Township Budget crisis and Budget Advisory Working Group survey

I, along with many members of the community, attended the recent Budget Advisory Working Group(BAWG) public information and commentary session. As a result of this meeting I contacted municipal officials in other areas and obtained a list of possible cost cutting solutions. While, not all of these measures may be necessary for Tredyffrin, they should be considered. I included this information in my response to BAWG’s survey. Examples of the measures that are being utilized in our region include:
Mandated, across-the-board department budget cuts (some up to 5%);
Mandated cessation of staff conference allowances, except where required for maintenance of professional licensures;
Consideration of furlough days and hiring freezes;
Elimination of overtime pay for salaried employees;
Mandated review of each departments’ personnel job descriptions and reassessment of job functions;
Detailed review of insurance and benefit expenditures;
Freeze on all capital project expenditures (unless required for safety reasons);
Development of purchasing trusts with neighboring municipalities;
Renegotiation of vendor contracts;
“Green” cost cutting methods such as turning off significant portions of lighting in and around municipal buildings and facilities; reduction in air conditioning use; and
Reduction in park maintenance and cleaning services for Township buildings.

BAWG and the Supervisors also must be aware that some of these measures present complex legal implications for Tredyffrin. I will be attending a conference in Harrisburg in August that will discuss, among other topics, the legal obligations of municipalities as they consider reductions in workforce, changes to health insurance premiums, pension costs, and relevant bargaining obligations for unionized employees.


Cost cutting will not be enough. BAWG and the Supervisors also need to reevaluate how Tredyffrin creates future revenue. Tredyffrin must continue to attract and maintain businesses in our area. We also need to maximize the use of our existing parks and public facilities to attract additional revenue for the Township.

Finally, the best way for Tredyffrin to weather difficult economic times is to continue to tap its best resource; a highly informed and educated population. This Township is one of the most successful in our Commonwealth because of its ability to obtain highly qualified volunteers for its many citizen boards and leadership positions. The membership of BAWG is an example of that. However, if residents don’t participate in the survey, our leaders cannot work with Township management to effectuate the necessary policy changes. I have been actively urging people through emails and grass roots contact during my door to door campaign to respond to the survey. Here is the website for BAWG: http://www.tredyffrinbawg.org/. Please fill out the survey!

Sidewalks in Tredyffrin

Many years and lots of money has been spent on determining if sidewalks can be built in Tredyffrin. This winter I attended the series of board of Supervisor's meetings that discussed what to do with the project. This project is phased with early phases encomapssing safe routes to school sidewalks. Later phase include sidewalks that are meant to connect the community to parks and trails. Initially, when I heard about this project, I like many thought sidewalks are great. who wouldn't want sidewalks? I always envied the ability of residents in Wayne to walk evrywhere. I thought that it would be great, in my neighborhood (Conestoga /Woodlea) where kids walk to T/E middle and Conestoga High School and adults want to walk to the train. But like many projects you need to dig deeper and get facts.

At the Supervisors meeting it was evident that many residents on Conestoga Road were disappointed with the actual design of the sidewalks. The plan, as presented, indicated that the sidewalk would look different from existing sidewalks in the area. there was no curb planned and it would be 5 feet wide. It was also not an elevated sidewalk plan but rather it is level to the road and is separated from the road by a drainage swale. I must admit, like my neighbors I was surprised and disappointed by the design.

After the meeting I organized, on behalf of Conestoga /Woodlea a special meeting at the Township building. Paula Olson and Judy DiFilippo attended as representatives of the Board. The Township engineer was present, as well as the Township manager. Some concerns raised were: why does the sidewalk have to be so wide? and is it safe without curbs? who is paying for this?

The good news is that there appears to be grant money in the works for this project. I think we should find out some time in July if there is funding. Frankly, in this time of economic crisis, I think that any large capital project or expense should be put on hold. I think it is important to provide kids with safe ways to get to school so lets keep our fingers crossed for funds.

But back to the design aspect of the project. The Township engineer said that there is no evidence that curbs add any safety to a sidewalk. But the real reason for the design is that in order to have curbs, you need to have a stormwater system . This would involve working with PennDot(Conestoga Road is owned by PennDot) and spending more money to put in an underground stormwater system. Anyone that lives in this area knows people that live downhill from Conestoga Road (Old State and Hickory Roads in particular) have enormous water problems. Are the drainage swales going to be adequate??

The width of the sidewalk was discussed and left unresolved. Why 5 feet? No other sidewalk in the area is that wide. In fact it will connect with existing 3 feet and 4 feet elevated, curbed sidewalks in the area. The township will be taking many trees down on Conestoga Road in order to do this project. This is troubling because there are many historic Victorian homes in the area. But also, as one area resident, and former police officer, Tom Tartaglio testified by taking down trees the sightline on the road is expanded. As he explained when presented with a wider sightline people then believe that they can go faster.

This is a long posting but it is an example of why we need leaders that pay attention to projects such as this. I firmly believe that the Safe Rotes to School aspect of the sidewalks project is something we need. Kids need to be protected in their way to school. But what I came away with is a feeling that the design is not the best it could be. Why 5 feet? Will the drainage work? What impact on the speed on the road? I will continue to work with the neighbors so that some aspects of the design are revisited. We want the Berwyn community to still be as lovely as it is today and that people are happy that they have sidewalks.

If elected I really plan on carefully, reviewing any other phase of the Township sidewalk project. Particularly, in areas without grant money. We are in tough economic times. Lets not barge ahead with projects that are not necessary. As I do my door to door campaign I am getting input, that once you move away from the school zone, people don't want sidewalks. They are concerned with upkeep and the effect on their neighborhood. I will continue to monitor this situation.