Council Notes
Next meeting: Monday, July 9, 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall.
The public is invited to attend. May Council actions included:
· Modified vote to remove problem speed hump at 125 Washington Grove Lane
to say that removal must be accompanied by concurrent measures to retain
traffic calming
Council Recommends FY 2002 Budget
The Town’s anticipated income and recommended expenditures for the coming fiscal
year (July 1, 2001-June 30, 2002) are included on the attached Town budget summary.
No increase in the real property tax rate or the dwelling tax is recommended. The
FY 2002 budget is a major focus for the June 9 Town Meeting. Questions,
explanations and discussion of budget items by the Town are important to set the
course for the coming year. If you have questions about this budget before the Town
Meeting or would like a copy of the budget detail, call the Mayor, a Council member,
or leave a message on the Town answering machine
(301-926-2256).
Historic Preservation Study Completed
Six months of painstaking research by the
Historic Preservation Study Group has
culminated in the submission to the Mayor of a
comprehensive report on possible approaches to
historic preservation in Washington Grove. The
study group gathered reference materials,
conducted interviews, explored tax credits and
other incentives for preservation, and collected
guidelines from other jurisdictions. The group
also researched what kind of Historic
Preservation Ordinance or Historic Preservation
Commission might serve the preservation goals
of Washington Grove with minimal intrusion.
The Study Group will present their report at the
Annual Town Meeting. Copies of the report
will be available on loan from the Town Office
beginning June 1.
Deadline for Next Bulletin
Monday, June 18
Town Elections
Town elections will be held on Saturday, June 9, from 4-7 p.m. at
McCathran Hall. The nominees are:
Mayor (1-year term) John Compton
Council (two 3-year terms) Tricia Knox; Bud O’Connor; Peggy Odick
Town Meeting
The annual Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, June 9, at 8
p.m. in McCathran Hall. Annual Council reports highlighting activities of the past year
and plans for next year will be available at the polls prior to Town Meeting.
Party On!Following the Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, June 9, join your
friends and neighbors in toasting outgoing Town officials and meeting new ones. Party
on after the meeting!
Deer Damage Control Workshop
— Montgomery County Cooperative Extension
Service and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission jointly
sponsor Deer Damage Control Workshops. Workshops include topics such as fencing,
vegetation management, deer repellents, etc. Also included are measures homeowners
can take to prevent damage to their gardens and landscapes. Rob Gibbs, wildlife
ecologist, will hold a Deer Damage Control Workshop on Thursday, May 24, at 7:30
p.m. in McCathran Hall.
Town Office Closed
The office will be closed beginning Monday, May 21 through
Tuesday, May 29. For urgent matters, call Mayor John Compton at 301-330-8264 or
the appropriate Councilor. See the first page of the Woman’s Club Town Directory for
Council areas of responsibility.
Special Trash Collection
Saturday, June 30 Collection may include furniture,
appliances (but not those with Freon), rugs, large toys, small auto parts, etc. Materials
may not include construction by-products, large automotive parts, or tires. Items must
be put at the curb by 7:00 a.m.
Hazardous Materials Disposal
Sunday, June 10
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shady Grove Transfer Station
Claimed He Was a Poor Man But He Was Rich
Our Town Tennis legend up and died.
His legacy left with pride
He’d roll the courts and snip the weeds
And see to a hundred other deeds.
Never asked for praise or fame –
Probably couldn’t remember your name –
So everyone who came to play
would get a new name day by day.
When he found a name that stuck
He called you that and changed your luck.
Somewhere I’m sure he had a book
So if he forgot he’d take a look:
“Sea nettle,” “Ding Dong” and “Sal Hepatica,”
“Egghead,” “Flatsy,” “Assault” and “Battery.”
Once anointed, dead or alive,
When he named you, you HAD arrived.
He knew everyone who played the game –
If only by his given name.
His serve, his lobs, his drops were many,
He played a game “…More fun than tennis.”
His forte was to play all day,
‘Til all his foes exhausted lay.
And at the end, when play was done,
You’d hear his shout, “STAY FOR ONE!”
He always wore the proper gear,
As he played all through the year.
And always wore his mismatched socks
Whether playing the game or picking up rocks.
Smooth soled shoes, the rule of the day
You had to wear ’em if you wanted to play.
He tried for years to win the prize,
His fantasy goal to realize.
At last one year – when no one came –
The trophy finally bore his name.
From this day forth, when the thunder roars
It’s probably Richmond calling the score!
“Coach” Phil Adams
COMING SOON!
An illustrated history of the Woman’s Club of
Washington Grove written by Sylvia Tate
Horan. To reserve your copy call Kitty Vogan
at 301-840-9416.
Rev. Carolyn Swift Receives New Appointment
Carolyn is leaving! In commemoration of her 12 years in the Grove, there will be two
events bidding her a fond adieu.
Sunday, June 3, Carolyn’s last service at Washington Grove United Methodist Church
will be Sunday, June 3, at 11 a.m. There will be a reception in her honor in the church’s
Fellowship Hall at noon.
Saturday, June 16, Farewell Party for Carolyn Swift, 3-5 p.m. at McCathran Hall.
RSVP Clare Cavicchi 301-869-1827 or [email protected].
WANTED – Part-time Child Care Provider
2 ½ hours each Sunday morning for our
nursery program (infants through age 5) Good Pay. Washington Grove United
Methodist Church. Fax resumes to: (301) 421-4380 or mail to: WGUMC, P.O. Box
115, Washington Grove, MD 20880. For more information contact C. Swift at 301-
948-5438 or Mariana Uhrlaub at 301-926-4718. Great position for a responsible young
adult.
Grove Students!
Community Service Opportunity!
Volunteer positions are available on the Town maintenance staff this summer. If you
enjoy outdoor work and would like to earn some community service hours, please
inquire at the Town Office.
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. Please allow at least 10 days for
review by the Commission. Call John McClelland at 301-963-3328 if you have
questions about zoning code requirements. Interior renovations, which involve
electrical, plumbing, or load-bearing changes, generally require a County permit. The
Town must first sign off all applications for County-required building permits.
Rent the Woman’s Club House!
Planning a surprise birthday bash, family reunion,
graduation gala, wedding reception, planning session or business meeting . . . consider
the charming wooded setting, spacious main room, screened porch, kitchen and
restroom facilities of the Woman’s Club House. For information or reservations call
Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416. Heat and air conditioning!!
A JEWELED SPRING OUR DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY
Woman’s Club Flower Show 2001
Sunday, May 20
The Woman’s Club
Chestnut Road and Miller Drive
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
free admission, door prize, refreshments
Heritage Open House
See the recent video on Montgomery County camp meetings
featuring Washington Grove. Historic photos and files, tax incentive applications and
info, refreshments. Stop by on the way to/from the Flower Show! At McCathran Hall
on Sunday, May 20, 2-3 p.m.
Maple Lake News
The lake will be open for swimming on the three-day Memorial
Day weekend starting Saturday, May 26. However, there will not be a lifeguard
available on Memorial Day itself, May 28. The lake will be open for swimming each
weekend in June until schools are out, and then daily through Labor Day weekend. Our
swim instructor, Erin Dunston, will be returning again this summer. Lessons will begin
July 2 and continue through July 27, with the exception, as usual, of the 4th of July.
Please fill out and return the attached registration form to Sharon Hurst (301-948-
2424).
Parties at Maple Lake
A lake party permit is required and must be obtained from
Paula Puglisi (301-963-8555). Alcohol consumption is not permitted except with prior
written permission from the Mayor. The alcohol permit may be picked up from Mary
Challstrom at the Town office.
Website Happenings!
– Have you checked out pages of the Town website lately? Do
you know that the Town received an email letter from a woman in Alberta, Canada
comparing her life with plants and animals (and pacer cars!) with life in the Grove! Her
impressions of the Grove came from our website. Her letter can be read on the
Washington Grove e- group list. A Town website is only a real “town website” if built
by its residents. Isn’t there a part of “Our Town” that you would like to see added? If
you have content, photos, and coding skills to offer, e-mail [email protected].
Voter Registration
To vote in Town elections, you must be currently registered to
vote with Montgomery County at an address in Washington Grove. To verify your
registration with the County, please call County Voter Registration Information at 240-
777-8683. If you need to register, please call them soon so you will be eligible to vote
at Town elections and at Town Meeting on Saturday, June 9.
Absentee Ballots
Qualified voters requesting absentee ballots, must certify in writing
that they will not be able to be present to vote during the time designated for the polls
to be open. For an absentee ballot, contact Mary Kay DuBois at 301-926-8941.
Casey Fields Update
On May 3, County Legacy Open Space planners spent several
hours surveying the Casey Farm property to determine its eligibility for the program.
Special Council Meeting
Monday, June 18 7:30 p.m., McCathran Hall, to swear in
new Councilors, authorize year-end financial transfers, and finalize Council
assignments.
Planning Commission News
Next meeting will be Tuesday, June 5, 7:30 p.m.,
Town Hall. The public is welcome to attend.
Planning Commission Members Sought
If you would like to be considered to
serve on the Town’s Planning Commission call Mayor John Compton at 301-330-8264
or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Town Information
Office/Clerk -Treasurer
Phone: 301-926-2256
Fax: 301-926-0111
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.washgrov.sailorsite.net
Website Coordinator: [email protected]
Mail: P.O. Box 216, Washington Grove, MD 20880
Town Hall: Center Street & Chestnut Road, Washington Grove
Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Closed Wednesday mornings
Hall Scheduler Jenny Long 301-869-3824
Maintenance: Jim Fletcher 301-963-5850
Street Light Out: Vicki Erhart 301-208-9442
Building Permits: John McClelland 301-963-3328
County Animal Control: 301-279-1066
County Police Non-Emergency: 301-279-8000
Electric Spinet Organ
For Saleby Town of Washington Grove (best offer):
Beautiful wood Hammond electric spinet organ (M-3 series, circa 1965) is a selfcontained
console, with two keyboards of 44 keys each, a 13 note pedal keyboard, and
a swell pedal for controlling volume. There are adjustable drawbars, preset and other
tabs. The organ has a matching wooden bench. An additional speaker in wood cabinet
is available. Please call the Town office (301-926-2256) for more information, or to
make an offer.
Relax and Recharge!
Drop-In Yoga Classes Beginning Wednesday, May 9, and
continuing through June 27, drop- in yoga classes will be held in McCathran Hall from
7:00-8:30 p.m. NOTE EXCEPTION: JUNE 13 MEETING WILL BE HELD
TUESDAY JUNE 12. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring padding or mats for
the wood floor. Classes are $10/session. Checks payable to Town of Washington
Grove.
DON’T MISS. . .
Annual Woman’s Club Yard/Bake Sale
Saturday, June 2
7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Clubhouse, Chestnut Road and Miller
Drive
Come and enjoy one of the Grove’s biggest
social events! Delicious baked goods and
innumerable treasures! Volunteers will be at the
Clubhouse to accept items from May 29
through June 1 from 6-8 p.m. If you have time
to help with the sale which benefits Woman’s
Club projects, please call Kitty Vogan at 301-
840-9416. WE LOVE YOUR PETS, BUT
PLEASE DO NOT BRING PETS TO THE
YARD SALE!!
ATTENTION ALL TENNIS PLAYERS
Tennis lessons will be offered again this year for both juniors and adults. The instructor
will be Grove resident Linda Baim. Classes for juniors will be scheduled around swim
lessons on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings beginning July 2. Adult Tennis
Camp will begin on June 21 and will consist of 10 2-hour sessions from 6-8 p.m. Call
Linda Baim at 301-926-8767 for schedule. The lesson series for both juniors and adults
will be $35 per person. To register, call Barb Leng at 301-670-9443 or sign up during
the Baroque Breakfast on
June 17.
MUSIC WEEKEND
Friday, June 15 – McCathran Hall, 8:00 p.m.
GROVE SINGERS PLUS
. . . a variety of vocal and instrumental performances
§ § § § §
Saturday, June 16 – McCathran Hall, 7-10 p.m.
STANDARD DEVIATIONS
Join the string band “Standard Deviations” with dance caller Bob Mathis for an
evening of live old-timey music and contra-dancing. No experience needed, except
walking – so bring the young folks as well. Contra-dancing has a lot in common with
square dancing, but it really is different. After showing you a few simple sequences
(not complicated dance steps!) Bob will walk you through each dance before it starts.
We can even do a waltz or two at the end of each hour. It should be a lot of fun! See ya!
—
Sunday, June 17 — Gazebo, 10:30 a.m.
BAROQUE BREAKFAST
Bring a generous amount of breakfast food to share. Breakfast meats, pastries, fruit
salad, hot dishes, breads, ethnic foods! Let’s make this a hearty welcome for all new
Grove residents! Beverages and table service provided. Held in McCathran Hall if it
rains.
The Muskrat Band Needs You!
Do you play a marching band instrument and
would you join the Muskrat Band to play in the Washington Grove Fourth of July
parade? Call Eric Selby at 301-963-7073.
“Spring Cleaning?”
Woman’s Club Yard Sale Remember the annual yard sale to
benefit the Woman’s Club when you do your “spring cleaning”. The sale will be held
on Saturday, June 2. If you have items to part with now (no clothing please), call
Mary Kay DuBois at 301-926-8941 or Kitty Vogan at 301-840-9416.
Woman’s Club Meeting
Thursday, June 21
Gemologist Roy Garrison, Club House, 7:30 p.m.
Watering Help Asked for Trees and Plants
Drought conditions have been very hard on young trees and plants in Town. If you live
near some of the new plants, please water them! Thank you!
Planning Commission Requests Your Input on Master Plan Revision
The Commission is appealing to Townsfolk for help with revising the Town’s Master Plan.
Are there items which you would like to see included in the plan which might have
been overlooked in year’s past? As the surrounding area is becoming more developed
we must continue to reevaluate how best to preserve the Grove’s distinctive character.
Copies of the current Master Plan (1995) are available at the Town Office.
Note on Real Property Tax Rate
The Maryland General Assembly has passed a
law requiring real property tax rates to be based on 100% of assessed property value
instead of the 40% of assessed property value used previously. The purpose of this
legislation is to simplify the real property tax calculation. To collect the same tax using
100% of assessed value, the tax rate must be reduced. Thus, for last year (tax levy year
2000), the Town’s tax rate was $0.60 per $100 applied to 40% of property valuation,
but would have raised the same revenue if the rate had been $0.235 per $100 applied to
100% of property valuation (40% of $0.60). The Town Council has proposed that the
tax rate for tax levy year 2001 be the same as it was for year 2000, so as to collect
revenue at the same effective rate as last year. The proposed tax rate is therefore
$0.235 per $100 of 100% of property valuation.
Used Dress Shirts Needed!
Let’s get messy! If you can donate some used dress
shirts to Summer in the Parks, please drop them off with Karen Kelly or bring to the
Town Office in June. Any color!
Planning Commission
Chair Jim Leng ResignsAfter fourteen years of dedicated
service on the Town’s Planning Commission, Jim Leng announced his resignation at
the May meeting. Those who served with him will miss his warm demeanor and
cooperative spirit.