Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 02.11.13 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the January 14th Council meeting included:
- enactment of Ordinance 2012-07; To Amend Article III, “Traffic, Vehicles and Transportation” and Article XVI, “Schedule of Fees”.
- introduction and adoption of Resolution 2013-01; Support for Banning Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Ammunition Magazines.
- authorization for the use of funds, up to $4,999.99, for Phase 1 of repairs to McCathran Hall; the installation of a temporary support pole in the center of the building.
- authorization for the use of funds, up to $4,999.99, for Phase 2 of repairs to McCathran Hall; the design and details necessary for the truss repair that will be suitable for a contractor request for proposal (RFP).
**IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ**
Washington Grove Taxpayers
Every year the Town of Washington Grove receives a portion of the Maryland State income tax paid by Town residents. Because our residents do not have mail delivered to street addresses, this presents a challenge for the State Comptroller’s office when attributing the taxes collected to Washington Grove. It is critical that all Washington Grove residents (including renters!) designate “Washington Grove.” For Maryland iFile, under “Name of county and incorporated city, town, or special taxing area in which you were a resident on the last day of the taxable period”, select “Montgomery, Washington Grove” from the drop down menu. This block is separate from the address blocks. Turbo Tax and H&R Block software also include drop down menus where you may select “Montgomery County” and then “Washington Grove.” Please share this information with your renters and your tax preparer if appropriate. 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! Questions, call Treasurer Mary Challstrom at 301-926-4498.
Resolution 2013-01; Resolution Regarding Support for Banning Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Ammunition Magazines
At the January Council Meeting the Town Council passed a Resolution supporting banning of assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. This will support the effort to pass such measures nationally. It will be sent with a cover letter to our legislators in Annapolis and Washington, DC. We encourage residents who want to be part of the “grass roots” effort to write individually.
Town Elections
Town Elections are coming up! Have you thought about becoming a member of the Town Council? We encourage anyone intrigued by this idea to talk to anyone in the Town Government about it. Or ask around among your neighbors—many residents have already served and can give you an idea of what it’s like. Washington Grove can only thrive with the participation of motivated residents like YOU!
McCathran Hall News
A temporary fix has been authorized for the Hall. 6×6 wooden supports will be placed under the floor, after which a 4" metal pipe will be installed in the center of the Hall going up through the ceiling into the cupola. The roof will be jacked up slightly to take pressure off the eight corner posts of the Octagon. This will prevent further damage and make it possible to use the Hall even if we get snow accumulation on the roof.
The engineer (Mr. Wallace) and contractor who are doing this work will also put together the plans we need to send out a RFP (request for proposals) to get bids to do the Hall repair. We won’t know how much this will cost until after we get the bids. Depending on how much money is involved we may need to call a special Town Meeting to authorize the funds. We are taking this one step at a time but the current plan is to have the repair work done before Summer In The Parks starts in July. At this time, use of the Hall will continue to be limited to Town events.
From Mayor Cole: The Groves at Towne Crest
The owners of Towne Crest continue to pursue their plans for redevelopment. Most Grove residents have now received the “Enhancing our Community” brochure regarding the proposed “The Groves at Towne Crest”. Additional information is available on their web site. According to their web site they have now reduced the number of units from 356 to 329. Unfortunately, they do not show where the reduction in units come from and there is no way to tell if they have addressed the need to provide legal setbacks (100 feet) from our homes on Daylily Lane.
They say "Community input is critical to the process and public comments continue to be welcome as county officials review the proposal and render decisions." I suggest that residents review the Towne Crest information at www.grovesattownecrest.com. The position of the Council (Resolution 2012-05 on 10 Sept 2012) and the more detailed Planning Commission Evaluation (6 Sept 2012) are both posted on the Town website. Residents who do not have internet access may call the Town Office for information.
Neither Charlie Challstrom as Planning Commission Chair nor I as Mayor believe the Towne Crest changes affect our posted evaluations. I know many residents sent letters back in October, but letters emphasizing that the new changes do not address the negative impacts on Washington Grove will still be needed. Please send your comments for the upcoming Office of Zoning Appeals Hearing (now scheduled for February 15, 2013) in a signed (your actual signature is required) letter to:
Martin Grossman, Director Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings Stella B. Werner Council Office Building 100 Maryland Avenue Room 200 Rockville, MD 20850 Re: Local Map Amendment G-910, Towne Crest Apartments Dear Director Grossman, Your opinion of the current proposal. Your signature(s), then printed names and address
Washington Grove Conservation Meadow
Brenda Sandburg of the Montgomery County Parks Department presented the Draft Operation and Use Plan for the Meadow at the January 14 Council Meeting. The plan continues to follow the recommendations of the Grove Meadow Committee and has tentative approval by the Council. It was posted to the Town Web Site and public comment solicited. Our feedback will go to Ms. Sandburg at the beginning of February so she can incorporate it before review and approval by the Parks Senior Management.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 02.06.13 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
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. All permit applications must be received in the Town Office fourteen (14) days prior to the Planning Commission meeting at which they will receive their initial review. The applicant must post a "Notice To Neighbors" sign within seven (7) days of receiving it from the Town Clerk. The Planning Commission will not act on an application unless the Notice To Neighbors sign was posted in a timely fashion as confirmed by the Commission. Please contact the Town Office (301-926-2256) or [email protected], or see permits for more details. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permit applications as well.
Permits approved on January 9th:
- 346 Ridge Rd. » Addition
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 02.19.13 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
Meetings are open to the public. The HPC encourages residents to come for an early consultation when planning a renovation.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 02.17.13 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!
Zumba in the Grove!
Wed. nights from 7:30-8:30 in McCathran Hall
Join us for an energizing hour of low-impact but aerobic exercise. No experience needed and all fitness levels are welcome at this drop-in class – no registration is necessary. Cost is $5.00/class payable to the Town of Washington Grove. Contact Carolyn Rapkievian for more information; 301-519-2021.
Film Society News
The Film Society’s February movie is The Night of the Hunter. In a classic, nightmarish tale set in West Virginia in the 1930s, “preacher” Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum) pursues the take from a robbery he learns about in prison, marrying and killing the thief’s widow (Shelley Winters), then chasing downriver after her two children who have the cash. Mitchum’s hymn singing and the shadowy black-and-white photography will get your attention. Directed by Charles Laughton, 1955, USA, 93 minutes, shown with English subtitles. The film will be shown on Feb. 10, at 7 PM in McCathran Hall; tickets are $7 at the door.
Summer in the Parks 2013!
Calling all SITP Campers: Kindergarten through 8th grade!
Enroll in camp this summer and make friends and life long memories! This year camp will be held from July 2nd through the 26th and we would love to have every child in the Grove with us! We have a fun filled month of July planned, including Lake Days, Field Trips, water games, the return of Jamboree and more! Enrollment forms are due by April 30, 2013! Please see the attached enrollment form for campers. Those who wish to apply for paid or volunteer positions may retrieve an appl. from the Town Office or the Town website.
We welcome all parents that would like to help plan camp this year. We would love to have you as part of the team! This is your opportunity to help plan an amazing summer for your children and create life long memories! If you are interested in helping to plan this year’s SITP, please contact Emily Cavey at 240-838-1840 or via email at [email protected].
Woman’s Club News
Our Annual Chili Dinner will be on Saturday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall. This event is especially for all the new residents of Town to mingle with the old, and join the recurring discussions over whose chili recipe is best. Contact person is Pat DiBella-Kreger ([email protected]).
An update to the 1994 edition of the bylaws has been drafted and was available for inspection at the January meeting. If you would like an electronic copy to look over, ask Margo Cavenagh ([email protected]). Comments on the bylaws revision will be accepted up to and including at the March meeting, at which time there will be a vote whether to adopt.
Outdoor Lighting Advisory Committee
Next meeting: Monday » 02.18.13 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
Join us to discuss recent technology updates as we continue to work on a long-term recommended light-scape for the town, review a variety of shields for street lights, and plan our participation in an Earth Day workshop. All are welcome! For more info., contact Carolyn Rapkievian 301-519-2021.
WGUMC News
We have a new website; www.washgroveumc.org
- Parents’ Connection! February 6th-March 20th, 6:30-8 pm-6 meetings will offer food and 15 minute informational talks for families, followed by discussion. Homework club for kids offered at the same time…Come to hear and share about: Parenting resources in the county and the library, ESL programs, Early Childhood Development, Special needs families, Addressing childhood anxiety, Navigating MCPS schools, etc! Special thanks to those kindly lending their expertise; Joan Mahaffey, Kathi Carey-Fletcher, Barbara Leng, Paula Puglisi, and Mimi Bolotin.
- Feb. 13th-On Ash Wednesday all are welcome to our annual Pancake supper, starting at 6:30, with Ash Wednesday service at 7:30 pm.
Request from our Post Office
The Post Office has asked that residents be reminded to include your PO Box # on all items that are sent via U.S. Mail. If the box # is not included, employees have to stop what they are doing and look it up. This could slow down the delivery of your mail, especially during holiday seasons. Please help them out and remember that PO Box #.
Ex: Joe & Mary Grove
100 Purple Ave.; POB 123
Washington Grove, MD 20880
All Leaf Collection is Over
The last leaf pickup by contractor U.S. Lawns (the big suck ’em up truck) was on January 3, 2013. Leaves placed out for collection after the 3rd are the responsibility of residents.
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Home During the Day?
As you may or may not know, the monthly Town Bulletin is folded, taped shut and labeled by hand. Anyone who is home during the day and has time to help with this monthly task should contact Kathy at the Town Office; [email protected] or 301-926-2256. This is usually done near the end of the month.