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Martin's Additions council narrows survey questions, seeks clearer outreach on Brookville project
Summary
Council debated whether to include politically framed questions in the annual resident survey and redirected the question toward neutral, service‑oriented wording; members also asked the survey to probe whether residents feel sufficiently informed about multiyear capital projects such as the Brookville sidewalk.
The Village of Martin's Additions council spent a large portion of its meeting discussing the wording and scope of this year’s annual resident survey, with members agreeing to avoid politically framed items and to focus on neutral, actionable questions that could inform village services.
Council members weighed a two‑part suggestion from Alexa, who proposed asking whether residents have been affected by actions of the federal administration and whether the village should take a stance. Several council members, including Jeff, pushed back on making the survey a vehicle for political questions. “I think it could be rephrased,” Jeff said, arguing the village should instead ask whether residents face concrete problems such as unemployment or loss of insurance and how the village might help.
Manager Michael said the survey team from the University of Maryland produced the packet and reminded the council the survey period covers 07/01/2024 to 06/30/2025, and that any questions included should produce information the council can act on. Michael also suggested direct outreach options if the council wants to help residents struggling with job loss, rather than relying solely on the survey.
Members reached consensus to omit the originally proposed politically worded question and instead work on neutral phrasing that would capture whether residents have been impacted in ways the village could respond to (employment, health care, or other needs). The council also agreed to add a question asking whether residents feel adequately informed about major, multiyear capital projects — an item prompted by councillors who said the Brookville sidewalk is not yet completed and will dominate community attention in coming months.
Council members asked staff to rework the survey language and circulate a draft; additional suggested survey items (volunteerism, limited‑attendance events, a community bulletin board) were discussed and assigned to committees for follow up.
The council did not take a formal final vote on the entire survey during the meeting; staff were directed to refine wording and to accept written proposals from members within a short window for inclusion.
