Council Notes
The next meeting will be Monday, April 12, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall. The public is invited to
attend.
Planning Commission
Next meeting will be Tuesday, April 6, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall. The public is invited to
attend.
Grove Web Site
Featured this month is the February 20 Washington Post article on the Grove.
Two Special Trash Collections
· Wednesday, March 31
· Wednesday, April 28
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 placed curbside.
Town Elections
Persons may be nominated for elective office in the Town by filing a certificate of nomination on
or before the second Monday in April with the chairman of the Supervisors of Elections, Mary
Kay DuBois, 119 Maple Avenue, 301-926-8941. The certificate of nomination must be in
writing and signed by at least two qualified voters of the Town. No person may file for
nomination to more than one elective Town public office. All nominees must be qualified voters
of the Town. Councilors must have resided in the Town for at least one year immediately
preceding the election. The Mayor must have resided in the Town for at least two years
immediately preceding the election. The following terms expire in June:
· Mayor — 1-year term
· Town Councilor — 3-year term
· Town Councilor — 3-year term
Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, March 20 McCathran Hall, 8:30 a.m.
Meet and Greet new Grove residents
and long-time neighbors
coffee, juice, and settings provided
*** Balloons for the kids ***
Pancakes courtesy of the Town Council
Please bring fruits, breakfast meats or ? to share
Semiannual Property Tax Payment Plan Available
Taxpayers may choose to pay their property taxes in semiannual payments. The semiannual plan
applies only to those properties designated as “owner-occupied” and only to the Direct Tax (ad
valorem) part of the tax bill. Instructions will be included with the Town tax bill in July,
however you must notify your mortgage company 60 days before July 1 if you choose the
semiannual plan.
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. County
Building Permit information is available online at
https://www.co.mo.md.us/services/permitting/bc/nfbp.htm. All applications for County-required
building permits must first be signed off by the Town.
Building Permits Issued
· Stewart, 204 Washington Grove Lane, garage
Lake Committee
Wednesday, March 24, in the McCathran Hall Council Room at 7:30 p.m. Come help plan lake
activities for the summer.
Moms Club Spring Party
Monday, April 5 — 10 a.m. at McCathran Hall. Please call Martha Crews at 301-527-8273 to
sign up.
TENNIS COURTS ARE FOR TENNIS ONLY
NOT for roller blades, tricycles, OR WHEELS OF ANY KIND. Thanks!
Heritage Committee
Monday, April 19 — Come to the Town Hall Council Room at 7:30 p.m. to join others interested
in preserving the Grove’s rich history. Plans will be made for a May Open House to
commemorate Preservation Month, as well as helping to plan the continuing celebration of the
Grove’s 125th Anniversary.
Gas in the Grove Committee Conducts Survey
Please complete the survey (attached to mailed copies of the Bulletin) to help the Town
determine if there is sufficient interest to work towards making natural gas available to all
residents.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Ordinance Authorizing the Grant of a Non-Exclusive Cable Franchise.
Date: Monday, April 12, 1999
Place: McCathran Hall Council Room
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Town Council will conduct a hearing on an ordinance authorizing the Town to grant a nonexclusive
cable franchise to Starpower Communications, LLC.
Voter Registration
To vote in Town elections, you must be currently registered to vote with Montgomery County at
an address in Washington Grove. To verify your registration with the County, please call
County Voter Registration Information at 301-217-8683 or visit their web site at
https://www.co.mo.md.us/services/elections/. If you need to register, please call them soon so
you will be eligible to vote at Town elections and at Town Meeting on Saturday, June 12.
Public Hearing on Variance Application
The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.
in McCathran Hall. The Board will determine if a variance should be granted to allow the
construction of a fireplace/chimney on the western side of the Murphy residence at 203 2nd
Avenue.
Hazardous Materials Disposal
Sunday, April 11 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shady Grove Transfer Station.
Photos Sought for Grove History
Phil Edwards is looking for pictures from the era 1937-1987 to include in the second volume of
the Grove history. Of special interest are:
· Events in or outside of the auditorium.
· The first 4th of July with the tractor (1955?).
· Early Maple Lake, before the berm had grass.
· Early Maple Lake island, with trees.
· Waiting room and outhouse at the tracks.
· Any Mayors or councilmen together in action or group poses.
· Aitchison Crossing before signals.
· Hershey’s, Bowling’s, Reck’s, Whisman’s, the OK Grill, other early commercial corner.
Originals will be carefully handled, copied, and returned, but lender beware! Photos may be left
for Phil at the Town Office.
Enroll now for Summer-in-the-Parks!!
As summer approaches, Grove kids eagerly await this relaxed program of creative projects,
sports, nature activities, and fun at the lake. Meeting at McCathran Hall, the program runs from
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for four weeks beginning Monday, July 5. To ensure a
place for your child and to determine staffing needs, please fill out the enrollment form (attached
to mailed copies of the Bulletin) and send it, along with the registration fee, to
Nancy McCullough
P.O. Box 102
Washington Grove, MD 20880-0102
by May 1. Please make out checks to “Town of Washington Grove”. Resident fees are $70 for
the first child, $55 for a second, and $40 for a third child in the same family. Please enroll now
so that we may accommodate all residents before accepting non-residents. The program is for
children aged 4-11 (4 by 7/31/99) Call Joli McCathran at 301-869-5358 for more information.
Auction
COME JOIN THE FUN
at the auction to benefit
CHARITIES FOR CHILDREN
Saturday, March 27
McCathran Hall
7:30 PM
Eve Zibart and John McClelland will co-host, as residents bid for a wide variety of quality
goods, gadgets, antiques, art objects and services. Plentiful desserts, snacks and beverages will
be provided throughout the evening.
Proceeds will go to a supplementary fund for students at Washington Grove Elementary and La
Escuela Primaria de Fundacion, a struggling elementary school in the Dominican Republic.
Grove auctions are not to be missed!
Admission: $2.
Sponsor: The Woman’s Club of Washington Grove
Income Tax Reminder
Remember to fill in “Washington Grove” under “City, Town or Taxing Area” on your Maryland
tax return. This does not increase your taxes, but does help ensure that the Town receives its
proper share of local income tax revenue.
Woman’s Club Meeting — Thursday, March 18
POTTERY DEMONSTRATION program: home/studio of potter Virginia Crim, 203 Bryan
Avenue, Gaithersburg, 7:30 p.m. (Carpool from Kathi Higdon’s). refreshments/meeting: home
of Kathi Higdon, 103 Brown Street, Washington Grove, following the program.
Spring Leaf Collection
Final leaf collection will occur at the end of March, with pick up completed by April 1, weather
permitting. Rake leaves to a roadway or walkway for pickup. Brush and debris should not be
part of the leaf windrows.
No pickup will occur on
· Railroad Street
· 2nd Avenue
· 3rd Avenue
· 4th Avenue
· 5th Avenue.
Public Safety Committee to Meet
If you have an interest in public safety or ideas you feel would improve safety in the Grove,
please join Councilor Allen Winter at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31 in the McCathran Hall
Council Room.
Spring Luncheon, Craft and Bake Sale
Saturday, March 27 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Washington Grove United Methodist Church, 303
Chestnut Road. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Adults – $7.00. Ham, chicken salad,
and all the trimmings!
Maple Lake Cleanup
The annual lake cleanup will be on Saturday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m. Please join in and bring
your rake, a trash bag and a wheelbarrow if you have one. There will be drinks and snacks for
all. Rain date is Saturday, May 1, at 10:00 a.m. Call Sharon Hurst at 301-948-2424 if you have
questions.
Part-time Lifeguard/Swimming Instructor Sought
If you or someone you know would like to work at Maple Lake this summer, please call Sharon
Hurst at 301-948-2424. Proper certification required.
Behind the Bamboo a Building Grows
Despite the challenges posed by snow, high water, and mud, progress continues on the Town’s
maintenance building addition. Heritage Builders, the building contractor, was forced to pump
water out of the trenches dug for the addition’s “footers, ” and to cover the site with a plastic tentlike
tarp to keep out the snow and cold. Through those measures, they were hoping to make up
for lost construction time. Because of the high water table, the Town was forced to install a sump
pump near the new garage door on the east side of the building. The county’s Fire Marshall also
required the Town to install an additional pedestrian door for safety reasons. Tom Ward,
President of Heritage Builders, is sure they will be able to make rapid progress as the weather
improves.
PARTY PONIES PETTING ZOO COMES TO
WASHINGTON GROVE
Sunday, April 18, Woodward Park, 2-4 PM — refreshments, pony rides, baby animals. For kids
of all ages! No admission charge.
Woman’s Club Meeting — Thursday, April 15
PLANT AUCTION: Joan O’Rourke, Master Gardener, Extension Service, will act as auctioneer.
Please bring rooted cuttings in pots, plant divisions, bulbs, garden accessories, or any other
garden-related material that can be auctioned. Guests are invited. For further information call
Alice Mahaffey or Sylvia Horan. 7:30 p.m.
“Spring Cleaning?”
Woman’s Club Yard Sale. Remember the annual yard sale to benefit the Woman’s Club when
you do your “spring cleaning”. The sale will be held on Saturday, June 12. If you have items to
part with now (no clothing please), call Mary Kay DuBois at 301-926-8941 or Kitty Vogan at
301-840-9416.
TIPS FOR EFFICIENT LEAF COLLECTION
· leaves must be piled within 6 feet of the edge of the road or walkway to be removed;
consolidate piles with your neighbor whenever possible
· twigs larger than 1/4- inch diameter should not be in leaf piles; large branches may
damage equipment and repairs delay pickup
· don’t conceal fire hydrants or block walkway access with leaf piles
· if you hire someone to rake your leaves, be sure to tell them about these tips
Call Councilor John Compton at 301-330-8264 if you have questions about leaf collection.
Rent the Woman’s Clubhouse!
Planning a surprise birthday bash, family reunion, graduation gala, wedding reception, small retreat or
business meeting? For information and reservations call Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416 or Brenda
Gumula at 301-869-5118.