8 May 2001 | Approved: 9 July 2001
Mayor John Compton called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m. In attendance were Councilors Dave Gumula, Nick Suzich, Dodie Tippens, and Allen Winter. The following Town residents also were present: Bob Booher, Della Curenton, Don Gallagher, and David Stopak.
Public Appearances
Della Curenton, 119 Washington Grove Lane, expressed anger that the Town Council had voted to remove the speed hump in front of 125 Washington Grove Lane at their April meeting. Della said that removal of the hump would be extremely detrimental to traffic calming efforts and not in the best interests of Washington Grove Lane residents. Don Gallagher said that he had informed his neighbors that he would at the April Council meeting, request that the hump be removed. Allen Winter defended the Council action stating that it was clear that modification would take some time and the Council thought a more immediate solution to the problem was justified. Della emphasized that other remedial measures should be taken along with removal to assure that traffic calming is retained. Dodie Tippens moved, Dave Gumula seconded, to remove the speed hump in front of 125 Washington Grove Lane and concurrently replace the hump with a mechanism to retain current traffic calming. Vote: 4-0. Mayor Compton said that he would set up a meeting with County traffic engineer Dave Loughery to find a solution.
Approval of Minutes
Nick Suzich moved, Dodie Tippens seconded, that the Town Council minutes of April 16, 2001 be approved. Vote: 4-0.
Treasurer’s Report
Nick Suzich moved, Dodie Tippens seconded, that the Treasurer’s report for April be accepted. Vote: 4-0. Nick Suzich moved, Dave Gumula seconded, that the Treasurer be authorized to transfer funds, if necessary, to pay bills in May. Vote: 4-0.
Mayor’s Announcements
Mayor Compton announced the following:
- Resignation of Planning Commission chairman Jim Leng from the Commission.
- Bob Herbert, prospective owner of the former Holston property next to Railroad Park, has purchased a red caboose to use as an office on the property. His company, Action Hauling, will use the property for light dumpsters and equipment storage all of which he plans to screen from view.
- Deer Damage Control Workshop will be held on May 24.
- If new street addresses are assigned to houses along upper Ridge Road, would Council consider assisting homeowners by offering to pay for new house numbers? The Council agreed as long as numbers would conform to County standards.
Casey Field Development Issues/Status Report
Mayor Compton reported on the walkabout Casey fields with County planning staff including Brenda Sandberg and John Turgeon from the Legacy Open Space program, Vincent Berg a private consultant on forest mitigation and environmental matters, and several planners from the Development Review section. Mayor Compton said that the Planning Liaison Committee is talking to professional planning firms about creating concept plans that could be compatible with Washington Grove.
Adoption of Recommended FY2002 Budget and Tax Rate
Allen Winter moved, Nick Suzich seconded, that the FY 2002 budget be adopted as presented. The budget proposes a tax rate for real property of 0.235/$100 assessed valuation and a tax rate for personal property of 0.60/$100 assessed valuation. Vote: 4-0.
Council Reports
Planning Commission
Allen Winter said that the Planning Commission is prepared to consider only residential zoning for the Cator property at 17050 Railroad Street. Vicki Andrews and Mary Challstrom will contact County planner Fred Flaharty to finalize renumbering of Ridge Road addresses.
Forestry
Darrell Anderson submitted a written report on successful Arbor Day activities which included completion of a planted bed on the Center Street side of McCathran Hall and the ceremonial planting of a tree (Carolina Silverbell) outside the hallway between the kitchen and the Council Room. Darrell reported that three Town trees were designated as Montgomery County “Champion Trees” at the County’s Arbor Day celebration on April 29.
McCathran Hall
Darrell Anderson reported that information is being collected to purchase new, more comfortable chairs for the Town Hall. The cost for new chairs will be shared by the Town’s general fund and money raised by Mousetrap Concert Series ticket sales.
Lake
Dodie Tippens reported on a successful Maple Lake cleanup with many volunteers. She said that sand has been delivered to the lake and that water treatment plans are underway. Gravel will be ordered for the lake road and parking area. Last year’s swim instructor Erin Dunston has agreed to teach again this year.
Recreation Events
Dodie Tippens reported that the Recreation Committee has agreed to follow up on a Deer Management Control Workshop for Town residents.
Maintenance
The following is a partial list of items accomplished over the past month by Town maintenance staff: tuned up the tennis tractor, took many trips to the Transfer Station with brush, continued installing new street signs, purchased plants for Arbor Day, went on walking tour with Town Forester, met with heating contractors about a more efficient furnace for maintenance shop, drained lake, attended lake cleanup, put Cutrine and barley bales in lake, repaired Toro tractor, maintained Railroad Park, participated in walking tour of Casey fields with County Legacy Open Space planners, attended Forestry meeting.
Other Business
Nick Suzich moved, Allen Winter seconded, that the Hammond organ that had been given to the Town many years ago but rarely been used, be offered for sale to recover valuable storage space. Vote: 4-0.
The Council scheduled an organizational meeting for Monday, June 18, to swear in new Councilors, authorize year-end financial transfers, and finalize Council assignments.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 p.m.