March 22, 2022 Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of
The Board of Directors of the Merion Civic Association
March 22, 2022
Present: Seiden, Bruckman, Halpern, Blakeney, Hill, Murphy, Lazar, Gordon, Lavoritano, Kiene, Greenberg
Presentation: Reintroduction of City Avenue Special Services District, CEO Bryan Fenstermaker, bryanf@cityave.org (610-747-0311), city planner who lives in Lower Merion. Worked on the East Passyunk Shopping District. The City Avenue district covers both Philadelphia and Lower Merion from 63rd too 76th St. Core activities- make it clean and safe, capital improvements, marketing, business recruitment and development, advocacy and education. (More information is on their website.)
They are trying to coordinate traffic lights and may use solar power, they’d like to have a battery back up so it can work during storms.
Goal- connect the City and Lower Merion, expand bike lanes and trails. Presidential Blvd will soon be reopening. Upcoming events include a farmers market and fund raising activities.
June 22- meeting too discuss natural vegetation at 1 Bala.
They are working on landscaping both sides of City Avenue so they look connected and to address stormwater.
Concern was expressed about gridlock at intersections of City Avenue, 63rd St and Lancaster, a long standing problem. He is aware of this.
Minutes approved
Treasurers Report- There has been an increase so there is now over
34,600, but there will be expenses associated with upcoming events.
Commissioners Report
Todd is aaway. No new information on underpass construction at St. Joseph’s; there is concern about traffic problems that will arise during construction.
Federation of Civics-Discussion about stormwater and fees, most people are unfamiliar with what is stormwater issue and more education in necessary.
Sustainability Plan- stakeholders will be involved as it progresses. Lighting ordinance
Historic district ordinances will be changing and street signs will also be changing.
There has been an increase in carjacking in gas stations and convenience stores so be careful. In case of an incident, call 911 and ask for Montgomery County dispatch.
Middle school sport fields are still being discussed. School district is looking for bus drivers.
Fire and Public Safety- Narberth Fire is celebrating its 125th anniversary, but it will no longer be getting funding from the Borough and will rely on volunteer contributions.
Station and Grounds- May 7 9:30 planting day, 10 high school students will be coming from Build On.
Energy Audits-20 people have signed up and customers have been very satisfied.
Upcoming Events
Sunday April 10, 1-3, Cars and Trucks and Things that Go. There will be a fire truck, ambulance, police cars. Dogs are invited in the hope they’ll volunteer for neighborhood watch.
Sunday May 1 at 1pm- meet at the post office for a history walk. Chrisitian Bush, chairman of the historic commission may come also.
Tuesday June 14, 5-7 Flag Day. Includes the Lower Merion Jazz Band, the Yard Band. Hedgehog Grill and Union Fire Station will provide food. We are hoping they will use compostable dinnerware and Mother Compost will be recycling the waste.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10. Next meeting Tuesday, April 26. Beth Yount who is an expert on soil and sustainability will be talking about composting.