TOWN COUNCIL NEWS
Next meeting: Monday, November 12, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend. Actions at the October meeting include:
- approval of bridge and culvert repair by Town Maintenance at the entrance to Maple Lake
- approval to send out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for road work in various places in Town.
- approval to delay awarding the contract for McCathran Hall floor joist replacement and reissuing the RFP with new dates.
- endorsement of Mayor’s appointment of Jon Cohen as an alternate on the Planning Commission.
- endorsement of Mayor’s appointment of Margo Cavenagh to fill a vacancy on the Board of Elections Supervisors.
- introduction of Ordinance 2018-13; amending Article X Registration & Voting of the Town Code. See below for Public Hearing date.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Washington Grove Town Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 10, 2018, 7:30 p.m. in McCathran Hall, 300 Grove Ave. Washington Grove, MD. The purpose of this meeting is to take public comment regarding the proposed Ordinance No. 2018-13; Ordinance Adopting Amendments to the Washington Grove Code of Ordinances Article X Election Procedures for Absentee Balloting, Provisional Balloting, Resolution of Tie Votes, and Bar to Political Activities. Copies of the proposed ordinance are available for inspection upon request to the Town at P.O. Box 216, Washington Grove, MD 20880 (301-926-2256) and on the Town website; www.washingtongrovemd.org.
Montgomery Municipal Cable Survey
The Town is a participating member of Montgomery Municipal Cable (MMC), a nonprofit organization that operates a cable station on behalf of municipalities in Montgomery County (Channel 16 on Verizon and Comcast). MMC also provides a streaming archive of its programs, and posts videos on YouTube. MMC has reached out to the Town with a questionnaire to improve how we can work together. One of the questions asks if there are any Town residents interested in a training course with MMC to use MMC equipment to produce programming within our community for the purpose of airing it on the MMC channel. Charlie Challstrom would appreciate feedback this month to assist with completing the Town’s response to this questionnaire.
Historic Preservation Commission News…
Next meeting: Tuesday, November 20, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. All meetings are open to the public.
Planning Commission News…
Next meeting: Wednesday, November 7, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Building Permit Submission Deadline
The deadline to submit a building permit application for approval by the Planning Commission and review by the Historic Preservation Commission is the 2nd Wednesday of the month prior to the PC meeting at which the permit will be reviewed (this will be in the following month). This timing ensures the HPC will be able to complete a formal review before the PC meeting as this review is required for the PC to approve the permit in a timely fashion.
If you are considering any renovation or building project at your house, be sure to get a copy of the procedures to apply for a Town Building Permit which will help you through the Town’s process.
Permits approved in October:
- 127 Chestnut Ave. Fence
- 354 Ridge Road Shed
- 203 W.G. Lane Carport
- 205 W.G. Lane Carport
Forestry & Beautification News…
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 14, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
Woods Committee News…
Next Meeting: Monday, November 5, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. All are welcome to attend. Meetings are on the 1st Monday of each month.
The Woods Committee had a busy month in October planting new trees in the East Woods to help restore the canopy and a volunteer event to repair sections of walking trails. The Woods Committee co-chairs completed a 2-day Woodland Stewards training course conducted by the University of Maryland.
The Woods Committee will sponsor a fall volunteer work day in the West Woods on Saturday, November 10 from 10:00 AM to noon. We will meet at the Lake parking lot to divide into work groups listed below. Please bring work gloves, loppers or clippers, and rakes. Water, coffee, and snacks will be available. We will target all three Woods Committee goals: non-native invasive plant control, deer over browsing, and reforestation. Please join us to make our woods healthier and more enjoyable.
- Learn how to protect native plants, such as spicebush and Blackhaw viburnum, by manually removing Japanese bush honeysuckle.
- Reduce the risk of tick exposure to hikers by manually removing Japanese barberry, a notorious tick host.
- Protect trees planted last fall from deer rubbing and over browsing.
- Join our annual trash pickup patrol for the morning.
As part of our commitment to updating our town residents on the WG Forest Restoration Project, the Woods Committee is hosting an Informational Meeting on Tuesday, November 13th at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall.
As we continue to move forward with our 3-pronged approach to restoring the health of the East and West Woods, we have reached out to experts for their guidance. We have invited as speakers some of those experts from the Montgomery County Deer Management Program, University of Maryland Forest Extension, and Maryland Native Plant Society to share their expertise and experiences in deer population management, forest health, and invasive plant control.
We hope you will attend our informational meeting to get latest updates from the Woods Committee and hear the experts.
Recreation Committee News…
Next Meeting: Wed., January 16, 2019; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. Open to the public. The Recreation Committee would love to have more volunteers to help keep our traditions going and bring in new ones. Anyone interested in joining should come to the next meeting!
Kudos!!
Many thanks to Dave Harmon and Carol Samour for all their help with the Irish Ceili Dance. A good time was had by all!
Thanks to Lawren and Richard Lankford, Eric Selby, the musicians, the setter-uppers, the breaker downers and anyone else who had a hand in this fun annual event.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE HOLIDAY SHOW…DEC. 15TH AT 7:30 PM
We’ve had the Flower Show, the 4th of July has been celebrated, the lake picnics are over for the season and something is trying to steal the happiness from Washington Grove. Those are all the hints you get about this year’s Holiday Show! So be sure to put Saturday night, December 15th on your calendar to help solve this mystery!
Meantime, we’re just getting under way, so if you would like to join the cast or crew for this always fun event, there’s still time. As we finish writing the show, we’ll need more actors, musicians and backstage folks. If you didn’t work on the show last year, but are interested in being involved this year, please contact either Judy Mroczka ([email protected] or 301-785-3491) or Marilynn Frey ([email protected] or 301-351-4784). Check back here next month for more information about the 2018 Holiday Show.
Meditation in The Grove/Mindfulness & Meditation Class in McCathran Hall
Eleni Khan invites you to enjoy group guided meditations and mindfulness exercises. Calming our minds and deeply relaxing with guided breathing, singing bowls, interactive mindfulness and meditation practices for all levels. The class is geared towards adults, and is family friendly to “of age” individuals of interest. Hour long classes started on October 10th and will take place on Wednesday evenings at 7:45 PM. Please e-mail Eleni directly at: [email protected] for inquiries.
Taylor Made Squares
Mark your calendars! Betsy and Al Taylor, callers for Taylor Made Squares, are happy to announce we have scheduled a series of dances on the First and Third Mondays. Please join us on the following dates: November 5 and November 19. We will be dancing from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Questions? Call 301-977-8937 or email [email protected]
Yoga in The Grove
Ongoing Yoga Class is designed as an open/drop-in format 90 minute class for beginners to experience Hatha (poses), deep relaxation, chanting and breathing practices with an emphasis on listening to the body and stress reduction. Classes are on Tuesday nights from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Cost is $10.00.
Youth Dance Class
Youth dance class starting at 12 years old and up. We start the class with a good stretch, and do a mix of ballet, modern and jazz. The class also does a couple of Zumba dances each week, and we typically perform twice a year. Class is tentatively scheduled for Wednesdays at 5:30. All levels of dance welcome. $7 a class. Call or text Samantha Beres for more info: 515-450-9167.
Film Society News…
Our second movie of the season, The Spirit of the Beehive, will be shown on November 11, 7 PM in McCathran Hall. A seven-year old girl in a village in Spain drifts into a fantasy world after watching the movie Frankenstein. It’s 1940, and everyone around her is struggling with the aftermath of the country’s civil war. Critic Roger Ebert called this mysterious drama a masterpiece. Directed by Victor Erice, 1973, Spain, Spanish with English subtitles, 98 minutes. There is still time to purchase your season subscription, 5 movies for $20. If you miss a film, you can use the ticket to bring a guest to a later film this season. To buy a subscription, send a check for $20 made out to Town of Washington Grove, to Birgit Henninger, P.O. 355. Or pay $7 at the door.
Washington Grove UMC News…
Fabulous Christmas Bazaar
Saturday, Nov. 17th 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
You’ll love the beautiful wreaths, one of a kind gifts, centerpieces, ornaments, decorations and more!
Purchase fresh baked goods while children shop in our Secret Shop.
This event takes place at the Washington Grove United Methodist Church; 303 Chestnut Road
You Are Invited To A Patriotic Washington Grove “Night Before Thanksgiving Celebration.”
All neighbors and friends are invited to an ecumenical service of music and Thanksgiving on Wednesday evening, November 21st 7:30 PM at Washington Grove United Methodist Church. Refreshments afterwards.
Woman’s Club News…
Final meeting of 2018 is Thursday, November 15th, at 7:00 PM in the Clubhouse
What a busy, productive and fulfilling year we’ve had! Though our Clubhouse will soon be closed for the winter, we will still be working on our Community Outreach Programs to help the less fortunate of our neighbors.
Whatever pulls at your heart strings, we have a need you can fulfill.
Halloween Candy
If you still have leftover Halloween candy, the Woman’s Club is again collecting it to be sent to our deployed service people. They are always so grateful for the candy, and for knowing that people back home are thinking of them!
The Washington Grove Elementary School’s Teachers Closet
We continue to collect school supplies for the Teachers Closet. We hope to keep it filled with things like glue sticks, pencils and sharpeners, paper, hand sanitizers and tissues, and other supplies. Without our help, teachers will all too often end up buying these things out of their own pockets.
We also try to keep this closet filled with winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves so that no child goes without through the bitter winter months.
Working with Interfaith Works
While the less fortunate children of our County need essentials, they also need occasional treats in their lives, and we help provide these by collecting Birthday Presents and small Treasure Chest items to be distributed through Interfaith Works. This year, for the first time, Interfaith is also collecting holiday presents for 250 families, and we’re hoping to help contribute. They’re asking for gifts for children 12 years old and under, and gift cards in any amount for Giant, Safeway and Target.
Last spring, we were able to respond to a desperate need for new underwear for boys and girls from toddlers to teens. Through your generous donations we were able to provide over 250 pairs. This is a need which is ongoing, and we hope to continue helping. We have developed sources for purchasing the underwear, so the easiest way to help is through cash donations.
White Socks for the Gude Men’s Shelter
Winter is hard enough for the homeless without going without socks! This winter we are continuing to collect new white socks for the men at the Shelter.
Where to Bring Your Contributions
You can drop off your contributions in the painted can on Wendy Weisbard’s porch at 119 Grove Road, or you can leave them in the plastic bins on the Clubhouse porch. Checks are always appreciated, just put in the memo field if you want your donation to go to a specific project.
General Information
Leaves Are Falling
New and long-time residents alike are reminded of the Town contract for bulk leaf removal each autumn. The contractor, Green Earth, Inc., will make regular but unscheduled pickups of leaves raked or blown into windrows within six (6) feet of any roadway or walkway, excluding Railroad Street, 2nd Ave., 3rd Ave., 4th Ave., 5th Ave., and Boundary Street. This service began October 31, 2018 and ends January 4, 2019, or as soon thereafter as we agree the work is complete. This is the only time to have leaves removed without bagging for recycling.
The contractor will time pickups based on the availability of full truckloads for vacuuming. One or two spectacular fall weekends in November or early December usually have most of us raking at the same time. If you rake when most others are raking, the windrows will probably disappear relatively quickly.
Please place your windrows within six (6) feet of the road or walkway (keeping in mind car & pedestrian traffic).
Green Earth will collect leaves by working from one end of the Town to the other, typically starting with Ridge Road working their way across the community, first removing piles along roads for safety reasons. After making one pass along roads, they will focus on walkways. If roads become obstructed before walkways are completed, roads will be cleared until they are safe. Then collection will resume along walkways. Weather may affect this process. Rain can restrict movement of large trucks on the avenues and accumulated snow or freezing rain may make piles too heavy to vacuum.
The contractor will not remove leaf piles that contain branches, brush, pruned limbs, and cut ornamental grasses. Please do not add these to leaf piles. They foul the vacuum and Green Earth will not collect piles containing this material.
If a particular leaf pile has lingered for an inordinate amount of time, please call Kathy Lehman at the Town Office, 301-926-2256, or by e-mail [email protected].
Happy raking! It’s the rite of autumn, particularly in a town graced by so many beautiful deciduous trees.
Emergency Preparedness Committee
The Emergency Preparedness Committee is in the process of drafting a proposed Risk Management and Safety Procedures for the Town and would like to hear from you about any safety-related concerns. Please come to our next Committee meeting on Thursday November 29th at 7:30 pm to discuss your ideas. If unable to attend, you can email Sat Amagai at [email protected]. We are also looking for interested people to join our committee, which now includes discussion on safety-related items.
Dog Park Committee
Interested in joining the Dog Park Committee, or at least in attending the next meeting? Please contact co-chairs Mary Warfield ([email protected]) and Christine Dibble ([email protected]) to learn the date and time of the next meeting (as yet unscheduled).
Communications Working Group
Interested in joining the Communications Working Group, or at least in attending the next meeting? Please contact co-chairs Betsy Klinger ([email protected]) and Christine Dibble ([email protected]) to learn the date and time of the next meeting (as yet unscheduled).
Cleaning Person Needed
The Town is looking for a person to clean McCathran Hall. The job takes 3 – 4 hours per week, usually done in the late afternoon or evening. The Town provides cleaning supplies and equipment. Interested parties should contact the Town Office at 301-926-2256 or Charlie Challstrom at 301-926-4498. A list of janitorial tasks for McCathran Hall is available upon request to [email protected]. This job pays $15.00 – $20.00 per hour to start commensurate with experience.
Refuse Collection Change
Because of the conflict with our refuse collection day and the Thanksgiving holiday, the collection that week will take place on WEDNESDAY, November 21, 2018. Please make a note of this.
From Town Maintenance…
Many, many thanks to resident Dane Clark for his invaluable assistance with the culvert/bridge project at Maple Lake. Between his, Steve’s and Terry’s expertise, we have a fix that will last another fifty years! Thanks to all!
Washington Grove Cares News…
Jeff McCrehan on the State of U.S. Journalism: November 4, 3 PM
Jeff McCrehan will share stories from his work as a reporter, producer, and editorial writer for NPR and the Christian Science Monitor. Join us in McCathran Hall to hear his take on what’s going on in the news media, ask questions, and put in your own two cents. Jeff’s talk is the first in a new series, What’s My Line? Grovers Revealed, co-sponsored by Washington Grove Cares and the Woman’s Club.
Come and get to know your neighbors better. Do you have an area of interest of expertise, professional, avocational, or idiosyncratic, to share?