Upper Gwyn Editor
UPPER GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM NEEDS
YOUR HELP
In
order for the Upper Gwynedd Township Emergency Management Team to offer
assistance to residents with special needs, such as a disability or
extraordinary medical requirements (dialysis, etc.), the Team needs to know what
your needs are and where you are located. Residents
wishing to register their needs with the Emergency Management Team should call
the Township Building at 215-699-7777 and leave a message for the Emergency
Management Coordinator, who will return your call.
The
Commissioners recently endorsed the proposed 2003 County Open Space Program at
its July 28, 2003 Public Meeting. The
Board encourages all citizens to vote on November 4 and support the proposed
2003 Open Space Program.
On
November 4, 2003, Montgomery County voters will have the opportunity to voice
their support for a new Montgomery County Open Space Program by answering
"yes" to an important County-wide ballot question.
The proposed $150 million program, called Green Fields - Green Towns,
would be used to protect natural and water resource areas, offer municipalities
options for "re-greening" their communities, and preserve open space
and farmland.
Supporting
the County-wide initiative is a great way to bring money back to our own
community. The Open Space program of
the last ten years provided funding for communities to protect open, natural
areas, to preserve agricultural lands, and to re-green developed areas through
tree planting, green gateways, and pocket parks.
These communities will see a wealth of benefits accrue over time.
The preservation and improvement of our communities enhances our
environments while producing some very practical results.
In older, established suburbs, re-greening projects make our communities
desirable places in which to live, work, own a home, and retire.
Residents and business owners who stay in such communities, help maintain
tax bases and community structure and reduce the pressures of sprawl.
Strategic growth in general reduces traffic problems and mitigates the
burdensome effect of development on local school districts and municipalities.
Open space also assists in maintaining a stable tax base because it
requires minimal infrastructure and few support services.
Studies conducted across Pennsylvania show that controlling development
reigns in the costs associated with it, resulting in lower, long-term tax
burdens. The cost of the Open Space
program initiated in 1993 was less than $60 million in County funds but resulted
in more than $100 million returned to all municipalities in our County by
leveraging additional State, Federal and private funds.
The
figure listed on the ballot, $150 million, is significant for good reason.
When this amount is distributed over ten years and is used to leverage
funds from State and Federal sources, it promises to provide tremendous value.
The Montgomery County Open Space program of the last ten years preserved
over 9,200 acres of open space. Projects
included farmland preservation (3,656 acres), natural open space areas (4,797
acres), County parkland acquisition (316 acres), construction of the 23-mile
Perkiomen Trail, 69 tree-planting projects, and a new open space plan for each
of Montgomery County's 62 municipalities. Substantial
funds for these programs came from sources outside the County.
The
successes of this program show what can be done, while our rapidly changing
landscapes underscore the need for continued action.
A glance outside the car window brings into sharp focus the importance of
protecting our remaining cherished landscapes and critical resources.
As open land disappears and pressures on what remains intensify, the call
for more conservation and better planning increases.
November's ballot question presents a perfect opportunity for the voters
of Upper Gwynedd Township to show how they feel about securing a green legacy
for the future. Plan to vote on
November 4th and vote "yes" for the 2003 Montgomery County Open Space
Ballot Question.
SENATOR RICK SANTORUM SUPPORTS UPPER GWYNEDD ON
SEWER-RELATED ISSUE
The
Board of Commissioners and Staff would like to thank Senator Rick Santorum for
his recent assistance with regard to representing Upper Gwynedd's interest
relative to the EPA's newly-issued draft Total Maximum Discharge Limits (TMDL)
for the Wissahickon Creek. These
limits are extremely important to the Township as they "set the bar"
for the performance of the Township's Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Maintaining
a clean environment requires the efforts of individuals, corporations, and
utilities such as Upper Gwynedd Township. The
Township has always been, and remains, a partner with respect to environmental
concerns, however, we insist that our partners play an equal role in ensuring
that the requirements of the Clean Stream Act are met.
We appreciate the continued efforts of our industrial wastewater
contributors while we seek fairness from legislative bodies and regulatory
agencies. We remain committed to
operating an efficient wastewater treatment plant that meets reasonable and
attainable standards.
Senator
Santorum's office was recently instrumental in making sure that regulatory
agencies considered all factors in establishing the new TMDL's.
We thank Senator Santorum for his continued support.
New Traffic Signals to Be Installed
Bids
were taken in August for the installation of long-awaited traffic signals at
Garfield Avenue and West Point Pike and at Allentown Road and Oxford Circle.
The signal at West Point Pike and Garfield Avenue should help alleviate
morning and evening rush hour congestion at that location, and the signal at
Allentown road and Oxford Circle will make ingress and egress to the Stonegate
Development and the Lehigh Valley Dairy much safer.
Weather permitting, both signals should be completed by the end of Fall.
UPPER
GWYNEDD AMBUCS PRESENTS DONATION TO FLYING HIGH EQUESTRIAN CLUB
AMBUCS
(American Business Clubs) is a national service organization with the mission to
promote community service, aid the physically-challenged and develop America's
therapists. Since its establishment,
the Upper Gwynedd AMBUCS has implemented several fund-raising initiatives and
volunteered its services to community efforts such as the Parkside Place
Playground and the formation of a scholarship program for North Penn High School
students entering the field of Physical Therapy and Education.
Recently,
the Upper Gwynedd AMBUCS hosted "Flying High", a riding program
designed to develop confidence and esteem in children and adults with special
needs, at a picnic at the Gwyn Meadows Farm in Worcester.
At this event, AMBUCS members presented the "Flying High"
Equestrian Program with a check to help support the program.
A
MESSAGE FROM FRIENDS OF THE NORTH WALES LIBRARY
Friends
of the North Wales Library, Inc. was recently formed as a tax-exempt charity by
interested residents of Upper Gwynedd Township and North Wales Borough.
Friends' mission is to work closely with the Board of Directors of the
North Wales Library in defining the relevant needs of the North Penn community
and the North Wales Memorial Free Library, in promoting excellence in Library
services, and in supporting Library programs through funding and volunteerism.
A
major emphasis of the Library is its children's reading programs.
Through its funding and volunteer service efforts, Friends is emphasizing
the importance of these programs for the enrichment of the community.
Friends volunteers recently aided in the Summer Science Program
facilitated through the Library. Friends
also aided the Library by assisting with the successful Spring Book Fair at the
Montgomeryville Barnes and Noble. Book
sales at this event, using book fair vouchers, benefitted the North Wales
Library.
Friends
is also actively pursuing granting opportunities and has recently applied for
two grants to facilitate expansion of the Library collection and replacement of
outdated materials. Other creative
fund-raising approaches are also being pursued with the assistance of local
businesses and interested residents.
Those
interested in learning more about the Friends of the North Wales Library, and in
participating in the Friends' work may contact the Library at 215-699-5410 or
visit the Library's website at www.northwaleslibrary.org.
The Library is located at 201 Summit Street, North Wales.
Participation of interested residents of the North Penn area and
businesses that serve the region is welcome.
A.
Kirk Field, President
Friends
of the North Wales Library
POLICE
DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES BICYCLE UNIT
In
June, the Police Department launched its first bicycle patrol unit, comprised of
six, formally-trained officers. This
Unit will be utilized at public events and for patrol and investigative
purposes. Financial backing, as well
as the donation of four bicycles and related equipment, was provided by these
community sponsors: Finch Services, Inc., Olitsky Family Dentistry, Allied
concrete, ISG Office Concepts, Inc., BMW Devon
Hill Motors and Thompson BMW.
Park
and Recreation Director, GlennAnne Rorie, is seeking volunteers, ages 16 and
older to assist at the Fall Fest on October 18.
Volunteers are needed to help with cookie and pumpkin decorating, face
painting, and scarecrow making. Individuals
who wish to volunteer from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. should call the Park and Recreation
Department at 215-699-7777.
Check
out the Library's website (www.northwaleslibrary.org) for information on
programs and events.
Children,
ages 3 through kindergarten, meet at the Library on the first & third
Tuesdays of each month from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Youths
in grades 5 through 8 meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, from 6:30
- 7:30 p.m., at the Willow Grove Bank on Main Street in North Wales.
Adult
readers meet one evening each month from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The
Legend of Sleepy Hollow
A
one-man adaptation of the classic ghost story.
Friday, Oct. 24, 7:00 p.m., at the North Wales Elementary School.
* Registration required for these programs.
Library membership is not required.
> Antiques Appraisal - Monday, October 13, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Appraisers from Alderfer's Auction will be present. Dinner will also be available. Tickets to be
>
Candy Sale -
Orders for a variety of delicious Bergin's candy will be taken in November.
Delivery in time for the holidays.
>
Cookie Sale -
Monday, Dec. 15 & Tuesday, Dec. 16. Pre-orders
are encouraged.
TOWNSHIP
BUILDING EXPANSION - Project Update
Anyone
visiting the Parkside Place Complex recently has seen the progress being made on
the Township Building expansion project.
During the inclement weather of early Spring when outdoor work was not
possible, emphasis was placed on renovation of the lower level of the existing
building and significant progress was made.
At this time, the exterior walls of both wings are up and construction
continues on the roof areas. By the
time cooler weather arrives in mid-Fall, the exterior of both the north and
south wings should be completed. Stay
tuned for the next progress report. We
anticipate completion of the entire project by mid-Summer 2004.
Just
A Reminder...
About
Snow
Winter
is just around the corner and we would
like to remind residents about the Township's policy on snow removal:
During
moderate snow falls, the Township Public Works Department will make two initial
passes with plowing equipment on every residential street, thereby opening the
center of each street for vehicular traffic.
Once all Township roads have been opened in this manner, the Township
crews will return to complete the curbside plowing.
By reducing the priority of curb-edge plowing during minor to moderate
snow falls, the process by which all streets are initially opened can be
expedited. This will afford greater
access to roadways by the general public.
The
Township will maintain its policy of plowing all primary and secondary roads on
a curb-to-curb basis prior to the commencement of plowing in residential
developments.
Under
severe snow conditions, the policy of removing snow from curb-to-curb will be
followed. If the Township were to
follow the "two pass" process as described above, large windrows would
accumulate along the curb-edge and would prevent access to the street from
private driveways.
In
severe conditions, we ask for your patience and understanding. Be advised that
no street or development is always last to be plowed.
IT IS THE TOWNSHIP'S POLICY TO ROTATE THE RESIDENTIAL PLOWING SCHEDULE
WITH EACH SNOWFALL SO THAT NO ONE NEIGHBORHOOD OR STREET REMAINS IN THE SAME
POSITION ON THE PLOWING SCHEDULE.
The
Township would like to remind all property owners that the plowing of snow is an
imperfect process and certain inconveniences are unavoidable.
The two most common complaints received by the Township are damage to
mailboxes and the plowing closed of previously cleared driveways. There are no
remedies to these problems. Township plows must operate at a minimum rate of
speed in order to create enough momentum to remove snow from the road,
therefore, windrows are unavoidable. Old, unsecured mailboxes are prone to
damage because of the weight of the snow. The
Township will not be responsible for improperly mounted or maintained mailboxes
that are damaged by snow.
We
ask for your understanding and your acceptance of these realities and suggest
that,
DEPICTED
BELOW ARE THE PROPER AND IMPROPER METHODS OF DISCARDING SNOW FROM YOUR DRIVEWAY
AT THE CURBLINE.
PLEASE
REMOVE VEHICLES FROM THE ROADWAY WHEN SNOWFALL IS PREDICTED. Snow Emergencies
are declared by the Township Manager and announced on KYW-AM News Radio (1060)
and WNPV-AM Radio (1440). DURING
PERIODS OF "SNOW EMERGENCY," VEHICLES ARE PROHIBITED FROM PARKING OR
STANDING UNATTENDED ON ANY ROADWAY WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP.
The purpose of the "Snow Emergency" is to facilitate snow
plowing. Any vehicles parked on the
roadway will be ticketed.
Residents
are reminded that within twenty-four (24) hours after snow has ceased to fall,
or the formation of ice has occurred, a 24" path must be cleared on all
sidewalks. Residents are advised
that when clearing snow from driveways, it should not be shoveled into the
roadway.
Now,
A Reminder About Mailbox Placement...
In
order to minimize the possibility of damage to your mailbox during snow plowing
operations, mailboxes should be installed so that the front of the mailbox is
even with the back of the curb. In
areas that have no curbs, the face of the mailbox should be set back six inches
from the edge of the blacktopped roadway.
It is
important for residents to realize that a certain amount of momentum is
necessary in order for plows to move snow on the roadways.
Township employees, as well as contracted snow removal personnel make
every effort to avoid hitting or damaging mailboxes, however, accidents do
happen.
The
Township will not assume responsibility for damage to mailboxes that are
improperly located or for mailboxes that show evidence of prior post
deterioration.
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