Residential Development Proposed For Ridge Road Fields
Developer to Present Concept Plan –The Oxbridge Group has been invited by the Town to
present their concept plan for residential development of the Casey property (adjacent to Ridge
Road) on Wednesday, March 21 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in McCathran Hall. The developer is
exercising his right to use the land within the present zoning of the County. Though significant
differences of opinion exist, the Town has extended an invitation and Oxbridge has accepted this
opportunity to answer your questions.
Special Town Meeting
Monday, April 2, 2001
McCathran Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Residential Development Proposed
For Ridge Road Fields
Come let Town Officials know how
you feel about the proposed
development; ask questions
Think Spring!
Two Special Collections Planned Saturday, March 31 Saturday, 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.
Spring Leaf Collection
– Leaves will be collected during the last week of March, with pick up
completed by April 1, weather permitting. Rake leaves to a road or walkway for pickup. Large
branches and twigs may damage equipment. Please remove them from leaf piles. No pickup will
occur on Railroad Street, 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue, 4th Avenue, or 5th Avenue.
Council Notes
– Please note a change in the regular meeting schedule. The next meeting will be
Monday, April 16, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall. The public is invited. March Council actions
included:
· Approved Mayor’s reappointment of Mary Kay DuBois, Betty Knight and Nancy
McCullough to Board of Supervisors of Elections.
· Approved formation of committee to seek reconfiguration of the Railroad Street/East
Diamond Ave intersection, diversion of trucks over ¾ ton from Washington Grove Lane
and traffic calming improvements along WGL; Dave Gumula will act as Council liaison.
· Referred renumbering of Ridge Road addresses back to Town Planning Commission for
look at safety issues.
· Approved funds to hire supplemental legal services and professional planning help to
advocate for the Grove in land use issues surrounding the residential development
planned for Ridge Road fields.
Website Happenings!
– A private emailing list for residents of the Town of Washington Grove,
Maryland has been created for communication on topics of their choice. Their families and
former residents may also subscribe. The list moderator will verify the eligibility of everyone
who asks to subscribe. To get on the list, send an email to the list moderator Michael Shipway (3
Ridge Road) at [email protected] Tell him who you are so he can verify you are a
resident. Email sent to the group address – [email protected] will be
forwarded automatically to everyone on the subscriber list. We encourage you to stick to subjects
of local interest. These might include recent or upcoming activities, sightings of flora or fauna, or
the fields development.
Maple Lake Cleanup
– The annual lake cleanup will be on Saturday, April 21 at 10 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 Sunday, April 22. Call Dodie Tippens at 301-869-1682 if
you have question.
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 240-777-8683. 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 9.
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
Reminder!
Washington Grove Residents
“City, Town or Taxing Area”
Washington Grove – 1612
Please fill in Washington Grove – 1612 in the appropriate box on your State income tax form. If
someone else prepares your tax forms, include this notice with your tax information and if you
file electronically, be sure to select Washington Grove under City, Town or Taxing Area. This
does not increase your taxes, but does help ensure that the Town receives its proper share
of local income tax revenue. Thanks for your help. Questions? Call Clerk-Treasurer Mary
Challstrom at 301-926-2256.
Hazardous Materials Disposal – Sunday, April 1 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shady Grove
Transfer Station Accepts insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, paint thinners and solvents, pool
chemicals, fuels, oil, photographic chemicals, oil-based paints, button and rechargeable batteries,
fluorescent bulbs (limit of 12 bulbs).
Yoga Classes to Continue
– A six-week introductory yoga course will be offered in McCathran
Hall on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m. beginning March 28 and ending on May 2. On-going
classes will begin the following Wednesday and continue through June 27. Sponsored by the
Town’s Recreation Committee, the six- week course taught by Terry Strother, will be offered at a
flat fee of $60/person. On-going classes will be offered at the rate of $10/person per session. The
course will include specific instruction in the different components of a yoga class and will allow
for more individualized instruction as well as time to answer questions. Participants will gain a
fuller understanding of yoga postures and other techniques to be able to continue with regular
practice on their own as well as participate more comfortably in an ongoing weekly class. Please
wear comfortable clothing and bring padding or mats for the wood floor. Checks should be made
payable to Town of Washington Grove.
Town Master Plan Review/Revision Continues
The Planning Commission will continue
review of the Town’s Master Plan at their next regular meeting on Tuesday, April 3, 7:30 p.m.,
Town Hall. The public is welcome to attend. The agenda will include a discussion of possible
uses for the Cator property, the 2-acre residentially zoned tract located between Railroad Street
and the railroad tracks.
Enroll Now for Summer-in-the-Parks!!
– To ensure a place for your child and to determine
staffing needs, please fill out and send an enrollment form, along with the registration fee, to
Kathleen McCann, P.O. Box 920, by April 28. Please make out checks to “Town of Washington
Grove”. Resident fees are $80 for the first child, $65 for a second, and $50 for a third child in the
same family. Please enroll now! The program is for children aged 4-11 (4 by 7/31/2001)
Enrollment forms are available at the Town Office. Questions, call Karen Kelly at 301-987-9529.
Town Budget Work Session
Monday, April 30 7:30 p.m. Council Room. Come, learn, and
participate as the Town Council balances competing priorities putting together a budget for the
Town’s approval in June.
Woman’s Club Meeting
– Thursday, March 15
“LYCANTHROPY”
A short story by Grove writer Kermit Moyer. Kermit will discuss short story writing. Clubhouse,
7:30 p.m.
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 7, 10:30 a.m.
All Grove Kids: Bring your Easter baskets and join the Easter bunny at the Gazebo (McCathran
Hall if rain) for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Fun and refreshments to follow at McCathran Hall.
All Parents: Please help us by filling one dozen Easter eggs with age appropriate toys for each
child you plan to bring. Pick up empty plastic eggs on the porch of Vicki Andrews, 7 Daylily
Lane; return filled eggs to the same location by April 1. The empty eggs are already in bags by
the dozen; when you return your filled eggs, please label the bag with the child’s age. Sponsored
by The Woman’s Club. Questions? Call Vicki at 301-977-5515.
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. The
Town must first sign off all applications for County-required building permits.
Spring Luncheon, Craft and Bake Sale
Saturday, April 21 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Washington
Grove United Methodist church, Chestnut Road. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adults –
$8.00, children – $2.50, carry out .50 extra. Ham, chicken salad, and all the trimmings!
Grove Singers to Begin Rehearsals
– Calling all singers! Rehearsals will begin for the Music
Weekend Concert to be held on Friday, June 15. Come to McCathran Hall on Tuesdays
beginning April 10 at 7:30 p.m. Questions? Call Director Kathy Lehman at 301-926-1253. All
voices are needed and encouraged to join the fun!
Town Information
Office/Clerk -Treasurer
Phone: 301-926-2256
Fax: 301-926-0111
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.washgrov.sailorsite.net
Web Coordinator: [email protected]
Mail: P.O. Box 216
Washington Grove, MD 20880
Town Hall: Center Street & Chestnut Road
Washington Grove
Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Closed Wednesday mornings
Hall Scheduler Jenny Long 301-869-3824
Maintenance: Jim Fletcher 301-963-5850
Street Light Out: Vicki Erhart 301-208-9442
Building Permits: John McClelland 301-963-3328
County Animal Control: 301-279-1066
Rent the Woman’s Clubhouse!
– Planning a surprise birthday bash, family reunion, graduation
gala, wedding reception, planning session or business meeting . . . consider the charming wooded
setting, spacious main room, screened porch, kitchen and restroom facilities of the Woman’s
Club House. For information or reservations call Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416. Heat and air
conditioning!!
Woman’s Club Meeting
– Thursday, April 19
DR. DAN, VETERINARIAN
Gaithersburg Animal Hospital. Clubhouse, 7:30 pm
“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 2.
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.
Save this date, kids of all ages
Magician Barry Taylor to Appear
Saturday, April 28
McCathran Hall
2 p.m.
Town Hires Forester
– Impressed by his credentials, knowledge and enthusiasm, the Town has
hired Forester Dan Landry to advise both the Town and individual residents. Dan will meet with
the Forestry Committee on Monday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Pedophile Released
– Last week, a man seen in Woodward Park, the lake woods and at the
railroad shelter, was arrested and charged with indecent exposure seemingly targeted at children.
Described as a six- foot older white male, he was inappropriately dressed in lightweight sweat
clothes. This was a first offense and he was subsequently released. If you see a man in Town
parks matching this description and behaving suspiciously, please call the police.
Certified Lifeguards
needed for Maple Lake. Call Dodie Tippens at 301-869-1682.
WASHINGTON GROVE
ARBOR DAY OBSERVANCE
SATURDAY, APRIL 28
McCathran Hall landscaping will be the focus of plantings for the Grove’s Arbor Day celebration
this year. Bulbs, annuals and perennials will be planted. There will be a workday planned in
advance to prepare plant beds. A great family activity!
Spring Litter Campaign
– We are enlisting the help of all Grove residents in a spring spruce
up. Please see that trash containers are secure from animals. If you’re out for a walk, take along a
small trash bag to tidy up along the way. Working together we can keep the Grove a place of rare
natural beauty.
Computer Recycling
– Any day during normal hours of operation, citizens can bring their
unwanted computers to the Public Unloading Facility at the Montgomery County Solid Waste
Transfer Station and leave them in a covered space to await pickup for recycling. Computers will
be reconditioned, rebuilt and donated, or recycled with the minerals and reusable parts reclaimed.
Historic Preservation Study Group
– Next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 20 at 8 p.m. in
the McCathran Hall Council Room. Several former mayors have been interviewed to get
background and a historical context for preservation measures. A number of ideas are being
considered including: Town preservation assistance; State preservation assistance; demolition
restrictions; zoning restrictions with specific, objective requirements; use of an independent
evaluator for ensuring compliance with plans, setbacks and heights as approved by the Town
before construction begins; and, improvement of zoning enforcement. The HiP Study Group
plans to issue a report in May.
Deadline for Bulletin
– Monday, April 16
P.O. Box 216
Washington Grove, MD 20880