Upcoming Events
In the Grove …
- Saturday, September 23, 10 am – 5 pm: Washington Grove Fall Festival CANCELLED due to Mother Nature’s projected lack of cooperation.
- Mondays September 18, October 16, October 30, and November 20, 7 – 9 pm: RASEC will present the findings from its Spring 2022 Inclusion and Equity Survey in a series of five community meetings. In the first four of the meetings, they will share data from specific sections of the survey and hope that the presentations spark discussions and ideas. The fifth meeting (date not yet scheduled) will summarize and share recommendations that incorporate community feedback from the previous discussions. Join the meetings on Zoom (Meeting ID: 845 3183 2805, Passcode: 490940) | Learn more about the survey.
Saturday, September 30, 6 – 10 pm: the 15th Annual Washington Grove “Bluestober Fest!” Join us at the Gazebo (McCathran Hall if it rains) for a fun musical gathering with family and friends as we celebrate the autumn season with acoustic sounds from James Mabry, Jay Summerhour and Eric Selby from 6-7 pm and then enjoy the high-energy blues from Baltimore’s own The Gayle Harrod Band from 7:30-10 pm. This event will be BYO Picnic and BYOB! Please contact Lawren Selby or Eric Selby if you can help with set-up and/or clean up, or if you have any questions. And, as always, lederhosen are optional!
- Wednesday, October 4, 7:30 pm: the Planning Commission invites residents to its next meeting, where you can express your opinions on potential changes to our zoning ordinances that would allow the construction/establishment of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Read the draft changes and find the Zoom address for the meeting here.
- Weekly Events:
Sundays, 5 – 6:30 pm at McCathran Hall: New! Chess-Nuts Chess Club. Come join other chess nerds for 30-45 minutes of lessons, followed by 45 – 60 minutes of games. Learn more here.- Tuesdays, 6 – 7 pm, usually in McCathran Hall: Ashtanga yoga. RSVP to instructor Rachel Schwartz and bring a waiver form to your first class. Classes are free to Grove residents. Learn more here.
- Wednesdays, 11 – 12:15 pm at McCathran Hall: Tai chi. Sessions are free to all. Learn more here.
… and Nearby
Casey Community Center Farmers Market
Every Thursday through November, 11 am to 2:30 pm: Enjoy some fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables; come get some eggs, beef or pork ready to put on the grill; bring home some savory homemade breads or artisan sweets; get some fresh ground coffee. See their food truck calendar and learn more about the market. Casey Community Center, 810 South Frederick Avenue.
Restrictive Deed Covenants in Washington Grove
More than 100 properties in Washington Grove have been identified as burdened by a restrictive deed covenant imposed by the Town between 1929 and until 1953. These covenants barred sale to “anyone of a race whose death rate is of a higher percentage than that of the white or Caucasian race.”
- In 1948, the Supreme Court declared that racially restrictive covenants were unenforceable by States;
- In 1968, the Fair Housing Act made it illegal to add these deed covenants; and
- In 2021, the Town Council amended the Washington Grove Zoning Ordinance to declare these restrictive covenants as terminated.
However, despite being declared unenforceable, illegal, and terminated, such deed covenants show up when searching County Land Records.
During the past year, 16 Grove property owners, through the help of RASEC and Charlie Challstrom, have filed Restrictive Covenant Modifications in the County Land Records to explicitly strike out this language. But more than 100 remain. Town residents who want to know whether their property is one of these or who want assistance with the process of modification in County Land Records should contact Charlie via email.
Notices from the Mayor
Changes to Town Ordinances to Allow Accessory Dwelling Units
The Planning Commission invites residents to its next meeting on Wednesday, October 4 at 7:30 pm, where you can express your opinions on potential changes to our zoning ordinances that would allow the construction / establishment of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Read the draft changes and find the Zoom address for the meeting here.
Town Bulletins
Older Town Bulletins:
- Bulletins dated March 2022 or older are available here or here
- Bulletins dated April 2022 or later are available here.
Town Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes
Should you wish to review draft minutes, please contact the town clerk or the mayor.
- September 11, 2023 Meeting
- Minutes – not yet available
- Agenda (PDF)
- August 2023 Meeting
- July 10, 2023 Meeting
- Minutes – not yet available
- Agenda (PDF)
Reports from the Town Councilors
Historic Preservation Commission
- September 2023 Meeting
- Minutes – not yet available
- Agenda (PDF)
- August 2023 Meeting
- July 2023 Meeting
Planning Commission
- September 6, 2023 Meeting
- Minutes – not yet available
- Agenda (PDF)
- August 2, 2023 Meeting
- July 5, 2023 Meeting
Contact Information
Mayor and Town Councilors and their Areas of Responsibility
Mayor
John Compton
240-432-5700
[email protected]
The Mayor is responsible for all intergovernmental relationships and activities.
For Councilors with no contact information listed below, please refer to the phone numbers and email addresses shown in the Town Directory. If you do not have a Directory, please call the Town Office at 301-926-2256, or email the Town Office at [email protected]. Want to write the mayor and all councilors? Please write to [email protected].
Contracts
Rob Gilmore
Dog Park
Mary Warfield
[email protected]
Emergency Preparedness and Safety
Eva Patrone
[email protected]
Forestry and Beautification (includes memorials)
Barbara Raimondo
[email protected]
Gateway
Peter Nagrod
[email protected]
Historic Preservation Commission
Robert Gilmore
Lake
Mary Warfield
[email protected]
Lighting
Barbara Raimondo
[email protected]
Maintenance
Peter Nagrod
[email protected]
Maryland Municipal League
John Compton
McCathran Hall
Barbara Raimondo
[email protected]
Planning Commission
Peter Nagrod
[email protected]
Racial Equity
Barbara Raimondo
[email protected]
Recreational Events/Recreation Committee
Eva Patrone
[email protected]
Recreational Facilities (Woodward Park, Playground and Tennis Courts)
Eva Patrone
[email protected]
Roads and Walkways
Rob Gilmore
Shady Grove Crossing
Christine Dibble
[email protected]
Sustainability
Mary Warfield
[email protected]
Washington Grove Conservation Park
Christine Dibble
[email protected]
Website and Communications
Christine Dibble
[email protected]
Woods
Christine Dibble
[email protected]
Town Office Contact Info
McCathran Hall
300 Grove Avenue
PO Box 216
Washington Grove, Maryland
20880-0216
- Phone: 301-926-2256
- Email: [email protected]
- Rental Information
Town Office
Located in the lower wing of McCathran Hall, the office is usually open 9:30am – 12:30pm; and 1:00pm – 5:00pm. Town Clerk Kathy Lehman is available to answer your questions. Please drop by, call the office at 301-926-2256 or send an email to [email protected].
Staff Directory
Clerk
Kathryn L. Lehman
301-926-2256
[email protected]
Treasurer
Jean Moyer
301-775-1168
[email protected]
Boards and Commissions
Board of Supervisors of Elections
Nick Suzich
Supervisor
240-750-9289
[email protected]
Joe Clark
301-869-7944
[email protected]
Margo Cavenagh
301-963-0294
[email protected]
Marc Hansen
Chair
301-869-0926
[email protected]
Satoshi Amagai
301-330-1336
[email protected]
Charlie Challstrom
301-926-4498
[email protected]
Kathie Evans
Alternate
301-869-7816
[email protected]
Historic Preservation Commission
Bob Booher
Chair
301-963-3935
[email protected]
Robert Gilmore
Council Liaison
Wendy Harris
914-388-2195
[email protected]
David Stopak
301-330-5446
[email protected]
Mimi Styles
301-519-1957
[email protected]
Georgette Cole
Chair
301-330-6740
[email protected]
Peter Nagrod
Council Liaison
301-512-5771
[email protected]
Jonathan Dail
[email protected]
Sylvie Favret
Robert Johnson
301-346-6267
[email protected]
Sung Chang, Alternate
Volunteer Committees
Liz Gillanders
Chair
Emergency Preparedness and Safety
Dave Lutter
Chair
703-862-7445
[email protected]
Forestry & Beautification (F&B)
Georgette Cole
Chair
301-330-6740
[email protected]
vacant
Chair
Tom Land
Chair
240-801-0646
[email protected]
Virginia Quesada
Chair
301-706-7933
[email protected]
Racial and Social Equity (RASEC)
Leadership Team
Paula Puglisi
301-963-8555
Betsy Klinger
301-325-1956
[email protected]
Emily Cavey
Chair
[email protected]
Bob Booher
Chair
301-963-3935
[email protected]
Patrice Klein
Co-Chair
301-926-2256
[email protected]
Joan Mahaffey
Co-Chair
240-631-8064
[email protected]
News You Can Use
Need a notary?
Contact Mary Challstrom or Amanda Roberts.
Going to Europe next year? You may have to pay a new entry fee.
Starting in 2024, an $8 European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) application will be required for U.S. travelers to enter E.U. countries. Most applications should be processed within minutes of applying, but prospective travelers should expect to receive an application decision within four days. Learn more from the E.U. website and from the Washington Post.
>> Older News You Can Use articles that have been removed from the home page are available on the News You Can Use Archive page.