Fall/Winter 2020 From the Commissioner’s Desk Dear Neighbor: each of the seven wards in Cheltenham. The Committee will meet quarterly to discuss traffic and pedestrian safety With just a few weeks left, I think we can safely say that 2020 issues on Township roads. This Committee held its first has been a year for the history books. While this year has meeting on September 8, and still has alternate member brought many challenges to our community and our country, vacancies for Wards 1, 3, and 7. Interested residents should I have confidence that we will continue to work together to submit a letter and resume to Ashley Lupino at alupino@ build a stronger, safer Cheltenham. cheltenham-township.org or mail to the Township I want to thank the residents of Cheltenham for their Building at 8230 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027. patience and understanding as we do our best to continue My fellow Commissioners and I also take very seriously vital government services with diminishing resources. I also the social justice concerns of our residents in response want to thank our volunteers and employees for rising to to what is happening across the nation. That is why we the many challenges they have faced this year. Our steadfast have reinvigorated the Human Relations Committee to Emergency Management, EMS, Police, Fire, Public Works, Irv Brockington discuss how Cheltenham Township interacts with the and Administrative professionals have worked long hours community in a morally and socially just manner. The with less resources through a months-long pandemic and Human Relations Committee meets on the first Thursday of each several severe weather emergencies to protect and serve this community. month, starting at 7:30 p.m.; meetings are open to the public and we I am really proud of our team. welcome your participation. On top of natural disasters and a pandemic, your Commissioners have Though most of our summer and back-to-school routines looked a been working to find new leadership for the Township. I am excited little bit different this year, I have been delighted to see residents taking to welcome Robert Zienkowski as Township Manager after a diligent advantage of our many Township parks and neighborhoods. While we search to find the best fit for Cheltenham. Bob comes with over 28 years must still practice social distancing to protect each other, I encourage of municipal government leadership, and I am confident he will lead you to get to know your neighbors as you enjoy Cheltenham’s Cheltenham forward through the challenges facing our community. In natural beauty and the virtual programs offered through our Parks addition, we have also hired our next Director of Fiscal Affairs, Nathan & Recreation Department. We are never as strong as when we are Crittendon. Nathan is a long-time resident of Cheltenham and returns lifting each other up, and that starts with welcoming one another and to us after spending three years in Whitemarsh Township as Assistant fostering understanding as good neighbors in our communities. Finance Director and Finance Director. Welcome back, Nate! Sincerely, Many of our residents have experienced property loss and damage from some of this summer’s severe storm events experienced in Cheltenham and across the region. Stormwater management challenges and increasing water quality mandates have placed a significant burden on Cheltenham’s taxpayers. This is why the Cheltenham Township Board Irv Brockington, Commissioner, Ward 7 of Commissioners has contracted with Arcadis to conduct a Stormwater Impact Fee Feasibility Study. Arcadis will help the Township explore What’s Inside ... the implementation of a fee based on the amount of building and paved coverage on a property to help fund projects that will help mitigate Introducing the New Township Manager ..............................................2 flooding and improve water quality. This means that all properties – Township Directory ...............................................................................2 even those that do not currently pay property taxes and often have high percentages of impervious coverage – will contribute to ameliorating From the Desk of the Police Chief .........................................................3 this important problem. The process will include many opportunities Coping With COVID-19 .......................................................................3 for public feedback. A Stormwater Advisory Committee, consisting of EMS Subscription ..................................................................................4 residents and other stakeholders, will provide guidance and oversight throughout this process. I look forward to working with our consultant Recycling Guide .....................................................................................4 and the public to identify and implement stormwater solutions that will Township News Briefs............................................................................5 contribute to a better quality of life in Cheltenham. Meeting information will be available on the Township’s website and its social media platforms. Parks and Recreation Fall Fun Guide ...................................................6 The adoption of a Traffic Calming Policy for the Township in November Township Development Update ............................................................7 2019 included a provision for a Traffic Calming Committee, to consist Grants and Donations ...........................................................................7 of Public Safety Officials, Township Commissioners, and residents from Current Township Operations ...............................................................8 CHELTENHAM UPDATE Fall/Winter 2020 | Page 2 TOWNSHIP DIRECTORY Introducing the New Township Manager Dear Cheltenham, My name is Bob Zienkowski, and I am excited to join you here in Cheltenham as your new Township Manager. I was appointed to the position on September 2, and so far have learned and observed a lot about what makes Cheltenham unique. I have toured the community and gotten to know ~ Board of Commissioners ~ your Township Commissioners Daniel B. Norris, President Ward 5 and staff, who are very dedicated to providing outstanding services 236 Barclay Circle | Cheltenham, PA 19012 to you! (215) 635-0383 | [email protected] I most recently served as Township Manager for Radnor Township, Baron B. Holland , Vice President Ward 2 a position I held for the past decade. Before that, I was City Manager 763 Green Valley Road | Wyncote, PA 19095 and Safety Director for the City of Brunswick, Ohio and the Director of (215) 884-0485 | [email protected] Administrative Services and Chief Administrative Officer to the Mayor for the City of Maple Heights, Ohio. My 28 years of executive municipal Ann L. Rappoport Ward 4 government experience have included numerous economic development 114 East Waverly Road | Wyncote, PA 19095 projects resulting in the attraction, retention, and expansion of jobs (215) 935-6575 | [email protected] totaling over $1 billion in investment. These projects have included new public infrastructure which increased revenues, with no taxpayer dollars Irv Brockington Ward 7 involved in these public improvements. 637 Brookfield Road | Cheltenham, PA 19012 I have also worked on the development and execution of successful (267) 626-2264 | [email protected] stormwater management projects, including the implementation of a stormwater fee, and on successful capital budget development involving Brad M. Pransky Ward 3 short, mid, and long-term planning and funding opportunities. I have 612 Webb Road | Elkins Park, PA 19027 implemented workforce management strategies to produce cost savings (215) 376-5600 | [email protected] and maximize performance while maintaining the high quality services that residents deserve. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mitchell Zygmund-Felt Ward 6 John Carroll University in Ohio, concentrating in ethics and diversity, 35 Carter Lane| Elkins Park, PA 19027 and also hold FEMA emergency management training certificates. (267) 252-8593 | [email protected] These experiences have well-equipped me to take on the variety of environmental, economic, and financial challenges facing Cheltenham. Matthew Areman Ward 1 I know it’s been a hard year in many ways, and I appreciate your patience 204 Berkeley Road | Glenside, PA 19038 and resilience as this community continues to undergo changes in the (267) 901-5080 | [email protected] face of a pandemic. I’m looking forward to utilizing my experiences to address your concerns and to continue to make Cheltenham a ~ Township Administration ~ community where we’re all proud to live. 8230 Old York Road | Elkins Park, PA 19027 I appreciate the diverse interests in Cheltenham and am encouraged Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by the level of community involvement. I understand and appreciate the impact of resident input, as I have served as a Zoning Commission Monday through Friday Board Member for Northfield Center Township, Ohio, an elected City Phone: (215) 887-1000 Council member in Maple Heights, Ohio, and on several other regional Website: www.CheltenhamTownship.org and local advisory boards and planning agencies, including a Chamber Facebook: www.Facebook.com/CheltenhamTownship of Commerce and a Public Energy Council. My door is always open for everyone! Tax Office, M-F