Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday, July 14, 7:30 p.m., in the Council Room.
The Mayor & Council will hold an organizational meeting on
Monday, June 30, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
Town Meeting at a Glance
At the annual Town Meeting, the FY2004 budget was adopted lowering the proposed tax rate from .235/$100 assessed valuation to the constant yield rate of .217. The dwelling unit charge was raised for the first time in ten years from $115/dwelling to $125. An increase in refuse and recycling costs precipitated the change. John Compton was reelected to serve as Mayor. Both Darrell Anderson and Tom Land were elected to serve 3 year terms.
Special Town Meeting is Set!
A Special Town Meeting to discuss the proposed school at the Washington Grove United Methodist Church is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in McCathran Hall. Questions may be directed to the Town Clerk at 301-926-2256.
Notice of Public Hearing
Saturday, July 19, 2003 10:30 a.m.; Council Room
The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a hearing on the issue of granting a special exception for a business known as “Twice Is Nice” to lease space in the Town’s Commercial Zone. Twice Is Nice is a clothing consignment shop with antiques.
Planning Commission Vacancy
The Mayor & Council are looking for someone to fill a seat on the Planning Commission that will be vacated this summer. Interested parties should contact Mayor Compton, 301-330-8264.
Development Updates.Casey Field:
The most recent plan for the new development is in the Town Office. The Wetlands Committee signed off on the road crossings. The M-NCPPC Planning Board could see this plan at the July 10th meeting. It is our understanding that MCPS concluded that an elementary school would work on this site and will ask for the property to sit in reserve for two years. This seems to be in keeping with the Shady Grove Sector Master Plan. Residents may soon be asked to write letters expressing their continued concerns about this high density development. Stay tuned!
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: July 1, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Permits were approved for the following:
205 W.G. Lane Fence
306 Chestnut Ave. Fence
402 Grove Ave. Addition
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 is $10.00, 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 permits as well.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: July 15, 7:00 p.m. Council Room.
These meetings are open to the public.
Reviews were written for an addition at 402 Grove Ave. and a renovation at #8 The Circle.
The HPC has determined that they will not review; fences, walls, trellises, screens, tree houses, oil tanks, AC equipment, shutters, temporary structures intended for a life span less that 2 years and all items qualifying under Section 5, “Special Structures”, of the Building Permit Regulations.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: July 9, 2003, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Muskrat Band, dust off your horns!
Join the Muskrat Band in the Fourth of July parade. No audition required. Be a part of this wonderful, wacky tradition! Call Eric Selby for details 301-963-7073.
Yes Virginia, there is a Hot Dog Picnic!
Ralph Hurst, Betsy Klinger and John Klinger have taken on the annual July 4th Hot Dog Picnic this year. The picnic will take place after the Parade and Ceremony at around 1:15 p.m. in Chapel Park. If you would like to help cook, set-up or clean-up, please call Ralph Hurst 301-948-2424.
Summer In The Parks 2003
As summer approaches, Grove kids eagerly await this relaxed program of creative projects, sports, nature activities, and fun at the lake. The staff is set, registration is complete and we’re ready to go starting July 7th at 1:30 p.m..
Clay Courts Ready for Action,
thanks to the hard work of volunteers who spread the green stone, rolled the courts, cleaned out leftover leaves and clipped some of the greenery growing in the fences! Linda Baim cracked the whip and got the largest group in many years to help get our clay courts ready. A little drying time and we’ll be all “set”! Many thanks to Linda, Hutch, Lee Ingham, Don Henninger, Phil Adams and Bruce Rothrock for their volunteer efforts on the courts.
Grove Tennis Schedule
Tennis professional Linda Baim will offer tennis instruction for children and adults. The fee for the entire program is $55.00 per adult and $35.00 per child. Checks should be made out to the Town of Washington Grove and turned in at the 1st lesson. Checks may also be delivered to the Town Office. Kick off play date; Sunday, June 29th; 10a.m. – Noon; Adult Round Robin – Bring snacks!
Adults – Evening Lessons: $55.00
July 6th: 10:00 – Noon
July 7th – 10th: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
July 13th: 4:00 – 6:00p.m.
July 14th – 17th: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Juniors – Morning Lessons: $35.00
July 7th – 11th: 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
July 14th-17th: 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Maple Lake News
After June 20th, the lake will be open daily (noon – 5p.m.) through Labor Day weekend. The padlock combination number remains the same until further notice. The lake committee is happy to announce that our great swim instructor, Courtney Osborne will be back with us again this year. Coordinated with Summer In The Parks, the lessons begin on Monday, July 7th, and continue through Friday August 1st. Sharon Hurst will be in charge of registration and inquiries should be directed to her at 301-948-2424. Ann Philips is now in charge of arranging lake party permits. For information and permits call Ann at 301-963-5781. Thanks to Paula Puglisi, for setting up the 2003 Maple Lake Gate Keepers schedule.
Woman’s Club News
Chair Kitty Vogan and the Woman’s Club would like to thank the Town for its continued support of the annual yard sale. A special thank-you goes to non-Grove members Joyce Mullineaux, Toodle Shipley, and Sandy Ambush. The Woman’s Club would also like to thank Mary Kay DuBois for the use of her garage throughout the year for storage of the yard sale items. Our thanks also go out to the “movers & shakers and sign makers”; Cynthia & Steve Werts, Bruce Rothrock, Phil Adams, Allen Winter, Mary Kay DuBois, Sandy Ambush, Kitty Vogan, George Paine, Rebecca Richters, Georgette Cole, Ernie Kawasaki and Margo Cavenagh. Thanks to the following for their help with pricing and actually being there during the sale; Phil Adams, Sandy Ambush, Ann and Elly Briggs, Mary and Charlie Challstrom, Georgette Cole, Pat Deely, Karen Deely, Nancy Haskett, Birgit and Don Henninger, Sylvia Horan, Ernie Kawasaki, Terry and Chris Kirtz, Betsy Klinger, Betty Knight, Alice Mahaffey, Jean McCathran, Robin Menge, Ann Philips, Rebecca Richters and Carol Uhlendorf. Once again, a church in Poolesville picked up the “left-overs” and will add them to their yard sale/fundraiser. In spite of the non-stop rain, the yard sale was a success. Tents and tarps kept both people and things dry! Thanks again to all; we couldn’t have done it without you!
Volunteers Needed for Tree Inventory
With the spring weather, the Town Tree Inventory is back in business. We still need some volunteers to help complete this very large and important task by the end of the summer. If you have not been trained, we will train you. If you have completed a section of Town and want to take on another smaller section, we can fix you up in no time. Call Darrell Anderson at 301-963- 8555. We would like to have a training session during the first few weeks of June.
Trash Day Changes, Change Is Difficult!
On Wednesday, June 4, 2003 we began our new trash schedule. Although many residents remembered, Waste Management did not! We are working hard to get through the problems that come along with a change and thank you in advance for you patience. Until the Councilor responsibilities for 2004 are assigned, please direct all complaints to the Town office 301-926-2256.
Schedule for July 4th Festivities
Woodward Park:
Costume Judging 11:00 a.m.
Flag Raising/Parade Noon
McCathran Hall:
Ceremony & Awards 12:30 p.m.
Chapel Park:
Picnic for residents & guests 1:15 p.m.
Picnic clean-up 2:00 p.m.
Crime In The Grove
Here we go again! Some purses have been taken from car seats and homes. In most cases, it happened very quickly. It fits the description of a “crime of opportunity”. The purses were snatched, money was stolen and then the purses were dumped in nearby yards. These people were lucky in that only cash was taken. You may not be so lucky. Purses should be out of sight in your car and you home. We should also remember to lock doors. If you are the victim of a crime, please call the Police and then report it to the Town Office 301-926-2256.
Special Trash Pickup
We are trying to get one scheduled for the end of July. Watch the next Bulletin for the official date and the “particulars”
Lost and Found
Call the Town Office 301-926-2256. The lost and found is getting full again. There are jackets and sweatshirts (adults & kids), an umbrella (black), a scarf and a baseball hat waiting to be claimed
Clerks Corner
I will be on vacation from July 23rd – July 31st and the Town Office will be closed.
School’s out, watch for kids and “critters” in the road and encourage people to slow down.