Town Council Notes
Next meeting: Monday Oct. 14, 2002 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall.
The public is invited to attend. September Council actions included:
Approved the hiring of a road engineer to do a safety study on the Town roads in order to determine a safe speed limit.
Adopted a new Resolution of Regulations for the Use and Rental of McCathran Hall.
Casey Field Update.
A revised plan for the Casey Fields was submitted to Park & Planning at the beginning of September. The plan can be seen in the Town Office. Keep your eyes open for a separate mailing with a copy of the plan and a statement by the Mayor concerning our position and a request for input from residents.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Sept 26, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: October 1, 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. The Town must first sign off all applications for County-required building permits. The Historic Preservation Commission will also review ALL permits.
Building Permits Issued:
Erhart 10 Center St. Fence
Neumann 500 McCauley St. Fence
York 413 W.G. Lane Addition
Yoga Classes Resume
Relax your body and center your spirit with yoga classes led by Integral Yoga instructor Terry Strother. Classes are held in McCathran Hall from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday beginning September 25, 2002. Bring a mat and towel or blanket and $10 in cash or check made out to Town of Washington Grove. Ahh..
Special Trash Collection
Saturday, September 28, 2002.
Get your “stuff” out early! “Stuff” may include furniture, appliances (but not those with Freon), rugs, large toys, small auto parts, etc.Collection materials may not include construction by-products, large automotive parts, or tires. Items should be placed curbside.
Sing, Sing, Sing!
The Washington Grove Singers will begin rehearsals for our winter concert on Tuesday, October 1, 2002. Singers 15 years of age and older are invited to join the group. Rehearsals are every Tuesday evening from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.. This year’s concert date is December 14th, so mark your calendars. For more information call Kathy Lehman at 301-926-1253.
Maple Lake News
Lost and found items from this summer at Maple Lake will be brought to the Town Office for residents to claim. All items should be claimed by the end of September. Items not claimed by September 30th will be disposed of.
New Brush Pickup Schedule Gets a Change
It seems that two days are not enough right now. Therefore, your properly bundled yard waste can be collected by Waste Management on Wednesdays or by Town Maintenance on Thursdays and Fridays. Your comments are welcome via phone or e-mail
Woman’s Club Potluck Supper
Thursday, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse.
Town resident Greg Silber will be speaking about whales.
Change In McCathran Hall Fees Announced
The Town Council adopted a resolution that allows for the addition of an hourly fee schedule for the Town Hall. Copies of the new fee schedule are available in the Town Office.
FREE MUSIC FOR ALL-ALL FOR FREE MUSIC-MUSIC FREE FOR ALL-
The first town musical free-for-all will be held in McCathran Hall on Friday, October 4, 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. This event is open to all town musicians (serious and incidental), listeners, dancers, toe tappers, and foot stompers. All skill levels, ages, and instruments are welcome. For further information contact: Don Henninger, 301-670-0146 or Ken Stricklett, 301-947-2744.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: November 6, 7:30 p.m. Council Room
The idea of sponsoring a Town Wellness Fair was brought to the attention of the Recreation Committee. In order to pursue this, the Committee is putting out the call for a volunteer to serve as a Wellness Fair Coordinator. If you are interested in taking on this project, please call Kathi Carey-Fletcher at 301-330-9485.
STILL Wanted : Code Enforcement Interest
At this year’s Town Meeting, Mayor Compton brought up the idea of a Code Enforcement Officer. The idea was well received. Now comes the hard part. The Mayor is looking for volunteers to examine options and recommend action on a Code Enforcement Ordinance. Interested people should call the Town Office at 301-926-2256.
History Repeats Itself. “On Dogs”
“Mr. Meany brought up the matter of stray dogs at large on the Grove and the fact that there should be protection for the children from such and also the By-Laws affecting this matter. Moved that the Superintendent be immediately instructed to immediately notify the owners of dogs on the grounds that they must be muzzled or removed therefrom, that signs be posted to warn visitors that dogs are not allowed on the Grove and that stray dogs be taken up by the Superintendent and disposed of.” Council Minutes, July 1913
Cleaning up after your dog doesn’t seem like such an outrageous request now does it?
Rent the Woman’s ClubHouse!
Planning a surprise birthday bash, family reunion, wedding reception, planning session or 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 and 301-840-9416
Website Happenings!
Check out our Town website www.washgrov.sailorsite.net for lots of Town information, including the Mousetrap Concert Series. Bill Saar has been doing a wonderful job keeping things up-to-date. Thanks, Bill!
South Mountain Creamery Delivers!
South Mountain Creamery is expanding its delivery service to Montgomery County. If you are interested, please email the Town Clerk [email protected] or call 301-926-2256.
We only need 15 participants!
Kudos!
To the Lake Committee and other “Lake Volunteers” for their help with the lake guards, swimming instructors, the new dock, gate keeping and watching over Maple Lake. A good time was had by all this summer.
Sincere thanks to Craig English, Brigit Henninger, Joli McCathran, Linda Baim and all the other volunteers who made the Labor Day weekend so memorable. Congratulations to this year’s SUPER GROVE MAX FINDLING!
Volunteers
Without volunteers, much of what makes the Grove such a good place to live would disappear – no Town officials, no 4th of July celebration, no tree plantings, no concerts, no Lake clean up. The committees are made up of dedicated volunteers who offer much to the Town in time, energy and talent. However, the committees always need new members. Most of the members of the committees have worked for many years and would greatly appreciate new volunteers to help share the responsibilities and to bring in new ideas. The following individuals can tell you more about the function of their committees:
Forestry — Carol Uhlendorf; 301-926-1933
Garden — Tom Land; 301-869-4334
Heritage — Clare Cavicchi; 301-869-1827
Lake — Dodie Tippens; 301-869-1682
Recreation — Kathi Carey-Fletcher; 301-330-9485
Barbara Leng; 301-670-9443
Church Fall Luncheon, Craft & Bake Sale
Saturday, November 2, 10 a.m. – 2p.m.
Washington Grove United Methodist Church, 305 Chestnut Road. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ham, chicken salad and all the trimmings!
A Reminder to Residents
If you are the victim of a crime or witness suspicious behavior, please call the Montgomery County Police (911) and then report it to David Stopak 301-330-6446.
Children’s Halloween Parade/Party
Saturday, October 26th, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in McCathran Hall
For more information and/or to lend a hand contact JoAnn Suzich at 301-869-9638 or Susan van Nostrand at 301-216-1385.
Clerk’s Corner
Residents who received notification about their house number signs should pick them up at the Town Office.
Asbury Wellness Program information available in the Town Office. Read about this terrific facility.
The floor in McCathran Hall has been refinished. Please treat it with care.
ATTENTION! REVISED CASEY FIELD DEVELOPMENT PLAN FILED AND REVIEW UNDERWAY.
Further information to be distributed. Comments solicited!
A revised Preliminary Subdivision Plan from Oxbridge Development was filed with P&P in early September and has been scheduled for Development Review Committee evaluation Monday September 23. A complete review of this Plan by P&P is likely, leading to a recommendation to the Planning Board in late October or November.
For several months Town representatives and consultants have been working with the developer juggling priorities and seeking accomodations to achieve the priorities of Washington Grove and the Amity community (summarized in July’s Bulletin). The Plan as filed includes some significant features for achieving our priorities for preservation of the Casey Field and the character of Ridge Road established by the Town at the April 2000 Town Meeting, some modest active recreation areas, and passive recreation features with direct access to the environmentally protected areas. Less desirable are incompatibility elements of the Plan along lower Ridge Road, dictated by the small lot size and housing style required by the developer.
In advocating some elements of this plan, Mayor Compton and other Town representatives have had to “prioritize” our goals, resulting in some elements of the Plan where we “agreed to disagree”. For maximum credibility in discussions with the P&P staff and before the Board, the Mayor and Town Council need to solidify the Town’s position on specific elements of the Plan.
The next 3-4 weeks is the time for residents to provide input on their views. The Plan is available for view at the Town Office. However, an information packet on the current plan will also be mailed to all Bulletin recipients in the near future. Your written comments and/or statements to the Town Council before or at the meeting on October 14th is requested.