2021 ABINGTON TOWNSHIP Spring and Summer Activities Guide and Updates WWW.ABINGTONPA.GOV FACEBOOK @ABINGTONTOWNSHIP GENERAL INFORMATION TABLE OF CONTENTS LOOKING AHEAD 1 General Information This past year, 2020, brought to the forefront the importance of having outdoor spaces. The Township’s 27 parks experienced an increase in the number of people utilizing our open spaces and facilities. This renewed attention to our 2 - 3 FY 2021 Township Updates Parks has reminded us how fortunate we are to have over 275 acres of open space to explore and enjoy. In 2021, we will continue to work to improve all of our park facilities, Program Registration Information restore the natural flora with the removal of invasive 4 species, and plant native trees and plants. We will also be expanding our work with the Shade Tree Commission through the development of a Master Tree Plan that will 5 - 13 Youth Programming include recommendations for the Abington tree canopy. Additionally, we will continue to increase the engagement of the Environmental Advisory Council on climate action Adult Programming and clean energy, with our natural resources as a focal 14 - 15 point. The COVID-19 mitigation operating procedures developed 16 Trips/PAL and executed allowed our residents and visitors to enjoy our parks system in 2020. We can confidently say that the 2021 programs meet or exceed the COVID-19 safety standards put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and 17 - 18 Special Events Pennsylvania Department of Health. Each program vendor has submitted a COVID-19 mitigation plan that has been reviewed and approved by the Township Exposure Control Officer. We have taken every step to protect, inform, and 19 Recreational Organizations engage our staff in best practices, and are eagerly awaiting the spring and summer seasons ahead. As the days of 2021 move from winter to spring to summer, 20 - 22 Briar Bush Nature Center we will be working diligently so that our residents may continue to enjoy the outdoors of Abington Township. We will continue to develop programs that add value and Public Library increase the quality of life for the residents of and visitors to 23 - 24 Abington Township. As always, we look forward to serving you this season. To stay up-to-date on our activities and programs, visit www.abingtonpa.gov/PR or follow us on 25 - 26 Facility Rentals Facebook @AbingtonTownship! I hope to see you outside! 27 Local Parks & Pools Angelo Pontelandolfo, Director CONTACT US 28 Alverthorpe Park Phone: 215-576-5213 Email: [email protected] Pool Information 29 - 30 Manager of Business & Development Services, Patti Platt, [email protected] 31 - 32 Liability Waiver and Release Superintendent of Recreation Jessica Tholey, [email protected] Director, Briar Bush Nature Center 33 - 34 Registration Forms Mark Fallon, [email protected] Director, Abington Township Public Library 1 Elizabeth Fitzgerald, [email protected] 2021 board president and township Manager UpdateS A MESSAGE FROM A MESSAGE FROM THE THE PRESIDENT TOWNSHIP MANAGER Dear Abington Township Neighbors, As 2020 drew to a close, there was a cautious optimism about putting this arduous year behind us and a sense of As we all know, to differing degrees of intimacy and personal hope the new year would eventually bring us closer to pain, 2020 brought to our country and every community therein normalcy. The difficult days our Township families and UPDATES TOWNSHIP 2021 a period of challenge, hardship, strife, sacrifice, and uncertainty friends have and continue to endure, whether through the the likes of which most of us have never before experienced. loss of income, the onset of illness, or even worse, the loss And for all of these tribulations visited upon all of us, none is more profound or more overarching than loss. The loss of normal of loved ones, necessitated extraordinary efforts be taken life, its activities, its expectations and predictability. The loss of to reduce operating and capital costs at the onset of the income, entire businesses and careers, and social connections. The pandemic in an attempt to lessen the financial impact it loss of our ability to protect the most vulnerable among us from would have on the Township. Subsequently, at the Board the ravages of the pandemic calamity. And above all, the loss of of Commissioners direction, the FY 2021 budget holds the life itself, the cruelly truncated lives of family, friends, and other total property tax rate at 4.851 and allows the Township to loved ones. And while the change of calendars has technically put continue providing the same high level of service in police, 2020 behind us, we still deal well into 2021 with all of the previous fire, and all other operations. year’s despised hardships and shortcomings. The total FY 2021 budget for all operating and capital But just as tremendous pressure can turn a handful of carbon into a shimmering diamond, so have the unprecedented pressures funds is $ 67,483,908. General fund expenditures are and stresses of our time revealed true gems here at home and balanced with general fund revenues and available fund beyond. The tireless daily heroism of our frontline medical equity, and there is no increase in the wastewater or refuse workers and first responders. The dedication of all of the workers fees. The FY 2021 budget demonstrates the Township’s who make up our essential supply chains from postal carriers to commitment to reduce expenditures by reducing general food and grocery workers to public transportation staff and more. fund expenditures by $80,788, all other operating funds by The teachers, students, and families that continue to do their $1,938,834, and the general fund permanent improvement dedicated and passionate best to make the challenging world capital fund expenditures by $469,081 from FY 2020. The of the Zoom classroom work every day. The small business and preparation of this budget amplified the need in FY 2021 restaurant owners and employees and the other workers of all to pursue long term fiscal stability by developing a sound kinds who had to sacrifice their own financial security to try to revenue and tax policy; especially given the deleterious mitigate the spread of the uncontrolled and raging pandemic. The scientific researchers throughout the country and the world influence the coronavirus (COVID-19) has and continues who broke records and made history by developing multiple to have on revenues and may have on services delivered in proven, safe, effective vaccines in an unprecedentedly short the FY 2022 and beyond. time. And everyone everywhere who has taken the COVID-19 threat seriously, masked up and socially distanced, supported Calendar year 2021 will see the continued integration of struggling local restaurants and businesses, and reached out to strategic planning; the final development of the Township’s help our neighbors in need. These are our bright lights in even the comprehensive plan; the outcome of the Township’s darkest times. And these are the precious lesson of their example: stormwater management plan; continued development RESILIENCE, COURAGE, SELFLESSNESS, COMPASSION, of geographic information systems, communications, PERSPECTIVE, and, perhaps greatest of all, HOPE. and online services; and the upgrade of the Township’s In this spirit, your Board of Commissioners—and the incredible accounting system to a more transparent, public-facing, team of Township employees and administrators that have and user-friendly system. The confluence of these planning worked nonstop to keep the Township running under remarkable efforts aligning with a sound fiscal strategy is vital to and ever-changing challenges—is working hard to build on the the Township’s economic vitality and future quality of preparations of last year to make this year a time of rebuilding, life. The Board of Commissioners commitment to the restoration, and renewal. Rebuilding our economy, including community and focus on serving well all people of the our vital small, local, owner-operated restaurants and shops. Township, combined with their active citizen engagement, Restoring our commitment to the Abington Township of today ensures excellence in service and meeting the challenges of and tomorrow: a safe, walkable, sustainable community for all, the future. As always, please be assured the health of our with a reliable infrastructure and a mature, forward-looking residents, businesses, employees, and visitors remains the approach to development. And, as our nation finally emerges utmost priority, and the Township will continue to meet from the most divided and divisive time in its modern history, a renewal of our shared sense of community and connectedness. all national and state COVID-19 guidelines. Because, as has been made clearer than ever by the times in which we’re living, we truly are all in this together. We are hopeful that 2021 will be a year of economic growth and, more importantly, a year of good health for all. Stay safe and be well. Working together, our community will not only get by and get through, but get stronger. Respectfully, John L. Spiegelman Richard J. Manfredi Ward 11 Commissioner Township Manager President, Abington Township Board of Commissioners 2 2021 Budget GENERAL FUND Revenues and Fund Balance 2021 PROPERTY TAX FUND BALANCES % OF AMOUNT DISTRIBUTION BY TAXING AVAILABLE TOTAL AUTHORITY Total Fund Balance $11,545,990 100.00% Fund Balance to be $5,357,475 46.40% Allocated in FY 2021 TAXING AUTHORITY TAX RATE DOLLARS Fund Balance Remaining $6,188,515 53.60% Abington School District 31.77 $4,766 AMOUNT % OF REVENUE SOURCE Abington Township 4.851 $728 BUDGETED TOTAL Real Estate Taxes $16,877,058 43.15% Montgomery County (MC) 3.632 $545 Earned Income Taxes $6,600,000 16.87% MC Community College 0.39 $59 Other Taxes $7,607,000 19.45% Fees, Licenses and Permits $3,055,050 7.81% Total 40.47 $6,098 Investment Income and Rent $695,000 1.78% The tax bill also contains annual fees for refuse collection and processing of sewer services.