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 Haverford Township October 13, 2013
4th Ward Commissioner
Dan Siegel
E-Newsletter No. 114 (Since 2009)
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Upcoming Commissioners Meeting
No Work Session in November
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Monday, October 14th is Columbus Day --
Trash Will Be Collected As Usual
Although Columbus Day is observed on Monday, October 14, 2013, trash will be collected as usual on Monday. In addition, yard waste will be collected on Wednesday, October 16th and trash and recycling will be collected on Thursday, October 17th.
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Haverford Township Free Library --
Commissioners to Consider Options
 The Commissioners Property Committee updated the Board at our Work Session on October 7th. Click here to view the video of the meeting. The Library discussion begins approximately 13 minutes into the meeting.
As I have reported previously, the Board of Commissioners Property Committee (which I chair) has recommended construction of a new Township Police & Administration Building to replace the current inadequate and antiquated facilities. Since the Committee made this recommendation, the Library reported that it requires:
- Immediate repairs to maintain the safety of the facility.
- Approximately $1.5 million to replace its end-of-life mechanical and environmental (air conditioning and heating) systems.
- $5 million to convert the library into a state-of-the-art facility.
As a result, the Property Committee is investigating whether to recommend renovating the current facility or to include the Library in the proposed Administration Building, which would be constructed behind the existing Police Station near the Skatium.
There will be far more parking for the Library if it were to be included with the new facility, and the cost of maintenance, etc., would be reduced as those costs would be shared by the Township, the Police and the Library. However, we must be fiscally prudent and be certain that the cost of including the Library in the new facility is reasonable and comparable to the cost of renovating the current building
The Committee, whose members are Commissioners Jim McGarrity, Bill Wechsler, Jane Hall and me, explained that we are awaiting cost estimates before making any specific recommendations. That is why we wanted all Commissioners to be aware of the situation.
I will keep you informed as we receive additional information. Please feel free to contact me by email or phone (610-446-1117). You can also voice your opinion by speaking at an upcoming Commissioners meeting. To do so, you must register to speak in advance, and can do so by calling the Township at 610-446-1000. Our next meetings are Tuesday, October 15th and Monday, November 11th.
This is an important issue, and every resident deserves to be heard. I welcome your thoughts, which will help to guide me as we address the short- and long-term future of the Library.
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Cable TV Update
 The Board of Commissioners Cable TV Committee has recommended ways to improve the content of the cable television channel, at little or no cost to residents. In particular, the Committee, which I chair, made believes that the channel can be improved and provide more information to residents. As a result, the Committee made the following recommendations at the Board's October 7th Work Session:
- Add Public Service Videos such as interviews with the Township Manager, and Police Chief, as well as videos about Fire Companies, the Grange and the Public Works Department.
- Consider broadcasting other meetings, such as the Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Committee.
- Reinstate the "crawl" that provided timely news and information.
- Recruit volunteers to:
- Maintain the channel
- Create programming
- Create a standard form and email address to help community groups submit potential listings
- Recruit a student (high school, college or coop) to help facilitate not only the cable channel but also to assist keeping the new Township website up-to-date.
Feel free to contact me by email or phone (610-446-1117) with any comments or suggestions or if you would like to volunteer to help.
Thanks to the members of the Cable TV Committee: Commissioners Chris Connell, Steve D'Emilio and Bill Wechsler; Residents/Committee Members Bennett Lazar, Jason Bullock, Jay Scheinfield, Michael Muderick and Robert Mulhern, Jr.; Bob Gove (who videotapes the Commissioners meetings), and resident Roy Sandstrom.
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Purchase CREC Fitness Passes
At 50% Off Until October 15th
To celebrate its first anniversary, the Community Recreation & Environmental Center (CREC) is offering fitness passes for 50 percent off the regular price until October 15th. The passes never expire and may be used for the Fitness Center, as well as Drop-In Basketball and Pickleball. The CREC is located at the Haverford Reserve. Click here for more information.
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Township Unveils You Tube Channel
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Constituent Meeting Recap
Thank you to everyone who attended my semi-annual constituent meeting on Wednesday, October 2nd, including Assistant Township Manager Lori Hanlon-Widdop, Police Lt. Joseph Hagan, District Justice Lisa Lacianca and EMS Director Jim McCans.
Residents raised topics, although the majority of the meeting was devoted to answering and addressing concerns about traffic, including neighborhood traffic issues and concerns about the traffic light at the new YMCA. Other topics included Peco and power outages.
Residents who attended got answers to their questions, and Township officials also provided more information after the meeting, including:
- The Police Department, which had already recommended making the intersection of Colfax Road & Merrybrook Drive a 4-way stop sign, will consider modifying other intersections along Merrybrook Drive;
- The Police will begin "selective enforcement" at a variety of 4th Ward locations and will issue citations to drivers who disregard stop signs or fail to obey the speed limit;
- The Police Department analyzed the area of Circle Drive, Lawrence Road & Fairmont Road, and have recommended the following changes:
Tyson Road
- The addition of a speed limit sign on the north side of Tyson Road in the area of 1707 Tyson Road.
- "No Parking Any Time" posted on the south side from the intersection of Harriet Lane to Fairmont Road.
Circle Drive
- The installation of a stop sign on the southwest corner of Circle Drive at Fairmont Road (near Lawrence Road).
Fairmont Road
- "No Parking any Time" posted on the south side from the driveway of 543 Fairmont Road to Tyson Road.
- The installation of a stop sign on the northeast corner of Tyson Road at Fairmont Road.
Because the proposed changes are significant, I have deferred presenting the ordinance change to the Board of Commissioners until I speak with residents in the area. If you have questions, please email me or give me a call at 610-446-1117.
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Darby Creek Trail Dedication --
Sunday, October 20
 The Department of Parks & Recreation, in conjunction with the Friends of Haverford Trails, will dedicate an improved section of the Darby Creek Trail on Sunday, October 20th at 2 p.m. The ceremony will take place at Merry Place on Glendale Road. The 1.2 mile section goes from Merry Place to Old Hilltop Road.
Click here for more information.
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2013 Haverford Township
Leaf Collection Schedule
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Absentee Ballot Deadline is October 29th
The deadline for applying for absentee ballots is October 29, 2013. To obtain an absentee ballot, please contact me by email or phone (610-446-1117). You can also download and print an Absentee Ballot Application. The general election is Tuesday, November 5th.
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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 (Dan's Office -- Please Call for Notary Appointments for 4th Ward Residents; for all other matters, please call the Constituent Phone Line.) For Emergencies please call the Township at (610) 446-1000 or Call the Police at 911 | |
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he Township has created a YouTube channel, which allows residents to view Township meetings and events at their own convenience.