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Town Bulletin June 2012

Nov 3, 2015 | Town Bulletins

[ Bulletin Archive ]

Town Council News

Next meeting: Monday » 06.11.12 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

Actions at the May 21st meeting included:

  • approval of the addition of two (2) new streetlights; one (1) near the rear of 123 Grove Ave. and one (1) near the rear of 208 Chestnut Ave.
  • approval of the removal of the streetlight on the paved path leading to McCathran Hall.
  • approval for no further removals or additions of streetlights until 3 months after the complete installation of the new (23 watt) bulbs.

Town Meeting Adopts FY 2013 Budget and Tax Rate

The property tax rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1 will increase to $0.317/$100 assessed valuation. The dwelling unit charge, which is tied to the cost of trash and recycling collection, will reflect the lower bid for these services accepted by the Council in April. The dwelling unit charge will be lowered to $97 per dwelling. Budget details are posted on the Town website with hard copies available at the Town Office. Please call Treasurer Mary Challstrom at 301-926-4498 or Mayor Georgette Cole at 301-330-6740 if you have questions.

Town Election Results

  • Mayor:
    – Georgette Cole » 76 votes
  • Council: 3-year terms
    – Greg Silber » 73 votes
    – David Young » 75 votes
  • Write-ins (1 vote each):
    – Ellie Ebner » 1 vote
    – Kathie Evans » 1 vote
    – Mark Dubnick » 1 vote

One (1) illegible write-in was not counted.
Many thanks to our Mayor and Council members for their willingness to serve!

New Council Areas of Responsibility and Contact Information

Opportunity to Meet with Our State Delegation

Prior to the June 11 Town Council meeting, our District 39 State Delegation–Senator Nancy King and Delegates Charles Barkley, Kirill Reznik, and Shane Robinson–will provide an update on the 2012 Legislative Session. At 7:30 p.m., the Delegation will present their accomplishments and struggles in passing the Fiscal Year 2013 Maryland budget and other legislative priorities. A follow-up discussion period will give an opportunity for Town residents to ask questions of Delegation members and/or make comments on the Legislative Session. It is important that the Town stay engaged with our Delegation given the amount of help and assistance we ask of them each year. Please try to come with questions about your priorities or concerns. The meeting will be held in the Town Council room at McCathran Hall, but can be moved to the upper Hall if enough people attend.

New Street Lights

Many thanks go to Charlie Challstrom and to Carolyn Rapkievian (Chair, Outdoor Lighting Advisory Committee) for the excellent update on Town Lighting at the Annual Town Meeting on May 12. The recently installed induction bulbs (40 watt) will be replaced within the next few weeks with 23 watt bulbs that are shorter and lower lumens (brightness). At the May Council meeting, the Council reviewed two requests for light additions and one request for light removal that had been carried over from the April Council meeting. At this time, no further requests for additions or removals will be evaluated until after the next set of street lights are installed and we have a chance to see how they are working. The Council has agreed to a three month settling-in period before addition/removal requests are reviewed. The Outdoor Lighting Advisory Committee and the Council liaison for Safety will continue to evaluate shield requests sent to them by the Town Office once the newer, lower wattage bulbs are installed.

Outdoor Lighting Advisory Committee

The June meeting will be June 21st at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. ALL Town residents are welcome to attend.

Towne Crest Apartments, LLC.

The owners of Towne Crest Apartments presented a modified redevelopment plan. The current 107 units will be increased to 356 units instead of 469 in a mixture of town homes and apartments (all rental units). The town homes would be at the front where they are near our homes on Daylily Lane and Washington Grove Lane. The two apartment buildings at the back have been reduced from five to four stories. Three stories would be infinitely preferable but to get the number of units they say will make the property worth redeveloping they feel they need four. They continue to access the two apartment buildings from the rear which requires a retaining wall that damages our West Woods. The zoning amendment has been reduced to PD44 (44 units per acre). Although this is better than PD60, it is still and incompatible designation which could open the way for other high density projects on our borders and throughout the Derwood area. This is not a precedent we think is healthy for our quiet, single-family, low-density neighborhoods. We have not yet responded to Towne Crest Apartments, LLC as we are analyzing the new plan in consultation with the attorney, David Brown, of Knopf and Brown who is advising us.

more information
Evaluation of Revised Towne Crest Apartments Redevelopment Proposal-060612
Evaluation of Revised Towne Crest Apartments Redevelopment Proposal-032612

Planning Commission News

Next meeting: Wednesday » 06.06.12 @ 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. All permit applications must be received in the Town Office fourteen (14) days prior to the Planning Commission meeting at which they will receive their initial review. The applicant must post a “Notice To Neighbors” sign within seven (7) days of receiving it from the Town Clerk. The Planning Commission will not act on an application unless the Notice To Neighbors sign was posted in a timely fashion as confirmed by the Commission. Please contact the Town Office (301-926-2256) or [email protected], or see the Town website for more details. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permit applications as well.

  • The PC will NOT meet on July 4th. July meeting date TBA. Stay tuned…

Historic Preservation News

Next meeting: Tuesday » 06.19.11 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. Meetings are open to the public.

Progress in the Archives

Town Archivist Pat Patula has made great strides in her work for us, with particular emphasis on the Town’s historic land records, early minute books, implementing a back-up system for digital archive records, and debugging our museum software. HPC joins Pat in expressing thanks to Wendy Harris for her generous professional assistance and to Kathy Lehman, who has been invaluable in finding needed information and moral support. Thanks also to Charlie Challstrom for his contribution of a CD with all the record plats currently in State Archives.

Recreation Committee News

Next meeting: Wednesday » 06.20.11@ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

Let’s Polka!

Wednesday, June 13, 7:30-9:00 p.m. Town Hall
Learn to dance the Polka – just in time for the Music Weekend Polka Party! Join David (and Carolyn) Rapkievian for a one-evening crash-course in Polka dancing. We’ll explore German, Polish, and Scandinavian style polkas. Learn the basics if you are a beginner (no experience necessary) or brush-up your steps and style if you’ve danced before. All levels are welcome and you don’t need a partner. Sponsored by the Recreation Committee, no pre-registration is required – just bring $8.00/person-payable to the Town of Washington Grove.

Music Weekend Schedule

  • FRIDAY, JUNE 15TH; Polka Dance with The Continentals McCathran Hall, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
    Get out your dancing shoes and get ready for Washington’s premiere polka band. BYOB, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
  • SAT. JUNE 16TH;Children’s Recital & Reception
    McCathran Hall, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
  • Come hear our talented young musicians and artistic performers!
  • SAT. JUNE 16TH; Rock n’ Roll and Southern Soul The Gazebo, 6:30 – 11:00 pm. This year, from 6:30 – 7:00 pm the Town’s own Tim Porter and his band, Binarre Zanalogy, will open for King Soul featuring another one of our own, Tom Clifford. Bring your own picnic, chairs, and blankets and enjoy the music under the stars.
  • SUN. JUNE 17TH; Baroque Breakfast with The Homewood Brass
    The Gazebo, 10:30 am. Bring a brunch dish large enough to feed your family/party to share. Don’t forget a blanket and/or a chair. Paper products and coffee provided.

All events sponsored by the Washington Grove Recreation Committee

Calling all Young Musicians and other Artistic Performers for Music Weekend!

There is still time to get involved! If you would like to participate, please contact Tad Stahnke ([email protected]) and Catherine Simmons ([email protected]).

Parents or participants are also asked to sign up to help with set-up, purchasing roses for performers, bringing baked goods, healthy snacks or beverages for the reception and clean up. Please let us know when you send the other information.

July 4th Changes the Game Plan

This year, THE GAME, will be played on Sunday, July 1st in Woodward Park at 2:00 pm. THE GAME is open to players of all ages and skills. Sign up ahead or just show up! Spectators and cheerleaders needed. Bring your chair and your enthusiasm…costumes optional.

The Fireplace Picnic Sunday July 1st

5:30 pm in Woodward Park. Y’all come and bring a dish to share. Dogs, condiments and paper goods will be provided. Music later??? For more information call Ann Briggs, 301-926-6347.

Independence Day Schedule (Wed. July 4th)

  • 11am – Costume judging – Woodward Park
  • Noon – Flag Raising & Parade – Woodward Park
  • 12:30pm Awards etc. at McCathran Hall

Volunteers Needed

Washington Grove’s traditional July 4th will be here before you know it and that means costumes and prizes!!! Missy Yachup is in need of a few volunteers willing to “judge” (OK, it isn’t judging at all, but just “naming”) the creatively costumed kids and eccentrics of Washington Grove. Please contact Missy Yachup at 301-947-4159 or [email protected]

Tennis Tradition Continues in The Grove

  • Adult Tennis Camp
    schedule
    Contact Linda Baim to register: [email protected] or 301-926-8767.
  • Junior Tennis Camp
    July 3 – 27th with Summer In The Parks
    Schedule TBA. Contact Linda for more details.

I’m a Muskrat

He’s a Muskrat, She’s a Muskrat, You’re a Muskrat!! Wouldn’t ya like to be a Muskrat too? Muskrat Band members, young and old, dust off those horns, clean off the mold. Get ready to play and march and hum and rat-tat-tat with the drum, drum, drum! Contact Eric Selby 301-926-7073 or [email protected]. No audition required, all are invited!!

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Summer in the Parks 2012!!!

Calling all SITP Campers — Kindergarten through 8th grade! SITP will be here before you know it. Camp will be held from July 3rd through the 26th and we would love to have you all there! It will be a fun filled month and include SITP favorites: Lake Days, Field Trips, Capture the Flag, the return of Jamboree and more! Enrollment forms were due by April 30, 2012, but we still have room! If you are new to SITP and want to know more about it, call Emily Cavey; 240-632-9587.

WGUMC News

Many Thanks to the Grove Relief Rebuilding team for their hard work on May 19th and May 26th! Rebuilders from Town and WGUMC this year joined with members of the Shaare Torah and Beth Ami synagogues and their community partners on a large build in the Poolesville area. Our work included finishing a handicapped ramp for the family home, placing and painting window and door trim, refinishing a bathroom, installing a gutter, creating and installing handicapped railings, and repainting indoors and out. A contribution from Grove Relief funds that town supporters have donated helped to fund the project. Thanks all!

  • June 3rd-At 11 am we’ll celebrate Judy’s ordination and confirm our teen class at church, with the celebration continuing at a 12:15 potluck lunch following the service. All are welcome.
  • June 30th-The Annual Church Yard Sale sponsored by the Sunday school begins at 8 am at the parsonage, 101 Center St. Munchies and good conversation provided, along with good deals…
  • June 24th & July 15th–Checking out Christianity? It’s both serious and amusing, according to theologian Rob Weber. On June 24th and July 15th, at 12:30 pm at the parsonage, we’ll be watching his DVD talks and sharing thoughts on basics of the faith. All welcome, 101 Center St.

Woman’s Club News

Next meeting: Thursday » 06.21.09 @ 7:30 p.m. in Clubhouse for a progressive porch party. We will walk to several treasured private porch spaces for sharing, conversation, and light refreshments. So that we can make our tour as comfortable as possible for participants and hostesses, please RSVP to Joan Mahaffey 240-631-8064 or [email protected] by Sunday, June 17.

Lake Committee News

Next meeting: Wednesday » 06.20.11@ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!

Party Permits

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.

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