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Town Council News

Next meeting: Monday » 10.11.10 @ 7:30 p.m. & Monday » 10.25.10 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

Actions at the September Council meeting included:

  • introduction of Ordinance No. 2010-09: Authorizing Conveyance of Legacy Open Space Property.
  • adoption of Resolution No. 2010-08: In Support of Rebuilding Together Montgomery County.

Special Town Meeting Approves Funds

On September 15, a Special Town Meeting, called by the Mayor, was held to discuss approving funds for the potential purchase of the 12.1 acre property known as the Legacy Open Space (LOS) field abutting Ridge Road. The LOS property has been the subject of a condemnation lawsuit by the Town initiated in 2005. The purpose of the Special Town Meeting was to prepare for the impending trial to determine the cost to the Town for the LOS property at the trial or to have funds available for a settlement of the lawsuit if that should occur before the trial. Results of a vote on a resolution was favorable for using currently budgeted funds or Town reserves up to $100,000 for payment to Toll Brothers for the deed to the property, if that outcome is the case. Because the trial or settlement will occur after the deadline for this bulletin, the Mayor will notify Town residents by letter if something of consequence occurs in the next few weeks.

Council Approves Speed Hump Fix for Ridge Road

In the next few weeks, work will begin to alter the first speed bump on Ridge Road to make it less compelling for cars to traverse it at more than 15 mph. This work will be conducted by the Town’s maintenance office. Bids also have gone out to find a contractor to renew the remaining speed humps on Ridge Road to their original height or to re-design them to make them more effective. The Council continues to look at other alternatives to reduce speeding on Ridge Road and on other roads around Town. In addition, the bids for road work will include significant work at some of the deteriorating sections of roadway around Town. Bids will be opened at the October 25 meeting of the Town Council, with work to begin shortly thereafter. The amount of work completed will depend on the bid amounts that may be funded from the current Town budget.

Joli McCathran Elected to the Council

Joli McCathran, former Town Council member and frequent volunteer on many Town Committees, was unanimously elected by the Town Council to fill the position recently vacated by Marida Hines. Joli will serve until the next Town election in May 2011, when the final two years of Marida’s 3-year term will be filled. The Mayor would like to thank Joli for bringing her experience and enthusiasm to this volunteer position.

Deer Park Bridge/At-Grade Crossing Updates

The Town will be meeting will CSX at the end of October to continue ongoing discussions about the fix for the Deer Park Bridge. By the meeting, we will have responded to CSX’s track-lowering study and this will be the topic of the meeting. For those who have seen the piles of railroad timbers lying next to the tracks at the at-grade crossing and beyond, this has nothing to do with the bridge. CSX will be conducting regular maintenance on the tracks throughout Montgomery County in the next months. One of these projects will involve a complete overhaul of the Atchison Crossing roadway, what we call the at-grade crossing on Railroad/Ridge roads. CSX will be remaking the at-grade crossing to bring it up to current engineering levels but is waiting for Montgomery County transportation to approve a detour plan, since the crossing will be closed for up to one week while the renovation occurs. This should occur soon, so please look for the notice signs along Railroad Street and Oakmont Avenue in the next few weeks. The disruption will be similar to what happened when the Deer Park Bridge was renovated in the summer of 2009. As many people have surmised, distrust of the fixing of the at-grade crossing COULD have an impact on whether CSX would then be willing to lower the tracks under the Deer Park Bridge. This makes sense, but does NOT have an impact because the track lowering will not reach the at-grade crossing; in fact stops approximately 400 feet away. Even if CSX continues to reject the option of lowering the tracks (their recommendation at this point), the at-grade crossing will not enter into that discussion or decision.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Town Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 25, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in McCathran Hall. The purpose of this hearing is to take public comment on proposed Ordinance No. 2010-09, authorizing the Town’s acquisition of the Legacy Open Space property, approximately 12 acres, adjacent to the Town along Ridge Road. The Ordinance reflects the votes at Town Meetings for approval of this acquisition, acknowledges an easement conveyed to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission for use of this property as Legacy Open Space Natural Area, and authorizes the Mayor to execute such documents as are necessary to complete the acquisition of this property.

New Outdoor Lighting Advisory Committee

First meeting: Tuesday » 10.21.10 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. If you are interested in being part of this working group, please contact Carolyn Rapkievian at [email protected]

Planning Commission News

Next meeting: Wednesday » 10.06.10 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

At its September meeting, there were no permit approvals. The Commission will consider approval of an application to enclose a porch at 110 Grove Ave. and an application for a fence at 352 Ridge Rd.

Planning Commission Alternate Sought

The Mayor is looking for a Town resident volunteer to fill an open seat on the Planning Commission. The alternate is a member of the Planning Commission but only votes if another member is absent. It is a great opportunity for someone who has an interest but would like to spend some time learning about Town ordinances and permits before taking on greater responsibilities in the future. Please notify Kathy Lehman in the Town Office if you are interested or would like more information.

Historic Preservation News

Next meeting: Tuesday » 10.19.10 @ 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.

Recreation Committee News

Next meeting: Wednesday » 12.15.10 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

Bluestober Fest Kudos!

Thank you to everyone who came out for Washington Grove’s Second Annual Bluestober Fest. It was a special autumn night and we want to thank all the volunteers and participants who made it so special. In particular, we would like to thank our grill master extraordinaire Ted Yachup, Cindy Frei, Chris Kirtz, Shelley Winkler, Mary Challstrom, Terry Cox, John McClelland, Peter Nagrod, Missy Yachup, Margot Bohan and Charlie Challstrom. Thanks again and we look forward to working on Bluestober Fest 2011!

BLACKTHORN CEILI

Music by the Martin Family Band

McCathran Hall – Friday, October 15, 2010

Dance Workshop 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Ceili 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.

  • Admission – contribution to help pay the band
  • Soda bread & Tea & Pot Luck during 1st break
  • Bring a dish or dessert to share
  • Soft drinks available
  • 50/50 Raffle

Sponsored by the Washington Grove Rec. Committee

Mousetrap Concert Series Returns !

Concert #1 Oct. 24, 2010
Ilya Itin – Piano

All concerts are at 3:00 p.m. in McCathran Hall.

Washington Grove Needs You!!

This year’s holiday show, “A Grove Home Companion-Holiday Special”
is now in the works. We are seeking recruits for working behind the scenes for planning, writing, coordination, and production assistance during the rehearsals and the show. Naturally, performers are also encouraged to offer their talents!
Save the date: December 18, 2010.
Please contact by October 17th
Judy Mroczka, (301) 990-3771, [email protected],
Pat Di Bella (301) 869-1907, [email protected]

Film Society News

The Washington Grove Film Society presents the first film of the 2010/2011 season on October 17, 2010 at 7 p.m. in McCathran Hall: the film classic, The Third Man.
Holly Martins, a pulp-fiction writer, arrives in post-war Vienna to meet his college chum Harry Lime. But Lime has been killed in a suspicious traffic accident, and Holly noses around the mystery in the ruins of the occupied city. This classic thriller features actors Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles, stunning cinematography, and famously eerie zither music.
Directed by Carol Reed, written by Graham Green, 1949, UK, b&w, 104 minutes.

Woman’s Club News

Next meeting: Thursday » 10.21.10 @ 7:30 p.m. in Clubhouse.
Join us at the Woman’s Clubhouse to Green Your Clean. Make your own natural cleanser from ingredients you may already have at home (ingredients and containers provided), and take home recipes for more. Jamie Amagai will guide us through this hands-on activity and provide more information on how to use fewer toxic chemicals in our homes. We’d love to hear your ideas as well. We look forward to seeing you there.

Forestry Committee News

The project of returning the old Community Garden area to an open part of Woodward Park has started. Thanks to the hard work of Steve Werts with Forestry & Beautification volunteers, Don Henninger, Terry Cox, Bruce Rothrock one can now start to see what the renovated area will look like. Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement.

You can hear more by coming to the next meeting of the Forestry and Beautification Committee on October 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.

Neighborhood Watch News

Report Crimes & Suspicious Activity!
Mont. Co. Police non-emergency: 301-279-8000
Town Office: 301-926-2256
Joe Clark: 301-869-7944
Keith Gillis/Leigh Partington: 301-208-1437

Incident Report:

  • September 2: Stolen vehicle. 100 block Grove Ave – Resident reported a vehicle stolen from driveway between 9:30 p.m. (9/1) and 4 AM (9/2). The stolen vehicle was involved in a high-speed chase through Gaithersburg and North up I-270 that involved city, county, and state police. The chase ultimately resulted in a crash that totaled the car. The thief was apprehended.
  • September 17, 2010: Theft. 300 block Ridge Rd – Resident reported a section of wrought iron fence stolen from yard. Police report was not filed.

Speeding on town streets – There have been several reports of speeders on our streets in recent weeks. Town residents are reminded that the speed limit is 15 MPH on all town streets. Our streets are often occupied by pedestrians, children playing, dog walkers, etc and simply too narrow to accommodate higher speeds safely. This is our town, our neighborhood, and our streets. Please take the extra time to slow down so that people and vehicles can share our streets safely.

The Montgomery County Police Department has implemented a new online system for residents to report non-emergency crimes. The new system called On-Line Citizen Reporting System went into effect September 21. Note that you must have a valid email address to file a report online. You may file an online report for a crime if: (1) it is not an emergency, (2) it occurred within Montgomery County, (3) it is not motor vehicle accident, (4) property stolen is valued less than $10,000, (5) there are no known suspects, and (6) it did not occur on the interstate. The new reporting system may be accessed at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/poltmpl.asp?url=/content/pol/coplogic/cologic.asp

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WGUMC News

Special Thanks from “Grove Relief” to Bruce Rothrock, Steve Wertz, Bill Robertson, John Hutchinson, Dick Cavicchi, and David Young. On Saturday, Sept. 25th, the team carried out as a Grove Relief project–repairing the roof of the trailer home.

Check facebook for photos of recent projects. Just go facebook, and “search” for Washington Grove United Methodist Church.

Upcoming Events

  • October 17th: Our next “Family” worship service, at 11 am on Sunday, October 17th. Family services are opportunities to bring children of any age to a shortened worship service. Dress is child-friendly casual, and noisy children and babies are, as always, welcome!
  • October 31st: The annual Halloween collection of dried and canned goods for Gaithersburg Help will take place 9:30 AM on Sunday, Oct. 31st. Beware of costumed children with wagons! They won’t trick you; just leave a “treat” for Gaithersburg Help!

Brush Pick-up by Trash Contractor Ends

Per our contract with Montgomery County Sanitation & Recycling, November 26th will be the last date for collection of recyclable yard waste. This service will resume in early March. Please make a note of this.

REMINDER

Residents are reminded that dumping brush on Town property, including Mulch Alley (near Town garage), is prohibited.

Bulk Trash Collection Scheduled

A bulk trash collection is scheduled for Saturday, October 23, 2010. Materials may include furniture, appliances (nothing with freon like air conditioning units), rugs, large toys, small auto parts, etc… Materials may NOT include construction by-products, large automotive parts, or tires. Items should not contain gasoline or motor oil. Please place items “curbside” by 7:00 a.m.

Dog Waste

We love our doggies. Their waste? Not so much… especially when it is in little plastic bags and deposited beside telephone poles, along Town roads and, curiously, in the woods. These little “doggie bags” are pooping up, oops, I mean popping up all over Town. Please be sure that the bags make it to your own trash can…not someone else’s along your route or the can in Woodward Park. Imagine if you volunteered to do the trash in Woodward Park and THAT is what you encountered. Come on, folks, you CAN do it!

Street Light Conversion…Tell Us What You Like

The Town will soon be converting our streetlights from the traditional incandescent light bulbs to new induction bulbs. This conversion will save the Town approx. $887.00 per month in PEPCO charges and be much more energy efficient. There are four (4) different induction bulbs on four (4) poles along Chestnut Road starting with the pole BEHIND 206 Grove Ave. and ending at the pole at Miller Drive. Each pole has been marked with a different colored block. Please look at these lights and tell us which one you like best for our existing fixtures. Contact the Town Office [email protected], 301-926-2256 with your pole choice and you’re finished! Thank-you, in advance, for your input.

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