Montgomery News

Town of Washington Grove Council met Oct. 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Compton called the regular meeting of the Town Council to order at 7:35 PM. In attendance were Council Members Darrell Anderson, Charlie Challstrom, Rob Gilmore, and Marida Hines. Pat Klein attended via telephone. Also in attendance were Treasurer Mary Challstrom, and residents Joe Clark, Planning Commission member Georgette Cole, Lake Committee Chairman John Hutchinson, Woods Committee Co-Chair Joan Mahaffey, and Maintenance Supervisor Steve Werts.

Approval of the Agenda:

Charlie Challstrom moved to approve the agenda. Darrell Anderson seconded the motion. Two additional items were proposed: Introduction of Ordinance 2018-13 amending Article X, Registration and Voting, and appointment of Margot Cavenagh to finish the remainder of Meredith Horan’s term on the Board of Election Supervisors.

Vote: 5-0. Approved as amended.

Public Appearances:

Joan Mahaffey – Joan reported the sections of fencing at Towne Crest which were taken out when a Town tree fell on it months ago have finally been replaced.

Approval of Minutes:

Charlie Challstrom moved to approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting on September 10, 2018. Rob Gilmore seconded the motion. Councilor Gilmore moved that some additional details be added to Joan Mahaffey’s comments in Public Appearances.

Vote: 3 in favor (Gilmore, Hines, Klein), 2 opposed (Anderson, Challstrom). Amendment approved.

Vote: 5-0: September minutes approved as amended.

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurers Report 2018-September PDF

Darrell Anderson moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report for September 2018. Marida Hines seconded the motion. Treasurer Mary Challstrom reminded the Mayor and Council that the audit report should be on the November agenda.

Vote: 5-0. Approved as presented.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve the transfer of $10K from the money market account to the Maryland Local Government Investment Pool account. Marida Hines seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0. Transfer approved.

Maple Lake Culvert Replacement:

Mayor Compton explained the collapse and inadequacy of the existing culvert under the bridge crossing the ditch, and the problems associated with water overflow the bridge and eroding the ditch. He invited Maintenance Supervisor Steve Werts to present his plan for replacement of the culvert and bridge. Discussion included:

Causes of the current situation

Costs

Equipment needed

Rip, rap baskets

Slowing the speed of the water through the ditch

Routine maintenance

The importance of fixing this now

Consulting an engineer

Mayor Compton noted how fortunate the Town is to have Steve’s expertise and love of the challenges that accompany this type of project. He proposed that Steve undertake the bridge project now. Steve’s estimate of $5000 is well within the Town Budget amount of $7500. In addition, an engineer should be consulted to evaluate the cause of the drainage problems (run-off from across Washington Grove Lane?), and advise the Town on options for controlling erosion from water flow in the West Woods.

Action: Mayor Compton proposed approval of the project, pending evaluation of hard cost numbers from Steve. Rob Gilmore will consult about the larger drainage control problem with a family member who works in storm water management. Douglas Lohmeyer, Town Code Enforcement Officer having stormwater management expertise, will also be considered for the job.

Charlie Challstrom moved to approve Steve Werts doing the project as described, upon receipt of cost details. Rob seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0.

Road Resurfacing Priorities and RFP:

Darrell Anderson presented a list of nine Road segments which need various types of work. Discussion included:

WSSC work proposed on Ridge Road

Highway User Revenues

Amount of money in the budget

Doing all of the work or part of the work

A draft RFP was presented based on the RFP for roadwork issued for FY17. Charlie Challstrom moved to put out the RFP (Request for Proposal) for all of the road work as presented. Rob Gilmore seconded the motion.

Vote: 5-0. RFP with current work specifications approved for issuing.

McCathran Hall Generator Installation – Update:

The Maryland Historic Trust informed the Town they did not receive sufficient information to adequately review and approve the generator project. Rapid approval is of the essence to qualify for an extended 10-year warranty offered by Generac if the generator is installed to by November 6, 2018 (an extended deadline negotiated by Councilor Gilmore.).

Action: Rob Gilmore will respond to MHT before their October 18 meeting with additional drawings and details to be assembled by Steve Werts,

McCathran Hall Floor Beam Reinforcement – Update:

After a discussion about the receipt of only one bid, the Council thought it prudent to consider revising the project time frame and reissuing the RFP. Mary Challstrom offered information from her inquiries made to potential Bidders, reporting one contractor did not bid because of the work completion timeframe, and another contractor could not meet the bid submission deadline. Discussion:

Reissuing the RFP with an extended submission deadline of January and completion before June 30.

The cost of doing an additional termite treatment if the project is delayed.

Project potential to disrupt use of the Hall deemed low.

Rob Gilmore moved to reissue the RFP before the next Town Council meeting with new dates and award the contract upon receipt of the bids. Marida Hines seconded the motion.

Vote: 5-0. RFP approved for reissuing.

Speed Bumps – Update and Discussion of Safety and State Law:

Mayor Compton did a brief summary of previous actions concerning this item including the use of Traffic Orders. There was a discussion about the following:

Use of Traffic Orders in compliance with Town Charter

Compliance with State Highway Administration standards

Proper signage

Engineering studies

Federal Highway Administration standards

Liability

Actions in the best interest of the Town

What was learned from this speed bump experiment? Bumps are effective.

Action: Councilor Anderson will explore potential use of temporary speed humps as an option for Town roads and report in November.

Approval of Mayor’s Appointment of Jon Cohen as an Alternate on the PC:

Charlie Challstrom moved to endorse the appointment of Jon Cohen as Alternate to the Planning Commission. Darrell Anderson seconded the motion.

Vote: 4-0 (Pat Klein remote vote missing). Appointment approved.

Board of Elections Supervisors – Discussion & Approval of Margo Cavenagh:

Mayor Compton reported the resignation of Meredith Horan, and explained Charter requirements for appointments to the BoES: 2 year terms commencing in March of odd-numbered years. He proposed Margo Cavenagh, presently a BoES observer, as a full member of the Board, to serve out the vacant term. Darrell Anderson moved to appoint Margo Cavenagh , and Charlie Challstrom seconded the motion.

Vote: 4-0 (Pat Klein remote vote missing). Appointment approved.

Council Reports:

Darrell Anderson moved to approve the Council Reports and post them on the website. Marida Hines seconded the motion. Discussion included:

HPC’s inability to comment on recent ordinances 2018-04 and 2018-05

A meeting with County officials about safety improvements for pedestrians crossing the road at the Commercial Corner

Hazard mitigation and storm water management

Risk Management Manual

Dog Park RFP by the next meeting

Vote: 5-0, approved as amended.

Mayor’s Announcements:

Mayor Compton reported receipt of a reply from Montgomery County about Railroad Street safety. Although the area does not qualify for the installation of speed humps, the County will do a safety evaluation of the area in question. Charlie Challstrom reported the study is underway.

Mayor Compton reported he received a complaint about regular parking of a commercial truck on the roadway at 104 Maple Road. He spoke with the owners who agreed the truck will no longer be parked on the roadway.

Administrative Business:

Montgomery Municipal Cable Survey Responses – The Mayor and Council discussed ways to use MMC equipment/personnel for recording various meetings and events.

Action: Charlie Challstrom will report the survey and seek resident input in the November Town Bulletin. He will draft survey responses with Town Council input.

November 12th Meeting – 7:00 PM start for November meeting of the Town Council for a presentation by the Woods Committee of Strategy for Forest Restoration.

New Business:

Introduction of Ordinance 2018-13; Election Procedures.

Darrell Anderson moved to introduce and set a public hearing for Ordinance 2018-13; Adopting Amendments to the Washington Grove Code of Ordinances Article X Election Procedures for Absentee Balloting, Provision Balloting, Resolution of Tie Votes, and a Bar to Political Activities. Marida Hines seconded the motion. The public hearing will be held on December 10, 2018 before the Town Council meeting.

Vote: 5-0, Approved.

Adjournment:

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:35 PM.

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