Lower Gwynedd Township Upcoming Meetings & Events:
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Congratulations Class of 2022! |
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!
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Board of Supervisors Adopts An Anti-Discrimination Ordinance & Approves Resolution to Raise the Pride Flag for the Month Of June
The BOS passed an anti-discrimination ordinance at their meeting held, Tuesday, May 10, 2022 by a 4-1 vote. The ordinance establishes a Human Relations Commission (HRC), prohibits discrimination in housing, commercial property, employment and public accommodations, outlines procedures for filing a claim, and provides definitions and penalties. Supervisor Janine Martin noted that the “benefit to having a local HRC is not just to facilitate mediation, but to also educate. The local HRC provides an avenue to help remedy a claim before going to the state, and it is also meant to educate and promote the rights that our community has.”
The Lower Gwynedd Township BOS also approved Resolution #2022-13 by a 4-1 vote, declaring June, 2022 to be LGBTQ Pride Month and directing staff to fly the pride flag throughout the month of June, 2022 at Veterans Memorial Park. Supervisor Janine Martin stated “it’s important that we as the Township let our community know that all are welcomed here.” Chairperson Danielle Duckett commented “I feel proud to be on this board and that we were able to accomplish this tonight…and I appreciate what it does for the members of our community who identify as LGBTQ and our youth and for the change it brings to our community.
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Oxford Park Concerts:
Big Baby Band- 6/22 at 7pm
Montgomery County Concert
Band- 6/29 at 7pm
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Lower Gwynedd Township BOS will host a brief flag raising ceremony on Wednesday June 1st at 10am at Veterans Memorial Park. All are welcomed to attend.
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The county will host two events in June. The first collection is scheduled for June 18th at Norristown High School. The second collection is scheduled for June 25th at Abington Junior High School. This event is by appointment only. To pre-register click here.
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The Kiwanis Club of Ambler will hold their annual 4th of July carnival and fireworks display this summer! The carnival will run from June 28th through July 2nd with the fireworks scheduled for Friday, July 1st, 2022. For more information contact the Kiwanis Club of Ambler.
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June 30th is the last day of face for the 2022 County/Township real estate tax bill. Office hours for the 30th will be 10am – 1pm and 4pm – 6pm. Payments received/postmarked after the 30th will be subject to a 10% penalty.
July 1st starts the discount period for the School real estate tax bill. The bills should start arriving in your mailbox over that week. You have until August 31st to receive the 2% discount.
Please make sure to make checks payable to Lower Gwynedd Tax Collector
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Republic Services will operate under a holiday schedule for the week of May 30th-June 3rd. There will be no collection on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30th, 2022. Trash collection will occur on Tuesday, May 31st and Friday, June 3rd. If your normal recycling day is Monday, then your collection will be Tuesday. If your normal recycling day is Thursday, then your collection will be Friday. |
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Lower Gwynedd Fall Fest- Now Accepting Vendors |
Businesses interested in being apart of Fall Fest will need to complete the Vendor Application. Applications can be mailed to Lower Gwynedd Township, P.O. Box 625, Spring House Pa 19477, they can also be emailed to sfeight@lowergwynedd.org. For more information visit the Fall Fest page of our website by clicking here.
Lower Gwynedd Fall Fest will be Saturday September 17, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. The event will be held on Houston Road, sections of the roadway will be closed starting at 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. A 5K race will kick off the festivities, followed by an area packed with local business vendors, food trucks, kids amusements and music.
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Volunteer Opportunities Available! |
The Lower Gwynedd Township Parks & Recreation Board (PRB) is in search of its next board member! We are now accepting applications to fill this vacancy. The PRB is responsible for advising the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and staff on acquiring, developing, and maintaining park land, as well as, developing new recreational programs. The PRB is made up of seven volunteer members who are appointed to a five-year term by the BOS. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 6pm except for August and December. If you're a resident who is willing to serve, complete an application today! You can access the electronic application by clicking here!
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The Lower Gwynedd Township Board of Supervisors are looking for volunteers to serve on a Human Relations Commission (HRC). The HRC is a new 5-member commission established by the recent adoption of the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance. The HRC shall have jurisdiction over unlawful discriminatory acts committed within the Township. Members of the Commission shall, as soon after their appointment as practical, attend such training and education seminars or sessions as deemed necessary to acquaint themselves with the functioning of the Commission. If you're a resident and willing to serve, submit your application today!
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Fire Service in Lower Gwynedd Township |
Lower Gwynedd Township is served by two all-volunteer fire companies—Wissahickon of Ambler and North Penn of North Wales. The companies are staffed by your friends and neighbors in the area. All have received extensive training in fire and rescue services. They are dispatched through the Emergency Operations Center of Montgomery County through the 9-1-1 dispatch system. Each of the fire companies has a fire station in the Township. Each of the companies are non-profit corporations which operate with tax money from Lower Gwynedd and from the two Boroughs served (Ambler and North Wales). In addition to the tax money, the fire companies operate fund drives to supplement the needs of operation. Both companies mail fund drive solicitations to their primary coverage areas and hope you will help them provide these services to the Township.
This description seems quite ordinary until you look at some of the facts:
- The companies respond to an average of one call a day in the Township for assistance. They pride themselves by achieving the national standard of placing a fire truck on location in 9 minutes from the time the call is placed on 9-1-1—Day or night, 365 days a year.
- In addition to the responses in the Township, these companies also respond in the boroughs and surrounding areas, averaging another call per day.
- The fire companies engage in thousands of hours of training to prepare for a wide variety of emergencies that could occur within the Township. This training is at company level, county level and for some state level and national training.
- The fire companies engage in planning and preparation for possible problems that could occur within the Township—developing pre-plans to anticipate problems that could be encountered and prepare possible solutions.
- The fire companies also maintain their equipment—apparatus, buildings and necessary equipment—operating like any other business with corporate officers, budgets and various regulations.
In summary, fire service in Lower Gwynedd Township is provided by two trained and prepared fire companies who pride themselves in providing the Township with excellent service on an all-volunteer basis—with emphasis on the all-volunteer. Each company would be happy to have you stop by their stations to find out more, or better yet to volunteer. It may sound like work, but its also very rewarding to help your neighbors.
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EAC Green Tip of the Month |
June features National Mosquito Control Awareness Week. You probably have seen signs for companies that claim to control mosquito populations in your yard. These companies spray a heavy film or coating on vegetation and hard surfaces. What is being sprayed? Is the mixture of chemicals being sprayed safe? While some of the ingredients these companies tout as part of their mixture are plant-based, a percentage of their mixture is comprised of chemicals. These chemicals, while perhaps temporarily eliminating mosquitoes, may also kill many different insects including bees, butterflies and fireflies and the birds that eat the contaminated insects. The chemicals may also infiltrate into the soil or runoff into waterways causing greater degradation to habitat and wildlife.
THINK GREEN!
Rather than contracting with a company that utilizes chemicals to rid your property of mosquitoes, try these environmentally friendly tips instead:
1. Remove or dump standing water which is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Clean and refill birdbaths frequently.
2. Use larvicide briquets (e.g., Mosquito Dunks), which release a bacterium that kills mosquito larvae. The bacteria is harmless to humans, plants, and animals.
3. One tip to use standing water and mosquito dunks as a trap for mosquitos can be found in this short video here.
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Boards & Committee Updates |
The BOS held their regular meetings on May 10th and May 24th, 2022. Significant action items from the May 10th meeting are detailed in the "Anti-Discrimination" article in the beginning of this newsletter. Significant action items from the May 24th meeting are detailed in the "BOS Hire Four New Police Officers" article towards the end of this newsletter. Provided below is a brief summary of the other items that were addressed at the meetings.
At the meeting on May 10th, the BOS authorized staff to seek proposals for IT/computer services, approved renovations to the squad room, and authorized the purchase of two radar speed signs.
At the BOS meeting on May 24th, 2022 the BOS approved the land development application #21-03LD for Precision Watches. The applicant intends on constructing a 2.5 story luxury retail jewelry store at 1612 N. Bethlehem Pike. The Township Engineer provided a detailed presentation on the Brookside Avenue Flood Study. He reviewed the scope of the project and the data they've collected from the surveying and modeling performed. Essentially, dense development over time without stormwater management controls appears to be the main issue. Ultimately, there is an extraordinary amount of water running through the study area and figuring out a way to hold back the water and meter it out at a reduced rate is what they're looking to do. Identifying opportunities to do this is the next step. Gilmore and Associates will continue to work on this project over the next few months. The Township Traffic Engineer gave a presentation on the Act 209 Traffic Impact Study. This study evaluates the potential traffic improvements that will be needed while taking into consideration future development and a calculation is performed to establish a new traffic impact fee. The Township is looking to update the study that was completed in 2004. The BOS approved the creation of an Impact Fee Advisory Committee as required to move forward with the study. It will take approximately 18 months to complete. Michael Malloy of Rise Up Towers gave a presentation on cell phone towers. His company partners with municipalities and locates towers on Township-owned properties. The Township then receives a percentage of the commission generated from the tower. In other business, the BOS approved Resolution #2022-14 authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Greenways, Trails, Recreation Program for the funding of a master site plan for Oxford and Pen-Ambler Parks, authorized the sale of equipment on Municibid, approved the televising and repairs to designated sanitary sewer lines, authorized the advertisement of Ordinance #530 revising the police hiring procedures, waived the park fees for the "Flowers Still Grow" event at Penllyn Park, and approved participation in the Juneteenth event at the Bethlehem Baptist Church. The BOS also authorized the Township Solicitor to work with the EAC to draft a resolution pertaining to clean energy. The BOS will move into their summer schedule where they will hold one meeting per month on the fourth Tuesday at 7pm. This schedule is in place from June through August.
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Environmental Advisory Council (EAC)
The EAC held their regular meeting on May 11, 2022. The EAC has prepared a tree giveaway program that they plan on conducting in the Fall of 2022. The BOS endorsed this program and authorized the expenditure for the purchase of 200 trees. The EAC also compiled information pertaining to the solar charging station demonstration. They are working with the Parks & Recreation Board to move forward with this initiative. The EAC is also working to establish support of the Ready for 100 Initiative and request BOS support by the passage of a clean energy resolution. The EAC held their second battery collection on May 14th and collected well over 200 pounds of batteries for recycling. The next collection date will be Saturday, July 9th, from 9-11 at the LG Township Building. Please be sure to review the guidelines posted on our webpage before bringing your batteries to the collection.
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The May meeting of the ZHB was held on Thursday, May 12th, 2022. The next hearing is scheduled for June 9, 2022.
745 Tennis Avenue: A-Residential District; Applicant seeks variances and any other relief deemed necessary to facilitate the construction of a single-family dwelling and associated improvements including permitting a lot width of less than 200 feet and a side yard less than 50 feet. Applicant also seeks a special exception for an in-law suite and a variance to add an additional 60+ family member. (Approved).
1402 Crestwood Drive: A-Residential District; Applicant seeks a variance for a height limitation of a covered porch on an existing single-family dwelling. (Approved).
734 Meadowcreek Circle: A-1 Residential District; Applicant seeks a special exception to permit an in-law suite and a variance to permit an accessory structure that exceeds the permitted height limit. (Continuance filed, application not heard).
1105 McKean Road: A-1 Residential District; Applicant seeks relief from a height limitation and building area percentage for a detached two-story garage. (Approved).
1505 Bardsey Drive: A-1 Residential District; Applicant seeks an interpretation of, or variance from the zoning ordinance to permit the installation of an inground swimming pool within 20.3 feet of the rear yard, and pool equipment in the front yard of a single-family dwelling. (Approved).
1244 Turnbury Lane: A-Residential District; Applicant requests a variance to permit a deck/patio in less than the required setback of an existing property improved with a single-family dwelling. (Approved).
876 Penn Oak Road: AA-1 Residential District; Applicant seeks variances for relief from a side yard setback, rear yard setback, and impervious coverage ratio to facilitate the construction of a one-story addition and two-story garage addition to an existing single-family dwelling.
912 N. Bethlehem Pike: D-1 Business Zoning District; Applicant seeks a special exception to permit a personal training, small-group fitness instruction use.
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(#22-03) 601 Knight Road, Waiver of Land Development (Wissahickon School District Middle School Natatorium Repurposing Project): A non-residential application to convert the old natatorium located at the middle school into six classrooms. Access to the site will be off of Houston Road where they will temporarily stage the equipment for the renovation work. Discussion about the time frame of the construction, truck traffic into and out of the site, and sprinklers took place. The PC recommended a waiver of land development for the proposed project to the BOS with the conditions that stone storage shall be limited to five trucks per day, compliance with engineer review letters, and to work together with the Fire Marshall on a few items in his review letter. Status: The PC recommended a waiver of land development for this project subject to conditions.
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Park & Recreation Board (PRB)
The PRB held their regular meeting on May 25th, 2022. The PRB continue to review a proposed ordinance for large group event permits. They also reviewed the EAC Energy Committee's proposal for a solar charging station in Oxford and Ingersoll Parks. The PRB will kick off its summer concert series this month! Come out and join the fun. The concerts are held at Oxford Park from 7pm-8pm. Big Baby Band is scheduled for Wednesday, June 22nd and the Montgomery County Concert Band will play on Wednesday, June 29th, 2022. Also, there is a vacancy on the PRB! If you're interested in serving as a volunteer board member complete the application linked here and submit it today!
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Board of Supervisors Hire 4 New Police Officers, Recognize Juneteenth and more! |
The Lower Gwynedd Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved the hiring of four new police officers and welcomed those officers to the force at their meeting held, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Officers John Taylor, Kayin Nix, John Dobson, and Dennis Cosgrove were sworn-in by Judge Zaffarano before their friends, families, and colleagues. Officer Shawn Sweeney was also promoted to the position of Sergeant and sworn-in, while Detective Michael Cantrell received a certificate of recognition for his exceptional police work. Chief Paul Kenny thanked the BOS for their commitment to the force and the future of the Lower Gwynedd Township Police Department.
In other business, the BOS approved Resolution #2022-15 designating June 19, 2022 as “Juneteenth Independence Day” and recognizing the significance of Juneteenth and the observance of its importance to Black liberation and progress toward the abolition of enslavement as part of the history and heritage of the United States. Chairperson Danielle Duckett stated “I think it is important that we acknowledge the significance of Juneteenth and the resilience of black folks in our country and the vigilance they’ve shown through history as they’ve endured the delay of justice”.
The Lower Gwynedd Township BOS also approved the Environmental Advisory Council’s Tree Give Away Program that will be conducted this Fall. A variety of trees will be provided to the first 200 Lower Gwynedd Township residents who present themselves during the giveaway event. The tree giveaway will be conducted as part of Lower Gwynedd Township’s commitment to increasing the coverage of the tree canopy to help with managing stormwater runoff and reducing excess atmospheric carbon dioxide, a major cause of global warming.
Finally, Township Manager, Craig McAnally, announced that the Township was notified that they have been awarded the 2022 Montco 20/40 Grant in the amount of $78,667.00 for the Bethlehem Pike Pedestrian Improvement project. This funding will help offset the cost of the required pedestrian bridge along the southbound (west) side of Bethlehem Pike.
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2022 Road Program
Manhole adjustments have started, the actual paving program is anticipated to begin in June!
Mill & Overlay
- Cathcart Road-From Township Line Road to Grasshopper Road
- Swedesford Road- From Railroad Bridge to Dekalb Pike (Rte. 202)
- Township Line Road- From Penllyn Pike to Penllyn Woods Park Entrance
- Meetinghouse Road- From 1201 Meetinghouse Road to Turnbury Road
- Beth Drive- Upper Cul-de-Sac
- Curb Ramp at Mt. Pleasant Avenue and Knight Road Intersection
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Ultra-Thin Friction Course:
- Hoover Road- From Pen Ambler Road to Knight Road
- Wooded Pond Road- From McKean Road to Cul-de-Sac
- Sunset Drive- Evans Road to Forest Drive
- Forest Drive- Entire Road
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Lower Gwynedd Township
1130 North Bethlehem Pike
Spring House, PA 19477
Phone: (215) 646-5302
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Keep an eye out for our July issue! |
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