Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 02.11.08 @ 7:30 p.m. & Monday » 02.04.08 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the January Council meeting included:
approval of the use of $1,500.00 from the re-forestation budget for the ivy eradication project in the Town woods.
approval of the contract with Helicopter Applicators, Inc. in the amount of $12,403.20 for spring gypsy moth spraying.
closure of the Jan. 28th meeting for an executive session with attorneys.
Condemnation Suit Update
M-NCPPC has appealed to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals to reverse Judge Bernard’s decision denying their motion to intervene in the LOS condemnation suit as a third party defendant. The Special Appeals Court has denied M-NCPPC’s request for a pre-hearing on their Appeal, and indicated the appeals process will follow an established 90-day timeline for filings, with the normal hearing (arguments only) likely this fall. A final ruling could take as long as 18 – 24 months. Meanwhile, the Town has asked the Judge to proceed with the trial. In opposition, M-NCPPC has asked Judge Bernard for a stay in the proceedings of the condemnation suit in her court pending the outcome of their Appeal. Stay tuned…
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!
BUDGET WORK SESSION SCHEDULED
For March 24, 2008: 7:30 p.m.; Council Room
Mark your calendars!
Important Information for All Property Tax Payers
Effective October 1, 2007, a new law enacted by the 2007 session of the Maryland General Assembly requires all homeowners to make a one-time application in order to be eligible to receive or continue receiving the Homestead Tax Credit. The Homestead Tax Credit law limits each year the amount of assessment increase on which an eligible resident homeowner actually pays County, Municipal and State property taxes. The application is required to insure that all property owners receive the credit on the one property used as their principal residence and not on properties used for other purposes, such as a rental or vacation home. This credit can have a significant impact on your real estate taxes regardless of your property’s value or your income level. If the property is used as your principal residence, you are strongly encouraged to complete the application.
The application form will be included in the assessment notice mailed to one-third of the homeowners at the end of December for the next three years. It also will be mailed to new purchasers of residential property. For questions about the Homestead Property Tax Credit, call 1-866-650-8783 toll free, or visit the Department of Assessments and Taxation website at www.dat.state.md.us.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 02.06.07 @ 7:00 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.
STILL WANTED
Planning Commission Secretary The time involved is approximately 4 hours per month and the pay is $11.50 per hour. If you are interested, please call the Town Office, 301-926-2256.
Listening Session for Master Plan
The update of the Town’s Master Plan continues, and the Second Draft is posted and available on the Town’s website. The Planning Commission will host a listening session on Wednesday, February 6, starting at 7:00 pm, in the Council Room at McCathran Hall, to hear comments on this Second Draft. Comments may also be directed to Charlie Challstrom at [email protected] or to Charlie at P.O. Box 271 prior to February 6. Paper copies may be obtained by contacting Charlie Challstrom.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 02.19.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Check Out “The Mock Rock”
Town residents are invited to visit Morgan Park near the intersection of Grove Road and Brown Street to view the plywood “model” of a quarry boulder which represents the Historic Marker being proposed by the HPC. Take along a tape measure to scale the model, survey the area visually, and send your suggestions to the Town and HPC regarding the size and location of the marker. Suggestions are also welcome regarding the size and text for a bronze plaque to be mounted on the marker. Please give your comments to Ed Mroczka 301-990-3771 or [email protected] or to Margot Bohan 301-963-1737 or [email protected].
Neighborhood Watch News
Report Crimes & Suspicious Activity!
Mont. Co. Police non-emergency: 301-279-8000
Town Office: 301-926-2256
David Stopak: 301-330-6446
Betsy Klinger: 301-977-3517
Keith Gillis/Leigh Partington: 301-208-1437
Incident Report:
November 28: Vandalism. Oak St. – Suspected vandalism: Streetlights reported broken; 2 on Oak St in Woodward Park, one at Oak and Maple, and one on Grove.
December 15: Car crash. Unit block Ridge Rd. – Just before 4 a.m., a car failed to make the sharp left turn on Ridge Rd near Railroad St. The car knocked down an old utility pole, crossed the yard, and crashed into the front porch. Residents said that there were 4 young occupants of the car, but the driver had run off. Alcohol may have been a factor. Reported to Police.
December 28: Vehicle Larceny. Unit block Ridge Rd. – Car stolen from the driveway while the residents were away for the holidays, between Dec 23 and Dec 27. The car was a red Honda Civic. Reported to Police.
January 1: Theft. 400 block Center St. – Several items were stolen from an unlocked car owned by a guest. The theft occurred between 10 p.m., Dec 31 and 9 a.m., Jan 1. Stolen items were: handbag, GPS unit, wallet, ring of keys, and IPod. Reported to police.
January 5: Dog Report. East Woods – A dog, off-leash, ran up to and bit a resident walking through the woods, although the dog’s teeth did not penetrate his thick winter clothes. The dog’s owner ran up and leashed the dog.
January 8: Breaking/Entering. 400 block Grove Ave. – Garage door was wide open when resident returned. Nothing taken. Police were called.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 02.27.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!
Summer In The Parks – Urgent Need for Leadership!
Tami Williams is stepping down. As you may know, the Summer In The Parks program is organized and run by parent volunteers. Tami Williams took this on for several years and did a great job. She is now ready for someone else to take the reigns. This volunteer job is mostly an administrative position. The person who takes this on need not spend tons of time at the camp unless he/she is willing or motivated to do so. Ideally, 1 or 2 parents working together to oversee this effort would be best. Tami is still willing to contribute but no longer has the time or energy to be in the leadership role.
This just in… Jessica Jones has volunteered to do the morning camp. She will need help. At the time of this printing there are still no volunteers for the afternoon program.
Film Society News: The Beautiful Country
On February 10, the Washington Grove Film Society will be airing “The Beautiful Country”, a 2004 film, produced in USA/Norway and directed by Hans Petter Moland. Buo doi (less than dust) is a Vietnamese slur aimed at children of American fathers. Here a buo doi endures hardships and a brutal ocean crossing on the long journey to find his father. Strikingly filmed and timely, this illegal immigrant’s story ends with a redemptive reunion. The movie runs for 125 minutes, is subtitled, and will be shown at 7 p.m. in McCathran Hall. Tickets available at the door are $7. 16
Celebrate St. Patrick’s in the Grove!
Blackthorn St. Patrick’s Day C » il »
Friday, March 14, McCathran Hall
Dance Workshop 7-8 p.m.
C » il » begins at 8 p.m. with live music!
Free to Town residents, but donations gladly accepted to help pay the band. Bring a dish or dessert to share. For more info call: 301-990-0184. Sponsored by the Washington Grove Recreation Committee.
Mousetrap Concert No. 3
March 16, 2008 at 3:00 p.m.
Mikhail Svetlov – Baritone
For Children Young and Old
The Recreation Committee presents master mime Mark Jaster at the annual children’s program on Sunday, April 20 from 2-4pm at McCathran Hall. Mark Jaster presents wildly popular shows worthy of his master teachers Marcel Marceau and Etienne Decroux. Put aside whatever you expected from mime, and prepare to enjoy brilliantly articulate gesture, playful interaction, gentle, inclusive humor and witty musical surprises. A hands-on workshop will follow the performance. Because of the intimate nature of this performance and workshop, this show is limited to Washington Grove residents, family and friends only.
Woman’s Club News
The Woman’s Club Chili Supper will be held in McCathran Hall on Friday, February 22, 2008. The start time is 6:00 pm. This event is FREE and open to ALL Town residents. New residents are especially invited to attend. Non-alcoholic beverages will be served. However, BYOB is fine. The Chili Supper depends on donations of chili, cornbread and slaw. I you can donate food for this event, please contact Terry Kirtz at 301-990-7935. We also need volunteers to help with set-up, serving and clean-up.
Our treasurer, Cynthia Werts is accepting dues for 2008. You can mail $15 for dues to Cynthia at 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. The health of the Woman’s Club depends on your interest and participation.
WGUMC News
Pancake Supper–At 6:30 pm on Feb. 6th, come and enjoy the traditional pre-Lenten supper. Supper donations will support the church/town Gulf Coast rebuilding trip in March. At 7:30 all are welcome to stay for the Ash Wednesday service.
Environmental Ethics discussion–At 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 8th we’ll share information and ideas about alternative energy, as well as about the Alliance for Global Warming Solutions.
Thanksgiving in February, Eat out to help the hungry–On Feb 26th. List of participating restaurants at ThanksgivinginFebruary.pdf
Silent Auction–At 7:30 pm on Friday, Feb 29th join your neighbors for coffee, dessert, and live music in McCathran Hall, while placing your bids for all kinds of items and services, to benefit the church/town Gulf Coast rebuilding mission in March. Want to contribute something for the auction? Call Barb Leng 301-670-9443 or Kitty Vogan 301-840-9416. Thanks!
Don’t Forget the Poetry Workshop Scheduled
“Writing Poetry” with David Keplinger; 10 am -12:30 pm, Saturday, February 9, 2008; at the Woman’s Clubhouse.
Cost: $16.00
Sponsor: The Woman’s Club of Washington Grove
Reply To: Betsy Klinger; 301-977-3517; [email protected]
Woods Preservation Group News
Did you know…? English Ivy (Hedera helix) is one of the most abundant and insidious non-native invasive plants, as it threatens all vegetation levels of forested and open areas, growing along the ground as well as into the tree canopy. Vines that climb up trees slowly kill the tree from the base upwards by enveloping branches and twigs, blocking sunlight, causing branch and eventual tree death. The added weight of vines also makes trees susceptible to blowing over during storms. To control ivy, vines on the ground can be pulled up by hand and disposed of as trash. Vines climbing up trees should be cut to kill upper portions and relieve the tree canopy. Do not attempt to pull the vines off the tree as this can lead to scarring of the bark creating unnecessary damage to the tree. Just let the vines die attached to the tree branches. Removal is best done by cutting the vines in two places at least 4-6 inches apart (creating a window). Portions of vines rooted in the ground will remain alive and will need to be treated with herbicide or cut repeatedly until no re-growth occurs. Please consider doing this on the trees on your property. Most importantly, do not plant ivy in your landscape. The Town has scheduled two work days to begin to remove ivy from trees located in the Lake Woods. The dates are Feb. 23 and Mar. 1.
WEED WACKERS NEEDED!
Our woods need your help. Invasive English Ivy and Wisteria have reached a critical stage in some areas and require immediate action in order to save our forests. English Ivy vines have entered the high canopy of some of the woods’ oldest hardwood trees and exert such a stress on these aging trees that they are extremely vulnerable to irreparable damage from future strong winds and storms. Combine this situation with the ongoing drought and we have a critical problem. Each year more and more of these trees will come down or lose major limbs.
We need at least 15 volunteers between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on both Saturday, February 23 and Saturday, March 1 to help destroy the English Ivy vines growing up the trees in the worst areas of the East and West Woods. We need help cutting vines (with saws or clippers) and tagging trees. The volunteers will be supplied with tools, trained how to cut the vines without damaging the trees, and instructed which trees to treat. After the vines are cut and the volunteers moved on to the next area, a paid professional team will apply herbicide directly to the open cut in the vine. The herbicide will ensure that the vine root is destroyed and will not harm the trees or wildlife. Strict procedures will be followed to ensure the safety of the volunteers.
If you can take an active part on one or both days to help save our forests, RSVP with your commitment to help to Keith Gillis ([email protected]) or Joli McCathran ([email protected]).
CELL PHONE NUMBERS RELEASED SOON
On Feb. 7th, all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. You will be billed for these calls! To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 1-888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years.