Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday, July 12, 2002; 7:30 p.m., in the Council Room.
May Council actions included:
adoption of recommended budget and tax rate for FY 2005.
introduction of a new resolution which revises the McCathran Hall Rental/Use Policy.
Council Recommends FY 2005 Budget
The Town’s anticipated income and recommended expenditures for the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2004-June 30, 2005) are shown on the attached Town budget summary. The property tax rate is proposed to remain the same as last year at $0.217/$100 assessed valuation. This will produce approximately $10,000 in additional revenue over last year due to the rise in assessed valuation. The Mayor and Council determined that this additional revenue is necessary because of dramatic shortfalls in other income sources compounded by the effect of inflation over the last ten years. The Town has suffered a decrease in the amount of revenue received from its share of State income tax receipts, as well as a decline in State highway user revenue. This comes at a time when the Grove is planning several major road resurfacing projects. The dwelling unit charge is proposed to remain the same as last year at $125/dwelling. This charge is directly tied to the cost of refuse and recycling collection. Copies of the budget detail are available at the Town Office. Questions may be directed to Treasurer Mary Challstrom at 301-926-4498 or Mayor John Compton at 301-330-8264. Votes to adopt the proposed budget and tax rate will be taken by Townspeople assembled at the Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, June 12.
Town Elections
Nominations for Mayor and Council have closed.
Town elections will be held on
Saturday, June 12, from 4 – 7 p.m. at McCathran Hall.
The nominees are:
Mayor (1-year term) John Compton
Council (two 3-year terms) Linda Baim
Betsy Klinger
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.
Town Meeting
Saturday, June 12, 2004 at 8:00 p.m.
In our unique form of government your voice can be heard. There are many things happening around and in our Town these days. Come join in the discussion and see what it’s all about! A small reception will follow the meeting.
New Regulations for McCathran Hall
In January, a McCathran Hall Committee was appointed to study the current resolution governing the use & rental of our Town Hall. The Committee presented a new application form, resolution and recommendations for continued use/rental of the McCathran Hall at the April meeting of the Town Council. After revisions by the Mayor and Council, an amended resolution was introduced at the May 12th Council meeting. Changes in the rental/use policy are as follows:
Increased operating budget to allow for more thorough cleaning.
Increased the fee for all uses.
Added new requirements for a resident sponsored activity.
Included more specific language with regards to loud noise and hours of use.
Added a release of liability form to the application.
Other changes to the wording of the resolution were made to clarify and/or redefine regulations. The McCathran Hall Committee also strongly recommended that the Mayor and Council consider installing air conditioning in the octagon. The proposed resolution will be available to the public on Friday, May 21, 2004 in the Town Office.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: June 1, 2004; 7:30 p.m. 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:
205 Maple Ave. New Home
211 Maple Ave. Remodel/Porch
301 First Ave. Remodel/Add.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: June15, 2004, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend. Please note that the meetings will now start at 7:30 p.m..
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: July 28, 2004, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend. The July meeting will be the start of new leadership for the Recreation Committee. Mary Kay Dubois and Missy Yachup are taking the reins. Special thanks to Kathi Carey-Fletcher, resigning chairperson, for her long-term commitment to this committee. Brava!!
A Tradition Returns.
Instead of the Hot Dog Picnic, this year’s 4th of July celebration will include a potluck supper at the fireplace in Woodward Park. Look for more information in the June Bulletin.
Music Weekend is Coming!
FRIDAY, JUNE 18TH, 8:00 p.m.
Come to a fun evening of “Home Grown” music in McCathran Hall.
There is still room on this program for performers. If you are interested, call the Town Office at 301-926-2256.
SATURDAY, JUNE 19TH
10:00 a.m.: Come to a children’s recital in McCathran Hall.
8:00 – 10:00 p.m.: Come hear the Rock & Roll Relics at The Gazebo*. Bring a picnic to enjoy before the show and don’t forget your dancin’ shoes.
SUNDAY, JUNE 20th, 10:30 a.m.
Baroque Breakfast at The Gazebo*.
Bring a breakfast food to share. Beverages and table service is provided.
(*In case of rain, event will be in McCathran Hall.)
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Thursday, June 17th, 7:30 p.m. at the home of Terry Kirtz. Jocelyn Harris and Debbie Galbamez from Meridian’s Massage Therapists will discuss the benefits of massage therapy and give a demonstration. Now doesn’t that sound relaxing!
Attention All Yard Sale Patrons !!
The Annual Woman’s Club Yard sale will NOT happen this year. In its place we will be having an auction on October 2, 2004.
Woman’s Club Auction Coming!
On Saturday, October 2, 2004 the Woman’s Club will be holding an auction to raise funds for capital improvements to the clubhouse. Brenda Gumula (301)869-5118 and Terry Kirtz (301)990-7935 are chairing this event and are encouraging all town residents to save the date and begin identifying items to donate for this event. Club members will begin calling soon to ask for help. So, mark the date on your calendars!
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
Just a reminder to keep your bushes and hedges trimmed around your houses in order to eliminate attractive hiding places. Also, it’s a good time to check your outside lights. [email protected].
Incident Report:
4/19: A resident called the Police to report a recently abandoned car near the old farm house on Ridge Road. Police identified it as a stolen car and contacted the owner. Many thanks to the observant resident!
Maple Lake News
Next meeting: May 25th;7:30 p.m.; Council Room
The lake will be open for weekend use, with lifeguards, starting on May 29th at noon. Daily use will begin on June 15th and run through Labor Day weekend. Lifeguards will be on duty from noon until 6:00 p.m.. The Lake Committee is happy to announce that swimming instructor Courtney Osborne will be back with us again this year. As usual, the swimming program will be coordinated with Summer In The Parks. Please see attached swimming registration form or call Sharon Hurst 301-948-2424 for more details.
Next Time..Power Equipment!
After much hard work, the new playground equipment was finally installed. Many thanks go to many people. First, thanks to Nick Suzich & Amy Porter for their efforts in identifying and selecting the structure that was purchased this year. Thanks to the “ground crew” whose backs are still recovering; JoAnn Suzich, Rich Hilpert, Betsy & John Klinger, John Porter, Eric Selby and Pete McMahon. This “barn-raising”, all day affair had people coming and going throughout the day and could not have happened without the efforts of so many volunteers. Thank you to Chris Brown, Bruce Crise, Rich Hilpert, Sean Kelly, Betsy & John Klinger, Bruce London, John Lottes, Pete McMahon, Dewy Opfermann, Eric Selby, Tad Stahnke, Nick Suzich and Ted Yachup! Finally, big thank-you’s to coordinator David Stopak and to Jim Fletcher and Bruce Rothrock who devoted most of their Saturday after the usual weekly duties. In addition to the real sense of accomplishment in completing this project, a good time was had by all.
Who’s Painting our Roads?
As you know, the road repair contract was awarded to AB Veirs & Sons Paving Company. The paint on the roads is step two in getting this project off the ground. Work could begin as soon as the first week in June. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.
Name that Trash!
Was it recyclable yard waste, trash or co-mingled recycling? Who ever thought that trash could get this complicated? If you find that Waste Management has missed your house please call Tom Land 301-869-4334 and the Town Office 301-926-2256. If you have to leave a message please identify the type of miss so that we can accurately report the information to Waste Management. Thanks!
Bathrooms Locked
The bathrooms at the Maintenance Garage in Woodward Park are now locked. Please call the Town Office to get the combination.
Did you see it?
The Circle was the recipient of a major raking and clean-up by energetic volunteers Rebecca Richters, George Paine and Bruce Rothrock. Big kudos to the 3 “clean-up fairies” for making The Circle so pretty this spring!!
Clerk’s Corner
A soccer ball and a bicycle are the newest additions to the Town lost and found box. If you think that they belong to you, please call the Town Office 301-926-2256. If you have bushes that hang into the roadway, please make an effort to prune them a bit so they don’t limit visibility. Thanks!