Council Notes
The next meeting will be Monday, May 10, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall. The public is invited to
attend. April Council actions included:
· enacted Ordinance 99-01 granting a non-exclusive cable franchise to Starpower
Communications, LLC
· introduced Ordinance 99-02 modifying Regulations for the Use of Woodward Park and
Sports Facilities
· awarded the 1999 Leaf Collection and Disposal contract to U.S. LAWNS
· awarded the 1999 Hall Access Paths Resurfacing contract to Rosetta Landscape
· voted to install three speed humps on Ridge Road
Town Budget Work Session
Monday, April 26 7:30 p.m., Council Room. Come, learn, and participate as the Town Council
balances competing priorities putting together a budget for the Town’s approval in June.
State Legislators Invited to Address Council
Delegates Charles Barkley, Paul Carlson, and Joan Stern, and Senator Patrick J. Hogan, have
been invited to address the Council beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 10, prior to the
regular monthly Council meeting.
Planning Commission
Next meeting will be Tuesday, May 4, 7:30 pm, McCathran Hall.
Grove Web Site
Town Council meeting minutes may now be found on the web. sailor.lib.md.us/washgrov/
Special Trash Collection
Wed., April 28 Collection may include furniture, appliances (but not those with Freon), rugs,
large toys, small auto parts, etc. Materials may not include construction by-products, large
automotive parts, or tires. Items must be placed curbside.
Town Elections
Nominations for Mayor and Council have closed. Town elections will be held on Saturday, June
12, from 4-7 p.m. at McCathran Hall. The nominees are:
Mayor (1-year term)
· John G. Compton
Council (two 3-year terms)
· J. David Gumula
· Dorothy G. Tippens
YOUR LAKE NEEDS YOU !
The annual lake cleanup will be on Saturday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m. Please join in and bring
your rake, a trash bag and a wheelbarrow if you have one. There will be drinks and snacks for
all. Rain date is Saturday, May 1, at 10:00 a.m. Call Sharon Hurst at 301-948-2424 if you have
questions.
Starpower Ordinance Passed
At their April meeting, the Town Council voted to grant a non-exclusive cable franchise to
Starpower Communications. Enactment of this ordinance will provide residents with a
competitive choice for cable service offering high-speed Internet access along with traditional
video programming and telephone service.
Speed Humps on Ridge Road
On April 2, the Town signed an agreement with Montgomery County transferring the use and
maintenance of Ridge Road lying within the Town limits, to the Town of Washington Grove.
The Town will begin to receive revenue from the State Highway Users’ Trust Fund in July
2000. The Town’s responsibility for the use and maintenance of this portion of Ridge Road is
effective as of the date of the transfer. For a number of years, the Town has received reports of
significant speeding along Ridge Road. For this reason, the Town Council voted to install three
speed humps on Ridge Road with installation to occur before June 30, 1999.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Ordinance Modifying the
Regulations for the Use of
Woodward Park and Sports Facilities
Date: Monday, May 10, 1999
Place: McCathran Hall Council Room
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Town Council will conduct a hearing on an ordinance modifying paragraph 4.c) of the
Regulations for the Use of Woodward Park and Sports Facilities. The ordinance as proposed
would retain three days per week for recreational activities that do not require group use
permits. However, those days would not be specified. This would allow greater flexibility in
scheduling Town facilities while continuing to limit group permits.
Reminder
Enroll now for Summer- in-the-Parks!! This relaxed program of creative projects, sports, nature
activities, and fun at the lake for children ages 4 through 11, meets at McCathran Hall from 1:30
to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for four weeks, beginning Monday, July 5. To ensure a
place for your child, send the enrollment form along with the registration fee, to Nancy
McCullough, P.O. Box 102, by May 1. Please make out checks to “Town of Washington
Grove”. Resident fees are $70 for the first child, $55 for a second, and $40 for a third child in
the same family. For more information, call Joli McCathran at 301-869-5358.
Board of Zoning Appeals
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL EXCEPTION
Date: May 26, 1999
Place: McCathran Hall
Time: 8:00 PM
Pursuant to Section 8.2B of the Washington Grove Code of Ordinances, a public hearing will be
held to determine if a beauty shop operating at 113 Hickory Road (back of Washington Grove
Center) could be granted a special exception for retail sale of incidental items. The Board can
grant such a special exception outright, or with “such conditions, restrictions, or limitations as
the Board may deem appropriate to . . . protect the general residential nature of the Town . . .”
The Board will take written and oral testimony from the applicant, residents or other interested
parties in advance of, or at the public hearing. The Board will render its decision as soon
thereafter as practical.
Hazardous Materials Disposal
Sunday, May 2. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shady Grove Transfer Station.
Moms Club
Tuesday, May 4 — 10:00 a.m. At McCathran Hall. A musical activity for children. Please call
Martha Crews at 301-527-8273 to sign up.
Meet your State Legislators
YOU ARE INVITED
to
MEET YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS
Wednesday, April 28
8:00 p.m.
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
17740 Muncaster Road, Derwood
The Greater Shady Grove Civic Alliance
Railroad Park to be Dedicated
Saturday, May 15 9:00 a.m.
County officials will join Town volunteers and representatives from the City of Gaithersburg and
local businesses to dedicate this oasis of green. The culmination of many hours of planning and
coordination on behalf of Washington Grove volunteers, Railroad Park is a visible example of
what can be accomplished with hard work and joint effort. Its presence reaches out to share the
Grove’s love of beauty and concern for the environment.
Memorial Gathering for Tom McCathran
There will be a memorial gathering in McCathran Hall on Saturday, May 29, 1999, at 2:00 p.m.
for family and friends to meet and share remembrances of Tom.
Grove Nature Trail a Wonderful Addition
Last weekend, on the 17th and 18th of April, Tagg Hutchinson finished his Eagle Project in the
East woods. He, along with help from his boy scout troop and help from Town residents, built a
new trail for the public’s use. To find it, go to Mulch Alley by the town garage or go into the
woods at 6th Avenue and Grove Road. The path is covered with mulch donated by Charlie
Musser, and everywhere you look there are pieces of wooden furniture hand crafted by Bruce
Rothrock. “I wanted to do something for the Town of Washington Grove for my Eagle Project.
Everyone seemed in favor of a nature trail so I built one.” — Tagg Hutchinson.
Voter Registration
To vote in Town elections, you must be currently registered to vote with Montgomery County at
an address in Washington Grove. To verify your registration with the County, please call
County Voter Registration Information at 217-8683. If you need to register, please call them
soon so you will be eligible to vote at Town elections and at Town Meeting on Saturday, June
12.
Jacket Found
Kid’s nylon winter jacket found in McCathran Hall. Size 14-16. Call 301-926-2256.
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. Please
allow at least 10 days for review by the Commission. Call John McClelland at 301-963-3328 if
you have questions about zoning code requirements. Interior renovations which involve
electrical, plumbing, or load-bearing changes generally require a County permit. All
applications for County-required building permits must first be signed off by the Town.
Building Permit
· Herold, 106 Pine Avenue, garage
Energy Use Survey Update
Response to the energy Use Survey showed a variety of heating systems, range of annual fuel
costs ($200 – $2000 with a median of $800), and a strong interest in learning more–particularly
about comparative fuel system costs, safety and environment issues, and conversion costs. The
majority of responders wanted to learn more about energy use issues through a town meeting.
One third of those completing the survey volunteered to make phone calls, write letters, and do
research to benefit the entire community. The more surveys received, the more representational
an information meeting will be. If you missed or misplaced the survey in last month’s bulletin
and are willing to take ten minutes, phone Bruce Crise 301-977-0424 or Diana Talbert 301-926-
5283 or come to Town Office.
Community Band Concert/Ice Cream Social
Sunday, May 16 Gazebo, 2:30 p.m An ice cream social follows a performance by the
Montgomery Village Community Band. Free. Sponsor: Recreation Committee.
Recreation Committee!
Thursday, May 6 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall Council Room. Come help plan Music Weekend,
July 4th activities, Mousetrap Concert Series, Millennium Celebration!
Lake Committee To Meet
Wednesday, May 19. 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall Council Room
Appeal for Variance Denied
The Board of Zoning Appeals heard the request of Anne Marie Murphy for a variance to allow
the construction of a fireplace/chimney at 203 2nd Avenue. Based upon the testimony and the
facts surrounding the appeal, the Board determined that the requirements of Section VII,
paragraph 12.2(a)(4),(5), and (7) had not been met and voted to deny the variance.
Heritage Committee Open House
in celebration of
Historic Preservation Month and
Washington Grove’s 125th Anniversary
Sunday, May 23
McCathran Hall Council Room
1-4 p.m.
· learn about state tax credit for rehabilitating your older home
· find out about the history of your house
· view display of historic photos
· sign up to assist in Oral History project
· refreshments!
Questions about Open House? call Clare Cavicchi at 301-869-1827.
Questions about Oral History project? call Judy Mroczka at 301-990-3771
Birds in a Golden Year
50th anniversary of the first Flower Show (1949-1999) sponsored by the Woman’s Club of
Washington Grove (1926-1999) Sunday, May 23 The Woman’s Club Chestnut Road and Miller
Drive 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. free admission, door prizes, refreshments Flower Show Committee:
Sylvia Horan, Betsy Klinger, Alice Mahaffey, Joli McCathran
Forestry Workday Beautifies Area
Forestry and Beautification Councilor Carol Uhlendorf and twelve other volunteers planted
shrubs and perennials in Railroad Park and the beds near Washington Grove Lane last Saturday.
Thanks to Jim Fletcher, Larry French, Don and Bobbie Gallagher, Betsy Klinger, Tricia Knox,
Pete Kollasch, Audrey Maskery, Jean Myers, Kristin Perry, Ed Roberts, and Ted Yachup.
Post Office Barrels
Looking for a great idea for a community service project? The barrels on either side of the Post
Office doors are in desperate need of adoption. The barrels were put in place by the Town many
years ago but now are repositories for empty bottles, cigarette butts and trash. If someone would
be willing to plant the barrels and keep them watered, beautification funds are available for plant
material. Please call the Town Office at 301-926-2256 if you are interested in taking this on.
Thanks!
Town Office Closed for Vacation
The Town Office will be closed from Thursday, May 27 through Friday, June 4. In case of
emergency, call Mayor Ann Briggs at 301-926-6347 or the appropriate Councilor. See the first
page of the Woman’s Club Town Directory for Council areas of responsibility.
Good News from behind the Bamboo Curtain
On Friday, April 16, the new Maintenance Building Addition passed its final inspection. Jim
Fletcher, the Town’s maintenance supervisor, has already started to make good use of the
expanded space. The new addition will give Jim much needed room to repair the Town’s
maintenance equipment, work on Town projects during the winter months, and store supplies
necessary to Town functions. That includes safe storage of fuel and flammable liquids. Further
improvements to electrical and plumbing systems in the building are planned for the next fiscal
year. Watch for the official gala “Grand Opening” of the new and improved Maintenance
Building — soon to be announced.
Please – No Dumping on Mulch Alley
Brush and other yard trimmings should not be taken and dumped on mulch alley near the Town
maintenance shop. Please take to the Transfer Station, put out for recycling collection or leave at
roadside for pickup by the Town maintenance staff. Leaves may be put in brown paper bags or
reusable containers marked recycling for pickup with yard waste on Wednesdays. Maintenance
crew does not pick up leaves.
“Spring Cleaning?” — Woman’s Club Yard Sale
Remember the annual yard sale to benefit the Woman’s Club when you do your “spring
cleaning”. The sale will be held on Saturday, June 12. If you have items to part with now (no
clothing please), call Mary Kay DuBois at 301-926-8941 or Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416.
IF A BIRD HITS YOUR WINDOW
…what do you do? Spring migration and courting flourishes cause many head-on window
collisions. Here’s advice on rescuing the bird lying in your yard: If he doesn’t recover quickly,
put him in a closed grocery bag or box with several layers of paper towel on the bottom for
traction. Don’t include water — an unsteady bird may fall in and drown or become chilled. Place
the closed box in a quiet room or closet. After 15 or 20 minutes, take the box outside and open
the top. Hopefully, he was just stunned and will fly off. If not, he has a spinal or head injury and
dangerous swelling is likely. A rehabilitator can inject a drug to reduce swelling and prevent
nerve damage, if you can take him to our nearby rehab facility. Second Chance Wildlife Center
is located at the dead end of Barcellona Drive, off Rt. 124 north of Airpark. Take your children
along — they’ll see owls, herons, ducks, chipmunks, opossums, all getting a second chance.
1999 Montgomery County Preservation Awards
On Tuesday, May 11, a ceremony in the Grand Courtroom of The Red Brick Courthouse in
Rockville from 6-8 p.m. will honor the recipients of this year’s preservation awards. Peerless
Rockville and Historic Takoma will receive awards for 25 and 20 years of preservation service
respectively. The County’s ten most endangered historic sites will be featured.
Firewood Available
Several trees were removed along Hickory Road between Oak and Center Streets. Some wood has been
taken to the Town Garage area.