Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 01.08.06 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the December Council meeting included:
Passed Charter Resolution No. 2006-05 which moves the Town elections & Town Meeting to May.
Passed Charter Resolution No. 2006-06 which modifies the position of Clerk-Treasurer thus permitting duties to be performed by one or more Town employees. If no petition to referendum is received, Charter Amendments become effective 50 days following adoption.
Approved the Verizon franchise agreement via Ordinance No. 2006-07.
Legacy Open Space (LOS) Update
The condemnation process continues to slowly move forward. At the public information meeting on December 13th, attorney William Chen explained to residents that the discovery process was near completion and that $25K was a reasonable estimate for his expenses to finish the job. Mr. Chen also said that he is very confident in a positive outcome for the Town, despite the fact that M-NCPPC is now opposing the condemnation. The Mayor and Council may convene a Town Meeting to consider approval of additional funds. Stay tuned…
Public Appearances Before the Council
With the increase in issues that are brought before the Town Council, the Council would like to make public appearance opportunities more efficient for everyone by limiting the time spent on each presentation. Many municipalities require advance sign-up and have time-limits if one wishes to speak at a Council meeting. This is an effort to avoid that formality. The Mayor and Council ask that you be prepared to have a limited amount of time to speak about your problem, complaint or praise.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 01.03.06 @ 7:30 p.m. in 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:
125 WG Lane » Fence
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 01.16.05 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
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
Keith Gillis/Leigh Partington: 301-208-1437
Incident Report:
Yellow crosswalk paddles on Washington Grove Lane have been replaced.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 01.24.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!
Let’s Talk Art Show
First call to resident Washington Grove artists for a proposed spring art show at McCathran Hall. ALL adult artists will be expected to participate in the planning, set-up, and break-down of the show. Please respond to Jim Fletcher at 301-330-9485 or [email protected].
Film Society News
Prisoner of the Mountains, January 7, 2007 7:00 p.m. in McCathran Hall Based on a novella by Leo Tolstoy, this deeply moving film takes place in a Chechen village, where guerrilla fighters hold two Russian soldiers hostage in hopes of a prisoner exchange. Although it doesn’t shrink from violence, the movie reveals the humanity of both sides in a brutal conflict through powerful, understated performances, a creative soundtrack, and unforgettable comic moments. Directed by Sergei Bodrov, 1996, Russia, subtitled, 98 minutes.
Music Together Again…
Please join us for another rollicking session of Music Together at McCathran Hall. There are instruments, dancing, lullabies and good company. Children ages 0-5 and their parents/caregivers are welcome. We have had a steady and friendly group of mostly Washington Grove kids these past few sessions.
WHEN: Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m.; Jan 9, 2007 through March 13, 2007.
FEE: $137 for 1st child & parent/caregiver. $170 for non-resident.
Useful links: www.cleftonestudios.com; www.musictogether.com
For more information please contact Sarinah Kalb at [email protected] or 301-330-9359.
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Thursday » 01.18.07 @ 7:30 p.m. at the home of Joan Mahaffey(102 Ridge Rd.)
Please join us for our Annual White Elephant Auction. This event is always a lot of fun and is an enjoyable way to “recycle” any gifts you received that you’d like to pass on to someone else. The new officers for 2007 will also be introduced. We’d love to see you there!
Christmas Tree Disposal
Beginning in late December, Christmas trees will be picked up roadside by Town Maintenance staff. When you place your tree out for collection, please remove all tinsel, ornaments, the stand and any other metals.
GO GREEN!
The holidays can be a time of joy and massive waste. Here are some gifts you can give to the planet this season.
“Wrap” gifts in reusable grocery bags. Trader Joes, for example, sells brightly colored, inexpensive reusable bags. Be sure to tell the recipients that the bags can be used when they go shopping. Set a good example by using the bags yourself.
If you prefer a more traditional wrapping, make sure that the paper is recyclable. You can even make your own from 100% post-consumer craft paper and some rubber stamps. Decorate your packages with cloth ribbons that can be saved and reused next year or for other projects. BONUS: Cloth ribbons look prettier than the throw away kind.
Minimize use of paper plates, cups, and napkins when hosting holiday parties. This goes for disposable plastic utensils too. These items can not be recycled, so reducing their use is especially important. Consider renting tableware for a large gathering. If you simply must rely on single-use items, check out this site (www.gaiam.com) for compostable party-ware, and be sure to add them to your compost heap afterwards (they won’t compost in the land fill). Not composting? Get a free bin from the Montgomery County transfer station.
Avoid single-serving and individually wrapped products. For drinks, buy them in recyclable containers instead of juice boxes. Buy food in the largest containers that are practical, and send home excess with guests-in reusable containers of course-or donate it to a food kitchen. Make sure the food kitchen accepts home-cooked food, or it will just end up in the trash anyway.
Please send suggestions for this section to Jessica Jones at [email protected].
WGUMC Events
Soup kitchen volunteers-Dec. 21st Like other groups in the Gaithersburg area, we help out one day each month preparing and serving soup and a hearty lunch, at the Soup Kitchen located in St. Martin’s Roman Catholic Church, at the intersection of Summit and 355. All are welcome to join the creative crew on the 3rd Thursdays of the month, as we prepare good-tasting nutritious meals for up to 80 hungry people. We work from 1 to 4 pm, or for a portion of that time, which this month falls on December 21st. So skip one shopping trip, and join us for a fulfilling chance to share the true spirit of giving during the holiday season! Call the church or Judy for further info, 301 869-3753, or 301 260 0725.
Christmas Eve Service
December 24th, 11 a.m., “A Traditional Christmas”: Teens and children will perform “Everywhere, Everywhere, Christmas Tonight” a play that shares Christmas traditions from around the world, and all are invited to share traditions particular to our own families. Refreshments following the service will highlight the cuisine from other lands. We’ll sing “Deck the Halls,” “O Christmas Tree,” “Feliz Navidad,” “Joy to the World,” and “Silent Night.” All are Welcome!
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols
December 24th, 7:30 p.m.: Come and hear the age-old words of the Christmas story, and sing the traditional carols, in a reflective evening service, closing with the singing of “Silent Night” by candlelight. As always, the offering from this service goes to the Board of Child Care, which serves more than 1,700 needy children and their families. Joy and peace to all. For more information, contact Judy Young, pastor, Washington Grove UMC, at [email protected]. Phone numbers are: church-301 869 3753, home-301 260 0725
Caroling In The Grove
Come join the fun on Saturday, December 23, 2006. Meet at McCathran Hall at 7:00 p.m. Return to the Town Hall after caroling for refreshments. For more details please contact Amy or John Porter 301-977-6768.
Clerk’s Corner
Bulletin Deadline is the 12th of the month!
Walkway Use Reminder…Please remind your contractors that the walkways are NOT to be used for driving or parking. Residents and contractors may use a walkway for the purposes of unloading equipment/supplies only.
LIGHTS OUT ??
Street lights that need replacement bulbs and/or repairs will now be reported to PEPCO once a month. This report will be done on or about the 15th of the month. If you have a street light near you that has gone out, please call the Town Office with the following information:
Pole number – this is a 10 digit number with a hyphen. For ex.: 123456-7891
Street or Avenue location of pole.
Closest street address.
The actual process as far as PEPCO is concerned has not changed. The change is in the way the information is gathered. Please don’t call PEPCO directly; this seems to cause some confusion. Thanks for your cooperation.