HAVERFORD CIVIC ASSOCIATION
Meeting of the Board of Directors
October 11, 2011
Merion Cricket Club
MINUTES (PDF Version)
The meeting convened at 7:35 PM, chaired by President Wayne Hunt.
The agenda distributed previous to the meeting was followed.
Attending: Wayne Hunt, President, Stephen Billings, 1st Vice President, Lorraine Jones, Jane Carton, Secretary, Kerstin Humann, Ann Mezey, Dan Murphy, Andy Orr, Tom Wilkinson
Commissioners: Cheryl Gelber, Steven Lindner, Scott Zelov
Excused: Tash Duff, George McFarland, Karen Shapiro, Tony Vale
No Response: Shelly Brietling, Elizabeth Knuesell, Stephen Lee, Francis Leto, Cary McCain, Steven Mezrow, Carol Rando, Polly Richman, Paul Simpson, Vinnie West
Guests: Charles J. Bloom, Esq., Darren Steinberg, Esq.
Approval of the Minutes of the June 14, 2011 Meeting – The minutes were approved as written, motioned by Andy Orr.
Treasurer’s Report – Lorraine Jones motioned that the annual $500. request from the Merion and Bryn Mawr Fire companies be approved. Lee Tabas seconded and the motion passed. Lorraine distributed a financial recap showing that available funds amount to $6,003.62.
Wayne Hunt invited guest, Charlie Bloom, Chairman of the Lower Merion Library Foundation, to update the board regarding the Building For the Future campaign. Charlie introduced Jim Wellen, a Principal in the JWA Consulting firm, who has recently come on board to partner with the LMLF fund raising campaign. Charlie reported that at this time the fund raising goal is almost 50% complete and went on to note that with both State and Federal funds drying up, support is needed from businesses, LM library patrons and residents to supplement a significant financial commitment from the township. Ludington’s “Just Imagine” project has been planned and is being built to serve as a vibrant community center for the township’s residents of all ages, with such amenities as the two story wrap around reading “porch” and a more user friendly shelving system, which will concentrate the book selection from floor to mid level, instead of the former floor to ceiling hard to reach setup. Charlie stated that Ludington’s annual visits of 400,000 is expected to escalate to 850,000 visits a year, following the expansion, now projected for completion in the Spring of 2012. Wayne introduced Darren Steinberg, Esq., counsel to Sunoco, who reviewed the proposed digital gas price signage for the Sunoco station at the corner of Lancaster and Woodside Avenues. This would be only one of six existing Sunoco stations, located within the township, under a proposal for swapping out of manual to digital signage. Mr. Steinberg introduced Steven Hinge, Project Mgr. of Sunoco Retail Engineering and Construction, who explained that the electronic digits would not be of a flashing, or streaming, display and would be retro fitted into the existing sign structure. Commissioner Zelov explained that this proposal has yet to be brought before the Board of Commissioners and, ultimately, to the Building and Planning Commission for approval.
Federation of Civics Report – Stephen Billings attended and reported on the September 10th meeting. An annual review of three subjects were:
- Concerns regarding the City Line re zoning proposal eg. Traffic, Storm and Waste Management, Costs, etc.
- 2. Tax increases across the board from the Township and the School Board.
- No Comprehensive Plan for the Township, as yet.
Commissioner’s Reports-
Scott Zelov (Ward 10)
- Mr. Zelov announced that the Proposed 2012 Budget and the 2012-2017 Capital Improvement Plan Public Hearings will take place at the Board of Commissioner’s Meeting on Wednesday, November 16th at 8:00 pm and on December 7th at 7:00 pm.
- Mr. Zelov reported on the Economic Revitalization meeting of October 7th. The Ardmore Transit Center remains in flux with no new money to fill the funding gap. Many commissioners oppose any Lower Merion tax money going into the project. In a meeting held on October 4th , several options were presented by Township Manager, Doug Cleland, to keep, at least, Option 3 on the table. This includes building only a scaled down Dranoff parking garage, with less new downtown parking. The Cricket Avenue mixed use plan will have no below-market rate for the planned residential units. No reimbursement for township funds, amounting to approximately $700,000. in expenses, for planning and design costs. The train station improvements are on indefinite hold because of Amtrak and SEPTA’s lack of financial support, at this time. This subject will be an agenda item at the Board of Commissioner’s Meeting on Wednesday, October 12th , at 6:00 pm at the Township Building.
Cheryl Gelber (Ward 5)
- Ms. Gelber announced the future opening of “St. James Place”, a new restaurant to be located in the former Victoria Secret’s space in Suburban Square. It should be up and running by the first of the year.
- The 3rd Annual “Taste of Ardmore -Food and Fashion” will take place on Thursday, November 10th, at Ardmore Toyota from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Ms. Gelber, Mr. Zelov and Mr. Lindner will walk the walk in the “Celebrity” Fashion Show.
Summary of 5th Twilight in the Park – Given the keen level of interest in the libraries, a summary and wrap up of the event was deferred until the November meeting
2nd Annual “Art in Sharpe Park” – Due to time constraints, a plan for the 2nd annual event was postponed until the November meeting.
New Business – None.
Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.
NEXT MEETING DATE – NOVEMBER 1, 2011
Jane Carton, Secretary
September 15, 2011
Haverford Civic Association 
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