Round Radnor

Radnor Downsizing

2009-06-25T10:37:00.002-04:00

There is a very good article in the Main Line Suburban Life regarding downsizing in Radnor Township. This is unfortunate for the individuals involved but a necessary step in returning the Township to a sound financial position.

My conversations with a few Township employees centered on them saying "now I understand what you were going through" regarding the downsizings that I had lived through.

Main Line Suburban Life > News
Layoffs hit Radnor Township staff
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
By Sam Strike
Twelve Radnor Township employees were laid off on Friday and Monday because of budgetary reasons, the interim township manager said this week.Eight full-time and four part-time employees, including two directors, were let go from the engineering, parks and recreation, finance, community-development and administration departments.The layoffs are being accompanied by other expenditure reductions and changes in the township’s customer-service structure.According to interim manager John Granger, the changes will save the township about $1 million in 2010 and the years immediately following.But the reductions in payroll and other expenditures will only net the township about $280,000 this year because of the amount of money and benefits it has to pay out to the departing employees.One employee had accrued about $100,000 in unpaid leave time, for example. And laid-off employees will receive benefits and pay they are entitled to under their respective employment agreements, plus four weeks of additional pay and one month of additional health coverage.Only a couple of years ago the township constructed a 50,000-square foot, $11.6-million municipal building. Now, as part of a number of changes proposed by Granger, it will seek to rent out part of it — about two-thirds of the second floor — for a revenue source.There are currently 71 employees, including about 45 in the police department, who work in that building.Other changes proposed by Granger to the township’s Board of Commissioners, which approved the layoffs, include creating a customer-service area where citizens can conveniently interface for services in the parks and recreation, engineering, community development and police departments.The parks and recreation department will move from the building’s second to first floor to make it more accessible to residents who go there for program information and registration. It is part of Granger’s recommendations on “how the organization interacts with the public” — something that needs some adjustment, he said, in the building itself and in its computer systems and Web site.Other changes include modifications (read: reductions) to the life-insurance plans of some employees, reduction or elimination of the municipal building’s contracted cleaning service, reducing professional development for employees to a level of necessity, and reducing the block of cell-phone time the township buys for its employees.All of the above were part of a plan crafted by Granger and recently presented to the Board of Commissioners. There were some other recommendations that the commissioners have deferred, however, he said.At the July 20 public Board of Commissioners meeting, Granger will present further proposed changes, he said.Within six months Granger said that residents will experience better delivery of services than they did before. By a year’s time he predicts that citizens will no longer even have to come to the building to get licenses, permits and register children for township-run programs.A year from now, Granger said, the way the township interacts with its citizens and runs its internal workings and efficiencies will likely be “drastically different” from how it does now.Granger said that despite the layoffs, the township will continue to function as it has, stopping short of inferring that there may have been some redundancies in some areas of employment there.Granger would not provide the names of the laid-off employees but stated that assistant finance director Bill Martin will now be assistant township manager and planning manager Matt Baumann will now serve as the director of community development.Also, the number of building inspectors has been reduced to two from four.Granger said that he is very concerned about the morale of township employees during this time.“It is very sad and painful to lose employees. Unfortunately the worldwide economic downturn has hit Radnor just as it has many businesses and municipal governments,” said Tom Masterson, president of the Board of Commissioners.“We have and will continue to carefully evaluate the township’s operations and make decisions based upon our obligation to the taxpayers to deliver services in the most cost-effective way. I am confident Radnor will continue to deliver excellent services and that we will weather these difficult financial times stronger and more efficient,” Masterson wrote in an e-mail statement.Given the reductions implemented, including the layoffs, Granger said that the township may be able to craft a balanced budget next year without using money from its fund balance, or savings, which will have to be tapped into to balance 2009.“It is never easy to lay off employees and I know this is a very difficult time for those who have lost their jobs. The changes are part of a comprehensive plan to reduce operating costs over the next three years... I believe we still have some major decisions to make by July to reduce costs this year so we do not burn through $3 million of our fund balance as predicted,” said John Fisher, vice president of the Board of Commissioners.“If the economists are right, next year may prove worse for local governments as business tax proceeds either remain at their current lows or worse — fall even lower. My biggest concern remains with the sharp drop in revenue that could wipe out our fund balance entirely sometime next year. Loss of our fund balance means higher interest rates on our debt and could even mean that we literally run out of money in 2010. Running out of money is clearly not an option and a double-digit tax increase is not a good choice either. Cutting spending now is the only thing that makes sense, yet we collectively don’t seem to know how to change course,” Fisher wrote in an e-mail statement.

6/15/2009 BoC Mtg. BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET

2009-06-15T22:30:00.003-04:00

Tonight the focus of the meeting was BoC meeting was the fiscal condition of the Township and the budget status. John Fisher did a great job of pointing out the need to act NOW not later. Funny how Hervada accussed John of Grandstanding. Didn't the "good time" mentality and the "trust us" we have it under control mentality get flushed? Well I guess not! We will eat up $3 million of our reserves (and yes, that is what reserves are for) and our projections are far to rosie for my liking. We need to act now, not wait till the 2010 budget.

My commish was absent again. Because I have had several discussions about this with my neighbors, I got up during public comment and asked which of the other Commissioners was going to watch out for our interest in the 5th Ward when they are planning service cuts and other cost savings

Fifth Ward Commish Pay

2009-06-12T16:24:00.003-04:00

So as many of you folks know the Commissioners in Radnor get a pittance of a pay. However, to collect that pay there is a certain expectation of earning it, for example attending meetings. Something our Commish hasn't been doing this year.

I have it on good authority that the salary is paid quarterly and our Commish did cash the check (isn't RTK wonderful?) Second quarter checks are going out shortly so I will have to monitor that.

Given the horrible budget conditions might I recommend a refund and also witholding of the second quarter?

Radnor Township Manager Search (Rumor)

2009-06-12T16:21:00.002-04:00

OK, I heard a rumor which I have not been able to verify or even second source. This rumor has it that the search for a new Township Manager will NOT be a public process.

Sorry, that doesn't make any sense at all. Is someone drinking the koolaid? WTF, etc.

5/29/09 Radnor BoC Mtg.

2009-05-27T17:22:00.002-04:00

Here are links to you tubes of the 5/26/2009 BoC meeting. Main topic is off premise signs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuSClcNUUvc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLX0IVpqzCg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcETyxDG55s

This topic is too important to overlook.

BoC 5/26 Billboards - Important Mtg.

2009-05-25T10:30:00.003-04:00

There is a hearing on off premise signs (i.e. Bill Boards) at the Radnor Commissioners' Mtg on Tuesday May 26th. For those of you who haven't been following this here is a super summary. Supreme Court found that zoning that prevented billboard violated freedom of speach and basically invalidated our zoning. Radnor Commissioners in order to provide some level of protecction passed a curative change to zoning. That change greatly reduces the size of signs and limits where they can be placed. Of course the proposed locations are not in Villanova or Bryn Mawr but in North Wayne by Pennsylvania Ave. By the way who's freedom of speach is affected? The Billboard owner who is just selling space, the landowner who is just renting the land?
Lower Merion, Haverford, Springfield and some other local communities have decided to fight the whole thing and challenge the underlying issue.
A developer (or what ever you would call them) wants to put up huge billboards 60 foot in the air.
There are many great posts about this on save ardmore website with lots of facts and info.
Here are a few links. While you are there, look around.
http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/3009
http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/3158
http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/3145

First Friday Main Line Car Parade

2009-05-20T07:28:00.002-04:00

I would suggest that you check this out, the parade gets better every year with many great cars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48_WrhmM2Ho

Clear cutting not approved on Sproul Road

2009-05-07T21:31:00.003-04:00

So who has driven down Sproul past and noticed the new house on being constructed near the intersection with Clyde? well if you have made this trip recently you have noticed that you have a clearer view of the house because all of the trees between the street and the house have been removed. At least 15 of the trees were to remain according to the plans approved by Shade Tree and Planning.

What first caught my attention was that the tree protection fencing was still in place around the felled trees.

The other interesting item is that the "Tree Guys" were not registered to work in Radnor. So I guess the builder brought them in because he knew they wouldn't be familiar with with our ordinances.

So now what? I guess they will get slapped on the wrist and have to plant a few saplings to replace the large trees that were removed. Maybe a fine, but certainly not of a magnitude to cause anyone to follow the rules, will be levied?

What a crock. When are we going to strengthen our ordinances?

A wonderful afternoon in Garrett Hill

2009-04-20T17:12:00.003-04:00

My wife and I joined about 80 other folks on Sunday afternoon to do a walking history tour of Garrett Hill sponsored by the Historical Society. The start/finish was the Radnor Methodist Church, with quite a history of its own. There were tour guides who took small groups of individuals of the trip and spell guides at several locations to provide specific information. Most of the location guides were Garrett Hillians.

Our community is blessed with a rich history going all the way back to William Penn. There were many large farms in the area which pre-dated the more "modern history" that oft times catches our Fancy (the 1900 and onward years).

I would encourage the Historical Society to do this again, perhaps expanding in to the 5th ward.

Sad days for Radnor

2009-04-14T23:11:00.004-04:00

All of the other Blogs seem to be focussing on Bashore and seem to show a degree of surprise that he was terminated. To me it was a forgone conclusion. He had lost the respect and trust of the Board and as such could not continue to serve. With regard to all of the "charges and accusations", that will remain to be seen. This thing is far from over and as usual, the lawyers will make the money and the taxpayers will pay the bills.

For me the concern is "what's next"? Will we all assume that with the dismisal of Dave that we can go about our everyday business? I certainly hope not. And it seems like Commissioners Higgins and Fisher don't plan to let that happen. They both posed some great questions at the end of the meeting regarding the Home Rule Charter and oversight committees.

About the meeting: There were two great comments during the meeting. The first was by a gent who recently became a US citizen, that we are a country of laws and we should not bend the rules. The second comment was from Hervada when he said essentially that the Commissioners own a large part of the problem. Wow. That was incredible. And where was my Commissioner?

I agree with most others thaat the Osbourne Distraction had no place in Dave's reply. I would suggest that the issue is a serious concern for the Township but not relevant in this context.

P.S.
I was interviewed by Sam Strike after the meeting and if you are so inclined you can see it at
http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2009/04/15/main_line_suburban_life/news/doc49e52c2a68c75399688496.txt

Billboards, pick your poison? No way. (a rant)

2009-04-07T17:05:00.007-04:00

The local paper had an article regarding Billboards last week which you should read.

In addition, the proposed new ordinance has been discussed now at the Commissioner's meeting and the Planning Commission meeting. You can watch streaming video of the meetings on your computer. These can be found on Radnor website. And here is a link to the article.

http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2009/04/07/main_line_suburban_life/news/doc49d2a19430ebe421221793.txt

While it was very good that our Commissioner's had the foresight to pass a curative amendment so that we are not dealing with a situation that is as potentially ugly as our neighboring communities, I think we need to be careful about what we do. (See Delco Times for the news about our neighbors).

The proposed ordinance is not particularly acceptable to me. It appears to be a lawyerly exercise in developing an ordinance that will pass the "test' laid out by the courts in ruling on this issue. It does not, however. reflect on our community or our values. I am particularly distressed by the fact that once again we will be sticking it to Pennsylvania Ave and little Chicago.

Above is a photo of what the proposed ordinance would permit. Pretty disgusting, isn't it?

For those of you not following the issue: We are talking about "off-premises" signs, a euphemism for advertising. A landlord can allow the advertising firm to place a billboard up to 64 square feet (that could be 8 feet by 8 feet, like the wall in your house. And it could be placed up in the air equal to the height of a four story building. And why you ask.... because a court somewhere felt that local ordinances were preventing landowners from getting money to rent their land to advertisers who don't even live in the community, so they can make more money. And all of this with very little consideration of the community. We get blighted views and light pollution at night.

I personally do not want billboards in our community. I am not a fan of them along highways either but maybe we could allow them mounted on the sound walls to only be visible from the highway?

So folks, get involved, get concerned. Better yet, write your state reps, after all this is a problem with the state laws.

Radnor Staff caught in the middle?

2009-03-26T19:02:00.003-04:00

An observation from Mondays BoC meeting that leads me to be concerned about our Township staff and the current climate. The few interactions I have seen suggest they are walking on eggshells, waiting for the "other shoe to drop".
On another front, perhaps related, was the issue of the bill for field treatment. Commisioner Fisher or Higgins (can't remember which) asked about bidding this out since the invoice appeared to be for materials. Bill Hagan tried to explain that it was a professional service contract (and I agree since I was there on Parks and Rec when we first hired the firm to replace chemical treatment). Unfortunately the invoice was presented poorly. I was disappointed that our new solicitor quickly announced that it was NOT a service contract without any knowlege of the issue. I was even more disappointed that Commissioners Hervada and Paolino din't help folks figure this out since they had been the Commissioners for Parks and Rec and should have been aware of the issue.

Radnor has an Interim Manager Where is sunshine

2009-03-24T11:41:00.003-04:00

Given what has occurred recently one would think that the Radnor BoC would understand openness and transparency. But that does not seem to be the case. Last night a part time interim manager was named without so much as a glimmer of explanation to the public about the choice. The person is John Granger, manager in Solebury Twp. Bucks County. Since he is from Bucks County I have to assume that he was brought in by the new interim solicitor (another non-public choice).
On the positive side, Solebury has an excellent reputation with regard to open space preservation. (Yes, I know I am reaching on this).

Zoning Board 3/19

2009-03-22T15:22:00.003-04:00

Well it appears another saga has moved toward completion. In this case it is 215 West Wayne. And what a distasteful trip it has been. When will people learn to be open and honest and follow the process? In the end the owner got the variance to build into the side yard setback (like the previous house that was torn down). Why couldn't they have just asked for that up front instead of all these silly games with requesting a variance to build off the back of the then existing home and going to HARB. Then the "discovery" that the house was beyond repair and needed to come down. Then came the oops when the Township issued the demolition permit forgetting about the need for HARB to review. Then the "confusion" regarding demolition and reconstruction on the same footprint. Or how about the pictures taken in the fall that showed the trees with full green foliage. What a total crock.
The owner claiming they did not realize how bad the house was? Didn't have a termite inspection? My heavens, this person is a real estate broker (not just a realtor). And further claiming that they didn't understand the Radnor zoning issue.
We could have avoided all of this crap if they had just come in upfront and said they wanted to tear the house down and needed the width variance. A lot of time, money and embarassment could have been avoided.
This is the second house in the historic district that has had to come down because of " unsafe condition" of the home. I thought Radnor had some home maintenance code......

Another one bites the dust

2009-03-22T15:16:00.003-04:00

As many of you probably noticed in the papers this week another old store has bitten the dust. This time it is in Gladwyn. Delaware Market House. See SAC blo for a discussion http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/2929
It is quite unsettling to drive up and down Lancaste Ave and see the many empty stores.

Unimaginable news... why should I feel safe

2009-03-10T21:06:00.002-04:00

It was reported at the BoC meeting that 7 cars of our police officers had tires slashed while they were parked at the Twp Bldg, while the Officers were on duty serving our neighborhood. Most amazing and despicable act.

What I found to be disappointing was that the surveillance cameras did not provide useable images. How much did we pay on this building?

Lotsa Links

2009-03-10T20:06:00.004-04:00

One of the great things to come out of the "trouble" in Radnor is folks increasingly posting on blogs and putting the BoC meetings on you tube. I have asked about having the various meeting available "on Demand". That hasn't happened so youtube and google video are a good alternate.
Enjoy:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4441648188947696094&ei=zwSxSa3VAYLorgLWxY3EBA&q=03+05+09+Radnor+BOC

3/9 meeting
PART 1.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moZlhKtdbnU
PART 2.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSZotdxSB3A

CBS
http://cbs3.com/video/?id=75695@kyw.dayport.com
http://cbs3.com/local/Radnor.Township.Manager.2.951635.html
YouTube TOO! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjDNzu-Nf2A

Radnor BOC 03-05-09 Meeting Video http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4441648188947696094&ei=zwSxSa3VAYLorgLWxY3EBA&q=03+05+09+Radnor+BOC

Hehewuti commented:
Dear RoundRadnor,I have started to receive "fan" mail from Radnor...are people so neurotic when it comes to public opinion? Truly?Anyway, I find it all very silly, and wonder what it is about Radnor and blogging? Is there something in the water, or is the "sunshine" too strong right now?I was....oh horror...basically accused of being an evil Democrat? Can you imagine?xxxooo
3/11/2009 1:44 PM

My response: Radnor seems to have a few "old fashioned" Republicans who like to attack people rather than ideas, particularly if you don't agree with them. Open discourse doesn't fit their idea of America apparently. We have seen threats of lawsuits and the like.

Let's play I can't recall, Radnor Style

2009-03-09T23:05:00.004-04:00

At the BoC meeting tonight, it was a massive case of "I don't recall" , " Woe is me" and other acts of revisionist history. For my Commissioner to suggest that the other Commissioners wouldn't listen to her and laughed at her is a total fraud. What a croc.

But enough of that. While it is important to find out what has gone on in the past... All of this crap about Bashore's contract is a total waste of time and distraction from the other more important issues. And come on folks, blaming Bashore for negotiating a great contract is absolutely ridiculous. The full blame goes to the Commissioners. Period.
the only thing about the contract that is relevant is that the details should have been made in public.

Lets get down to real issues, structure of government, weak processes, and lack of proper oversight.

Feedback to Commenters: It would be nice if the posts were not Anonomous and I very rarely delete comments.

As the Radnor Turns

2009-03-05T21:39:00.003-05:00

My heavens, it is a regular soap opera out in Radnorville. Agnes Nixon, who is a resident of Radnor, must be seeing some of her old plots flashing before her eyes.
So the township Manager is being Terminated and now word on the street is that the Counsel is being "fired" and an interim Counsel is being appointed. But there is an interesting twist (it is Radnor, after all) and the interim counsel is from Upper Bucks County??? Perhaps this is a choice of someone not connected to Radnor Township or Delco politics? But this raises a couple of questions in my limited view. First off let, me say that the individual who is being hired is very qualified but that isn't the issue for me. One of the new counsel's current clients has their meetings same night as Radnor. No experience with Delco Courts ( and they are so friendly to us, anyway) two hours travel pay involved with any meeting? Etc Etc

Where's Waldo

2009-03-05T20:52:00.005-05:00

So you have all seen the kids books "Where's Waldo"? In those books Waldo is actually there and all you have to do is look hard and you will find him.
Well, in the Fifth Ward we have our own item, called "Where's our Commissioner" only in this version the Commissioner is no where to be found no matter how hard you look. Our commish has missed the last 4 or so meeting (since the reorg) during what has been an incredible time here in Radnor. I am sure we will be given the excuse that email is being used to keep in touch.. Well I don't accept that. If you aren't here, going to the market or church or school activities you don't have the sense of what is happening in the Community.

Heavens could the Commissioner at least call in during the meetings and participate by phone?

Anon posted a comment
Waldo, err Paolino needs to go. She doesn't care about anyone but herself and the 5th ward has no representation. If she has been missing it is for a reason, only what IS the reason? Dog ate her plane ticket?
3/06/2009 2:02 PM

Radnor Saga Continues

2009-03-04T21:32:00.002-05:00

So apparently Dave Blake is a gone-er too. Apparently the commissioners will appoint a interim counsel at mondays BoC meeting

New Park and Field Names

2009-03-02T21:49:00.004-05:00

In case you missed it. Commissioners announced the following naming of several of our parks:

Brooke St - Bishop Richard Allen Park
Levin West Wayne Preserve
DeAntonio – Friends of Radnor Trails

Fields at the following Parks are being named in honor of the following
S.Devon Park Bo Connor
Odorisio Field Ralph DiMaio

Comment Posted by Anonomous
Brooke St = Bishop Richard Allen Park?Isn't that pandering and obvious to the almost point of insulting? Didn't they name dangerous projects in Philly after him too? With all the fine African Americans who actually LIVED in Radnor over the years, why couldn't they have picked something more appropriate?Like Wooten Park for the late Wrong Way Wooten? No wait, couldn't have that because of who he towed once upon a time, could we?

Say, who is our commissioner right now since the person who is supposed to be our commissioner has not been seen since New Year's? Who is representing us? If she doesn't give a hoot about us, why doesn't she just resign? Sorry, would just like to actually know I get representation where I live, not merely when someone is running for office, right?
3/03/2009 9:45 AM

More bad news in Radnor

2009-03-02T21:42:00.002-05:00

Go to Suburban Life for this article about Special BoC Meeting this Thursday.

Posted on Mon, Mar 2, 2009
Radnor board to vote on removal of Bashore
By Sam strike
The Radnor Township Board of Commissioners will vote on a formal resolution to remove Dave Bashore as township manager at a special public meeting Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

I got an email from one of the Haverford Commissioners thanking us for taking the spotlight off of them.

Radnor BOC meeting 2/23/2009

2009-03-02T21:40:00.000-05:00

this is the You Tube link for Radnor BOC 2, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBgndgulnas

Storm hysteria

2009-03-01T19:01:00.002-05:00

OK, so I always shop on Sunday. Knowing that the weatherman was calling for a storm I braced myself for crowds and I wasn't dissapointed. Not just crowds but inconsiderate oafs at that. I don't get it. Radnor does such a great job plowing our streets that you will still be able to get to the market. If the storm is very bad and you loose power then all of your advanced purchasing goes down the drain...