Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday, October 10, 2005; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the September Council meeting include:
Passed Ordinance 2005-04; Authority for the Collection of Fees for Various Applications, Permits and Petitions. Effective date: 10/12/05
Addressed additional public comment on Ordinance 2005-05 (Zoning Text Amendment); Charitable, Religious, and Educational uses within Residential Zones. Adopted a change to wording suggested written by Town Attorney Bill Roberts. Discussion suggested that further clarification of “intensified Special Exception use” would be desirable. A number of comments from Marc Hansen, chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals, were discussed. He and Charlie Challstrom asked that the Board be provided with additional guidance for ruling on a Special Exception application under revision. The Board will be asked for their suggestions of useful additions to the Ordinance language. In consideration of the discussion, the public record for the ordinance was held open.
Proposed an amendment to the Town Charter section on Town Property, Section 68, Condemnation, to read, “within and outside the corporate limits of the Town”, etc…(words in italics are new).
Special Town Meeting Action
At the Special Town Meeting on August 31, 2005, an overflow crowd of Town residents at McCathran Hall discussed a recommendation from the Mayor, Council and involved residents that the Town pursue purchase of the Legacy Open Space Field. A recent appraisal valued the land as parkland as specified by the Preliminary Plan of Subdivision approved by the Planning Board. Expenditure of up to $20,000.00 was unanimously approved by the approximately 150 residents present for use in purchase negotiations that could involve the exercise of the Town’s power of eminent domain.
Special Work Session Action
At a work session on September 6, 2005, the Mayor and Council passed Resolution 2005-06 allowing the Mayor, through the Town’s designated attorneys, to pursue the acquisition of the LOS field through the exercise of the Town’s power of eminent domain.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday, October 5, 2005; 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.
Building permits were issued for the following:
121 Chestnut Ave. Fence
102 Center St. Porch Roof
202 Grove Ave. Sunroom
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Oct. 18, 2005, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
Meetings are open to the public.
The HPC is reviewing following:
121 Chestnut Ave. Porch
115 Chestnut Ave. New Home
The HPC has included a questionnaire in this month’s Bulletin. Please take a moment to fill out the questionnaire and return it to the Town Office. Your feedback is VERY important. Thank you!
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
Incident Report:
Please be suspicious of any person who comes to the door claiming to be a serviceperson if that person’s uniform or vehicle does not clearly identify the company supplying the service.
August 19: 100 block of Washington Grove Lane; cash and personal documents were stolen. Resident believes that while one man took her into the front yard purportedly to show her where fiber-optic cable was to be put in; an accomplice entered the house through the back door and took the items. The man was not wearing a uniform and the vehicle was not marked. Calls revealed that no cable company was scheduled to work there. The incident was reported to the police.
Graffiti: There was some concern about graffiti on some Town street signs. The signs were photographed and sent to police experts on gang activity. They said it is not gang-related graffiti.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Sept. 28, 2005, 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Film Society Starts 6th Series
October 16, 2005; Bride and Prejudice
This delightful romp updates Jane Austen’s story with lovely song and dance, colorful costumes, endearing characters, and a contemporary Indian setting. Take a trip to Bollywood, guided by the director of Bend It Like Beckham.
Just a couple of weeks until the first MOUSETRAP CONCERT!
Series tickets are on sale and going fast
Call Alice Negin 301-926-2858 or Ann Briggs 301-926-6347
Call to Artists
– Art Show The Art Club and the Recreation Committee are planning the Second Annual Art Show at McCathran Hall on the evening of Friday, November 25th and during the day on Saturday, November 26th.
This year, there are three changes in the format of the show. Firstly, it will be held for two days instead of one. Secondly, there will also be a separate Show of Art Created by Washington Grove Youth (school age) as part of the Art Show Celebration. Finally, in order to help with planning, this year we are asking that all artists (including youth) submit an entry form by November 11th. If you are interested in submitting entries for the Second Annual Art Show, contact Jerry Ruley 301-330-4589 or [email protected] to receive an entry form or pick one up at the Town Office.
Holiday Celebration Planned
December 10, 2005; 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
David Rapkievian will preview 3, 6, and 10 minute acts (song, dance, instrumental music etc) geared toward all ages and arrange an hour and a half program celebrating our diversity. The deadline for sign up is October 31, 2005. This deadline is FIRM. Please call David at 301-519-2021 to sign up.
Maple Lake News
Next meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005; 7:30 p.m. Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Although the swimming season is coming to an end, there is still planning to do for our precious resource. Come share your thoughts with the committee or, better yet, join this dedicated bunch. “New blood” is always welcome!!
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Sunday, October 23, 2005; Clubhouse.
Come celebrate Sylvia Horan’s 90th birthday from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Woman’s Club.
E-mail Updates Needed
If you have changed your e-mail address in the last year or so, chances are that you may have missed some important correspondence from the Town Office. Please send updated e-mail addresses to: [email protected] or try it the old-fashioned way; 301-926-2256.
Bulk Trash Pickup
– Last one for the year. Oct. 22, 2005. Collection may include furniture, appliances (not those with freon), rugs, large toys, small auto parts etc… Waste Management is now asking you to separate your metal items from your other items. Materials MAY NOT include construction by-products, large auto parts, or tires. Items that contain gasoline will not be taken. Please place items “curbside” by 7:00 a.m.
Brown Street Water Main Update
The WSSC work on the Brown Street water main is finished. A few “house keeping” chores to be completed by the contractor still remain unfinished but we expect they will be completed soon.
Who’s Writing on the Streets Again?
In an effort to maintain our roads, the Mayor & Council are looking into the possibility of having the large cracks in the roads sealed. The marks are to show the contractors where we want them to do the work.
Whole House Fans For Sale
The Town has two 30″ Nutone whole house ventilator fans for sale. They were purchased 10 years ago for the Hall renovation. They are new in the box. $100.00 each and they are yours! Call the Town Office 301-926-2256 or the Town Garage 301-963-5850.
Anne Haskett
March 14, 1918 – August 18, 2005
The Grove, with all its eccentricities, is a place that either sends people running or draws them in for decades. Anne Haskett moved into Town in 1949 and lived here for more than half a century. She had a feel for this place, moving from 108 Maple Ave.(Tenney house) to 117 Grove Ave.(Tippens house) to 203 Grove Ave.(Briggs house) to 205 Grove Ave.(the house designed by Dick Haskett for his family) in which she lived from March, 1964 to her death.
Anne really was a Stalwart of the Grove. She dug in for the Woman’s Club (president 1958-1960); was an active member of the League of Women Voters; was one of the 1962 brains and organizers behind the first Town 4th of July parade and celebration; supported Town events whether cultural, sporting or civic (George Paine’s 2005 parade picture of her is classic Anne). She also survived years and years of K-12 school activities to benefit Grove kids, including her own four.
Anne was constant as a friend. She suffered fools not at all, but empathy for others was one of her most striking traits. A clear thinker with a huge memory for detail, Anne was a leading voice on Town issues. She got right to the heart of a matter and voiced her opinion with clarity. And what a voice! She hummed or sang out loud throughout the day – almost unknowing, and when she read aloud a poem or paragraph, her voice revealed the text’s full meaning to you.
Her family plans a Memorial Service in the Town Hall on Saturday, October 1 at 3:00 p.m.. Everyone is warmly invited.
Ann Briggs
Donations in her memory may be made to:
Association to Preserve Cape Cod
PO Box 398
Barnstable, MA 02632
Red Lake Learning Center
PO Box 499
Red Lake, MN 56671
Clerk’s Corner
:o) Drive 15, enjoy the scene!