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 Haverford Township May 8, 2010
4th Ward Commissioner
Dan Siegel |
4th Ward Spring/Summer Newsletter |
Upcoming Commissioner Meetings
June 7, 2010 (Work Session)
June 14, 2010 (Regular Meeting)
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An Experiment - My "Print" Newsletter Online
In order to save money (postage and printing), and to be as environmentally responsible as possible, this Newsletter (a smaller edition of which would normally be mailed to each 4th Ward resident) is being published online - and will not be mailed to every 4th Ward household. I will, however, mail postcards advising residents that they can opt to receive the newsletter electronically only by providing me with their email addresses (which will not be used for any other purpose).
For those residents without computer access, or who prefer a printed version, we will make copies available. But because I hope that most residents will be satisfied with this online version, it should save the Township (and taxpayers) thousands of dollars. |
 Darby & Marple Roads Construction to Begin;
Roadway to Close From June 23 to September 1
 Reconstruction of the intersection of Marple Road and Darby Road is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 23, 2010, the day after school closes, and to conclude by September 1, 2010, just before school re-opens. The intersection will be closed during the project.
Being done by contractors for the Haverford Reserve developers, in conjunction with PennDOT and the Township, the construction will reconfigure the roadway to a T-shaped intersection and will include the installation of a traffic signal. The contractor will be placing detour signs in advance of the road closure.
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YMCA Update
 The YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity is making steady progress with the new Haverford Township YMCA, which will be a state-of-the-art facility that will serve families and individuals throughout the region.
The Haverford Township YMCA will feature two swimming pools, one a 25 yard, 6-8 lane competitive lap pool, and one for recreation, with zero-depth entry to accommodate enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. The new facility will also include a whirlpool, steam room and sauna.
There will also be multi-purpose rooms to accommodate community groups and programs for preschool, youth, teens and adults, including Child Watch babysitting services for members. The Health and Wellness Center will house various modern fitness equipment; a double gym will provide space for basketball and athletic programs, and will be encircled by a track for walking, jogging and running. |
Skatium Update
Replacement of the old concrete floor has begun; the contractor work includes demolition of the old hockey boards and the removal of the Plexiglas; removal of asbestos in the mechanical room; and, excavation of the two layers of the concrete floor and other sub-surface materials. Included in the renovations is an underground heating system to allow the Skatium to operate year round. The new hockey boards will have seamless glass to provide spectators with an unobstructed view of the activities on the ice.
The project is scheduled for completion the first week in September. The reopening date will be announced in a future newsletter. |
2010 Township Directory Available
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Constituent Meeting Update | |
On April 26th, I held my semi-annual Constituent Town Meeting.  Thanks to all the residents who attended -- and to Township Manager Larry Gentile, Police Chief Carmine Pettine, Deputy Police Chief John Viola, Deputy Codes Director Joe Celia, and Magisterial District Justice Lisa Lacianca for attending and providing their valuable input.
Issues Discussed
Many residents have noted the increase in the fox population, with foxes being spotted throughout the Township. The Township is aware of the situation and is working to craft a solution, although it is not a simple problem and is not likely to be resolved quickly.
The Township has appointed a liaison to evaluate the extent of the problem, to work with other agencies, including the Pennsylvania State Game Commission, and to propose ways to curb this burgeoning population. As background, the increasing red fox population in urban and suburban areas are the result of the loss of habitat and pressure from predators in the more rural areas, including coyotes. In addition, the food sources for the red fox are tremendous in this area. Songbirds that are supported by bird feeders, birdbaths, birdhouses, ornamental gardens and vegetable gardens contribute to the diet of the red fox. Other sources of nutrition include rodents, rabbits, roaming house pets (cats), and garbage.
It will take time to address this situation, but the Township is aware of it and any related issues. If you have a fox (or other animal) problem, please contact the Township at (610) 446-1000 and ask to speak with the Animal Control Department.
Traffic
Traffic remains a concern of 4th Ward residents, and this summer's construction at Darby and Marple Roads will make travel a bit more difficult. The Township continues to work with PennDOT for solutions, but unfortunately, there are no easy answers.
Residents also asked about the intersection of Paddock and Ellis Roads. No decisions have been made about reconfiguring that intersection. As I have promised previously, residents will be consulted before any decisions are made about this location.
One traffic concern that was resolved was the relocation of the "End School Zone" sign on Darby Road near the Middle School, which is now properly located.
Street Lights
The Township maintains the street lights throughout the Township. Consequently, residents with street lights that are out or are not working properly notified us at the meeting. If you have a street light that is not working properly, please email me at dansiegel@4haverford.com or contact the Township at (610) 446-1000 and we will have the light repaired.
Parking Meters
The Township has purchased (with grant money) new solar powered parking meters, which will be installed at the Oakmont and Brookline shopping district parking lots. Please note also that meter rates have increased to 25 cents per half hour.
Compost from the leaf and yard waste collections will be available in the fall. The Township is working out the details of how residents may obtain these materials. I will provide more information as it is available.
Cost-Saving Measures
Township Manager Larry Gentile outlined the many ways the Township is cutting costs in order to save money and provide the best services possible to residents. He outlined numerous measures that have been instituted - ranging from the yard waste pickups and increased use of technology - and his goal of doing even more.
These are just a few of the matters we discussed. I urge you to attend my next meeting, which will be held in the Fall, voice your opinions and obtain answers to your questions. | |
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Freedom Playground
Thanks to all of the volunteers who gave their time, tools, food, supplies, and patience to help create an amazing playground for all our children and grandchildren. As Freedom Playground nears completion, there remains more that you can do.
Picket fence posts, pavers and components are still available. For  more information, go to www.freedomplay.org. The organizers still need to raise $95,000 to pay for the poured-in-place ground cover needed to open the playground.
In addition, on May 15, 2010, the organizers will be completing their to-do list. Please join them at 9 a.m. at the Playground (at Haverford Reserve). |
Paddock Farms Civic Association
Welcome to the new officers of the Paddock Farms Civic Association, with whom I met recently to address the Association's concerns and to assure that the Township understands their neighborhood's concerns:
President - Jason McDermott
Vice President - Deena Timar
Secretary - Jen Stavrakos
Block Captain Coordinators - Ann Donnelly and Dana Spino Past-President - Megan Knott
For more information about the Civic Association's many events, please click here to visit the PFCA website. Click here to contact the officers. |
Reminder: Yard Waste Pickup on Wednesday
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A Note from the Township Manager
Dear Residents,
This past winter's snow storms presented many challenges to our municipal services, including daily trash and recycling collections, snow removal and repairs to our road ways. Unfortunately, the cost to provide snow removal and salting of our 165 miles of roads resulted in a significant negative impact to our operating budget by over $500,000.00. I am happy to announce, however, that because of a recent  Disaster Declaration by President Obama, Haverford Township and our neighboring communities may receive some public assistance in the form of reimbursement of the cost of the February storms. Although we will not receive anything near the amount expended for the entire winter, I am optimistic that Haverford Township may receive up to $150,000.00, which will help reduce the budget variance the storms caused.
Emergency repairs to the damaged Hathaway Lane Bridge are near completion. The bridge is expected to reopen by Memorial Day weekend. Total cost for this project is $230,350.00.
We have also begun the installation of a new ice rink and dehumidifier at the Skatium Ice Rink. Repairs are expected to be completed by September and the cost of this project is expected to exceed $1.2 million dollars.
As we look into the future, the Township plans to budget 3 million dollars for another major roadway resurfacing program. The Director of Public Works has begun to inspect and categorize the roads that may potentially be completed in the spring of 2011.
I too would like to remind residents that our Public Works Department has begun a new Curbside Yard Waste collection program. Yard waste will be collected each Wednesday until October 27, 2010. Grass clippings are not accepted in the yard waste program. Please dispose of grass clippings by either composting or with your trash disposal.
Should any resident have questions, please feel free to drop by the municipal building and stop in to see us. We can also be reached at (610) 446-1000.
Larry Gentile
Township Manager
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Parks & Recreation Update
 The Summer 2010 issue of HavaGood Times, the Department of Parks & Recreation newsletter, has been mailed to Township residents. If you have misplaced your copy, please click here to read it.
In addition, enrollment has opened for many programs, and the response has been tremendous. Some programs, including some playground programs, have already filled. Although the Department will try to accommodate everyone, enrollment is limited because of space, safety, liability, staff/child ratio and program quality issues. I urge you to register now for any programs in which you or your family is interested. Click here to visit the Department's website. |
Finance Department
"The First Three Months of 2010 - At a Glance....."
For the Township's Municipal Finance Department, the first three months of a new fiscal year are typically consumed with the billing and collection of annual real estate taxes. This year, more than 18,000 tax bills were calculated, printed and mailed to homes on February 1,  2010. Collections through the end of March totaled $15.3 million dollars, as the majority of property owners take advantage of the 2% discount period that ended March 31.
The Department - under the able leadership of Director of Finance Amy Cuthbertson - continues to pursue non-filers and delinquent business owners whodo have not properly reported and remitted business privilege and mercantile taxes. These efforts - part of the new audit and compliance program - have recouped almost $30,000.00 within the first 12 weeks since its inception.
The Township Manager, along with all Department directors, continues to monitor expenses on a monthly basis - with the goal of keeping operating costs down. While the Township experienced an extremely harsh winter during which our snow removal budget was completely exhausted - we are hopeful of recouping some of those monies through the FEMA application outlined in the Township Manager's message.
Finally, at our April meeting, the Board of Commissioners authorized staff to continue with a new bond issue that will in large part refinance the Township's existing debt at lower interest rates - greatly reducing interest costs. We are happy to report that on April 30, 2010, the Township was granted a very favorable "AA2" rating from Moody's Investor Services, which cited the Township's strong tax base and low debt burden as contributing factors for the strong rating. |
Codes Department News
The Township Codes Department has implemented a new software processing system for permits, licenses and record retention. This system will improve customer service and response time, which will ultimately result in faster processing time, by allowing inspectors to issue inspection reports and permits at a project site; in addition, the software allows the Department to store and access all documents related to any property in one location. |
Primary Election Day - Tuesday, May 18
 The Pennsylvania primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. If you plan to vote by absentee ballot, your absentee ballot application must be received by Tuesday, May 11th. Voters in the 4th Ward vote at the following locations: -
Precinct 4-1 - Coopertown Elementary School
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Precinct 4-2 - Lynnewood Elementary School (Side)
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Precinct 4-3 - Lynnewood Elementary School (Front)
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Precinct 4-4 - St. George's Episcopal Church
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Library Hosts Local Author
On Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at 7 p.m., the Haverford Township Free Library will host local author Joyce Magnin, who wrote The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow, for a book talk and signing. Magnin's book tells the story of an unusual woman, Agnes Sparrow. No longer able or willing to leave her home where she is cared for by her long-suffering sister, Griselda, Agnes has committed her life to the one thing she can do besides eat. Agnes Sparrow prays and when Agnes prays things happen, including major miracles. You can visit Joyce's website at http://joycemagnin.homestead.com.
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St. George's Episcopal Church
Welcomes New Rector
 On Sunday, May 2, 2010, the Nevil Memorial Church of St. George held a ceremony installing Rev. Ryan R. Whitley as the church's Rector. We welcome Rev. Whitley to Haverford Township, and wish him success in his new position. Click here to view the program from the ceremony. |
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Visit the Website for 4th Ward Residents | | When you have a question about the Township, please visit the Haverford Township 4th Ward Constituent Service Center at www.4haverford.com. The site features copies of various documents, including meeting agendas, police/crime reports, and other information. The site also has links to other websites of interest to residents, including the Haverford Township website at www.haverfordtownship.com. | |
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How to Contact 4th Ward Commissioner Dan Siegel | By Email: dansiegel@4haverford.com
By Mail: 1705 Marilyn Drive Havertown, PA 19083 By Phone: (610) 446-1117 (Constituent Phone Line) (610) 446-3457 (Office) | |
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The Township has published the 2010 Municipal Directory, listing contact information for all Township officials, and other key personnel. 