Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 03.10.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the February Council meeting included:
- acceptance of a bid from Jupiter Systems for exterior painting and repairs of the windows at McCathran Hall.
Town Meeting with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Scheduled
Wednesday March 12, 2014; 7:30pm in McCathran Hall. Presentation and Q & A. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) will be coming to talk to us about the emergency response to the fire at 203 2nd Avenue on January 14. Such a two-alarm fire is routinely reviewed afterward to formally evaluate the response. MCFRS personnel will present the full report and talk about what our community can do to help them help us.
Town Elections
Nominations for Mayor and Council should be sent to Chair Meredith Horan at PO Box 337 or 127 Maple Ave. There is still time for more nominations. The candidate must agree to being nominated and have been a Town resident for at least two (2) years for the position as Mayor and for at least one (1) year for Town Council. So far, the nominees are:
- Mayor (1-year term) » Joli McCathran
- Council (3-year term) » Georgette Cole
- Council (3-year term) » Audrey Maskery
- Council (1-year term) » Vacant
David Young will be vacating his seat on the Council in June with one year remaining.
Budget Work Session Scheduled
On Monday, March 24, the Mayor and Council will hold a budget work session at 7:30 PM in the Council Room. Observers welcome!
**IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ**
Washington Grove Taxpayers
Every year the Town of Washington Grove receives a portion of the Maryland State income tax paid by Town residents. Because our residents do not have mail delivered to street addresses, this presents a challenge for the State Comptroller's office when attributing the taxes collected to Washington Grove. It is critical that all Washington Grove residents (including renters!) designate "Washington Grove." For Maryland iFile, under "Name of county and incorporated city, town, or special taxing area in which you were a resident on the last day of the taxable period," select "Montgomery, Washington Grove" from the drop down menu. This block is separate from the address blocks. Turbo Tax and H&R Block software also include drop down menus where you may select "Montgomery County" and then "Washington Grove." Please share this information with your renters and your tax preparer if appropriate. 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 Treasurer Mary Challstrom at 301-926-4498.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 03.05.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Proposal to Move Required HPC Review to Earlier in the Approval Process
At its next meeting on Wed. March 5th, the Planning Commission (PC) will consider a proposed change of the PC rules for building permits: Prior to submitting a building permit application to the PC, the applicant must obtain a formal advisory review of the project by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). Currently, a copy of the building permit application is submitted to the HPC immediately after receipt by the PC. This proposed rule change would provide the HPC review at an earlier stage in the design process where it can be more effective in preservation of architectural features, compatibility with neighboring structures, and preservation of the visual character of the Town of Washington Grove. If this rule change is approved by the PC, the HPC review (when applicable) must accompany the building permit application. The HPC will be coordinating changes to its rules to correspond to this change at its meeting on March 18th. Both meetings are open to the public.
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 permits for more details. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permit applications as well.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 03.18.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. Meetings are open to the public.
From The Town Archives
by Patricia Patula, Town Archivist
Prisoners' Relief Society, Part Three
Despite the Town's rejection (September of 1942) of Dudding's request to build a cottage and outbuildings within the Town on Lots 1, 2, and 3 of Block 16, Dudding liked the Grove so much that in early 1943 he managed to rent Lot One of Block 16 for a Victory garden and "set about to make it ready for planting to do [his] bit toward the War Effort." In the process of preparing the garden, he cut down a pear tree and was informed he had violated a Town ordinance.
Dudding's letter of March 22, 1943 to the Town Council is full of apologies and detailed explanations of why he cut down a "seedling pear tree" on Lot 2 which was casting shade upon a portion of his Victory garden. He explains that he had checked with neighbors who thought it was alright to cut the tree. He saw others all around cutting trees for firewood and believed the pear fruit was of no value and rotted on the tree.
Dudding is almost desperate to prove to the Town Council that he is an honorable man and would never have willingly violated any ordinance. In this same letter of March 22, 1943, to prove his point, he enclosed six sheets of carbon copies, each having two recommendations as to Dudding's excellent character. These references were written by prominent personages in Washington D.C.
Dudding offers to pay any damages, but continues to write that he is very poor and has no savings or property because he devoted 28 years to charitable work without a salary. He sums up his case to the Town Council: "I came to Washington Grove because of the illness of my invalid wife and I want to go back to Washington without any blot on my stay here. Now I shall leave the subject with you."
Even though Dudding signed the letter at this point, he still had one more point to make in his favor. The post script reads: "I shall be 82 years old Oct. 16th comming." If you have any more information about Dudding and the Grove, please send it in to us.
Volunteers Needed
Do you have some extra time to fill? Can you type? Our Town Archivist is looking for volunteers to help type/transcribe old hand-written minutes. If you are interested, please contact the Town Office; [email protected] or 301-926-2256.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 04.16.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. Meetings are open to the public.
Film Society News
On March 9, we will be showing our last film of the 2013/2014 season, The Visitor. Two illegal immigrants have been squatting in a New York apartment owned by a solitary man. A tentative friendship with the intruders and a shared love of music bring him to a reawakening. A remarkable, understated performance by character actor Richard Jenkins is at the heart of this drama about human connections. Directed by Thomas McCarthy, 2007, USA, shown with English subtitles, 104 minutes. At McCathran Hall at 7 PM; $7 at the door.
Planning for next season. As in previous years, as the film season ends, the Film Society begins to think about selecting movies for the next season. Again, we will be looking for out-of-the-ordinary films, created in the U.S. and other countries. We seek movies that provide a fresh look at different cultures, explore questions of lasting interest, or incorporate interesting filmmaking techniques. We welcome suggestions from the Town about movies to show and also welcome new members who would like to join our group. We are a small group that loves to share information about interesting movies, and we watch a lot of films! Contact Freda Temple at [email protected] or 301-926-3066 for more details on upcoming planning meetings.
Get Your St. Patrick’s Day Groove On
On Sunday, March 16, from 3 to 7 p.m., a Ceili will be held at McCathran Hall. Come to hear the music, watch or join in the Irish dancing. Free to Town residents, but donations gladly accepted to help pay the band. Sponsored by the Washington Grove Recreation Committee.
Farewell Party for the Young’s.Mark Your Calendars!!
Join us for a party to celebrate the contributions of Pastor Judy Young and David Young to the Town and wish them good luck as they leave Washington Grove to embark on the next phase of their life. The party will be on May 4, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Town Hall. We’ll all share a good, old-fashioned Grove potluck dinner with the main course and soft drinks provided. Contributions of side dishes and desserts will be appreciated. For more information and to help with the party, contact Emily Cavey ([email protected]), Sylvie Favret ([email protected]), or Freda Temple ([email protected]).
Calling All SITP Campers, K-8th Grade!
Come make friends and life long memories! This year camp will be held from July 1st through the 25th and we would love to have every child in the Grove with us! We have a fun filled month of July planned, including Lake Days, Field Trips, water games, the return of Jamboree and more! Enrollment forms are due by April 30, 2014! Please see the attached enrollment form for campers. If you are interested in applying for a paid or volunteer position, please see the Washington Grove Website to download the Volunteer application form or e-mail Samantha Beres at[email protected]. The deadline for position and volunteer applications is March 30. If you are interested in helping to plan this year’s SITP, please contact Emily Cavey at 240-838-1840 or via email at [email protected]
Woman’s Club News
The February event is the Annual Chili Supper. March 8, 2014, McCathran Hall, 6:00 p.m. Had enough of snow, ice, railroad closures and cabin fever? Cheer up, the 2014 Woman's Club Chili Supper will shake those winter blues away! This always popular dinner, starting at 6 pm, Saturday, March 8, in McCathran Hall, is always a great chance to re-connect with friends and neighbors after the long winter’s hibernation! It’s free and all Grovers are invited.
To make the Supper a delicious success, we always need donations of the menu items: meat chili, vegetarian chili, cornbread, coleslaw, dessert and chips & salsa. Just contact either of this year's co-coordinators with your pledge of foodand chili chefs, please let us know the temperature your chili – mild, medium or hot.
- Pat Di Bella-Kreger [email protected]»»301 869-1907
- Lynne Lucas-Dreiss [email protected] »»301 869-9620
Forestry News
Mark Your Calendars!! Earth Day, Arbor Day, Woods Work Day, April 26, 2014. Details will follow in the April Bulletin.
Maple Lake News
Life Guards Needed! Applicants must be 17 years old and have a Red Cross Life Guard Certification. If you are interested please submit an application to the Town. Applications are available at the Town Office. Contact David Harmon (301-972-1417) ([email protected], or John Hutchison (301-926-8767) if you have any questions. If you know of someone who might be interested please pass them our contact information.
Mark Your Calendars!
- Lake Clean-up is scheduled for April 12, 2014.
- Next meeting: March 20th, 7:30 PM; Council Room.
WGUMC News
- March 5th – All welcome to the pancake & sausage supper at 6 pm, followed by Ash Wednesday service with imposition of ashes at 7:30 pm, at the church, 303 Chestnut Rd.
- March 23rd – 11 a.m. worship will include the Sunday school Easter Play!
Final Bulk Leaf Pick Up
Per our contract with US Lawns, the spring 2014 leaf pick up must be completed by April 1st. Residents have one final opportunity to have their spring leaves picked up by the big vacuum truck. Please be mindful not to block traffic with leaves on our narrow streets.
Recyclable Yard Waste Pick Up Begins
Recyclable yard waste pick up by Potomac Disposal begins again on March 6, 2014. Our trash contractor will pick up recyclable yard waste from your properly marked containers and/or large brown bags. You may also bundle your brush and tie it with twine. Bundles should be no larger than 30” in diameter and 4 feet in length. No individual pieces larger than 4 inches in diameter, please.