Town Council Minutes [ Feb-02 ]
11 February 2002 | Approved: 11 March 2002
Mayor John Compton called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. In attendance were Councilors Darrell Anderson, Dave Gumula, Tricia Knox, Peggy Odick, Nick Suzich, and Dodie Tippens. Town residents Ed Roberts and David Stopak were present, as were the Town's land use attorney Bill Chen and Gaithersburg Gazette reporter Shannon Baylis Sarino.
Public Appearances
Ed Roberts, 6 Circle, gave a status report on his decision to contract for tree work. One large oak to be removed is entirely on his property. Another large oak is on the boundary between his property and that of Anne Marie Murphy at 203 Second Avenue. Ed said that he and Anne Marie would seek agreement on caring for this tree. At the request of Forestry Councilor Darrell Anderson, Town Forester Dan Landry looked at both trees and judged them to be in fair condition.
Casey Property at Mill Creek/Shady Grove Village Status Report
Mayor Compton reported on the January 29 meeting held at the behest of Phil Andrews for all parties interested in development plans for both Casey properties. He reported that several meetings have been held with planning staff regarding both Shady Grove Village and Casey Property at Mill Creek. On February 7, the Montgomery County Planning Board voted to approve part of the Casey Property as a Class II site in the Heritage Resource category of the Legacy Open Space Functional Master Plan. The subdivision plan for Casey Property at Mill Creek is scheduled for presentation to the Planning Board for information only on February 21. Oxbridge Development has been invited to discuss a revised subdivision plan for this property with Town representatives on February 13.
Executive Session
Pursuant to Section 10-508(a)(7), State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, at 8:00 p.m. in the McCathran Hall Council Room, Peggy Odick moved, Dave Gumula seconded, that the Town Council meet in closed session to discuss the proposed Casey Property at Mill Creek and Shady Grove Village developments with Town land use attorney William J. Chen. This was listed on the agenda as Item No. 6. Vote: 6-0. The Council voted to close the Executive Session at 10:42 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Peggy Odick moved, Darrell Anderson seconded, that the Town Council minutes of January 14, 2002 be approved. Vote: 6-0.
Treasurer's Report
Tricia Knox moved, Darrell Anderson seconded, that the Treasurer's report for January be accepted. Vote: 6-0. Nick Suzich moved, Darrell Anderson seconded, that the Treasurer be authorized to transfer funds, if necessary, to pay bills in February. Vote: 6-0.
Mayor's Announcements
Mayor Compton announced the following
- The Mayor will testify tomorrow before the County Council on the recently issued Transportation Policy Report. He will stress the need for a more coordinated planning approach between development and transportation in the entire Shady Grove Study Area.
- The Town has written to Contractors Disposal Service (CDS), 16900 Oakmont Avenue, asking them to move their trash dumpsters back onto their industrial parcel. Some of the dumpsters have been put onto CDS's adjacent residentially zoned parcel. CDS was asked to move the dumpsters by February 8. The Montgomery County zoning inspector will be called to enforce the violation.
Appointment/Board of Supervisors of Elections
Nick Suzich moved, Peggy Odick seconded, to confirm the appointment of Kristin Perry to the Washington Grove Board of Supervisors of Elections. Vote: 6-0.
Discussion Hiring New Town Clerk
Six resumes have been received from people interested in the Town Clerk position. An interview committee composed of Darrell Anderson, Ann Briggs, Mary Challstrom, John Compton, and Dave Gumula, will prioritize the resumes and decide which candidates meet the qualifications to be interviewed. Mary Challstrom will call those who sent resumes to be certain they are aware of monthly night meetings and the Annual Town meeting that occurs on a Saturday. Town Attorney Bill Roberts has determined that a charter amendment is both unnecessary and undesirable to separate the clerk and treasurer functions.
Council Reports
Planning Commission
Darrell Anderson reported on the following
- Cator Property - Shirl and Steve Harrison presented a site plan based on RR-2 zoning (minimum 7,500 square foot lot size) for the Cator property. The Planning Commission requested that they revise the site plan to reflect RR-1 zoning (minimum 11,250 square foot lot size). Harrisons also indicated that they are trying to determine the ownership of a 25-foot strip of land on the west border of the property.
- Master Plan Review - The Commission scheduled a work session for February 19 to continue revisions to the Master Plan. Committee chairs will have an opportunity to review appropriate sections before the draft goes to the Town Council.
- Town-owned Lots - Vicki Andrews will check with Town Attorney Bill Roberts about how to proceed to record Town-owned lots and parts of lots in Blocks 28 and 33, changing them from residential zoning to the Forest and Recreational zone.
- Town Borders Encroachment into Town woods by Saybrooke residents was discussed. The Commission believes that enforcement of these borders is in the Town's interest and will develop a plan to address this issue after completion of the Casey property issues.
Forestry and Beautification
Arbor Day will be held in the Grove on Saturday, April 20. Tod Erikson of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will make the Tree City Award in person at our Arbor Day Ceremony. Other activities include plantings around McCathran Hall, and plantings along Washington Grove Lane (the beginnings of a barrier hedge near Center Street). Kid's activities will be offered. To help alleviate sight problems for drivers exiting or entering Chestnut at Railroad, the Committee will clear brush and plant flowers or low bushes on either side of the exit. Mayor Compton made a plea for reforestation to replace some of the large trees that are being removed. He suggested that some trees be moved out of the nursery if a lot of people are able to help on Arbor Day projects.
Town Hall Improvements
Peggy Odick reported that the wood floor in McCathran Hall has been refinished and will cure for the month of February. Jim Fletcher and Britt Garoni installed window hardware on windows in the upper hall.
Maintenance
Tricia Knox reported that Maintenance Supervisor Jim Fletcher is looking into the cost of applying lime to the large playing field.
To help with safety, maintenance staff painted "stop lines" at the Chestnut Road and Brown Street intersection and will monitor the intersection for trimming.
Maintenance staff also installed shelving in the archive room.
A notice will be put in the Town Bulletin asking residents to report maintenance items in need of attention directly to Maintenance Councilor Tricia Knox.
Public Safety
Tricia Knox reported that John McClelland's cat lost a leg as a result of a fight with a raccoon. A raccoon was caught in their yard on February 4 and is being tested for rabies.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 p.m.
