On February 28, Springfield Township, along with Montgomery County, transitioned to a mask optional policy for all employees and visitors to township buildings and facilities. The township and the county are complying with recently relaxed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for public places and workplaces and the latest public health data available through the county health department. Township officials will continue to monitor government COVID data should the need to transition back to requiring masks be necessary. 

Flourtown Shopping Construction

The commissioners unanimously approved the Federal Realty Investment Trust’s construction of a 2,450 sq. ft. bank pad site near Mr. P’s Pizza and Pasta Restaurant in the Flourtown Shopping Center. The investment trust agreed to make improvements to the main driveway into the shopping center, which will make it safer for pedestrians.  At the urging of Commissioner Jonathan Cobb, the commissioners and Federal Realty came to an additional agreement after the March 7 workshop meeting to provide more landscaping for noise abatement behind the Giant grocery store.

Authorizing new agents for an old E*Trade investment account maintained by the Free Library of Springfield Township

The commissioners unanimously voted to designate current township officials as authorized agents for an E*Trade Account opened by the old Library Board of Directors sometime before 2007, when the Free Library was still an independent entity. The newly authorized township staff replace the original account agents, three of whom are deceased, and the other is not volunteering for the township in any capacity.

Recently, E*Trade froze the account pending further investigation when the Township reported suspicious transactions. The newly designated township staff will work with E*Trade to restore any funds that were fraudulently withdrawn. The township staff are recommending closing the E*Trade account and consolidating the funds in its primary financial institution to avoid a similar situation.

Authorizing grant applications for the 1725 Walnut Avenue Park Redevelopment Project and the Walnut Avenue Trail Phase II/Extension Project

By unanimous vote, the commissioners authorized two grant applications focusing on the Tank Car Site at 1725 Walnut Ave., requesting $1,000,000 for abatement, demolition, and redevelopment of the site into a public park and $25,000 to create a master site plan for the public park.  If the grants are awarded and all goes as expected with abatement and demolition, the township anticipates that creating a master site plan could start in the fall, at the earliest. The abutting homeowners asked that the township notify them when the demolition/abatement begins. 

The township also authorized a grant application for $175,000 to extend the planned Walnut Avenue Trail through Sandy Run Park, which will connect to the existing trail system in Piszek Preserve.  

Other Business

Eco-Park Concept Plan for 380-402 Haws Lane

At the workshop meeting, Springfield Open Space presented their concept plan for an ecological park at 308-402 Haws Lane, also known as the Harston Woods area in Erdenheim. The 4.7-acre property is home to an old forest, one of few remaining in Springfield Township. 

Dr. Alexandra Klinger, executive director of Springfield Open Space; Richard Metz, a member of the organization; and Larry Weiner, a local landscaper, highlighted the park’s features, including a large open wooded area, a rustic trail for walkers, an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible trail, paths to Harston Hall and Erdenheim Elementary School, and 20 parking spaces. 

Although the benefits of the eco-park have been presented, the commissioners were concerned about the cost of such a project. The township would have to buy the land from the current owner at fair market value. Commissioners Cobb, Susanna Ratsavong, and Baird Standish expressed reservations about the acquisition costs.

 Ratsavong said that “we should be clear about expectations,” and that acquiring the land may be something that the township can’t do. Cobb added that his constituents oppose the possibility of higher taxes to pay for the township’s acquisition of the land and that the cost could be so high that the township might have to forgo constructing a skate park. Standish said that if Springfield Open Space hired a professional fundraiser, that would make a difference for him regarding the viability of the project.

Commissioner Peter Wilson summed it up that “we all understand this is a very heavy lift, but the group wanted to offer an alternative.”  The Springfield Open Space will present a budget proposal for the eco-park at the next Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting in April.  

American Rescue Funds Act Stormwater Management Project - Integrity Avenue

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act’s funding of the township’s Stormwater Management Project, township engineer Tim Woodrow met with four of the eight residents in the 300 block of Integrity Avenue about the possibility of installing a stormwater basin in their backyards (four property owners declined to participate). 

On March 7, Woodrow presented the Board of Commissioners with a plan for stormwater improvement in the Integrity Avenue area, requiring a 75 Ft. easement along the neighbors’ backyards for the installation of a stormwater basin that would capture about 2000 cubic feet of water.  The commissioners agreed to have Woodrow make this proposal to the participating neighbors.

Police Officer Oath of Office –Police officer Daniel Lopez, a graduate of the Montgomery County Police Academy, was sworn in as a township police officer by District Judge Katherine McGill at the township business meeting.

Library Advisory Committee – The commissioners unanimously approved the appointment of Sarah LoGiudice, of Erdenheim, to fill an unexpired term on the Library Advisory Committee through 2024.

Update on pickleball courts in Wyndhill Park. The township is waiting for the contractor to paint the lines, and purchased two portable nets and a container for net storage. 

Township residents can obtain audio recordings of past Board Workshop meetings by contacting Township Manager, Michael Taylor at mtaylor@springfieldmontco.org. You can access all Board Business Meeting Agendas, Minutes, and recordings on the Springfield Township website, www.Springfieldmontco.org