Council Notes
The next meeting will be Monday, March 8, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall.
The public is invited to attend.
Phil Andrews Invited to Address Council — County Council member Phil Andrews will address
the Council beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 8. Phil represents District 3 which
includes Washington Grove.
Enforcement of Town Ordinances — Following an inquiry by a representative of the commercial
corner, the Town Attorney, William J. Roberts, advised the Mayor and Council that, with the
recent closing of the meat market in the commercial corner, such use ma y not be continued by a
new tenant. In addition, since the catering business was allowed only as an ancillary use to an
operating meat market, that use may no longer continue under Town ordinances. The attorney
has notified owners of the corner and the catering business.
Planning Commission
Next meeting will be Tuesday, March 9, 7:30 pm, Town Hall. Note that this is a change from the
regular meeting schedule.
Grove Web Site Debuts
Grove Webmasters Allan Janus and George Paine have the Town’s web site up and running.
Sailor, Maryland’s Online Public Information Network, provides free web site hosting services to
Maryland’s local governments. The Grove web site may be reached at:
sailor.lib.md.us/washgrov/
Board of Zoning Appeals
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE
Date: March 24, 1999
Place: McCathran Hall
Time: 7:30 PM
Pursuant to Article VII, Section 12.32 and 11.31 of the Washington Grove Code of Ordinances, a
public hearing will be held to determine if a variance should be granted to allow the construction
of a fireplace/chimney on the western side of the Murphy residence at 203 2nd Avenue.
The construction of the chimney violates the setback requirements of Article VII, Section 9.
Schedule of Standards.
The Board may grant a variance if the Board finds on the basis of preponderance of evidence that
the seven conditions as presented in Article VII, Section 12.2(a) exist.
The Board will take written and oral testimony from the applicant, residents or other interested
parties in advance of, or at the public hearing. The Board will render its decision as soon
thereafter as practical.
Voter Registration
To vote in Town elections, you must be currently regis tered to vote with Montgomery County at
an address in Washington Grove. To verify your registration with the County, please call County
Voter Registration Information at (301) 217-8683 or visit their web site at
https://www.co.mo.md.us/services/elections/. If you need to register, please call them soon so you
will be eligible to vote at Town elections and at Town Meeting on Saturday, June 12.
Town Elections
Persons may be nominated for elective office in the Town by filing a certificate of nomination on
or before the second Monday in April with the chairman of the Supervisors of Elections, Mary
Kay DuBois, 119 Maple Avenue, 301-926-8941. The certificate of nomination must be in
writing and signed by at least two qualified voters of the Town. No person may file for
nomination to more than one elective Town public office. All nominees must be qualified voters
of the Town. Councilors must have resided in the Town for at least one year immediately
preceding the election. The Mayor must have resided in the Town for at least two years
immediately preceding the election. The following terms expire in June:
· Mayor — 1-year term
· Town Councilor — 3-year term
· Town Councilor — 3-year term
Think Spring! Two Special Collections Planned
· Wednesday, March 31
· Wednesday, April 28
Collection may include furniture, appliances (but not those with Freon), rugs, large toys, small
auto parts, etc. Materials may not include construction by-products, large automotive parts, or
tires. Items must be placed curbside.
Income Tax Reminder
Remember to fill in “Washington Grove” under “City, Town or Taxing Area” on your Maryland
tax return. This does not increase your taxes, but does help ensure that the Town receives its
proper share of local income tax revenue.
Semiannual Property Tax Payment Plan Available
Taxpayers may choose to pay their property taxes in semiannual payments. The semiannual plan
applies only to those properties designated as “owner-occupied” and only to the Direct Tax (ad
valorem) part of the tax bill. Instructions will be included with the Town tax bill in July, however
you must notify your mortgage company 60 days before July 1 if you choose the semiannual
plan.
Spring Leaf Collection
U.S. LAWNS will make two service visits during the last two weeks of March, weather
permitting.
Town Walkways and Parking (4th Avenue and Wade Park)
The Town is well underway with its project to regravel walkways in need of resurfacing and to
clarify, to some extent, our walkways as public pedestrian throughways.
4th Avenue between Acorn Lane and McCauley Street: We expect to work on this portion of 4th
Avenue within the coming month. We will replace gravel on the walkway and widen it where
safely possible by reducing the depth (not the number) of some parking spaces.
Wade Park (at the signed entrance to Wade Park): Four parallel parking spaces will be
maintained in this area. Shrubs and/or other plantings will be installed to eliminate end-in
parking intrusion into the park. As the weather warms up, a short, flat macadam-type walk will
be put down to indicate the entrance to the park. We hope that cars will park clear of this walk
when completed.
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. County
Building Permit information is available online at
https://www.co.mo.md.us/services/permitting/bc/nfbp.htm. All applications for County-required
building permits must first be signed off by the Town.
Building Permits Issued
· Clark, 402 Grove Avenue, porch and room
· McConnell, 17051 Railroad Street, new house
· Seymour, 506 Brown Street, fence
Hazardous Materials Disposal
Sunday, March 7 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shady Grove Transfer Station.
Lake Committee
The first meeting to plan the 1999 summer season will be held on Wednesday, February 24, in
the McCathran Hall Council Room at 7:30 p.m. For information call Sharon Hurst at 301-948-
2424.
Moms Club
Tuesday, March 2 — 10 a.m. at McCathran Hall. Please call Martha Crews at 301-527-8273 to
sign up.
Her Business is Picking Up! Kudos to Jean!
The Town would like to thank Jean Potmesil of the Town maintenance staff for her hard work
and dedication to keeping Washington Grove beautiful. Jean has spent endless hours filling large
plastic bags with trash and litter from along Railroad Street and Washington Grove Lane. Her
diligence in this task is greatly appreciated. It helps the Town look good and worth coming home
to. Grove residents are reminded that if they see litter they too can pitch in and help make the
Grove a place in which we can all be proud to live.
Attention residents, taxpayers, visitors . . .
New Asphalt Tennis Court a Welcome Addition After enduring a crumbling asphalt tennis court
for many years, the hard court was resurfaced this past fall using a stone dust/multiple layer
asphalt overlay process. After considerable research, this approach was recommended and the
project was supervised by a tennis court consultant. Competitive bids were sought and the court
was resurfaced at a cost of $14,580. With proper care and maintenance, the Town hopes to have
this court last for many years. We need your help. Please treat the tennis courts with respect.
They are for tennis only. Recent rollerblading and tricycling has marred and damaged the new
surface. Please use the multi-purpose black-top basketball court for rollerblading etc. If folks are
using the courts inappropriately, your help in reminding them would be appreciated! Clay courts
are closed til further notice.
TENNIS COURTS ARE FOR TENNIS ONLY
NOT for roller blades, tricycles, OR WHEELS OF ANY KIND
Time Capsule
The Town is looking for suggestions and contributions of items of significance to be placed into
a “time capsule” which will be included as part of our 125th year celebration in the new
maintenance building addition. Suggestions, contributions or questions can be directed to Town
Councilors, Dave Gumula at 301-869-5118 (email [email protected]) or Chris Pacchione
at 301-963-7787.
“Spring Cleaning?”
Woman’s Club Yard Sale Remember the annual yard sale to benefit the Woman’s Club when you
do your “spring cleaning”. The sale will be held on Saturday, June 12. If you have items to part
with now (no clothing please), call Mary Kay DuBois at 301-926-8941 or Kitty Vogan at 301-
840-9416.
Recreation Committee Meeting
Please come to a meeting on Thursday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room at McCathran
Hall. Topics will include the April 18 petting zoo, Music Weekend, and the Millennium party
planned for December 31, 1999.
Woman’s Club Meeting — Thursday, March 18
POTTERY DEMONSTRATION program: home/studio of potter Virginia Crim 203 Bryan
Avenue, Gaithersburg, 7:30 p.m. (Carpool from Kathi Higdon’s) refreshments/meeting: home of
Kathi Higdon 103 Brown Street, Washington Grove, following the program
Rent the Woman’s Clubhouse! — Planning a surprise birthday bash, family reunion, graduation
gala, wedding reception, small retreat or business meeting? For information and reservations call
Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416 or Brenda Gumula at 301-869-5118.
Summer in the Parks 1999
Come to an organizational meeting on Tuesday, March 9 at Joli McCathran’s, 2 Circle, at 7:30
p.m. to help plan the Town’s summer program for children ages 4-11. This relaxed program of
creative projects, sports, nature activities, and fun at the lake meets at McCathran Hall. The
program runs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for four weeks in July. Resident
fees are $70 for the first child, $55 for a second, and $40 for a third child in the same family. For
more information call Joli at 301-869-5358.
Photos Sought for Grove History
Phil Edwards is looking for pictures from the era 1937-1987 to include in the second volume of
the Grove history. Of special interest are:
· Events in or outside of the auditorium.
· The first 4th of July with the tractor (1955?).
· Early Maple Lake, before the berm had grass.
· Early Maple Lake island, with trees.
· Waiting room and outhouse at the tracks.
· Any Mayors or councilmen together in action or group poses.
· Aitchison Crossing before signals.
· Hershey’s, Bowling’s, Reck’s, Whisman’s, the OK Grill, other early commercial corner.
Originals will be carefully handled, copied, and returned, but lender beware! Photos may be left
for Phil at the Town Office.
Apples for the Students Plus
Just clip and save the bottom portion of your Giant Food receipt tapes. Receipts collected by
Washington Grove Elementary School will be exchanged for computers, books, microscopes and
other educational tools. Receipts may be brought to the Town Office or taken directly to the
school. Program ends March 1, 1999.
Dramatic Changes on Washington Grove Lane
The City of Gaithersburg just completed a traffic survey of vehicles using Washington Grove
Lane after the addition of the traffic-calming speed humps and the changes are dramatic. The
survey showed that southbound traffic (Mid-County Highway to the Washington Grove Post
Office) slowed from an average of 45 mph to 30 mph (the posted speed limit) while the number
of vehicles using the road dropped 15% from about 5,200 to 4,400 vehicles per day. The
northbound traffic slowed to 30 mph from an average of 40 mph while the number of vehicles
dropped almost 12% from 5,700 to 5,000 vehicles per day. The Town would like to thank the
City of Gaithersburg for conducting the survey.
Breakfast to Welcome Newcomers
Saturday, March 20 McCathran Hall, 8:30 a.m. Haul out of bed, bring breakfast food to share,
and help to give a rousing Grove welcome to the new folks who have joined us over the last
couple of years. The Mayor and Council members will be donning aprons to flip pancakes.
Coffee, juice, pancakes and table service provided. Children especially welcome!
AUCTION UPDATE
Saturday, March 27
McCathran Hall
7:30 PM
Volunteers have begun gathering great goods and services from Grove residents and area
businesses. Just a few of the items already donated include an antique pocket watch, an airplane
ride, acupuncture, a massage, and Grove memorabilia.
Proceeds will go to a supplementary fund for students at Washington Grove Elementary and La
Escuela Primaria de Fundacion in the Dominican Republic.
If you have something to donate, please call Missy Yachup (947-4159), Mary Kay DuBois (926-
8941), Diana Talbert (926-5283), or Doris Gordon (926-8603).
Grove auctions are not to be missed, so mark your calendar, invite some friends and plan to
attend.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
The Town’s 125th Committee is planning a “Roaring 70s” baseball game to cap the year’s
celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Town. The game will be played us ing rules from
1873. The committee needs team managers and players and, of course, other volunteers to
support the superb players in their valiant efforts to vanquish the opponent. Please contact Dave
Gumula (email [email protected]), Chris Pacchione or the Town office (email
[email protected]) to express your interest in playing.
Prowler Spotted
On Friday evening, February 5, a prowler was spotted along Grove Avenue and police were
called. Be certain that windows and doors are securely locked and report any suspicious activity
immediately to the police by calling 911.
Public Safety Committee to Meet
If you have an interest in public safety or ideas you feel would improve safety in the Grove,
please join Councilor Allen Winter at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 28 in the McCathran Hall
Council Room.
Help Wanted
Planning Commission Secretary Needed
This is an urgent plea to fill the job of Secretary for the Town’s Planning Commission. The
seven-member Commission meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. The
secretary is responsible for taking the minutes and preparing them for approval the following
month. Kudos to Mary Kay DuBois who has served the Town admirably in this capacity for
several years! If you are interested in this job, please call the Town Office at 301-926-2256
(email [email protected]) as soon as possible.
Town Choir Director Sought
A huge hole is waiting to be filled. When Grove Singers director Kathy Lehman announced her
retirement after 17 (count em!) years, the Town met this news with a combination of incredible gratitude
for those 17 years but also a sense of loss. Those who appreciate the Grove’s musical tradition, singers
and listeners, would like to continue the musical bond that Kathy worked so hard to build. If you are
interested, or know someone who might be interested in directing the Grove Singers, please call the
Town Office at 301-926-2256 (email [email protected]) or Alice Negin at 301-926-2858.