TOWN COUNCIL NEWS
Next meeting: Monday, August 13, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the July meeting included:
- deferred action and continued public hearings on Ordinance 2018-04 and Ordinance 2018-05.
- approval of the installation of two (2) temporary speed bumps on Chestnut Road at Oak Street and at Acorn Lane.
- approval of the Mayor’s appointment of Vernon King to the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Board
New Process for Town Council Minutes
Unapproved, draft minutes of the Town Council meetings will now be available on the Town website or upon request to the Town Office approximately a week after the meeting date.
Bulletin Correction
Councilor Charlie Challstrom’s e-mail has been changed. It is now [email protected]
Looking For A Planning Commission Alternate
Interested in getting more involved in Town affairs? The Planning Commission needs a volunteer to serve as the Alternate. The Alternate participates in the PC meetings (1st Wednesday of the month) and votes when a full member is absent. To explore volunteering, please contact the Town Office or one of the current PC members.
Also Looking For A Historic Preservation Commission Alternate
The Historic Preservation Commission is also looking for a volunteer to serve as the Alternate. If you have an interest in historic preservation in Washington Grove, or would like to become more knowledgeable, and are ready to get more involved and help your Town, please contact the Town Office or one of the current HPC members. As Alternate you participate in HPC meetings (3rd Tuesday of the month) and vote when a full member is absent.
Planning Commission News…
Next meeting: Wednesday, August 1, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Modification to Building Permit Process
The Planning Commission is changing the building permit application deadline to 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.
Permits approved in July:
- 417 Center St. Fence
Permits up for consideration in August:
- 127 Grove Ave. Addition
Historic Preservation Commission News…
Next meeting: Tuesday, August 22, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. All meetings are open to the public.
Seeking Volunteers to Open Their Homes…
The Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions (MAHDC) has reached out to the Washington Grove Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to organize a walking tour of our town later this year. We hope to include the interior of a few homes as part of the tour. If you are interested and would be willing to open your home on Sunday, October 21, to be included in the tour, please contact Mimi Styles ([email protected]).
Maple Lake News…
Next meeting: Thursday, August 16, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. All meetings are open to the public.
Combo Changed…
The lake gate combination changed on July 26th because too many outsiders have discovered the combo. This does not affect the outer gate at Washington Grove Lane. Please text John Hutchinson at 240-997-5820 with your name and number for the new code. You can also call the Town Office at 301-926-2256 for the #.
Kudos!
Big “thank-you’s” to Lainey Selby for another successful season of swimming instruction. We are so lucky to have such talent in the Grove!
Recreation Committee News…
Next Meeting: Wed. August 22, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. This meeting is open to the public.
Let There Be Dancing!
Mark your calendars! Betsy and Al Taylor, callers for Taylor Made Squares, are happy to announce we have scheduled a series of dances on the First and Third Mondays. Please join us on the following dates: August 6, August 20, September 17, October 1, October 15, November 5 and November 19. We will be dancing from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Questions? Call 301-977-8937 or email [email protected]
Woman’s Club News…
We Did it Again!
Once again, we’ve proved that Washington Grove is the little town with the big heart! Our emergency drive to provide new underwear for the needy children of the County was most successful, and we were able to donate over 100 pair! This will be an ongoing need, so we will always be happy to accept donations of new underwear for boys and girls, toddlers to teens, or of money so we can purchase the underwear.
Community Outreach
Summer is when our club concentrates on our Community Outreach projects, but this year we seem to be falling behind. We haven’t been getting donations for our annual Coats, Hats, Scarves and Other Winter Wear Drive or for our Gude Men’s Shelter Project. Without your help, we won’t be able to provide much needed winter wear to the needy children of Washington Grove Elementary School, or new white socks and hygiene products to the homeless men at the Gude Shelter.
This year we are also trying to help the teachers at Washington Grove Elementary School ensure that students have the tools needed to succeed in school, by collecting donations of paper, pencils, pens, glue sticks, etc. to fill the Teachers’ Closet. Many stores, such as Target, Office Depot and others, have special school supply sales going on all summer.
For your convenience, donations for all our projects can be dropped off on Wendy Weisbard’s porch at 119 Grove Road, or in the bins on the Clubhouse porch. You bring them, and we’ll sort them ??. Checks should be made out to the Woman’s Club of Washington Grove, with a notation telling us which project you’re supporting.
Pot Luck Supper in September
This year’s September 21st Pot Luck Supper is going to be a very special event! As part of our support for the Washington Grove Elementary School, we will be holding two fun auctions to raise money for a Field Trip Fund to help ensure that all students can participate in the educational benefits of going on field trips.
And what, you ask, are these two fun auctions? Well, one is A Chinese Auction, where tickets are sold for 50 cents each, and then placed in the container in front of the item. At 8:00 pm a ticket will be drawn from each container and the winners can claim their prizes. This type of auction is especially fun for kids.
The other is A Silent Auction, where a bidding sheet is placed in front of each item, with the approximate value of the item, the opening bid and the bidding increments listed at the top, and at 8:00 pm the sheets are collected and the highest bid wins.
To make these auctions successful, we need donations of goods or services, with various items suitable for all age groups. We especially need new items, artworks and antiques, and of course, we always appreciate checks! The deadline for auction donations is Friday, September 14th, and they can be dropped at the usual places, or at Brenda Gumula’s house at 207 Maple Road.
Please contact any members of the Auction Committee with questions: Brenda Gumula (301-869-5118), Terry Kirtz (301-990-7935), Liz Robertson (301-407-1985) or Wendy Weisbard (301-330-1012).
Washington Grove Methodist Church News
August 12th marks the 1st anniversary of the “Unite the Right”, Charlottesville, VA Rally Action, which organizers hope to recreate this year in Washington, DC’s Lafayette Square. As a prayerful response and call to action, the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church will host the United to Love: Rally for Love, Peace, and Justice on August 12, 2018, from 11 am-3 pm.
Our church will start our Sunday worship at 10:00 AM that Sunday, after which we will head to Metro to join the Rally. We invite the Town to join us as we gather to “uplift the human spirit, renouncing all forms of hate and showing that we are #unitedtolove”. We will leave from the church about 11:00 AM.
Our joyful Sunday family worship services are led by Pastor Andy Peck-McClain. Please join us at 11:00 AM, at the Washington Grove United Methodist Church, 303 Chestnut Road, Washington Grove, MD 20880 (301-947-0532).
Forestry & Beautification News…
The Forestry and Beautification Committee will be meeting on August 8 at 7:30 pm in the Council Room. We will review the 2009 Master Plan Sections which relate to the Town Parks and Residential Green Spaces and discuss possible revisions if needed. Fall tree planting season is coming soon. If you have any suggestions for new tree planting locations please let us know! Email Chairman, Georgette Cole, at [email protected] or talk to any member of the F & B Committee or Council Member Audrey Maskery ([email protected]).
Woods Committee News…
Next Meeting: Monday, August 6, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. All are welcome to attend. Meetings are on the 1st Monday of each month. The Woods Committee meeting for September is subject to change because of the Labor Day holiday.
The Woods Committee continues our three-pronged approach to restoring forest health: control of non-native invasive plants, deer management, and reforestation. Invasive Plant Control has finished their work in the East Woods for this season. We have seen significant control of wisteria, English ivy, bush honeysuckle, and Japanese barberry as well as seasonal mile-a-minute and stilt grass, while consequently seeing re-emergence of many spring ephemerals including jack-in-the-pulpit. The Woods Committee is seeking advice from Montgomery County and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as we investigate deer management options in our woods. This Fall we will participate in the Maryland Woodlands Stewards Program sponsored by the University of Maryland Forestry Extension to investigate best practices as we move forward. In addition, we are reviewing and revising the Washington Grove 2009 Master Plan as it pertains to the East and West Woods.
Emergency Preparedness Committee
Next Meeting: Thursday, August 23, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. All are welcome to attend. We are also looking for new committee members. If you are interested in helping the Town be prepared for emergencies, please join us! Contact the Town office if interested; 301-926-2256.
There is a special free CPR training being offered by the Montgomery County Community Emergency Response Team on August 2nd. It’s a bit of a short notice, but check this website for details. https://montgomerycert.org/training/friends-family-cpr-aed/
General Information
Border Committee
The Border Committee will meet again on Thursday, August 2, 2018 in the Council Room. Join Chair Peter Nagrod for a discussion about the conditions along our Town borders.
Join the Fun – Labor Day Weekend 2018
Athletic Competitions for All Ages • Sat., Sun. & Mon., Sept. 1, 2, & 3
2018 Labor Day Weekend
Saturday September 1st
10 AM – 1 PM Field Events – Athletic Field, Grove Road
Six contests for kids and adults of all ages. Registration begins promptly at 10 AM. Don’t be late!
Awards for first, second and third places.
Schedule of Events : 1. Soccer Kick, 2. 60 Yard Dash, 3. Sack Race, 4. Obstacle Course, 5. Softball Toss, 6. Egg Toss
4:30 PM – 35th Triathlon and Triathlon Relay – Bike Helmets Mandatory!!
The 35th Annual Grove Triathlon – In the first leg participants propel an innertube across Maple Lake and back. The second leg is a 5 mile bicycle course through the Grove. The third and final leg is a 2 mile run ending at the tennis courts. Individuals may compete alone or as part of a team. Entries limited to first 25 sign ups.
Please pre-register by calling Craig English 301-840-1897 or sign-up Saturday at field events.
A dozen innertubes are available to loan out. CALL TO RESERVE ONE. Innertubes may be picked up Saturday at 1pm at the athletic field.
Sunday September 2nd
9:30 AM Tennis – Adult Doubles Mixer
Join us for a fun morning of Tennis! Contact Linda Baim for more for more info. 301-926-8767
4 PM Bike Races (meet on Grove Road across from tennis courts)
1. Bike and Trike Sprints ( 5 years and under)*
2. One mile race (12 years and under)*
3. Two mile race (open, all ages) *Bike helmets mandatory for all racers!
5 PM – Running Races (meet on Grove Road across from tennis court)
1. 1/2 Mile ( 12 years and under) awards to boys and girls in three age groups
2. Open Grove Mile (all ages, 1st, 2nd & 3rd awarded for men and women)
Monday September 3rd
10 AM- Soccer Skills Competition – 2nd Annual- fun for all ages, contact Peter Nagrod for more info: 301-512-5771
1 PM – Croquet – 31st Annual Tournament, Everyone’s invited, white apparel optional.
6 PM – Potluck Dinner & Awards – McCathran Hall (rain or shine)
**After Dinner Presentation of Awards and the “Super Grove” Cup (to the Grove athlete whose excellence and sportsmanship best exemplify the “Grove” spirit.)
Bring drinks for your family, a main dish and salad or dessert to share. Paper plates, cups, utensils provided.
A Wonderful Potluck. Don’t miss it! Everyone’s invited! Can’t compete, but would like to volunteer to help? Need info? Call Craig English at 301-840-1897
WASHINGTON GROVE CARES!
Washington Grove Cares (WGC) and Summer in the Park co-sponsored an inter-generational Instrument Petting Zoo on July 20. Ten talented musicians gave brief introductions to their instruments. Then each camper had a chance to touch, and even try to play the instruments. The musicians enjoyed sharing their love for their instruments, and the kids had a great time exploring a wide variety of musical genres.
Coming up next, WGC is looking into finding a new platform for the popular GroveShare wikispace, so it can continue past September, when the current platform will no long be supported. Stay tuned.
Check Out Our July 4th Festivities ON TV!
Thanks to Montgomery Municipal Cable (MMC) for capturing the Washington Grove 4th of July Celebration in the video now available on YouTube by clicking on: https://youtu.be/aCqu65AjS0Ehttps://youtu.be/aCqu65AjS0E
MMC’s Melissa Aymold joined us here to do the video work, and then went on cover activities in other towns that day.
July 4th KUDOS!!
With over 150 people in attendance, the Muskrat Band turning 50, our 1st Annual Sabrage Event, and a mercifully short speech by Mayor Compton, a good time was had by all. Many thanks to all the Rec. Committee volunteers and patriotic garbed revelers who made our July 4th a real celebration!!
Sunday Noise Reminder
Per Article 1, Section 7. Operation of Power Mowers, Etc.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a power mower, chain saw, or other power equipment on Sundays before the hour of 12:00 Noon, except that electrically powered tools may be operated within a building with doors and windows closed.
Trial Installation of Speed Bumps on Chestnut Road
At the July 9 Council meeting, the Council approved a trial for the installation of two speed bumps on Chestnut Road. In August, temporary speed bumps will be installed at the Stop sign at Chestnut Road and Oak Street and at the Stop sign at Chestnut Road and Acorn Lane. During the month after installation, the Council would like to hear from residents on the effectiveness of the two speed bumps in slowing traffic on Chestnut Road. These rubber bumps are temporary and can be rotated to other locations as needed. The Council will review the impact of the speed bumps in the next few months.
DRIVE 15, ENJOY THE SCENE!