Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday, Jan. 12, 2004; 7:30 p.m., in the Council Room.
After input from residents and from a representative of the GWG Fire Department, it was decided that a pole-type barrier would be placed at the Miller Drive/Grove Avenue fire lane to eliminate excessive use of the walkway by delivery people, contractors and residents.
Casey Field
As of right now, the idea of an elementary school on part of this site is back on the table and in the new Master Plan for the area. Pending acceptable storm water management plans, the Montgomery County Public Schools, the developer and the environmental branch of Park and Planning all agree that a school will work well here. As a result, it is likely that the preliminary plan for the Oxbridge Development will go to the Planning Board in January. Stay tuned for more information about what you can do to promote Town interests.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING…
PROPOSED ORDINANCE REVISIONS
The Mayor and Council of the Town of Washington Grove will conduct a public hearing on Monday, February 2, 2004, at 7:30 p.m., in McCathran Hall. The purpose of the hearing will be to take public comment regarding revisions to the Town Code of Ordinances.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Jan. 6, 2004; 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Building Permits:
If you are going to erect a building or structure (including fences), make structural alterations to, or move any existing building or other structure, you must first obtain a building permit from the Washington Grove Planning Commission. The Town zoning ordinance governs setbacks, lot coverage and height. Applications are available at the Town Office at 301-926-2256. The permit fee is $10.00, payable to the Town of Washington Grove. Interior renovations, which involve electrical, plumbing, or load-bearing changes, generally require a County permit. A shed requires a County permit as well. The Town must first sign off all applications for County-required building permits. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permits as well.
Building Permits were issued for the following:
348 Ridge Rd New Construction
211 Ridge Rd. New Construction
115 Chestnut Ave. Shed
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Jan. 20, 2004, 7:00 p.m. Council Room.
The Commission met on December 16, 2003. All meetings are open to the public. The HPC hopes to start publishing abbreviated reviews in the Bulletin.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: January 7, 2004, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
2nd Holiday Music Weekend, Big Success!
The weekend was full of dancing and singing.
Snow was falling, bells were ringing.
Spirits were bright, our hearts full of joy.
from music & dancing.. not a single toy!
Many thanks to everyone involved in the programs at our 2nd Annual Holiday Music Weekend. It was not without lots of hard work, cooperation and patience that these events took place. Bravo & Kudos to all!
Group for Toddlers Forming
When: Wednesday mornings, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: McCathran Hall
This group is open to all toddlers/preschoolers in Washington Grove as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Activities will include music, singing, dancing and, of course, playing. The first meeting will be January 7, 2004. Come join the fun!
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Jan. 15th, 2004 at the clubhouse.
Woman’s Club Publishes Grove Phone Directory
Is your Town phone book tattered and torn so that only you recognize it? Are you still using a directory from 1978? Come on over to the Town Office where new books are available for $3.00 each beginning Nov. 24, 2003. Copies are also available from Mary Challstrom at 301-926-4498 or Mary Kay DuBois at 301-926-8941. If you bought copies from the first printing last month, bring them in for replacement copies. The Woman’s Club of Washington Grove is grateful to the advertisers who helped make this publication possible.
Neighborhood Watch News
Report Crimes & Suspicious Activity!
Mont. Co. Police non-emergency: 301-279-8000
Town Office: 301-926-2256
Betsy Klinger: 301-977-3517
The Holiday Season is upon us and we often have gifts and bags visible in our cars. Please make sure to put them in you trunk, cover them or otherwise make sure that they are out of sight. Items like this are an invitation for trouble. For more information about the Neighborhood Watch, call Chris Kirtz at 301-990-7935 or e-mail at [email protected].
Our Town has been relatively peaceful during the past month. The following items were reported to Neighborhood Watch:
Paintball vandalism on several houses in Brown Street Station during the night.
A Walkway Only sign was left in the path on 2nd Avenue. A resident tripped over it in the dark.
Washington Grove Film Society Presents
The Black Stallion directed by Carroll Ballard 1979, Rated G. Sunday, Jan. 4, 2003 at 6:30p.m.. (Please note the earlier start time.) Walter Farley’s classic story of a boy and a horse is lovingly, gorgeously translated to film. Critic Pauline Kael thought it perhaps the greatest children’s movie ever made. This is a FREE family film.
The Bicycle Thief, directed by Vittorio de Sica 1948. Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004 at 7:00p.m.. This film depicts an unemployed young father’s increasingly desperate attempts to recover a stolen bicycle that will enable him to work. Its portrayal of the grim poverty of postwar Rome will not fade from memory.
Looking for Gift Ideas?
Heritage Note Cards, Washington Grove History Books (Vol. 1 & 2), Woman’s Club History Book and Woman’s Club Cook Book are all available at the Town Office. Call 301-926-2256 for more information.
OR
Why not give a gift of Yoga? This is a gift that will give throughout the year. If you would like to give Yoga sessions to someone, please call Terry Strother to make the arrangements 240-631-2759.
OR
How about Mousetrap Concert tickets? There are two spring concerts. The Vox Vocal Ensemble directed by “our own” George Steel on Sunday, February 29, 2004, 3:00p.m. and guitarist Paul Galbraith on Sunday, March 28, 2004, 3:00p.m.. The perfect gift for the music lover on your list! Call Alice Negin at 301-926-2858 or Ann Briggs at 301-926-6347 for information and tickets.
Christmas Tree Disposal
Beginning in late December, Christmas trees will be picked up roadside by Town Maintenance staff. When you put your tree out for collection, please remove all tinsel, ornaments, the stand, and any other metals.
Waste Management on Schedule
Both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve are trash days; however, there will be no change in our pickup schedule.
Contracts, contracts.
The Councilor in charge of “contracts” has the responsibility of the Leaf Removal Contract, the Trash/Recycling Contract and the Snow Removal Contract. Complaints or praises about any of these issues should first be brought to the attention of Tom Land 301-869-4334 and then to the Town Office 301-926-2256.
Yard Waste
As per our contract, yard waste recycling pickup by Waste Management on Wednesdays is suspended until the beginning of March. If you have yard waste that needs to be picked up, Town Maintenance will take care of it. Please place your yard waste piles (not bags!) “curbside” so that they can easily be seen and reached. This service will happen on Fridays. If you feel that you have been missed by Town Maintenance, please call the Town Office.
Leaves
Now that the snow has melted (for the moment) our leaf pickup service will resume. Vacuuming of bulk leaves will continue, barring bad weather, until January 1st. Act now, you still have a few more chances to get those leaves picked up!
Town Office Holiday Schedule
The Town Office will be closed on December 25th & 26th as well as January 1st & 2nd. Any other closures will be posted on the Town Office door as necessary.
Lost & Found.
Looking for something? Come check the Lost and Found in the Council Room. Items that are not claimed by December 31, 2003 will be given to charity.
Water Main Replacement Coming
The water mains on 4th Avenue from The Circle to McCauley Street and on Brown Street from Ridge Road to Grove Road were installed in 1926. In July 2004, WSSC will begin a project that replaces these lines. There will be a disruption in service and roadway disturbances as well. WSSC will schedule meetings with residents in the spring to define the scope of this project. WSSC will also send letters to residents who will be affected by this project. The Mayor and Council would like to thank you in advance for your patience with this necessary work.
Clerk’s Corner
SLOW TO 15 – ENJOY THE SCENE!