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Colmar Manor council approves CDBG paving contract, new street signs and action on Pepco streetlight billing
Summary
On April 15, 2025, Colmar Manor's town council approved three resolutions: a PY50 Community Development Block Grant paving contract, a grant-funded replacement of town street name signs, and action on Pepco’s audit-driven streetlight billing for 19 fixtures on Bladensburg Road; residents also asked about a nearby parcel for sale and requested additional speed bumps.
On April 15, Colmar Manor’s council approved three new-business resolutions that will fund street resurfacing, replace town street-name signs and address a contested Pepco streetlight billing issue.
Town Administrator Greg recommended awarding the PY50 Community Development Block Grant paving contract (Resolution R12-2025) to Alcoa after finding that one bidder, Pronto Paving, submitted a late and nonconforming proposal. “Pronto Paving did not follow the format of the bid. They were also late,” Greg said while explaining the sealed-bid process and the RFP timeline. The contract covers paving on segments of Newton Street, Warren Street, Canyon Street, 39th Place and 37th Avenue. Allison Pages (Ward 2) moved to approve R12-2025 and Melinda Mendoza (Ward 1) seconded; the mayor called a voice vote and the council approved the resolution.
The council also approved Resolution R13-2025 to purchase redesigned street-name signs funded by a Maryland Department of Housing Community Development grant. Greg said an ad hoc citizen committee developed the signs, which pair each street name with an animal or plant evocative of the Anacostia watershed; the procurement includes new powder-coated poles. Shannon Boom Signs and Graphics Inc. was presented as the lowest qualified bidder. Allison Pages moved to accept R13-2025; Council member Fanny seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.
On Resolution R14-2025, council members discussed a Pepco audit that reduced the town’s billed inventory from 161 lights to 111 after identifying fixtures that had been incorrectly charged. Greg told the council the audit left 19 lights on Bladensburg Road in dispute because the State Highway Administration does not consider those fixtures part of the state’s inventory. Greg and a town staff member, Dan, explained the options: accept municipal responsibility and pay an estimated $320 per month increase, attempt to have Pepco or the state assume cost, or seek further clarification. Dan said the town had historically paid for those fixtures and that Pepco had removed them from the town’s inventory for roughly one year before reinstating the charge. Allison Pages moved to approve R14-2025 and Melinda Mendoza seconded; after brief discussion the council approved the resolution by voice vote.
During public comment, residents raised a separate land-use issue: a developer’s plan to subdivide and sell a parcel on Bladensburg Road (addresses referenced in resident correspondence). Town staff confirmed a public hearing on the subdivision is scheduled for May 14 and said the parcel is listed at roughly $2,000,000; staff cautioned that the town does not currently have the funds to purchase the site outright but said it could explore grant or partnership options. Residents also asked for additional speed bumps on 40th and 42nd Avenues near the renovated park; council asked residents to submit precise locations so staff can evaluate traffic-calming priorities.
The meeting closed after the votes and the council moved to a budget work session to continue developing the 2026 budget. The council indicated residents can follow posted notices on the town website for details about the May 14 hearing and other upcoming events.
