TOWN COUNCIL NEWS
Next meeting: Monday, July 8, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend. Actions at the June meeting include:
- Approval of Resolution 2019-09; Budget Transfers
- Approval of Robert Johnson as Alternate on Planning Commission
Town Office Hours in July
The Town Clerk will be out of the office from July 22 – July 28.
Regular office hours continue on July 29th.
Stormwater Management Committee
Next meeting: Tuesday, July 9, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The Stormwater Management Committee will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Please call Robert Johnson at 301-346-6267 or email [email protected] for information and to express interest in helping out.
Communications Work Group
Help make our website better than ever! The Communications Work Group of Washington Grove will be conducting usability tests in July. Can you help? All it involves is an hour of your time — you will be asked to accomplish five tasks on the website and will be observed as you do them, helping identify any areas of confusion, missing or hidden content, or ways to make navigation and functionality more intuitive. If you have an hour to spare on an evening or weekend in July, please contact Marida Hines at [email protected] or by telephone (please see Town Directory for number).
Planning Commission News…
Next meeting: Wednesday, July 3, 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.
Recent Permits Approved:
107 Grove Avenue Fence change
203 2nd Avenue Porch steps
2019 Master Plan Work Session
Work will resume on July 17. The group will be concentrating on Section 6, Recreation and Parks. A copy of the latest 2019 Master Plan Working Draft and the draft minutes from each work session are available on the Town web site as a link on the Master Plan page.
Historic Preservation Commission News…
Next meeting: Tuesday, July 16, 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.
Recreation Committee News…
Next Meeting: Wed., July 17, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. Open to the public.
Anyone interested in joining should come to the next meeting!
Town of Washington Grove July 4th festivities take place on Thursday the 4th
Costume judging at 11:00 AM in Woodward Park
Flag raising at Noon
Followed by the parade to McCathran Hall where there will be prizes, bell-ringing and singing
Town Song Lyrics
WASHINGTON GROVE ON THE 4TH OF JULY
Washington Grove on the 4th of July
See that Muskrat Band marching by.
What if it’s ninety-five in the shade?
Everybody join the parade!
Come to the picnic,
Get into the game.
Let’s let freedom ring.
‘cuz when I hear that band down at the Gazebo
I’m so happy I could fly.
In Washington Grove
On the 4th of July!
NO MAPLE LAKE PICNIC THIS YEAR.
BALL GAME IS A GO!!!
“The Game” will take place on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Woodward Park. Bring your “baseball stuff” and join in the fun. For more details, contact Gray Yachup at [email protected].
Calling All Muskrats!
The Muskrat Band will ride again on the 4th of July. Dust off those instruments and join in the fun. New Muskrats welcome! Meet at 203 Grove at 11:00 AM. Please contact Kathy Lehman 301-926-1253 or [email protected] for more details.
SUMMER TENNIS
Grove Tennis Opener
“Keep the Ball in Play” Doubles – Sunday June 30 – 9:30 -11 AM (Just show up)
Adult Beginner – Intermediate Tune-up
Call me with your availability
Linda Baim – 240-997-1701
Junior Tennis Mornings:
- 8 – 8:45 ages 5-10
- 8:45 – 9:30 – 11 and up
Junior Days:
- Tuesday July 2
- Wednesday July 3
- Monday July 8
- Wednesday July 10
- Thursday July 11
- Friday July 12
Forestry & Beautification News…
Next Meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. We will be making plans for the fall tree planting. All are welcome!
Washington Grove UMC News…
Our joyful family worship services are Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m., at the Washington Grove United Methodist Church, 303 Chestnut Road, Washington Grove, MD 20880 (301-947-0532).
Woods Committee News…
Next Meeting: Monday, July 1, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. Meetings are on the 1st Monday of each month. Our August meeting will be Monday, August 5th. All are welcome to attend.
Thank you to all who attended our June 24 Informational Meeting on Deer Management. Your questions and comments are very important as we continue to develop a deer population management plan to support our efforts to restore the health of our forest ecosystem. Thank you to our speakers Ryan Butler and David Petersen from Montgomery County Parks, David Berk from the Bow Hunting Fire Fighters of Maryland, and Elisa Caldone from the Meadow Wood community in Silver Spring. Our next step is to summarize the meeting and report back to the Town Council.
A recent walk through the East Woods showed a resurgence of native grasses and understory plants along trails which were treated last year for non-native invasive plants. Native plants identified include white grasses, sedges, jack-in-the-pulpit, smart weed, poke weed, cattails, passion flower, moon weed flower, milkweed, and possum haw viburnum, to name a few.
We would like to give a special thanks to Charlie and Mary Challstrom and Joan Mahaffey for watering and erecting deer protection for new tree plantings in the East Woods.
When you walk in the woods, please be conscious of the possibility of ticks. This wet spring has seen an abundant tick population. Black legged ticks, which may carry Lyme disease, are small, often no larger than the head of a pin. When caught early, Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses can be easily treated with antibiotics. Some precautions to prevent exposure and disease include:
- Conduct tick checks on yourself, your children and your pets. Carefully remove the entire attached ticks including the head and mouth parts promptly.
- Wear light colored clothing. Tuck your pant legs into your socks or boots.
- Stay on trails. Avoid dense vegetation and tall grasses.
- Consider using long-lasting Permethrin repellents for clothing.
For further information, please consult the Montgomery County website:
https://www.montgomeryparks.org/caring-for-our-parks/wildlife/ticks-lyme-disease/
Maple Lake News…
Next Meeting: Thursday, July 18, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. All are welcome to attend!
Lake Committee Meetings are on the THIRD Thursday of each month. Maple Lake is OPEN daily with lifeguards on duty from Noon – 6:00 p.m.
Swimming Lessons
1:00-1:30 pm Stingray 1 (30 min.)
1:30-2:00 pm Stingray 2 (30 min.)
2:00 pm 15 min. break for instructor
2:15-3:00 p.m. Sharks (45 min.)
3:00-3:30 pm Starfish (45 min.)
4:00 pm 15 min break for instructor
4:15-4:45 p.m. Dolphins (30 min.)
4:45-5:15 p.m. Goldfish (30 min.)
Safety at the Lake
To minimize problems 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 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 Neighborhood Watch to any such incidents.
Party Permits
Summer is here! Maple Lake is a great venue for your party, wedding, or other assemblage. Just follow the link https://goo.gl/forms/g10fJ2Qo0oTJJFcN2 to make it official.
New this year: permits will be issued via email and party hosts will have to print and produce them at the time of the party.
Contact Emily Brown [email protected] if you have questions.
Emergency Preparedness & Safety News…
Next Meeting: Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 7:30 pm in the Town Council Room at McCathran Hall. All Town residents are welcome to attend and discuss any issues or concerns regarding emergency preparedness or safety. Anyone interested in joining the Committee is also welcome.
Woman’s Club News…
Since 1926, the members of the Woman’s Club have hosted many of the Town’s favorite annual events. In January we hold a White Elephant Sale as our main fundraiser; in February everyone pitches in to escape cabin fever and break up the winter doldrums at our Chili Dinner; in April we gather the children for our Egg Hunt; in May we kick off summer with our Flower Show; and in September everyone is invited to bring their favorite dishes to our Pot Luck Supper. In-between, we support many community outreach programs and hold special guest speaker evenings.
Another way we contribute to our Town is by making available for rent our lovely clubhouse. It’s delightful for wedding receptions, baby showers, group teas and other get togethers. It’s ideal for smaller events of 30 to 40 people, where McCathran Hall might be too large. There’s always a 50% discount for Club members!
If you’re interested in joining the Club or renting the Clubhouse, please contact Cynthia Werts at 301-926-1668 or [email protected]. Our dues are a modest $15 per year and can be paid at any event, or by sending a check to The Woman’s Club of Washington Grove, to PO Box 354, Washington Grove, MD 20880.
Some of our Club’s Community Outreach Programs are:
Birthday Bags, Treasure Chest Items and Underwear for Interfaith Works
While the less fortunate children of our County need essentials, they also need occasional treats in their lives, and we work with Interfaith Works to help provide these by collecting birthday presents and small treasure chest items for them to distribute. We also help them with the 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.
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.
We also try keep the closet stocked with winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves for children who might otherwise be coming to school without warm outerwear.
White Socks and Toiletries 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. We also collect and distribute to the Shelter toiletries.
Project Linus
This year we’ve added Project Linus to our Outreach Programs by making blankets for children in foster care or who are seriously ill or traumatized. These handmade blankets and throws help provide them with some warmth, security and comfort. If you’d like to help with this project, let us know and we’ll get you the instructions for making throws from fleece, knitting or crocheting. Contact Wendy Weisbard ([email protected] or 301-758-1097) and Marilynn Frey ([email protected] 301-357-4784). We also have patterns for knitted and crocheted throws, if that’s what you’d like to do.
Where to Bring Your Donations
Whatever pulls at your heart strings, we have a need you can fulfill. We have bins on the Clubhouse 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. Drop off your contributions 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.
Washington Grove Cares News…
Thanks to Ryan Young for his stimulating talk, (in June) on the origins of lymphoma, part of our series, What’s My Line? Grovers Revealed. And thanks to all the Grovers who turned out for his presentation. Stay tuned for announcements about future talks by town residents who will share their expertise and passions with all of us. Meanwhile, have a great summer and don’t forget, if you need a ride to a doctor’s appointment or a meal(s) when you are under the weather, give us a call at 240-813-3316, drop us a line at [email protected], or fill out a request form online at washingtongrovecares.org.
COMING EVENTS CALENDAR
July 1 » Woods Committee 7:30 p.m. Council Room
July 1 » Summer In The Parks Starts 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Town Hall
July 3 » Planning Commission 7:30 p.m. Council Room
July 8 » Town Council Meeting 7:30 p.m. Council Room
July 9 » Stormwater Management Committee 7 :30 p.m. Council Room
July 16 » Historic Preservation Commission 7:30 p.m. Council Room
July 17 » Recreation Committee 7:30 p.m. Old Council Rm
July 17 » Master Plan Work Session 7:30 p.m. Council Room
July 18 » Lake Committee 7:30 p.m. Council Room
July 24 » Lighting Committee 7:30 p.m. Council Room
July 25 » Emergency Prep. & Safety Committee 7:30 p.m. Council Room
July 26 » SITP Campout Town Hall grounds
NOTABLE DEADLINES !
July 10 » Permit Application due to PC for July review
July 25 » July Bulletin submissions due
2019/20 Mayor and Council Areas of Responsibility and Contact Information:
Mayor, John G. Compton: 301-330-8264 (h), 240-432-5700 (c)
[email protected]
Darrell Anderson: 301-963-8555
[email protected]
Historic Preservation Commission, Sign Restoration Project, Conservation Meadow, Roads & Walkways
Charlie Challstrom: 301-926-4498
[email protected]
McCathran Hall, Planning Commission, Other (Montgomery Municipal Cable, Census Liaison, FEMA Floodplain Coordinator)
Rob Gilmore: 240-632-9587 (h), 202-352-1877 (c)
[email protected]
Contracts, Woods, Dog Park, Shady Grove Crossing
Marida Hines: 301-580-1026
[email protected]
Website, Recreation, Communications
Pat Klein: 301-926-2256 (Town Office)
[email protected]
Emergency Preparedness & Safety, Maple Lake
Audrey Maskery: 301-977-0582
[email protected]
Forestry And Beautification, Maintenance, Memorials, Playgrounds