Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 08.13.12 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Thanks to Maintenance, volunteers, residents etc for storm response and cleanup.
Many thanks and sincere appreciation goes out to Steve Werts, our part time Maintenance Staff (Terry Cox, Sam Appleby and Nicho Lembesis) and the dedicated Volunteers (Bill Robertson, Bruce Rothrock and Don Henninger) who labor so long and hard as part of Steve’s "crew". And all over Town residents have stepped up and worked on their own property, on Town land and assisting neighbors to get our Town back into shape after the "Derecho of 2012". If I tried to list names I’d certainly not get everyone but you know who you are! Given the extent of the wind damage to our trees and some homes and the additional suffering imposed by the power outages everyone deserves a very big "Thank you!"
The long term cleanup continues.
Washington Grove Conservation Meadow Park
The MNCPPC Parks department continues the effort to combat the non-native invasive (NNI) plant species that are so established in the WG Meadow Park, especially in the old hedgerow area. Restoring this to a Park that preserves the open space feel of our old farm field with the addition of a generous helping of native trees and shrubs will take many years and considerable effort. Since Mile-a-Minute still flourishes in untreated areas another round of treatment will occur in August. Please note that when chemicals are applied the Maryland Department of Agriculture requires that the location be marked with signs saying “Pesticide Application” and the date. This "pesticide" sign is mandated for ANY application be it pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, etc. Physical removal of NNIs by cutting crews is also planned. Where needed, other plant material will also be removed. This will include the dead/weak trees which impede maintenance and some of the excess cedar and black locust. All of this will pave the way for seeding with a native grass mixture and the installation of native hardwood trees in late fall. It will take time, but eventually we will have the beautiful Conservation Meadow Park we envision.
Income and Age Eligible Property Tax Credits
Grove residents may be eligible for tax credit programs for income-eligible homeowners and seniors. The Maryland homeowner’s property tax credit and Montgomery County’s supplemental tax credit may be available to homeowners who qualify based on their household income as compared to their tax bill. Homeowners who are at least 70 and are eligible for either of the tax credits are also eligible for the county’s senior property tax credit. It is necessary to reapply for the Maryland homeowners’ property tax credit program each year. The application form contains information for the state assessment agency to determine eligibility for the state and county credits, so homeowners need to submit only one application. Applications for this program must be filed by September 1. For information about the tax credit programs, call 800-944-7403 or visit www.dat.state.md.us/. Click on “Forms & Applications” and go all the way to the bottom to "Tax Credits".
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 09.05.12 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
The August meeting was held on the 1st.
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. All permit applications must be received in the Town Office fourteen (14) days prior to the Planning Commission meeting at which they will receive their initial review. The applicant must post a “Notice To Neighbors” sign within seven (7) days of receiving it from the Town Clerk. The Planning Commission will not act on an application unless the Notice To Neighbors sign was posted in a timely fashion as confirmed by the Commission.
Please contact the Town Office (301-926-2256) or [email protected] The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permit applications as well.
Alternate Member STILL Needed
The Planning Commission needs an alternate member on its roster. This is a golden opportunity for someone who has an interest in these matters and would like to start (or continue) a volunteer experience with the Town. Please call Mayor Cole, 301-330-6740 or Charlie Challstrom, 301-926-4498 for more information.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 08.21.12 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. Meetings are open to the public.
From the Archives
By Patricia Patula, Town Archivist
"Boxes and Eggs"
Grove residents have shown an enviable degree of creativity and frugality. An example of this is the collapsible wooden box dating back to the early 1900’s which is in the Town archives. The black lettering on the back reads "The Day Collapsible Box Co. of Washington Grove, Md."
This box, made of thin (and now aging) wood, measures 12-1/2" wide x 6" deep x 9" high when it is in full usable position, and has a thin wire handle. Both the top and the bottom are hinged with hooks for closure. Each side has a vertical hinge to allow for the folding. An unusual item is inside-a damaged egg carton.
The information about the Day Collapsible Box Company is sparse. It is listed as one of the primary "Parcel Post Egg Containers" suppliers in the book Every Step in Canning by Grace Viall Gray, who was a Home Economics Professor at Iowa State College. This book, published in 1920, can be read in its entirety free of charge on line at www.gutenberg.org.
A note from Philip Edwards in the archives states that the Day Company was located on Railroad Street and that these boxes were used to transport produce to Washington DC by train. On the return trip, presumably emptied, the boxes would be folded thus saving transportation fees due to their reduced size. Please visit the Town website to see photographs of the box.
Do you. . .
- know where the Day Company building would have been?
- know when the Company would have started or ended?
- know who might have worked there?
- have another one of these boxes?
Would you like to help reconstruct one for a future exhibit?
Answers are greatly appreciated. Contact us at Town Hall.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 09.19.12 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Film Society News
Washington Grove Film Society 2012/2013 Season
Announcing our 13th film season, opening this fall with a great lineup:
- October 14, 2012, The Americanization of Emily (U.S.)
- November 11, 2012, After the Wedding (Denmark)
- January 13, 2013, Kolya (Czech Republic)
- February 10, 2013, The Night of the Hunter (U.S.)
- March 10, 2013, Diva (France)
More details will follow on the films and look for Film Society members selling subscriptions ($20 for 5 movies) at the Town Labor Day activities. Looking forward to seeing you at the movies!
Woman’s Club News
Our next gathering will be the potluck dinner on Friday, September 21 at the clubhouse. Mark the date on your calendar, and watch the next bulletin for the time. We are really excited to have as our speaker Dorian Janney, Education Lead for NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement mission. If you are wondering what that is, look here https://pmm.nasa.gov/. If you are wondering why it is so exciting, come to the potluck to find out.
WGUMC News
We look forward to August special guest speakers at WGUMC at the 11 am services, including Rev. Larry Harp on August 4th, Rev. Ken Jones on August 12th, and Sylvie Favret on August 19th.
Looking ahead:
- Sept. 9th, Following the 11 am worship service we celebrate the beginning of fall classes with Rally Day activities for children at 12:30, as well as a potluck lunch.
- October 20th, Fall Festival time–Get your pumpkins at the Pumpkin Patch, and browse the craft stalls, while children enjoy face painting and activities.
Lake Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 08.15.11@ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
General Information
Dog Owners
If you pick up after your dog, then skip this item. If you don’t pick up after your dog, please be courteous and do so. How would you like to step in dog waste while you were simply taking a walk? Or, drive through it while mowing the grass? You
may think that your dog’s waste is cute but most do not. Thank you!
Don’t Be a Litter Bug!
As in parks all over the country, we have a carry in, carry out policy for our parks and our woods. Very simply, whatever you bring in to the park you must take with you when you leave. The trash can was removed from Woodward Park because it became a repository for dog waste bags.
Speaking of Trash
Potomac Disposal is our new trash contractor. Not much has changed. THURSDAY is still the pickup day for our trash and recyclables. Please read the following reminders so that Potomac Disposal can provide us with better service.
- Residents must have everything “curbside” no later than 7:55 am for pickup. If you miss the time, you will have to hold the material until the following week. The trucks come through picking up specific materials (trash, mixed paper, plastic & metal, yard waste, cardboard). One trip per day per specific truck.
- DO NOT mix recycling materials– paper in one bin, plastic/metal in a separate bin. . The company is not equipped to sort residential recycling bins. Residents must separate recyclables at the curb. Only properly sorted recyclables will be picked up.
- It is not acceptable to use plastic bags to hold recyclables of any kind. This is what the blue container is for. Use paper bags to hold paper.
- Yard waste must be in either a large paper grass clipping bag (available at home improvement and grocery stores) or a properly marked trash container for yard waste. NO PLASTIC bags for yard waste.
If there are questions, please contact Joe Clark at 301-869-7944 or [email protected]