February 2019 Town Bulletin | Town of Washington Grove

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

Next meeting: Monday, February 11, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend. Actions at the January meeting include:

Awarded road resurfacing contract to M.T. Laney ($22,410) and A.B. Veirs (29,181).
Awarded McCathran Hall Floor Beam reinforcement work to M. Taylor Enterprise ($16,000).
Authorized a trial speed hump installation on Grove Road.

General Information

Important Message for Washington Grove Taxpayers

Maryland State Income Tax
Washington Grove Subdivision Code: 1612
Every year the Town of Washington Grove receives a portion of the Maryland State income tax paid by Town residents. Because most 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 “1612” and “Washington Grove” on the tax form. For those filing electronically or using software, there should be a drop down menu to select 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 the Town receives its proper share of income tax revenue. Thanks for your help! Questions, call Treasurer Mary Challstrom at 301-926-4498.

Town Elections in May

Residents new and old are reminded that Washington Grove is an incorporated municipality governed by its citizens on a volunteer basis. The office of Mayor and at least two of the six Town Council seats are open each year. Any Town resident who is a qualified voter may participate. To run for Mayor a candidate must have lived in Town for at least two years prior to the election. To run for Council a candidate must have resided in
Town for at least one year prior to the election. Election Day 2019 will be May 11. Nominations will close April 8.
A qualified voter, both for the purpose of running for office and participating as a voter, is defined as a Town resident registered to vote in Montgomery County at a Town address. You can check your current voter registration at …
https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch
If you find your registration does not list your current residence in Town, you will find instructions for updating the registration at…
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/elections/registration/faq.html#Where%20Do%20I%20Register

TRASH DAY TO CHANGE

After many years of having our refuse and recycling collected on Thursdays, we have been asked to change to WEDNESDAYS. The first Wednesday pickup will be on March 6, 2019.

Still Confused About Brush?

In 2010, the Mayor and Town Council made the decision to cease brush pickup from private property by Town Maintenance. It was determined that since the refuse/recycling contract included the pickup of recyclable yard waste, the time and money involved in this service would be better spent elsewhere. This is still our policy. Town Maintenance does not pick up brush piles from private property. Those residents who trim back overgrowth from Town property must make arrangements ahead of this action in order to have Town Maintenance take the trimmings away. Please contact Audrey Maskery 301-977-0582 or [email protected] to make arrangements for the pickup of Town brush. Brush from private property will be picked up by our refuse/recycling contractor between March and December when properly prepared. No brush pickup occurs in January or February. Town Maintenance DOES pickup Christmas trees.

WG Meadow Conservation Park

Suspicious Activity – Residents are reminded that if you see hunting, other suspicious activity or vehicles in the Meadow along Ridge Road, please call the Park Police (301-949-8010) immediately and also notify the Town.

Snow Removal KUDOS!

Many thanks to Dane Clark for his help with snow removal. His expertise with a skid loader is a sight to be seen. Thanks, Dane!!

Speed Hump Trial on Grove Road

Residents can expect a trial speed hump installation on Grove Road in the near future.

Planning Commission News…

Next meeting: Wednesday, February 6, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

Building Permit Submission Deadline

The deadline to submit a building permit application for approval by the Planning Commission and review by the Historic Preservation Commission is the 2nd Wednesday of the month prior to the PC meeting at which the permit will be reviewed (this will be in the following month). This timing ensures the HPC will be able to complete a formal review before the PC meeting as this review is required for the PC to approve the permit in a timely fashion. If you are considering any renovation or building project at your house, be sure to get a copy of the procedures to apply for a Town Building Permit which will help you through the Town’s process.

2019 Master Plan Work Session February 13

On Wednesday February 13 there will be a Planning Commission work session at 7:30 pm in the Council room.
We will be reviewing/revising the 2019 Master Plan Working Draftpdf On Jan. 16 we worked on the Introduction and Sections 1 and 2. On Feb. 13 we will start with Section 2.3, Boundary Enhancements and continue on to Section 3, Transportation and Section 4, Community Facilities. Residents are welcome to attend.
A copy of the 2019 Master Plan Working Draft is also on the Town web site as a link (pdf link above) on either the Planning Commission page or the Master Plan page. It has more details on the material in each section.

Historic Preservation Commission News…

Next meeting: Tuesday, February 19, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
All meetings are open to the public.
The HPC welcomes and encourages residents to come for an early consultation when considering an addition or renovation/changes to the exterior of their home. HPC can offer valuable advice early in the planning process and provide guidance with designs that are compatible with the character of the existing house and the Town. Please consider coming to the HPC as your first stop when contemplating options for your home improvement.

The End is Near!

The street sign rehabilitation team, under the able leadership of Susan Van Nostrand, continues to soldier on – in residents’ homes and workshops, and in welcoming camaraderie around Susan’s kitchen table. To date, 145 signs have undergone the multi-step renewal process, with only 25 signs awaiting rehab! The skill, artistry, and elbow grease of everyone involved in this effort assure that our unique street signs will continue to delight townsfolk and visitors well into the future.

Recreation Committee News…

Next Meeting: Wed., April 17, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. Open to the public.
The Recreation Committee would love to have more volunteers to help keep our traditions going and bring in new ones. Anyone interested in joining should come to the next meeting!

Mindfulness & Meditation Class in McCathran Hall

Please e-mail Eleni directly at: [email protected] for inquiries.

Youth Dance Class

Youth dance class starting for 12 years old and up.
Classes are Fridays at 5:30 PM.
All levels of dance welcome. $7 a class.
Call or text Samantha Beres for more info: 515-450-9167.

Square Dance Resumes

Betsy and Al Taylor, Callers for Taylor Made Squares, will be calling, teaching and dancing with our resuming Square Dance Group on the first and third Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9 pm in McCathran Hall, beginning on February 4, 2019.
You can come and watch for free, or join in the fun for $5 a dancer. If you haven’t square danced before, or it has been years since your introduction to square dancing in school, we’ll bring you up to speed easily because we love to teach.
In the winter/spring season we plan to dance Feb. 4, Feb. 18, March 4, March 18, April 1, April 15, May 6, and May 20. However, if the schools are closed for snow or ice, or electricity is out in the Grove, we will cancel.

Film Society News

Sunday February 10th
Take your mind off the wintry weather outside your window and come to see the latest Film Society movie, Tulpan, which takes place on the harshly beautiful Kazakhstan steppe. Asa, a shepherd, must find a wife before he can have his own flock. He has his eye on the elusive Tulpan. The film chronicles the lives of yurt-dwelling nomads and their surprising connection to the larger world.
Directed by Sergei Dvortsevoy, 2009, Kazakhstan, Kazakh with English subtitles, 100 minutes.
The movie airs at 7 PM in McCathran Hall, $7 at the door.

Forestry & Beautification News…

Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 13, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
We will begin planning for spring tree planting. We’d love to have you join us! If you can’t make the meeting but have a suggestion for where a new tree is needed, please contact F&B Chair Georgette Cole ([email protected]) or Council Liaison Audrey Maskery ([email protected]).

Washington Grove UMC News…

Washington Grove United Methodist Church…
Our joyful family worship services are Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM, at the Washington Grove United Methodist Church, 303 Chestnut Road, Washington Grove, MD 20880 (301-947-0532).

Woman’s Club News…

Congratulations to our new 2019 Officers – Joan Mahaffey, President; Joli McCathran, Vice-President; Cynthia Werts, Treasurer; Marilynn Frey, Recording Secretary; and Arlene McCrehan, Corresponding Secretary

If it’s February, it must be Chili Supper Time! Plan to join us on February 23rd

Tired of the snow and ice and cold? Then plan on joining us on Saturday, February 23rd, 6:30 PM at McCathran Hall! As always, we need meat and vegetarian chili, mild, medium or hot – and lots of sides. Please contact Sylvia Appleby (301-926-9094 or [email protected]) about what you can bring.

Our Annual Membership Drive

If you haven’t paid your modest $15 annual dues yet, please send a check, made out to The Woman’s Club of Washington Grove, to The Woman’s Club, PO Box 354, Washington Grove, MD 20880. The dues make it possible for us to donate funds to help support the Summer In the Parks program, the Acorn Library and the Holiday Show, and for us to host annual Town events like the January White Elephant Sale, the February Chili Dinner, the Spring Egg Hunt, the May Flower Show, the June Progressive Porch Party, the September Pot Luck Supper, and other special events such as guest speakers and, of course, all year we collect for the following Community Outreach programs listed below.

The Washington Grove Elementary School’s Teachers Closet

We collect school supplies to help keep the Teachers Closet filled with things like glue sticks, pencils and sharpeners, paper, hand sanitizers and tissues, and other supplies. Without our help, teachers will all too often buy these things out of their own pockets.

Working with Interfaith Works

While the less fortunate children of our County need essentials, they also need occasional treats in their lives, and we help provide these by collecting Birthday Presents and small Treasure Chest items to be distributed through Interfaith Works. There is also an ongoing need for new underwear for boys and girls from toddlers to teens. Last year our Town provided over 250 pair. We have developed sources for purchasing the underwear, so the easiest way to help with this need is through money donations.

White Socks for the Gude Men’s Shelter

Winter is hard enough for the homeless without going without socks! We are continuing to collect new white socks for the men at the Shelter.

The Linus Project

For those who like to work with fabric, this year we’re supporting The Linus Project, which makes fleece blankets for children in need of comfort when they are in the hospital or foster care. In March, we will be having an evening at the Clubhouse to get this project started.

Where to Bring Your Donations

Whatever pulls at your heart strings, we have a need you can fulfill. Even though our Clubhouse is closed for the winter, we still have bins on the porch to collect for our Community Outreach Programs, or you can drop off your contributions in the painted can on Wendy Weisbard’s porch at 119 Grove Road. You bring them and we’ll sort where they go! Checks are always appreciated too, just put in the memo field if you want your donation to go to a specific project and mail to The Woman’s Club, PO Box 354, Washington Grove, MD 20880.

Emergency Preparedness Committee News

Winter Weather Preparedness
Winter continues with potentially serious consequences for residents, but there are actions that every resident can take to prepare for winter emergencies that may avoid, mitigate or aid recovery. The Emergency Preparedness Committee has identified some websites that provide helpful information for your preparations:

A backup generator for McCathran Hall has recently been installed to enable heating and to protect the Hall from winter weather damage during a power outage. The Hall also provides a place to recharge your mobile phones when you’ve lost power. Stay warm!

Washington Grove Cares News…

Wildfires are a growing threat to life and property in the U.S., particularly in the West. On Sunday, February 3, at 3:00 pm, Don Henninger will present “Some Thoughts on Wildfires: Smokey the Bear vs. Hank Williams.” Don, who has years of experience in forestry, will discuss how ideas about fire have changed and how wildfires and controlled burns are now used as vegetative management tools. We hope you will join your neighbors in McCathran Hall for this timely talk, the second of the Washington Grove Cares series “What’s My Line? Grovers Revealed!”
DRIVE 15,
ENJOY THE SCENE!!

Woods Committee News…

Next Meeting: Monday, February 4, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. Meetings are on the 1st Monday of each month. The March meeting will be on the 4th. All are welcome to attend.
The Woods Committee has included in this month’s Town Bulletin the summary results of the Forest Health Restoration survey of Town residents that followed the November Informational Meeting and December Town Bulletin, and we thank everyone who responded. We will be continuing our efforts on the three-pronged, integrated approach to forest health to include deer population management, non-native invasive plant control, and reforestation, and welcome your continued feedback. Please feel free to contact Pat Klein or Joan Mahaffey, Woods Committee Co-chairs.

Washington Grove Woods Committee Survey

Forest Health Restoration Plan Questionnaire – Summary Results
The combined results of a Woods Committee survey of town residents on the Forest Health Restoration Plan following the November Informational Meeting (with invited speakers) and the December Town Bulletin are presented below. A total of 44 responses were received. Tallied results show overwhelming support for the Woods Committee’s three-pronged integrated approach to include deer population management, non-native invasive plant control, and reforestation. With support by the Mayor and the Town Council, the Woods Committee will continue implementing the plan to restore the health of the East and West Woods. Thanks to everyone who completed the questionnaire.
1. What best describes your view about efforts to restore the health of our woods through active interventions?
[23] I strongly support the efforts and comprehensive plans presented to restore the health of our woods
[13] I support these efforts and want to learn more about the methods used and how to measure effectiveness.
[ 4] I don’t favor these restoration efforts. I believe we should not intervene and “let nature take its course.”
[ 1] I have no opinion
2. What best describes your opinion regarding controlling the deer population?
[26] I am strongly in favor of the town participating in the MC Deer Management Program to develop a plan to harvest our deer population by culling and donating the venison to food banks
[ 9] I favor harvesting the deer by culling and donating the venison to food banks but have some concerns about how this would be done
[ 1] I have mixed feeling about this issue and am uncertain where I stand
[ 0] I am indifferent to this issue and do not care what is done
[ 2] I am opposed to deer control by harvesting and donating the venison to food banks but would consider other feasible alternatives
[ 5] I am strongly opposed to deer control by harvesting and donating the venison to food banks
3. What best describes your opinion about constructing “fenced exclosures” in the woods to protect sensitive areas and prevent deer from entering to browse native plants?
[ 8] I favor constructing fenced exclosures around all of our East and West wooded areas
[22] I favor protecting only the most sensitive areas of our woods through fenced exclosures
[ 9] I am opposed to “fenced exclosures” in any areas of our woods because they would be obstructive and unattractive
[ 5] I have mixed feelings on this issue
[ 0] I don’t care one way or the other
4. What best describes your opinion about controlling non-native invasive (NNI) plants?
[27] I strongly support town efforts to control NNI plants in our woods using a combination of approved physical and chemical methods
[11] I support such efforts but would like more information on how and when these various methods will be used.
[ 4] I don’t support using any efforts to control NNI plants.
[ 0] I don’t care one way or the other
5. What best describes your opinion regarding the use of herbicides to control non-native invasive (NNI) plants in the East and West woods as part of the forest health restoration plan?
[12] I am opposed to any use of herbicides to control NNI plants as part of the forest health restoration plan
[22] I favor the limited, targeted use of EPA-registered herbicides where necessary and when safely applied by certified operators as part of the forest health restoration plan
[ 9] I favor the routine use of EPA-registered herbicides to maintain control of NNI plants.
[ 1] I have mixed feelings and am uncertain where I stand on this issue
[ 0] I am indifferent