Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 09.14.09 @ 7:30 p.m. & Monday » 09.28.09 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Council Considers Three (3) New Policies
The Mayor and Town Council have been advised by our insurance carrier to adopt three (3) new policies; Unlawful Harassment, Progressive Discipline, and Debt Management can also be seen at the Town Office.
Deer Park Bridge Reopens
On Monday morning August 24th at 11:45 am, the first cars crossed over the newly renovated Deer Park “Humpback” Bridge. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at 11:00 am with County Executive Ike Leggett, Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz, Montgomery County Department of Transportation Deputy Director Edgar Gonzalez, and the Town Mayor. Also in attendance were State Senator Nancy King and State Delegate Kirill Reznick. More than 50 Town residents and residents of the Deer Park and Central Avenue communities attended the ribbon cutting and gave rousing cheers at the opening of the bridge, which had been closed all summer to make emergency repairs. The renovation of the bridge ends (for now) a long-standing issue in the Town that goes back to the 1960s when the County first began thinking about replacing it with a larger bridge. Too many Town residents have worked on this issue over the years to name, so it is likely if you thank your neighbor or family member, they too worked at some point to save the old humpback bridge. This was truly an effort that spanned generations. The renovations should maintain the bridge for the next 50 years.
Gaithersburg West Master Plan Nears Approval
The Gaithersburg West Master Plan (GWMP) is nearing approval, with the Town developing a response to the draft plan currently available at https://www.montgomeryplanning.org/community/gaithersburg/index.shtm. Of particular note is the focus of the plan on development of a Life Sciences Center in the area adjacent to Shady Grove Hospital. This combination medical/educational “urban city” is expected to provide employment for as many as 40,000 people, housing for approximately 10,000 people, and educational facilities serving more than 25,000 students. It is a massive remake of a community of mixed housing, medical and technology buildings, and commercial enterprises. It is expected that the full build-out will take 30 years but will keep Montgomery County at the forefront of the biomedical and biotechnology fields for the coming years.
The Town Council, Planning Commission, and Historic Preservation Commission have reviewed the Town’s response and given valuable input. The response supports the Life Sciences Center in concept but cautions against going forward until transportation infrastructure is in place, as well as sensible plans for reducing the impact on existing neighborhoods. In GWMP comments that more directly affect the Town, we are asking for some attention to Oakmont Avenue-both drainage and road fixes-and some caution on the possible changes to the Westland area. Given our experience with the Shady Grove Master Plan, we intend to be active participants through to the end of the process.
New Town Flag Rises Over McCathran Hall
Many thanks to Betty Knight for her hard work in replacing the Town flag. Our very own “Betsy Ross” spent many hours stitching and cutting to produce the work of art we now see flying over the Town Hall. Kudos from everyone to Betty!
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 09.02.07 @ 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 for a major building permit (addition/renovation) is $40.00. The fee for a minor building permit (fence/shed) is $10.00. Checks should be made 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 permit applications as well.
Permits were issued for:
- 108 Maple » steps
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 09.15.09 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. Meetings are open to the public. The HPC encourages residents to come for an early consultation when planning a renovation.
Joint HPC/PC Work Sessions
The Town Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission have begun work sessions to identify how the Town may be challenged by the threat of Mansionization and what steps may be advisable to mitigate those threats. We have set up a regular meeting the last Wednesday of each month to review research and ideas the members have uncovered and assemble the ones most applicable to our unique Town. We will share those soon in a presentation to the Town to get feedback and other good suggestions. In the meantime, feel free to come to the meetings and see what ideas we are grappling with.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 10.21.09 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend. New members always welcome!
Drawing Classes Coming!
Do you love to draw but don’t always love what you draw? Join the crowd!
What most people don’t realize, though, is that drawing is a skill, like any other, that can be learned and enjoyed by anyone who follows a program of study and practice. And it’s fun!
Carolyn Reece-Tomlin and Marida Hines, both experienced drawing instructors, are planning a 6-week drawing class to be held in the Grove on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9pm. The class will run from September 16 to October 21, 2009 and will be limited to a maximum of 15 students. This class is the first in a series of 6-week classes in which we will use a variety of media including charcoal, conte crayon, pastel, pencil, and pen & ink. Classes will include; still life drawing, drawing from the model, landscape drawing, blind and controlled contour; value; shape; negative space, gesture drawing and linear & atmospheric perspective. The 6-week class will cost $150, which covers instruction, life drawing models, use of easels, and practice materials. Students will buy their own drawing pad and board, pencils, and erasers.
SIGN UP OR INQUIRE
For more information, please contact Marida Hines at 301-519-8730 / [email protected] or Carolyn Reece-Tomlin at
301-869-5854 / [email protected].
This class is sponsored by the Recreation Committee of Washington Grove.
MOUSETRAP
Washington Grove’s Eleventh season of great Chamber music: TICKETS on sale, NOW!
- October 11th: Virtuoso Pianist with flying fingers and special guest
- November 22nd: Soprano and Tenor sing some very Romantic songs
- March 14th: Instruments of the Baltimore Consort. See and hear a cittern in action
- April 18th: Saxophone and piano in concert
Recession proof prices: adult series @$60.00 for all four concerts; child series @$40.00. For more information call Ann Briggs at 301-926-6347, Alice Negin at 301-926-2858 or Kathy Lehman 301-926-1253.
BLUESTOBER-FEST
at the Gazebo, Saturday, October 3rd, from 6:00-10:00 p.m.
Enjoy great blues music with family and friends as we celebrate the autumn season with The Bobby Lewis Blues Band at the Gazebo (McCathran Hall if it rains). Sausages, hot dogs, potato salad and condiments provided. Please bring a side dish and/or dessert to share. BYOB! There will be a temporary tattoo and face painting booth for the kids! We can use help with grilling, set-up and clean up. Please e-mail or call The Selbys if you are willing to help or have any questions: [email protected] or (301) 963-7073. Lederhosen is optional.
Neighborhood Watch News
Report Crimes & Suspicious Activity!
Mont. Co. Police non-emergency: 301-279-8000
Town Office: 301-926-2256
Joe Clark: 301-869-7944
Keith Gillis/Leigh Partington: 301-208-1437
Please report criminal or suspicious activity to your Neighborhood Watch Block Captain or Coordinators. Filing a police report, too, helps the police department keep track of criminal incidents and is necessary for police to take action. Of course, for emergency situations call 911.
Incident Report:
- July 28: Theft. 200 block Washington Grove Lane – A Honda, 49cc dirt bike/scooter was stolen from a locked shed between Tuesday 7/28 at 10:50 a.m. and Wednesday 7/29 at 2:15 p.m.
- Aug 11: Police helicopter activity. A Ride On bus driver observed 3 men drag another male off of a bus in the area of Girard and Teachers Way at 9:05 p.m. Boy was all bloody. K9 responded along with officers in an attempt to find the injured person. K9 tracked to the area of Victory Farm. Helicopter was called in to aid in the search. Search area included S. Summit to Midcounty Hwy but nothing was found.
- Aug 24: Theft. 300 block Grove Rd – A yellow “Slow Down” sign shaped like a man with a flag was stolen around 6 p.m.
Reminder: This time of year we often experience a rise in incidents, especially break-ins and theft. Please remember to lock your home doors and accessible windows when you are away even for a short time. Lock your car doors. Do not leave any valuables in your car. Small electronic devices are prime targets.
Woman’s Club News…
Woman’s Club Annual Potluck Supper, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Woman’s Clubhouse
Back by popular demand; Craig Wilson of USA Today. Craig Wilson has been a feature writer at USA Today for 25 years, writing his popular Wednesday column since 1996. He’s the author of “It’s the Little Things: An Appreciation of Life’s Simple Pleasures,” a collection of his columns from Random House. He also wrote the essays for “Mothers and Children,” a photo book from National Geographic. He’s a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University and lives in Washington, D.C.
Please bring a dish to share and enjoy the evening. All are welcome to attend.
Thank You!!
All members of the Woman’s Club wish to express our deep appreciation to Steve and Cynthia Werts for their hard work re-screening the beautiful porch to the Club House. We hired a contractor to scrape and repaint the wood and Steve and Cynthia followed up with a job well done! We are indebted to them.
WGUMC News
All Welcome to Church/Town Events this fall!
- Sept. 13th, 12:30 pm Fun for Kids–“Rally Day” will include a moon bounce for children, sno cones, hot-dogs, and face-painting beside the church! Come as we celebrate the start of the Sunday school year–for those interested Sunday school information will be available.
- October 2nd, 7:30 pm Fun for Everyone–Come and enjoy, or come and participate in the Variety Show/Ice Cream Social! Let Judy or a church member know about that act you’ll be doing…240 912 9895.
- Play-group–Stay posted via list-serve for our bi-weekly meetings, held at 9:30 am downstairs in the church, so little ones can play and parents and grandparents can talk. In September we’ll meet on Wednesday the 2nd and then either on Wednesday the 16th or Tuesday the 15th.
11 am Worship services at WGUMC resume the school-year schedule on Sept. 13th (the time will remain at 10 am on Sept. 6th). Classes beginning on the 13th include Sunday school for adults and teens at 9:30, and for pre-school and school-age children during the 11 am service.
Wishing everyone a good fall and a year of grace!
–Judy Young
Lake Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 09.03.07 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Party Permit Required
If you wish to have a party at Maple Lake, you must get a party permit. Please note that this permit does not allow you exclusive use of the lake but it will entitle you to use of the grill and the picnic tables. The contact person for a Maple Lake Party Permit is Sally Mansfield 301-977-3189.
Forestry Committee News
Coming Soon to a Bit of Town Forest Near You!
It’s become obvious in the past 10 years that, as our deer population has increased; the number of new trees in our forest preserves has decreased. In high deer density areas, deer browsing prevents the regeneration of forests as deer eat nearly all the tree seedlings, destroy forest understory plants, and reduce overall species richness. Several studies found that deer browsing significantly reduces songbird numbers by destroying their habitats.
Unfortunately, their browsing doesn’t extend to the non-native invasive species that crowd our woods. The Woods Group 5-year plan is our best bet to deal with those. The big project this fall is the area next to Grove Road that is infested with Porcelain Berry.
Now we’d like to start addressing the reforestation of parts of our forest preserve. We will be installing test enclosures where deer will be excluded and trees will have a chance to grow until they are big enough to co-exist with the deer.
Enclosures like this are being used successfully in many areas with high deer populations. We’ll be installing extra trees from the Maryland “Tree-Mendous” program. In a few years we expect to see a dramatic difference. You’ll be able to observe the process as the enclosures we plan will be located near roads and walking trails. The one-inch mesh fences are rated for 15 to 20 years but damage can occur. Please call Georgette Cole (301-330-6740) or Kathy Lehman (301-926-2256) if you notice breaches in the fence. We will repair as quickly as possible; if deer get in they can undo several years’ growth awfully quickly!
Labor Day Invitation to All
Come see the fruits of our labor on Labor Day! Join us for a glass of wine and see our re-built house. Sept. 7th; 5:00 – 6:00 p.m; 119 Grove Ave.
Wendy and Howard
Clerk’s Corner
School is in session, watch for the kids at the bus stops!