June 2021 e-Newsletter
Lower Gwynedd Township Upcoming Meetings & Events:
‌
General News
Congratulations Class of 2021!
The Board of Supervisors would like to congratulate all of our graduates in Lower Gwynedd Township. Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors!
2021 Kiwanis Club of Ambler Fireworks & Lower Gwynedd Pike Fest Cancelled

The Kiwanis Club of Ambler's annual 4th of July fireworks display along with Lower Gwynedd's Pike Fest will not take place this year but both are hopeful to return in 2022.
Oxford Park Concerts:
Analog Groove- 6/16 at 7pm
Zydeco A Go Go- 6/23 at 7pm
Dueling Pianos- 6/30 at 7pm
Montco Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
This event will be held on June 12th from 12pm-3pm at Temple University Ambler Campus. The County does require pre-registration for this event. To pre-register click here.
SAVE THE DATE

Be sure to save the date of Sunday, September 26th for a Community Event to be held at the Wissahickon High School Stadium! Details to follow.
Township Awarded 2 Grants
Lower Gwynedd Township is pleased to announce that the Old Bethlehem Pike Streambank Stabilization & Enhancement Project was approved for a Watershed Restoration Protection Program Grant in the amount of $100,000. This project will repair the eroded streambanks within the Willow Run tributary to the Wissahickon Creek. The project stream segment is located off of Old Bethlehem Pike directly behind the municipal building.

Lower Gwynedd Township is also the proud recipient of the Montco 20/40 Grant in the amount of $61,400.00 for the Dager Road/Penllyn Pike Trail Crossing Project. The project will involve the realignment of an existing, skewed trail crossing of the Penllyn Pike Trail as it crosses Dager Road. Additionally, the trail approaches to Dager Road will be paved and updated trail crossing signage and pavement markings will be installed. This project will make crossing safer for all users. 
Welsh Road Pedestrian Bridge Complete

The Welsh Road pedestrian bridge is officially open! The 50-foot-long by 6-foot-wide pedestrian bridge spanning the Park Creek at the intersection of Welsh Road and Llanfair Road was recently completed giving pedestrians in this area of the Township safe access to the Forest Manor neighborhood and the broader network of Township trails via a natural trail along Welsh Road. A future macadam trail connection along Welsh Road is being considered for this area. 
They're Back!
Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) nymphs have hatched and are in the neighborhood. It’s easier to catch and destroy them at this stage than when they have matured, so it’s time to get to work. The early nymphs that are about 1/8 inch long are out now and look a little bit like baby lady bugs, but are black with white spots. Late-stage nymphs (look for them in the summer) are red with black and white markings and about ½ inch long. Read more to see how you can identify the SLF and how you can help get rid of them.
Boards & Committee Updates
At their most recent meetings, the Lower Gwynedd BOS agreed to continue holding their regular meetings virtually through the summer as long as the emergency declaration issued by Governor Wolf remains in place. The BOS will convene their summer schedule beginning in June. The BOS will go to once per month meetings on the 4th Tuesday at 7pm from June through August. In other recent business, the BOS agreed to provide matching funds in the amount of $250,000.00 to Ambler Borough Water Authority as part of their application for the MIRIA Grant. This grant program would provide funding to the authority to purchase and install filters on two wells that provide water to Lower Gwynedd Township residents. The BOS also authorized staff to submit grant applications for various projects including traffic signal improvements and a dam study. Other actions included the extension of the outdoor dining provisions for Township restaurants, and the approval of a community event to be held on September 26. The BOS will hold their next meeting on June 22, 2021 at 7pm.
Environmental Advisory Council (EAC)
The EAC will move forward with submitting an application for Lower Gwynedd Township to become an official "Tree City". They will also be purchasing Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) swatters for distribution to Township residents. Look for these swatters at various Township events such as the summer concert series. Help the EAC rid the Township of SLF! Also, be sure to stop by Penllyn Woods to see the pollinator garden that was recently installed.
May Hearings- May 13, 2021:
1202 Hunt Seat Drive: A-Residential District; Applicant seeks relief to facilitate construction of a two-car detached garage, outdoor patio and related improvements accessory to a single-family dwelling. Decision pending.

820 Bethlehem Pike: Lower Pike Overlay & D-Business District; Applicant seeks relief necessary to permit a daycare center (Goddard School) and medical office. Decision pending.

June Hearings-June 10, 2021:
1612 N Bethlehem Pike (Corner of Welsh Road & Bethlehem Pike): PO-Professional Office District; Applicant seeks variances for use, height, and setbacks to permit a luxury watch retail building in this location.

730 Meadowcreek Circle: A-1 Residential District; Applicant seeks a special exception to permit an in-law suite. 
The PC is scheduled to hold their regular meeting in June. Before the PC at this time are the following applications.

(#20-04) 301 Norristown Road Land Development (Gwynedd Estates-Acts): Addition of a new skilled nursing wing at the northeast corner of the site, reconfiguration of existing parking area while also adding new parking, and installation of subsurface stormwater management facilities.

(#21-01) 820 N. Bethlehem Pike (Goddard School) Land Development: Non-residential redevelopment of this property that will include the removal of the existing Pike Diner, construction of a new daycare center and the repurposing of an existing building into a medical office along with the associated site improvements.
  
(#21-02) John’s Lane Subdivision: 6-lot single-family residential subdivision and land development. 
Park & Recreation Board (PRB)
The PRB recently welcomed a new board member! Vernon Davis joined the PRB following his appointment on April 14th, 2021. Mr. Davis is a School Administrator and Instructional Coach. He has extensive experience with sports and recreational activities. He looks forward to serving his community. He will serve a 5-year term. The PRB will be upgrading the court surfaces at Penllyn Park this year. Summer camp will not be held this summer due to COVID-19 restrictions that were in place at the time a decision was needed. However, the summer concert series will take place this summer at Oxford Park, click here for more information. Also, be sure to check out the new park signs. 
‌
Departmental Round-Up
Administration
The Township’s Board of Supervisors (BOS) meetings will continue to be held virtually through the summer months and the BOS will begin their summer schedule of one meeting per month starting in June. For a full schedule of upcoming meetings please visit the Township website.

Reminder: Tax Collector Office has changed! Linda Sacks is the current Tax Collector for Lower Gwynedd Township. Ms. Sacks replaced the late Betty Lou Yost. Please be sure to update your records so that you send your tax payment to the correct location!

Tax payments should be mailed to:
Linda Sacks, Tax Collector
P.O. Box 640
Spring House, PA 19477

Or Dropped Off
921 N. Bethlehem Pike, Ambler
Public Works
The 2021 road program began in May. All of the milling and manhole adjustments are complete. Resurfacing will be completed in July. The following roads will be resurfaced or repaired this summer:
  • Brushtown Rd
  • Gypsy Hill Rd (Plymouth to Circle)
  • Gypsy Hill Cir
  • John Rotelle Dr
  • Latchstring Ln
  • Lloyd Rd
  • Surrey Dr
  • Warren Rd
  • Wyndon Rd

The Public Works Department is hiring seasonal workers. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, landscaping, road work, building maintenance, trash and recycling collection in the parks and any other such duties as the job may require. Employment will be from June to September on a Monday through Friday 7AM to 3 PM schedule. More Information.
Police Department
School’s out this month so please remember to drive slowly and keep our children safe. New speed radar signs have been placed in various locations to help combat speeding in our Township. Also, are you going on vacation this summer? If so, you can contact the Police Department through the non-emergency line 215-646-5303 or the website and request that your address be added to list for the duration of your trip. Our officers will check your property while on patrol.
 Lower Gwynedd Township
1130 North Bethlehem Pike
Spring House, PA 19477
Phone: (215) 646-5302
Feature Heading
Keep an eye out for our July issue!