Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 11.12.07 @ 7:30 p.m. & Monday » 11.26.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the Oct. 8th and Oct. 29th meetings included:
authorization to purchase a water wagon for watering the athletic field and new trees.
decision to form a study group to review the current permitting policy for the use of Woodward Park.
approval/enactment of Ordinance 2007-09; Penalties and Enforcement of Town Ordinances. A summary is as follows;
Establish a system and schedule for fines to be imposed for municipal infractions in connection with violations of the Town’s Code of Ordinances.
Identify those persons charged with prosecuting such enforcement actions.
Revise out-dated language regarding penalties for misdemeanor violations.
Codify the inherent power of the Town to seek injunctive relief to abate any violations, and recover costs and attorneys’ fees for any such action.
Revise the ‘Severability’ language contained within the Code.
Clarify that all previous versions of Article IX are superseded by this Ordinance.
approval/enactment of Ordinance 2007-07; Home Occupations in Principal Residences. This ordinance change will require that the operator of a home occupation in a residential zone must be a resident of the property involved, and that the property involved must be the “principal residence” of that same resident.
introduction of Ordinance 2007-10; Cable Franchise – Cavalier Telephone.
authorization for Town representation by attorney David Podolsky in the Cavalier Telephone franchise agreement.
Casey 6 and 7 Preliminary Plan
The preliminary plan for these properties was approved on October 18, 2007. The field behind Roberts Oxygen will be placed in a 20 month reservation for potential purchase by Park & Planning for future ballfields and park land.
LOS Condemnation
Park & Planning has filed a motion to reconsider. Attorney Bil Chen has filed a Town response.
Piedmont Crossing
A hearing on this proposed development is scheduled for Nov.1, 2007. A number of deficiencies will be addressed by the Town, including wetlands recharge, landscaping along Ridge Road, well water impact and especially the density changes from the Preliminary Plan.
Public Comment Session about Restricted Turns at McCauley Street
The Mayor and Council are considering altering the current restrictions on turns at McCauley St. and Washington Grove Lane. The proposal is to prohibit right turns from McCauley St. onto W.G. Lane from 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Monday – Friday only, with the same prohibition for left turns from W.G. Lane onto McCauley Street. These turns would be permitted all other times of the day. You are invited to a public comment session on November 12, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room at McCathran Hall. And another chance to be heard!
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Washington Grove Town Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 12, 2007, 7:30 p.m., in McCathran Hall, 300 Grove Avenue, Washington Grove, Maryland. The purpose of this hearing is to take public comment regarding the proposed Ordinance No. 2007-10; Cable Franchise. This ordinance will grant Cavalier IPTV, LLC a non-exclusive franchise for the operation of a cable communications system within the corporate limits of the Town of Washington Grove.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 11.07.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in 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:
215 W.G. Lane » Fence
106 Ridge Rd. » Addition & Porch
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 11.20.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Reviews were written for the following:
106 Ridge Rd. » Addition & Porch
114 Ridge Rd. » Shed
215 W. G. Lane » Shed
Neighborhood Watch News
Report Crimes & Suspicious Activity!
Mont. Co. Police non-emergency: 301-279-8000
Town Office: 301-926-2256
David Stopak: 301-330-6446
Betsy Klinger: 301-977-3517
Keith Gillis/Leigh Partington: 301-208-1437
Incident Report:
Follow up on break-ins – Police arrested 2 teenage males in connection with the break-ins in the Grove and elsewhere in August. The boys live in an adjacent neighborhood and confessed to the crimes.
Follow up on Sept 29 shooting – police believe this was an isolated incident and not a sign of escalating violent crime in the Grove. Victim is in stable condition. No other details available due to on going investigation.
September 25: Police activity. 200 block Hickory Rd – Police in five squad cars stopped a vehicle with three teenagers inside; allegedly a drug bust.
September 25: Suspicious Activity. The Circle – About 11:30 p.m., resident sitting at computer in front of a ground-floor window was startled by a male walking past the window. Suspect ran off when a motion sensor light suddenly came on. Incident was reported to the police.
September 29: Shooting. Hickory Rd behind commercial corner – Officers responded to the report of a shooting that occurred behind the Washington Grove Post Office just after 8:30 p.m. The victim was sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot when five black males emerged from a wooded area and began firing a handgun. The victim was struck in the shoulder and torso area and taken to hospital. Shooters escaped in a black sedan.
October 6: Suspicious Activity. 200 block Grove Rd – 11:30 p.m. police responded to report of a man in car parked near the tennis courts.
October 9: Suspicious Activity. 400 block 5th Ave. – White Toyota 4-Runner parked in front of house with evidence that someone was living in it.
Please report criminal or suspicious activity to your Neighborhood Watch Block Captain or Coordinators. Filing a police report, too, helps the police department keep track of criminal incidents and is necessary for police to take action. Of course, for emergency situations call 911.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 11.28.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!
Mousetrap Concert Two
Piano and Cello!
Sunday, November 18 @ 3 p.m. in McCathran Hall
301-926-2858 for tickets
Playgroup Forming
A playgroup is being organized for children ages 0-4. It will meet once a week in the morning hours. For more information and to be added to the list, please contact Sarinah Kalb; [email protected] or 301-330-9359.
Holiday Revels
Mark your calendars. This years Holiday Concert is scheduled for Saturday, December 15, 2007. For more information please contact David or Carolyn Rapkievian at 301-519-2021.
Film Society
On November 11 at 7:00 p.m., the Washington Grove Film Society will be presenting “Donnie Darko.” Defying classification, the wildly original Donnie Darko encompasses teen comedy, science fiction, family drama, horror, and satire. Jake Gyllenhaal, in a standout performance, portrays a delusional adolescent obsessed with time travel and haunted by apocalyptic visions. Can you locate the line between hallucination and reality? The film runs 113 minutes. Tickets at the door are $7.00. Please join us for a discussion after the film.
Let’s Talk Art Show
Many thanks to all those who helped with and came to the art show! So much talent in one small town…WOW!
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Thursday » 11.15.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Clubhouse.
Please join us for the next meeting of the Woman’s Club where the speaker for the evening will be new Grove resident David Keplinger. Mr. Keplinger is an associate professor of literature at American University and the author of three books of poetry and one work in translation. He has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and other organizations. His 2006 collection “The Prayers of Others” recently won the Colorado Book Award.
WGUMC News
Music, art, and the environment dominate interfaith and celebratory activities at WGUMC this month.
Nov. 9th; 7:30 p.m.: Environmental Ethics discussion continues.
Nov. 11th; 11:00 a.m.: Anniversary Service. Guest musicians are the youth bell choir of Mill Creek Parish. All are welcome.
Nov. 21st; 7:30 p.m.: An Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will rejoice in music performed by David Rapkievian, Craig English, Dick Cavicchi, and Cantor Susan Berkson; George Paine’s inspiring photos of the Grove; and the reading of President Lincoln’s Thanksgiving proclamation.
Dorsey Street Stops
Tell us what you think. The Mayor & Council are interested in feedback about the new stop signs that are now installed at Dorsey St. and Grove Rd. Send you comments to PO Box 216, [email protected] or call 301-926-2256.
Bulk Trash Pick Up Scheduled
A bulk trash pick up is scheduled for Saturday, November 10, 2007. Collection may include furniture, appliances (not those with Freon), rugs, large toys, small auto parts, etc…Materials may NOT include construction by-products, large automotive parts, or tires. Please place all items “curbside” by 7:00 a.m..
Bridge Players at it Again
Play bridge? Want to learn? Join us Mondays, 7:30 p.m., Horan’s at 127 Maple Road.
Falling…
New and long-time residents alike are reminded of the Town contract 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 begins November 1 and ends January 1, 2008, 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.
Weather frequently affects this process, as rain can restrict movement of large trucks on the avenues. Also, one or two spectacular fall weekends in November or early December usually see most of us raking at the same time. As the contractor will time pickups based on the availability of full truckloads for vacuuming, if you rake when most other people rake the windrows will probably disappear relatively quickly. If you feel that a particular pile has been ignored for an inordinate amount of time, please call Kathie Evans at 301-869-7816 or e-mail her at [email protected]
Please 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 the rite of autumn, particularly in a town graced by so many beautiful deciduous trees.
Final Recyclable Yard Waste Pick Up
Per our contract with Montgomery County Sanitation and Recycling, November 29th will be the last date for collection of your big brown bags, bundles, or containers of recyclable yard waste for this year. This service will resume in early March. Town Maintenance will continue to collect your reasonably-sized brush piles.
Holiday Trash & Recycling Pickup Schedule
Trash & recycling pickup scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 22rd will occur on Friday, November 23th.
Recycling Questions & Answers…
Q: What kind of plastics can be recycled?
A: All clear and colored plastic bottles with necks (regardless of the resin number on the bottom).
Q: Can other plastics with resin codes be recycled?
A: No. Unfortunately, no other plastics can be recycled. Ex: yogurt containers, margarine tubs, pint-sized baskets for fruit, beverage cups, salad bar containers, flower pots. These are all no-no’s.
Q: What about the lids and/or caps?
A: Lids/caps are not recyclable. Please put lids/caps into the trash.
Q: Can’t we just recycle anything with a resin code?
A: No. Resin codes (numbers on the bottom) no longer determine whether an item is recyclable or not. If the plastic container has a narrow neck (like a bottle), then you may recycle it. Anything else should be put into the trash.
Q: What about batteries?
A: Dry cell and alkaline batteries used in flashlights, toys, and appliances are no longer considered to be hazardous waste. Manufacturers responded to environmental concerns, and now produce dry cell and alkaline batteries that are virtually free of mercury. Therefore, these batteries may be disposed of in your household trash.
Q: What about button batteries, nickel-cadmium (rechargeable) batteries, uninterruptible power supplies and lead acid (car) batteries?
A: These batteries continue to contain metals which are valuable, or which must be disposed of properly. Take these batteries to rechargeable battery bins in the Shady Grove Transfer Station’s recycling drop-off area.
Clerk’s Corner
NEW Bulletin Deadline is the 24th of the month!
Time Change
Don’t forget to change your clocks. Fall back on November 4, 2007.