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Town Bulletin June 2011

Nov 3, 2015 | Town Bulletins

[ Bulletin Archive ]

Town Council News

Next meeting: Monday » 07.11.11 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

Actions at the June 13th Council meeting included:

  • appointment of Charlie Challstrom as a full member of the Planning Commission.
  • adoption of Resolution No. 2011-05; Budget Transfers FY 2011.

New Policy for McCathran Hall

The Council has been discussing and revising the McCathran Hall rules over the past five months. There has been a significant amount of feedback from the resident living near the Hall that noise levels are an ongoing and significant problem. Resident feedback has also shown that most residents value the ability to have a private event in the very special venue that is Washington Grove. Thus the Council has tried to balance reasonable use of the Hall with reasonable tranquility for the nearby neighbors. Several changes were enacted May 9 and took effect on June 9, 2011.
There has been a modest increase in the rental fees. Renting McCathran Hall has never been a money making proposition, but the fees help defray the cleaning and maintenance costs.
Rental of the Hall is now limited to one day and one evening rental per weekend. Town events are not included in this restriction. We have always required that noise be kept to reasonable levels to avoid disturbing the neighbors. This section now reads “Loud music and amplified sounds must stop at 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and at 9:00 PM Sundays-Thursdays. All noise associated with a rental and/or use of McCathran Hall, both inside and out, shall be kept to a reasonable level (consistent with Montgomery County Code 31.b: Noise Control), to avoid disturbing residents. The use of bass driven woofer and sub-woofer speakers or bass amplifiers will not be allowed.” Renters must sign an agreement signifying their consent to abide by these rules when renting the Hall.

Bulletin Timing to Change

We are going back to the Bulletin coming out near the end of the month for the following month. Occasionally we may send a Bulletin out earlier if notification of an ordinance change is needed. However, this doesn’t happen very often and many residents have said that a Bulletin that covered the upcoming month would be more useful to them. This Bulletin officially covers June-July. The next one will not come out until the end of July and be for August. Please note that items to go in the Bulletin must be submitted to Kathy Lehman by the 25th of the month.

Council & Areas of Responsibility 2011

Construction work to begin on Casey 6 and 7

The County has resolved their negotiations with Roberts Oxygen and acquired the parcel of land immediately adjacent to Brown Street extended. They will be breaking ground for the approved EMOC facility in July. They will start with clearing and grading the entire site. We have been promised more information on the staging of the process shortly.
Points to note are:

  1. Crabbs Branch Way will be extended but will stop before it reaches the stream bed area. We have been told that, due to the uncertainty of its future crossing point, it has not been included in the current Capital Improvements Plan which covers the next 5-6 years.
  2. The proposed bike path on the berm in back of the salt barn has been removed. I think the County will revisit the bike path plan at some point, but it is off the table for the moment.
  3. The Roberts parcel is planned to have the least possible amount of activity. It will be used mostly for storage of County vehicles, except in the winter when the salt barn will be in use. The bulk of the salt barn is designed to shield the town from sight and sound of the rest of the facility.
  4. The site is arranged to provide access for Robert Oxygen to Crabbs Branch extended. Once the new facility is completed Roberts Oxygen will stop using Railroad Street for access.
  5. The Day Labor Center is located on the easternmost side of Casey 6 and will be accessed from the Giant grocery store side of the property where the closest bus stop is.
  6. The fueling station on Casey 6 will have gasoline, diesel and compressed natural gas for County vehicles. The Ride-on buses have their own fueling station on Casey 7.

Roberts Oxygen has not been a very responsive neighbor to the Town. We think that the County may be better at that.
If you have any questions they can be directed to the project manager, Mrs. Rassa Davoodpour (Montgomery County Department of General Services) at [email protected].

Planning Commission News

Next meeting: Wednesday » 07.06.11 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

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. Please contact the Town Office (301-926-2256) or [email protected], or see permits for more details. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permit applications as well.

Changes for the Planning Commission

The Mayor has regretfully accepted the resignation of Planning Commission Chairman, Eric Gleason. Eric has been a valued member of the Planning Commission since his appointment in 2009 and was elected Chairman in January 2011 after the resignation of Bob Evans. Eric’s good sense and broad knowledge of land use issues has served the Planning Commission well. He will be missed as both a Planning Commissioner and a wonderful neighbor in Washington Grove.

We are fortunate to be able to welcome Charlie Challstrom as the Mayor’s new appointee to the Commission. Charlie is a former member of the Planning Commission as well as a former Town Council member and Mayor. The Town faces many challenges to our borders and we are grateful that Charlie is able to step in and help us deal with them.

Historic Preservation News

Next meeting: Tuesday » 06.21.11 and Tuesday » 07.19.11 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.Meetings are open to the public. The HPC encourages residents to come for an early consultation when planning a renovation.

Just one myth about historic preservation: "Preservationists are always fighting new development and only care about the past."

Fact: Historic preservationists do care deeply about the past – generally not just to wallow sentimentally in a bygone era, but as a way of anchoring ourselves as we move forward into the future. Historic preservation is not about stopping change and is certainly not about squeezing out creative and exciting new architecture and development. Preservation allows us to retain the best of our shared heritage to preserve sites of unique quality and beauty, revitalize neighborhoods, spur economic revitalization, and, quite simply, create better communities.

Forestry News

Asplundh will be coming into town in the next few weeks to do tree trimming and tree removals under a contract from PEPCO. The trees affected are on both Town property and private; all have been identified as potential culprits for power outages. The home owners who will be affected have been contacted by PEPCO and have given their agreement for the work to be done. Forestry and Beautification and Town Maintenance have reviewed the Town trees and agreed to the work. We hope to be better prepared for the next round of storms.

Recreation Committee News

Next meeting: Wednesday » 07.21.11@ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!

Music Weekend 2011 – June 17-19th

In the event of rain, all events will be in McCathran Hall.

  • Friday Night
    Cypress Trio
    Pizza and beer at McCathran Hall, 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday Morning
    Recital
    10 a.m. in McCathran Hall (Please contact Tami Williams is you wish to sign up; 301-869-8541.)
  • Saturday Night
    King Soul
    Gazebo, 7 to 11 p.m.
  • Sunday Morning
    Homewood Brass
    Baroque Breakfast at the Gazebo, 10:30 a.m.

Tennis Tradition Continues in The Grove

  • Junior
    Dates: July 5,7,12,14,19 and 21
    • Classes will be in the mornings with specific times TBA.
    • Older juniors will meet on these same dates in the late afternoon.
    • Cost is $30.00. Make checks payable to the Town of Washington Grove.
  • Adult: Beginner/Intermediate
    Dates: June 1,8,15,22 and 29; Time: Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 pm
    • Never played…come on out!
    • It’s been”years”…come on out!
    • Tune up the basics… contact point on the strings…come on out!
    • Meet other players to hit with…come on out!
    • Learn all the strokes!!!
    • Cost is $35.00. Make checks payable to the Town of Washington Grove.
  • Adult: Tennis Camp
    Dates: June 30, July 5th – 8th (potluck snacks on the last night);
    Time: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
    • Review & upgrade the basic strokes
    • Singles & doubles tactics
    • Group competitions
    • FUN, FUN, FUN!

Sign up by e-mail; [email protected], phone; 301-926-8767,
cell; 240-977-1701.

Celebrate Independence Weekend in Washington Grove

Sunday, July 3

THE GAME: traditional Softball Game in Woodward Park 2:00 pm

  • Team Tippens vs. Team McCathran
  • bring a glove, if you have one
  • sign up ahead (301-947-4159) or at the Park
  • every player welcomed

MONSTER PICNIC: potluck in Woodward Park » 4:30pm

  • bring a dish to share and your chair
  • dogs and rolls provided
  • stay for a Town sing-along afterwards

Monday, July 4

  • COSTUME JUDGING in Woodward Park » 11 am
  • FLAG RAISING & PARADE  »  NOON
  • AWARDS ETC. at McCathran Hall  »  12:30pm

Did you know that the term “Monster Picnic” in Town goes back to 1873? The story goes like this…In June of 1873, an organizational meeting of the Washington Grove Camp Meeting Association was held at Foundry Church in Washington to describe the proposed campground and solicit stock subscriptions at $20 a share. The land was conveyed to the Camp Meeting Association on July 3, 1873 and a "monster picnic" took place there on July 4, perhaps beginning on of its many traditions.

Muskrat Call to Arms!!

Hey, Muskrat Band, it’s time to play.
But don’t start too early, that’s not our way.
Just take a moment to dust off that horn,
and call Eric Selby before July 4th morn!!

All are invited to play, even if you haven’t played in a while. For more information, please call/e-mail Eric at 301-963-7073 or [email protected]

Mousetrap!!!

We’re wrapping up some really big cheese for the 2011-12 season of the Grove’s own Mousetrap Concert Series:

  • Five Concerts – String Quartet, Piano, Wood wind trio, wonderful Soprano voice, and…a Jazz combo!
  • Brochures in the mail at the end of August.

Alert your out-of-Town friends!

Lake Committee News

Next meeting: Wednesday » 07.13.11@ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!

Swim Lessons are from June 30 – July 28: We have a swim instructor. Please sign up with Tom Land, 301-869-4334.

Party Permit

Permits for parties at Maple Lake must be obtained from Sally Mansfield, 301-977-3189. Residents are reminded that this permit does not allow you exclusive use of the lake but it will entitle you to use the picnic tables. Residents must also have an alcohol permit in order to imbibe in spirits at the lake. Permits are free and must be obtained at the Town Office.

Residents are reminded to abide by all Maple Lake rules.

Woman’s Club News

Washington Grove Directories

The 2011-2013 town directories are now on sale for $3.00 each. They will be available for purchase at most town functions this summer, or you can get yours now from any of the following people:

  • Jamie Amagai ([email protected])
  • Margo Cavenagh (301-963-0294)
  • Liz Robertson (202-841-8639)
  • Erica Turner (347-586-9284)
  • Shelley Winkler (301-330-6446)
  • OR at the Town Office (301-926-2256) Cash only sales, please, no checks or IOU’S.

A hearty thank you to all the hard workers of the Directory Committee, so ably led by Mimi Bolotin.

The next meeting of the Woman’s Club will be on Thursday, July 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Club House. Our guest for the evening is Sandra Reyes from Relaxing Alternatives Wellness Center in Gaithersburg. She will speak to us about facial care: How to nourish your skin and keep it young. We hope you will join us for an hour’s worth of pampering.

WGUMC News

  • July 2nd-Church Yard Sale at the Parsonage! Our annual July 4th weekend yard sale fundraiser is back. Come to 101 Center St. on July 2nd for refreshments and bargains.
  • September 18th-Worship at 11 am, “Rally Day” at 12:30, with Games, Moon Bounce, and Cook out in celebration of the start of Sunday school…All welcome!

Update

I deeply appreciate the outpouring of support during my recent bout with what a fellow patient calls “cancer lite.” Treatment is done, and I’m back to full strength and excellent prognosis–and feeling grateful to live in the neighborly Grove!
Blessings, Pastor Judy

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Giant "Kudos"!!

Our Town Maintenance Supervisor would like to recognize all the volunteers – Bruce Rothrock, Terry Cox, Bill Robertson, Don Henninger, Charlie Challstrom and Gary Hayward – who helped install the first section of our new tennis fence. A job well done – Thanks!!

FiOS…A Disappointment :o(

Verizon has recently informed us of a delay in bringing FiOS to the Town. Their construction is going more slowly than anticipated and they now hope to install fiber-optic cable in Washington Grove before the end of the year. Residents who are interested in the FiOS service can go to www.verizon.com/fios and register online to be contacted when the service is available.

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