TOWN COUNCIL NEWS
Next meeting: Monday, September 12, 2016; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
From the Mayor…
Best wishes to all students going back to school. Best of luck for the academic year!
Washington Grove Lane:
Planning Commission Chair, Peter Nagrod has agreed to chair a committee to study improvements along Washington Grove Lane with the idea towards making this area of Town feel more inclusive as part of Washington Grove . If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact Peter at 301-512-5771 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Emergency Preparedness Committee:
The Emergency Preparedness Task Force recommended the development of a standing committee to meet once a month, or as needed, to shepherd the implementation of the recommendations made in their report. Suggested topics include revitalizing the Neighborhood Watch Program and pulling them into the process; offering CERT, Red Cross, and other training to committee members; and the importance of structure for preparing for emergencies. If you wish to serve as a member of this committee please contact me at 301-869-5358 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Thanks to all the members of the Emergency Preparedness Task Force: Mark Frederiksen, Chair; Members: Sat Amagai, Charlie Challstrom, Larry French, Pat Klein, Barbara Raimondo, Kitty Seiferlein, Nan Aitel-Thompson, and Mary Warfield. The work you all did together is of great benefit to the Town. Your volunteerism is very much appreciated!
The Woods Group, now the Woods Committee, is following through on our Woods Management Plan by surveying and installing boundary markers. This includes surveying and installation of survey marker rebars (with identifying plastic caps) at a nominal 50-foot spacing on the shared boundary line of the Washington Grove West Woods and the Saybrooke Development. With each rebar established, the installation of an accompanying post, orange with “Boundary” decal, will occur.
Help Ellicott City, Maryland
I have been approached as to how to possibly assist the residents of Ellicott City recover from the severe flooding which occurred last month. We were able to identify two organizations which are helping this historic area. If you feel led, please consider making a donation to:
Ellicott City Partnership (HelpEllicottCity.com)
P.O. Box 92
Ellicott City, MD 21040
United Way of Central Maryland
uwcm.org/ecstrong
100 South Charles Street; 5th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
In Remembrance of Carol Uhlendorf:
Carol was born in September and I wanted to recognize this wonderful lady who served the Town for many years and was Mayor from 1993 to 1997.
Carol had a keen interest in beautifying the Grove surroundings. One could find her, early on a Saturday morning before the traffic picked up, sitting in the beautified island in front of the Commercial Corner weeding. She found amazing ways to continue to contribute the Town, without fanfare or acknowledgement.
Carol loved reading, music and mind games. And cats: Okay, her cats ruled her house. But she also once had a standard size black poodle (Suzy Poodle) who also ranked pretty high.
Carol also had an amazing sense of color; employed it with incredible results when sewing complicated dress patterns or knitting bundles of small sweaters for children who otherwise would have gone without. These were not just one color, drab “keep warm” sweaters. These were colorful, often patterned delights that even the youngest eyes brightened to wear.
Carol’s specialties in culinary creations were Italian. Her Tiramisu was to die for! Ditto anything from her “chocolate phase” when she baked and brought to Town events fabulous dark chocolate desserts, long before dark chocolate was the rage.
A fine lady and a wonderful and caring volunteer, all who knew Carol miss her to this day.
Planning Commission News…
Next meeting: Wed., September 7, 2016; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
If you are considering any renovation or building project at your house, be sure to get a copy of the procedures to apply for a Town Building Permit which will help you through the Town’s process. The procedures are available from the Town Clerk or from the Town’s website. Both the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission are here to help with your renovation/building project.
Permits approved on August 3, 2016:
- 407 Acorn Lane Fence
Historic Preservation Commission News…
Next meeting: Tuesday, September 20, 2016; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. All meetings are open to the public.
Clare Kelly Comes to McCathran Hall
Friday, October 21
Clare Lise Kelly, Architectural History Specialist at the Montgomery County Planning Department (and former Washington Grove resident) will speak about her most recent book, Montgomery Modern, in McCathran Hall on Friday, October 21 at 7:00pm. Thanks to its access to federal jobs and an alluring natural landscape, our county experienced a great post-war building boom. Montgomery Modern chronicles award-winning mid-century modern architecture, ranging from organic custom residences in rugged stream valleys to glass-walled tract houses on wooded sites, from jewel-box offices in new commercial districts to gleaming corporate campus headquarters and exuberant roadside businesses. Clare’s initiative to raise awareness of mid-20th century architecture has earned awards from the Maryland Historical Trust and Montgomery Preservation, Inc. Please plan to join us on October 21 for Clare’s presentation!
FROM THE TOWN ARCHIVES
By Patricia Patula, Town Archivist
News Dispatches from Other Centuries
A series devoted to describing Washington Grove’s earliest days based on historic newspapers (appearing as written) and original records in the Grove’s archives.
“Where Every Grover Was On July 3, 1880”
According to the July 3, 1880 issue of The Washington Post, the camp-meeting of the Methodist churches was set for August 12, 1880, but by July 3 most of the cottages were already occupied. The author of The Post article speculates that “This is but carrying out one of the original designs in purchasing the grove viz.: to make it a quiet summer resort for those whose religious inclinations find no pleasure in the bustle and worldliness of fashionable watering places.” After observing that a number of new cottages had been built over the past year, and that some existing cottages had been enlarged with kitchens and dining rooms, the writer follows a news reporting custom of the time, and proceeds to list in great detail who was where.
“The families now upon the grounds are as follows: Upon First Avenue, in the cottages erected by Commissioner Morgan, Mrs. H. C. Baker and family, Mrs. A. M. Linvill and family, Mr. and Mrs. William Burris, Mrs. Moulton and Miss Belle Moulton, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Nye and family, Mr.
Beaman and family, Mr. and Mrs. Seville and the Misses Seville. Mrs. Wise and daughters and Mr.
George R. Taylor, with his wife and family, are also occupying their cottages on this avenue.”
Providing housing for “renters” is a not just a modern phenomenon as is revealed in this observation: “On second avenue Mrs. Kilgore opens today a boarding tent, which has been recently erected.”
A number of current Grove residents still live in the cottages on the Circle and will, most likely, be interested to learn who lived there before they did. Here is a list of cottages occupied as of July 3, 1880. Regrettably, the reporter did not include addresses.
“Mr. Thomas W. Sumerfield and family; Alfred Wood and family; Mr. E. F. Simpson and wife, their popular daughters, Misses Lula and Kittie; Mrs. Martin; Richard Willett and family; Robert Cohen and family; Mr. Wood and family. The latter occupies the cottage built by Mr. Burris, but now owned by Joseph F. Birch.”
This next section is quoted in full to further demonstrate the social reporting style of this era.
“The cottage now being built on Fourth Avenue by the Fourth Street M. E. church is almost completed, as is also that in course of erection on Fifth avenue for Mr. Lewis Alsehuh, of Foundry church. The list of those who own cottages, but who have not yet left the city, includes Commissioner Morgan, who will probably go out next week; Mr. J. W. Wade, L. W. Worthington, John Gordon, H. C. Craig, Mr. Sinclair, Mr. Franklin, of Dunbarton street church, Georgetown; Messrs. Ireland and Hiss, of Annapolis, and W. R. Woodward, who will go to the camp ground when he returns with his family from Rehobeth Beach; Mr. Thomas Woodward, of Georgetown, has erected a large tent and will shortly move out with family.”
The writer concludes his lengthy article with a description of the activities of the “young people” attending the Grove’s camp meeting events. Their sources of entertainment would probably cause today’s “young people” to raise their eyebrows in disbelief – or in sympathy.
“The young people at the grove, and there are quite a number, find plenty of amusement in picking cherries, blackberries, huckleberries and in excursions into the woods. Croquet and archery are staple games. There are two rival archery clubs, under the captaincy of Messrs. E. H. Linvllle and W. K. Cohen. At night an impromptu choir makes the woods resound with music until 9 or 10 o’clock, when all retire and silence reigns supreme.”
The moment when all retire, especially the “young people,” and silence reigns supreme about 10 p.m., was probably just as desirable in 1880 as it is now.
Sources: Newspaper quotes are from The Washington Post (1887-1992); Aug. 6, 1897; Proquest Historical Newspapers.
Maple Lake News…
Next Meeting: Thurs., September 15, 2016; 7:30 p.m.; Council Room.
Lifeguard Coverage Returns
There WILL be lifeguard coverage on Labor Day weekend September 6, 7, 8.
Maple Lake Party Permits
https://goo.gl/forms/r6Iae3efIY
Make sure your party is official! Complete the online registration form and inquire at the Town Office for an alcohol permit at 301-926-2256.
Forestry & Beautification News…
Next Meeting: Wed., September 15, 2016; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. This meeting is open to the public.
What’s THAT?
Alliaria petiolata. Garlic Mustard
Garlic Mustard was first recorded in the US around 1868, from Long Island, New York, and was likely introduced by European settlers for food and medicinal purposes. Garlic Mustard occurs in moist to dry forest habitats, forest edges, and along roadsides and disturbed lands. It is not tolerant of highly acidic soils. Garlic Mustard seeds can survive for more than five years in the soil.
Hand removal of plants along with roots, bagging of plants with mature fruits can be done as soon as fruits are present.
Glechoma hederacea Ground Ivy
Common name Gill-Over-the-Ground; and Creeping Charlie. It was first introduced into the United States as an ornamental or medicinal plant in the 1800s. It is common in moist areas such as floodplains, low woods and disturbed sites and is a significant weed in lawns. It does not tolerate highly acidic or saline soils. Ground ivy is a vigorous grower that spreads across the ground forming dense patches that push out native plants. It is toxic to many vertebrates, if eaten in large quantities.
Once established, this plant is difficult to control because it is hard to remove all root and stolon fragments. Seed banks may also remain viable after control methods are used. Large infestations can be effectively controlled using systemic herbicides. A rust fungus Puccinia glechomatis attacks ground ivy causing severe damage or death and may hold some potential for biological control.
Fallopia japonica Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed was probably introduced into the United States in the late 1800s. First used as an ornamental plant, it has also been planted for erosion control and landscape screening. Knotweed is commonly found near water sources, such as streams and rivers, and in a variety of low-lying areas like ditches, waste places, utility rights-of-way and around old home sites.
This is an extremely difficult plant to control due to its ability to re-grow from vegetative pieces and from seeds. Mechanical and chemical methods are most commonly used to eliminate it. Single young plants can be pulled by hand when soil is moist and roots are small. Roots and runners must be removed to prevent re-sprouting.
Woods Committee
Next Meeting: Monday, October 3, 2016; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
Recreation Committee News…
Next Meeting: Wed., September 14, 2016; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
Adult Exercise Class Returns….
Get moving with the Fall 2016 series of ten one-hour adult exercise classes, a mix of aerobics, strength training, and stretching, conducted in McCathran Hall by certified trainer Mark Rosenfeld, Thursdays at 4:00 pm, beginning September 22 and ending December 8 (skipping October 6 and Thanksgiving Day). Subscriptions are $50. Checks should be made out to the Town and mailed to Mimi Bolotin, P.O. Box 321, by September 19. If you have questions, contact Mimi at [email protected].
Looking Ahead…
Put Saturday, Oct. 15th on the calendar for Bluestoberfest. Fest founder Eric Selby has booked regional touring faves the Skyla Burrell Band — and Monday, Oct. 31 Halloween activities. As always, we thank all the volunteers of the Rec-ing Crew — we can’t even name them all!
Film Society News…
Attention all film lovers: October starts the 17th season of the Washington Grove Film Society’s annual film series. Read about this season’s offerings in the flyer included in this month’s newsletter. And purchase your season subscription from Film Society members during Labor Day events. You can also buy a subscription by sending a check for $20 payable to the Town of Washington Grove, to Birgit Henninger, P.O. Box 355.
HOLIDAY SHOW PLANNING SESSION
Calling one! Calling all! Come to a meeting Saturday, September 10, 11 a.m. at the Town Hall to help plan the holiday show for 2016. Working title is “Saturday Night Grove: A Holiday Spectacular.” We are seeking actors, singers, musicians, dancers, budding (or experienced) script writers and directors, folks to assist with props, scenics, costumes, and program design. This will be a brainstorming session. If you are so inspired (but this is not required!), come with ideas for skits, e.g., one based on a holiday-themed TV show. Contact Judy Mroczka ([email protected]) to express your interest. If you cannot make the meeting but are interested in participating, let Judy know.
Woman’s Club News…
Get your appetites ready for the Annual Pot Luck Supper on September 16, 2016!
Pot Luck Supper – Fall means it’s time for the Woman’s Club’s Annual Pot Luck Supper! Please join us at the Clubhouse, Friday evening, September 16th, starting at 6:30 PM. Bring your appetite and a favorite dish.
Gude Men’s Shelter –Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Town, we will be filling and delivering 60 packages of shampoos, soaps, socks etc. to the men of the Gude Men’s Shelter in this month. Plus, since the population at the Shelter grows significantly during the bitter months of winter, we have collected enough white socks to be able to help many of the men coming in throughout the coldest months ahead. The need for socks never ends, so collecting them will be an ongoing project for us, and you can always drop donations off in the painted can on Wendy Weisbard’s porch, at 119 Grove Road.
Winter Wear for WGES – We have started collecting gently used winter wear for the needy children of our own Washington Grove Elementary School. Far too many of the kids are without warm coats, hats, scarves or gloves. It’s heartbreaking. So please, sort through your closets and bring any children’s coats, hats, scarves or gloves to the plastic bin on the Clubhouse porch.
Trick or Treat for Those Who Serve – With so many deployed far from home, this year we will be collecting leftover Halloween candy to send to them. This is also a wonderful chance for kids to share their bounty with those who help to keep us safe. There will be a bin on the Clubhouse porch, or your candy can be dropped off on Wendy Weisbard’s porch.
General Information
Vacant Homes Task Force
The next meeting of this task force will be on September 19, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. This meeting is open to the public.
Town Website
The beautiful new Washington Grove website is looking for a volunteer familiar with WordPress, who has the experience and software needed to safely back up the website and update plug-ins on a regular basis. We understand that Dreamweaver software helps make this process efficient, so having that would be a huge help! If you are interested, but do not have the software, definitely let us know that, too. (We have volunteers who will be working with the site format and updating site content.) We estimate that the time commitment would be 3 to 5 hours per month.
Please contact Shelley Winkler at 301-330-6446 if you might be interested. Thank you!
Bulk Trash Collection Scheduled
Mark your calendars! The Town has scheduled a bulk trash collection for Oct. 22, 2016. Materials may include furniture, appliances (nothing with freon like air conditioning units), rugs, large toys, small auto parts, etc.
Material may NOT include construction by-products from your renovation projects, large automotive parts or tires. Items should not contain gasoline or motor oil. Please keep your metal separate from the rest of your trash.
ITEMS SHOULD BE PLACED “CURBSIDE” BY 7:00 A.M.
Trash/Recycling Contractor
In response to concerns raised recently about the purported mixing trash and recycling, Mayor Joli McCathran and Council Member Greg Silber met with a representative from Town’s contractor, Potomac Disposal. Our goal was to learn more about refuse collection operation and practices.
By way of background, Montgomery County regulation (Executive Regulation 18-04), administered by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, establishes “roles and responsibilities for haulers, collectors and all other persons using County acceptance facilities.” The regulation bans the delivery of recyclable material (those items which we separate in our additional containers) mixed with solid waste to transfer stations, and these facilities are prohibited from accepting deliveries if these materials are mixed. Transfer station supervisors are required to ensure materials are not mixed and that collectors deliver recyclable and solid refuse to appropriate sections of the facility. In addition, the regulation requires collectors who observe the mixing of recyclables with solid waste by residents are required to notify the Department and provide a list of all customer locations from which waste was collected.
Each truck is weighed at the transfer station and charged a “tipping fee” to off-load – this is assessed per ton of refuse. Commercial collectors do not pay tipping fees for recycled materials, but their fees increase proportionately if cans, bottles, glass, and paper are combined with solid waste. Therefore, it does not make good business sense for a collector to mix these materials because costs to off-load it increase.
Recyclable paper products may be delivered to the County transfer station or to a different facility. At times, Potomac Disposal takes recyclable paper to Georgetown Paper Stock of Rockville, Inc. (Southlawn Lane, Rockville). Potomac Disposal receives a payment for recycled paper, although the rebate is not much. If additional recycling materials are mixed with paper, Georgetown Paper Stock of Rockville accepts all of the recycling materials and separates out paper products but in this case there no rebate to Potomac Disposal.
When collecting in Town, Potomac Disposal uses the same vehicle for two separate runs, one for refuse, a second for recycling. Typically, refuse is collected on the first trip through Town and recycling in the second. The trucks are duel packing vehicles and either side can accept the materials on each individual run. Depending on the amount collected at any run, occasionally Potomac Disposal may go to the Transfer Station to unload and then return and collect refuse on one side of the vehicle and recyclable materials on the other side. Each vehicle carries GPS monitors so management can follow the location of each vehicle.
Yard Waste may be picked up on either the refuse or recyclable pass through Town, but this material may be side-loaded or kept to the side within the truck so it can be separated from either refuse or recyclable materials at the transfer station. Again, tipping fees would increase incrementally if yard waste were included with refuse, so it is to the contractor’s benefit to ensure these materials are not mixed. Yard waste is collected only March 31 through December 31 and must be bundled or in yard waste containers.
We must assume all the Town’s contractors are acting in good faith. Generally, we have been pleased with the work done by Potomac Disposal, and we believe legal and financial incentives are sufficiently strong to prompt good behavior. Nonetheless, there may be some businesses or individuals who attempt to cut corners or intentionally skirt regulations and their responsibilities. The Town has the right to monitor the work for which we are paying, and the right to modify or terminate a contract.
There may be inadvertent missed trash/recyclable pick-up at individual residences or other lapses in service. If this occurs, please contact Clerk Kathy Lehman at the Town Office, 301- 926-2256. (Please do not contact Potomac Disposal directly.) Kathy will notify Potomac Disposal about missed pick-ups as quickly as possible. Typically, we find Potomac Disposal is responsive and the situation is usually remedied within 24 hours. Larger, longer term problems should also be reported to the Town office and these will be compiled and relayed to the contractor.
The Town currently has a 5-year contract with Potomac Disposal that will expire in June 2018. The Council plans for the end of all of its contracts by requesting proposals in advance of the contract end date and will do this for its trash/recycling contract in winter 2017. It will review new contract bids at its regularly scheduled February or March 2018 meeting. All Town Council meetings are open to the public and residents are encouraged to provide input on the Council’s decisions.
Labor Day “Stuff” at a Glance
Don’t miss the Labor Day Activities!
SATURDAY, SEPT. 3RD
- 10:00 AM – 1:00PM Field Events
Six (6) contests for kids and adults of all ages. Registration begins promptly at 10:00 AM. Don’t be late!
(Woodward Park) - 4:30 PM – 33rd Annual Grove Triathlon. Pre-register by calling Craig English 301-840-1897 or sign up at the Field Events.
(Start at Maple Lake)
SUNDAY, SEPT. 4TH
- 9:30 AM – Tennis – Adult Mixer
(Tennis Courts) - 4:00 PM – Bike Races
- 5:00 PM – Running Races
(Grove Rd. across from courts)
MONDAY, SEPT. 5TH
- 10:00 AM – New Event – Soccer Skills Competition – Fun for all ages
(Woodward Park) - 1:00 PM – 30th Annual Croquet Tournament. Everyone invited!
(Woodward Park) - 6:00 PM Potluck Dinner & Awards
(McCathran Hall)
Washington Grove Film Society’s 17th Season
Sunday Evenings at 7:00
in McCathran Hall
A discussion follows each film.
5-Film Subscription $20
Tickets cost $7 at the door. Please support the series by purchasing subscriptions. If you miss a film, use the ticket by bringing a guest to a later film this season.
Purchase $20 subscriptions by sending a check, payable to the Town, to Birgit Henninger, P.O. Box 355.