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Town Council News

Second Council Meeting in February
The Mayor and Council will hold a second meeting of the Town Council on Monday, February 26, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. At the February 12th meeting, it was decided that a second meeting would be necessary this month in order to discuss the many items on the February agenda. There will be no public appearances at this meeting. Discussions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Building Permit Notification Process
Commercial Corner
Cator Property Annexation
LOS Condemnation Status
Piedmont Crossing Site Plan Update
Council Reports

The Mayor and Council will also take action on Ordinance No. 2007-01 which is a Zoning Text Amendment making changes to the Town code concerning commercial vehicles in residential zones, the criteria for special exceptions, and the definition of an accessory building. Copies of the zoning text amendment are available at the Town Office.

Next REGULAR meeting: Monday  »  03.12.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.

Actions at the February Council meeting included:
Withdrawal of Ord. No. 2006-03, a zoning text amendment which created and optional method of development for subdivisions in the residential zones, and Ord. No. 2006-04, an ordinance setting standards for an application for an optional method of development for subdivisions in the residential zones.

Casey 6 & 7

The SHA proposal to site the 5-6 acre Inter-County Connector Western Maintenance Facility on Casey 7 (along Shady Grove Rd) has been strongly opposed by the Planning Board, local community organizations and the Shady Grove Master Plan Citizen Advisory Committee (Mayor Compton is a member) and the property owner (EYA), because it would fragment the ~20 acre site and compromise land use of the remaining portion. If the WMF must be located in the Plan area, an alternative site on Casey 6 between the streambed and I370 is preferable, but ONLY IF it is built in the manner proposed by EYA to keep visual, noise and traffic impacts from affecting Washington Grove. The Mayor sent a letter insisting on adequate site planning and the matter will be followed throughout.

School site reservation/purchase

The school site reservation has run out. Montgomery County Public School officials now say that projections for the number of elementary school aged children in the Shady Grove Master Plan area don’t support the need for a school on this site. This action is contrary to the Master Plan recommendations. An explanation for their change in projections will be requested from MCPS. If the school site is not pursued, the property owner is left with the approved Phase II alternative development plan for 85 single and multifamily dwellings.

Phase I Site Plan Review Process

A flawed storm water management plan has just been approved by the County Department of Permitting Services. The plan does not maintain a forested buffer between Ridge Rd and the new development, but specifies a grassy swale instead. This is unacceptable to the Town, as the treed buffer was key to the Town accepting the road design of the approved Phase I plan in the first place! Park and Planning staff supports the treed buffer requirement and have expressed to the developer their opposition to the approved concept, as well as to attached housing units shown along the border with the Town. The issue of wet-lands recharge is also a big concern with the present plan.

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!

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 March with the Supervisor of Elections, Mary Kay DuBois, 119 Maple Ave., 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 Town for at least one year immediately preceding the elections (May 12th). 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  »  03.07.07 @ 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:
402 Grove Ave.  »  Fence

Historic Preservation News

Next meeting: Tuesday  »  00.00.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.

The HPC is looking for someone to fill an open seat. Anyone interested in serving on this Commission should contact Bob Booher at 301-963-3935 or [email protected]

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:
Jan. 18: Theft – 200 block Grove Rd. – rear license plate stolen from vehicle parked in resident’s driveway. Reported to Police.
Jan 30: Loose dog – Grove Ave. – Male yellow lab with collar but no ID tags running loose. Fortunately the animal had an ID chip which helped reunite him with his Town resident owner.
Recreation Committee News

Next meeting: Wednesday  »  03.28.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!

Love Irish Music? Like to Dance?

On March 17, 2007 there will be a St. Patrick’s Day Ceili in McCathran Hall. This event is presented by the Blackthorn and Ring of Kerry Dancers and sponsored by the Recreation Committee. There will be a dance workshop from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. and the dance will begin at 6:00 p.m..

Film Society News

TWO FILMS IN MARCH !
The Washington Grove Film Series

Mad Hot Ballroom
Directed by Marilyn Agrelo, 2005, USA
March 4, 2007; 6:30 p.m., McCathran Hall
Typical fifth-graders from New York City elementary schools turn into “ladies and gentlemen” as they discover ballroom dancing and put their new skills into a passionate drive to win a citywide competition. Exploring issues of class and gender as well as how we define success, Agrelo’s documentary will have you tapping your feet to the music and cheering on your favorite dancers. This is a FREE family film and will begin at 6:30 p.m..

13 Conversations About One Thing
Directed by Jill Sprecher, 2001, USA
March 18, 2007; 7:00 p.m., McCathran Hall
Is happiness a hard-won prize or a state of mind? Isn’t contentment the real subject of every conversation we have? Director Jill Sprecher’s four sets of characters intersect and collide, confronting life-altering moral choices in this inventive exploration of our human longing to control our destinies.

Woman’s Club News 1

The Woman’s Club Chili Supper will be held in McCathran Hall on Friday, Feb. 23, 2007. The start time is 6:00 p.m.. This event is FREE and open to ALL Town residents. New residents are encouraged to attend. Non-alcoholic beverages will be served. However, BYOB is fine.

Woman’s Club News 2

Next meeting: Thursday  »  03.15.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Clubhouse.
Since GREEN is the color of March, we’ve decided to have a green-themed meeting. Please join us to learn more about living with a minimal environmental impact with topics such as recycling, composting, and helping to save Mother Earth.

The Woman’s Club of Washington Grove was created to promote greater sociability and a betterment of civic and cultural conditions in Washington Grove. We come together to meet with and get to know our neighbors, enjoy interesting programs, catch up on Town news, and take a short break from our busy lives. The woman’s Club also donates funds to Washington Grove Elementary School. We need your participation to keep the Woman’s Club a strong and energetic organization. Participation can range from being a hostess to helping out once at an event to more regular involvement. There are currently opportunities available for being hostesses (2 people provide light refreshments) at a monthly meeting.

We are also seeking volunteers to help with our Annual Egg Hunt in April, the Yard Sale in June, and to help compile our new Washington Grove Directory. Annual dues are $15 and can be mail to Cynthia Werts, P.O. Box 232, WG. If you are interested in being more active in the Woman’s Club, please call Joan Mahaffey at 240-631-8064.

GO GREEN!

If you buy a cup of coffee every day, Monday through Friday, in a disposable cup, you are generating about 17 pounds of needless waste per year. This calculation does not include the materials and energy required to manufacture the cup, or ship it to the point of use. If you buy two cups per day, well, you can do the math. This is a simple one.
Bring a reusable cup with you every time you buy coffee or tea. Many coffee shops and convenience stores (e.g. 7-11) will fill any size cup for a small cost, less than you would pay if you use their cup. This is because often the biggest cost associated with your cup of coffee is the disposable cup!
While you’re at it, bring a reusable cup whenever you are getting cold drinks. The waste generated at picnics and community events (e.g. the chili dinner) can be greatly reduced if attendees bring their own reusable cups for cold drinks rather than those drinks being distributed in single serving bottles, drink boxes, or disposable cups. Reusable plastic cups such as “stadium cups” work very well for this.

BOTTOMS UP!

Speaking of Going Green…

We’re trying out some new compact florescent streetlight bulbs and globes. You can see them on Chestnut Road directly across from the Town Office, at the intersection of Chestnut Rd. and Center Street and on the single pole directly in front of McCathran Hall. Check them out and tell us what you think. Making this switch will save energy and money.

Daylight Savings Time Changes

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandates that DST will start on the second Sunday in March 3/11/07. Mark your calendars and get ready for more daylight in 2007!

Summer Camp Expo

The Mont. Co. Department of Parks & Recreation is hosting two FREE Summer Camp Expos to showcase for area families all the summer camps and programs offered in the county through both agencies. https://www.montgomeryparks.org or call 301-495-2580
Saturday, March 3, 2007, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission; Montgomery Regional Office Building; 8787 Georgia Ave; Silver Spring, MD
Saturday, March 10, 2007, 11:00a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Lodge at Little Seneca
14500 Clopper Road; Boyds, MD

Maple Lake News…

Lake Committee Meeting – Thursday, March 1, 2007; 7:30 p.m.; Council Room
It’s time to start getting organized to make this the best year ever for Maple Lake! Topics include Swim Lessons, Life Guards, Geese, Clean-Up, Water Quality, Fish, Algae, and anything else that needs attention. New members welcome and encouraged! Call John Hutchinson if you have any questions or suggestions 301-926-8767.

WGUMC Events

March 4, 2007; 12:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.; Bake Sale
Come one, come all! Teens will be selling baked goods as a fundraiser.
March 15, 2007; 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Soup Kitchen Volunteer Day

For more information about these events, church services, and/or Sunday school please call Judy Young at 301-869-3753. Judy also invites residents to share their ideas about what the church can do for the Town or anything else that’s on your mind.

Clerk’s Corner

Bulletin Deadline is the 12th of the month!
DRIVE 15 ENJOY THE SCENE! “But my car won’t DO 15 mph!” Sure It will, just try it!!

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