Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 05.21.12 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the April 9th Council meeting included:
- Adoption of Resolution 2012-02; Resolution Regarding Proposed Redevelopment of the Towne Crest Apartments.
- Approval of a “No Parking Sign” at the end of Daylily Lane in order to provide open space for turning around.
- Conditional approval to remove the pole and light in front of McCathran Hall and a light on Cherry Ave. provided there is unanimous agreement by the surrounding residents.
Council Recommends FY 2013 Budget
At their April 9th meeting, the Town Council approved the Mayor’s submitted budget and tax rate for the 2013 Fiscal Year (FY). The Town’s anticipated income and recommended expenditures for the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013) are shown on the attached Town budget summary. The Town Council recommends that the Town property tax rate increase to $0.317/$100 assessed valuation. Although this is a higher RATE than last year, because the property valuations have decreased, the net tax for the Town is the same. Last year $0.01 of tax rate generated $10,364 while this year $0.01 of tax rate generates $7,198. This is the “constant yield rate” as determined by the Maryland State Department of Taxation. Mary has included a definition of this on page 3 of the budget details. If you want to review the budget details before you pick them up at the Town office or on Election Day, they are posted on the Town web site. The dwelling unit charge, which is tied to the cost of trash and recycling collection, will reflect the lower trash/recycling bid the Council accepted on April 9. It will be reduced from $225 per dwelling last year to $97 per dwelling this year. Reductions in State highway user revenue, County municipal tax duplication revenues, and the Town’s share of State income tax revenue, have continued about as we expected.
Questions may be directed to Treasurer Mary Challstrom at 301-926-4498 or Mayor Georgette Cole at 301-330-6740. Votes to adopt the proposed budget and tax rate will be taken by qualified voters assembled at the annual Town Meeting on Saturday, May 12. See you there!
Town Elections
Town elections are coming up on May 12. We have one nomination for Mayor (Georgette Cole) and two for Council member (Greg Silber and David Young). Our two new candidates are both residents of long standing. If you haven’t met them yet, here is a bit of introductory information:
- Greg Silber has been a Town resident since 1999. He works at the Office of Protected Resources and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. His education and current work focused on biology, marine ecology, and study and conservation of dolphins, whales and other marine life — including field studies in Mexico, Hawaii, California, and the high Arctic.
- David Young has lived in Washington Grove since 2008. He retired from USDA after 32 years as a Foreign Service officer and recently has been teaching English as a Second Language to several students in Gaithersburg.
Absentee Ballots
Residents who wish to vote by absentee ballot must call Meredith Horan to arrange for this. Only ballots that are received by 7:00 p.m. on the 12th will be counted. Meredith can be reached at 301-926-1054.
Town Meeting
Annual Town Meeting is set for May 12, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. with refreshments to follow the meeting.
Town Council Organizational Meeting Set
The annual Organizational Meeting of the Mayor and Town Council is scheduled for May 21, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
New Street Lights
We have discovered that the new induction bulbs are not the ones we thought we had ordered. The correct bulb should be shorter and less lumens (brightness). The Town is working with our Pepco contractor to resolve this situation. Carolyn Rapkievian (Chair of the Outdoor Lighting Advisory Committee) and Charlie Challstrom (Planning Commission Chair) will be updating the Town on this evolving situation at the Annual Town Meeting on May 12. The Outdoor Lighting Advisory Committee and the Council liaison for Safety are coordinating the shield requests sent to them by the Town Office. Please continue to send your requests for shields, light removals and light additions to Kathy Lehman at the Town office.
The Outdoor Lighting Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday May 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. ALL Town residents are welcome to attend.
Washington Grove Lane sidewalk replacement
Montgomery County is moving ahead with replacement of the sidewalk along Washington Grove Lane. The new sidewalk will be far better designed for the needs of Moms-with-strollers and users with wheelchairs. The County expects to send notification letters to the adjacent property owners in May. Once resident concerns are addressed and the impact on both private and public trees has been evaluated, construction will be scheduled. They hope to start construction in June or July.
Woodward Park Gate Closing Assistance
We encourage YOU to join the "Oak Street Gate Closing Committee". All you have to do is close the gate at the Woodward Park lot if you are walking by after dark. This should help discourage use of the parking lot after sunset. Our sign specifies that the park closes at sunset.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 05.02.12 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
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. 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.
Permits up for approval on April 4:
- 358 Ridge Road » fence
Permits up for discussion on May 2:
- 416 Center St. » sunroom
- 117 WG Lane » solar panels
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 05.15.12 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. Meetings are open to the public. The HPC encourages residents to come for an early consultation when planning a renovation.
Fifth and Final in a Series
The Historic Preservation Commission Design Guidelines for Exterior Changes have been included in the Bulletin over the past five months. We hope the series has deepened your appreciation of our Town’s unique physical characteristics. This month’s segment examines the contribution of our homes’ elements and detailing to the Town’s character.
Elements and Detailing
- "Eclectic integrated assemblages" of details.
- Ample use of windows on all sides of the house, single or in pairs, proportioned and positioned consistent with the original windows, encouraging connection between the inside with the outside.
- Use of "high windows in the ends of the gables, both rectangular and the more evocative Gothic rose windows, …to introduce light into the long narrow spaces, …to lighten the gable end, thus allowing those inside to view the trees and the constantly changing light as the sun moves through them."
- Extensive use of gabled, shed or eyebrow dormer windows in the high-pitched roofs making possible the “use of the high interior spaces as a ‘renovated’ second floor.”
- Doors and large windows opening onto porches to encourage the integration of inside and out.
- Wide-boarded window trim where located in wood siding and no trim where located in stucco.
- Gable and barge board ornamentation and porch detailing compatible with "the use of gingerbread (that) is perhaps the most interesting aspect of Grove houses. Certainly its use is one of the reasons that houses take on a unifying character…Taken from the Victorian style of carving the woodwork of porches, dormers, and other elements of the façade, this scroll work is in keeping with the early residents’ desire to upgrade their cottages."
- Classical detailing of porches that can reflect the eclectic spirit of the cottages.
- The scale & character of new construction should be compatible with the scale & character of this type of detailing.
Ideas Illustrating Design Guidelines by Bob Booher includes photographs of various homes in Town that exemplify selected aspects of the guidelines, and can be found on the Town website.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 06.20.12@ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!
Teen Bad Movie Night #2
Attention all teens in Town ages 12-18. Teen Bad Movie Night #2 is coming to McCathran Hall on Friday, May 11 at 7p.m.
We will be showing some funny movie "shorts" and a Mystery Science Theater classic! Pizza and sodas will be served. Bring your pillows, sleeping bags and blankets to lie on while taking in these classic flicks. Please RSVP to [email protected] if you will be coming so we know how much pizza and soda to buy. No younger siblings please. This is just for Town teens. The chaperones will stay downstairs…for the most part.
Save these Dates!
Polka Dance with The Continentals – Fri., June 15 McCathran Hall, 7:30-10:30 p.m., no charge
Get out your dancing shoes and get ready for Washington’s premiere polka band. Kicking off Music Weekend, this versatile group of musicians will play a wide variety of dance music. Check out their website at www.mikesurratt.com.
Mark your calendars to enjoy Music Weekend, June 15-17. King Soul will return on Saturday, June 16 at the Gazebo and Homewood Brass will perform at the Baroque Breakfast on Sun., June 17.
More details to follow in upcoming Town Bulletins.
All events sponsored by the Washington Grove Recreation Committee
Zumba Is Here!
Wednesday nights 7:30-8:30 in McCathran Hall, April 11th – May 30th.
Join us for an energizing hour of zumba! Our class will be “low-impact” but aerobic. We’ll dance salsa, hip hop, flamenco, merengue, and other fun styles to high-energy Latin and international songs. No dance experience needed and all fitness levels are welcome at this drop-in class – come for one class or come for all eight! Cost is $5.00/class payable to Washington Grove.
Sponsored by the Recreation Committee.
Calling all Young Musicians and other Artistic Performers for Music Weekend!
Washington Grove’s Annual Children’s Recital and Reception will be on Saturday June 16, 10-11:30 a.m. at the McCathran Hall. All are encouraged to perform, by playing an instrument, singing, reciting poetry, dancing or any other musical or performance related activity. High school and college age participants are very welcome, as are intergenerational family acts!
If you would like to participate, please send Tad Stahnke ([email protected]) and Catherine Simmons ([email protected]) the following information:
Name of performer, instrument(s) (if any), name of composer & piece (or, if not music, name of performance), approximate amount of time needed and name of accompanist (if any). We need to have this information no later than Wednesday, June 13 to prepare the program. If you are in need of an accompanist, you must make your own arrangements.
Parents or participants are also asked to sign up to help with set-up, purchasing roses for performers, bringing baked goods, healthy snacks or beverages for the reception and clean up. Please let us know when you send the other information.
***If another volunteer would like to set up a youth art show in the lower level of McCathran Hall, that would be most welcome.*** Thank you!
Tad Stahnke, Catherine Simmons and Sita Strother
Amazing Astronomical Event!!
Due to a significant skew of the Earth’s position in relation to the Sun and the Moon, the Washington Grove July 4 Ball Game and Picnic will occur this year on Sunday, July 1. Check your June Bulletin for more details of this breathtaking event!
WGUMC News
- May 19th – Grove Relief Project for 2012 – Through Rebuilding Together of Montgomery County, we are in the process of arranging our building project, possibly a deck for a trailer home. Check with Judy for more info at [email protected]
- June 3rd, 11 a.m. – All are welcome to join in our worship celebration of Judy’s tenuring as a United Methodist pastor, as well as the confirmation of our teen class.
- June 30th, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Enjoy a church Yard Sale and snacks at the parsonage, 101 Center St.
Woman’s Club News
The Woman’s Club hosts our Flower Show, "Love’s Truest Language," on May 20 in the Woman’s Club House. Your mailbox will sprout a pamphlet blooming with more details the week before the show. Entries may be submitted from 8:15-10:15 a.m. The show is open to the public from 1:00-4:00 p.m. during which time refreshments will be served. Great door prizes will be awarded at 3:45 p.m. All are invited to attend.
Contact information: Joli McCathran: 301-869-5358 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Thanks in advance to all the volunteers who make this such a special event!
The Woman’s Club yard sale will be on Saturday, June 2 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the clubhouse. Please leave your clean, usable items (no clothing) on the porch of the clubhouse starting May 27 until the sale on June 2. Kitty Vogan ([email protected]) and Meredith Horan ([email protected]) have volunteered to chair the sale this year and need many helping hands. Contact them to offer yours today!
Progressive Porch Party
For our June 21st Woman’s Club Meeting we would like to showcase some of the uniquely beautiful, but private places in Washington Grove. We would like to visit several porches in Town. If you would like to either offer your porch for the Progressive Porch Party Tour or help provide refreshments at one of the porches, please contact Joan Mahaffey, [email protected] or 240-631-8064. Please respond by May 20 so we can organize the tour in time for the June bulletin.
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Lake Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 05.09.12@ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The clean-up volunteers and Town Maintenance have cleared the banks, repaired the fence and fixed up the lake for swimming season.
Party Permits
Permits for parties at Maple Lake must be obtained from Sally Mansfield, 301-977-3189. Residents are reminded that this permit does not allow you exclusive use of the lake but it will entitle you to use the picnic tables.
There Will Be Swimming!
Swim lessons will be offered in the afternoon following Summer In The Parks from June 29 to July 27. Please fill out the swim lesson sign-up form found in this Bulletin and return it to Tom Land at P.O. Box 305 or at 313 Brown Street. For more information call Tom at 301-869-4334.
Maple Lake Rules!!
Yes, it does and, yet, there are rules to follow. A full set of rules are in this Bulletin. Fishing regulations can be viewed in the kiosk at the lake.
Landscape Chips Available
Residents are invited to help themselves to the pile of Wood Chips at Grove Road and Dorsey Street (the stop sign across from 409 6th Avenue). These are great for paths, landscaping and the compost pile. They should not be used as mulch around plants until they age a few months. Get yours now and store them away until fall.
MARC Train Riders
Delegate Kirill Reznik joined with a bi-partisan group of legislators who are working to advocate on behalf of their constituents for improved and expanded MARC service. MTA will host a town hall meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the new proposed Brunswick Line schedule. The Montgomery County meeting is on Tuesday, May 22, 5:30 – 8:30 PM; Council Office Building, Ground Level Auditorium; 100 Maryland Ave.; Rockville, MD. If you would like a copy of the proposed new schedule please contact Delegate Reznik’s office at [email protected] or 301-540-0054.
Website News
Suffer from CRA (Can’t Remember Anything)? The Town website has Town Council, Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission minutes dating back to 1999! You can also find building permit applications, SITP registration forms, swim lessons forms and a host of other handy-dandy information. Check it out!
BULK TRASK COLLECTION SCHEDULED
The Town has scheduled a bulk trash collection for May 19, 2012. Materials may include furniture, appliances (nothing with freon like air conditioning units), rugs, large toys, small auto parts, etc. Material may NOT include construction by-products from your renovation projects, large automotive parts or tires. Items should not contain gasoline or motor oil. Please keep your metal separate from the rest of your trash. Items should be placed "curbside" by 7:00 a.m.