Springfield Ward 3 Newsletter

THE ORELAND NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 2022

News & Updates for Oreland & Ward 3

Brought to you by:

Jim Lee

Ward 3 Commissioner

215-346-6073

JLee@springfieldmontco.org

Feel free to contact me with any issues, questions, or suggestions for newsletter content and sharing events.

Please share this newsletter to encourage your neighbors to sign up as well. If you know someone without computer access let me know - we'll get them a paper version each time too!

Included in this issue:

Black History Month
COVID-19 Information
Board of Commissioners Update
Township Resources and Announcements
Township & Local Event Calendar
Oreland Fact of the Month
Additional Community Events and Resources In and Around Springfield

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

February marks Black History Month in the United States as we collectively honor the contributions of Black Americans throughout our history despite the obstacles of injustice and inequity. This is a great time to celebrate those accomplishments, and it should also serve as a reminder of how far we still have to go to have a truly equitable society free of prejudice.

Why February was chosen as Black History Month

"February was chosen primarily because the second week of the month coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Lincoln was influential in the emancipation of slaves, and Douglass, a former slave, was a prominent leader in the abolitionist movement, which fought to end slavery.

Lincoln and Douglass were each born in the second week of February, so it was traditionally a time when African Americans would hold celebrations in honor of emancipation, Kaplan said. (Douglass' exact date of birth wasn't recorded, but he came to celebrate it on Feb. 14.)

Thus, Woodson created Negro History Week around the two birthdays as a way of "commemorating the black past," according to ASALH.

Forty years after Ford formally recognized Black History Month, it was Barack Obama, the nation's first Black president, who delivered a message of his own from the White House, a place built by slaves.

"Black History Month shouldn't be treated as though it is somehow separate from our collective American history or somehow just boiled down to a compilation of greatest hits from the March on Washington or from some of our sports heroes," Obama said.

"It's about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America," he continued.

(Canada also commemorates Black History Month in February, while the U.K. and Ireland celebrate it in October.)"

Read the full article from NPR:

Black History Month (NPR)

blackhistorymonth.gov

COVID-19

This article in The Atlantic highlights that Denmark has fully lifted restrictions related to Covid on 2/1 despite currently having one of the highest infection rates in the world (Including masks that we are all annoyed with...). They were able to make that decision because of their high vaccination rate, which has kept their hospital system from being overwhelmed. The US, however, continues to have one of the lowest vaccination rates in the industrialized world, despite having superior access (and our jammed hospitals reflect that). If you or someone close to you is still hesitant to receive the vaccine, please check in with you doctor once more for their guidance.

Here are resources that can be visited for the latest updates and guidelines, including vaccine resources on the PA page.

PA Dept of Health - COVID 19 Updates

Springfield Township - COVID 19

CDC Website - COVID 19

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS UPDATE

Here are some of the issues the Board took action on recently:

Police Ceremony In November the Board conducted a ceremonial swearing in of two newly hired police officers Yelidsa Torres and Michael Fantry along with Jennifer Litwinowicz, who was hired earlier in 2021 (Officer Torres unfortunately resigned from her position in December). We also recognized the promotions of Lieutenant Rebecca Mersky, Sergeant Whitney, and Corporal Chris Calhoun, which occurred in 2020 while our board meetings were virtual. Congratulations are in order for our newly added and deservingly promoted law enforcement officers.

Environmental Advisory Committee Members. The Board approved the appointment of an unexpired term of service to Patrick Hynes, of Wyndmoor. This term of service expires 6.14.22. The Board also approved the appointment of Richard Metz, of Erdenheim, as an associate member.

Library Advisory Committee Members. The Board approved the reappointment of Arthur Walters and Marianne Sunderland to new, three-year terms of service.

Budget. The Board adopted the 2022 budget at our December 8 business meeting. While projected expenses are expected to be higher in 2022, we are also projecting savings in several categories that will offset these costs. There will be no increase in township real estate tax, and there is a small reduction in the annual refuse fee for residents compared to 2020.

Skate Park. In December the Board reviewed a presentation and spoke with a group of parents and youth, led by resident & parent Carmel Archdekin, regarding the creation of a skate park in the township, with an initial target location of Laurel Beech Park in Wyndmoor. The group has been spearheading an effort to gain awareness and raise funds for the project. Check out their Facebook page HERE.

Recognition of Service. At our January business meeting, the Board adopted a resolution to honor Jeff Harbison, who retired after serving as a Springfield Township Commissioner for 16 years, including two stretches as President. Jeff's leadership, commitment to the township, and depth of knowledge about Springfield will continue to benefit our community even if he is no longer formally on the Board.

Bridge Street Guiderail. The Township awarded a contract for the installation of approximately 250 feet of new guiderail along Bridge St in Oreland. The existing guiderail is beyond its useful life so this should be a nice upgrade making the stretch safer for pedestrians. The project should be completed within a few months.

Enfield School Zone. The Board also authorized the advertisement of a bid request to install school zone warning flashers for Enfield Elementary along Paper Mill Rd & Montgomery Ave.

Young Lungs at Play. The Board voted to participate in the state-wide "Young Lungs at Play" program, which was created to encourage tobacco and smoke-free zones throughout municipal parks, trails, and open space areas. While all parks in the Township are already smoke-free, participation in the program will qualify us for free signage about the program and may lead to additional grant funding opportunities in the future.

New Police Officer. The Board approved an offer of employment to Daniel Lopez to fill a patrol officer vacancy in the Springfield Township Police Department. Mr. Lopez is a 2021 graduate of the Montgomery County Police Academy and was employed as a Deputy in the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department.

Board Reorganization & Committee Assignments. In January the Board announced the 2022 Committee and Liaison assignments for the commissioners:

Links to meeting agendas and attendance instructions can always be found on the township website (see link in resources section below).

TOWNSHIP RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEW TAX COLLECTOR

All Springfield Township property owners should have received their first tax bill from Springfield Township's new Tax Collector, Joelle Kleinman. Joelle was elected by the community this past November to replace long-standing tax collector Bonny Davis.

Mrs. Kleinman is now responsible for the billing and collection of real estate taxes for Springfield Township, Montgomery County, and the Springfield Township School District. Please also note that Mrs. Kleinman has selected to utilize a Philadelphia/Chestnut Hill PO Box for her return address. This does not mean tax money will be going to the City of Philadelphia, it is simply the closest post office to her residence.

Visit the Tax Collector's Website HERE.

Please call (215-233-1084) or email Joelle Kleinman to schedule an appointment or if you need special accommodations.

Township Fall &

Winter Newsletter

Be sure to check out winter weather guidelines & tips in the Township Newsletter on p. 9!

TOWNSHIP PROJECTS PAGE

Make a visit to the township's “Projects” page on the website where you can see the latest updates on major public projects in the township.

Not Everything Can Be Recycled:

A comprehensive list of items and materials NOT collected by our residential recycling program.

Residential Curbside Leaf

Waste Collection Info

GO DIGITAL WITH LIBRARY

E-RESOURCES

Did you know that you can use your library card to access a number of digital resources from the comfort of your home? Whether you want to stay informed, learn a new skill, or dive into research, there are numerous digital opportunities for you to enjoy with the Free Library

READY FOR 100 is now "RENEWABLE SPRINGFIELD"

Learn more about Springfield's leadership in local municipalities taking action on the health of the environment and our commitment to 100% Renewable Energy.