Residential Development Proposed For Ridge Road Fields
See Resolutions Adopted at Special Town Meeting
Mayor’s letter concerning impact of development
Actions:
Retained services of land use attorney Bill Chen Formed
groups to study Environmental/Open Space, Financial,
and Planning issues
Resources:
Check Greater Shady Grove Civic Alliance letter to Park
& Planning and concept plan. Copies of both are
available at the Town Office.
Special Trash Collection
Saturday, 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 put at the curb by
7:00 a.m.
The Magic of Barry Taylor
Saturday, April 28, 2001
McCathran Hall, 2:00 p.m.
Barry Taylor has over 20 years of experience
performing magic for private parties,
tradeshows, public theatre, corporate functions
and his own theater, Psychic Ghost Theatre. His
relaxed and friendly personality makes his
magic shows fun for the entire family to enjoy.
Volunteer Traffic Geek Sought
For committee working to improve Railroad Street/East
Diamond intersection and Washington Grove Lane traffic. Please call Mayor or Town Office at
301-926-2256.
Council Notes
Please note a change in the regular meeting schedule. The next meeting will be
Tuesday, May 8, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall. The public is cordially invited. April Council
actions included:
· voted to remove speed hump in front of 125 Washington Grove Lane.
(see last page)
Town Elections
Nominations for Mayor and Council have closed. Town elections will be held
on Saturday, June 9, from 4-7 p.m. at McCathran Hall. The nominees are:
Mayor (1-year term) John Compton
Council (two 3-year terms) Tricia Knox; Bud O’Connor; Peggy Odick
ARBOR DAY in the Grove
Saturday, April 28
McCathran Hall, 10:00 a.m.
Tree City U.S.A. presentation, activities for
children, bulbs, annuals and perennials will be
planted around the hall. Refreshments!
Open House at 102 Center Street – On Sunday, April 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Terry
Shoemaker and Chris Kirtz cordially invite you to view “The Hardy House” circa 1890/1906 “as
is”. Their plan is to lovingly restore it and be good new Grove neighbors. Pictures, history of
house, stories about it, and your ideas welcomed!
Enroll Now for Summer-in-the-Parks!
Send enrollment forms along with the registration fee
to Kathleen McCann, P.O. Box 920, by April 28. Please make out checks to “Town of
Washington Grove”. Resident fees are $80 for the first child, $65 for a second, and $50 for a
third child in the same family. Children aged 4-11 are eligible (4 by 7/31/2001) Enrollment
forms are available at the Town Office. Questions, call Karen Kelly at 301-987-9529.
WOMAN’S CLUB NEWS
Annual Flower Show- Washington Grove Woman’s Club cordially invites its members and all
Town residents to the Flower Show, Sunday, May 20 at the Woman’s Club House. We are
celebrating Spring and the 75th Jubilee of the Woman’s Club. We invite you all to enter a
beautiful floral specimen or arrangement – OR just come to view the exhibits. Entries 8-10:30
a.m.; Judging 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Exhibition 1-4 p.m.; Awards 3 p.m. A flyer/program will
be arriving at your door in the coming weeks. Contact Joli McCathran with any questions at 301-
869-5358.
Clean-up Day at the Woman’s Club House
Saturday, May 5, from 9 a.m. until ?? – please
bring your leaf rakes, garden gloves, pruners, and paper/recycle leaf bags. All volunteers are
warmly received and much appreciated. The more, the merrier, and the sooner “until ??” comes
around. Contact Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416 with any questions. Thank you!
COMING SOON!
Rent the Woman’s Club House!
Planning a surprise birthday bash, family reunion, graduation
gala, wedding reception, planning session or business meeting . . . consider the charming wooded
setting, spacious main room, screened porch, kitchen and restroom facilities of the Woman’s
Club House. For information or reservations call Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416. Heat and air
conditioning!!
“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 2. 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.
WANTED – Part-time Child Care Provider
2 ½ hours each Sunday morning for our nursery
program (infants through age 5) Good Pay. Washington Grove United Methodist Church. Fax
resumes to: (301) 421-4380 or mail to: WGUMC, P.O. Box 115, Washington Grove, MD 20880.
For more information contact C. Swift at 301-948-5438 or Mariana Uhrlaub at 301-926-4718.
Grove Tennis,br> Juniors begins July 1, Mon/Tues/Wed
Adult Tennis Camp begins June 21
Levels: Beginner/Intermediate and More Advanced (New this Year!!) Call Linda Baim at 301-
926-8767 ([email protected]) or Barb Leng at 301-670-9443.
Heritage Open House – See the recent video on Montgomery County camp meetings featuring
Washington Grove. Historic photos and files, tax incentive applications and info, refreshments.
Stop by on the way to/from the Flower Show! At McCathran Hall on Sunday, May 20, 2-3 p.m.
Washington Balalaika Society
presents a Mother’s Day concert
“Balalaika!”
Sunday, May 13
8:00 p.m.
Parilla Performing Arts Center
Montgomery College
51 Mannakee Street, Rockville
Admission: $18 ($15 Seniors and Students)
For information and group sales, call 703-931-6486 or website: www.balalaika.org
Tree City USA
Washington Grove has been named a Tree City USA by The National Arbor
Day Foundation. It is the fourth year Washington Grove has received this national recognition.
An illustrated history of the Woman’s Club of
Washington Grove written by Sylvia Tate
Horan. To reserve your copy call Kitty Vogan
at 301-840-9416.
Town volunteer Kristin Perry compiled the necessary information for the application. To become
a Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards: a tree board or department, a tree care
ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance. This
award demonstrates the Town’s commitment to ongoing improvement and renewal in managing
the Grove’s trees.
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 240-777-8683. 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 9.
Absentee Ballots
Qualified voters requesting absentee ballots, must certify in writing that they
will not be able to be present to vote during the time designated for the polls to be open. For an
absentee ballot, contact Mary Kay DuBois at 301-926-8941.
Grove Students! Community Service Opportunity!
Volunteer positions are available on the Town maintenance staff this summer. If you enjoy
outdoor work and would like to earn some community service hours, please inquire at the Town
Office.
Leaf Collection Completed April 1
Remaining leaf piles may be put in brown paper bags or
reusable containers marked yard trim and put at the curb on Wednesdays to be picked up as
recyclable yard waste. Also, you may dump leaves along the alley that runs perpendicular to
Center Street near the Maintenance Shop. Please, no brush dumping near the garage.
Relax and Recharge! Drop-In Yoga Classes
Beginning Wednesday, May 9, and continuing
through June 27, drop- in yoga classes will be held in McCathran Hall from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Please
wear comfortable clothing and bring padding or mats for the wood floor. Classes are $10/session.
Checks payable to Town of Washington Grove.
Town Budget Work Session
Monday, April 30 7:30 p.m. Council Room. Come, learn, and
participate as the Town Council balances competing priorities putting together a budget for the
Town Meeting approval in June.
Recreation Committee – Wednesday, May 2 Town Council Room, 7:30 p.m. Come help plan a
fun- filled summer!
Senator P.J. Hogan to Address Council on May 8
Senator Hogan will speak beginning at 7
p.m. in the Council Room about the activities of the legislative session just ended. Everyone is
welcome and encouraged to come and listen.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting will be Tuesday, May 1, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall.
The public is welcome to attend. April actions included:
· will require $18,000 bond for Washington Grove Park subdivision (WSSC) for Ridge
Road repairs
· discussed proposed residential development of the Cator property and annexation by the
Town
· agreed to concept of renumbering upper Ridge Road addresses for safety reasons
Town Hires Forester
The Town has hired a Town Forester part-time consultant, Dan Landry,
at the recommendation of the Town of Washington Grove Tree Advisory Committee. The
committee reported to the Town at the June 2000 Town Meeting as part of their charge from
Mayor Compton to make recommendations regarding maintaining and improving Town trees
and the tree canopy. Dan works full- time for PEPCO as a Community and Urban Forester, and
has a degree in Forestry and Wildlife Resources from Virginia Tech. He is certified as a
Maryland Licensed Professional Forester, is a Certified Arborist of the International Society of
Arboriculture, and has earned numerous certifications from the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources.
Dan will be working in the Grove this spring to assess the current state of our tree canopy and
make recommendations on immediate steps that should be taken to keep our current tree canopy
healthy. Among the areas of focus will be checking for immediate hazards, diseases, and overall
health and determine a plan of treatment or removal when needed. Initial findings will be
reported at the June 2001 Town Meeting. The next steps will include working with the town
Forestry and Beautification Committee to complete a tree inventory as part of an assessment of
actions the Town may consider to maintain or replace the Town tree canopy over a 20-50 year
time frame.
Other duties of the Town Forester will be to provide guidance for development of tree
educational materials to be distributed to Town residents and to participate in next year’s Arbor
Day activities. Upon the recommendation of the Town of Washington Grove Tree Advisory
committee, Dan will be available to consult with town residents on health and maintenance
issues for trees on their property. A schedule for private consultation will be determined by the
June Town Meeting and will be included in the July Town Bulletin.
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. The
Town must first sign off all applications for County-required building permits.
Building Permits Issued
Linscheid, 413 Center Street, porch
Fire Board Rep Sought
The Town is seeking a representative to serve on the local Fire Board
of the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Fire Department. The Board meets monthly and is
important to the financial management of the Department. If you are interested in serving on the
Fire Board please call Mayor John Compton at 301-330-8264.
Hazardous Materials Disposal
Sunday, May 6
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shady Grove Transfer Station
Town Information
Office/Clerk -Treasurer
Phone: 301-926-2256
Fax: 301-926-0111
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.washgrov.sailorsite.net
Web Coordinator: [email protected]
Mail: P.O. Box 216, Washington Grove, MD 20880
Town Hall: Center Street & Chestnut Road, Washington Grove
Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Closed Wednesday mornings
Hall Scheduler Jenny Long 301-869-3824
Maintenance: Jim Fletcher 301-963-5850
Street Light Out: Vicki Erhart 301-208-9442
Building Permits: John McClelland 301-963-3328
County Animal Control: 301-279-1066
County Police Non-Emergency: 301-279-8000
Deadline for Next Bulletin – Friday, May 11
Maple Lake News
The annual Maple Lake clean- up took place last weekend in preparation for
the coming swimming season. Approximately 22 more tons of sand have been delivered and will
be spread on the beach and in the shallow area by the beach. Maple Lake will be open for
swimming on Memorial Day weekend and each weekend in June until the schools are out, and
then daily through Labor Day weekend. We are fortunate that Jim and Summer Leng will be
lifeguarding again this summer. However, the Lake Committee is searching for a swimming
instructor with lifeguard certification for the month of July (weekdays only), and for lifeguards
for the first two weeks of August. Call Dodie Tippens at 301-869-1682, or Sharon Hurst at 301-
948-2424 if you or anyone you know is interested. Thanks are due once aga in to Don Gallagher
for his tireless efforts in keeping the drainage ditch by the lake clear of trees, branches and other
debris.
Website Happenings!
A private emailing list for residents of the Town of Washington Grove,
Maryland has been created for communication on topics of their choice. Their families and
former residents may also subscribe. The list moderator will verify the eligibility of everyone
who asks to subscribe. To get on the list, send an email to the list moderator Michael Shipway (3
Ridge Road) at [email protected] Tell him who you are so he can verify you are a
resident. Email sent to the group address – [email protected] will be
forwarded automatically to everyone on the subscriber list. We encourage you to stick to subjects
of local interest. These might include recent or upcoming activities, sightings of flora or fauna, or
the fields development.
Good $$$ News for Historic Rehabilitation Work!
· Starting July 1, 2001, certified rehabilitation work to historic structures would be eligible
for a rebate of the amount not applicable to a taxpayer’s State income tax liability.
· June 1, 2001, is the drop-dead date to apply for credit for previously comp leted
rehabilitation work to historic structures.
· Virginia and Maryland have a reciprocal agreement
Questions may be addressed to Scott Whipple at the Maryland Historical Trust
[email protected] or call 410-514-7635.
Mystery of Disappearing Trash Solved!
The Town’s trash contractor, Waste Management,
has been collecting some regular trash on Mondays because they have room in the truck. Though
they sometimes have to walk farther to get it, it helps them by relieving some of the heavier
burden on Tuesdays. Waste Management will return to collect any trash you put out for the
regular collection on Tuesday.
Wake for Richmond Clapperton
Thursday, April 26 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at McCathran
Hall. Services will be held on Friday, April 27 at 10 a.m. at Washington Grove United Methodist
Church.
Council Votes to Remove Problem Speed Hump
At their April 16 meeting, the Town Council
voted unanimously to ask the County to remove the speed hump in front of 125 Washington
Grove Lane. For over two years, heavy trucks going over the speed hump have shaken the
Gallagher residence. The Council had previously asked to have the hump modified, but neither
modification nor removal can be done until the summer when contracts are signed. Other Town
suggestions for retaining effective traffic calming were rejected by the County because of the
road’s geometrics. The Gallaghers maintain that only removal will solve the problem. A group is
forming to address traffic issues in this corridor. The Town Council is interested in hearing from
those who have concerns about removal of the speed hump.
Kudos
· to Mary Kay DuBois and Missy Yachup for cleaning out the infamous Recreation Closet
into which all things are put!
· to Mayor John Compton (of the wee hour e- mails) for admirably shouldering an
enormous load
· to Chris Brown for designing an informative and attractive “press kit” for Washington
Grove
· to Bob DeFilippis for representing the Town on the Fire Board of the Gaithersburg-
Washington Grove Fire Department.
Fields Development Committees
If you would like to help in this effort on the
Environmental/Open Space, Finance, or Planning Committees, please call the Town Office at
301-926-2256.