Council Notes
The next meeting will be Monday, July 12, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall. The public is invited to
attend. May Council actions included:
· elected Chris Pacchione Mayor Pro Tempore
· authorized year-end budget transfers
· approved appointment of J. Allen Winter to serve as Council liaison to the Planning
Commission
· agreed to joint survey with Washington Gas on condition that all information collected be
shared
Planning Commission
Next meeting will be Tuesday, July 6, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall.
Town Meeting
At the annual Town Meeting the FY 2000 budget was adopted setting the tax rate at $.60/$100
assessed valuation and the dwelling tax at $115/dwelling. John Compton was elected Mayor and
Dave Gumula and Dodie Tippens were elected to serve on the Town Council.
Special Trash Collection
Wed., June 30 Collection may include furniture, rugs, appliances (but not those with Freon),
large toys, small auto parts, etc. Materials may not include tires, construction by-products, or
large auto parts. Items must be put curbside.
Grove Web Site
Soon to be added: minutes of the Planning Commission; Town Charter, Code of Ordinances, Master Plan
Professional Offices Sought for Commercial Corner
At his request, the Mayor and Council met on June 7 with Mr. Steve Beck, representing the
owner of the commercial building, to talk about possible business uses in the Town’s
commercial zone. With the closing of the meat market, the catering business is no longer a
permitted use. Our Town ordinances currently provide for the following uses: Post Office;
professional, business, or government offices; retail sale of antiques; barber and beauty shops;
dry cleaning and laundry pick up stations; shoe repair shops; tailoring.
The principal intent is that these or alternative businesses in the commercial zone should have
traffic, noise and impact that is compatible with the adjacent residential zone. If you or someone
you know runs a business that is compatible, and would find this location convenient, please call
the Town at 301-926-2256 or Steve Beck at 301-963-4747.
Schedule for Fourth of July Festivities
Woodward Park
Costume Judging 11 a.m.
Flag Raising/Parade Begins 12 noon
McCathran Hall
Fourth of July Ceremony
Costume Awards
12:30 p.m.
Chapel Park
Picnic for Residents & Guests 1:30 p.m.
Picnic Area Clean Up 3 p.m.
Draft Tree Ordinance a Topic at Town Meeting
The Town’s Planning Commission has been wrestling with ways to insure preservation of the
forest canopy throughout the Town. To encourage thoughtful consideration of alternatives
before trees of substantial size are cut down or cut back on private property, an ordinance
creating a permit process has been drafted. After a lengthy discussion at Town Meeting, it was
decided that residents would have an opportunity to comment on the draft ordinance at the
September Planning Commission meeting, allowing time for all concerned to study the draft
language. Details in July.
Energy Use Information Meeting
On June 16 in McCathran Hall, informative presentations were given by Joan Stern, State
delegate in District 39; Ron Talbert, HVAC heating and air conditioning contractor; Ken Fisher,
president, Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Department; and Tara Huston and
Andrew Hickey, sales representatives of Washington Gas. A broad range of issues were
discussed including the recent deregulation of some public utilities, details of converting home
appliances to use natural gas, general home safety with particular focus on flue/chimney
maintenance and aging oil tanks, and the requirements of Washington Gas for installation of
residential gas distribution lines within the Grove. The Washington Gas representatives
indicated that it may be possible for select areas within the Grove to be supplied with gas service,
with much of the expense for installation being assumed by gas subscribers. In the near future,
Washington Gas and the Town of Washington Grove will be sending out a joint survey to assess
the level of interest of all Grove homeowners and to determine costs. This survey will form the
basis of any negotiation for gas services between the Town and Washington Gas. Residents are
encouraged to return the survey and to speak with other residents about gas use.
Board of Zoning Appeals Grants Special Exception
Following a public hearing on May 26, the Town’s Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously voted
to grant a special exception to permit the retail sale of incidental items at a beauty shop to be
operated at 113 Hickory Road. The Board determined that granting the special exception would
not significantly burden the Town with increased noise, litter, or pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Muskrat Band Needs You!
If you play a band instrument and would like to march with the Muskrat Band in the Washington
Grove July 4 parade call Eric Selby at 301-963-7073.
COMING JULY 5 — SUMMER IN THE PARKS!
Bring your children to McCathran Hall at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, July 5. There you will find
sign-up posters for daily SNACK, LAKE DUTY (we need one adult for every four children in
the water), and LATE MOM OR DAD (to stay a few minutes til the last child is picked up.)
Parent Involvement guarantees a great ram! Our teachers this year are Michelle Gray and Kara
Mahoney.
On the last day of the program, Friday, July 30, there will be NO afternoon camp. The
unforgettable finale CAMPOUT at McCathran Hall– dinner, games, tenting overnight, and
morning donuts, will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 a.m. on July 31. Parents who can help
do a quick clean up Saturday morning after the campout will be greatly appreciated.
Summer Tennis Lessons
Adult lessons will be held 6-8 p.m., Monday-Thursday from July 5-July 15, plus Monday,
July 19 and Tuesday, July 20. Children’s lessons will be held in the mornings beginning July 5,
and will be coordinated with swim lessons. The cost will be $30 for adults and $25 for children.
Call Barb Leng at 301-670-9443 to register. Checks should be made payable to Town of
Washington Grove.
Board of Zoning Appeals
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE
Date: Wednesday, August 11, 1999
Place: McCathran Hall
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Pursuant to Article VII, Sections 12.32 and 11.31 of the Washington Grove Code of Ordinances,
a public hearing will be held to determine if a variance should be granted to allow the
construction of a porch on the front of the Poblete residence at 415 Center Street.
The construction of a porch violates the setback requirements of Article VII, Section 9. Schedule
of Standards.
The Board may grant a variance if the Board finds on the basis of preponderance of evidence that
the seven conditions as presented in Article VII, Section 12.2(a) exist.
The Board will take written and oral testimony from the applicant, residents or other interested
parties in advance of, or at the public hearing. The Board will render its decision as soon
thereafter as practical.
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. Please
allow at least 10 days for review by the Commission. Call John McClelland at 301-963-3328 if
you have questions about zoning code requirements. Interior renovations which involve
electrical, plumbing, or load-bearing changes generally require a County permit. All
applications for County-required building permits must first be signed off by the Town.
Hazardous Materials Disposal
Sunday, July 11 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shady Grove Transfer Station.
Building Permits Issued
· Buel, 405 Chestnut Avenue, room/addition
· Hurst, 409 Chestnut Avenue, fence
· Moyer, 301 Ridge Road, alter/garage
· Nagem, 105 Maple Road, fence
· Suzich, 122 Chestnut Avenue, door/overhang
· Fletcher, 112 Ridge Road, deck
· Helme, 108 Grove Avenue, addition
· Hilpert, 507 Brown Street, deck
Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Annexation
The Town Council will conduct a hearing on Monday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. prior to the regular
monthly Council meeting, to take public comment regarding Annexation Resolution No. 99-03,
proposing annexation of approximately 0.42 acres located at 3 Ridge Road, the same property as
described in Liber 6319 at Folio 683 among the Land Records for Montgomery County,
Maryland. Resolution No. 99-03 provides that the Town issue a property tax credit to the owners
of 3 Ridge Road each year for a period of five (5) years in an amount equal to the total property
taxes imposed for 3 Ridge Road by the Town. The proposed annexation would include
Ordinance No. 99-04 classifying the property in the Town’s RR-1 Zone (residential, one family,
minimum lot size 11,250 square feet).
Nature by E-mail
Nature by E- mail is a free e- mail newsletter for Washington Grove nature lovers! Sign on to
receive postings about wildflowers, insects, weeds, birds, and such that you can find in the Grove
and where to find it. The articles are written with children in mind but should be interesting to
any nature-watcher. To sign on, call Betsy Klinger at 301-977-3517 or send a message by e-mail
to [email protected]. Anyone who wishes to contribute an article or information that can be
made into an article will receive a homemade apple pie!
Watch Found
In Center Street parking area across from Town Hall. Call Town Office at 301-926-2256.
Grove Photo Club
Wednesday, July 21, 7:30 p.m. At Ritchie Jacocks, 102 Grove Avenue. Plans call for a visit to
the Hirshhorn Museum sculpture garden.
Woman’s Club Meeting
Thursday, July 15
OPRAH BOOK CLUB
7:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse, Chestnut Road and Miller Drive. Join us in air-conditioned
comfort. The Reader by B. Schlink; Barb Leng and Sheila Compton, moderators.
Barking Dogs
As a courtesy to yo ur neighbors, please try to control your dogs to keep barking to a minimum.
Post Office Lobby Off Limits to Dogs
Perhaps your dogs are barking because they are not allowed in the Post Office lobby for reasons
of public safety. The cooperation of dog-owners will be greatly appreciated.
Shady Grove Road Cleanup
Wednesday, July 7 The Greater Shady Grove Civic Alliance has organized a cleanup project to
remove litter from along the shoulders and median of Shady Grove Road from Route 355 to
Mid-County Highway. This effort is undertaken as part of the County’s Adopt-a-Road Program.
Meet in the McDonald’s parking lot (Grove Shopping Center) at 4:30 p.m. The County supplies
free safety vests, gloves, and trash bags. Wear long pants. It’s a great way to get exercise, have
an immediate positive effect and increase the beauty of our community. Questions? Call Chris
Suzich at 301-417-9522.
Lake Committee
Lake Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 21 at Maple Lake, 7:30 p.m. Refreshments!!
Washington Grove United Methodist Church Seeks Paid Part-time Organist/Choir Director
To begin second week of August. Forty-seven Sundays a year with occasional mid-week
service. Will direct Adult Choir with rehearsals one night a week. Send resume to
P.O. Box 115, Washington Grove, MD 20880. Call Rev. Carolyn Swift at 301-948-5438 for
information.
Swimming Classes Start July 5/End July 30
If you do not see your child’s name on the list below it is because a registration form was not
submitted as of 25 June. Please turn in your form as soon as possible. For safety reasons we ask
that all swimming students be accompanied by an adult. There is no lifeguard on duty during
lessons. Lessons are free to Grove residents and you may sign your child up even if you will be
away part of the month. Registration forms: call Town Office at 301-926-2256 or Sharon Hurst
at 301-948-2424.
9:00 R. Streker, V. Hayward, C. Boynton
9:30 J. Streker, S. Hurst, G. Gomez, D. Hodges
10:00 M. Brasunas, E. Vitek, C. Kelly
10:30 E. Stopak, N. Lembesis, V. Opfermann, E. Kelly, M. Hodges
11:00 G. Yachup, C. Morgan, M. Bent, H. Herold
Yard Sale Thank You
Chair Kitty Vogan and the Woman’s Club members would like to thank you for your continued
support of the annual yard sale. Thanks to all those people who worked and to those who
donated items to be sold. A special thanks goes to non-Grove members Mary Fealy, Joyce
Mullineaux and Toodle Shipley. Thanks to Allen Winter and John McClelland for the use of
their trucks to transport the sale items from Mary Kay DuBois’ garage and to Leila Keese vehicle
to transport leftover items back to garage to be picked up by Purple Heart. The movers included
Allen Winter, John McClelland, Ted Yachup, Leila Keese, Mary Kay DuBois and yours truly.
The new signs were designed and installed by Sylvia and Charles Horan. Ed Roberts was nice
enough to remove items that Purple Heart refused to take. Thanks to the following for all their
help during yard sale week: Peggy and Bob Booher, Ann Briggs, Marion Brown, Mary and
Charlie Challstrom, Mary Kay DuBois, Bev Freeman, Brenda and Dave Gumula, Birgit and Don
Henninger, Sylvia Horan, Leila Keese, Betty Knight, Trish Knox, Pete Kollasch, Gail Littlefield,
Alice Mahaffey, Jean McCathran, George Paine, Kristin Perry, Ann Philips, Rebecca Richters,
Cal Reznek, Carol Uhlendorf, Ann Walsh, Cynthia Werts and Missy Yachup. The Club owes a
debt of gratitude to Mary Kay DuBois for the yearlong use of her garage to store all the sale
items. The Yard Sale was a huge success. It involves a lot of work to make it all happen but
with such great workers it all comes together. Thanks!
Montgomery County History Day
Sunday, July 11 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free. 27 sites of interest. For info call 301-762-1492 or
check www.montgomeryhistory.org
Recreation Committee to Meet
Save Thursday, July 1, 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room of McCathran Hall for a meeting of the
Recreation Committee. If you enjoyed Music Weekend and would like to help to bring other
entertaining events to your friends and neighbors, this Committee is for you!
Washington Grove on the Fourth of July
words and music by Fred Tippens
Washington Grove on the fourth of July
See the 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
And when I hear the band down at the
gazebo, I’m so happy I could fly
In Washington Grove, on the fourth of July.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED — THIS MEANS YOU!!!
The Lake Committee and the Recreation Committee are looking for new members to join in,
contribute ideas and actively participate. We all know that the Grove couldn’t function without
all the many people who have always volunteered so much energy for the good of the Town. To
sign up and/or to get information call:
Sharon Hurst 301-948-2424
Lake
Dodie Tippens 301-869-1682
Recreation Alice Negin 301-926-2858
Bake Sale Thank You
Chair Charlene McClelland and the Woman’s Club thank following contributors to the bake
sale: Vicki Andrews, Marion Brown, Mary Kay DuBois, Kathi Fletcher, Brenda Gumula, Birgit
Henninger, Sylvia Horan, Cindy Houston, Leila Keese, Helen Kilgallen, Betty Knight, Gail
Littlefield, Jenny Long, Alice Mahaffey, Jean McCathran, Joli McCathran, Charlene
McClelland, Robin Menge, Amy Porter, Ellen Price, Calvina Reznek, Ginny Stolz, Kitty Vogan,
Tami Williams and Missy Yachup.
Town Bulletin Deadline
The morning after each monthly Council meeting is the deadline for submitting items for the
Town Bulletin. Next deadline: July 13
THE GAME
Grove Stadium, 3 July 1999 at 5 PM Rule 1: No matter what rules are being followed, the game
does not continue till the ball is found.
“The Game” will be played at Grove Stadium on 3 July at 5 p.m. Players will come for
organization and rules at 4 p.m. Two teams will play, the “Red Grovers” and the “Green
Grovers”. (Everyone wanted to be a “Grover”.) The Game will use a soft baseball-sized ball.
Baseball rules for the Town of Washington Grove from 1873 will apply and be rigidly enforced
by the officiating authorities. Reference is the Encyclopedia Britannica, 1873 version (available
at the game).
1. Players and fans will be genteel and mannerly at all times.
2. There will be ten players per side playing seven innings, three outs per side per inning
and the side with the most runs wins the game. Any resident 14 or older can participate.
(The extra player is the right side shortstop and must be an outstanding individual of
great coolness who serves as the general in the field.)
3. Players will be required to use period banter (e.g., red hot, what the blazes) and are
suggested to have period nicknames (e.g., Squid, Dutch, Pigtail, The Man, Rev, Live
Wire, Blue Streak).
4. Hats (maroon or forest green) will be provided to players and officiating authorities;
wood bats are required (please bring one); gloves are recommended and spikes are not
permitted.
5. Strikers (batters) will inform the umpire either “high” or “low” when asked “What is your
pleasure, sir/madam?” The pitcher will respond with a high pitch (waist to shoulder) or
low pitch (waist to one foot above the ground). The striker will have four fair pitches to
achieve a hit or five unfair pitches to achieve a walk. The striker attempts any unfair
pitch at their own risk. Three consecutive unfair pitches will allow the striker to proceed
to first base. “Hand down” results in the striker being out as this is a “bound game”.
6. In delivering the ball pitchers will not place either foot outside of the 6’x6′ pitcher’s box,
must not raise their hand higher than the hip, must deliver the ball over the plate at the
requested height and must not “balk”. Pitches not placed as requested are ruled unfair.
Three balks in an inning results in the offending side forfeiting the game. Catchers play
behind the striker and must be within 50′ of them.
7. Runners will stay in the marked base line (3′ wide) at all times when proceeding around
the bases. Runners will not be obstructed.
8. Other, more voluminous rules apply.