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Town Bulletin June 2015

Nov 3, 2015 | Town Bulletins

[ Bulletin Archive ]

Town Council News

Next meeting: Monday » 06.08.15 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

Actions at the May Council meeting included:

  • adoption of Ordinance 2015-04; Ordinance to Adopt the Town Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2015, Through June 30, 2016, and Levy an Ad Valorem Tax on all Assessable Property Within the Town.

Town Meeting Adopts FY 2016 Budget and Tax Rate

The property tax rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1 will decrease to the constant yield rate of $0.2860/$100 assessed valuation. The dwelling unit charge, which is tied to the cost of trash and recycling collection, will increase to $108 per dwelling. Budget details are posted on the Town website with hard copies available at the Town Office. Please contact Mary Challstrom at [email protected] (301-926-4498) or Mayor Joli McCathran at [email protected] (301-869-5358) if you have questions.

Town Election Results

Mayor:

Joli McCathran » 100 votes

Council: 3-year term

John McClelland » 109 votes
Greg Silber » 108 votes

Council: Two 1-year terms

Alison Faupel » 110 votes
Bud O’Connor » 106 votes
Ed Roberts » 16 votes

Write-ins:

Mayor:

John McClelland » 11 votes
Ed Roberts » 1 vote

Council: 3-year term

Mark Dubnick » 1 vote
Joli McCathran » 1 vote
Vinny Negin » 1 vote

Council: 1-year term

Peter Nagrod » 1 vote
Shelley Winkler » 1 vote

New Mayor and Council

Areas of Responsibility and Contact Information:

From the Mayor

  • Thanks and appreciation go to the Town’s Board of Supervisors of Elections: Meredith Horan, Chair, Betty Knight, and Kristin Perry. The Board ensures our elections are held according to our Charter. All appreciate their dedication to this important process.
  • New County Champion Tree in Washington Grove: Bill Bond of Parkton Woodland Services brought to my attention a large swamp white oak, Quercus bicolor, in the East Woods. It points out to a total of 259 points making this tree a co-county champion with an oak at 255, in Sligo Creek Park. (Any champion trees within 5 points of each other are considered co-champions.) Parkton Woodland Services is the contractor the Town hired to do an evaluation of the woods.
  • Congratulations to William Saar and Grayson Yachup for being selected winners of Poolesville High School’s Global Ecology Award. The reason I mention this is because their project, “Wisteria Removal in Washington Grove,” took place here in Town. Their efforts to educate people about non-native invasive removal and their work is making a difference in the East Woods.

Planning Commission News

Next meeting: Wednesday » 06.03.15 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.

If the spring/summer renovation bug has reared its head at your house, be sure to get a copy of the revised procedures to apply for a Town Building Permit which will help you through the Town’s process. The procedures are available from the Town Clerk or from the Town’s website. In addition, the house files in the Town Hall may have some helpful information on your property, another resource when planning home modifications. The Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission are here to help you with your project.

Historic Preservation News

Next meeting: Tuesday » 06.10.15 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. Meetings are open to the public.

HPC to Host Maryland Historical Trust Tax Credit Workshop – June 10, 7 p.m. McCathran Hall

The Historic Preservation Commission has invited Melissa Archer, Preservation Officer at the Maryland Historical Trust, to speak about state income tax credits available for the rehabilitation of historic homes. Homeowners have the opportunity to earn a state income tax credit equal to 20 percent of qualified rehabilitation expenditures. Please join us on the 10th and learn more!

For additional background before the workshop, go to https://mht.maryland.gov/taxcredits.shtml.

Thinking about Windows…

The National Trust for Historic Preservation website has a wealth of information about windows, some of which we will share in this space over the coming months.

Windows are the most visible, yet commonly under-appreciated components of older and historic homes and buildings. While being very beautiful, original historic windows also serve a great purpose – they impart a building’s inside-outside connection. They provide ventilation and light, and can function as emergency egress. Above all, they offer clues to a building’s history because they are integral aspects of architectural design.

However, despite all of these attributes, windows are an easy target and are all too often blamed for energy loss. Commonly, people jump to replace their historic windows because companies promise that their replacement windows will not only save them time and money, but that their products and services are the "green" thing to do. In fact, a thriving industry has grown around the perceived need to replace rather than restore.

Have you ever wondered why there are no replacement fireplaces? Fireplaces with ill-fitting or missing dampers leak more heat than windows do, but salesmen don’t leave flyers for new dampers in your mailbox, do they?

One reason why it is tempting for homeowners to replace their original historic windows is because they can immediately see a difference when a window is replaced. And, even though a project like sealing air leaks will ultimately save more energy than replacing windows, there is relatively low demand for air-sealing services. A manager of a window conservation firm has been quoted as saying, "I provide something that is invisible."

We’ll share frequently asked questions like those below over the coming months. We hope not only to inform and inspire, but to demonstrate how you can keep your old windows, achieve energy efficiency, and be "green" throughout the process.

Why do the original windows of my older home matter? What do they contribute to my home?

For so many reasons, the original windows of older and historic homes and buildings are what make them places that matter.
Consider it this way: If you had a beautiful piece of art that was custom designed, crafted by hand, made from native old-growth wood, and imbued with clues to its age and crafting traditions, would you throw the authentic piece in the dumpster if a simulated plastic version suddenly became available?

Seems ridiculous, right? However, this is precisely what people all over the country are doing when they rip out their historic wood windows and replace them with new windows.

Windows are character-defining features of any home. Everything from their size, placement, proportional relationship to the wall space, style, and materials contribute to how a building looks and feels. Just ask historian and author James Garvin, who has said that "any historic building with its original sashes and glazing therefore retains a higher degree of architectural integrity than a comparable structure in which the sashes have been replaced. Where original sashes survive, their preservation should be a paramount concern of the building’s owner."

Look for additional food for thought about windows in future bulletins, including:

  • Should I believe the hype about new windows being better?
  • Should I repair or replace my old windows?
  • Will storm windows help?
  • How do I find someone to repair my windows?
  • Are there easy, low-cost ways to make my windows more energy efficient?

(For more information, now, go to https://www.preservationnation.org and enter “windows” in the site’s search engine.)

Maple Lake News

Next meeting: Thursday » 06.18.15 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.

Lifeguards at Maple Lake

Please welcome our lifeguards for this summer: Sara Hunt, Luca Narducci-Francis, Lainey Selby, Kelly Schreiber and Eli Stopak. They are here for your safety and are on duty from Noon – 6:00 PM. Residents are reminded to bring their lake passes to the lake. It will help the guards get to know you. If you need a lake pass, please call Sally Mansfield at 301-977-3189.

Recreation Committee News

Next meeting: Wednesday » 06.17.15 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. Meetings are open to the public.

“Tangled in images of stars and clouds and firelight – we go camping at night!”

When: Saturday, June 13, 2015 (rain date TBA)
Where: Athletic Field in Woodward Park
Bring: Tents, Drinks, S’more Sticks, Guitars, Neighbors
Supplied: Firepits, S’more Fixins

Calling all Young Musicians and
Artistic Performers!

The Grove’s Annual Youth Recital and Reception will be on Saturday June 20, 10-11:30 a.m.in McCathran Hall. All are encouraged to perform, by playing an instrument, singing, reciting poetry, dancing or any other musical or performance related activity. High school and college age participants are welcome, as are intergenerational family acts, as well as adult beginners and anyone who is young at heart!

If you would like to participate, please send me [email protected] the following information by June 17:

  • Name of performer, Instrument(s) (if any)
  • Name of composer and piece (or, if not music, name of performance)
  • Approximate amount of time performance will take
  • Name of accompanist (if any)

Music Weekend 2015

FRIDAY, JUNE 19; Magic Mic Night!
McCathran Hall, 7:00 p.m.
It’s Open Mic Night…Bring your Acts and your
Tracks – there will be beer and that’s the facts! If you plan on entertaining us please email [email protected] ASAP with all names.
Come join the scene… all the cool people will be there.

SAT. JUNE 20; Youth Recital & Reception
McCathran Hall, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Come hear our talented young musicians and artistic performers!

SAT. JUNE 20; Jr. Cline and the Recliners
Gazebo, 8 to 11:00 p.m.
One of the Mid-Atlantic area’s most popular classic pop/R&B/soul bands are making their first Music Weekend appearance. It’s not a joke to call Daryl "Jr." Cline a marquee act. They played New Year’s Eve at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square for 12 years straight. This is a rare chance to enjoy these Wammie-winners "on the Town" (for free), so tell your friends and start planning your picnic. Bring your own chairs and blankets and enjoy wonderful music under the stars!

SUN. JUNE 21; Baroque Breakfast
Homewood Brass , Gazebo, 10:30 a.m.
Bring a brunch dish large enough to feed your family/party to share. Don’t forget a blanket or a chair. Paper products, sangria, and coffee provided.

In case of rain, all events in McCathran Hall.
Sponsored by the Washington Grove Recreation Committee

JULY 4TH CELEBRATION WEEKEND

Friday, July 3rd:
Ballgame – 10:00 AM at Woodward Park ball field. Bring mitts and bats if you have them!
Contacts – Ann Briggs (301-926-6347) or Joey Fones (240-477-5882).
Potluck Picnic at Maple Lake – 4:00 PM Hotdogs, paper products provided. BYOB.
Contacts – Peter Nagrod (301-512-5771) or Missy Yachup (301-947-4153)

Saturday, July 4th:
Costume Judging – 11:00 AM at the fireplace in Woodward Park. Volunteers are needed. Please contact Missy Yachup ([email protected])
Flag Raising & Parade – NOON at the flagpole in Woodward Park.

In the event of rain:
Friday, July 3rd: Ballgame will be rescheduled & picnic is cancelled.
Saturday July 4th: All activities in McCathran Hall.

Woman’s Club News…

Please join us on Saturday, June 27th for this year’s Progressive Porch Party!
Our fourth Annual Progressive Porch Party has had to be rescheduled so that it won’t conflict with the Town’s Music Weekend. We’ll now be progressing on Saturday evening, June 27th, starting at 6:30 PM.

At this writing, the Tea at Downton Abby themed Flower Show hasn’t happened yet, so you’ll have to wait for the July newsletter to find out who won 🙂

July 17th and 18th will be this year’s Woman’s Club Yard Sale. You can start putting your contributions on the Clubhouse porch any time after June 29th.
Once again this year, from the yard sale through the end of October, we’ll have a box on the Clubhouse porch to collect coats, hats, scarves, etc. for the needy children of Washington Grove Elementary School. Last year’s Coat Drive was a success, and the School was very grateful.

Our other ongoing project for this year is to collect hotel-sized toiletries (shampoos soaps, etc.), tooth brushes, new socks, etc. for the residents of the Men’s Shelter on Gude Drive. You can drop off your donations any time in either of lovely handpainted cans on Wendy Weisbard’s porches (119 Grove Ave.).

WGUMC News

Vacation Bible School for Children: "Cross Culture VBS – Thailand"
Date: June 22-26 (Mon.- Fri.) 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Registration is free. Let us know by June 8th so that your kids can get a free VBS t-shirt.

Contact: [email protected]; 301-869-3753 or VBS coordinator Rachel Epperly [email protected]
Expand your kid’s view of God’s love for the world and help them explore everyday lives of Thai children through games, snacks and cultural experiences.

Thank you!!
Thanks again for donating health kits to support Baltimore residents. We are grateful for your generous donation to Youth-driven church yard sale.

Bulk Trash Pickup Scheduled

Mark your calendars! The Town has scheduled a bulk trash collection for July 11, 2015. Materials may include furniture, appliances (nothing with freon like air conditioning units), rugs, large toys, small auto parts, etc.
Material may NOT include construction by-products from your renovation projects, large automotive parts or tires. Items should not contain gasoline or motor oil. Please keep your metal separate from the rest of your trash.
ITEMS SHOULD BE PLACED “CURBSIDE” BY 7:00 A.M.

DRIVE 15, ENJOY THE SCENE……..

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