Town Council Notes
Next meeting: Monday, December 9, 2002 7:30 p.m., in the Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
November Council actions included:
The Council scheduled a work session for revisions of the Town Master Plan on December 2, 2002 at 7:30 p.m..
Casey Field Update.
A revision to the Oxbridge development plan now being reviewed at Park & Planning was received and Mayor Compton submitted a letter to the developer commenting on the positive and negative features vis- » -vis Town issues. Some major issues raised by Park & Planning have not been resolved, specifically those concerning storm water management, wetlands committee approval of the siting of the primary extension of Amity Drive, and the need to complete the connection of this road through to Crabb’s Branch Way. The wetland committee will meet on December 9th to review the road site plan.
Shady Grove Sector Master Plan Update.
The charrette on November 6th providing an opportunity for community input for planning around the Shady Grove Metro Station was heavily attended, and included 7-8 Town residents. Led by Park & Planning facilitators, 8 or so randomly assigned groups of attendees brainstormed and then presented visions for the Metro vicinity of the future. Many of these took the form of a Town village/center that included denser development including employment, retail, housing and buildings at the core. Solutions to the critical transportation issues of through traffic and Metro/transitway/highway access must precede/coincide with redevelopment. A faction of Derwood residents expressed fears that their community would be ignored and overshadowed by such development and they were against any changes in the area. The Transportation Focus Group invited by Park and Planning was continued to November 19th. Several Town representatives will be attending. The second Charrette for community input is scheduled for December 11th and will focus on Shady Grove Road area of the sector. This is certainly of major interest and impact on Washington Grove, and all who are interested are urged to attend and provide your input!
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: December 3, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend. Proposed Ordinance revisions will continue to be on the agenda of the Planning Commission.
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. The Town must first sign off all applications for County-required building permits. The Historic Preservation Commission will also review ALL permits.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: December 17, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Building permit applications were reviewed and comments forwarded to the applicants for: an addition at 415 Center Street & an addition at 302 Chestnut Avenue.
The HPC continues to work on its policies & procedures. The most recent addition is the institution of set monthly meetings. The HPC will now meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Be Alert.Help Stop Petty Crime!
As some of you are aware, we have experienced another wave of petty crime in Town. If your property is stolen, vandalized, or if you observe suspicious behavior, please call the Police. The Police dispatcher for non-emergencies phone number is 301-279-8000. Even if it is determined that no officer needs to come to the scene, the incident becomes part of a record on which the Police and the Town can rely. After calling the Police, please report the incident to David Stopak, Councilor in charge of Safety Issues, at 301-330-6446 or e-mail: [email protected] Petty crimes are often crimes of opportunity. Common sense precautions like locking doors remain effective deterrents. There is talk of instituting a Neighborhood Watch program. Please direct feedback about this idea to David Stopak as well.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: January 8, 2003, 7:30 p.m. Council Room
“Dances with Mayors”
Thanks for the Memories!
My most heartfelt thanks to Kathi Carey-Fletcher and her wonderful Recreation Committee; to Town Clerk Kathy Lehman (work long and hard enough and the Mayor’s Line Dance will be yours!) and to the inspired dancing Mayors of Washington Grove, Don McCathran, Bob Evans, Barbara Hawk, Charlie Challstrom Marc Hansen, Elly Briggs, Carol Uhlendorf, Ann Briggs and John Compton – it was truly a night to remember. If we needed any more evidence that Washington Grove involves total collaboration, Saturday night was it! Thanks to all for your warm wishes and for the opportunity to serve the Town I love.
Mary Challstrom
Mousetrap Concert Tickets
Give the gift that gives all year long! Mousetrap Concert tickets are still available. The next concert is November 23th and features pianist, Claude Frank and cellist, Tanya Anisimova. For more info. call 301-926-6347 or301-926-2858.
Children’s Holiday Choir
Rehearsals for the children’s choir are scheduled for December 7th & 14th at 10:00 a.m.. If you have questions, please call Clare Cavicchi, 301-869-1827 or Rose McCathran 301-869-5358.
Autumn Leaves Are Falling.
New and long-time residents alike are reminded that the Town contracts for the removal of leaves in bulk each autumn. U.S. Lawns will make regular but unscheduled pickups of leaves raked or blown into windrows within six (6) feet of any walkway or roadway, excluding Railroad Street, 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue, 4th Avenue, 5th Avenue, and Boundary Street. This service begins November 1st and ends January 1, 2003, or as soon thereafter as we agree that the work is complete. This is your opportunity to have leaves removed without the additional work and expense of bagging.
Please do not place windrows in the middle of the avenue or the street!
Place your windrows with an eye towards traffic visibility and flow, and don’t include brush or limbs that foul the vacuum. Happy raking! It’s a rite of autumn, particularly in a town graced by so many beautiful deciduous trees.
If you feel that a particular pile has been ignored for an inordinate amount of time, please call Nick Suzich at 301-869-9638 or, preferably, e-mail at [email protected].
Yard Waste Collection Ends for the Season
November 27th will be the last collection date for brown bags or containers of recyclable yard waste. Collection will resume in March 2003.
Water Bill Excesses
Two properties in Town, 111 Chestnut and 409 Center, have recently received bills 5 and 3 times their previous highest bill — $500.00 and $1,500.00 respectively. In order to “prove” to the WSSC that these figures are unwarranted, it would be helpful to know of other properties in the Grove that have received similar distorted bills. If anyone has other recent examples of meter reading errors, please e-mail them to Diana Talbert at [email protected] or telephone 301-926-5283.
Ballroom Dance Instruction!
If you have an interest in having an instructor teach standard and latin partner dancing in the Town Hall, Please call Meredith Horan at 301-926-1054.
Clerk’s Corner
Making the illegal turns at McCauley Street & Washington Grove Lane by residents only encourages cut-through traffic.
The Lost and Found in the Town Office is taking up too much space. If items are not claimed by Dec. 16, 2002, they will be taken to the Goodwill or Salvation Army.
Would the person who “picked up” the 3-tined, long-handled weeding tool in Woodward Park, please call the Town Office. The owner would like it back!