Of Montgomery County WORCESTER RECEIVES GOVERNOR'S AWARD FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXCELLENCE
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Summer
2021
At the Center Point of Montgomery County
Late News Again! WORCESTER RECEIVES GOVERNOR’S AWARD
FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXCELLENCE
T
Did you receive our Spring newsletter a little
later than usual? If yes, you’re not alone. All o celebrate “Local Government
3,100 copies of the newsletter were delivered Week,” which honors the dedication
to the post office on February 17, providing of the Pennsylvania’s local officials
plenty of time to have these in homes by our and encouraging citizens to learn how
March 1st target date... or so we thought. Our local government functions and affect each
newsletter was among the many mail pieces resident and business in the community.
that experienced significant delivery delays During this week, the Governor’s Center
which seems to be an ongoing issue with USPS. for Local Government Services has made
a tradition of hosting a Local Government
The Township aims to have the Spring Day celebration, featuring the presentation
newsletters in homes by March 1 and the of the Governor’s Awards for Local Government Initiatives, Health and Wellness
Summer newsletter in homes by the Friday Government Excellence to recognize local Initiatives, and Fiscal Accountability and
before Memorial Day. The Fall and Winter officials for their successes in undertaking Best Management Practices.
newsletters are scheduled for the Friday before innovative initiatives to improve the
Labor Day and December 1, respectively. If quality of life in their communities. Due The Township won this award for Fiscal
your newsletter is late visit worcestertwp.com to the ongoing pandemic, the awards were Accountability and Best Management
to view the digital version, which is posted to presented virtually on May 19, 2021. Practices for the partnership of Worcester
our website shortly before the newsletters are Township and Worcester Volunteer Fire
delivered to the post office. Worcester Township has received the Department to provide a comprehensive
2021 Governor’s Awards for Local program to help support the fire department
Government Excellence in recognition who provides dedicated service to the
Days Gone By of the Township’s contribution to local community. This program allows the
government in Pennsylvania. Only 10 Township to support the volunteer model
Milestones were used initially to provide communities across the Commonwealth of without the need to establish a full-time paid
direction and milage for postage delivery but Pennsylvania are awarded this honor every department that could cost the community
also played a role during the Revolutionary year in the following categories: Building over $2 million per year.
War. One of General Washington’s orders was Community Partnerships, Responding to
“proceed to 24-mile stone and remain there Adversity, Innovative Planning and Sound For more information regarding the Township’s
until further notice.” This particular milestone Land Use Practices, Intergovernmental Fire Stipend Program and other initiatives
still stands along Skippack Pike west of the Cooperation, Promoting Community/ the Township has undertaken to support the
Worcester Township line. Economic Revitalization, Information Worcester Volunteer Fire Department, please
Technology, Innovative Community/ see the article on page 3.
Source: A History of Worcester Township.
Summer 2021 Page 1
Worcester Township
worcestertwp.com
2021 ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
T his year Worcester Township
will continue implementation
of its annual road improvement
program. This program is designed to
maximize the useful life of infrastructure
through an aggressive maintenance plan
and appropriately-scheduled capital
improvements. The program allows the
Township to maintain approximately fifty-
five miles of roads in good condition. • Houpt Way;
• Kriebel Mill Road, south of
The maintenance plan includes pothole Germantown Pike;
repair, street sweeping, roadside brush • Kriebel Mill Road, a portion south of
trimming, roadside swale maintenance Water Street Road;
Summer Events At Variety and patch milling. The capital plan • Pawlings Ford Road;
includes the replacement of culverts and • Sibel Circle;
Mark your calendars for two great events this storm water pipes and the resurfacing and • Stuart Way; and,
Summer at Variety – the Children’s Charity of reconstruction of roads. On average, the • Woodbridge Lane.
the Delaware Valley! Township resurfaces and/or reconstructs
between three and five miles of roadways In addition to these roads, a portion of
Variety Farm Cart each year. Heebner Park will be paved. The work is
Tuesdays, June 22nd through August 6th scheduled to get underway in June, and
Time: 9:30am to Noon This summer the following roads will conclude by mid-August, weather
Where: Variety – the Children’s Charity will be resurfaced: permitting. Motorists using the above-
of the Delaware Valley, 2950 Potshop Road, • Allebach Lane; noted roads may experience delays
Worcester, PA 19490 • Barley Lane (West of Wentz Church during construction. The Township
Road) thanks residents for their understanding
Variety’s Farm Cart is back this summer! On • Curtis Lane; and patience as we work to improve our
Tuesdays, from June 22nd through August • Green Hill Road; community’s roadways.
6th, Variety – the Children’s Charity of the
Delaware Valley will offer an assortment of
Variety-grown vegetables, baked goods and
hand-crafted items at a farm cart on their HOW MUCH CANDY IN THE FISHBOWL?
campus. No pre-orders. Cash, Check, PayPal and
Venmo accepted. There is a fish bowl in the lobby of the Worcester
Township Building. And in this fish bowl there is
Vegas at Variety- Wager your luck on a candy… Hard Candies & Lollipops to be exact. And
night of fun at Vegas at Variety! lots of them.
Saturday, August 28, 2021
Time: 6pm to 10pm How many Hard Candies & Lollipops are in the fish
Where: Empress Room at St. Helena School bowl is your guess, and if your guess is the closest to
1489 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422 the actual number you’ll win the candy, and sweet
bragging rights.
Tickets are $47 in advance, $55 at the door.
Ticket includes buffet, beverages and $25 Submit your guess at the Township Building, before
in chips. Variety will also be honoring their 4:00 pm on July 16. One guess per person please. The
2020-2021 Ace of Variety: The Mossop & Gaul winner will be announced in our next newsletter.
Families at the event. For more information
and to purchase tickets, visit varietyphila.org/ And congratulations to Peter Lazare, whose guess of 128 came closest to the actual number
vegas-at-variety. of peppermint candies (149) in the fishbowl in our last contest. Peter, don’t forget to share!
The candy is kindly contributed by the employees of Worcester Township, who are not
eligible to submit a guess (sorry folks!).
sUMMER 2021 Page 2
Worcester Township
worcestertwp.com
Volunteer Firefighters
Hours Logged
In the first quarter of 2021 the men and
women of the Worcester Volunteer Fire
Department logged 1,152 conducting drills
and responding to calls for help. If these folks
were paid firefighters, the estimated cost to
Worcester taxpayers for the same number of
service hours would total about $124,500.
And if the Township were to employ a full-
time paid fire department this cost would top
WVFD STIPEND PROGRAM IS SOLVING $2 million per year, or about $180 for each
person now living in Worcester!
DAYTIME COVERAGE ISSUES
W
Our volunteer firefighters may not be paid,
hile Fire Departments that is increased by five percent each year to but maintaining a dependable volunteer
are struggling across the keep up with inflation. The 2021 operating fire department isn’t free. The Worcester
Commonwealth for volunteers, contribution is in the amount $159,550. Volunteer Fire Department is always looking
Worcester Township has worked in The total financial contribution to the Fire for persons who can help protect our
partnership with the Worcester Volunteer Department equals $267,550 or 7.1% of community. But if you don’t have the time
Fire Department (WVFD) to provide the General Fund operations. This amount to volunteer, please consider making a tax-
consistent coverage for the community does not include the payment of workers deductible contribution to those who are
without the need for a full-time paid compensation premium or Act 205 pass- willing to put themselves in harm’s way to
fire department. through financing. keep our families safe.
Worcester Township has implemented and The Township understands the importance Send your contribution to:
funded a monthly stipend for Township of making sure the Fire Department is Worcester Volunteer Fire Department
Employees who volunteer to run with able to obtain and maintain the life-saving 1725 Valley Forge Road
the WVFD during the workday, which equipment to protect the community. To Post Office Box 1
is when coverage is needed most. These assist with this, the Township has established Worcester, PA 19490
employees are paid in full when answering an annual cost-sharing contribution that helps
calls for service. In addition, the Township to offset preventative maintenance on the
has established an in-house Firefighter apparatus. The Township reimburses the Fire
1 Certification Program, which allows Department 50% of the cost for ladder tests,
Township Employees to complete 188 pump tests, hose tests, and other preventative Ask Mary Ann
hours of required training during the maintenance costs, up to $8,000. This funding
workday while being paid in full. In the encourages a sound preventative maintenance When the telephone rings at the Township
last 18 months, the stipend program program that, in turn, maximizes the useful Building, and the resident on the line asks a
has increased the number of Township life of the fire apparatus. question, Receptionist extraordinaire Mary Ann
Employees that are a part of this program always has the answer. Here’s one of questions
from three to ten; currently 7 Full Time The Township was the first municipality that Mary Ann often fields, and her answer…
Employees and 3 Part Time Employees serve in the Commonwealth to adopt Act 172
as volunteer firefighters, which is 63% of all earned income tax credit for volunteers that RESIDENT: “Is the Township permitted
Township Employees. exempts municipal earned income tax on the to remove political signs from a resident’s
first $200,000 of earned income. Worcester property?”
Worcester Township also has made Township has been in the forefront of
significant financial investments in the supporting their volunteer fire department MARY ANN: “The only signs the Township will
WVFD. The Township has established with an innovative approach that keeps the remove are signs posted on property owned
an annual capital contribution to the volunteer model strong, the community by the Township. The Township will never
department in the amount of $100,000, as protected, while saving taxpayers over $2 remove a political sign. That is up to the owner
well as an annual operating contribution million per year. of the property.”
Summer 2021 Page 3
Worcester Township
worcestertwp.com
GRANTS, GRANTS, GRANTS!
I n the last three years alone, Worcester Township has been awarded $2.1million in
state and county grants to fund improvements to our roads, parks and trails. That’s an
impressive number considering the Township’s annual operating budget is about $2.6
million. Receiving grants is one of the many ways the Township works to keep taxes low
(we have the lowest municipal real estate tax in Montgomery County!) while maintaining a
higher quality of life in our community.
A list of grants recently awarded is posted at worcestertwp.com… keyword search “grants.”
This list also includes grant applications that have been submitted for funding consideration,
including:
Free Little Library Book Review • $250,000 for the construction of a Community Classroom near the Township Building
which will allow the Township to offer more recreation activities and events; and
Just a Special Day • $150,000 for park improvements for Mount Kirk Park including a pavilion, restrooms,
by Mercer Mayer and paving of the trail and parking lot area.
reviewed by Gregory Kelemen (age 3)
Many thanks to State Representative Matt Bradford and State Senator Katie Muth for their
He’s back by popular demand! Future New continued and strong support of the Township efforts to obtain grant funding!
York Times book critic Gregory Kelemen
reviews another literary classic.
The Story… A little boy and his daddy are
supposed to clean the house when the SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
mommy goes shopping, but instead they go
outside and play. The following projects are now • Meadowood – A 20-unit memory
under review: care facility at an existing retirement
My Favorite Part… When the little boy and community at Skippack Pike.
his daddy go to a baseball game. An alligator is • Huganir – A sketch plan of an eight-lot • Meadowood – A 4,200 sf addition for
playing baseball. That’s not real. subdivision off of Artmar Road. administrative offices and resident
• Palmer – Seven commercial lots and amenities at an existing retirement
My Recommendation… I don’t like cleaning. one residential parcel at Skippack Pike community at Skippack Pike.
I like going outside to play. & Valley Forge Road. • Sparango Construction – An eight
• Palmer Village – An eleven-lot single- single-family detached home
Thank you, Gregory, for another amazing family detached home subdivision, subdivision at Berks Road.
book review! with a bank, convenience store, and • Stony Creek Village – Office, retail, and
pharmacy, at Skippack Pike & Valley restaurant buildings at North Wales
Would you like to review a book from our Forge Road. Road & Township Line Road.
Little Free Library collection? Simply visit the
library outside the Township Building (1721 The following subdivision and land The following approved subdivision
Valley Forge Road), pick a book (it’s free!), development projects are among those and land development projects are
and ask a parent to contact Mary Ann Murray receiving approval in the recent years, now under construction:
at (610) 584-1410, or by email at mmurray@ and construction has not yet begun:
worcestertwp.com. • Meadowood – Two generator units
• Bethel Development Associates – A to service an existing retirement
two-lot single-family detached home at community at Skippack Pike.
Skippack Pike. • Reserve at Center Square – A
• Gunsalas Tract – A three-lot single- residential subdivision at Skippack
family detached home subdivision at Pike that includes 125 townhomes and
Mill Road. 125 single-family detached homes.
• Mandracchia – A two-lot single-family • Whitehall Estates – A 39 single-
detached home subdivision at Stump family detached home subdivision at
Hall Road. Whitehall Road.
sUMMER 2021 Page 4
Worcester Township
worcestertwp.com
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
Home Cookin’ at
F or the last year, the Comprehensive
Plan Update Task Force has been
working to update Worcester’s 2008
Comprehensive Plan, our community’s
primary planning guide. Task Force
40 residents attended this virtual event. If
you were not able to attend this event, the
video is available on the Township’s website-
www.worcestertwp.com.
Meadowood
by Meadowood Resident and amateur
baker Sandy Burkhard
members have carefully reviewed each The Township plans to host another open
chapter in this plan, and they are now house event in the Fall that may be held in
preparing recommended updates to the plan person depending upon the public health
that will help our Township address key guidance at that time. More details will
issues throughout the years to come. follow in the coming months.
On March 24, 2021, the Township, along Residents are always welcomed to attend
with planners from Montgomery County Task Force meetings, held at 7:00pm on
Planning Commission, hosted a virtual the fourth Wednesday of each month.
open house to give the residents an update Currently, meetings are being conducted
on the progress the Comprehensive Plan on-line, and meeting information may be My husband and I
Update Task Force has made and focused found at worcestertwp.com. moved to Meadowood
on the following topics, transportation, in June 2020 from
neighborhoods and housing, quality of life, Questions about the Comprehensive Plan? Talamore in Ambler.
and open space, agriculture and parks. Over E-mail us at cpu@worcestertwp.com. While in my new
residence I can exercise, zoom, play mahjong,
shop online and share my favorite recipes
with my new friends. Hope you all enjoy
VALLEY FORGE ROAD CORRIDOR making these pretzel flowers for any holiday
using different colors! –Sandy Burkhard
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
W orcester Township received
a $700,000 grant from the
Pennsylvania Department of
Community and Economic Development to
design significant improvements to Valley
The improvements will enhance safety
along Valley Forge Road, which is one of
the heaviest-travelled roadways in our
community. In addition, the improvements
will allow vehicles to travel this roadway as
Forge Road, between the intersection with efficiently as possible.
Woodlyn Avenue and the intersection of
Township Line Road and Stump Hall Road. The design work for Valley Forge Road
Corridor Improvement Project has been
In specific, these improvements underway for the past year and now we are
include: ready to share the preliminary design. To view
• widening this portion of Valley Forge this plan, please visit www.worcestertwp.com. Methacton Apex Awards
Road to create a center-turn lane; It is important to note that, at this time, this are Back!
• creating left-turn lanes onto Township project involves improvement design only.
Line Road and Stump Hall Road; After the plan of improvements is designed The Methacton Apex Awards will be back in
• installing a new traffic signal at Woodlyn and approved by PennDOT (Valley Forge the Fall of 2021. The Methacton Education
Avenue, and creating a left-turn lane Road is a State-owned road), the Township Foundation will celebrate the best of the
onto Woodlyn Avenue; will seek additional Federal, State and County best in the Methacton community in the
• creating separate right and left-turn lanes dollars for construction. Construction is following categories: Alumni, Educator,
exiting Woodlyn Avenue; and, estimated to cost $12 million. Business, Community Advocate, Team/
• upgrading the existing traffic signals at Club/Student Group. Learn more about the
Water Street Road and Township Line Any questions regarding this project, please Methacton Apex Awards Nominations, Tickets,
Road/Stump Hall Road. contact the Township at (610) 584-1410. and Sponsorships on our website: www.
methactonfoundation.org/apex
Summer 2021 Page 5
Worcester Township
worcestertwp.com
MUNICIPAL CURE AMENDMENT
Watershed Protection Tip
Here are some EPA
Tips to help keep your
watershed clean and
healthy!
O n January 20, 2021, the Worcester
Township Board of Supervisors
approved a Cure Period Declaration
by resolution to conduct a zoning study
to identify and fix any deficiencies in the
share” of individual residential uses, the
courts have generally looked to the percent of
residential uses – both existing and permitted
to be constructed – in communities
throughout the immediate region.
Township’s ordinance. In this case, the
• Conserve water Township focused on the zoning districts If a municipality doesn’t meet its legal
every day. Take and regulations for apartments in Worcester. obligation a developer can move to invalidate
shorter showers, fix leaks & turn off the water This allows the Township to review their the zoning on any property, then get court
when not in use. ordinances and come up with any revisions approval to build the desired use on that
• Don’t pour toxic household chemicals down to our ordinance to allow for our fair share property. That’s why you sometimes see
the drain; take them to a hazardous waste of apartments in Worcester. apartment buildings that have been built
center. in zoning districts that allow single-family
• Use hardy plants that require little or no State Law requires every local government homes only.
watering, fertilizers or pesticides in your yard. to provide zoning for every type of residential
• Do not over apply fertilizers. Consider using use – from mobile homes and apartments The Township will complete its review to
organic or slow-release fertilizers instead. to townhomes and single-family detached determine what changes will be needed and
• Recycle yard waste in a compost pile & use a homes. In addition, the law requires that the Board of Supervisors will hold a public
mulching mower. zoning yield a “fair share” of each housing hearing in the coming weeks. For more
• Use surfaces like wood, brick or gravel for type. And while there is no mathematical information, please visit worcestertwp.com or
decks & walkways, which allows rain to soak in formula to calculate a municipality’s “fair contact the Township at (610) 584-1410.
and not run off.
• Never pour used oil or antifreeze into the
storm drain or the street. ADAIR STORM SEWER SYSTEM PROJECT PREVIEW
C
• Pick up after your dog, and dispose of the
waste in the toilet or the trash. onstruction of a much-needed storm for this project to start within 30-60
• Drive less—walk or bike; many pollutants in our water collection system in an existing days after the award of the contract. The
waters come from car exhaust and car leaks. residential area within the Fairview construction will take approximately 60 to
Village area of the Township will take place 90 days to complete. The project includes the
soon. The areas included in this project will installation of the 2,088 linear feet of storm
be West and East Adair Drives, and a portion pipe and 25 storm inlets. These roadways
of Methacton Avenue. This area of the will be included in 2022 Road Program for
Township, which was originally constructed resurfacing.
starting in 1952, had very few storm water
facilities and the properties have been Please check the website as construction
subjected to heavy flooding. begins, the Township will keep everyone up to
date with the latest progress on this project.
The Township has awarded the bid for this Any questions regarding this project, please
project in May and expects construction contact the Township at 610-584-1410.
Cub Scout 200
A scaled down, socially-distant Blue Gold WORCESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
T
Banquet was held outside, at Peter Wentz
Farmstead, where a total of seven cub scouts he Worcester Historical Society is
graduated and moved on to Boy Scouts. pleased to announce the official re-
Many activities are planned for the younger opening of their Museum on Saturday,
cub scouts for the rest of the year, which June 5 from 9am to noon located at 2011
includes a Trout Derby, Medevac Helicopter Valley Forge Road. The Historical Society
demonstration, and of course graduation! looks forward to sharing several new exhibits
Please reach out to cubpack200@gmail.com if with the community. All are welcome
you are interested in signing up your youth for and please keep in mind current COVID
the cub scout program! restrictions.
sUMMER 2021 Page 6
Worcester Township
worcestertwp.com
TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN
Recycling Information
S ome motorists approach road-closed signs and
think, “I don’t see anything dangerous, so I’ll
keep driving down the road.” It’s a decision that
can cost lots of money, and lives.
NEED TO RECYCLE HAZARDOUS
HOUSEHOLD WASTE, ELECTRONICS
OR MORE?
Did you know… Montgomery County is offering events from
• six inches of water will knock the strongest person off their feet; through the summer into the fall to recycle
• six inches of water can cause a car to lose traction; and, hazardous household waste including sealer,
• twelve inches of water will float most cars. oil, pesticides and more. These events require
pre-registration.
In Pennsylvania, drivers who are caught disregarding road-closed signs are assessed two
points on their driver’s license and a fine up to $250. This fine increases to $500 if the vehicle For complete program information –
gets stuck and requires emergency rescue services. So before driving around a road-closed including a detailed list of acceptable
sign, think twice about the risks. It’s just not worth it! materials – visit worcestertwp.com,
montcoparecycles.org, e-mail recycling@
montcopa.org, or call the Montgomery
MULCH IT! NEW LOCATION FOR County recycling line at (610) 278-3618.
BRANCH DROP-OFFS!
H
While the County
aven’t mulched the flower beds yet? This new is not offering
We can help. The Township chips location will electronic recycling events, all Montgomery
tree branches, and makes the mulch accept all branch County Residents are able to schedule
available to Township residents at no cost. drop-offs and curbside pickups for electronics and clothing.
Mulch is a great and natural way to beautify residents can retrievr collects clothing at no cost, and
your landscaping and prevent the growth of pick up mulch charges a modest fee for the collection of
weeds. there during certain electronics.
the hours of
The mulch, and other materials are available operation on Wednesdays and Saturdays, And scheduling a pick-up couldn’t be easier.
for pick-up at the compost bins that are from 10am to 2pm. This is a free service for Simply…
located near the Public Works Building 24/7 all Township residents. • text PICKUP to 757-70-FETCH, or
and at our new location on Trooper Road, • visit retrievr.com and click the
just south of Potshop Road during hours of The new location will be open in early “schedule” button.
operation. The mulch must be self-loaded… summer. Please check the Township’s
so bring a shovel and someone who owes website and social media accounts for the Visit retrievr.com for the complete list of
you a favor. official opening of this site. accepted items, fees, and additional program
information.
GRILL SAFETY TIPS! PAPER RECYCLING BIN
As we are approaching summer, the Township’s Fire
Marshal would like to share these important grill A paper recycling
safety tips from the NFPA: bin has been located
• Only use your grill outdoors at the Worcester
• Ensure that your grill is located well away from Township Public Works
your home, deck railings, out from under eaves, and Department, 1721
overhanging branches Valley Forge Road, near the brush and mulch
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from bins. It’s a convenient way to dispose of office
the grill area paper, books, magazines, catalogs, junk mail
• Clean your grill and remove grease and fat buildup from the grill and trays below the grill and catalogs. Sorry… cardboard, cereal boxes
• Never leave your grill unattended and all non-paper materials are not accepted.
These are just a few tips to remind you to grill safely this summer! For more fire safety tips,
please visit https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education
Summer 2021 Page 7
Worcester Township
Worcester worcestertwp.com
At the Center Point of Montgomery County
1721 Valley Forge Road Presorted
Standard Mail
P.O. Box 767 U.S. Postage PAID
Worcester, PA 19490 Permit #50
West Chester, PA
Hours: 7:00 am—4:30 pm
Phone: (610) 584-1410
Fax: (610) 584-8901
worcestertwp.com
Board of Supervisors
Richard DeLello, Chair
Lou Betz, Vice Chair
Stephen Quigley, Member
Worcester Scenes
Well it looks like we stumped you!
No one got this location correct so we
are going to try again! Don’t despair,
we will give you a hint… it is not
What’s Happening! Heebner Park.
Every Friday afternoon the Township Are you up for the challenge to
distributes a “Peek at the Week”—a list of identify this location? The first person
Township meetings and community events to identify this location in Worcester
scheduled for the upcoming seven days, plus Township will receive a neat prize,
other useful information. and a shout-out in our very next
newsletter.
To get your Peek by e-mail simply enroll for
E-News Sign-Up at worcestertwp.com. Peek Send your best guess to Mary Ann
at the Week is also posted to the Township’s at mmurray@worcestertwp.com.
Facebook (@worcestertownship) and Twitter Good luck!
(@WorcesterTwp) accounts.
Stay Connected:
Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
E-News Signup at Worcestertwp.com
Worcester
Worcester Township
Township
worcestertwp.com
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