Town Meeting
At the annual Town Meeting, the FY 2002 budget was adopted
setting the tax rate at $0.235/$100 assessed valuation and the dwelling tax at
$115/dwelling. John Compton was reelected to serve as Mayor and Tricia Knox and
Peggy Odick were elected to the Town Council with 69 and 85 votes respectively. Bud
O’Connor received 49 votes. Thanks to all who came out to vote!
Special Trash Collection-Saturday, June 30
Collection may include furniture,
appliances (but not those with Freon), rugs, large toys, small auto parts, etc. Materials
may not include construction by-products, large automotive parts, or tires. Items must
be put at the curb by 7:00 a.m.
Schedule for Fourth of July Festivities
Woodward Park
Costume Judging at 11:00 a.m.
Flag Raising/Parade Begins at 12:00 noon
McCathran Hall
Fourth of July Ceremony
Costume Awards at 12:30 p.m.
Chapel Park
Picnic for Residents & Guests at 1:15 p.m.
Picnic Area Cleanup at 2:00 p.m.
Hot Dog Picnic
If you can help buy supplies, would like to help cook or help with
set up or clean up, please call the Suzich’s at 301-869-9638. A donation of $2 per
person is requested for the picnic.
Grove Students! Community Service Positions!
Volunteer positions are available
on the Town maintenance staff this summer. If you enjoy outdoor work and would like
to earn some community service hours, please inquire at the Town Office.
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. The
Town must first sign off all applications for County-required building permits.
Building Permits Issued
Hayward, 201 Cherry Avenue, shed Suzich, 122 Chestnut Avenue, sheds
Rent the Woman’s Club House!
Planning a surprise birthday bash, family reunion,
graduation gala, wedding reception, planning session or business meeting? Consider
the charming wooded setting, spacious main room, screened porch, kitchen and
restroom facilities of the Woman’s Club House. For information or reservations call
Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416. Heat and air conditioning!!
Trash on Tuesdays (and sometimes Mondays)
Our trash contractor, Waste
Management, sometimes makes a partial pass through Town on Mondays. The truck is
on the way to the Transfer Station, is not full, and their schedule is lighter on Mondays
than on Tuesdays. If your trash is taken on Monday, IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU
WILL BE BYPASSED ON TUESDAY. The entire route is being run on Tuesdays,
regardless of what is or is not picked up on Monday. Leave any additional trash
curbside by 7:00 a.m. Tuesday and it will be taken.
Mayor and Council Set Goals for 2001-02
A number of goals have been outlined
for the upcoming fiscal year based on the budget approved at the annual Town
Meeting. The Mayor, working with the Council, hopes to accomplish:
With Darrell Anderson:
· Planning Commission review of draft ordinance creating an Historic
Preservation Commission
· Complete 6-year Town Master Plan review
· With Committee, examine near and long-term goals for commercial zone
(professional/office zone?)
· Monitor two new Ridge Road subdivisions (total of 7 houses) for compliance
with requirements
· Pursue annexation and development options with owners of the Cator property
(17050 Railroad St)
· Examine modifying Town ordinances to permit an 8-foot “open” porch to be
excluded from zoning setback requirements
· Work with Town Forester to implement Tree Advisory Committee
recommendations
· Establish tree inventory for monitoring tree health
· Recommend multi- year plan for tree additions; identify sites and coordinate
planting
With Dave Gumula:
· Help select house number styles to make available for houses requiring
improved numbering
· Recommend and complete interim repair of gravel parking area in Woodward
Park
· Conduct Heritage Committee review of draft Historic Preservation Commission
ordinance
· Review recommendations of Historic Preservation Study Group and advise on
options for preserving Town’s historic character
· Review and recommend changes to McCathran Hall rental policies
· Examine and recommend changes to the salary and benefits for Town
employees
With Tricia Knox:
· Monitor needs and help prioritize maintenance activities
· Get stop lines painted on roads intersecting Railroad Street (especially at Grove
Rd and Railroad St)
· Arrange annual meetings with emergency services to facilitate improved
response to Grove addresses
· Create and distribute map for emergency services
· Monitor and report on Town crime and safety issues
With Peggy Odick:
· Help develop Town Memorials “wish list” and, with Committee, advise on
Memorials policy as needed
· Arrange for protective treatment of Hall wood floor
· Replace gravel edges of Town Hall paths with sod
· Pursue completion of Town Hall landscaping
· Consider alterations to lighting at Town Hall entry
· Recommend improvements to Hall electrical system
· Arrange information sessions with State and County representatives
· Act as liaison with Town’s web-site coordinator and routinely review web-site
to be sure it is up-to-date
With Nick Suzich:
· Serve on Playground Improvement Committee to recommend, purchase and
oversee installation of new playground equipment; recommend near and longterm
goals for improving safety
· Post Woodward Park info on park sign board
· Pursue fence replacement at the tennis courts (budget permitting)
· Supervise Town contracts for refuse, recycling, leaf and snow removal
With Dodie Tippens:
· Oversee contract for replacing dock at Maple Lake
· Request water test of pond behind Girard Place
· Liaison to Recreation Committee for annual events
Additional goals for Mayor John Compton:
· Coordinate efforts to moderate impacts of any proposed subdivision on the
Casey tract; contact Mrs. Casey to suggest alternative land use
· Work with the County and ad hoc Town committee to solve speed hump and
truck traffic problems on Washington Grove Lane
· Work with ad hoc Town committee to improve intersection at Railroad/E
Diamond/Washington Grove Lane; explore roundabout concept
· Appoint committee to explore options for managing the Town’s burgeoning
deer population
A list of councilor names, contact information, and areas of responsibility is found on
the Town Officials page.
The Muskrat Band Needs You!
Do you play a marching band instrument and
would you join the Muskrat Band to play in the Washington Grove Fourth of July
parade? Call Eric Selby at 301-963-7073.
Woman’s Club Meeting-Thursday, July 19
Games Night & Ice Cream Social,
Club House, 7:30 p.m., Bring your favorite board game to share!
Thanks!
Vicki Erhart and Julianne Wagner would like to thank the many town
residents who offered their encouragement and sympathy to Thatcher during his
struggle with pancreatic cancer, which ended on June 13th. Although his political
ambitions will remain unrealized, he was able to overcome his fear of people and
develop quite an engaging personality, thanks in large measure to the kindness and
patience shown to him by many Grove residents. Thank you.
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 during yard sale week and to those who
donated items to be sold.
A special thanks goes to non-Grove members Joyce Mullineaux, Sandy Ambush,
Junior Jackson, and Nancy McIntyre. Thanks to Sandy Ambush, Jenny Long, and
Allen Winter who used their vehicles to transport the items to the Clubhouse from
Mary Kay DuBois’ garage.
The Woman’s Club owes Mary Kay DuBois a special thanks for the use of her
garage for storage of yard sale items. The movers were Allen Winter, George Paine
and friends, Rebecca Richters, Bruce Rothrock, Mary Kay DuBois, Jenny and Marty
Long, and yours truly.
George Paine not only updated all the signs used along the main roads but was nice
enough to put them all up. Rebecca Richters and George Paine removed all the signs
and delivered them to my home after the sale.
Thanks to the following for all their help during the yard sale (pricing and being
there during the sale: Vicki Andrews, Mimi Bolotin, Peggy and Bob Booher, Alice
Briggs, Ann Briggs, Mary and Charlie Challstrom, Bev Freeman, Doris Gordon, Birgit
and Don Henninger, Kathi Higdon, Sylvia Horan, Leila Keese, Betsy Klinger, Betty
Knight, Trish Knox and Pete Kollasch, Gail Littlefield, Jenny Long, Alice Mahaffey,
Sally Mansfield, Jean McCathran, Alice Negin, George Paine, Ann Philips, Jean
Potmesil, Rebecca Richters, Pam Sellman, Dodie Tippens, Carol Uhlendorf, and Ann
Walsh. Thanks also to Booper for providing entertainment during the evening pricing
sessions.
The call for safety pins for attaching tags to stuffed toys and linens was answered by
Peggy Odick and Christine Dibble and appreciated.
The Yard Sale was a huge success. It involves a lot of hard work but with such great
helpers it goes so smoothly. We should all be very proud of ourselves. Thank you to
all!
Mosquitoes and West Nile Encephalitis
As we are now into the mosquito season,
please remind yourself and your neighbors to remove any possible sources for standing
water in your yards to help eliminate breeding places for mosquitoes that carry the
West Nile virus. Garden pools should have aeration systems, and empty flower pots,
wheelbarrows, recycling materials and other things of that sort should be kept upside
down to prevent stagnant water from accumulating. If you have a bird bath, please
change the water every other day. Montgomery County has a very good, useful website
for mosquito and West Nile virus information. You may also e-mail the County
with questions on the subject at: [email protected]. Maryland has a state phone
number to report dead birds which may need to be picked up for testing by a state lab if
the information you give them warrants action. Last summer the state picked up and
tested two dead crows that were found in the Grove. Fortunately, they were both found
to be free of the virus. The phone number is 1-866-866-2769. (Yes, it looks odd, but
that is the correct number.)
Maple Lake News
Recently several children under the age of 14 have had to be sent
home from the lake because they were not accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.
Please re-read the lake rules and regulations with your children so that they will
understand them. The abbreviated version is on page 2 of the Grove directory and the
complete version is attached to this bulletin.
Please also explain that the lake padlock combination number is not to be shared
with friends who live elsewhere. The spreading around of this number has become a
large problem since 3 weeks ago when we assigned a new number, and we now have
had many day-time and night-time incidents by persons unknown, including attempted
arson of the dock, mini-bikers and others who should not have been told the padlock
number. The number will be changed again soon and residents will be notified via emails.
The Lake Committee would also like to remind you that dogs are forbidden at
the lake.
The lake is in fine condition now for swimming, and has recent ly been tested for
total coliforms and fecal coliforms with negative results. The lake has been treated for
pond weed and algae, and the barley bales are in place again.
So, come for a swim or build a sand castle or just sit and enjoy nature, including the
birds, the fish, and the frogs and the breeze in the trees. The Lake Committee is
actively recruiting additional members so please do join us at the next meeting in July,
the date to be announced later.
Swimming Lessons
Free swim lessons for Grove children will start on Monday,
July 2 and continue each weekday morning through Friday, July 27, except
Wednesday, July 4th. To register your children, to obtain a registration form or for
further information, please contact Sharon Hurst at 301-948-2424.
Crime in the Grove
Several incidents have occurred over the past month including
an attempted car theft, a house entering where a purse and money were taken, theft of a
car from the lake parking lot and BB guns fired from the east woods at people. In
addition, there was attempted arson of the lake dock.
With nice weather, the incidence of crime usually increases. Please keep your cars
locked, valuables out of sight, garage doors closed etc. Many crimes of convenience
will not occur if we make it difficult for thieves to work. Also remember to report
suspicious activity and crime both to police and Town Councilor for public safety
Tricia Knox at 301-527-0721.
Bake Sale Thank You
Many thanks to Vicki Andrews, Clare Cavicchi, Mary
Challstrom, Mary Kay DuBois, Birgit Henninger (four pies this year-we are so grateful
when it is a good rhubarb season in Birgit’s garden), Sylvia Horan, Leila Keese, Gail
Littlefield, Janet Lottero, Jenny Long, Alice Mahaffey, Heather Matz, Jean McCathran,
Joli McCathran, Charlene McClelland, Amy Porter, Ramona Saar, Kitty Vogan, Tami
Williams, Shelley Winkler, Missy Yachup, who took time out of their busy schedules
to bake tempting morsels for the Bake Sale on June 2, 2001. And as always, it is a
partnership, not only do we appreciate our busy bakers, but also our loyal buyersbetween
the two groups we had another successful year. Thank you.
Summer in the Parks Reminder
Begins July 2 at 1:30 p.m. 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 program!
On the last day of the program, Friday, July 27, 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
28. Parents who can help do a quick clean up Saturday morning after the
campout will be greatly appreciated.
Council Notes
Next meeting: Monday, July 9, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall.
The public is invited to attend. June 18 Council actions included:
· Elected Nick Suzich Mayor Pro Tem
· Agreed to form a committee to study proposals for managing deer
· Proposed a Town Forum on Casey Field
· Introduced ordinance proposing to change composition of Planning
Commission from seven members to five members plus an alternate
July agenda will include discussion of an ordinance proposed to create an Historic
Preservatio n Commission.
Hazardous Materials Disposal-Sunday, July 8
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Shady Grove
Transfer Station
Come One! Come All! Town Forum on Casey Field
What do you want in the field, if alternatives to development fail? This important
Forum aims to build consensus and to refine Town priorities on possible development
of the Casey fields.
Part 1 Wednesday, June 27, nbsp;7:00-8:30 p.m., Town Hall (including photos of
“what if”).
Part 2 Saturday, June 30,nbsp;nbsp; 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Lunch from “Red, Hot
and Blue” provided to participants.
Topics include: our relationship with a new development, buffers, annexation, access
(pedestrian and road), recreation fields, character of Ridge Road, whether new
development should be an extension of the Grove or separate in design andcharacter.
Questions? Call the Town Office at 301-926-2256 or Della Curenton, AICP,
moderator, at 301-519-3465.
Website Happenings!
Note that annual Town Council reports may be found on the
web-site.
Planning Commission News — Next meeting will be Tuesday, July 3, 7:30 p.m.,
Town Hall. The public is welcome to attend.
Man Sentenced for Indecent Exposure
On May 31, the 36- year-old Frederick man
arrested and charged with indecent exposure several months ago in the vicinity of the
Washington Grove MARC rail shelter, was fined $200 and sentenced to probation. The
judge stipulated that James Truman Birch never enter Washington Grove. To do so
would be a violation of probation. According to court records, Mr. Birch had no prior
arrests. The arresting Officer Moss will provide the Town with a photograph of Mr.
Birch.
Kudos
· To Barbara Raimondo and Shelley Winkler who prepared a detailed grant
application to Preservation Maryland/Maryland Historical Trust in short order.
The $5,000 grant would help to defray expenses in trying to protect our historic
area from impacts of development.
· To the Audit Committee: Carolyn Feinglass, John Klinger and Carolyn
Luxford, who take turns opening Town bank statements and reconciling the
checking account every month.
· To Ann Philips and Ken Shapiro for donating excellent speakers to be used at
Town Hall
· To Kathy Lehman, Dennis McDermitt, Joe Hodges, and the many other
musicians who contributed to a glorious Music Weekend
· To Bruce Crise who successfully tackled weed removal around the hard tennis
court
“During” Party
Terry Shoemaker and Chris Kirtz invite you come see the
continuing renovations to 102 Center Street on Saturday afternoon, July 28. Details
will follow in the July Bulletin.
Lake Committee-Thursday, July 12 — The Lake Committee will meet at 7:30 p.m. in
the Council Room at McCathran Hall. New members welcome!
Recreation Committee-Wednesday, July 11 — The Recreation Committee will meet
at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room at McCathran Hall. New members very welcome!
Now Available!
Preliminary Report on Condition of Town Forests by Town Forester Dan Landry
Washington Grove Historic Preservation Study Group Report to the Mayor
(Summary)
Copies are available at the Town Office.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Ordinance to Change Composition of Planning Commission
From Seven Members to Five Members Plus an Alternate
Date: Monday, July 9, 2001
Place: McCathran Hall Council Room
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Town Council will take public comment on Ordinance No. 2001-03
changing the composition of the Planning Commission as permitted by a
recent amendment to State law. The proposed ordinance will make it easier
to have a quorum for the required monthly meetings.
A History of the Woman’s Club of Washington Grove
by Sylvia Tate Horan
The Woman’s Club, which held its first meeting on July 29, 1926, is celebrating its
75th Anniversary by publishing “A History of the Woman’s Club of Washington
Grove.”
The book reveals not only the interests and activities of the women from the Club’s
early years to the present but also the influence of the group on the Town. The author,
Sylvia Tate Horan, has studied Club minutes and the Town archives and has gathered
photos and personal information from members and neighbors to authenticate this
valuable addition to our history.
The book will be available beginning in July at $20. To reserve your copy, print this
form, then fill it in and send it to Kitty Vogan, Box 66, Washington Grove, Md. 20880.
I would like to reserve _____ copy[ies] of “A History of the Woman’s Club of
Washington Grove.”
Circle yes/no if you would like an autographed copy: Yes No
Name to put on autograph:
Your Name:
Address:
City:
State: Zip Code:
Telephone Number:
E-Mail (optional):
Town Information
Office/Clerk -Treasurer
Phone: 301-926-2256
Fax: 301-926-0111
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.washgrov.sailorsite.net
Website Coordinator: [email protected]
Mail: P.O. Box 216, Washington Grove, MD 20880
Town Hall: Center Street & Chestnut Road, Washington Grove
Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Closed Wednesday mornings
Hall Scheduler Jenny Long 301-869-3824
Maintenance: Jim Fletcher 301-963-5850
Street Light Out: Vicki Erhart 301-208-9442
Building Permits: John McClelland 301-963-3328
County Animal Control: 301-279-1066
County Police Non-Emergency: 301-279-8000