Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday, May 10, 2004; 7:30 p.m., in the Council Room.
April Council actions included:
Awarded the Leaf Collection Contract for next year to US Lawns.
Appointed Bruce Rothrock to the Historic Planning Preservation Commission for a 3-year term.
Awarded the Road Repair Contract to AB Veirs & Sons Paving.
Legislators Coming in May
Senator P.J. Hogan, along with Delegates Barkley, Stern and King, will address the Mayor and Council at the May 10th meeting. This meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m..
The public is invited to attend.
Budget Work Session Changed
The Budget Work Session originally scheduled for Monday, April 26th has been changed to Tuesday, April 27th. The start time is still 7:30 p.m. and will take place in the Council Room.
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 Compton
Council (two 3-year terms) Linda Baim
Betsy Klinger
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.
STILL TIME FOR LETTERS!
The Planning Board will be discussing recreation and facilities needs in a draft Shady Grove Metro Master Plan working session on April 29th. The 20 April 2004 staff has been directed to investigate active recreational use of the Field along Ridge Rd. (ball courts, fields, etc)!! While no public input will be taken at the session, written public input in the form of positions and opinions is highly appropriate. It is vital that as many Town residents as possible express their support that the Field remain undeveloped to accomplish protecting the historic character of Washington Grove from encroaching development, and that only passive use will meet the mandate of the Planning Board itself in designating the field as an historic resource in the Legacy Open Space program.
Please send at least a brief letter to the Planning Board addressed as follows;
Derick P. Berlage, Chairman
Montgomery County Planning Board
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
8787 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3760
(Please copy your letter to the Town as well)
Letter Writing Party
Wednesday, April 21st, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.; Council Room.
Join the fun, help the Town, light refreshments provided.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: May 4, 2004; 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
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. The permit fee is $10.00, payable to the Town of Washington Grove. Interior renovations, which involve electrical, plumbing, or load-bearing changes, generally require a County permit. A shed requires a County permit as well. The Town must first sign off all applications for County-required building permits. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permits as well.
Building Permits were issued for the following:
102 Center Accessory Building
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: May 18, 2004, 7:00 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: May 5, 2004, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Summer In The Parks Update
The directors of the program are hiring 3 teachers, 1 assistant teacher, and 3 aides. In order to better meet the needs of our many children (48-50), the decision to hire an additional staff person was made. To offset this expense, the fee for Summer In The Parks will go up to $115.00 per child. Even with this increase, the cost of the program remains less than $2.00 per hour which is still a real bargain. If any participating families have concerns regarding this fee increase, you may call Tami Williams. Please submit attached enrollment forms to Tami at PO Box 917 by May 15th. To find out how to help with the program call Tami at 301-869-8541.
Calling All Kids!
This years’ Music Weekend (3rd weekend in June) will include a children’s recital on Saturday, June 19th at 10:00 a.m.. Children who would like to play their instruments, or sing a song on the program should call (301-869-8541) or e-mail ([email protected]) Tami Williams in order to sign up. Please include; the name of the performer(s), the instrument(s); the name of the piece and the composer; length of the piece (rounded up to the nearest minute), and the name of your accompanist (if needed). Parents will be expected to sign up for one of the following: set up; clean up; bring something for the refreshment table (i.e. baked goods, snacks, juice or coffee/tea). All are encouraged to participate in this new event!
You are invited to the Annual Woman’s Club Flower Show
The Fire of Spring
Sunday, May 16th at the Clubhouse
Entry times: 8:15 – 10:15 a.m.
Open to the public: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Look for brochures & guidelines to be distributed at the beginning of May.
Attention All Yard Sale Patrons !!
The Annual Woman’s Club Yard sale will NOT happen this year. In its place we will be having an auction on October 2, 2004.
Woman’s Club Auction Coming!
On Saturday, October 2, 2004 the Woman’s Club will be holding an auction to raise funds for capital improvements to the clubhouse. Brenda Gumula (301)869-5118 and Terry Kirtz (301)990-7935 are chairing this event and are encouraging all town residents to save the date and begin identifying items to donate for this event. Club members will begin calling soon to ask for help. So, mark the date on your calendars!
April Showers Bring May Flower Shows
See ad above. This event is open to all Town residents. For more information call Joli McCathran (301-869-5358) or Georgette Cole (301-330-6740).
Egg Hunt Kudos
Special thanks to Pat Deely and Deborah Chambers for organizing the Annual Egg Hunt. This well-attended event was great fun for all, no matter the age!
Dues are Due.
Woman’s Club dues were due in January. If you have forgotten, please send them to Mary Kay Dubois (General Delivery), Kathi Higdon Kershaw (PO Box 545) or bring them to the next meeting.
Neighborhood Watch News
Report Crimes & Suspicious Activity!
Mont. Co. Police non-emergency: 301-279-8000
Town Office: 301-926-2256
Betsy Klinger: 301-977-3517
Good weather brings more foot traffic and an increase in “crimes of opportunity”. Please remember to lock your doors (car, garage & house) and, as always, report suspicious activity to the Police and to Neighborhood Watch. [email protected].
Incident report for March 6 – April 15:
3/24: Jeep was seen speeding through the Ridge Rd. field. Police called, kids arrested.
3/29: Kids seen breaking into boarded up house on McCauley St. Action taken to re-secure house.
4/5: Small group of unfamiliar young teens wandering around The Circle and peering into houses.
Maple Lake News
Next meeting: May 4th; 7:30 p.m.; Lower Hall
New members welcome and encouraged!!
Arbor Day
Saturday, April 24th, 10:00 a.m.; (Rain date 4/25)
Meet on the Council Room porch for coffee, juice, and doughnuts. Bring your rakes, shovels, pruners, and trowels. We will clean out the beds in front of McCathran Hall, plant pachysandra and spread mulch.
Don’t Forget The Bulk Trash Pickup
Bulk trash pickup is scheduled for Saturday, April 24th. Collection may include furniture, appliances (not those with Freon), rugs, large toys, small auto parts, etc.Materials may not include construction by-products, large automotive parts, or tires. ALL ITEMS MUST BE “CURBSIDE” BY 7:00 a.m..
Recyclable Yard Waste Collection
In the past, this service from Waste Management has been sketchy at best. If your recyclable yard waste, in proper container/s, does not get picked up, please contact Tom Land 301-869-4334. We can’t fix what we don’t know about. Thanks!
Recycling Questions
Do you care about recycling paper? Do you throw your junk mail in the trash at the Post Office? If you dump your junk mail at the Post Office it doesn’t get recycled. If you take it home with you it does. So..if you take it home, not only are you lightening the load for the PO employees but you are helping Mother Earth as well. Ahh.. Can’t you hear her? Thanks for considering it!
A Good Time Was Had By All.
Six members of the Washington Grove children’s dance group delighted residents of the Potomac Valley Nursing Center in Rockville by performing a springtime version of “The Nutcracker” on March 20th. Violet, Elise, and Julia Cavicchi, Emma and Sita Strother, and Sarah Brown presented three numbers, re-choreographed for the occasion by Carolyn Rapkievian. Assisting at the performance were Tad Stahnke, Clare Cavicchi, Chris Brown and Judy Mroczka.
Bathrooms Locked
The bathrooms at the Maintenance Garage in Woodward Park are now locked. Please call the Town Office to get the combination.
Hazardous Waste Collections
Sunday, May 2, 2004; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Shady Grove Solid Waste Transfer Station. Proof of Mont. Co. residence is required.
Clerk’s Corner
Happy Spring! Watch your speed and your stops. As always, thanks!