TOWN COUNCIL NEWS
Next meeting: Monday, February 8, 2016; 6:00 p.m.*(details pg. 2) in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend. Actions at the January meeting included: Introduction of Ordinance 2016-02; Comcast Franchise Agreement Re-vote on Ordinance 2016-01 (old 2015-07); Ordinance to Amend Article II, Public Health, by Enacting a New Section 7, “Smoking in Public Buildings and Venues” to Prohibit Smoking Within Fifty (50) Feet of Designated Public Spaces and to Make a Numbering Change.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Town Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 8, 2016 at 7:30 PM in McCathran Hall. The purpose of this hearing is to take public comment on proposed Ordinance No. 2016-02; Ordinance Granting a Non-Exclusive Cable Franchise Agreement Between the Town of Washington Grove and Comcast of Potomac, LLC. This agreement is for a non-exclusive franchise for the operation of a cable communications system within the corporate limits of the Town of Washington Grove to be executed under the same terms and conditions as in unincorporated areas of Montgomery County.
Current Ordinance Work
From time to time, the Town Council reviews and amends Town Ordinances. This process, governed by the Ordinances themselves, may occur when a clarification or updating is needed; at times, modifications take place as the needs of the Town and its residents change (some ordinances are many years old and are in need of periodic review). Sometimes, changes are sweeping and affect many of us; others may be minor and affect only a handful of us, our properties, or activities. By these same ordinances, the Town and its Council is required to notify, in writing and by mail, all Town residents about resolutions that were discussed, voted on, and passed by the Council.
Summary of Ordinance 2016-01
This ordinance modifies smoking prohibitions in Article II of the Town Code specifying smoking of any kind is prohibited within fifty feet of the entrances of McCathran Hall, Town offices playground equipment and the shore of Maple Lake. A numbering change is also included in the modification.
From the Mayor…
Blizzard Jonas of 2016 hit the Town with fury. Maintenance Supervisor, Steve Werts, along with Dane Clark, Tom Clifford, Terry Cox, Craig English and Gary Hayward worked endlessly to clear all of our roads. Many thanks to the hard-working men who did all they could do to make the Grove as safe as possible. An outstanding job well done!
I want to clarify the official and unofficial ways of communication between the residents of Washington Grove and Town government. The Grove List Serve is not official communication from the Town or its agents, such as the Mayor or members of the Town Council. It is an informal communication for sharing information between resident and additional friends. Only about half of the Town residents are members of this List Serve. The Mayor and members of the Town Council do not respond officially to concerns expressed on this social medium.
The Grove Alert system is an official e-mail system, sent from the Town office, to convey official Town notices and communications. Approximately seven (7) residents do not have access to electronic communication, and hard copy letters of the same message must be mailed to those residents.
On the Town’s web site, there is a tab called “From the Mayor” located under “News & Announcements” about halfway down the main page. This is also official and can be accessed by those who choose to view this site.
The bill regarding Maple Lake, MC 16-32, Closed Swimming Lake, passed the House Delegation Subcommittee. It was then voted upon favorably on Friday, January 22, 2016 by the House of Delegates. This bill is now headed to the Maryland State Senate. I am staying on top of this and will be sure to keep all informed. 301-869-5358
[email protected]
* Change in FEBRUARY TC Meeting Start Time
The February meeting of the Town Council is scheduled for February 8, 2016, and will begin at 6:00 p.m. in McCathran Hall. This time change is to allow our Town attorney to inform the Town Council of the Comcast agreement which must be in a Town Ordinance format. This meeting is open to the public.
Important Message for 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.
Planning Commission News…
Next meeting: Wed., February 3, 2016; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend. If you are considering any renovation or building project at your house, be sure to get a copy of the revised procedures to apply for a Town Building Permit which will help you through the Town’s process. The procedures are available from the Town Clerk or from the Town’s website. In addition, the house files in the Town Hall, another resource when planning home modifications, may have some helpful information on your property. The Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission are here to help you with your project. Permits approved on January 6, 2016:
- 111 Maple Ave. Addition
Historic Preservation Commission News…
Next meeting: Tuesday, February 16, 2016; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. All meetings are open to the public. If you are considering changes to your home, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you, most preferably early in your planning process, at one of our monthly meetings, which are scheduled on the third Tuesday of each month, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
By Patricia Patula, Town Archivist
“Archives and Geek Squad Jargon”
In working with archival material and the rapid updating of computers to save that material, one comes across terms that can be challenging, confusing, surprising and even amusing. How about these for starters?
Antiquarianism, n. – An interest in things that are old, especially because of their age rather than other qualities. Could any of us be tending in this direction?
CUSTARD, n. – abbreviation for Canadian-United States Task Force on Archival Description. Does this one make you hungry?
Densitometric method (silver), n. – A procedure to test for residual thiosulfate (fixer) in silver halide photographs. Can be a residual hypo test or a methylene blue test. Do you find this one a tongue twister?
Nonrepudiation, n. – Digital signature – The ability to demonstrate the integrity and origin of electronically signed data and to assert that the means to authenticate the data cannot be refuted. How does one do this for real?
Generation loss, n. – A degradation of quality resulting from imperfect reproduction techniques. Most of us called this making a copy of copy.
Disneyfication, n. – The process of increasing the marketability of a story by removing or downplaying distasteful or potentially controversial facts from the historical record to make the story as unobjectionable to as wide an audience as possible. This is actually a real term.
Note to Reader:
If you have any term in the category of archival and records terminology that you would like us to look up for you, just give us a call. We have 433 pages of definitions! Thanks to Richard Pearce-Moss for his “A Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology” (2005). His definitions do NOT include the above italicized comments.
Recreation Committee News…
Next Meeting: Wed., March 16, 2016; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
You Got To Move It, Move It!!
Start warming up your muscles — vocal, dance, and maybe even magic — because we have an incredible lineup of entertainment and exercise classes in the works!
First up: a great series of eight hour-long adult workout classes, a mix of stretching, strength training, and “golden oldie” aerobics conducted in McCathran Hall by certified trainer Mark Rosenfeld, Thursdays at 4 beginning Feb. 25. Subscriptions are $64, but thanks to Mimi Bolotin’s powers of persuasion, Mark is offering a free demonstration class Feb. 4 (also at 4); and friends of Grovers are welcome to sign up as well. Checks should be made out to TWG but mailed to Mimi at Box 321 by Feb. 22. For more details and schedule specifics contact Mimi at [email protected].
Next up: St. Patrick’s Day — everyone’s Irish at least one day a year, and we’re out to prove it. All singers, dancers, fiddlers, bodhran players, bagpipers (if we have any?) and all-around Blarney babblers are hereby summoned to McCathran Hall Friday, March 18 from 7:30 to 9:30. BYOB, and be prepared to step lively.
Keep on steppin’ because the Town’s new Chakra Khan, Chivonnie Gius, is leading an all-ages, all experience levels “Let Your Yoga Dance” class Sunday, April 10, at 2. LYYD is a mix of movement and meditation designed to help you get your groove back. For more information contact Meredith Horan at 201-926-1054 (evenings).
Last but not least, put Music Weekend on your calendars: June 17, 18 and 19. Friday night, Jr. Cline and the Recliners return (without, hopefully, the threat of tornadoes); and Saturday is the variety/vaudeville program that was such a hit last year, and looks to become a tradition. Dance, choral music, legerdemain, comedy — get your acts together now! And here’s a teaser — Sunday’s brunch menu may surprise you.
Look forward to next month’s bulletin for Summer in the Parks news. Whew! The Rec Committee needs some R&R itself! Thanks, everyone.
Film Society News…
Chase away the winter doldrums – come and join your neighbors to see The Lunchbox, February 21, 2016. In colorful, chaotic Mumbai, the wrong lunch lands on the desk of an office worker, setting off a chain of events that brings together a neglected housewife and a lonely widower nearing retirement. Their communication, via handwritten notes and home-cooked meals, evolves into a deeper bond. Directed by Ritesh Batra, 2014, India, 109 minutes. Hindi with English subtitles. Movie time is 7 PM, in McCathran Hall, $7 at the door.
Woman’s Club News…
Our next event is the ever popular Annual Chili Supper, Saturday February 20, 2016, starting at 6:00 PM at McCathran Hall. PLEASE JOIN US!!
To make this supper successful, we need donations of chili (mild, medium and HOT), both meat & vegetarian; coleslaw; cornbread; shredded cheddar cheese; sour cream; and guacamole. Please contact Sylvia Appleby at 301-926-9094 ([email protected]) and let her know what you’ll be bringing. Sylvia will be reaching out to volunteers soon.
Many thanks to all who helped make this year’s White Elephant Auction a great success! Our special thanks go to Mary & Charlie Challstrom for hosting us in their home; Maria Montefusco and Colin & Erica Turner for their fun and spirited auctioneering; Ernie Kawasaki for his outstanding bartending; and to Sylvia Appleby for organizing the evening.
Forestry & Beautification News…
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 17, 2016; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. This meeting is open to the public.
Woods Group
Next Meeting: Monday, Feb. 1, 2016; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
West Woods Clean-up Day
Come one, come all — all ages invited — to clean up our West Woods on Saturday, March 12! Meet in the Maple Lake parking lot at 10:00 AM, and please bring work gloves and appropriate outerwear/boots for picking up trash in the woods.
Please note that children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Refreshments will be provided, and Student Service Learning hours earned will be approved. If postponed due to inclement weather, the clean-up will be rescheduled for Sunday, March 13 or the following Saturday, March 19. Thanks for your help!
Forest Stewardship Plan Completed!
The Woods Group has received the final copy of the assessment of both the East and West Woods. The report by Bill Bond is outstanding and will serve as a guide for our woods for many years to come. If you wish to read this report, please contact the Clerk at the Town office.
WGUMC News…
Ash Wednesday Service; Feb. 10, 2016; 7:30 PM
General Information
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. 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!
Vacant Homes Task Force
The next meeting of this Task Force will be on February 15, 2016, at 7:30 PM in the Council Room. This meeting is open to the public.
Emergency Preparedness Committee
The Washington Grove Emergency Preparedness Task Force will meet in the Town Council Room at McCathran Hall on: Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 7:00 pm. All are welcome to attend.
Christmas Tree Disposal
One more time…Beginning in late December, Christmas trees will be picked up roadside by Town Maintenance staff. When you place your tree out for collection, please remove all tinsel, ornaments, the stand and any other metal.
Budget Work Session
The Budget Work Session has been scheduled for March 21, 2016 at 7:30 pm in the Council Room.
DRIVE 15, ENJOY THE SCENE!
ROADSIDE RECYCLING IN WASHINGTON GROVE
Please put all recyclables including mixed paper and recyclable yard waste by the road on Thursdays by 7 AM. For missed pickups call the Town Office 301-926-2256 or [email protected] Yard waste is NOT collected during December, January and February. Commingled Materials (plastic and metal) and Mixed Paper should be separated. The following items are all acceptable for recycling at the Montgomery County Waste Transfer Station:
Commingled Materials (plastic and metal):
#1 PET Thermoform plastic packaging such as plastic clamshell containers, bakery trays, deli containers & trays, lids, domes and cups.
Plastic durable reusable containers and lids.
Plastic flower pots, buckets, pails, jars, containers, tubs and lids.
Fruit and Vegetable containers and baskets
Plastic bottles and caps.
Non-hazardous aerosol cans.
Glass bottles and jars.
Bi-metal steel/tin cans.
Aluminum cans and foil products.
Mixed Paper:
Wax-coated milk/juice cartons, drink boxes, produce and frozen food boxes.
Hardback, paperback and telephone books.
Newspapers and inserts.
White and colored paper and shredded paper.
Unwanted mail and envelopes.
Magazines and catalogs.
Corrugated cardboard and paperboard boxes
****** NO STYROFOAM, FOOD SOILED CARDBOARD OR FOOD SOILED ALUMINUM FOIL! ******
Please rinse all containers.
Flatten all empty boxes; tie in bundles no larger than 3’ x 3’ and no thicker than 6” each. Acceptable materials can be combined together and placed in paper bags or small cardboard boxes.