Horsham Township PRSRT STD 1025 Horsham Road U.S. POSTAGE Horsham, PA 19044 PAID HARRISBURG, PA PERMIT NO. 609 Horsham Township Report FALL 2015 Newsletter • www.horsham.org • Published by Horsham Township Council Township Council Authorizes Review of Township Building orsham Township Council has authorized a Hrequest for proposals from architectural firms to conduct a feasibility study of the existing municipal building. The study will explore a variety of scenarios FALL 2015 Newsletter to meet the long-term facility needs. Recently, William Walker, Township Manager gave This Community Newsletter is produced for Horsham Township Council a presentation on the condition and ® hometownpress by Hometown Press • 215.257.1500 • All rights reserved This newsletter is published challenges of the existing building. The building was To Place An Ad Call Rosemary • 215-805-2121 by the Horsham Township built in three phases with the middle section built in Council to provide residents 1959, the east wing built in 1971 and the west wing with important information built in 1989. Each addition was added to meet the about their township. Township’s growing demands. Before the Police Department moved into their new building in December 2009, 64 full-time and 10 part-time TOWNSHIP MANAGER employees worked in the Township Building. With the Police relocated on the complex and William T. Walker ACE MOVING SERVICES Recreation Services now at the Library, there are 14 full-time and two part timers working in the BOARD MEETINGS building. 7.5” width x 1.75” height Township Council Due to the age of the building there are some major challenges that include a leaking roof, two 1st & 4th Monday @ 7:00PM roof mounted air conditioning units that no longer work, water infiltration into the lower level, Need artwork 2nd Wednesday @ 8:00PM deterioration of the building façade and concrete, ADA issues, security issues, old electrical fixtures Planning Commission that bulbs are no longer made for and technology that is not up to current standards. Mr. Walker 1st Tuesday @ 7:00PM stated, “The current building has many issues that need to be addressed.” Zoning Hearing Board 2nd Tuesday @ 7:30PM “We need to determine whether it would be more cost effective to just make repairs, renovate the current building or construct a new one. We want to evaluate it and understand the costs,” Park and Recreation 3rd Thursday @ 7:30PM Councilman Gregory Nesbitt said. Council President Mark McCouch said, “Now is the appropriate time to take a look at this and know All meetings are open to the public. our options before we invest in the building. An architect will be hired this fall and the feasibility study will be completed in early 2016. Public input will be sought by Council before they make any decisions on the township building.” FREE WEEK & www.horsham.org • Taekwondo a T-shirt when you sign up • Boxing (while supplies last!) Horsham Township Council • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu • Women's Self-Defense • Private Intense Training AFTER SCHOOL CONFIDENCE • DISCIPLINE PROGRAM FOCUS • SELF-CONTROL ENROLLING NOW!!! Building STRENGTH • CONDITIONING Transportation Provided Mark McCouch Deborah M. Tustin Tom Johnson Gregory Nesbitt, Esq. W. William Whiteside, III President Vice President Specializing in: • Bridal services • Hair extensions • Keratin treatments • Color, foils, balayage HAIR • NAILS • BODY 215-675-7277 www.salonnochea.com BEST OF HORSHAM - 2014 6 Time Award Winner! “TALK OF THE TOWN” - 2014 4 Time Award Winner! $ 00 any new 10 OFF service One Coupon Per Customer. Must mention ad when booking appt 402 Norristown Road • Horsham, PA 19044 PAINTING CONTRACTOR EST. 1973 The Quality, Reliability & Experience You Expect Picture it Painted Professionally 215-659-5239 Horsham, PA 19044 www.jmtawnings.com • [email protected] 215-628-0172 www.rwbunch.com PA018147 PA License# 081302 Rental Townhomes An intimate, rental townhome community featuring all the amenities of a five-star hotel! See why the Pennsylvania Apartment Association votes our community as one of the best! 210 Ruth Avenue • Horsham, PA 19044 Amenities include: [email protected] Clubhouse with WIFI, www.FisherMechanical.net Fitness Center,Tennis Court, 215-675-8468 Swimming Pool and Sundeck! CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATES Are Given For Jobs Other Than Simple Service Calls. PERSONAL TOUR For Example: Bathroom Renovations, (215) 674-4477 Heater & Air Conditioning Replacements, Drain Cleaning, Kitchen Renovation. Dreshertowne.com 22 FALL 2015 Horsham Township Report 23 Horsham Township 1025 Horsham Road • Horsham, PA 19044 Township Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday) How to Reach Us . It’s Simple! ONLINE PHONE EMAIL WATCH MAIL/WALK www.horsham.org215-643-3131 [email protected] Comcast (22)/Verizon (32) 1025 Horsham Road LIKE, TWEET OR FOLLOW: ATTENTION HORSHAM TOWNSHIP 2015 HORSHAM TOWNSHIP Horsham Township will be entering into the Social MAP CORRECTION Media world by the end of the calendar year. By The recently published Horsham Township establishing a Social Media strategy it will develop quicker and more 2015 Map incorrectly listed the location efficient communication between local government and residents. The for Voting District 4-4. The correct Township plans to use Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to keep residents informed on important alerts or events happening throughout the voting location for District 4-4 is: community. Make sure to “like”, “tweet” or “follow” our social media pages Ukrainian American Sports Center to get the most up to date happenings in Horsham Township. 1 Lower State Rd, North Wales, PA 19454 Dear Horsham Township Residents, Welcome to the fall edition of the Horsham Township SIGN-UP FOR Newsletter. I hope everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS summer! As we move into a new season of cooler weather @ www.readymontco.org and changing colors of the trees I would like to share some The Montgomery County Department of Public Safety, new and exciting changes taking place in Horsham. I hope along with its emergency management partners in the that you are enjoying your new township map with notable Southeastern PA region, have changed the company that changes including additions to our trail system. operates our ReadyNotify alert and notification system. Another exciting addition to the Township is our Social Media project. This will include a Township Facebook page, The new alert system is called ReadyMontco. The types of Twitter account, and YouTube Channel. We look forward to notifications you can select remain the same as ReadyNotify. sharing great happenings in Horsham and keeping our In addition to text messages, you’ll be able to receive alerts residents informed quickly. We are also implementing a new on your smartphone via a mobile application and you’ll also branding strategy to help attract new businesses to be able to prioritize how you receive messages so you don’t Horsham especially continue to move along with the continue to receive multiple alerts for the same event. In redevelopment of the former NAS –JRB base. addition, you‘ll be able to set up quiet times so some of the As you read through the newsletter you will see we are lesser-important alerts won’t interrupt your lifestyle. exploring a plan to replace our aging township building. Our When a crisis affects Horsham Township, Emergency goal is to make it more efficient, environmentally friendly Management officials must be able to reach residents and to better serve our residents. instantly with warnings, information, and updates. Be among Horsham Township recently acquired a piece of property the first to find out and stay informed during an emergency. at the corner of Horsham and Dresher Rds. This property has Alerts can be sent to your cell and smart phone, pager, and/or been neglected for years leading it to be overgrown and e-mail. You decide how you'd like to be notified (these alerts host dangerous fallen structures. Our goal is to clean the are free; however, your cellular provider may charge for text property and make it safe and more pleasing to the eye. messaging). Lastly, the Horsham Township Police Department has Individuals and businesses are urged to log onto added a new bike patrol through generous donations from www.readymontco.org and follow to the Montgomery various residents. This allows them to better serve our County, PA registration page. It is very important to note on community as they patrol our neighborhoods and trail page 4 – My Alerts, that you select My Alerts and check system. If you see one of our bicycle patrol officers stop and Horsham only (this guarantees that you will only receive alerts say hello! So, as we move into the fall season keep an eye out for Horsham Township, not all of Montgomery County). for all the great new changes coming to Horsham Township. Sincerely, Mark McCouch President, Horsham Township Council 22 2 FALL 2015 Horsham Township Report 3 COMMUNITY NEWS For 30 years we’ve been providing creative design, exceptional custom cabinetry and superior installation for our Township Council Acquires New Open Space Horsham History discerning clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey Social gatherings were On April 30, Horsham Township popular among the early acquired approximately 6 acres to residents of Horsham be added to its 844 acres of Township. People came municipally owned permanently together to share news and protected open space. to help with the work. Sewing circles served a The site at the intersection of utilitarian, as well as social purpose, since all Horsham Road and Dresher Road is clothing was made by hand. Eight girls formed impacted with floodplain, steep the “Thimble Club” which met for nearly slopes and established woodlands. seventy years during the nineteenth century. In addition, the Pennypack Creek Horsham Township Council at the new property It was customary for young girls to practice traverses the property.