Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 10.16.06 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
Please note the date change to the 3rd Monday of the month!
The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the September Council meeting included:
Scheduled the Special Town Meeting about speed humps for October 23, 2006.
Appointed Joseph Clark to the position of Alternate on the Planning Commission.
Approved a request from a resident of Mill Creek South, who is a bow hunter, to retrieve wounded deer from the East Woods should they run on to Town land after being shot. The hunter is licensed and has fulfilled County and State requirements.
Volunteer Needed…
The Mayor and Council are seeking a volunteer to fill a position as a Fire Board representative. Interested parties should call Mayor John Compton at 301-330-8264.
Notice of Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing
September 30, 2006
10:30 a.m.; Council Room, McCathran Hall
Pursuant to Article VII, Section 12.2 of the Washington Grove Zoning Ordinance, a public hearing will be held to determine if a setback variance should be granted to allow the construction of a shed on the lot at 419 4th Avenue.
Special Town Meeting
October 23, 2006
7:30 p.m.; McCathran Hall
Pursuant to the Town Charter; General Provisions, Section 5, a Special Town Meeting has been called for October 23, 2006. The purpose of the meeting is to determine whether or not to install speed humps in various locations on several roadways in Town.
Casey Field
A significant turnout of Town residents heard Toll Brothers representatives present a revised Phase I site plan at a public information meeting on Sept. 6. Due to a change in the site due to storm water management for the ICC, the site plan was a significant revision which also requires that a new storm water management plan be approved. Consequently the review process is back to square one, as Permitting Services, Park and Planning staff, the Town and the Amity communities weigh-in on the plan.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 10.04.06 @ 7:30 p.m. in 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:
115 W.G. Lane » Fence/Gate
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 10.17.05 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
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
Keith Gillis/Leigh Partington: 301-208-1437
Incident Report:
Aug 19: West Woods – A large collection of beer cans, liquor bottles, broken glass and packaging discarded by someone stuffing cigars (“blunts”) appeared in an area near the far side of the woods. It was cleaned up and the incident and location was reported to police.
Aug 19: Suspicious Behavior at Maple Lake – A resident was frightened by inexplicable advances of two men who did not speak English.
Aug 23: Trespassing at Maple Lake – A resident reported non-resident youths and even young unsupervised children gaining access to the lake in the evenings on a regular basis through large holes in the fence.
Aug 24: Theft at Maple Lake parking area – A car was broken into, sounding the alarm. Radar detector was stolen.
Aug 24: Fire in East Woods – Small smoldering fire was found in the East Woods just off Mulch Alley.
Sept. 5: Unrestrained Dog. Complaint about a dog walked off-leash by a resident.
Sept. 7: 100 McCauley St – A dog was reported to Animal Services after it twice jumped its fence and chased (and the second time attacked) a dog being walked by its owner.
Sept. 8: Suspicious Behavior at Hickory Rd & Center St (9AM) -A young man who had been walking down Washington Grove Lane approached a 9-yr-old girl at her school bus stop and repeatedly summoned her until she ran to a neighbor’s house.
Help for Pedestrians Crossing W.G. Lane
Many residents have expressed concern about the safety of children and parents crossing Washington Grove Lane to reach Maple Lake. The Town has requested pedestrian crosswalk paddle signs (vertical signs placed between lanes) at each of the three raised crosswalks across Washington Grove Lane. The County has told us the signs will be installed any day now!
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 09.27.06 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Get caught in the trap…
“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
Film Society
Ushpizin October 15, 2006
Directed by Giddi Dar, 2004, Israel, subtitled, 90 minutes.
A Chasidic enclave in Israel provides both the actors and the setting for this modern-day parable. During Sukkoth, a pair of scoundrels visits a poor, childless, and fervently devout couple, who believe their faith is being tested. Beautifully acted and quietly humorous, this tale gives us a glimpse into a culture usually closed to the outside world.
Holiday Celebration Planned
December 16, 2006; 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 Nov. 15, 2006. This deadline is FIRM. Please call David at 301-519-2021 to sign up.
Music Makers Anyone?
A local area amateur music club is looking for music lovers who would like to join for the purpose of playing/singing for one another in a friendly environment of encouragement and appreciation. The group is called Music Makers and they meet on the 1st Sunday afternoon of each month. Membership is free! In order to receive information about Music Makers, please contact Steve Yusko [email protected]. People who don’t have e-mail can contact the Town Office and the clerk will forward your inquiry.
Woman’s Club News
Next meeting: Thursday » 10.19.06 @ 7:30 p.m. in Clubhouse.
Pumpkin Carving
Get ready for Halloween and join us for some pumpkin carving! Please bring your own pumpkin; we’ll supply the carving tools and refreshments. Everyone is welcome. Since there will be knives in use please make sure that any participating children are supervised.
Planning Board Hearing/ICC Briefing #1
The Montgomery County Planning Board will hear testimony from the public on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006 regarding a proposal to increase the acreage of parkland available for construction of the ICC by less than a half acre in two Derwood locations. The hearing will be held in the first floor auditorium of the M-NCPPC Office at 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD. To obtain an approximate time for this item on the agenda, please call Marion Joyce, 301-495-4600, after Monday, September 25, 2006. For information about proposed MNCPPC staff recommendations, contact Dan Hardy at 301-495-4600 or [email protected]. Questions about the ICC project should be directed to Melinda Peters of SHA at 866-462-0020 or [email protected]
Another WSSC Water Main Project…
An 80 year old water main that serves all of 4th Avenue and part of McCauley Street will be replaced in a two-phase operation by WSSC this fall. Phase One will deal with McCauley Street. Phase Two will deal with 4th Avenue. In order to minimize potential damage to trees, the walkway, and the roadway, the Town has approved the use of a trench less pilot program by a sub-contractor for WSSC. Above ground water lines will be used during this time. Although we have no start date for the project, the above ground work has to be completed by November 15, 2006. There is a possibility that the 4th Avenue part of this project could get pushed into the spring if the weather is uncooperative. Residents who will be affected by this project will be notified in writing by WSSC. Basic questions about the project may be directed to the Town Office 301-926-2256 or the Maintenance Garage 301-963-5850.
Talkin’ Trash…
Residents have reported seeing our trash contractor mixing recyclable yard waste with the regular trash. This should not be happening. If you see this, please report it to Kathie Evans at 301-869-7816 or [email protected].
Montgomery County Sanitation and Recycling, our trash contractor, would like to remind residents to be sure that you have a secure, solid lid for your trash cans. This will help eliminate water being emptied into the trash truck and subsequently leaking out on our roadways.
Night Time “Streetwalker” Needed…
Did I get your attention? When our street lights go out, the Town does a “bulk” report and sends it to PEPCO. In the past, the information for this report comes from a volunteer “Streetlight Czar or Czarina” who walks the streets and avenues at night making note of the lights that aren’t working. For MANY years, Vicky Erhart and a companion of the doggie kind could be seen walking late at night making the street light list. Vicky has resigned as our resident “Streetlight Czarina” and we are in need of a volunteer to take on this job. Interested parties may call the Town Clerk for more information. A big “thank you” to Vicky for her years of service as our resident “Streetlight Czarina”!!!!
Clerk’s Corner
Bulletin Deadline is the 12th of the month!
The Lost and Found box is about to take over the Council Room. Anybody missing keys, reading glasses, children’s shoes, walking stick, and/or clothing? Please come over and check the box. If no one claims the clothing or other useful items by October 31st, they will be taken to the Good Will or Salvation Army.