TOWN COUNCIL NEWS
Next meeting: Monday, April 8, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the March meeting include:
- Approval of Ord. (ZTA) 2019-01; Adopting Amendments to the Washington Grove Zoning Ordinance to Delete Definitions for Repair and Ordinary Repairs and add a Definition of Ordinary Maintenance and Repairs.
- Approval of Ord. 2019-02; Adopting Amendments to the Washington Grove Code of Ordinances to Modify Requirements for Building Permits
- Acceptance of GREEN EARTH’s proposal for the bulk collection of leaves in Town.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Washington Grove Town Council will hold a public hearing on April 8, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in McCathran Hall, 300 Grove Ave, to hear public testimony on proposed Ordinance 2019-04 pdf
Adopting Amendments to the Washington Grove Code of Ordinances Article 1, Public Nuisances, Morals and Conduct, to Provide for Deer Management Hunt Sessions with Conditions.
Summary: Bow hunting deer management sessions in Town-owned woods will be permitted IF the Town Council authorizes each deer management hunt session by Resolution in an open meeting of the Town Council, incorporating by reference Montgomery County Department of Parks Managed Deer Hunting Program Regulations, Group Leader Expectations, and Archery Participant Expectations and Procedures to the extent applicable for bow hunting.
Traffic Calming Comments
The Town Council any additional resident comment on the effectiveness of the speed hump on Grove Avenue at Oak in traffic calming and improving pedestrian safety.
General Information
Important Message for Washington Grove Taxpayers
Maryland State Income Tax
Washington Grove Subdivision Code: 1612
Every year the Town of Washington Grove receives a portion of the Maryland State income tax paid by Town residents. Because most residents do not have mail delivered to street addresses, this presents a challenge for the State Comptroller’s office when attributing the taxes collected to Washington Grove. It is critical that all Washington Grove residents (including renters) designate “1612” and “Washington Grove” on the tax form. For those filing electronically or using software, there should be a drop down menu to select Washington Grove. Please share this information with your renters and your tax preparer if appropriate. This DOES NOT increase your taxes, but DOES help ensure the Town receives its proper share of income tax revenue. Thanks for your help! Questions, call Treasurer Mary Challstrom at 301-926-4498.
Town Elections in May
Election Day will be Saturday, May 11 this year, and will be followed by the annual Town Meeting. The office of Mayor and two Council seats will be open.
NOMINATIONS CLOSE APRIL 8!
Written nominations require the consent of the nominee and endorsement signatures from two qualified Town voters, residents of Washington Grove currently registered to vote in Montgomery County at a Town address. Nominations may be given to any member of the Board of Supervisors of Elections or delivered to the Town Office, where Clerk Kathy Lehman functions as a deputy of the Board.
Please check your registration with the county if you are a newer resident, and consider serving the Town in an elected capacity or nominating a fellow resident for office.
Please plan on voting May 11 between 4:00PM and 7:00PM, or earlier by absentee ballot. Applications for absentee ballots will be available beginning April 15.
This year’s Annual Town Meeting is set for May 11, 2019 in McCathran Hall at 8:00 p.m.
Bulk Trash Pickup Scheduled for SATURDAY June 15, 2019
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 items.
ITEMS SHOULD BE PLACED “CURBSIDE” BY 7:00 A.M
Washington Grove Elementary School Kindergarten Orientation
WGES is making plans for the next year’s Kindergarten Orientation for the incoming Kindergarten class (2019-2020). Orientation will occur on Friday, April 12, 2019. To be eligible for Kindergarten this coming September, children must be five years old on or before September 1, 2019.
If you have a child eligible for Kindergarten at Washington Grove Elementary in September or you know of any children who are eligible, please stop by the school office or call 240-740-0300.
Planning Commission News…
Next meeting: Wednesday, April 3, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Building Permit Submission Deadline
The deadline to submit a building permit application for approval by the Planning Commission and review by the Historic Preservation Commission is the 2nd Wednesday of the month prior to the PC meeting at which the permit will be reviewed (this will be in the following month). This timing ensures the HPC will be able to complete a formal review before the PC meeting as this review is required for the PC to approve the permit in a timely fashion. 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.
2019 Master Plan Work Session
On Wednesday April 17 there will be a Planning Commission work session at 7:30 pm in the octagon. We will be reviewing/revising the 2019 Master Plan Working Draft.
In March we worked on Section 2.3 and Section 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, and 3.11. Section 3.9 still needs to be re-written. At the April 17 session we will review material recently modified then start on Section 4 (Community Facilities). As time allows we will start on Section 5 (Recreation and Parks). Residents are welcome to attend, everyone’s input is valuable!
A copy of the latest 2019 Master Plan Working Draft and the draft minutes from each work session is available on the Town web site as a link on the 2019 Master Plan page.
Historic Preservation Commission News…
Next meeting: Tuesday, April 16, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. All meetings are open to the public.
The HPC welcomes and encourages residents to come for an early consultation when considering an addition or renovation/changes to the exterior of their home. HPC can offer valuable advice early in the planning process and provide guidance with designs that are compatible with the character of the existing house and the Town. Please consider coming to the HPC as your first stop when contemplating options for your home improvement.
Recreation Committee News…
Next Meeting: Wed., April 17, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. Open to the public.
Anyone interested in joining should come to the next meeting!
Square Dancing Resumes
Betsy and Al Taylor, Callers for Taylor Made Squares, will be calling, teaching and dancing on the first and third Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9 pm in McCathran Hall. You can come and watch for free, or join in the fun for $5 a dancer. We will be dancing April 1, April 15, May 6, and May 20.
Squeals on Wheels!!
Squeals on Wheels will be bringing a Barnyard petting zoo on Sunday April 28th from 3:00-4:30. This event includes 3 large animals (a combination of Alpaca’s and Goats), Bunnies, Ducks, Chickens, Guinea Pigs, one of our giant rabbit breeds, and a piggy. All ages are encouraged to come out and enjoy the event at Woodward Park.
Youth Dance Class
Youth dance class starting for 12 years old and up. Classes are Fridays at 5:30 PM. All levels of dance welcome. $7 a class. Call or text Samantha Beres for more info: 515-450-9167.
Mindfulness & Meditation in The Grove
Family friendly events scheduled once a month on a Saturday for the next three (3) months; April 13th, May 4th, and June 22, 2019. The events will go from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. in McCathran Hall. All are welcome. Contact Eleni Khan for further details, [email protected].
Woman’s Club News…
Please join us for our Annual Egg Filling and Hunting!
Thursday evening, April 18th, at 7:00 PM is our annual Egg Filling Night at the Clubhouse, and as always, we need lots of help, and many bags of small, wrapped candies (no bigger than Hershey’s kisses) to go into the eggs.
Saturday, April 20th, at 12:30 PM is the Egg Hunt at McCathran Hall, for your kids, grandkids, nieces & nephews and young friends. Helping hands are needed, starting at noon, for hiding the eggs, and then to supervise the hunt and the craft events afterwards. Please contact Sylvia Appleby ([email protected] or 301-926-9094) to let her know what you can do to help.
Project Linus
For those who like to knit, crochet or work with fabric, this year we’re participating in Project Linus. From time to time, we’ll have get togethers at the Clubhouse, where we’ll work on no-sew fleece throws to help give some security, warmth and comfort to children in foster care or who are seriously ill or traumatized. If you’d like to help with this project, but you can’t always come to our work sessions, let us know and we’ll get you whatever you need.
Contact Wendy Weisbard ([email protected] or 301-758-1097) and Marilynn Frey ([email protected] 301-357-4784). We also have patterns for knitted and crocheted throws, if that’s what you’d like to do.
Joining the Woman’s Club is easy
The Woman’s Club dues are a modest $15 per year and can be paid at any event, or by sending a check to The Woman’s Club of Washington Grove, to PO Box 354, Washington Grove, MD 20880. These dues make it possible for us to host our many popular events and support Town projects.
The Washington Grove Elementary School’s Teachers Closet
We collect school supplies to help keep the Teachers Closet filled with things like glue sticks, pencils and sharpeners, paper, hand sanitizers and tissues, and other supplies. Without our help, teachers will all too often buy these things out of their own pockets.
Working with Interfaith Works
While the less fortunate children of our County need essentials, they also need occasional treats in their lives, and we help provide these by collecting Birthday Presents and small Treasure Chest items to be distributed through Interfaith Works. There’s also an ongoing need for new underwear for boys and girls from toddlers to teens. Last year our Town provided over 250 pair. We have developed sources for purchasing the underwear, so the easiest way to help with this need is through money donations.
White Socks for the Gude Men’s Shelter
Winter is hard enough for the homeless without going without socks! We are continuing to collect new white socks for the men at the Shelter.
Where to Bring Your Donations
Whatever pulls at your heart strings, we have a need you can fulfill. We have bins on the porch to collect for our Community Outreach Programs, or you can drop off your contributions in the painted can on Wendy Weisbard’s porch at 119 Grove Road. You bring them and we’ll sort where they go! Checks are always appreciated too, just put in the memo field if you want your donation to go to a specific project and mail to The Woman’s Club, PO Box 354, Washington Grove, MD 20880.
Forestry & Beautification News…
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 10, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
The next Forestry and Beautification Committee meeting will be Wednesday April 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council room. We will be making plans for the spring tree planting. We’d love to have you join us! And if you can’t make the meeting but have a suggestion for where a new tree is needed, please contact F&B Chair Georgette Cole ([email protected]) or Council Liaison Audrey Maskery ([email protected]).
Washington Grove UMC News…
Washington Grove United Methodist Church…
Please join us on Easter Sunday, April 21st for our Sunrise Service – 6:30 AM in the Washington Grove Meadow Conservation Park
- Breakfast – 7:15 AM at the church
- Easter Egg Hunt – 10:00 AM at the church
- Easter Worship and Celebration of the Resurrection – 11:00 AM at the church
Our family worship services are Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM, at the Washington Grove United Methodist Church, 303 Chestnut Road, Washington Grove, MD 20880 (301-947-0532).
Woods Committee News…
Next Meeting: Monday, April 1, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
Meetings are on the 1st Monday of each month. Our May meeting will be Monday, May 6th. All are welcome to attend.
On Saturday, April 27th at 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, please join the Woods and Maple Lake Committees for our annual joint spring clean-up in the West Woods and at Maple Lake. All ages are welcome to participate but children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Work activities will include trash removal and identification of non-native invasive plants in the West Woods, and cleaning up the Lake area for re-opening.
Please bring your wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels, pruning shears, and pails. Please also bring insect repellent and sun screen, and appropriate outerwear to include work gloves and work boots.
Meet at the Maple Lake parking area at 10:00 AM to organize our activities. Bottled water and trash bags will be provided.
Rain date is Sunday, April 28th at 12:00 noon. Thanks for your help!
The Woods Committee continues its discussion with the Town Council on deer population control plans in our East and West woods as part of our Forest Stewardship program. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pat Klein or Joan Mahaffey, Woods Committee Co-chairs.
Emergency Preparedness & Safety News…
Next Meeting: Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 7:30 pm in the Town Council Room at McCathran Hall.
All are welcome to attend!
We are always looking for interested people to join our committee, which now includes discussion on safety-related items. The EPSC continues to work on emergency planning for the Town including submitting a new chapter on Emergency Preparedness in the 2019 Master Plan, and has been discussing several Town safety issues with the Town Council.
Maple Lake News…
Next Meeting: Thursday, April 17, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Old Council Room. This is the first meeting of the new season. All are welcome to attend!
Maple Lake Cleanup:
The annual cleanup will be on Saturday, April 27th at 10 AM. This is a joint project with the Woods Committee which is also having a west woods clean-up. Please join in and bring your leaf rake, shovel, and wheelbarrow if you have one. Rain date is Sunday, April 28th at Noon. Call John Hutchinson at 240-997-5820 for details or questions.
Lake Committee Meetings are on the Third Thursday starting April 17th at 7:30 at the Town Hall (except for May when Hutch will be away). We need to plan for swim lessons, life guards, and making the lake even better for this summer. New members welcome and encouraged! Call John Hutchinson if you have any questions or suggestions.
Geese:
We are using the Humane Society’s protocol again to humanely prevent eggs from hatching this spring. In the past several years a pair of geese has nested in an area easily accessible to our egg-oiling team. They drive away the other geese during nesting season and then leave when their eggs do not hatch. Please do not feed or harass the nesting pair or disturb the nest. If you see a nest built, please call Ann Philips or John Hutchinson. We encourage visitors to the lake to take along a plastic bag and scoop droppings. THANKS!
Lifeguards:
Lifeguards Needed for Maple Lake this Summer!!
We have a couple of applicants, but need one or two more lifeguards. Hours are from 12-6, seven days a week. Lifeguards must be certified in Lifesaving, CPR, and First Aid. Pay is $12.50 per hour. (We can help you pay for the training.) Call John Hutchinson for details.
Swim Instructor:
Swim instructor needed for Maple Lake for the month of July M-F afternoons. Pay is $19/hour. Call John Hutchinson for details.
Washington Grove Cares…
Washington Grove Cares has coordinated meals and rides for residents in recent weeks. If you’re going through a rough patch or would like some skilled help from a neighbor, don’t be shy. Give us a call at 240-813-3316, drop us a line at [email protected], or fill out a request form online at washingtongrovecares.org.
We’ve been using the Yahoo listserv to spread the word about needed assistance. If you don’t read the listserv but want to receive these notices by email, please let us know and include your email address.
Meet the Candidates
On Saturday, May 4, 2019 one week before the Town elections, we hope to have a lively candidates’ forum in McCathran Hall at 3:00 p.m.
Please join us! This is your chance to meet the candidates as well as officeholders not currently up for re-election. Come with your questions, get a feel for Town government, put a face to a name and enjoy light refreshments. This event is sponsored by Town residents.
COMING EVENTS CALENDAR
April 1 2019 » Woods Committee 7:30 p.m. Council Room
April 1, 15 2019 » Square Dance 7:30 p.m. Town Hall
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 2019 » Yoga 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Town Hall
April 3 2019 » Planning Commission 7:30 p.m. Council Room
April 5, 12, 19, 26 2019 » Youth Dance Class 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Town Hall
April 8 2019 » Public Hearing on Ordinance 2019-04, 7:00 Council Room
April 8 2019 » Town Council 7:30 p.m. Council Room, FY 2020 Proposed Annual Budget and Tax Rate to be approved.
April 10 2019 » Forestry & Beautification 7:30 p.m. Council Room
April 13 2019 » Mindfulness & Meditation 11:00 a.m-12:30 p.m. Town Hall
April 16 2019 » Historic Preservation Committee 7:30 p.m. Council Room
April 17 2019 » 2019 Master Plan draft work session 7:30 p.m. Town Hall
April 17 2019 » Lake Committee 7:30 p.m. Old Council Room
April 17 2019 » Recreation Committee 7:30 p.m. Council Room
April 18 2019 » Egg Filling Night 7:00 p.m. Woman’s Club
April 20 2019 » Easter Egg Hunt 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Town Hall
April 25 2019 » Emergency Prep and Safety Committee 7:30 p.m. Council Room
April 25 2019 » I495-I270 Managed Lanes Study public workshop Wootton High School
April 27 2019 » Lake & Woods Work Day 10:00 a.m.-12:00. Maple Lake lot
April 28 2019 » Squeals on Wheels 3:00 p.m.-4:30p.m. In Woodward Park
May 4 2019 » Candidates Forum Town Hall
NOTABLE DEADLINES !!
April 8 2019 » FY 2020 Proposed Annual Budget and Tax Rate will be approved by Town Council for action at the May 11th Town Meeting.
April 8 2019 » Nominations for Mayor and Town Council close.
April 15 2019 » Income tax form to Maryland due. Designate “1612” and “Washington Grove” on your form.
April 25 2019 » May Bulletin submissions due.