Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 07.07.08 @ 7:30 p.m. & Monday » 07.21.08 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the June Council meeting included:
appointment of Steve Werts as a full member of the Planning Commission.
appointment of Satoshi Amagai as a full member of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
appointment of John Tomlin as an alternate member of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
appointment of Marc Hansen as a full member of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
appointment of Ed Roberts as a member of the Fire Board.
approval of Resolution No. 2008-04; Budget Transfers FY 2008.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 07.02.07 @ 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 for a major building permit (addition/renovation) is $40.00. The fee for a minor building permit (fence/shed) is $10.00. Checks should be made 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 permit applications as well.
Permits were issued for the following:
118 Chestnut Ave. » fence
118 Chestnut Ave. » garage
208 Chestnut Ave. » fence
10 Maple Ave. » tree house
Master Plan Public Hearing
The Washington Grove Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the recommended Master Plan for the Town of Washington Grove on Wednesday, September 3, 2008. The public hearing will be held in McCathran Hall, 300 Grove Avenue, in Washington Grove, beginning at 7:30 p.m. A copy of the Planning Commission Recommended Master Plan is available on the Town website or in the Town Office.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 07.15.07 @ 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.
Unveiling Ceremony:
Historic Marker in Morgan Park July 4th 2008
A plaque commemorating the history of Washington Grove will be unveiled at a ceremony in Morgan Park on July 4th between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 pm. In case of rain, bring an umbrella, as there is no rain date. The dedication will take place after the July 4th costume awards and bell ringing at McCathran Hall. The Mayor will drive the Town tractor to Morgan Park to lead participants to the ceremony. There will be a few short speeches and readings of poetry and essays. Refreshments will be served. Join us to celebrate our past and contemplate the preservation of our unique community and environment into the future. NB: Morgan Park is bounded by Railroad Street, Grove Road, and Brown Street.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 07.16.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!
July 4th Brunch & Parade
Come one and all to the new annual July 4th Brunch. It was so fun last year that we’ve decided to make it an annual event. Bring a dish to share, lawn chairs or a blanket and join the fun at McCathran Hall at 10:00 a.m. Coffee, juice and paper products will be provided by the Recreation Committee. Costume judging will begin at 11 a.m. for everyone…young and old. Then at Noon we will head over to the Woodward Park flagpole for the flag raising to hear our wonderful Muskrat Band and to start the parade. Historic Marker dedication will follow after the parade, speeches, bell ringing, etc…
Muskrat Band…40 Years and Still Trying
Come join the Muskrat Band for its 40th year as the band in residence in Washington Grove. If you play or have ever played a musical instrument, dust it off and join the fun. There are no auditions, everyone is welcome and adults are NOT allowed to practice in advance of the first rehearsal :o) For more information, contact Eric Selby 301- 963-7073 or [email protected] Make the Muskrat Band your July 4th tradition!!
Woodward Park Athletic Field Update
The athletic field in Woodward Park has re-opened. Permits will now be issued by the new Woodward Park Coordinator Bill Robertson. Additional changes have been made to the policies and procedures for use of the Woodward Park facilities and they are available at the Town Office. Sponsors for non-resident use of the field are needed. To volunteer, please contact Kathie Evans 301-869-7816 [email protected]
Adult Tennis Camp $35.00
July 13 – 17: Contact Linda Baim for more information.
[email protected] or 301-926-8767.
Neighborhood Watch News
Report Crimes & Suspicious Activity!
Mont. Co. Police non-emergency: 301-279-8000
Town Office: 301-926-2256
Joe Clark: 301-869-7944
Keith Gillis/Leigh Partington: 301-208-1437
Incident Report:
May 15: Suspicious Activity. 100 block Chestnut Ave – Resident reported a woman taking pictures of houses and backyards with her cell phone. Incident reported to police.
May 26: Suspicious Activity. McCauley Street – Resident reported a man leaving several small piles of white powder along McCauley Street and into the woods. Later it was learned that the man was leaving a trail for a race through town.
June 6: Breaking/Entering. 200 block Grove Ave – Resident reported someone had entered their home around 5:20 PM while they were away. Entry through the bathroom window, apparently tripped alarm system, suspects fled. Nothing taken. Report filed with police.
June 7: Animal problem. East Woods – Resident of adjacent neighborhood reported finding a dead coyote in the East Woods.
June 12: Theft. 100 block Chestnut Ave – Resident reported that a cell phone was taken from an unlocked car. Reported to Police.
June 16: Gunshots heard. West Woods – Several residents along Washington Grove Lane heard what sounded like 6 or 7 gunshots at 11:30 PM. Reported to police. Apparently there was a gang-related shooting in the neighboring housing complex near Maple Lake.
June 21: Police activity. 100 block Maple Rd – Resident reported several marked and unmarked police cars were at 104 Maple Rd.
Please report criminal or suspicious activity to your Neighborhood Watch Block Captain or Coordinators. Filing a police report, too, helps the police department keep track of criminal incidents and is necessary for police to take action. Of course, for emergency situations call 911.
Lake Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 07.02.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in OLD Council Room.
New members always welcome! Call John Hutchinson (301-926-8767) if you have any questions or suggestions.
Swim Lesson Reminder
Swimming lessons schedule is posted on the doors to the Council Chambers at McCathran Hall.
Party Permit Required
If you wish to have a party at Maple Lake, you must get a party permit. Please note that this permit does not allow you exclusive use of the lake but it will entitle you to use of the grill and the picnic tables. The contact person for a Maple Lake Party Permit is Sally Mansfield 301-977-3189.
Safety at the Lake
To minimize issues with vandalism, outside visitors and other problems, we will be monitoring the lake more frequently checking on the fence and surrounding area. Please DO NOT tell young children or outsiders what the combination is, and always lock, and spin the tumblers on the lock after opening it. Call John Hutchinson, Jim Fletcher, or Bruce Rothrock if you notice any maintenance problems. Please report every incident of suspicious behavior, vandalism or criminal activity to the police at the non-emergency number: 301-279-8000. The police use the log of these calls to determine how closely to patrol an area. They have asked us to report all incidents. Please also alert NW (Neighborhood Watch) to any such incidents.
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Thursday » 07.17.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Clubhouse.
David Marshall will speak at our July Meeting. David specializes in helping people record family memories on DVD and CDs. Come and pick up ideas on organizing your own precious experiences. Refreshments will include an ice cream social. Please join us for a relaxing summer evening. Especially if you have not come to a meeting in a while, we’d love to see you. All Town residents are welcome.
Thank you to everyone who helped with the Woman’s Club Yard Sale. Because of your generosity in donating goods, time and energy, the Woman’s Club made a profit of $1,104.00. Many unique items will remain here in Washington Grove thanks to our loyal shoppers.
WGUMC News
July is a busy month for the church and the parsonage, as painting begins on July 2nd amid other repairs, and then the Young’s move in–with many thanks for the offers of help from so many friends! Summer season has also begun at church, with church services starting at 10 am, from now until September 7th when the 11am services resume. MOVIE NIGHT Thursday, July 3rd – 7:00 p.m. If you missed the inspiring story of William Wilberforce’s crusade against the slave trade in the British Parliament, come and watch “Amazing Grace” in the church’s fellowship hall. Refresh your political idealism on the night before July 4th!
July means Summer In The Parks, as WGUMC hosts some of the classes in our fellowship hall. Welcome to SITP!
OPEN HOUSE AT THE PARSONAGE!
Saturday, September 20th – 1-5 p.m.
Judy and David invite everyone from Washington Grove town and church to an open house at 101 Center Street, as the fall season begins…
Yard Waste Pickup
Your yard waste will be picked up by our trash contractor if properly prepared. Bundles must not exceed 4 ft. in length or 30 inches in diameter. Separate pieces may not exceed 4 inches in diameter.
You may also place your yard waste in large brown paper bags, available at home improvement centers, or in properly marked re-useable containers.
Clerk’s Corner
New Paper Recycling Bins in the Post Office!
Don’t forget to use those big, blue paper recycling bins in the PO lobby. Thanks!
Critters Are Smart…
Raccoons are very smart animals. If you have a trash can lid that no longer “locks” when you close it, or if you have no lid at all, your can will become an outdoor bistro for the visiting masked marauders. Please secure your trash can lids!