Town Council News
Next meeting: Monday » 04.14.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
Actions at the March Council meeting included:
- approval of Mayor’s appointments of Meredith Horan to the Board of Supervisors of Elections and Mimi Styles to the Historic Preservation Commission.
- accepted a bid for $57,400.00 from A.B. Veirs for repaving lower Ridge Road and for tar & chip in two (2) areas.
- accepted a bid for $18,600.00 from U.S. Lawns for bulk leaf collection.
Town Elections
Nominations for Mayor and Council should be sent to Chair Meredith Horan at PO Box 337 or 127 Maple Ave. There is still time for more nominations. The candidate must agree to being nominated and have been a Town resident for at least two (2) years for the position as Mayor and for at least one (1) year for Town Council. So far, the nominees are:
- Mayor (1-year term) » Joli McCathran
- Council (3-year term) » Georgette Cole
- Council (3-year term) » Audrey Maskery
PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for nominations is April 14 (the second Monday in April). David Young will resign from his seat on the Council at the end of the April 14 Council meeting. Any nominations Meredith Horan has received for the remaining one year of David’s term will be formally accepted by her at that time.
Annual Town Meeting & Elections are on May 10, 2014.
**IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ**
Washington Grove Taxpayers
Every year the Town of Washington Grove receives a portion of the Maryland State income tax paid by Town residents. Because our residents do not have mail delivered to street addresses, this presents a challenge for the State Comptroller's office when attributing the taxes collected to Washington Grove. It is critical that all Washington Grove residents (including renters!) designate "Washington Grove." For Maryland iFile, under "Name of county and incorporated city, town, or special taxing area in which you were a resident on the last day of the taxable period," select "Montgomery, Washington Grove" from the drop down menu. This block is separate from the address blocks. Turbo Tax and H&R Block software also include drop down menus where you may select "Montgomery County" and then "Washington Grove." Please share this information with your renters and your tax preparer if appropriate. This DOES NOT increase your taxes, but DOES help ensure that the Town receives its proper share of local income tax revenue. Thanks for your help! Questions, call Treasurer Mary Challstrom at 301-926-4498.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 04.02.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room. The public is invited to attend.
PLEASE READ!! Change to the Building Permit Application Process to begin June 1st.
Prior to submitting a building permit application to the PC, the applicant must obtain a formal advisory review of the project by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). Currently, a copy of the building permit application is submitted to the HPC immediately after receipt by the PC. This rule change would provide the HPC review at an earlier stage in the design process where it can be more effective in preservation of architectural features, compatibility with neighboring structures, and preservation of the visual character of the Town of Washington Grove. The HPC review (when applicable) must accompany the building permit application. The HPC’s process will be amended to reflect this change.
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. All permit applications must be received in the Town Office fourteen (14) days prior to the Planning Commission meeting at which they will receive their initial review. The applicant must post a "Notice To Neighbors" sign within seven (7) days of receiving it from the Town Clerk. The Planning Commission will not act on an application unless the Notice To Neighbors sign was posted in a timely fashion as confirmed by the Commission. Please contact the Town Office (301-926-2256) or [email protected], or see permits for more details. The Historic Preservation Commission will review most permit applications as well.
Historic Preservation News
Next meeting: Tuesday » 04.22.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
Meetings are open to the public. Please read the important announcement about a change in the HPC review process under the Planning Commission News.
Recreation Committee News
Next meeting: Wednesday » 04.16.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
The public is invited to attend.
Farewell Party for the Young’s
Join us for a party to celebrate the contributions of Pastor Judy Young and David Young to the Town and wish them good luck as they leave Washington Grove to embark on the next phase of their life. The party will be on May 4, 4 PM to 7 PM at the Town Hall. We’ll all share a good, old-fashioned Grove pot luck dinner with the main course and soft drinks provided. Contributions of side dishes and desserts will be appreciated. Please let us know what you plan to bring and if you would like to help with the party–contact Emily Cavey ([email protected]), Sylvie Favret ([email protected]), or Freda
Calling All SITP Campers, K-8th Grade!
Come make friends and life long memories! This year camp will be held from July 1st through the 25th and we would love to have every child in the Grove with us! We have a fun filled month of July planned, including Lake Days, Field Trips, water games, the return of Jamboree and more! Enrollment forms are due by April 30, 2014! If you are interested in applying for a paid or volunteer position, please see the Washington Grove Website to download the application form or e-mail Samantha Beres at [email protected]. The deadline for position and volunteer applications is March 30. If you are interested in helping to plan this year’s SITP, please contact Emily Cavey at 240-838-1840 or via email at [email protected]
May Day, May Day!! The Animals are Coming!
Meet us at the playground on May 4th, 11-1pm where an assortment of animals will be milling about for your petting pleasure! There will be pony rides for the kids (or adults under 80 lbs). Friends are welcome, but please leave your pets at home that day.
Following the petting farm, please join us for an attempt at resurrecting the old Grove tradition of weaving on a May Pole! Should be a lovely day!
Woman’s Club News
Kids…don’t forget April 19, 2014, 12:30 PM for the Annual Egg Hunt!!
This year’s chili supper was another great success! The Hall was packed, the varities of chili were plentiful and the sides and desserts were mouthwatering! Thanks go to Pat DiBella-Kreger and Lynn Lucas-Dreiss for hosting the event; to Collin Turner for setting up the tables; to John Hagedorn for the incredible stringing of electric lines to keep the chili pots hot; to Chris and Terry Kirtz for all the fun, chili decorations; to everyone who contributed chili, slaw, corn bread, other sides and desserts; and to everyone who pitched in afterwards to help cleanup!
Our next event will be the Annual Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19th, 12:30 PM at McCathran Hall. If you’d like to help fill the eggs, please come to the Club House on Thursday night, April 17th, 7:00 PM. Many hands are needed to help ensure that we have enough eggs for a really successful hunt!
Work to Begin on New Directories
The Woman’s Club is starting to work on the 2014-2016 Town Directory, and volunteers will be needed to sell ads, find missing information, proof read and distribute the books. If you would like to help, please contact Marilynn Frey at 301-926-0867 or [email protected].
Maple Lake News
Next meeting: Thursday » 04.17.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
Life Guards Needed!
Applicants must be 17 years old and have a Red Cross Life Guard Certification. If you are interested, please submit an application to the Town. Applications are available at the Town Office. Contact David Harmon (301-972-1417) ([email protected], or John Hutchison (301-926-8767) if you have any questions. If you know of someone who might be interested, please pass them our contact information.
Lake Clean-Up: Saturday, April 12th, 10:00 AM
(Rain date is April 13th at noon). Come and help with light raking, general clean-up and planting water lilies. Bring clippers, leaf rakes, shovels & wheelbarrows. Come early if you want donuts!
Forestry News
Next meeting: Monday » 04.07.14 @ 7:30 p.m. in Council Room.
VOLUNTEERS: COME and HELP CELEBRATE
THE TOWN within a FOREST’S
ARBOR DAY and WOODS TRAIL WORK DAY
Saturday, April 26, 10 am
Meet at McCathran Hall
Bring rakes, wheelbarrows and muscles! ANNUAL HOT DOG FEAST FOLLOWS AT NOON – YUM!!
WGUMC News
Many thanks for everyone’s kind thoughts and words as Judy prepares for retirement. Meanwhile read about Easter events, a Bikes for the World collection, and the annual church Yard Sale!
- Apr. 17th – 6:30 pm, Lenten Soup and Bread supper, followed by 7:30 pm Maundy Thursday communion service.
- Apr. 20th – 6:45 am Easter Sunrise service in the Ridge Rd. field! Join in one of the oldest traditions in Town. Service is 15 minutes, all are welcome to breakfast following downstairs at church.
- Apr. 20th – 11:00 am Easter Service at the church!
- May 4th – 10 am-1 pm “Bikes for the World” used bikes collection, in church parking lot at 303 Chestnut Rd. Bikes are refurbished by volunteers and channeled to health workers to reach patients, students to get to school, workers to get to work, in communities around the world. Donations to Bikes for the World needed too, it costs $25 to prep and ship each bike. Children’s and adult bikes needed. Info at: https://www.bikesfortheworld.org/. Contact Logan or Rachel Epperly for more info on May 4th collection, at 301-633-5205, or 301-503-4450.
- Looking ahead: May 24th 8 am to 1 pm–Yard Sale at the parsonage, 101 Center St. Y’all come!
Fire & Rescue Service Meeting Follow-Up
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) gave an excellent presentation on the emergency response to the fire at 203 2nd Avenue in January. MCFRS personnel explained the maps they use for our Town and how hydrants were selected. Their maps for the Town have been updated and even more on-site training visits have been scheduled. The Town is a challenge for MCFRS because of the disconnect between most residential addresses and where the paved access roads are. If you want to make sure the Fire engines will find your home quickly, they need your help. They strongly suggest you put your full address (# AND street name, ex: 406 Grove Avenue) where it can be seen from both the legal address side and from the closest paved road. And, of course, don’t forget to replace all your smoke detector batteries once a year! We also have some excellent handouts on fire safety tips which can be picked up at the Town office.
Trash/Recycling Out by 7:00AM, please!
Residents are reminded that all trash and recycling must be curbside by 7:00AM. If you have any questions please call the Town Office.
Final Bulk Leaf Pick Up Deadline Changed
This year’s winter weather has put a crimp in the scheduling of the final bulk leaf pick up by US Lawns. In order to give residents time to do their spring raking, the deadline has been extended to April 8th. Residents have one final opportunity to have their spring leaves picked up by US Lawns. Please have your leaves ready for pick up by April 8, 2014 and be mindful not to block traffic with your piles.
Recyclable Yard Waste Pick Up Began March 6th
Recyclable yard waste pick up by Potomac Disposal started again on March 6, 2014. Our trash contractor will pick up recyclable yard waste from your properly marked containers and/or large brown bags. You may also bundle your brush and tie it with twine. Bundles should be no larger than 30" in diameter and 4 feet in length. No individual pieces larger than 4 inches in diameter, please.