Montgomery News

Town of Washington Grove Council met Nov. 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Compton called the regular meeting of the Town Council to order at 7:08 PM. In attendance were Council Members Darrell Anderson, Charlie Challstrom, Marida Hines, and Pat Klein. Also in attendance were Treasurer Mary Challstrom, and residents Georgette Cole, Dog Park Committee Co-Chairs Christine Dibble and Mary Warfield, Larry French, Betsy Klinger, Lisa Kokes, Woods Committee Co-Chair Joan Mahaffey, Virginia Quesada. Councilors Robert Gilmore and Audrey Maskery arrived during the Woods Committee presentation.

Approval of the Agenda:

Charlie Challstrom moved to approve the agenda. Darrell Anderson seconded the motion. Report on PEPCO tree trimming was added. Vote: 4-0. Approved, as amended.

Public Appearances:

There were none.

Report on PEPCO Tree Trimming:

Audrey Maskery reported that PEPCO has scheduled pruning of Town trees to reduce potential damage to power lines (last performed 4 years ago). This will likely take place in April. Audrey and Steve Werts will walk through Town with PEPCO to determine what action will be taken. Audrey, Steve and Georgette Cole will monitor this closely. In order to keep residents informed, a Town Bulletin announcement will be written.

Woods Committee Presentation to the Council:

Co-Chair Joan Mahaffey started the presentation with a history of the Forest Stewardship Plan prepared for the Town by Bill Bond of Parkland Woodland Services and approved by the Town Council in December 2015. She explained the three (3) pronged approach to achieving a healthy forest and listed the accomplishments of the Woods Committee since 2007. Joan invited all to attend the Informational Meeting on Restoring Forest Health on Tuesday, Nov. 13th which will include speakers from the Montgomery County Deer Management Program, University of Maryland Forest Extension and Maryland Native Plant Society. Mayor Compton thanked Joan for bringing everyone up-to-date and stated how fortunate the Town is to have dedicated volunteers committed to restoration of our Woods. He went on to say that it is of critical importance to have support by the Town leadership and Town Council for the necessary multi-year strategy and long-term commitment of resources. He stated the best way to achieve this is to provide opportunities for residents to express support for forest health restoration options at the scheduled Informational Meeting and at a Special Town Meeting called to address future specific plans for controlling invasive plants and reducing damage by deer over-browsing. Discussion included:

Council reaction to Woods Committee presentation

Effective ways to move forward

Options residents will accept and support

Purpose of the informational meeting on Tuesday

Potential dates for Special Town Meeting (December 19 or early January)

Action: The Woods Committee will review town residents’ responses to a questionnaire distributed at the Informational Meeting and present the summary findings at the next TC meeting. Mayor Compton will consider whether to schedule a Special Town Meeting or wait to do so until the December 10 Town Council meeting.

Approval of Minutes:

Darrell Anderson moved to approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting on October 8, 2018. Charlie Challstrom seconded the motion.

Vote: 6-0, approved without modification.

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurers Report 2018-October PDF

Darrell Anderson moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report for October 2018. Marida Hines seconded the motion. Treasurer Mary Challstrom reminded the Mayor and Council that Bob Diss from Lindsey & Associates will attend the December meeting to discuss the annual audit report.

Vote: 6-0. Approved, as presented.

Rob Gilmore moved to approve the transfer of $20K from savings to checking in order to pay bills. Pat Klein seconded the motion. Vote: 6-0. Transfer approved.

2019 Master Plan – Status Report:

Master Plan Coordinator Georgette Cole reported:

The Planning Commission continues to work through the 2009 Master Plan to identify areas which need revision. One session occurred in August, the next is scheduled for November 28. A third work session on January 16 will focus on Section 1 1.3 and Section 8 which deal with the Commercial Corner.

The Historic Preservation Commission proposed that material in the National Register update should be recognized in the 2019 Master Plan, and the current timeframes for the NR update and Master Plan revision can accommodate the inclusion. The HPC has provided a summary of the material they are working on and where it will fit in the Master Plan. The HPC has been urged to start submitting non-Historic Register updates in December.

To date, submissions have been received from the Bicycle Workgroup and the Emergency Preparedness Committee and are expected from the Forestry and Beautification Committee, the Woods Committee, and the Lake Committee in December.

John McClelland, Robert Johnson and Virginia Quesada are working on revisions related to storm water management.

Maple Lake Culvert Replacement – Update:

Mayor Compton gave an overview of the project and announced it was completed exactly as proposed to the Council in October. The storm water issues “upstream” remain to be addressed.

Action: Mayor Compton will contact our new Code Enforcement Inspector who has stormwater experience to determine his interest and qualifications to consult on remedies.

McCathran Hall Generator Installation – Update:

Mayor Compton reported the installation of the new generator is happening. Electric connections are ready but await new circuit breaker panel box. He explained his administrative decision to approve an additional $2,100 expense to cover installation of a larger breaker panel box and “heavy-up” increase in electric service to 200 amps to the Hall. These items were discussed but not included in the original RFP award, but it has since become apparent it will be cost-effective to do them now.

Speed Bumps – Signage:

Safety issues were raised concerning the lack of signage for the trial, temporary speed bumps. Bump signs have been installed at the STOP signs where the bumps are located and warning signs will be installed ahead of the bumps. Concern that the trial bumps may violate state standards for public roads generated the following discussion:

State law.

Substitution of humps for the bumps.

Types of humps, speed tables.

Future of the speed bump/hump trial; moving the humps to different locations.

Efficacy of the trial; positive results on Chestnut Road.

Bump replacement by humps on Chestnut Road.

Requests for bumps/humps traffic calming on Hickory Road, Grove Road and Brown Street.

Action: Councilor Anderson will research options for temporary humps or speed table purchase.

Approval of Mayor’s Appointment of Robyn Renas as the Alternate on the HPC:

Charlie Challstrom moved to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Robyn Renas to the HPC as the Alternate. Marida Hines seconded the motion. Vote: 6-0, approved.

Review of Dog Park Request for Proposal:

The Mayor and Council reviewed specifications and installation descriptions on pages 10 & 11, especially the clearing of a 4-foot width of ground for fence installation and cementing fence posts in the ground. The Woods Committee requested additional time to provide advice and comment. Discussion followed:

Would the clearing be done by volunteers, the fence contractor, or someone other than the contractor?

Specifics for the double-gate entry.

Noting the ability for deer to jump the proposed 5ft. fence.

Adding a disclaimer to the Rules about the 5’ fence height and owner’s responsibilities if their dog is a jumper.

Adjusting fence boundaries to accommodate clearing of a 4 ft. swath for installation of the fence and gate area.

The advisability of pre-clearing before companies come out to look at the area.

Action: Revisions to the RFP will be considered at the December Town Council Meeting. In the interim Co-Chair Mary Warfield will coordinate with the Dog Park Group members and Co-Chair Pat Klein will coordinate with the Woods Committee members to set a date for a walk-through to resolve issues. Advance notice will be distributed to the Town Council.

Council Reports:

Charlie Challstrom moved to approve the Council Reports and post them on the website. Darrell Anderson seconded the motion. Vote: 6-0, Town Council Reports approved.

The fence encroachment at 215 Washington Grove Lane was discussed. Mayor Compton reviewed the history of the fence on Town land at this address. The side lot fence remains eight (8) ft into Town property. Charlie Challstrom referenced a memo from the Planning Commission with recommendation to serve notice to the property owner (in this case the title company) that the Town would be removing the fence if not remedied.

Action: Mayor Compton will give notice of a time period for owner removal, before the Town acts and the fence sections are moved onto the property (by Steve Werts).

Mayor’s Announcements:

See 215 WG Lane in Council Reports

Administrative Business:

Montgomery Municipal Cable Survey Response – Charlie Challstrom again distributed a questionnaire prepared by MMC. He asked for responses from the Mayor and Council.

Action: Further discussion at the next meeting.

New Business:

Mayor Compton reported an inquiry about setting up an archery range in Woodward Park or on other Town land. The Mayor and Council concluded there was nowhere on Town land safe enough to approve this activity.

Adjournment:

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:42 PM.

https://washingtongrovemd.org/town-government-news/town-council-news/town-council-meeting-minutes-november-2018-unapproved-draft/