22 May 2017 | Approved: 12 May 2017

Mayor Joli McCathran called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Council members Audrey Maskery, John McClelland and Greg Silber. Pat Klein was in attendance by phone. Also in attendance was Treasurer Mary Challstrom. John Compton arrived at approximately 7:45 p.m. Over twenty residents were also present.

Because the required quorum was not present at 7:30 p.m., Mayor McCathran adjusted the agenda to allow for a presentation by Susan Barranger, Principal of Washington Grove Elementary School to the Town residents in attendance. Ms. Barranger distributed paper copies of a Power Point presentation and explained the implementation of the Two-Way Spanish Immersion program. There was a question and answer session after the presentation during which some new decisions about the proposed program were addressed. Mayor McCathran thanked Ms. Barranger for coming.

New Council Members Swearing In:

Mayor McCathran gave the oath of office to John Compton and Audrey Maskery.

PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor McCathran called the public hearing for Ordinance 2017-01; Adopting Town Budget for Fiscal Year July 1, 2017 Through June 30, 2018, and Levying an Ad Valorem Tax on all Assessable Property Within the Town of Washington Grove, Maryland to order at 8:15 p.m. She asked for public comment. There was none. The hearing was closed.

REGULAR MEETING

Mayor McCathran called the regular meeting of the Town Council to order at 8:20 p.m.

Approval of Agenda:

Pat Klein moved to approve the agenda. Audrey Maskery seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0, approved.

Susan Barranger, Principal:

Washington Grove Elementary: Presented earlier in the meeting.

Public Appearances:

Mayor McCathran gave an update on the proposed Dog Park. She reported the Historic Preservation Commission gave a draft opinion concerning the construction of a dog park in Washington Grove and the Woods Committee was working on a draft opinion as well. She suggested the next Woods Committee meeting be a work session with the Town Council, Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Woods Committee and the Dog Group. No votes will be taken during this work session. Mary Warfield expressed her concerns about the circular process. There was a discussion about the following:

Proposed locations
Possible impacts on the Town
Possible impacts on the forest preservation and restoration and water shed areas
The original proposal from the Dog Owners Group

John Compton voiced his opinion in favor of the dog park and thought this proposal should be tried. Pat Klein stated many issues still needed to be subject of a fair-minded, thoughtful discussion. Mary Warfield stated the suggested date for a Joint Work Session be June 19, 2017 because she will be away on June 12. This date was approved.

Approval of Minutes:

Greg Silber moved to approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting of April 10, 2017 and post them to the website. Audrey Maskery seconded the motion.
Vote: 4-0, approved. John Compton abstained.

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurers Report 2017-Aprilpdf

Greg Silber moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report for April 2017. Audrey Maskery seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0, accepted.

John Compton moved to transfer $5K from savings to checking to pay bills. Greg Silber seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0.

Election of Mayor Pro-Tempore:

Greg Silber moved to re-elect John McClelland as Mayor Pro-Tempore. Audrey Maskery seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0, approved. John McClelland abstained.

Council Areas of Responsibility Assigned:

John Compton – Historic Preservation Commission, Shady Grove Crossing Liaison, WG Meadow Park
Patrice Klein – Emergency Preparedness, Maple Lake
Audrey Maskery – Forestry & Beautification, Maintenance, Memorials
John McClelland – McCathran Hall, Planning Commission
Greg Silber – Contracts, Woods Committee
Shelley Winkler – Recreation, Roads & Walkways, Website

Approval of Mayor’s Appointments:

Greg Silber moved to approve the following Mayor’s appointments:

Joe Clark – Board of Elections Supervisors
Deb Mehlferber – Full member of the Planning Commission
Christine Dibble – Board of Zoning Appeals
Sat Amagai – Board of Zoning Appeals
Kathie Evans – Board of Zoning Appeals (Alternate)

Ordinance 2017-01 Adopting Town Budget and Tax Rate for FY 2018:

Greg Silber moved to approve Ordinance 2017-01; Ordinance Adopting the Town Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, and Levying an Ad Valorem Tax on All Assessable Property within the Town of Washington Grove, Maryland. John McClelland seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0, approved.

Charter Resolution 2017-02 to Amend the Clerk-Treasurer at Two (2) Separate Offices or the Merging of the Offices into One (1) Appointment:

Audrey Maskery moved to adopt Resolution 2017-02; Charter Resolution To Amend Sections 38, 39 And 40 Of The Clerk-Treasurer Article, Section 32 Of
The Registration, Nomination And Elections Article, And Sections 46, 49 And 51 Of The Budget, Taxation And Indebtedness Article Of The Town Charter, To Authorize The Appointment Of A Clerk And A Treasurer As Two Separate Offices Or The Merging Of The Offices Into One Appointment As Clerk-Treasurer, To Clarify The Duties Of Each Office, And To Make Conforming Changes. Pat Klein seconded the motion.
Vote: 4-0, adopted. Greg Silber abstained.

Motion from the Annual Town Meeting – Location of all meetings:

John McClelland reported he and Steve Werts are working on a prototype table for new seating arrangements referenced in a motion by Ed Roberts at the Annual Town Meeting. There was a discussion about holding all meetings in the octagon and the size of other available spaces. This item will be on the July agenda.

Mayor’s Announcements:

Mayor McCathran reported she and Charlie Challstrom walked the East Woods and found both good and bad stewards of our Town woods. She stated they found dumping is significant and also found a basketball hoop/court and a split rail fence on Town land. Letters asking for the dumping to cease and the removal of items on Town property have been written and will go out tomorrow.

Master Plan – Peter Nagrod volunteered to chair the upcoming Master Plan review.

409 5th Avenue Permanent Easement Update – Mayor McCathran reported with help from Bob Booher and the Town attorney, corrected square footage has been established. The easement documentation was sent to the residents again. There is still no word from the O’Connor’s.

Tennis Court Request For Proposal – Mayor McCathran reported Treasurer Mary Challstrom is writing the scope of work for this RFP. It is currently in draft form. She will complete it very soon.

Update on Invasives Removal – Mayor McCathran reported there was good news and bad news on this subject. The project is going well but the amount of wisteria and stilt grass is far more than originally anticipated. Two (2) problem areas are wisteria near the Challstrom’s home and a large stand of bamboo in the Northeast corner of the woods. The bamboo will be left intact for a barrier.

Town Council Meeting Minutes May 2017