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Dan Siegel's PhotoHaverford Township                 September 5, 2010
4th Ward Commissioner
Dan Siegel
4th Ward Labor Day Newsletter
Upcoming Commissioner Meetings
 
September 7, 2010 (Work Session) - Click for Agenda
September 13, 2010 (Regular Meeting)
 
Quick Links
Happy Labor Day!
 
Labor Day
It is labour indeed that puts the difference on everything. 
 
 ~ John Locke
 An Essay Concerning
Human Understanding, 
1690
 TrafficDarby & Marple Road Intersection Reopened
 
Road WorkReconstruction of the intersection of Marple Road and Darby Road is complete, and the intersection has open to traffic. Thanks to all who worked to assure that this project would be completed in a time for the start of the school year.
 
 School Is Open - Please Drive Carefully

School is OpenSchools have either opened or will open this week. Please drive carefully. AAA offers 10 key tips for motorists to help keep kids safe as they return to school: 
  • Slow Down
  • Obey Traffic Signs
  • Stay Alert
  • Scan Between Parked Cars
  • Look for Clues of Children Nearby
  • Always Stop for School Buses
  • Allot Extra Travel Time
  • Review Your Travel Route
  • Use Extra Caution in Bad Weather
  • Use Headlights
PenndotRoad & Traffic Improvements Demanded
 
At the August Commissioners meeting, I called upon the Board to pass a resolution or take other action to assure that PennDOT will listen to and respond to complaints by our residents about unacceptable traffic and speeding throughout the Township. As a result, the Township Engineers have been charged with beginning to develop a list of key areas of concern, including Lawrence Road, Darby Road, Eagle Road and many others.
 
TrafficIn addition, thanks to the efforts of Sgt. Joseph Hagan and the Township Police Department, PennDOT has already examined a number of locations in the Township, including Lawrence Road near Ellis and Darby Creek Roads. As a result, Penndot has posted 30 mph signs and arrows in an effort to slow the traffic and reduce accidents. 
 
I will continue to fight to assure that Penndot responds and does whatever is necessary to make our roads safer. 
GeothermalTownship Awarded $300,000 Grant to Defray Cost of Geothermal Installation at Haverford Reserve Recreation Center
 
Governor Ed Rendell has announced that Haverford Township has been awarded a $300,000 grant to defray the cost of installing geothermal energy at the Recreation Center to be built at the Haverford Reserve. Haverford Township was the only municipality in Delaware County to receive a grant.
 
This grant will enable the Township to pay off its investment in approximately five years and save more than $2,000,000 in energy costs during the next 30 years. Plus, it will dramatically reduce the facility's carbon footprint. Congratulations to all who worked to procure the grant. Click here to read the press release about the grant. 
FEMATownship Receives Emergency Funds
FEMAThe Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the Township's request for assistance to help cover the cost of the February 2010 snowstorm. FEMA has agreed to reimburse Haverford Township $151,695.89 towards its total cost of $202,261.19 for snow removal and related operations. These funds will help the Township reduce its 2010 operating deficit, a large portion of which is the result of the massive cost to respond to the horrific snow storms this past winter.
 
HPEDHaverford Partnership for Economic Development
 
The Haverford Partnership for Economic Development (HPED) is a new non-profit organization in Haverford Township intended to help revitalize our HPEDbusiness districts. I have been appointed as the Board of Commissioners' representative on the HPED Board. HPED has already held a number of events and is becoming a vital part of the community. For more information, click here to visit the HPED website.

HPED Board Members
 
Business Owners/Managers - James Blumenstock, George Lavin, David Lyden
Commercial Property Owners - Christina Dolan, Brendan Goggin, Graham Wagner
Government Representatives - Christian Gaumann, Daniel Siegel, Lori Widdop
Haverford Township Residents - Colette Bannan, Jonathan Druhan, Donald Kelly

Elected Officers

President - Brendan Goggin
Vice President - Jonathan Druhan
Secretary - George Lavin
Treasurer - Colette Bannan
 
HPED Plans Educational Workshops

HPED has scheduled a series of workshops to educate residents and businesses about how to do business in the Township and how to improve their businesses. Each will be held at the Haverford Township Free Library, 1601 Darby Road, Havertown, PA 19083 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.:  
  • How to do Business in Haverford Township - Wednesday, September 15, 2010 (Featuring Assistant Township Manager Lori Hanlon Widdop)
  • Marketing on the Internet - Wednesday, October, 20, 2010 (Featuring Commissioner Dan Siegel)
  • The Art of Effective Window Displays, Wednesday, November 17, 2010
 Contact HPED for more information. 
YYMCA Update
 
YMCAAs previously announced, the Township has entered into a Lease agreement with the YMCA to build a Y at the former Swell Bubble Gum factory site on Eagle Road.

Click here to read the lease agreement.

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.

Click here to view the preliminary land development drawings.

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.

I will continue to post updates about the facility on my website (www.4haverford.com) as I receive them.

LightsStreet Light Conversion to Begin
 
The Township has received a $190,000 Department of Energy grant from stimulus funds. The grant, which had to be used for energy-efficiency programs, will be applied to the street light conversions required in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Action Plan adopted by the Commissioners. As a result, the Township has targeted mercury vapor lights for replacement; they are no longer being produced because of the biohazard they cause in landfills. In addition, LED and induction lights are more energy efficient, which provides the dual benefit of saving operation costs and reducing the Township's carbon footprint.
 
The Township will notify residents who live near the first groups of lights to be converted. In addition, the contractor performing the work has been consulting with the Township's Engineer and staff to measure existing light levels and to make certain that the modified street light system meets safe and uniform illumination standards.
 
FreedomFreedom Playground Update
Freedom Playground organizers have scheduled two sessions -- from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 11 and Saturday, September 25 -- to complete the small amount of building and the Freedom Playgroundlarge amount of painting still needed. All they need is you! For more information, or to volunteer, contact Lynn Langnas, PR Chair at [email protected] or visit the website at freedomplay.org. The organizers plan to have the Grand Opening Party at the end of October.
 
LibraryLibrary News & Updates
 
The 4th Annual Haverford Township Free Library Gala will be held at the Llanerch Country Club on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Donna Jones at (610) 446-3082, extension 212.
 
Free Career Webinar Series
 
Find Hidden Job Leads Online and at the Library
Wednesday, September 29 at 3 p.m.
Learn what research and job information tools are available both online and off, and how to incorporate these tools into their search strategy.
 
Write a Resume that Gets the Job
Wednesday, October 27 at 3 p.m.
 Learn how to write a powerful profile and skills summary; transform a list of job tasks into powerful success stories; leverage education and internships to prove you have the "right stuff." 
 
Learn How to Interview Like a Pro
Wednesday, December 1 at 3 p.m. 
 Learn how to feel comfortable during an interview, as well as the latest interview styles, techniques, and how to answer the top two interview questions everyone is asked.
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yardReminder: Yard Waste Pickup on Wednesday
 
Remember - The Township now offers a yard waste pickup on Wednesdays. The final yard waste pickup for this season is Wednesday, September 29, 2010. To view the yard waste (and trash) pickup schedule, click here.
 
Please note that grass clippings are not accepted with yard waste and must be included with your regular trash.

WebsiteVisit 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.
 
contactHow to Contact  4th Ward Commissioner Dan Siegel
By Email: [email protected]
 
By Mail:Contact Dan Siegel
1705 Marilyn Drive
Havertown, PA 19083
 
By Phone:
(610) 446-1117 (Constituent Phone Line)
(610) 446-3457 (Office)