Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 02.12.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the January Council meeting included:
Introduced Ordinance #2007-01 amending sections of the Town code concerning commercial vehicles in residential zones, the criteria for special exceptions, and the definition of an Accessory Building.
The Mayor and Council have tabled work on Ordinance #2006-03 and #2006-04 proposing an optional method of subdivision in the Town. In the meantime, annexation of the Cator property (17050 Railroad Street) will be pursued in an agreement with the property owner.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Washington Grove Town Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 12, 2007, 7:30 p.m., in McCathran Hall, 300 Grove Avenue, Washington Grove, Maryland. This hearing is to take public comment regarding Zoning Text Amendment 2007-01 which corrects errors made on ZTA #2005-05 and ZTA #2005-07. This action affects Article VII, Section 7.2 Use Regulations; Section 11.32 Criteria for Special Exceptions; and Section 4.2 Definitions.
Legacy Open Space Condemnation
Preparation continues for a trial to determine the fair market value with depositions being discussed. A motion for a judicial ruling on the Town’s authority to condemn the property is planned to clear the way for the trial. At the same time, we are continuing to seek alternatives to condemnation with MNCPPC.
Casey Field Development
Phase I Site Plan Review Process: Still awaiting action on a storm water management plan.
School site reservation/purchase: Following discussions between MCPS and MNCPPC officials, Park and Planning has proposed to purchase the site with their own advanced land acquisition funds. This proposal requires approval of the new County Council, whose level of commitment to the Shady Grove Master Plan is unclear. The Town and residents will likely be called upon to express strong support of the Plan and the school site acquisition in testimony and letters.
Casey 6 and 7; Siting of the ICC Western Maintenance Facility: Strong opposition has been raised to the SHA plan to use Casey 7 by a host of organizations- Park and Planning, the property owners (EYA), the Shady Grove Master Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee, and other local groups. A proposal to use part of Casey 6 adjacent to I370 is deemed preferable, pending review of actual site plans. The submitted preliminary plan for Casey 6 and 7 may be abbreviated to a phase I plan to extend Crabbs Branch Way to access the proposed site.
Town Elections
The deadline for nominations for Mayor and Town Council has changed. Nominations for these offices must be sent to Gary Gordon by March 12, 2007. So put on your thinking caps and call Gary Gordon at 301-926-8603.
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!
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 02.07.07 @ 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.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 02.20.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
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:
Please report criminal or suspicious activity to your Neighborhood Watch Block Captain or Coordinators. Filing a police report helps the police department keep track of criminal incidents and is necessary for police to take action. Of course, for emergency situations call 911.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 01.24.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!
Summer In The Parks
It’s time to start planning for Summer In The Parks! Tentative plans are to again have two camps that will be open to children of town residents and relatives entering grades K-10. Children in high school and adults are encouraged to apply for staff positions. The morning camp will be for the younger half of the campers and the afternoon camp for the older half. Last year this broke down to grades K-4 in the AM and grades 5-10 in the PM. Tentative dates are June 26th-July 20th with no camp on July 4th or during the day on July 20th with the last day of camp meeting in the evening for entertainment/dinner/and camp-out. The fee will likely remain at $150 per camper.
Participation by parents for planning of Summer In The Parks is encouraged. In order to keep our costs down and to further the Town spirit of volunteerism, all parents of campers are expected to contribute time to the camp in some way. We plan to use our Summer In The Parks Yahoo Group as a primary means of communication. If you would like your name to be added to our Summer In The Parks Yahoo Group List, please email Tami at [email protected]. If you are not an internet user and need information forwarded to you, please call Tami at 301 869-8541.
Film Society News
The Edukators
February 11, 2007; 7 p.m. at McCathran Hall
Young German radicals Jan and Peter spread their message by breaking into the homes of the wealthy, rearranging the furnishings, and leaving their signature; “Your days of plenty are numbered.” Peter’s girlfriend tags along, and dire complications ensue. An eclectic soundtrack accompanies the surprising twists of plot in this thought-provoking movie. Directed by Hans Weingartner, 2004, Germany/Austria, subtitled, 127 minutes.
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. More to come in the February Bulletin.
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Thursday » 02.23.07 @ 6:00 p.m. in McCathran Hall.
Chase away your winter blues with some red, hot chili. The Woman’s Club Chili Supper will be held in McCathran Hall on Friday, February 23, 2007. Start time is 6:00 p.m. New residents are encouraged to attend.Non-alcoholic beverages will be served, however, BYOB is fine. We will need your help to make this happen. Please call Terry Kirtz at 301-99-7935 to sign up to bring food or help out with the set-up or clean-up committees. Come out and see your neighbors you haven’t seen for a while. It’s always a lot of fun!
GO GREEN!
Paper or plastic? The greenest answer to this age old question is “neither”.
Bring re-usable bags every time you shop. Now that you have given and received gifts wrapped in re-usable bags, use them. Canvas bags or sturdy paper bags can be used many times. Keep a bag of bags next to your door so that you have them handy when you go shopping. Minimize the extra bags you accumulate during shopping. Items such as apples oranges and bananas don’t need to be placed in separate bags; mixed baby lettuce leaves probably do.
What’s best if you forget to bring your bags? In a head to head comparison, plastic bags win by a narrow margin over paper bags. Surprised? See https://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cheap/20041215a1.asp for one such comparison. If you do use plastic bags, be sure to collect them and bring them back to the store for recycling; remove all paper receipts from the bags first. Paper bags can be re-used or included with your normal recycling. However, no matter how conscientious you are about recycling the bags, both single-use paper and plastic lose by a mile to the re-usable option.
Please send suggestions for this section to Jessica Jones at [email protected].
Living The Green Life
Alan Abrams will make a presentation about green home remodeling and additions on Wednesday, January, 24, 2007 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Library; 18330 Montgomery Village Avenue. For more information check the website www.goinggreenathome.org or call 301-495-1328.
Daylight Savings Time Changes
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandates that DST will start on the second Sunday in March (3/11/07) and end on the first Sunday in November (11/4/07). So, mark your calendars and get ready for more daylight in 2007!
WGUMC Events
Tuesday Night Drop-in Chat Time: Want to share ideas about what WGUMC can do for the Town, find a listening ear while processing a quandary, or discuss the number of angels on the head of a pin? While work is done in the nursery, Judy Young will be in her study at the church from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday nights. Call ahead, 301-869-3753, or just come in.
For information about church service themes for January and February and/or for information about volunteering at the soup kitchen in Gaithersburg at St. Martin’s Catholic Church, please call Judy at 301-869-3753 or 301-260-0725.
LIGHTS OUT ??
Street lights that need replacement bulbs and/or repairs will now be reported to PEPCO once a month. This report will be done on or about the 15th of the month. If you have a street light near you that has gone out, please call the Town Office with the following information:
Pole number – this is a 10 digit number with a hyphen. For ex.: 123456-7891
Street or Avenue location of pole.
Closest street address.
The actual process as far as PEPCO is concerned has not changed. The change is in the way the information is gathered. Please don’t call PEPCO directly; this seems to cause some confusion. Thanks for your cooperation.
Clerk’s Corner
Bulletin Deadline is the 12th of the month!
Just another friendly reminder to drive 15 and enjoy the scene!