Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 07.13.15 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the June Council meeting included:
- approval of the Mayor’s appointments:
- David Hix – Planning Commission
- Bob Booher – Historic Preservation Comm.
- David Stopak – HPC
- Meredith Horan – Board of Elections
- Betty Knight – Board of Elections
- Kristin Perry – Board of Elections
- Marc Hansen – Board of Zoning Appeals
- approval of Budget Transfer Resolution 2015-05.
- approval of Ordinance 2015-03; Ordinance Adopting Amendments to Article IV, Sections 1 and 10 Regarding the Issuance of Permanent Easements for Main Buildings Initially Constructed in Part on Land Owned by the Town of Washington Grove.
(Copies of this ordinance are available upon request at the Town Office; 301-926-2256 or [email protected])
Brush Removal
All plant material from yard maintenance must be cut up and placed in either a bin labeled “Yard Waste” or in the brown yard waste bags which can be purchased at stores in the area. Plant material may also be bundled and tied with twine. Bundles may not exceed 30” in diameter or be longer than four (4) feet. Individual branches may not exceed four (4) inches in diameter or four (4) feet in length. Yard Waste stickers can be obtained from the Town Office. The yard waste bags should be folded closed for pick up. Please do not “over stuff.” Our recycling contactor will pick up properly prepared plant material for recycling. Of course, any one may take material to the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station at Rt. 355 and Shady Grove Road. Our Town Maintenance Staff does not remove any plant material.
Police Attend May Meeting
Montgomery County Police Commander Willie Parker-Loan, Lieutenant Liz Hattenburg, and Sgt. Donna Howard from the 6th District attended the May meeting of the Town Council. It was a good opportunity to express safety and other concerns about our relationship with the County police department. Commander Parker-Loan asked to let residents know the police may be called with concerns anytime. Of course, the emergency number is 911. Non-emergency callers may use 301-279-8000. The calls are answered by the same responders in the call center but are handled by priority.
Ahhhhh…. Maple Lake
Maple Lake is one of our most prized amenities. Please be sure to review the Maple Lake News for valuable information.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 07.01.15 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
If the spring/summer renovation bug has reared its head 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.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 07.21.15 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. 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.
Outstanding Renovation Award
Did you know? As it has done for the last eleven years, in anticipation of the Town’s Annual Meeting, the Historic Preservation Commission considered recent house renovations and identified a recipient for its Outstanding Renovation Award. This year, we were pleased to recognize Nick and JoAnn Suzich, 122 Chestnut Avenue, “for the addition of two porches to the ca. 1955-1959 house that, coupled with the family room expansion, serve to animate the rear facade into a nicely scaled and welcoming enhancement to the experience of Hickory Road.”
Thinking about Windows…
Last month, we started to share some of the wealth of information about windows that can be found on the National Trust for Historic Preservation website. We continue this month to examine why original windows are worth saving.
Reason #1: Old Windows are Built with High-Quality Materials
Wood windows made prior to the 1940’s are likely to be made from old growth wood. Why does this matter? Old growth wood has distinct physical characteristics that can make it superior to new materials. For instance, this wood is denser and more durable, rot resistant, and dimensionally stable than modern wood. Also, wood used to make windows constructed prior to the 1940’s was most likely harvested locally, making it better suited for local climate conditions.
Modern wood derived from tree farms grows fast due to management practices and the application of fertilizers. This is not necessarily bad because we need a steady supply of lumber for all sorts of uses. However, when it comes to selecting wood for windows, speedy growth is not always better. Fast-growing wood not only has growth rings that are further apart, but also a higher percentage of earlywood or sapwood. This earlywood is rich in sugars. Wood with more widely-spaced growth rings is less dense and therefore not as durable. The sugars feed the tree as it grows, but are also attractive to insects who don’t care if the wood is a live tree branch or your window sill.
The slower and more naturally the tree is allowed to grow, the denser the structure. This results in a stable, dense wood that mills well, holds paint and stain well, is not as attractive to insects, and has natural rot resistance thanks to a higher percentage of latewood.
What does this mean for older windows? In short, a new wood window will not last as long as the original. What about mahogany or other hard woods? They may be an option, and will tend to be denser and of higher quality than plantation-growth southern yellow pine, for example. However, these high-grade wood products can be expensive. Also, if window replacement is being considered for sustainable reasons, it is far greener to retain and repair an existing window than to have timber shipped thousands of miles to be manufactured into a new product.
Reason #2: Old Windows “Fit” Their Openings
Historic windows were made and custom installed to fit their specific window openings. Each opening is probably a little bit different, especially because natural materials react to their environment. For example, wood typically shrinks during dry weather and will swell with increased humidity. Older windows may have shifted and changed with their openings as the building aged. After 100 plus years, they may no longer be exactly square, but they still fit the opening.
If new stock replacement windows are installed in historic openings, there is very little chance that they will fit well. The resulting gaps around the windows will be just as – if not more – drafty as the historic windows that were tossed. Often, the size difference between the stock window and the historic window opening is compensated for by reducing the overall size of the opening. The result is a smaller window, less light, distorted proportions, and trim that doesn’t match the opening.
Do we have your attention? Reasons 3 & 4 to follow in August…..
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Thursday » 07.17.15 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
Swim Lessons Schedule
Weekdays, July 7-30th
(All lessons are 45 min.)
GOLDFISH 1:00 – 1:45 p.m.
STINGRAYS 1:45 – 2:30 p.m.
SHARKS 2:30 – 3:15 p.m.
**INSTRUCTOR BREAK (2:45–3:00 PM) **
STARFISH 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
DOLPHINS 4:15 – 5:00 p.m.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 08.19.15 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
And Now, a Word from Our Leader…
Calling all past, current and new members of the “Maple Lake Muskrat Band & Marching Society of Washington Grove”…young and old! We are just a little over a week away from July 4th and it’s time to dust off that old wind, brass or percussive instrument and join the Washington Grove Muskrat Band for the July 4th Festivities 2015! To join our musical marching merriment, shoot me an e-mail off line or give me a ring and you’re in.
Here’s the ongoing Muskrat plan: On Saturday, July 4th, we will get together at 10:30 a.m. at the Briggs’ house (across form the tennis courts in Washington Grove) to rehearse. Then, we’ll march over to the flagpole at noon for the Star Spangled Banner and on to the Town Hall, Yankee Doodling all the way.
There are more high spirits than high expectations, so please don’t be discouraged if that old band instrument has been doing nothing but collecting dust for a few decades. You supply the instrument and enthusiasm and we’ll supply the music and welcoming arms. You’re just what we’re looking for to make The Washington Grove Muskrat Band a success! We look forward to hearing from you and playing with you! Be sure to grab a friend or two!
Muskratingly yours,
Eric Selby ([email protected])
home: (301) 963-7073 mobile: (703) 203-8100
JULY 4TH CELEBRATION WEEKEND
Friday, July 3rd:
Ballgame – 10:00 AM at Woodward Park ball field. Bring mitts and bats if you have them!
Contacts – Ann Briggs (301-926-6347) or Joey Fones (240-477-5882).
Potluck Picnic at Maple Lake – 4:00 PM Hotdogs, paper products provided. BYOB.
Contacts – Peter Nagrod (301-512-5771) or Missy Yachup (301-947-4153)
Saturday, July 4th:
Costume Judging – 11:00 AM at the fireplace in Woodward Park. Volunteers are needed. Please contact Missy Yachup ([email protected])
Flag Raising & Parade – NOON at the flagpole in Woodward Park.
In the event of rain:
Friday, July 3rd: Ballgame will be rescheduled & picnic is cancelled.
Saturday July 4th: All activities in McCathran Hall.
Music Weekend Anything but a Washout!
Despite the unwanted attentions of Mr. Bill, the shows definitely went on! Friday night’s “Open Mic” was a great success, and we plan to make it an annual event, so anyone who couldn’t make it, or was maybe a little shy about performing, should know he/she/they are most welcome. Thanks to Emily Brown for spearheading the event. Thanks to Sita Strother and Tad Stankhe, the children’s concert Saturday morning was equally fine. Washington Grove has a lot of talented kids and adults!
Even though moving indoors put a slight crimp on the dancing, Jr. Cline and the Recliners were such a hit Saturday night that we’re looking to book a return gig next year. And as always, the Homewood Brass were a lovely finale; one of the musicians who hadn’t yet played in McCathran Hall was blown away by the acoustics. (Well, we told him!) Many thanks to Ann Briggs for securing their appearance.
As always, a big thanks to all those who helped set up, clean up, shop, etc., and a special shout-out to Ryan Young and Gary Temple, who wrangled the sound system all weekend.
Even with this short summary, it should be clear that the Recreation Committee has a lot on its plate, so we are certainly hoping some more Town residents would be interested in joining us. All are welcome, even as part-time help! The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Aug. 19.
Woman’s Club Yard Sale
Friday, July 17th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. A N D Saturday, July 18th from 8:00 – 2:00 p.m.
We will start collecting donations for this year’s sale as of June 29, 2015. Items may be placed on the Clubhouse porch. This is another event that needs many hands to make it successful! If you have time to volunteer, we’ll be sorting books, arranging items and pricing everything at the Clubhouse on Tuesday, July 14th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday July 15th from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Thursday July 16th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Once again, from the date of the yard sale through the end of October, we’ll have
a box of the Clubhouse porch to collect coats, hats, scarves etc… for the needy children of Washington
Grove Elementary School. Last year’s Coat Drive was a success and the school was very grateful.
The Tea is Blooming at Downton Abby Flower Show was a great success and a lot of fun. In addition to the wonderful plant and flower specimens, all of the varied arrangements were delightful as well. The winners were, Carol Samour for Best Arrangement and Best in Show; Annette Baggott for Best Specimen and Luna Strother for Best Youth. Many thanks to all who worked so hard on this event!!
Bulk Trash Pickup Scheduled
Mark your calendars! The Town has scheduled a bulk trash collection for July 11, 2015. Materials may include furniture, appliances (nothing with freon like air conditioning units), rugs, large toys, small auto parts, etc.
Material may NOT include construction by-products from your renovation projects, large automotive parts or tires. Items should not contain gasoline or motor oil. Please keep your metal separate from the rest of your trash.
ITEMS SHOULD BE PLACED “CURBSIDE” BY 7:00 A.M.
Make the Right Call
Montgomery County residents Make the Right Call by using:
- 9-1-1 ONLY for emergencies
- 301-279-8000 ONLY to report non-emergencies
- 3-1-1 for general Montgomery County government information
Having a better understanding of when to call each of these important phone numbers will help ensure that your specific need is most effectively met.
DRIVE 15, ENJOY THE SCENE!