TC REPORTS – June 2018

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION – Darrell Anderson

Meetings. The regular monthly meeting was held May 15, 2018. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 19, 2018.

Comments on Proposed Ordinance 2018-02. The HPC circulated their comments on Ordinance 2018-02 for consideration at the June Town Council meeting. A copy is provided to Council members.

Street Sign Rehabilitation Project. Susan Van Nostrand held a gathering to produce more of the signs for this project. Seven new signs were produced, including 5 “mash signs”. The signs were given to Steve for placement. Another gathering will be planned in the near future.

WASHINGTON GROVE MEADOW CONSERVATION PARK – Darrell Anderson

Georgette Cole provided me with a tour of the Meadow to discuss new pockets of mile-a-minute (MAM) and other invasive species. I contacted David Quintanilla, Montgomery County Parks’ manager of the Meadow Park. We will be meeting in the Meadow the week of June 11, along with Richard Karman, who is in charge of the mowing schedule, to review whether we can have a small mow for those areas that are newly infected. This includes the inside section of the eastern path, where MAM has evidently jumped the path and is spreading rapidly. We also will be discussing the presence of Japanese knotweed in the Meadow along Ridge Road. It is hoped that we can have those sections only mowed before blooming season in July.

ROADS & WALKWAYS – Darrell Anderson

Nothing to report.

PLANNING COMMISSION – Charlie Challstrom

Building Permits Approved:

• 201 Brown St – addition of a deck in the rear yard
• 125 Chestnut Ave – addition of a bay window on front of home
• 105 Grove Ave – repair/replacement of a section of metal fence between neighbors

Ordinance 2018-02 (Sale of Property): The PC reviewed Ordinance 2018-02 as presented by Town Attorney Suellen Ferguson and introduced by the Town Council. Ordinance 2018-02 is consistent with criteria in the 1987 Policy for Sale of Surplus Properties for a parcel to be considered surplus, i.e., no longer needed for the public use. Ordinance 2018-02 differs from the easement-based process as enacted in Article IV, Section 10, e.g. a description of historic integrity features is not a required element. The PC and HPC will review if a property is “surplus” using the criteria from the 1987 Policy, and ensure information is submitted to document dimensions, materials, and current degree of non-compliance. In Ordinance 2018-02, the PC and HPC recommendations are advisory, and it is the responsibility of the Town Council to make a finding that the Town property is no longer needed for a public use. The PC recommends the Town Council enact Ordinance 2018-02 as presented by the Town Attorney.

Railroad Street Speed Hump Request: Montgomery County has “Speed Humps Regulations” with criteria for consideration of speed humps and a procedure to request the installation of speed humps on eligible County roads. Railroad Street and Washington Grove Lane are the only roads within Washington Grove that are the responsibility of the County. The speed humps on Washington Grove Lane resulted from negotiations in the early 1990’s between the State, the County, Gaithersburg, and Washington Grove to transfer portions of former State Route 124 to local government control. The PC is aware of current community concerns for the speed and increased volume of traffic on Railroad Street, and safety challenges of turning onto Railroad Street from Grove Road and from Chestnut Road. The PC recommends the Mayor initiate a request to County DOT in accordance with the Speed Humps Regulations. A first step is a County traffic study to determine if the roadway segment meets the eligibility criteria; and if eligible, a second step is a public meeting in Town to address residents’ questions and concerns about speed humps, and to explain the process for moving ahead.

Master Plan Update: Georgette Cole has prepared a “2019 Master Plan Call for Recruitment” notice to solicit residents for Ad Hoc Advisory Groups on subject areas covered by our Master Plan. The Historic Preservation Commission and other Town committees are also asked to participate by preparing recommendations to the Planning Commission for updating the current Master Plan. The recruitment notice will provide a list of topics and a proposed schedule for the update process, with targeted completion by the 2019 Annual Town Meeting. Residents interested in serving on an Ad Hoc Advisory Group are invited to contact Georgette.

MCCATHRAN HALL – Charlie Challstrom

Jack Mettee Plumbing & Heating recently installed a new Kohler vacuum assist toilet in the Men’s restroom and replaced the backflow preventer for the fire protection sprinkler system. In preparation for the Maryland Primary Elections, McCathran Hall window locks have been installed, and the track lighting will be adjusted to illuminate the voter check-in tables.

CONTRACTS – Rob Gilmore

Nothing to report.

WOODS – Rob Gilmore

The Woods Committee met on Monday, June 4, 2018, to continue discussions on the following ongoing committee activities. In attendance were co-chairs Pat Klein and Joan Mahaffey, and members Greg Silber, Joli McCathran, Meg O’Connell, Georgette Cole, Deb Mehlferber, Jay Everhart, and Virginia Quesada. Rob Gilmore attended as the Town Council liaison.

Committee members scheduled time to work on recommendations for Master Plan Updates germane to the East and West Woods. East Woods restoration proceeds with continuation of IPC work to control invasive plants. IPC will be working in the East Woods on July 2nd. As a courtesy to the Town Residents to inform them of the IPC scheduled work, the Committee chairs will draft a statement for a Grove Alert to be sent by the Mayor on Friday (6/28). The Committee conducted an assessment of IPC’s wisteria control efforts last year and determined there was at least a 50% reduction in wisteria, therefore, continuation of this work is critical. In addition, the Committee discussed that of the 30 trees that had been planted, only four have survived, underscoring the problems that the woods are facing. The Committee also considered the need to begin invasive plant control in the West Woods.
The Committee returned to discussion of deer management based on the State DNR and Montgomery County options available. Meg O’Connell handed out an outline summarizing a proposed path forward. The proposed plan includes: (1) engaging our community by conducting citizen meetings, (2) amending town ordinances to permit controlled hunting, (3) further developing a forest preservation plan, and (4) working to acquire a deer management permit from the DNR/MC. One important consideration discussed was whether hunting of deer has proven to be effective controlling the deer population; Joli McCathran noted her understanding that it has not proven effective in other municipalities / areas. Deer exclosures also will be revisited to determine how best to protect and restore tree canopy and undergrowth.

There was some initial discussion on Woods Committee ‘norms’, in light of a document that Meg O’Connell handed out. That discussion included: (1) the methods by which the Committee selects it chairs, (2) whether it is appropriate for sitting Town Councilors to serve as chairs, (3) how the Committee can improve its organization and communications (within the Committee itself and externally with the town), and (4) whether the Committee is subject to the Open Meetings Act.

DOG PARK – Rob Gilmore

The Dog Park Committee held its initial meeting on May 31, 2018, at 7:30 pm at Mary Warfield’s house (500 McCauley). In attendance were Mary Warfield, Christine Dibble, Missy Yachup, Alice Negin, Maureen Christin, Kathy Lehman, Karen Kelly, Lisa Kokes, Caryn McLaine, and Rob Gilmore (as Town Council Liaison)

Committee membership and rules: after convening the committee first discussed how it would operate:

• Majority vote
• Must reside in Washington Grove
• No age limit
• No requirement for number of meetings to have attended prior to membership
• Liaisons will not vote
• Voting by proxy as long as written
• Open Meetings Act – do not think it applies but will voluntarily follow some of its prescriptions (e.g. minutes, advance public notice of meetings)

These will be drafted into a brief by-laws document.

Election of Chairs: the committee nominated and unanimously voted Christine and Mary as co-chairs.

Discussion of Proposed Dog Park Ordinance: the committee then reviewed and discussed the proposed ordinance, and made the following comments on the specific provisions in the proposal, for the Council’s consideration:

• Delete 5
• Consider modifying 4: there was discussion about whether guests or family members of town residents could bring their dogs even if not Montgomery County-licensed. The Council will need to assess whether that is something that can be permitted. There were also discussions of whether other immunizations should be required but ultimately no recommendation to modify this provision (as drafted, it requires rabies vaccination)
• Delete 2d sentence of 12

Combine 14 with 1 but keep express language in 1
Delete 20
Delete 21

Consultation with Woods Committee: the committee discussed the letter that the Woods Committee had submitted to the Town Council prior to the April 9 meeting. The sense of the committee was that it was advisable for the committee to consult with the Woods Committee during the initial construction of the dog park, while maintaining its autonomy over the dog park.

SHADY GROVE CROSSING – Rob Gilmore

Nothing to report.

WEBSITE – Marida Hines

Nothing to report.

RECREATION – Marida Hines

Meetings. The Committee held a quarterly meeting on May 23, 2018.

The upcoming July 4th picnic, Music Weekend, and Bluestoberfest events are all on track. The first two have been announced to the town via official channels. October 13, 2018 has been set as the date for Bluestoberfest.

The Recreation Committee is sponsoring a new ongoing recreational event, square dancing. These will be held in McCathran Hall the first and third Mondays, starting June 4, from 7:30 to 9 pm at a cost of $5.

2018 Summer in the Parks has approximately 25 enrollees. Four staff members have been hired, and 10 fulltime volunteers have been secured. The camp will be directed by Emily Cavey and Jenn Hix.

COMMUNICATIONS WORK GROUP – Marida Hines

This group is forming as an ad-hoc working group to improve official communications in town. Preliminary discussions have been held and next steps are being drawn up.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE – Pat Klein

The EPC met on May 24, 2018 to continue moving forward on the following activities in support of town safety and emergency preparedness. The committee noted the well-deserved recognition of the wooden street name signs restoration with the Historic Preservation Award by the HPC and Susan Van Nostrand as “Volunteer of the Year” by Mayor McCathran.

The status of the McCathran Hall Generator Request for Proposals (RFP) was discussed, noting that Mayor McCathran confirmed the RFP document and a bidders list was sent to the Town Clerk last month. The EPC liaison would follow up with the Town Clerk to confirm the RFP had been distributed to the bidder list and determine if any responses had been received.
The Town received permission from WSSC to mark our fire hydrants with reflective tape and they provided two samples of “DOT C2” reflective tape. The smooth bonnet of one hydrant on McCauley Street was marked with the 2-inch wide tape sample from WSSC and was noted to have excellent night-time visibility. The EPC will purchase more of the “DOT C2” tape, 2inch wide for smooth bonnets, and a thinner format of “DOT C2” tape for rims of hydrants with ribbed bonnets.

The EPC continues to recommend installation of a streetlight on Railroad Street to safely illuminate the painted crosswalk between the Ride-On bus stops/MARC station. Railroad Street is the responsibility of Montgomery County. The EPC recommends that a streetlight request made to MC-DOT with a safety rationale and lighting characteristics specifying a streetlight compatible with the Town and non-intrusive to residential areas, even in leaf-off seasons.

The Town continues to participate in the County’s update of its Hazard Mitigation Plan with an expectation the Town Council will adopt the updated County plan in order to remain eligible for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants. The proposed hazard mitigation actions include: restore and upgrade storm water drainage under Railroad Street, emergency generator for a critical facility (McCathran Hall), preventative trimming near/beneath power lines, public outreach for use of the Alert Montgomery System, and County fire suppression capability for East Woods and West Woods.

The EPC noted that ongoing episodes of wet weather predispose to a robust mosquito population and prepared notices for the Town Bulletin to promote individual efforts to reduce standing water on private properties and preventive measures such as use of insect repellant. A link to CDC public health advisory was included.
The next EPC meeting is Thursday, June 28, 2018

MAPLE LAKE – Pat Klein

The Committee met on May 10th to finalize preparations for seasonal re-opening Maple Lake. The following activities are being completed:

Town maintenance repaired the bubbler and will install barbed-wired arms on the newly repaired fence section along Newport Estates. A commercial fence company was hired to repair the fence section around the outflow area. A new ladder with handrails was installed along the dock. The diving board will be placed on June 15th.

There will be 10 Life Guards working at the Lake this summer. A Life Guard Meeting is scheduled on June 1 to review responsibilities and assign remaining day assignments in the season. Swim lessons again will be provided by Lainey from July 5 – 28.

Lake Permits will be issued on Election Day (May 12th) and volunteers solicited to open/close daily the Lake Gate. Mayor McCathran and the Lake committee chairs met with MCPD Commander Patil and officers to arrange for random patrols 2-3 times per week at no cost to the Town.

The next Lake Committee meeting is Thursday, June 21, 2018.

FORESTRY & BEAUTIFICATION – Audrey Maskery

Dead trees have been removed Dorsey Street; Grove Road/McCauley. Sadly two trees lost to the recent storm, both on private property; debris removed from Town property by contractor; wood left for town residences.

MAINTENANCE – Audrey Maskery

Weed cloth installed; wood chips spread completing the current updating of the children’s playground.

Mulch placed around trees in Morgan Park and other areas where trees require extra cover to conserve water. Picnic table from Park repaired and returned to position.

Grounds around Woman’s Club trimmed in preparation for the Flower Show.

Ditches cleared of leaves and debris to enable surface water flow.

Lake area grass cut and area cleared of debris; security cameras adjusted and placed in preparation for the Memorial Day opening.

MEMORIALS – Audrey Maskery

Nothing to report

PLAYGROUNDS – Audrey Maskery

Nothing to report.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL – John Compton & Joli McCathran

Nothing to report.