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Town Council News

Next meeting: Monday » 12.12.11 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

Woodward Park Use Policy

The Mayor and Council have received considerable input before and at the November Council meeting about the use of Woodward Park. At the November 14 meeting there was significant opinion that the current use has outgrown the original intent of the Town and that we need to reclaim Woodward Park as a community park rather than a regional park. Alice Negin volunteered to head a group of eight residents to review the current policy, the recent testimony and come up with recommendations for Council consideration. The Council will discuss the issue again at the December 12 Council meeting and decide what step to take next. If you want to add your input to the mix please email the Town office, talk to a Council member or the Mayor or come to the next Council meeting.

Washington Grove Meadow Conservation Park

The Montgomery County Parks Department started their work on the Washington Grove Meadow Conservation Park this week. They are removing non-native invasive species from the hedgerow, field and border between upper and lower field. This will facilitate evaluation for re-planting which will occur in the spring. Bare areas will be reseeded for erosion control.
The Meadow Committee, Town Council and the Parks Department are still working on the maintenance agreement. The Current Draft Plan is posted for residents to review. We don’t yet have the Parks Department response to this initial draft proposal.

Planning Commission News

Next meeting: Wednesday » 12.07.11 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

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. All permit applications must be received in the Town Office fourteen (14) days prior to the Planning Commission meeting at which they will receive their initial review. The applicant must post a “Notice To Neighbors” sign within seven (7) days of receiving it from the Town Clerk. The Planning Commission will not act on an application unless the Notice To Neighbors sign was posted in a timely fashion as confirmed by the Commission. Please contact the Town Office (301-926-2256) or [email protected], or see permits for more details. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permit applications as well.

Permits approved on November 2nd:

  • 510 Washington Grove La. » Fence
  • 108 Ridge Rd. (Temporary) » Shed

Permits up for discussion on December 7th:

  • 201 Cherry Ave. » Addition
  • 342 Ridge Rd. » Fence
  • 407 Acorn Lane » Fence

Historic Preservation News

Next meeting: Tuesday » 12.20.11 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. Meetings are open to the public. The HPC encourages residents to come for an early consultation when planning a renovation.

HPC Workshop Successful!

The free energy-efficiency and weather-proofing workshop sponsored by the HPC was a resounding success. Following the presentation in McCathran Hall, a number of homes (Cavicchi, Favret, Helme, Hutchinson, Roberts, and Styles), were visited by the experts and the workshop participants for real-life observations and Q&A.

Come Early!

The HPC encourages early consultation when you are considering an addition or other home project. What’s early? Early is BEFORE you spend your hard-earned money on professionally produced plans. Take advantage of their FREE advice and good ideas! It could save money in the long run.

Recreation Committee News

Next meeting: Wednesday » 12.21.11@ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

WASHINGTON GROVE HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR!!

Saturday, December 17th at 7:30 pm in McCathran Hall.
Wizards, elves, extraterrestrials, and lots of Town musical talent will take the stage in this year’s Holiday Show: “Grove Quest: A Magical Journey through Time & Space”, along with, of course, a visit from a special holiday guest.

Caroling in the Grove

Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 5:00 PM. Meet at McCathran Hall.
Come join us for an hour of holiday fun serenading your neighbors with songs of the season. Bring small flashlights if you have them and bundle up. We will supply the song books, after- refreshments and warm -up. Any questions, contact Mary Warfield (301-569-6054) or Jane Grissmer (301-869-3699).

Spooktacular Good Time

The 1st Annual Halloween Monster Bash was a screaming success thanks to Emily Cavey and her fantastic team of volunteers. McCathran Hall has never been so dressed up with lights, plenty of cob webs and spooky sounds. A great turnout and plenty of pizza and goodies made the party festive. And who were those frightening fiends in the lower Hall scaring the pants off any that dared to enter? Those terrifying teens really made it a night to remember!

Dance Exercise Class

Come join a FUN fusion of different dance styles – ballet, jazz, a little hip hop and other dance forms. The music is a mix of pop, classical and world. Classes run on Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:00pm. Ages 5 to 10 $5 a class; drop ins welcome.

Woman’s Club News

Next meeting: Thursday » 01.19.12 @ 7:30 p.m. 333 McCauley Street.
There will be no meeting in December. Our next meeting will be the annual White Elephant auction on January 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Carol Samour, 333 McCauley Street. Please bring an item you are willing to part with, be it useful, goofy, beautiful or fun. Or just bring yourself and your friends. Either way, come ready to bid and have a good time. Auctioneer Maria Montefusco has a knack for drawing everyone into the excitement. The funds raised help support our community service projects. All are welcome.

WGUMC News

  • Dec. 9th –Come to a Holiday Open House at church starting at 7 pm! Fair Trade Crafts will be sold–these are lovely items for Holiday gifts, and what you spend supports the 3rd world women and men who actually made the handcrafts. We’ll also have a Bake Sale, and starting at 7:30 pm, a Holiday Sing-along for the community! Songs will include Christmas carols, Hanukah songs, and winter songs. All children and adults welcome.
  • Dec. 24th, Saturday, 7:30 pm, Christmas Eve–Join us for the traditional Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols and keep the magic in the season…
  • Dec. 25th, Sunday, 11 am–Celebrate Christmas with an informal fellowship service of John Wesley, the Moravian “Love Feast” of sweet bread, orange juice, songs and prayers.

Closed For Refinishing

The Town Office and McCathran Hall will be closed from Dec. 26 – the 30th so that the wood floors can be refinished.

FY 2011 Washington Grove Financial Statements

The audit for the last fiscal year, July 2010 through June 2011, has been completed.
The Town of Washington Grove continues to be in sound financial condition. Copies of the financial statements are available from the Town Office.

NO Dumping!

Residents are reminded that depositing yard waste or any other material on Town land is NOT permitted. Please use the services (your tax dollars at work) provided by our trash and leaf removal contractors.
Speaking of dumping… Did you know that the trash contractor does not pick up trash at the Town Maintenance Shop? That means if you put something in the cans at the shop it could be a month before the can is full enough to merit a trip to the Transfer Station by Town Maintenance. If you are just throwing paper or cardboard in to these cans it is not a real problem. If you deposit your dog waste bags in these cans IT IS A PROBLEM! Please be kind and be responsible for your own dog’s waste. Take it home. Thanks!

Leaves Are Falling

New and long-time residents alike are reminded of the Town contract for the removal of leaves in bulk each autumn. US Lawns will make regular but unscheduled pickups of leaves raked or blown into windrows within six feet of any walkway or roadway, excluding Railroad Street, 2nd Ave., 3rd Ave., 4th Ave., 5th Ave., and Boundary Street. This service begins November 1 and ends January 1, 2012, or as soon thereafter as we agree that the work is complete. This is your opportunity to have leaves removed without the additional work and expense of bagging.

Weather frequently affects this process, as rain can restrict movement of large trucks on the avenues. Also, one or two spectacular fall weekends in November or early December usually see most of us raking at the same time. As the contractor will time pickups based on the availability of full truckloads for vacuuming, if you rake when most other people rake the windrows will probably disappear relatively quickly. If you feel that a particular pile has been ignored for an inordinate amount of time, please call Bill Robertson at 240-912-6080 or e-mail him at [email protected]
Please place your windrows along the side of the road or walkway (keeping in mind, traffic & pedestrian flow), and don’t include brush or limbs that foul the vacuum. Happy raking! It’s the rite of autumn, particularly in a town graced by so many beautiful deciduous trees.

YARD WASTE Collection Ends

Per our contract with Montgomery County Sanitation & Recycling, December 1st was the last date for collection of recyclable yard waste. This service will resume in early March. Please make a note of this.

Roadside Recycling in Washington Grove

Christmas Tree Disposal

Beginning in late December, Christmas trees will be picked up roadside by Town Maintenance staff. When you place your tree out for collection, please remove all tinsel, ornaments, the stand and any other metal.

Deer Fences Down

Residents are reminded that deer fencing must be down by November 30th per Town Ordinance 3.328(g). Thanks!

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