Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 04.10.06 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the March Council meeting included:
Agreed to support a joint effort between the Town and Montgomery County to improve the Ride-On bus stops along the Town borders.
Voted to spend approx. $1,300.00 on new spiral slide pieces that were damaged by skateboarders.
Town Elections
Town elections will be upon us in a very short time. 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 Supervisor of Elections, Mary Kay DuBois, 119 Maple Ave., 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 Town for at least one year immediately preceding the elections (June 10th). The Mayor must have resided in the Town for at least two years immediately preceding the elections. The following terms expire in June: Mayor – 1 year term, Town Councilor – 3 year term, Town Councilor – 3 year term.
Tax Reminder – 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!
Town Hosts Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele
On March 14th, Town representatives hosted Lt. Gov. Michael Steele and various Maryland state officials on a goodwill visit to Washington Grove. Mr. Steele and representatives of the State Highway Administration, Program Open Space, the MD Dept. of Planning, the MD Dept. of the Environment, and others discussed what resources were available to the Town from their respective agencies. For our part, we discussed a variety of Town issues where the State is or could be involved, including preservation of the LOS field, the historic Deer Park/Washington Grove Bridge, our MARC train stop, and the noise impacts of the ICC on the Town. This was followed by a “Tour d’ Grove” that included the Circle, Ridge Rd., into the Field, the MARC station and the Bridge.
Mayor Compton heartily thanks the 3 former mayors (Ann Briggs, Barbara Hawk, Charlie Challstrom), Alice Negin and Grove employees (Jim and Kathy), and several other Town officials (Bob Booher, Betsy Klinger, David Stopak) for the time and effort they expended to help develop potentially useful contacts for the Town.
Slow Down or Get Bumped…
Speeding and cut-through traffic were, again, the subject of renewed concern at the March Council meeting. With other solutions unlikely to succeed, the Mayor and Council are entertaining the installation of new speed bumps on Maple Road, Chestnut Road, Hickory Road, and Ridge Road., possibly located as follows:
Maple Rd: 2 speed humps, midway between Brown and Oak St. and at the Oak St ped. crossing.
Chestnut Rd: 2 or 3 speed humps, at the stop signs at Acorn, Center and Oak.
Hickory Rd: 1 speed hump between Railroad and Oak, where the pavement narrows.
Ridge Rd: 2 humps, at the “top of the hill” near #334 and at the curve between #306 and #326.
Also discussed was reconfiguring the intersection of McCauley Street and Washington Grove Lane in order to make the illegal turns from McCauley and from WG Lane more difficult. Most believe that both of these remedies will be for the greater good of Town residents. What do you think? Comments will be accepted by snail mail (PO Box 216), e-mail ([email protected]) or by phone (301-926-2256). It’s your Town. What would you like to see happen to help with the increased speeding and cut-through traffic?
Ride-On Bus Stop Improvements Coming
The County is planning to add waiting pads and benches to five of the six pair of stops along the borders of the Town. Four stop locations will be slightly shifted to provide safer, drier, better access for bus riders: the stop near the Asplundh Co. on Railroad Street, the pair at Grove Rd. and Railroad Street, the stop at Center St. and the stop at #515 Washington Grove Lane. A map is available at the Town Office.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 04.05.06 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
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. The permit fee is $10.00, payable to the Town of Washington Grove. Interior renovations, which involve electrical, plumbing, or load-bearing changes, generally require a County permit. A shed requires a County permit as well. The Town must first sign off all applications for County-required building permits. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permits as well.
Building permits were issued for the following:
118 Ridge Rd. » Shed
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 04.18.05 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
When contemplating a renovation/addition, why not consult with the HPC? Using this resource at the beginning of your planning process could save you time and energy. There are great ideas to be had, check it out!
Neighborhood Watch News
Report Crimes & Suspicious Activity!
Mont. Co. Police non-emergency: 301-279-8000
Town Office: 301-926-2256
Betsy Klinger: 301-977-3517
Keith Gillis/Leigh Partington: 301-208-1437
Incident Report:
Feb 25: Illegal activity. 300 block Ridge Rd – (about 4 p.m.) two or three youths smoking in a parked black Nissan Maxima in front of a resident’s home. The homeowner reported a strong smell of marijuana.
Feb 26: Loose dog report 300 block Ridge Rd – (about 3 p.m.) The owners were apparently not home. The dog is not known to be a problem.
Feb 27: Hit and run vehicular assault. Acorn Lane (about 4:45 p.m.) a resident was dragged many yards behind a recklessly driven vehicle when an extension cord he was handling was caught by the car’s side-view mirror. The victim was thrown up on the rear of the car, rolled off, but was dragged by his foot which was still entangled in the cord. He was able to free himself when the driver stopped briefly so another occupant could push the cord free of the mirror. The car then sped away. The car was a white Japanese 2-door (an early 90’s Prelude or Acura?) with a black replacement hood and was occupied by high-school aged boys, one black, one Asian and one probably Latino. Police were called. The victim was taken to a hospital and treated for bruises and abrasions.
Mar 3: Breaking/entering; theft. 300 block Brown St. – Early Friday morning the license plates from a resident’s car were stolen. The locked car was broken into and ransacked, but nothing stolen from inside. Police were called.
Mar 11: Suspicious behavior 300 block Chestnut Ave -(3:30 p.m.) Resident observed and confronted a youth on his property apparently looking for valuables.
Mar 12: Vandalism Maple Lake. – 3 youths (14-16 yr old, white) were seen trying to break into the shed. One of the locks on the door was broken. Incident reported to police.
Serious dog problems
A pair of dogs (a large black Labrador-like dog and a small white-and-brown dog) belonging to a family in the Grove caused some serious incidents:
Feb 14 – The pair were loose, rummaging through trash cans, and when startled by a resident, bit the woman’s leg but did not break the skin. (Incident not reported at the time).
Feb 20 & Feb 23 – The dogs were sighted by at least four residents in different parts of town who complained they were racing through town, frightened at least one person and treed a cat in one yard. (Mon. 4:20, Mon 4:30, Wed 2:20, 2:45 & 6 p.m.) Animal Services was notified Monday.
Wed Feb 23 at 4:50 p.m. – A resident saw the pair attack and kill his cat in his fenced in yard.
The owner, when told of what happened, turned the brown and white dog over to Animal Services and it is no longer in the Town. The other dog, the large black dog which had bitten the resident on the 14th is still with the owners. The family has another black lab as well.
Please help us take action against problem dogs.
If you can enclose the dog(s) in a fenced yard, garage or other enclosure without endangering yourself, please attempt to do so.
If you have a camera handy try to get a photo.
PLEASE CALL ANIMAL SERVICES AND FILE A REPORT EVERY TIME YOU SEE PROBLEM DOGS RUNNING LOOSE, even if your neighbor also saw them and already called. Animal Services is a division of the Montgomery County Police. (240-773-5960 or 240-773-5925)
Please relay:
Your name
Description of the dog(s) and who owns it (if you know).
Where & when you saw the dog(s).
Other details of the incident.
Whether or not you would be willing to be a witness, if necessary.
PLEASE MAKE A TELEPHONE REPORT TO US EACH TIME YOU SEE ANY DOG(S) RUNNING LOOSE so that we can distinguish problem dogs from accidental escapes. During business hours, call Kathy at Town Hall (301-926-2256). At other times call either Keith Gillis (301-208-1437) and/or Betsy Klinger (301-977-3517). Leave a message on a machine if you are unable to reach anyone at these three numbers.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 03.22.06 @ 7:30 p.m. at the home of Leila Keese; 118 Grove Ave. The public is invited to attend.
Mousetrap Concert #3
Sunday, March 26th at 3 p.m. in McCathran Hall. Medea Namoradze and friends (soprano, piano, cello, violin) with songs of Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Medtner, & Scriabin. Call Alice Negin for tickets (301-926-2858).
Music Together Happens Again!
Music Together, a toddler’s music class, will begin another session on April 4, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in McCathran Hall. Classes are made up of a mixed-age group of 6-12 children and their parent(s) or caregiver. Instruction includes a dozen musical experiences in each class and incorporates fun, play, and interactive ways to focus on tonal and rhythmic elements of music in an informal setting. For more information call Terri Winkler at 301-424-4359.
Hawk Talk!
Sunday, April 23, 2006, 3:00 p.m.
A treat for all ages, Master Class Falconer and breeder Paul DuBois will bring one or more hybrid Peregrine Falcons to McCathran Hall for his talk on hawks and falcons. Did you know that falcons can dive at speeds up to 300 feet per minute and fly at 60 miles per hour? Invite your friends and neighbors to this free event. Sponsored by the Washington Grove Recreation Committee.
Summer In The Parks 2006
Our areas of focus will include nature, arts & crafts, outdoor sports, play, community service, and theatre/filmmaking. The morning program, for kids entering grades K-5, runs weekdays from 9 a.m. – 12 Noon. The afternoon program, for kids entering grades 6-10, runs weekdays from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.. Both programs will be held at McCathran Hall beginning July 5th and ending on Thursday, July 27th. The annual cookout/campout finale will be on Friday, July 28th starting at 6 p.m.. Children participating in the evening activities and sleep-over must have a designated adult who will be responsible for him/her and will stay on- site. Please complete the registration forms soon. The deadline is March 31st.
Summer In The Parks parent meetings will be held on Saturday, April 1st and on Saturday May 6th from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.. Parent involvement and support is what makes this program work. Please consider coming if you can. Meetings will be at the home of Tami Williams 213 Grove Ave. If you are unable to come but would like to be involved please feel free to contact Tami by telephone, 301-869-8541, or via e-mail at [email protected] . Please start saving those toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, egg cartons, yogurt containers, large cardboard boxes, scraps of wood and old sheets.
Students can earn Student Service Learning Hours by volunteering to help with Summer In The Parks. Call Clare Kelly at 240-401-4319 or e-mail her [email protected] for more information.
Maple Lake News…
Next meeting: Thursday » 03.30.06 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
New members always welcome!
The Lake Committee is happy to report that Courtney Osborne, our long-time swim instructor, will be returning again this summer. Sharon Hurst will once again arrange for the signing-up for lessons, and there will be further information later on.
Maple Lake Clean-up Day
Saturday, April 29, 2006 at 10 a.m.. Please join in and bring your leaf rake, shovel, and wheelbarrow if you have one. Rain Date is Sunday, April 30th. Call John Hutchinson at 301-926-8767 for details or with questions.
Lifeguards Needed – Good Pay!
Lifeguards are needed for Maple Lake this summer. We have some applicants, but need one or two more. Lake hours are from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week, but lifeguards usually work five days a week on a rotating schedule. Applicants must be certified in lifesaving, CPR and First Aid. Pay is $10 to $12 an hour. Call Dodie Tippens at 301-869-1682.
Woman’s Club News…
Next meeting: Thursday » 04.20.06 @ 7:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse.
The public is invited to attend.
Back by popular demand, Paul McDermott, Professor Emeritus and Speaker’s Bureau, Montgomery College, will present “Strollin’ On The C&O Canal”, a special living history presentation of the historical and cultural geography of the C&O Canal.
Super Chili Supper
Thanks to everyone who made the New Residents Chili Supper such a great success. The Club appreciates all the members and residents who brought chili and other great food and those who helped with setup and cleanup. It couldn’t have been done without you! Thanks for making the new residents feel welcome. It was a fun evening of chatting and, of course, eating.
C&O Canal Walk
Sunday, April 23rd, 2:00 p.m., “Strollin’ Your Family Along the C&O Canal”. This is an easy family walk that’s sure to be fun. Light refreshments will be provided. Details about the meeting place and walking course will be provided at a later date.
Thinking Of Spring?
Get in the spirit by volunteering to work on the annual Woman’s Club Flower Show! It’s a lot of fun-so anyone who is interested should call Joli McCathran (301-869-5358) or Georgette Cole (301-330-6740)
Annual Egg Hunt
Washington Grove’s Annual Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, April 8th at 10:30 a.m. Kids, bring your baskets and meet at the Gazebo. Refreshments will follow the hunt at McCathran Hall. Rain date is April 9th at 2:00 p.m. Parents and/or grandparents are asked to fill one dozen eggs for each child attending. Plastic eggs can be picked up on the front porches of Deborah Chambers (215 Ridge Rd.) or Pat Deely (415 Grove Ave.) beginning March 25th. Please return eggs to Deborah or Pat by April 1st. Volunteers are needed for refreshments, hiding eggs games, or crafts (teen volunteers are welcome). To volunteer call Deborah (240-631-7895) or Pat (301-977-9505).
Forestry Committee News…
Next meeting: Wednesday » 04.12.06 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
Arbor Day Celebration!
The Forestry & Beautification Committee is planning an Arbor Day ceremony and activities for April 22, 2006 (rain date 4/23). Come to McCathran Hall at 10 a.m. (coffee and donuts will be available) for speeches followed by the usual Arbor Day activities. This year we will be cleaning and planting in the area around McCathran Hall.
Spring 2006 Leaf Pickup
Per our contract with US Lawns, the spring leaf pickup must be completed by April 1st. This often means you will see the leaf crew and the suck’emup truck in Town a lot during the last week of March. Please pile your leaves within 3 ft. of roads or walkways and remember, NO STICKS OR VINES, they foul the equipment.
Yard Waste Recycling is Back
On or about March 1st, Waste Management began collecting your recyclable yard waste in the big brown bags and in properly marked containers. Please leave your bags and containers “curbside” on Wednesdays and watch your yard waste disappear.
Change In Bulk Trash Collections
Because of changes in Montgomery County’s recycling policy, our bulk trash collection must be done on 2 different days. Therefore, bulk trash must be sorted into 2 piles; “metal only” and “other”. Metal only collections occur on Mondays. All other bulk items will be collected on Saturdays, as usual. The Town has scheduled a bulk trash collection on Saturday, April 8th and a metal only bulk collection will follow on Monday, April 10th. We have also scheduled a bulk trash collection on Saturday, June 10th and a metal only bulk collection on Monday, June 12th. Please mark your calendars and make note of the changes. Questions may be directed to the Town Office 301-926-2256.
Seeking Nominations for Service Award
It’s that time again. The Mayor and Council are taking nominations for the Mayor’s Washington Grove Service Award. Today as historically, the social, cultural and physical well-being of Washington Grove is the product of uncounted hours of hard work and energy, and of the sustained commitment and vision of the Town’s residents. While we often have the opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of those who make possible our treasured events, the Mayor’s Washington Grove Service Award aims to recognize recent outstanding volunteer service above and beyond the call of duty, of any kind, that has contributed to the present and future well-being of our Town. The Mayor is seeking nominations of candidates for the Award. Please call or write with your suggestions before April 30th. Town Office 301-926-2256; John Compton cell 240-432-5700 or e-mail at [email protected].
Clerk’s Corner
Drive 15, enjoy the scene. It’s spring, slow down and smell the flowers!
My public apologies to the Washington Grove Film Society for the omission of the film announcements for 2006.