Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 01.09.12 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Woodward Park Use Policy
The Mayor and Council are considering changes to the Woodward Park Use Policy. A committee (two Council members and five residents) submitted recommendations at the December Council meeting. The Committee recommendations are based on public appearances at the November Council meeting and written testimony over the past two months.
The Committee preface states: “We feel that Woodward Park should be considered to be a community park and not a regional park. A regional park is a larger park that draws many visitors because it can support multiple activities. A regional park requires a higher level of management when compared to a smaller community or neighborhood park.”
To encourage the use of Woodward Park for smaller, less formally organized groups the following actions are being considered. 1) Remove the large permanent soccer goal posts which will result in the use of portable goal posts. This will reduce concentrated turf damage and reduce maintenance costs associated with re-grading and reseeding of the field. 2) Change the weekend permit day to the first and third Saturday of the month between the hours of 1pm-5pm (ordinance 2008-02 mandates four hours per playing field permit use). This will address the concerns of residents who feel the tranquility of a Sunday afternoon is preferable and Saturday activities more acceptable. 3) Raise the fees. The fees should be based on our cost to maintain the grassed area as a playing field. The new fees will be “revenue-neutral” as we do not intend to make money from the field use. 4) Require sponsors be more involved in the use by their permit holder. It is suggested that the sponsor should meet some combination of a) attend the activity, b) be in Town for the event or c) have a substitute designated if they are not in Town for the event. Scheduled permit use would be published in the Bulletin and on the Town web site.
In addition, we will need a new Woodward Park Field Coordinator. If this is something you would be willing to volunteer for please contact Kathy Lehman (301-926-2256) or Georgette Cole (301-330-6740).
We have been asked what effect the use of Program Open Space funds has on our treatment of the soccer goals. The Town accepted Program Open Space money for a development project to purchase the goals in 1986. Under the terms of the program we are required to operate and maintain the project for twenty years. That requirement has been met.
Please let us know what you think of the proposed changes. You can do this in writing or verbally to the Town office, the Mayor or any Council member. This will be an agenda item on January 9, 2012. The Council needs to come up with a new resolution to govern the use of the playing fields at this meeting because we usually open the field for use on April 1 and permit applications are accepted starting January 15th. So let us know your opinion!
Town Elections
Nominations for Mayor and Town Council must be sent to Meredith Horan by April 9, 2012. Residents are asked to put on their thinking caps and call Meredith at 301-926-1054.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 01.04.12 @ 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). The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permit applications as well.
Permits approved on December 7th:
- 201 Cherry Ave. » Addition
- 342 Ridge Rd. » Fence
- 407 Acorn Lane » Fence
Permits up for discussion on January 4th:
- 127 Maple Ave. » Fence
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 01.17.12 @ 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.
First in a Series
Over the next few months, the Historic Preservation Commission Design Guidelines for Exterior Changes will be included in the Bulletin, in easy-to-digest segments. We hope this will deepen your appreciation of our Town’s unique physical characteristics.
This month’s segment introduces the HPC’s charge and the scope of its review activities.
The HPC is charged with promoting the "preservation and appreciation of the historic nature of the Town as a whole and specific sites and structures within the Town for the education and welfare of the residents of the Town, visitors thereto, and sojourners therein (Article 15.1 of the Ordinances)." To these ends, the HPC engages in a variety of activities including the review of permit applications by property owners to the Planning Commission for exterior modifications to their houses or accessory structure or to construct a new building.
Changes to structures requiring review by the HPC
Reviews by the HPC focus entirely on the exterior of private and public buildings and accessory structures. No review by the HPC is required for modification to interiors. A review by the HPC is required of plans to construct new private and public buildings, to make changes in the exterior of existing structures that will be visible from a public way, and/or to relocate , move, or demolish structures. The HPC does not review the following:
- Routine exterior maintenance, including painting;
- Construction of or change in fences and walls, trellises and screens, tree houses, oil and gas tanks and AC equipment, shutters, decks, patios, and temporary structures.
Next month’s topic will be Criteria for Designation of Historic or “Contributing Structures.” If your curiosity has been piqued, the Design Guideline document in its entirety is available on the Town website!
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Thursday » 01.05.12@ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!
Holiday Traditions in Washington Grove
The holiday traditions continue in Washington Grove due to the spirit of volunteerism from new and more established (another word for “old” ) residents alike.
One long standing tradition, caroling, continued this year thanks to new residents, Jane Grissmer, Mary Warfield and their families. The caroling was outstanding. Looks like our college-age kids turned out in force, blending their beautiful voices with those of other talented Grovers. The sound was memorable. Many thanks to Jane and Mary for jumping into unfamiliar territory and making it happen!
The holiday show was, once again, amazing thanks to Pat DiBella, Judy Mroczka and their crew of volunteers. The performances were spirited and raucous … Washington Grove at its merriest. Also, thanks to the Recreation Committee elves (Ann Briggs and Leila Keese) for keeping the party going with plenty of refreshments for all.
Give a big shout out to those unsung heroes who decorate the hall, gazebo and train station every year. We all enjoy our beautiful Town at the holidays thanks to your efforts. Many thanks!!
Teen Bad Movie Night
Friday, Jan. 27 at 8pm
Calling all teens (ages 12-18) for bad movie night at McCathran Hall. Do you LOVE movies that are so bad they’ve won awards for being the worst ever made? Well, we’ve got the worst of all, Plan 9 From Outer Space. It’s so bad, it’s GOOD! Join your teen friends at McCathran Hall for a big screen showing of this cult classic plus pizza, sodas and more! We promise the adult chaperones will stay downstairs 🙂 No younger siblings please. In order to be sure that we order enough pizza, please RSVP to: [email protected]
Washington Grove Film Society
Our first film of 2012 is the classic western, Shane. This moving tale of loyalty, courage, honor and hero worship, stars Alan Ladd as the mysterious gunfighter who settles with a frontier family and is reluctantly drawn into a conflict between ranchers and homesteaders. Don’t miss the stunning photography, Wyoming locations, and young Brandon de Wilde plaintively calling for “Shane!” Directed by George Stevens, 1953, 118 minutes. Join us on January 15, at 7 PM in McCathran Hall for this movie, which is regarded by many to be one of the best westerns ever filmed.
WGUMC News
Thank You from Gude Drive Shelter & Pastor Judy
Friends, after hearing of a lack of hot meals pledged to our local homeless shelter on Gude Drive, you responded to the plea for hot breakfast items on Nov. 29th, when church and town combined prepared hot breakfast for 200! Then you went on to make donations to the shelter’s website, provided pizza for a shelter lunch, donated specific holiday gifts requested for shelter residents, and gave Giant and Safeway gift cards to the shelter, collected at the Holiday show. In 2012 I promise to give more advance warning! Even on short notice, thank you so much for making this year’s season warm and meaningful for many. In 2011 you also contributed many a hot meal to my family, as I went through cancer treatments last spring. Doctors think I’m in remission due to catching and treating the disease early, but I know that hot chicken soup and the kind wishes and prayers of the little town with the big heart had something to do with it too! Have a blessed holiday, everyone. Judy Young
Our shelter friends emailed their thanks, saying in part: “Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH) received an overwhelmingly positive response last week to our request for donated food for our Home Builders Care Assessment Center, men’s emergency shelter. Thank you!…We value our wide circle of colleagues and friends; especially critical in these tight economic times which create even more need and decrease some volunteers’ ability to give food donations…We could not do this work without you! Thank you for strengthening our ability to make a difference in this community. Happy holidays, MCCH Staff”
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Thursday » 01.19.12 @ 7:30 p.m., 333 McCauley Street.
The annual Woman’s Club white elephant auction will be Thursday, January 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Carol Samour, 333 McCauley Street. Please bring an item you are willing to part with, be it useful, goofy, beautiful or fun. Or just bring yourself and your friends. Either way, come ready to bid and have a good time. The funds raised help support our community service projects. This is also a good time to pay your $15.00 membership dues for 2012. All are welcome. With Maria Montefusco as the auctioneer, and Ernie Kawasaki serving drinks, this is an event not to be missed.
Closed For Refinishing
The Town Office and McCathran Hall will be closed Dec. 26 – the 30th for floor refinishing.
FY 2011 Washington Grove Financial Statements
— The audit for the last fiscal year, July 2010 through June 2011, has been completed.
The Town of Washington Grove continues to be in sound financial condition. Copies of the financial statements are available from the Town Office.
Do You Have a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
In your home, carbon monoxide is formed from the incomplete combustion of any flamed fuel device (i.e. not electric) such as ranges, ovens, clothes dryers, furnaces, fireplaces, grills, space heaters, vehicles and water heaters. Please remember to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. They can be purchased at most hardware or home improvement stores. Protect yourself and your pets!
Leaf Pickup Ends
Leaf pickup by US Lawns will end on or about January 2, 2012. This year’s collection went fairly smoothly with the exception of the placement of leaf piles/rows by residents. Please remember to keep piles out of the middle of a road or walkway. Not only does this action cause a traffic hazard but it makes accessibility that much more difficult as well. If you hire someone to do your leaves please remind them not to put leaves in the middle of the roads or walkways. Thank you!
YARD WASTE Collection Ended
Per our contract with Montgomery County Sanitation & Recycling, December 1st was the last date for collection of recyclable yard waste. This service will resume in early March. Until then, please do not place yard waste out for collection.
Christmas Tree Disposal
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.
Knitting Classes
Free knitting classes for beginners. Saturdays in January, 10AM at the home of Meredith Horan (127 Maple Ave.). Please bring needles and some yarn. For more info. call Meredith 301-926-1054.
P.O. Woes
The U.S. Postal Service is having trouble all over the country. Almost every day one can find an article about another small post office having to close its doors. Please remember to support our local post office through the purchase of stamps and other products that you may need. Help keep our local post office open as long as we can!