Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., in the Council Room.
Residents expressed concerns about excessive vehicular access on both Cherry and Second Avenues.
McCathran Hall Committee Needed
The Mayor and Council are looking for volunteers to serve on a McCathran Hall Committee. Hall rental requests have increased considerably and a review of policies and procedures is in order. Interested people should call the Town Office to sign up 301-926-2256.
Development Updates.
Casey Field As far as we know, storm water management and a bike trail are still debated issues with this property.
Shady Grove Master Plan Update
The final plan will be presented to M-NCPPC on December 5, 2003. You can see a copy of this plan at the Town Office or on their website at: www.mcparkandplanning.org
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Dec. 2, 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:
201 Brown St. Shed
3 Daylily La. Shed
503 McCauley St. Addition
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Nov. 18, 7:00 p.m. Council Room.
These meetings are open to the public. Reviews were written for all of the properties mentioned in the Planning Commission section of this Bulletin.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: January 7, 2004, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Mark Your Calendars for the Holiday Music Weekend!
Dec. 12 – 14, 2003
NUTCRACKER EXTRAVAGANZA SHOWS
The children of Washington Grove, under the direction of Carolyn Rapkievian, present the Nutcracker Suite. Come with your families and friends to one or both performances in McCathran Hall.
Friday, December 12 , 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 14 , 4:00 p.m.
(A special guest will visit following this show.)
WASHINGTON GROVE SINGERS ET AL.
Come to the traditional holiday choral concert on Saturday, December 13, 2003 , 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy traditional carols, music by John Rutter (“Mr. Christmas”), four-hand piano accompaniment and more!
Karate Anyone?
The Recreation Committee is still considering the idea of Karate instruction for Washington Grove kids and is sure that you simply forgot to respond. So far, there are 2 children interested. We will leave this opportunity open for another month so that those who missed this can have a second chance to respond. Interested people may call the Town Office at 301-926-2256.
New Playground Equipment
At long last the process of obtaining State Program Open Space funds to help with the purchase of a new piece of playground equipment is complete. The new equipment is geared towards 2 – 5 years olds and will be placed between the existing yellow/orange climber and the swings. A picture of the new piece can be seen in the Town Office. Volunteers are needed to help with site preparation and installation. Interested people are asked to call David Stopak at 301-330-6446.
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. Clubhouse.
Come and hear our famous Christiana Figueres Ritter on the topic of: “Bugs, trees and water: new financial mechanisms for conservation in Costa Rica.” Please note that there is no meeting in December.
Woman’s Club Publishes Grove Phone Directory
Is your Town phone book tattered and torn so that only you recognize it? Are you still using a directory from 1978? Come on over to the Town Office where new books are available for $3.00 each beginning Nov. 24, 2003. Copies are also available from Mary Challstrom at 301-926-4498 or Mary Kay DuBois at 301-926-8941. If you bought copies from the first printing last month, bring them in for replacement copies. The Woman’s Club of Washington Grove is grateful to the advertisers who helped make this publication possible.
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
Report Crimes & Suspicious Activity!
Mont. Co. Police non-emergency: 301-279-8000
Town Office: 301-926-2256
Betsy Klinger: 301-977-3517
“And here’s a word from our sponsor”. When leaving town for several days, ask your neighbor or your Block Captain to pick up your newspapers for you. Newspapers in the driveway are a strong indicator that no one is at home. If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, consider suspending your newspaper service until you return. If you don’t know who your Captain is or want more information about the Neighborhood Watch, call Chris Kirtz at 301-990-7935 or e-mail at [email protected].
The following items were reported to Neighborhood Watch since mid-October:
Grove Rd.: Oct. 15 & 17 cars egged during the night.
Near the Circle: tires deflated, same car 3 different times.
Grove Rd.: valve stems cut on tires at 2 locations.
McCauley St.: Oct. 31, badminton poles broken.
Maple Lake: gate and pump house locks destroyed, items thrown in the Lake. Vandalism on the pump house and the pump itself.
The Family of Catherine Groves (Winter) Sylvester
invites you to join them to celebrate her life on Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 2:00 p.m., in McCathran Hall. Mrs. Sylvester was born on July 17, 1923. She was a Grove resident from 1946 until her death on September 30, 2003.
Please Call Before Planting or Pruning
Though planting on and caring for public property in the Grove has long been encouraged, approval must be obtained first. Before you plant, trim or remove plant material, please call the Forestry Councilor or the Mayor to get a go-ahead.
Tree Inventory Update…
What are those blue disks on our Town trees? Thanks to the many folks who have been taking part in the Town Tree Inventory. As you walk around during these pleasant fall days, notice how many of our blue inventory number disks are now visible on the trees. We are almost 70% complete and the database is being created as each section is finished. Don’t worry if you want to get involved but haven’t volunteered as yet. There will be another call for volunteers as spring approaches. The goal is to be completed with the inventory in time to make a final report at the June 2004 Town meeting.
Have Some Mulch on Us!
If you are a regular walker in the East Woods, you’ve probably noticed the piles of mulch that appeared after Isabel. In an effort to save a few tax dollars and do a service for residents, the Mayor and Council authorized the dumping of wood chips in the East Woods. Why this location? Very simply, this area is easily accessible and it is a place where the leftover chips could be spread out to reduce the mud that is ever present there. These wood chips would be great for keeping down weeds or raising wet areas but will not benefit your soil. So, help yourselves!
Correction:
The Special Trash Pickup days advertised in the October Bulletin were incorrect. Please note that the dates in April and July are the 24th NOT the 26th.
Yard Waste Collection Ends for Season
November 26th will be the last collection date for brown bags or containers of recyclable yard waste for the season. This service will resume in early March. Town maintenance will pick up Christmas trees from the curb in late December.
Leaves are falling…
Leaf pickup began on or about November 1st. New and long-time residents alike are reminded that the Town contracts for the removal of leaves in bulk each autumn. US Lawns will make regular but unscheduled pickups of leaves raked or blown into windrows within six feet of any walkway or roadway, excluding Railroad Street, 2nd Ave., 3rd Ave., 4th Ave., 5th Ave., and Boundary Street. This service will continue through January 1, 2004, 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 place your windrows with an eye towards traffic visibility and flow, and don’t include brush or limbs that foul the vacuum. If you feel that a particular pile has been ignored for an inordinate amount of time, please call Tom Land at 301-869-4334 or at [email protected].
Start Your Education Early
The Mayor and Council would like to remind residents that our Town speed limit has been reduced to 15 mph. While waiting for the arrival and installation of the new speed limit signs, why not start practicing now!
********** Slogan Competition *********
And the winner is (drum roll): “Slow to 15, enjoy the scene”. The entry was submitted by the Shapiro/Philips household. Congratulations!
Town Truck for Sale
Our purchase of the maroon truck for Town Maintenance left us with 2 Town trucks. We have had a number of inquiries about purchasing the old, white truck. In an effort to be fair, the Mayor and Council decided to offer the truck to the highest bidder. Place your bids by phone (301-926-2256), in person at the Town Office, or via e-mail ([email protected]) by December 5, 2003.
Specs are as follows:
1989 Chevy “Cheyenne”
Full Size Pickup
62,167 Miles
This truck has been well-maintained but used hard. It is a work truck with very few “bells and whistles”. The Town will provide a list of what may be necessary to pass the Maryland State Inspection.
Washington Grove Film Society Presents
L’Argent: Directed by Robert Bresson, 1983, France. Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, 7:00 p.m.. Based on a story by Tolstoy, L’Argent traces the path of a forged 500-franc note. Bresson’s carefully composed indictment of materialism and amorality focuses on the aftermath of dramatic events, and the impact is harrowing.
Lost & Found.
Our lost and found, is quite a mound and no one knows its there. If your stuff is lost, perhaps it was tossed in our box that has no room to spare! Items will be given to charity if not claimed by December 31, 2003.
Clerk’s Corner
SLOW TO 15 – ENJOY THE SCENE!