Council Notes
Next meeting: Monday, October 11, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall. The public is invited to attend.
August Council actions included:
· adopted Resolution No. 99-03 authorizing annexation of property at 3 Ridge Road
· enacted Ordinance No. 99-04 establishing RR-1 zoning for 3 Ridge Road
Planning Commission
Next meeting will be Tuesday, October 5, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall. Tentative agenda items
include:
· proposed uses in commercial zone
· proposed development plan for former WSSC property on Ridge Road
· adult/child day care in Wash[ington] Grove
Special Collection
Wed., September 29
Collection may include furniture, appliances (but not those with Freon), rugs, large toys, small
auto parts, etc. Materials may not include construction by-products, large automotive parts or
tires. Items must be placed curbside.
Pammel Property at 3 Ridge Road Annexed
The Town Council has voted to annex approximately .42 acres at 3 Ridge Road and to classify
this property as being within the Town’s RR-1 zone (residential, one- family, minimum lot size
11,250 sq. ft.). A property tax credit will be issued to the owners for a period of five (5) years.
On October 28, 1999, if no petition for referendum is received, the annexation will be effective
after registration.
Planning Commission Work Session
Proposed Uses at Commercial Corner
Tuesday, September 28, 1999
McCathran Hall Council Room, 7:30 p.m.
The Commission has received a list of potential uses for the rental space at the Washington
Grove Shopping Center from a representative of the owner. This work session will give
Commission members an opportunity to examine and discuss each use in detail. Votes taken are
consensus only and are not binding at subsequent meetings. The public is welcome as observers
but may not participate unless called upon as resource persons. No formal action will be taken
nor written report generated from this work session. The Commission has invited the Town
Council to attend as participants. According to the State Open Meetings Law, the Commission
may elect to hold part of the meeting in closed session. The public is invited to comment on this
or any subject as part of the regular October 5 Planning Commission meeting. The meeting
agenda will include a brief history of the commercial corner and the Town’s zoning code and
Master Plan regarding the commercial zone. If you would like to review a copy of the proposal
under discussion, call the Town Office at 301-926-2256.
Town Office Closed
October 4 through 12. For urgent matters call Mayor John Compton at 301-330-8264 or a Town
Council member.
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. Please
allow at least 10 days for review by the Commission. Call John McClelland at 301-963-3328 if
you have questions about zoning code requirements. Interior renovations which involve
electrical, plumbing, or load-bearing changes generally require a County permit. All
applications for County-required building permits must first be signed off by the Town.
Building Permits Issued
· Glass, 121 Maple Road, spa
· Nagem, 104 Maple Road, room/addition
· Poblete, 415 Center Street, porch
Hazardous Materials
Sunday, October 3
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shady Grove Transfer Station.
Forestry Meeting
Tuesday, October 12, McCathran Hall Council Room — 7:30 p.m. The Forestry Committee is
planning to begin a reforestation project next Spring. If you are aware of major holes in the tree
canopy on Town property, please notify Ted Yachup at [email protected] or snail mail at
General Delivery.
Grove Directory
Please return completed directory information form EVEN IF THERE ARE NO CHANGES. If
you have misplaced the form from the June Bulletin, please come by the Town Office or call
Mary Kay DuBois (301-926-8941) or Kitty Vogan (301-840-9416) for another form. Thanks!
Want to Help Beautify Your End of Town?
The Mayor and Town Council encourage the formation of Neighborhood Improve ment Teams to
suggest ways of enhancing landscaping or facilities in their area of the Grove. You may wish to
get together with interested neighbors and generate ideas for improvement. The Town will
gladly help your volunteer group carry out appropriate projects.
Moms Club
Monday, October 4
Come join the Moms for activities, refreshments and fun! McCathran Hall at 10:00 a.m. Please
call Martha Crews at 301-527-8273.
Woman’s Club of Washington Grove
Potluck Dinner — Thursday, September 30
At the Clubhouse, 6:30 p.m.
Elke Baker will provide Scottish Fiddle Music
Woman’s Club Meeting — Thursday, October 21
At the Clubhouse, 7:30 p.m.
Dress Up Party! Fancy, ethnic or costume dress.
Chili Dinner Fundraiser — Friday, November 5
At the Clubhouse, 6-8 p.m.
Major Clubhouse improvements have taken a toll on the Woman’s Club treasury. Please support
this gracious facility and enjoy delicious chili with cornbread and coleslaw. Adults – $6.00,
children under 12 – $4.00, children under 2 – free!
Holiday Open House — Sunday, December 5
At the Clubhouse, 2-4 p.m.
Holiday Tree Trimming Social. Requested admission: one ornament! Refreshments!
Congratulations to Acorn Trail Readers!!
The Town has some special young citizens! Eight of the children who started out on The Acorn
Trail, the summer reading program at Acorn Library, managed to do the reading and complete an
oak tree chart.
For each book a reader finished he added one leaf to his tree. Most of the participants also
earned acorns to add to their trees by doing certain activities. Katie Andrews, for instance, tried
soap carving, enjoyed a nature hike and learned to identify a new tree. Dylan and Marie Hodges
both earned acorns for star-gazing, taking a nature walk, and for writing or dictating comments
on their favorite books.
By the end of the six weeks, every one of the readers had built such a healthy, leafy tree that it
was necessary to award the potted oak seedling prizes to all eight!
The only person to complete the cha llenge in the “oak” age group (8 and older) was Violet
Cavicchi. She read 18 books this summer including some wonderful ones like Matilda, The
Borrowers and Little House on the Prairie.
Three younger readers or “saplings” completed the program. Dylan Hodges read 22 books,
almost twice the required number for the age group. Maddie Brasunas and Elise Cavicchi also
did extra reading. To be saplings, these three had to do most or all of the reading themselves.
We are proud of our four “seedling” readers as well! “Seedlings” have most of their books read
to them. Julia Cavicchi, Katie Andrews, Marie Hodges and Matt Andrews read a grand total of
128 books!
Congratulations to all of the Acorn Trail winners!
Playground Equipment Input Sought
The ad hoc Recreation Facilities Committee is planning an addition to our playground
equipment. If you have comments on what you think is needed, or any specific requests, please
e-mail or buttonhole Councilor Nick Suzich ([email protected]). Thanks.
Clerk’s Watch Collection
A growing number of watches have made their way to the Town clerk’s desk, all beeping at
various times throughout the day. The latest addition is a man’s watch with a silver band found
at the lake. Please call 301-926-2256 if you think it might belong to you.
Please Help to Keep Fire Hydrants Visible
If you are aware of a fire hydrant near your home that has become overgrown or hidden in some
way, please help to keep it clear in case of emergency. Thanks!
Reminders
Though tree planting on public property is encouraged, approval must be obtained first. The
Forestry Committee is about to undertake a multi- year tree planting program and consideration
will be given to placement, species and maintenance requirements. Call Forestry Councilor
Carol Uhlendorf at 301-926-1933 or Mayor John Compton at 301-330-8264 if you have a
specific idea in mind.
Recycling Tip
Everything that comes in the newspaper bags may be recycled along with the newspaper
including glossy inserts.
Special Trash
The Town contracts for four special trash collections a year. Please limit your weekly pickup to
trash from ordinary household activities.
Mousetrap Concert Series
McCathran Hall
Sundays, 3:00 p.m.
October 17, 1999
MEDEA NAMORADZE, soprano
November 21, 1999
YURI & DANA MAZURKEVICH, violins
March 5, 2000
TAMARA VOLSKAYA, domra
April 2, 2000
IGOR GAVRYSH, cello
Adult tickets: 4 Concert Series @$50
single concert @$15
Children (under 12): 4 Concert Series @$40
single concert @$12.50
Programs recommended for children only 7 and older. Call Alice Negin (301-926-2858) or Ann
Briggs (301-926-6347). Tickets are going fast! Seating is limited.
Maintenance Shop Painting Workday
If your hectic schedule keeps you from volunteering on a regular basis but you’d love to help out
on a one-shot project, come to help paint the Maintenance Shop on Saturday, October 2
(raindate, Saturday, October 9) We’ll be working from 9 a.m. til 3 p.m. and would appreciate
your help. Call Allen Winter at 301-977-4770 if you have questions.
Town Organ Looking for a Long-Term Home
The Town is seeking a good long-term home for the Town organ which has not been used in a
number of years. If you would like to enjoy the use of this organ in exchange for storing it please
call the Town Office at 301-926-2256.
Woman’s Clubhouse Available in All Seasons!!
Planning a surprise birthday bash, family reunion, holiday gathering, graduation party, wedding
reception, business meeting . . . consider the charming wooded setting, spacious main room,
screened porch, kitchen and restroom facilities of the Woman’s Club House. For information or
reservations call Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416 or Brenda Gumula at 301-869-5118. Heat and air
conditioning!!
Public Safety Work Session
Thurs., September 30
Come to the Town Council Room at 7:30 p.m. to work on ideas for improving public safety in
Town. A variety of issues will be discussed including access, street signs and lighting.
Washington Grove United Methodist Church
sponsors
Informational Meeting on Breast Cancer
Sunday, November 7, 3:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall, Lower Level
Cynthia Taylor from Special Touch will talk about techniques for proper breast selfexamination.
Jean Beeman from Reach to Recovery will talk about the support available to women with
breast cancer especially after a mastectomy.
Rainy Labor Day Kudos
In spite of incessant rain (a first in the 16-year career of Field (Day) Marshal Craig English), the
Labor Day Weekend sporting events enjoyed the largest participation ever. Many thanks to all
the volunteers who braved the weather to put on a fun weekend for the young and young at
heart! Special congratulations to
MATT MILLER
at seven years old, the youngest person ever to win the SUPER GROVE honor!
Help Wanted
Occasional housecleaning for Woman’s Clubhouse. For details and pay rate, please call Brenda
Gumula at 301-869-5118 or Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416.
Proposed Tree Ordinance Meeting Well Attended
The Planning Commission forum for discussion of the proposed tree preservation ordinance was
well attended. Though most speakers objected to the proposed regulation, many positive
suggestions were made for improving tree maintenance and awareness.
Community Policing in the New Sixth District
Delegates Stern, Carlson and Barkley (D-39) will host a Town Meeting focusing on Community
Policing and Prosecution in the new sixth police district which will include Gaithersburg,
Montgomery Village and Washington Grove. Chief of Police Charles Moose, States Attorney
Doug Gansler and Captain Robert Fitzpatrick of the Germantown Station will be featured
speakers. The Delegates will also present a preview of the coming legislative session. The
meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Gaithersburg Library on Monday,
October 18, at 7:30 p.m. Please call 1-800-492-7122×3037 for info.
Washington Grove Artists Exhibit in Gaithersburg
The City of Gaithersburg Council for the Arts is presenting an invitational exhibit featuring
works by Jim Fletcher, Doris Gordon, Alice Mahaffey and Jean Potmesil in the Council
Chambers Gallery at City Hall. The exhibit will run through November 22. Call 301-258-6310
for viewing hours.