Town Council Notes
Next meeting: Monday, March 11, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall.
The public is invited to attend. February Council actions included
· confirming Mayor’s appointment of Kristin Perry to Town Board of Supervisors of
Elections
Planning Board Vote Helps to Preserve Part of Casey Field
At their February 7 meeting, the Montgomery County Planning Board voted to approve a part of
the Casey Property as a Class II site in the Heritage Resource Category of the Legacy Open
Space Functional Master Plan. This is an important first step necessary to protect the open field
along Ridge Road (roughly 13 acres) through the development review process. Town residents,
friends and neighbors packed the hearing room.
Shady Grove Village/Casey Property at Mill Creek/What Happens Now?
Frequently changing plans and time schedules will characterize the coming months as these
proposed developments are reviewed by County planning staff, the Planning Board, and in the
case of Shady Grove Village, a hearing before the County Hearing Examiner. The Town’s land
use attorney and consultants are working vigorously on behalf of Washington Grove, as are the
Mayor and other dedicated Town volunteers. We urge all residents and friends to stay alert to
email, flyers, and phone calls, as we become aware of dates that are definite. Writing letters,
attending hearings, working on publicity, research . . all these activities have been enormously
helpful and we will need to keep up the good work for the benefit of generations to come.
Planning Board consideration of the Oxbridge subdivision plan “Casey Property at Mill Creek”
has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 14 but this is subject to change. Please stay tuned.
Washington Grove – 1612
“City, Town or Taxing Area”
A reminder to Washington Grove residents! Please fill in Washington Grove -1612 in the
appropriate box on your State income tax form. If someone else prepares your tax forms, include
this notice with your tax information and if you file electronically, be sure to select Washington
Grove under City, Town or Taxing Area. This does not increase your taxes, but does help ensure
that the Town receives its proper share of local income tax revenue. Thanks for your help.
Kudos
· To all Town residents and friends who attended the Planning Board meeting or wrote
letters in support of preserving Casey field
· To Delegates Charles Barkley, Paul Carlson and Joan Stern and Senator P.J. Hogan, for
supporting the Legacy Open Space designation of Casey field before the Planning Board,
and to Delegate Carlson for testifying on their behalf
· To the Giant on Crabbs Branch Way for being a good neighbor – they allowed the Shady
Grove Civic Alliance and Washington Grove volunteers to set up a table to inform
residents about the proposed developments
Planning Commission News
Next meeting will be Tuesday, March 5, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall Council Room. The public is
invited.
Subdivision of Washington Grove Hills Lot
The house at 342 Ridge Road has been purchased with the intention of subdividing the lot to
create another buildable lot. It is anticipated that a subdivision plat will be presented to the Town
Planning Commission for action at their meeting on March 5.
Two Bulk Trash Pickups Planned For Springt
Saturday, March 30 Saturday, April 27
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.
Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) held its second monthly meeting on Tuesday,
February 19. The next meeting of the HPC will be on Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. The
meeting will be primarily a work session devoted to the task of drafting by-laws and procedures
for the HPC. This task is prescribed under Article XV Section 5(l) of the Town Ordinances. The
timing of HPC permit reviews and coordination of those review processes with the already
existing processes of the Town Planning Commission will be discussed. The chairman of the
Town Planning Commission, John McClelland, has been invited to attend. Suggestions and ideas
of Town residents would be appreciated. Also to be discussed is the coordination of the
inventory of historic structures, i.e., homes, including outbuildings, with the Heritage
Committee. A tentative agenda will be available five business days prior to the HPC monthly
meeting. After they have been approved, minutes of HPC meetings will be posted on the Town
Web site. Paper copies will be available on request by calling the chair of the HPC at (301) 869-
3691.
REMINDER–Mousetrap Performances
LUMINA QUARTET–March 17 Concert: Sunday, 3:00 pm
music of Mendelssohn, Wiesenberg, Skoryk, Beethoven
JULIETTE KANG, violin and THOMAS KRAINES, cello–April 14 Concert: Sunday, 3:00 pm
music of Milhaud, Rodrigo, Kraines, Kodaly
For Mousetrap ticket information, call 301-926-2858 or 301-926-6347
Yoga Classes Resume
Yoga classes will resume in McCathran Hall on Wednesday evenings beginning March 6 from
7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Classes are led by Integral Yoga instructor Terry Strother. Bring a mat and
towel or blanket and $10 in cash or check made out to Town of Washington Grove. A great way
to relax your body and center your spirit!
Interested in a Canine Good Citizen class this spring?
Six to ten students needed to form a class this spring in Washington Grove. Open to dogs with
basic obedience skills (sit, down, come, walk on lead). Responsible children are welcome to
work their dog; parental supervision is requested for children under 12. Adults are also welcome!
This class will focus on polishing good pet skills needed to pass the AKC “Canine Good Citizen”
test. In addition, topics of interest to class participants will be covered. The class will start in
mid-April and will be free to Grove residents. It will be held either on Monday or Wednesday –
depending on when there is most interest – in the early evening (7 p.m.?) This is an opportunity
to come out and socialize with other Grove dog owners, build on your working relationship with
your dog, polish some of your dog’s obedience skills, and have some fun! If you are interested,
please contact Nancy Liptak at 301-869-7983 (evenings), or email: [email protected] Let me
know your preference for class night, plus a bit about your dog.
Washington Grove Film Society Presents
Sunday, March 3, McCathran Hall, 7:00 p.m.
The World of Apu
This classic film by India’s great Satyajit Ray is about an impoverished writer in Calcutta who
finds himself married to a girl he has never met. Lively romantic comedy is tempered by tragedy
and acceptance.
Dolls and Doll Houses
Woman’s Club Meeting, Thursday, March 21
7:30 p.m., Woman’s Clubhouse
Former Grove resident and club memb er Sue Grabill Morse will discuss and show doll houses.
We hope that others who have beautiful doll houses will bring them to show as well.
Planning a Career in Government or Public Service?
Scholarships available. Montgomery Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League is offering two
$1,500 college scholarships to students involved in community service and who plan a career in
government or public service. Must have good scholastic standing (at least average grades).
Deadline for application is April 8, 2002. For information or application call the Town Office at
301-926-2256.
Forestry Committee News
The Maryland State Department of Agriculture has informed us that gypsy moth egg case counts
were extremely low in the Grove last fall and spraying will not be necessary this year. Kristin
Perry applied on the Town’s behalf for Tree City U.S.A. status again this year and Darrell
Anderson reports that plans for a tree inventory will be announced later this spring. The next
Forestry Committee meeting will be Wedne sday, March 6 in the McCathran Hall Council Room.
Arbor Day in Washington Grove
Saturday, April 20
Mark your calendar! Tod Erickson of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will make
the Tree City U.S.A. award in person at the Arbor Day ceremony. Other activities will include
planting around McCathran Hall, and plantings along Washington Grove Lane. Kid’s activities
will also be offered.
Call ‘N’ Ride
Montgomery County sponsors this transportation service for elderly and disabled persons with
limited income. Those who are eligible may purchase taxicab and wheelchair van transportation
for a portion of the normal cost. The transportation is a curb-to-curb service, and trips may be
made for any purpose. For a copy of the application and for program information, please call
301-948-5409.
Heritage Committee Meeting
The Heritage Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council
Chamber. Interested parties are invited to attend. Topics of discussion will include Washington
Grove Heritage Day (May19), the Town Archives project, and inventory of historic structures.
Questions, contact Clare Cavicchi, 301-869-1827, [email protected].
Voter Registration
To vote in Town elections, you must currently be registered to vote with Montgo mery County at
an address in Washington Grove. To verify your registration with the County, please call County
Voter Registration Information at 240-777-8683. If you need to register, please call soon so you
will be eligible to vote at Town elections and at Town Meeting on Saturday, June 8.
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.
Spring Leaf Collection
U. S. Lawns will make a service visit during the last week of March with pickup completed by
April 1, weather permitting. Please don’t include brush or limbs in the windrows that could foul
the vacuum. Rake or blow leaves into windrows within six feet of any walkway or roadway,
excluding Railroad Street, 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue, 4th Avenue, 5th Avenue and Boundary
Street. Large piles appreciated!
Volunteers Sought for Fire Board Rep
Candidates are sought to serve on the Local Fire Board of the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove
Fire Department. Members approve financial transactions at monthly meetings. Please call
Mayor John Compton at 301-330-8264 if you would like to serve.
Summer in the Parks 2002
The Town’s summer program for children ages 4-11 will begin July 1 and run through July 26.
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 with the
exception of the final Friday when the program does not meet during the day but gathers for a
potluck dinner and overnight campout. Enrollment forms will be in the April Bulletin.
This year the registration fee will be $100 per child. There has been a change in the fees to
allow us to go forward and hire three teachers and three paid aides this year. Over the last few
years more children have entered the program than have “graduated”. To enable us to maintain
this creative and fun program whilst maintaining a safe and enriching environment we needed to
enhance the number of teaching staff.
Another change is no snack sign up sheet this year. This year the SITP team will purchase and
prepare the snacks for the month and supply any necessary paper products. Thus taking the
burden off any one parent supplying the snack for 50 children!! A snack will be provided each
day for each child. We also anticipate there will be some changes to lake days. We will still go to
the lake but in smaller groups and we will still need many parent volunteers to come too.
As usual the program looks forward to the help and support of the many parent volunteers.
The program is open to ideas and suggestions for activities from any member of the community.
If you or someone you know has an interest or expertise to share let us know. For questions or
ideas call Missy 301-947-4149 or Terry 240-631-2759.
Hazardous Materials Disposal
Sunday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shady Grove Transfer Station
Recyclable Yard Waste Collection Resumes
Collection resumes on Wednesdays beginning March 6.
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.
Please Stop at Stop Signs
Just a reminder to observe stop signs in the Grove.
Paris Pacchione on Advisory Committee for New Sixth District Police Station
Washington Grove resident Paris Pacchione has been selected to serve on a committee
evaluating sites for a new Sixth District police station. One site being considered is at the corner
of Girard Street and Summit Avenue in the Summit shopping center. The new station, which is
slated to open in 2004, requires a minimum of four acres.
Maintenance Items in Need of Attention
If you see an item in need of attention by Town maintenance staff, please call Maintenance
Councilor Tricia Knox at 301-527-0721/301-527-0003 or send an email to [email protected].
We hope this focused approach will benefit both Town residents and maintenance staff. Thanks!
Please Don’t Let Your Dog Run At Large
Public Safety Councilor Tricia Knox has received several reports from people who have felt
threatened by dogs running at large. Town Ordinance states “it shall be unlawful for any owner
to permit his/her dog to run at large. A dog shall be deemed to be at large if off the premises of
its owner and not under the immediate control of a responsible person.”
Questions About Snow and Ice Removal?
Call Councilor Nick Suzich at 301-869-9638 or e-mail [email protected].
Recreation Committee to Meet
Wednesday, March 6, Council Room, 7:30 p.m.
Come help plan Music Weekend and Fourth of July celebrations.
Do You Need A (Better?) House Number?
The Mayor and Council have embarked on a safety program to improve the chances of
emergency vehicles finding your house when necessary (not to mention the errant pizza delivery
person!) For a nominal fee, the Town will supply a sign and help you put it up. Call the Town
Office at 301-926-2256 if you would like one.
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!!
Faure Fans
Church of the Ascension Adult Choir (a number of whom are also Grove Singers) will perform
the Faure Requiem on Sunday, March 17 at both 9:15 and 11 a.m., 205 South Summit Avenue,
Gaithersburg.
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