Town Council Notes
Next meeting: Monday, January 14, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall.
The public is invited to attend. December Council actions included
· Adoption of Resolution No. 2001-06 Directing the Historic Preservation Commission to
Undertake Comprehensive Review of Code of Ordinances;
· Acceptance of proposal of Snider & Associates to survey and plat Block 17 “Washington Grove.”
Special Town Meeting
Saturday, January 5, 1:00 p.m., Town Hall Town Council Seeks Your Opinion on the 904-
Unit Residential Development Proposed for the Casey Industrial Parcel behind Brown
Street Extending to the Grove Giant
The Annual Town Meeting in June approved funds for legal and planning services to advocate
for Washington Grove with respect to the residential deve lopment proposed for the Casey fields
along Ridge Road. Since then, a second large residential development has been proposed for the
adjacent portion of the Casey tract that is zoned industrial. Additional expenditures will likely be
needed to adequately protect the Town’s interests during review of this second, high impact
proposal.
In early August, Town representatives met with the potential owner/developer, KSI Services
Inc., and were briefed on their concept plan. KSI filed a petition for a Special Exception with the
County Board of Appeals on November 1, and a public hearing before the Hearing Examiner has
been scheduled for February 4 and 5, 2002. This development option requires that 35% of the
units must be affordable to families with an income below the median County income of
$85,600. Key elements of the plan are its density, traffic and school impact, recreation issues and
the proximity to the Town.
In connection with the Oxbridge plan, the Town has engaged the services of a community
land planner, traffic consultant, and a historic preservation consultant. The Town Council would
like to hear your thoughts on the proposed development, and is seeking guidance on utilizing
and funding expert services to defend the Town’s interests. If you are unable to attend the
Special Town Meeting, written comments may be submitted in advance or soon after the
meeting.
Holiday Concert — Saturday, December 15, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall
Please join the Grove Singers and the Children’s Chorus for this celebration of the holiday
season. The children will also dance in the “Trepak” scene from the Nutcracker Suite. Come
early to get a seat!
Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
The newly appointed Historic Preservation Commission will meet on Tuesday, January 15 at
7:30 p.m. This organizational meeting will take place in the Town Hall Council Chamber.
Heritage Committee News
On Sunday, January 27, at 5 p.m., Clare Cavicchi will present a slide talk in the Town Hall about
historic sites and communities in Montgomery County. Copies of her book Places from the Past
will be available. Refreshments!
The Heritage Committee will meet on Monday, January 7 at 7:30 p.m. to plan this and other
events, and discuss ongoing and planned projects.
Washington Grove Film Society Presents
Sunday, January 6, McCathran Hall, 7:00 p.m.
AFTER LIFE
If you could take just a single memory with you into eternity, what would it be? Koreeda
Hirokazu’s fantasy introduces some of the recently departed as well as the celestial bureaucrats
assigned to recreate each person’s joyous memory on film so it can be savored forever. Hirokazu
explores the meaning of life and death with gentle thoughtfulness and an immense heart. 1998,
Japan, color, subtitled, 118 minutes.
Leaf Pickup Continues through December
Leaves raked or blown into windrows within 6 feet of any walkway or roadway, excluding
Railroad Street, 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue, 4th Avenue, 5th Avenue, and Boundary Street will be
collected by the Town’s contractor through December. Please place your windrows with an eye
towards traffic visibility and flow, don’t conceal fire hydrants and don’t include brush or limbs
that foul the vacuum. Call Nick Suzich at 301-869-9638 or, preferably, e- mail him at
[email protected] with questions or concerns about leaf pickup. Happy raking!
Holiday Schedule for Trash and Recycling Pickups
Regular trash will be picked up along with recycling on Wednesday, December 26 and
Wednesday, January 2.
Christmas Tree Disposal
Beginning in late December, Christmas trees will be picked up roadside by Town Maintenance
staff. When you put your tree out for collection, please remove all tinsel, ornaments, the stand,
and any other metals.
Unique Holiday Gift
Mousetrap Concert Tickets
A few tickets remain for Mousetrap’s two spring concerts. The Lumina String Quartet on
Sunday, March 17 and Juliette Kang, violin and Thomas Kraines, cello on Sunday, April 14. The
perfect gift for the music lover on your list! Call Alice Negin at 301-926-2858 or Ann Briggs at
301-926-6347 for info and tickets.
Gift Ideas from the Heritage Committee
· Notecards featuring historic Grove photographs (6 notes, 3 views) ($5)
· Washington Grove 1873-1937: A History of the Washington Grove Camp Meeting
Association, a book by Grove Historian Phil Edwards ($12)
· Washington Grove 1937-1977: The First Forty Years ($20) by Phil Edwards
· Two- volume Grove History set ($27)
· Washington Grove: Town Within a Forest, 1989 videotape documentary ($15)
Woman’s Club Gift Ideas
· History of the Woman’s Club of Washington Grove by Sylvia Tate Horan, ($20)
Available from Ann Briggs 301-926-6347, Kitty Vogan 301-840-9416 or Town Office.
· Woman’s Club Cookbook “Second Helping,” 1995 edition of Grove recipes ($10).
Available from Kitty Vogan 301-840-9416 or Town Office.
· Baseball Caps, forest green with Gable logo and WASHINGTON GROVE ($8).
Available from Kitty Vogan.
· Grove Gatherings – softcover book by Rosalie Hardy Shantz. ($5) Available from Kitty
Vogan.
· Tee Shirts with Grove Cottage Peaks, in light blue, pink, white or tan. Adult ($15) Child
($10) Available from Mary Kay DuBois 301-926-8941 or Brenda Gumula 301-869-5118.
Relax Your Body and Center Your Spirit: Yoga Classes Continue
Come relax your body and center your spirit with yoga classes led by Integral Yoga instructor
Terry Strother. Classes are held at McCathran Hall from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday
except for December 12 amd 26. Bring a mat and towel or blanket and $10 in cash or check
made out to Town of Washington Grove.
White Elephant Auction
Woman’s Club Meeting, Thursday, January 17, 7:30 p.m., at the home of Kathi Higdon, 103
Brown Street
Bring a new, little-used or antique item for auction. Proceeds to benefit The Woman’s Club. The
Club will also be collecting items for the Stepping Stones Shelter in Rockville. Stepping Stones
provides emergency housing to men, women, and children. Donations of paper products,
toiletries of all kinds, disposable diapers, cleaning supplies, blankets and children’s clothing in
good condition are needed. Please bring donations (or financial contributions!) to the January
Woman’s Club meeting. Thanks!
Recreation Committee Meeting
Wednesday, January 2, 7:30 p.m., Council Room
Bring your ideas for an exciting 2002!
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.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting will be Tuesday, January 8, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall Council Room. The public is
invited.
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!!
Zoning Code Typo Noted
A typographical error has been found on page 11 of Article VII – Zoning in the Town Code of
Ordinances. The definition for Story, half should read as follows: “A story under a gable, hip or
gambrel roof, the wall plates of which on at least two opposite exterior walls are not more than
two (2) feet above the floor of such story.” Changes frequently occur to the Code of Ordinances.
For a copy of the most up-to-date code, contact the Town Office.
Town Office Open on Limited Basis
The Town Office will be open on a limited basis from Wednesday, December 12 through
Wednesday, December 19. Missy Yachup will be in the office from10 to 11:45 a.m. on
December 13, 14 and 18. For urgent matters call Mayor John Compton at 301-330-8264.
December Comments of Mayor John Compton on Casey Fields Activity
can be seen on the website’s Fields Development page.
Town Information
Office/Clerk -Treasurer
Phone: 301-926-2256
Fax: 301-926-0111
Mail: P.O. Box 216, Washington Grove, MD 20880
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.washgrov.sailorsite.net
Website Coordinator: [email protected]
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