• IT had 155 Work Orders that were completed in April and the average close time was 2 days.
• The Refectory Access Points were installed. This should help with WiFi calling in this area.
• The Mobile Phone System for Continuing Care is still waiting for paperwork to be completed but it is still scheduled this year.
• We are still requesting a procedure for installing Printers (Process) for each of the 3 main brands to our Erickson Enterprise NetworkA network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams. See also... READ MORE. It now appears that our local IT will only provide the standard process per Erickson IT which is not printer pacific.  Our requested process would help Resident’s install or reinstall their printers themselves.
• Reminder – Microsoft Windows 10 will reach End-of-Support on Oct. 14, 2025.

Quarterly Technology Assistance Day (Tech Bar) is this Wednesday 10 AM to 12 PM at the Chesapeake Restaurant.  This is a FREE event.  Also, onsite service calls can be booked at this event, and they are also FREE!

Next Communications Committee meetings will be held on Tuesday June 23, at 2:00 PM. If you need the ZoomAI Companion is a generative AI-powered assistant from Zoom (for those with the paid version). It uses large language models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta, and has also trained itself by listening in on thousands of meetings between Zoom employees.  Some of its uses include:
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Conservation Committee, Charles Robinson & Jack Flood, Co-Chairs
I would like to introduce the new Co-Chair John Flood since Mark Buehman has resigned.  Jack Flood will complete his term.

At our meeting we found that bottles at the bars are being recycled. We discussed our displays at the Nature Festival event.

Mark Buehman will provide more presentations on special topics in the future.

Next meeting: Tuesday, June 17, at 2:00 pm in BR1.

Dining Services, Stephanie Leddy and Cathy Stevens, Co-Chairs
There is currently no catering manager. The Executive Team is interviewing now.

Cafe on Main is slated to open in August. Once it’s open, the Fireside will close briefly to install tables and chairs where the dessert station is now, and to install soundproofing panels. Once finished, the Terrace will close for renovation. Cafe on Main is to seat 100 and Terrace to seat 270 once done.

Employee Picnic is 6/11. All restaurants will close at 1:00 for lunch and will reopen at 4:00 for dinner. Summer Solstice is 6/13. Cafes will only be open 11 – 4 and restaurants will only be open 12 – 4. No dinner service that night.

Paul and team are working to develop:

• A system where residents can verify their previously made reservations.
• A system where all residents who make reservation receive a confirmation of some kind.
• A system where residents who make reservations get a “day of” reminder.

Subcommittee reports:

• Atrium complained about peach cobbler dessert – it’s not very good. Also, tables were not being cleared as the meal progressed.
• Terrace complained that salads were very watery.
• Atrium diners were very happy about patio dining.

Next meeting: Monday, June 16 at 1:30 at CS116.

Finance, Art Johnson, Chair
Jill Clippinger reviewed the April Financial Statement. Net operating Income for Independent Living behind budgeted amount

Independent Living and continuing Care NOI ahead of budget

Cost per Resident Day was higher than budgeted due mainly due to the cost of utilities and overtime pay.  The cost of utilities will continue to be a challenge throughout the year.

Overall, Charlestown is in strong financial shape.

The number of Benevolent Care residents remained at 14 in April.

The Finance Committee finalized its report on CapEx26 proposals, which has been submitted to Charlestown’s Finance Director, Executive Director and Associate Executive Director.  It also will be shared with the Residents’ Council and posted on My EricksonMy Erickson is a resident portal. It is provided by Erickson Corporate and is managed by Charlestown staff, mainly Community Resources. See Portal. READ MORE.

The Committee has recommended ten projects to be given serious consideration in the budget process for 2026.

These proposals originated with Charlestown residents and Residents’ Council committees. They are among several capital budget projects that management will consider for its 2026 budget.  There is neither any commitment nor guarantee that these proposals will be accepted for Charlestown’s 2026 budget. However, we believe that several of them are aligned with projects already under way or being considered by Charlestown management.

The proposals submitted to management, in no particular order or priority, are as follows.
Anchoring and leveling of campus outside sitting benches
Mobile Phone Renovation (Independent Living)
Auditorium Renovation 
Improved Accessibility for Handicapped Users of Charlestown Public Restrooms
Install Sidewalk Railing by Edgewood Parking Lot
Supplemental Funding Request for Charlestown Lake Trail Project
Cross Creek/Brookside Landscape Re-Design
Screening the Transportation Knoll
Holiday Lighting
NetworkA network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams. See also... READ MORE Infrastructure Renovation

We will soon post this list, with more information, on MyErickson.
Next meeting: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 9:00 in Brookside 1.

Grounds, Dick Voelkel Chair
Dates for lake hydro raking and overhead support pier work are still not scheduled.

Edgewood Courtyard still has lighting problems – both sidewalks’  lights are completely dead.

Access to enter Edgewood building at loading dock is fixed.

Problems with non-conforming resident-planted trees were addressed by Grounds supervisor and pruning will commence soon.

Invasive garlic mustard was mostly removed by the invasive plants crew though there is still a large patch of it next to the lake trail.

Grounds sustainability discussion was led by Bonnie Kawecki and it was agreed to form a subcommittee. Two members of the main committee have offered to join, and additional members will be requested from the Conservation Committee and residents at large.

Next meeting: Tuesday June 24 changed to Caton Woods at 10 am

Health Services, Marty White and Lois Eldred, Co-Chairs

• We usually hold our Health Services Committee on the second Tuesday of the month. It coincided with the Continuing Care and Financial Consideration Seminar which we attended in lieu of monthly meeting. As we were planning to address this issue at the HSC meeting.

• Continuing Care: Report from the Caton Woods Council Meeting.
  • Individual concerns were addressed.
  • Nursing: The care is wonderful.
  • Residents requested information regarding the staffing ratios, particularly for aides. It more than meets current standards for continuing care facilities. There is a large staffing float pool, which at times hinders consistency (similar to homecare.)
  • Assistant Managers: Zach Goldberg will be leaving mid-June to assume the leadership role at Riderwood. His replacement is Tracy Montague, a wellness manager from the Erickson Regional Office. Administrators are good at problem solving and quick to respond to issues. Human Resources does a great job recruiting staff.
• Educational Events in April/May:
  • Preserving Independence through Assistive Devices and In-Modifications
  • Continuing Care and Financial Consideration Seminar
  • The cost of long-term care has gone up approximately 70% in the last 5 years, as opposed to 26% in Independent Living. Nevertheless, people who need daily home care services may find that it is more cost effective to enter Assisted Living
  • Parkinson’s Group: Value of Primary Care in Parkinson’s Management: Dr. Ashley Kinder
• Medication Disposal Event occurred May 19. Next Disposal Event: August 25, 2025
• We have seen the successful placement of grab bars at Chesapeake Restaurant women’s restroom and are waiting with BATED BREATH for the installation of more of them in public restrooms.

Next Health Services Committee Meeting is Tuesday, June 10, 11:00 AM at Brookside Classroom 1.

Housekeeping, Jean Williamson, Chair
As we continue, together, to keep our home here at Charlestown healthy, safe, clean and attractive, it is important that as residents we also support the efforts of the Housekeeping Department, who are here for us daily, in the evening, on weekends and holidays…cleaning, dusting, removing stains, as well as Orkin, who is working diligently  every day on the pest control issues. As an individual, I know it is so difficult to give up things that you view as important or that you truly enjoy, such as placing bird feeders on your patio or balcony, walking your dog or pet inside, where they may have accidents, or even cooking and sharing your treats by putting them on shelves outside your apartment or in the lobby. These were important, and it is hard to give them up. But when those things negatively affect other residents, we also have a responsibility to do what is right.

So, three things residents can do to make such a difference…
Discontinue use of Bird Feeders placed outside your apartment
Place your plastic trash bags in trash cans
Do not place food on shelves and tables in the halls or lobbies
Orkin is working on our pest control efforts and have recently increased staffing to enhance service coverage. Another Orkin employee is now assisting Rex with his daily work duties.

In addition, they have recently installed exterior bait stations; implemented mass trapping initiatives; are focusing on completing annual apartment inspections; continuing to identify and seal any pest outside entry points; and, working with other communities to see if there are areas of opportunity. So, we as residents need to support these efforts. Housekeeping also just hired 5 new employees from the Job Fair of May 23.

As a reminder, all plastic bags need to be placed in trash cans, which are supplied by General Services and Housekeeping. All you have to do is call General Services, request a can, and it will be delivered to your door!

Flyers have now been distributed to Parkview, Chapel Court, Greentree Court, Harbor View, Caton Ridge and St. Charles. The Flyer is actually a message from Administration, General Services, and Housekeeping, as a reminder of the importance of using a can to reduce risk of carpet stains and, importantly, supporting the pest control efforts.

This effort will continue as we work around the campus, doing one building at a time to ensure the availability of trash cans when you call.

As reminder, if you “See Something, Say Something,” allowing Housekeeping to be aware of any issues needing attention. Working together is what will make a difference!

Next meeting: Monday, June 17 at 10:00 in BR 1.

Legislative/Political, Paulette Hammond and Richard Lee, Co-Chairs

May was a very busy time for us. We held a Legislative Wrap up with our elected officials on May 13 in the auditorium.

We also held a Redistricting Forum on Wednesday, May 14 in the Conference Center with two speakers promoting slightly different versions of the redistricting map, as opposed by the one submitted by the Redistricting Commission.

We will host our Councilman Pat Young at our next regularly scheduled meeting. We are hoping  to get his view on the upcoming redistricting process  and reappointment of Kelly Madigan, Baltimore County Inspector General.

Our next meeting is June 11, 2025, at 10am in BR Classroom 1.

Maintenance and Engineering, Rob Vickerman, Chair

1. The Brookside parking area lights are being destroyed by trucks running over them. We were told by the General Service representative that engineering was looking into a fix for that problem. The fix was to remove the Charlestown trucks. That hasn’t happened yet. Maybe soon.
2. Low vision group still would like black stripes on the exterior stair treads (not necessary on the risers – only treads) at and around the Chapel.  The group has received mixed messaging about who can or will authorize this work.  Low vision group repeated the request for contrasting numbers in elevators – CTS elevator is of particular concern. Low vision asked about status of CTS stairwell between classrooms 216 and 116.  Maintenance said the new light fixtures were ordered and received but are awaiting approval from Jay Spivey to install.  Additionally, they asked about the carpet on the steps. Joe Carrick said the carpet was new, only a year or so old so it would not be replaced.  There was discussion about a different method to make it easier for low vision residents.  Maybe a plastic strip could be installed on the edges of the steps over the carpet? The General Service person was asked to have Chris find out why approval is needed to put in the lights since it was approved to also be approved to have them installed. It was asked if the approval was for a contractor to put in the lights.
3. Yellow paint markings on the exterior are disappearing – told there would be annual inspection with no date specified. The GS person was asked to have Chris get back to me on the date of the annual inspection. We learned that it is the grounds department that does the yellow strips so Joe said he would pass to the Grounds Committee Chair to check when they will start redoing the yellow strips.
4. George Banville requested a wall railing in Arborside. They have a wall with no railing (like most all hallways have) to assist those who need to take a break and hang-on but also to preserve the wall from the big bins used for trash and recycling. George Banville also mentioned that he has sent emails to Chris Revel in General Services since the last meeting but never gets a response.

Next meeting: Wednesday, May 27, at 2:00 in BR1. This is a change since we will no longer hold meetings in the General Service Conference room.

Nominating and Elections Committee, Nancy Meier and Connie Cooney, Co-Chairs
Good Afternoon, I’m Connie Cooney and along with Nancy Meier I’m Co-Chair of the Residents’ Council Nominating Committee for 2025.

The Committee has been talking to potential candidates since late January, and I am pleased to announce that we have a very strong slate of 12 candidates running this year. The posters of the candidates with pictures and their bios, and election material will be available about July 1st, please review and get to know your candidates and their backgrounds and qualifications. On behalf of the Committee, I would like to introduce this year’s candidates:

• John Arnold
• Betty Elder
• Edith Hahn
• Sandy Mack
• Brian McGill
• Patti Ormiston
• Gary Rogers
• Cathy Stevens
• Hope Tillman
• Patricia Whittier
• Dick Zabela
• Barbara Zimmer

Election Day will be Wednesday, August 6, outside the restaurant near where you live.  Due to the uncertainty of space because of the construction in the historic area Buildings 1-5 will probably vote at separate tables near the Terrace Restaurant.  More info will be given as we get closer to the election.

Resident Life, Bill Jones and Fred Sadler, Co-Chairs

• The Low Vision Program is attempting to schedule a session with an Ophthalmologist to give a presentation to visually impaired residents and hopes to do this by September. The group will be meeting on June 10^th to discuss other future programs.
• The Dine Together Program saw 30 people participate in May and 32 people last night. It was especially gratifying to hear many new residents making plans to get together at other times. Planning is underway to try to add a new lunchtime group once the Café on Main is completed.
• The Dining Ambassador Program welcomed Cathy Stevens as its new coordinator. This program has been pairing new residents for dinner primarily in Brookside and Herberts Run. Plans are underway to gradually expand the program to the other neighborhoods.
• Margaret Vincent continues to publish the New Resident Newsletter each Sunday and distribute it to approximately 80 people. Feedback on the newsletter continues to be very positive and the new residents find the information extremely helpful and timely.
• The Transportation Sustainability group has investigated the potential of having a presentation by Uber and Lyft representatives. This has proven difficult as there does not seem to be a regional coordination of these services, but efforts still are underway. A future presentation by Maryland Mobility Link and the Baltimore County Ride program is being investigated.

Next meeting: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 2:00 at Brookside Classroom 2.

Safety and Security, Ed Appel, Chair

• The most important issue we see relates to fraud. As the FBI (60 Minutes, June 1) tells us:
• All our personal information – name, address, SSAN, etc. – is available on the dark web, where fraudsters buy, sell and trade stolen information and illicit goods
• Nation states and criminal gangs are using our personal information for fraud
• Example: victims of the Palisades fire near LA have had their identities stolen by fraudsters to collect relief funds
• In 2023, $60 billion was stolen by fraudsters, much of which was from seniors.

Here at Charlestown, many of us have fallen victim to fraud, identity theft and most of us are receiving texts, emails, phone calls and mail intended to steal our money. Here’s what individuals can do:

• Assume that every text, email and phone call you receive is attempted fraud, even if it comes from family, friends and acquaintances
• Never respond to links, phone numbers or email addresses of messages received
• Only communicate through websites, phone numbers and email addresses of known and trusted family, friends, associates, government agencies and businesses
• Demands for immediate or emergency contact are almost always fraudulent
• Examples currently used by fraudsters:
  • Maryland unpaid traffic ticket scam
  • Amazon, FedEx, UPSAn uninterruptible power supply or uninterruptible power source (UPS) is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source fails. It is supposed to kick in when there is a power outage. A UPS is typically used to protect hardware such as computers, data cent... READ MORE and Postal delivery and fee scams
  • Tax relief scams
  • EZPass Maryland toll passes scams
  • Work from home scams
  • Emergency need for wired funds requests from people we know
• These are just a few of the recent scams out there
• When in doubt, consult someone you trust before responding to questionable messages

Next meeting: Thursday, June 12 at 1:00 in CTS 116

Update from Don Grove
Don expressed appreciation to Finance Committee Chair Art Johnson for his excellent and thorough work on the process for submitting CAPEX proposals. He’s pleased that a good process has now been put into place and thanked Residents’ Council committee chairs for their diligent efforts in submitting clearly thought-out proposals. He said the Executive Team will carefully review all these proposals and respond back to Council leadership.

He thanked Residents’ Council candidates for their willingness to serve on the Council.

Don noted that  some older trees in the historic entrance area need to come down, and for this purpose that entrance will be closed on weekends for the balance of June. New trees will be planted in the area. The next stage will be facade work that is scheduled to begin during the second half of June, and it’s expected that this work will continue until next spring.

A search is underway for a new Catering Manager. Also, Shawn White, Assistant Manager, Security and EMS, will be the new security manager at the Grandview.

The Administration is following up on recent power outages and interruptions in Internet services, and it’s expected that improvements to IT services will be made as soon as possible in 2026.

There were no questions, and the Council meeting was adjourned at 4:05pm.

Respectively submitted,
Nancy Meier, Residents’ Council Secretary
Virginia Antevil, RC Assistant Secretary.