Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday, March 14, 2005; 7:30 p.m., in the Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the February meeting of the Town Council include:
Approval of a $50.00 per month stipend for website costs and the designation of www.washingtongrovemd.org as the official Town website.
Authorization for the Town Attorney to draft an ordinance that would allow certain fees to be set by the Town Council.
Authorization of a subcommittee comprised of 2 councilors and 1 resident with the specific purpose of working with the Washington Grove United Methodist Church on the proposed ordinance change.
Approval to keep the public record open for comment on the proposed ordinance on Charitable, Religious & Educational uses within Residential Zones until March 14, 2005.
Authorization for the Town Council to create a document that states their position on the Inter-County Connector. This position will be sent, along with public comments, to the State Highway Administration.
Tax Reminder-Washington Grove-1612
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!
Shady Grove Master Plan
The PHED Committee is holding additional meetings about the SGMP. They are still struggling with budget issues where a school site is concerned. The planners have gone back to the drawing board to produce a plan that uses less of the Legacy Open Space field and one, placed closer to the Metro, which uses the urban school design suggested by Ms. Praisner.
Shady Grove Alliance Fundraiser Concert
Sunday; March 20, 2005; 2-5 p.m.; McCathran Hall;
Details will be available at a later date.
Water Main Replacement Update
What’s all that “stuff” on Brown Street between Chestnut Road & Hickory Road and in the 300 block of Brown Street?
It’s equipment and materials for the WSSC water main replacement project on Brown Street.
How long will it be there?
The project is scheduled to be finished by June 29th.
When will the project start?
It is underway now.
What are those square “pot holes” along Brown Street?
They are test areas.
What’s the name of WSSC contractor and how can we identify them?
The company doing the work for WSSC is S&J Enterprises. They are all supposed to wear both a hard hat and a vest.
Who do I call if there is a problem?
Call the Town Office at 301-926-2256 or the Maintenance Garage at 301-963-5850.
Town Elections
Town elections will be upon us in a very short time. 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 Supervisor 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 elections. The Mayor must have resided in the Town for at least two years immediately preceding the elections. The following terms expire in June: Mayor – 1 year term, Town Councilor – 3 year term, Town Councilor – 3 year term.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday, March 2, 2005; 7:30 p.m. 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.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: March 15, 2005, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
Meetings are open to the public.
Contemplating a Renovation?
What if you had a knowledgeable design team with a real willingness to help you early in your planning process at no cost? Guess what? You do—-it’s the Historic Preservation Commission! The HPC is an excellent resource to help you with your plans. For more information call Bob Booher at 301-963-3935. The HPC meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Come early, come often!!
Picture Perfect
The HPC has initiated an effort to take pictures of the homes in Town for our archives. They will first start with the older homes. Should you see someone peering through a camera lens at your home, don’t be alarmed. If you have questions or concerns, or do not want your house included, please call Chris Kirtz at 301-990-7935.
Montgomery Preservation Is Coming!
Montgomery Preservation, Inc. has chosen Washington Grove as the site of its Annual Mansionization Conference on April 9th. Joining MPI and the Grove as sponsors will be, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Maryland, Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission, Montgomery County Civic Federation and others. The theme will be Discovering Community to Preserve Community. We will learn about the impact of the very large houses springing up in established communities across the county; the impact on the streetscape, on the trees, and on storm water runoff. We will learn about the ways that neighborhoods can have a voice in this change, through residential overlay zones, historic districts and conservation districts. Most important of all, those from other places will experience community at its best through experiencing the setting of Washington Grove and the remarkable hospitality of its residents, some of which you have already offered to us. We believe that the strong sense of community we will gain from sharing a day in the life of Washington Grove will inspire us to think carefully about what makes each of our communities special and what it is about our communities that we want to preserve for the future.
-Wayne Goldstein, MPI
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
Feb.10: Police were called to investigate a possible break-in at a house on The Circle when the owner was away. The report turned out to be a false alarm.
Tip of the Month: Make sure to keep your garages and outbuildings secured. Help prevent crimes of opportunity.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: March 23, 2005, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Summer In The Parks
The plan for this summer is two camps: a morning camp for kids entering grades K-5 and an afternoon camp for kids entering grades 6-10. This will allow us to provide a camp for middle school age children and also to make the programming more age appropriate. Courtney Osbourne has agreed to give swimming lessons in the afternoon. Enrollment forms will be available in an upcoming Town Bulletin. The dates of the camp will be from July 6th – 29th with the finale sleep-over on the 29th. We are looking forward to a great summer!
Take the New Year’s Eve Party Poll »
There is considerable early interest in a 2005 New Year’s Eve kegger at McCathran Hall.: an informal potluck family affair with a live band. Please contact Ralph Hurst (301-948-4210) to express your mild or extreme interest, so we can gauge the general Town enthusiasm. Thanks »
Next Mousetrap Concert
March 6, 2005 at 3:00 pm.
The Calder String Quartet
Lake Committee News
First meeting: Thursday, March 10th, 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
Snow is melting and it’s time to start thinking about how to make this the best year ever at Maple Lake! New members welcome and encouraged! Call John Hutchinson if you have any questions or suggestions, 301-926-8767 or [email protected]
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: March 17, 2005, 7:30 p.m. at the home of Robin Menge. Come to a pajama party featuring the movie, The Full Monty”. Get comfy – wear your PJ’s and bring your own pillow and blankie.
Annual Chili Dinner
Friday, March 11, 2005 in McCathran Hall at 6:30 p.m..
Annual Egg Hunt
KIDS: This years’ Spring Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, April 2, 2005. Meet at the Gazebo at 10:30 a.m.. Refreshments, games and crafts in McCathran Hall following the egg hunt. The rain date is Sunday, April 3, 2005 at 10:30 a.m..
PARENTS: Please help by filling one dozen plastic eggs with age appropriate toys or treats for each child that you plan to bring. Pick up empty eggs on the porches at 415 Grove Ave. (Deely) or 215 Ridge Road (Chambers) on Friday, March 18th. Please return filled eggs to the pick up location by Thursday, March 24th. Volunteers are needed for refreshments, games, egg hiding, set-up and clean-up. Call Deborah Chambers (240-631-7895) or Pat Deely (301-977-9505) to help.
Spring Bulk Pickups Scheduled
This year’s spring bulk trash pickups are Saturday, March 26th and Saturday April 30th. Collections may include furniture, appliances (not those with freon), rugs, large toys, small auto parts, etc. Materials may not include construction by-products, large auto parts, or tires.
ALL ITEMS MUST BE “CURBSIDE” BY 7:00 a.m..
Recycling Reminders
The Post Office DOES NOT recycle your junk mail but you can. Please take your own junk mail home and recycle it!
Recyclable yard waste pickup resumes on March 2, 2005.
Film Society Movie: The Station Agent
The Film Society’s last film of the 2004-’05 season, The Station Agent, will be screened on March 13th at 7:00 p.m.. With humor and sensitivity, this Sundance Festival winner explores themes of friendship, loneliness, and anger. Peter Dinklage plays a dwarf living in an abandoned train station in New Jersey, Patricia Clarkson portrays a divorcee in mourning for her dead child, and Bobby Cannavale is a relentlessly cheerful hot dog vendor.