Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m., in the Council Room.
October Town Council actions included:
Decision to ask M-NCPPC to do a presentation of the Shady Grove Sector Master Plan to the Town.
Selection of spots for the new 15 mph speed limit signs.
Casey Field: Nothing New.
Things are quiet but still being closely monitored.
Shady Grove Master Plan Update
Would you like to see what the M-NCPPC has in mind for the Shady Grove Sector? Come to a presentation of the Shady Grove Sector Master Plan by Park & Planning on Thursday, November 6th at 7:30 p.m.. The meeting will last about an hour and a half during which time you will see how the area surrounding the Metro Station may change in the next 10 – 15 years.
The complete staff draft of the plan can be seen at: https://www.mcparkandplanning.org/shadygrove/masterplan/shadySD_toc.shtm
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Nov. 4, 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.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Oct. 21, 7:00 p.m. Council Room.
The November meeting will be on the 18th. These meetings are open to the public.
Maple Lake News
At the last Lake Committee meeting, Dodie Tippens announced her retirement as the Committee Chairperson. For many years, Dodie has supervised the lifeguards, tested and re-tested the water, faced-off with would-be marauders and taken extremely good care of our little summer treasure. Many thanks, Dodie, for all of your blood sweat and tears! Maple Lake is a better swimmin’ hole because of you.
Wanted: Lake Committee Chairperson. Interested people should call Tom Land at 301-869-4334.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: November 5, 2003, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Karate Anyone?
The Recreation Committee is considering the idea of Karate instruction for Washington Grove Kids. If it goes well, the next step could be instruction for adults as well. The Committee would like to determine if there is an interest in this opportunity. The instructor is a fully qualified Black Belt in Kenpo Karate and happens to be a Town resident. Interested people should call the Town Office at 301-926-2256. If there is sufficient interest, the Committee will pursue the idea.
Annual Halloween Parade/Party
Saturday, October 25th, 3:00 p.m.
Woodward Park/McCathran Hall Meet at Woodward Park at 3:00 p.m. for the parade to the Town Hall. For more information, call JoAnn Suzich at 301-869-9638 or Susan van Nostrand at 301-216-1385.
Halloween
Trick-or-treating will take place on Friday, October 31st from 6 – 8:00p.m..
Trick or Treat for UNICEF
Please help children around the world with your spare change at Halloween. Your money will help kids in need of food, medicine, education, clean water and emergency relief. UNICEF trick or treat boxes can be picked up at the Halloween Parade/Party on October 25th or at the London’s at 13 Center Street. Please return you boxes to the London’s by November 4th. A Counting Party is scheduled for November 9th at The Woman’s Club at 10:30 a.m.. All are welcome to help count the proceeds! Coffee & bagels will be provided. Thank you for helping the children!
Mousetrap Concert #2
Jacques Thibaud Trio Sunday, Nov. 16; 3:00 pm
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.
Belated Labor Day thanks
are in order to everyone who helped with our great Labor Day festivities and especially to Craig English, Joli McCathran, Birgit Henninger and Linda Baim. Big congratulations to this year’s SUPER GROVE SEAN HOWARD!!
Special Trash Pickup Scheduled
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
Place your items “curbside” by 7:00 a.m.. Collection items may include furniture, appliances (but not those with Freon), rugs, large toys, small auto parts, etc. Collections items may not include construction/renovation by-products, large auto parts or tires. We have also scheduled the next three pickups in our current contract. Mark your calendars!
March 27, 2004
April 26, 2004
July 26, 2004
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
Neighborhood Watch is going well with only a few problems to report.
A full cooler was taken from someone’s porch, in the middle of the day. When spotted and approached, “the thief” dropped the cooler and ran off.
End of the season vandalism has occurred at Maple Lake. The shed appears to have been broken in to and chairs, umbrellas and other items left in the shed have been thrown in the water.
McCathran Hall Gets a New Coat
The exterior of our historic Town Hall has been newly stained and painted. Choice Painting and Restoration did the work which included minor carpentry repairs, staining and painting of the original parts of the building. Jim Fletcher will be replacing the McCathran Hall sign that hung over the main entrance.
Black Music Stand Missing.
The black Manhasset brand, non-folding, music stand that belongs in McCathran Hall is missing. If you are one of the many people who use the Town Hall please make sure that the stand hasn’t wandered down the road to your home. Thank you for looking for the stand.
Please Prune with Care
Volunteer pruning of Town plantings by energetic residents has always been encouraged and appreciated. However, pruning privately owned trees or bushes that hang into roads or walkways should be left to Town Maintenance. Problem areas should be reported to David Stopak at 301-330-6446 or to the Town Office at 301-926-2256.
Recycle it, please.
Not only did Hurricane Isabel bring down large trees but she brought down lots of sticks and stuff as well. Please help Town Maintenance by putting these little sticks in you recyclable yard waste containers rather than leaving little stick piles for collection. Thanks.
Speaking of Isabel.
The Mayor and Council would like to express the thanks to all those who went above and beyond the call of duty in order to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel. Residents really pulled together to assist those who had tree damage, no power etc. and you all deserve a pat on the back. A special thank you should go to Jim Fletcher and to Bruce Rothrock who ran chainsaws for five days straight, picked up countless piles of brush and are probably still finding sawdust behind their ears!! Thank you for being such a caring community!
Leaves are falling,
Leaf pickup will begin 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 begins November 1 and ends 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.
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 Tom Land at 301-869-4334 or 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.
Church Fall Luncheon, Craft & Bake Sale
Sat., October 25th, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Washington Grove United Methodist Church, 305 Chestnut Road. A lunch of ham, chicken salad, green beans, scalloped potatoes, apple sauce, cranberry sauce, rolls & butter will be served. Lemonade, Iced Tea and coffee will also be available.
Tiny Ticks Can Be Big Trouble!
Although ticks are active during the spring and summer months, in autumn they seem to make a last-ditch effort to find a nice, warm host before winter sets in! Please be aware that deer ticks may still be around and take the appropriate steps to check yourself, your family and your pets at the end of a day outdoors. Della Currenton has put together a comprehensive handout concerning deer ticks and Lyme disease that is available in the Town Office.
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 *********
The Town Council is organizing a slogan competition to educate the public about the new Town 15 mph speed limit. The winner will be given a prize, such as ice cream for the family at Maggie Moos or dinner for the family at Hershey’s Restaurant. The chosen slogan will be repeated in the Town Bulletin and may be used in other education efforts over several months. The public education campaign will allow a transition period for people to remember to drive slower before likely enforcement of the new 15 mph speed limit. Please submit your slogans to the Town Office by Friday, November 7th.
Oh, Poop!
It’s time for another reminder to dog walkers young and old. Please pick up after your dog. We love your dogs but not their messes. The plastic bags from the newspaper work well for this task. Thanks!
Clerk’s Corner
Did you know that driving the length of Maple Road at 25 mph vs. 15 mph only saves you six seconds?