Commissioner Martin Miller

Commissioner's Corner

June Recognized as LGBTQ+ Pride Month

When our board agreed to my idea that we should raise the Pride flag at our township, it didn’t come as a surprise. We do our best to be welcoming and tolerant of our neighbors. At the well-attended ceremony on June 8, I stood a bit taller. I felt good that we were able to show people that we understand and support equal rights for all people. I thought that this gesture was a small way to demonstrate our beliefs.

What I, as a middle-aged, straight, white guy didn’t realize, was how much this gesture meant to those in the LGBTQ+ community. This community has been fighting for its rights from time immemorial, just to get to the imperfect place we are today. I always thought I understood this, but as someone who wants people to have equal rights, while not having to fight and claw to get those rights, I didn’t have a full, robust understanding of what it meant when same-sex marriage was legalized a few short years ago. Since the flag ceremony, people in the LGBTQ+ community have told me how much this meant to them. They’ve fought so long, and so hard, to get treated equally. Rights I’ve had my whole life were just very recently granted to a large percentage of our population. In our own state, members of the LGBTQ+ community do not have the same protections under the law that I do. That is wrong and, in my opinion, evil.

Rights are inalienable as described in the Declaration of Independence. They do not come from law. We are born with them. There is not some finite amount of “rights” in a bin in the back room. Recognizing a group’s inalienable rights does not take away from the rights of any other group. We all need to do better in understanding this.

I’m not writing this because I want credit for realizing that people continue to fight for equal treatment under the law. I’m writing this because so many people DO NOT realize this. Too often, I’ve noticed my selfishness by thinking that, if something doesn’t directly affect me, it doesn’t matter to me. I know other people might feel this way too. I have to keep focused on not only looking out for me and my loved ones, but I want to do my best to ensure that others know that I want them to feel equal in the eyes of the law. I know people are different, and people have different values, beliefs, faiths, and opinions. I am in no way suggesting we all link arms and sing “We Are The World”. I am suggesting – no, insisting – that we treat people with tolerance.

I strive to do that every day, and I encourage those reading these words to reflect on the principle of tolerance. Please, do your best to be tolerant of those who don’t have the same wants, needs, or challenges that you face in your life. Remember, a kind act you perform can really brighten someone else’s day too.

Board of Commissioners

Raising of the Pride Flag

Members of the West Norriton Human Relations Commission

Fireworks Regulations

With the Summer holidays approaching, we want to remind residents of the township's regulations regarding fireworks in our community. West Norriton adopted Ordinance 2018-722 pursuant to the authority granted under Pennsylvania's fireworks regulations and laws as adopted and codified by the Pennsylvania legislature at 72 P.S. §§ 9401 through 9416. This ordinance was adopted with the intent to comply with such state fireworks laws, properly regulate fireworks use within the Township, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Township citizens.

A person may not intentionally ignite or discharge:

A. Consumer fireworks on public or private property without the express permission of the owner.
B. Consumer fireworks or sparkling devices within, or throw consumer fireworks or sparkling devices from, a motor vehicle or building.
C. Consumer fireworks or sparkling devices into or at a motor vehicle or building or at another person.
D. Consumer fireworks or sparkling devices while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or another drug.
E. Consumer fireworks within 150 feet of any occupied structure.
F. Consumer fireworks within 100 feet of any combustible material.
G. Consumer fireworks such that the sparks or any portion of the fireworks will land upon the property of another without the owner's express permission.
H. Consumer fireworks two hours after dusk on the date the person intends to ignite the consumer fireworks, dusk being defined as the time as reported for West Norriton Township by the National Weather Service.

A person using consumer fireworks in violation of the provisions of this ordinance commits a summary offense and, upon conviction, be punished by a fine. Each section of this ordinance that is violated constitutes a separate offense, each of which will be punishable by a separate fine imposed by the District Justice of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000.

While fireworks provide an enjoyable experience, they do have an impact on our community. We ask all our residents to be mindful of our restrictions and aware that we will be increasing police patrols to enforce our regulations.
Residents should call 911 should they witness anything that goes against our regulations. Please provide as much detail as possible relative to the location of the fireworks when contacting our police department.

2021 Street Paving Program

On May 11, the Board of Commissioners voted to award the 2021 Street Paving Program to Delaware Valley Paving. This year’s roads include:

• N. Parkview Avenue (Trooper Road to Betzwood Drive)

• S. Parkview Avenue (Trooper Road to Hillside Drive)

• Stinson Lane (Trooper Road to Church parking lot)

• Port Indian Road (Egypt Road to Youth Center)

• Shirley Lane (entire length)

• Paddock Circle (entire length)

• Harvest Circle (entire length)

The township’s road paving program is funded through the Municipal Liquid Fuels Program through PennDOT. This program funds a range of projects to support construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of public roads or streets. Funds are only available to municipalities who submit annual reports (MS 965 Actual Use Report, MS 965P Project and Miscellaneous Receipts and MS965S Record of Checks) and make its deposits and payments or expenditures in compliance with the Act (Section 2.6 Appropriate Use of Funds). This program is funded through an allocation to each municipality from the proceeds of the tax’s gas tax program.

Additionally, the Board of Commissioners authorized the township staff to seek bids for the milling and repaving of Sterigere Street (Whitehall Road to Forrest Avenue), Chancellor Court and Penfield (Union Street to Clearview Avenue) through the township’s Sewer Capital Fund. These bids will be received with the anticipated approval at the July Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners.

Flag Retirement Box

In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The Flag Resolution, passed on June 14, 1777, stated: "Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

On June 14th, Dennis Trowbridge of Scouts BSA Troop 724 dedicated a flag retirement box at the West Norriton Township Building. A flag retirement box is used for the disposal of flags that are no longer in a condition to be an appropriate emblem for display according to the U.S. Flag Code. The public is welcomed to dispose of their old flags in the new box.

Dennis is pursuing the rank of Eagle Scout and, with assistance from other troop members, completed this project as part of that journey. Congratulations Dennis!

The box is in the Veterans Memorial at the township building.

Eagle Scout Dennis Trowbridge

Dedication Sign

Commissioners Roseanne Milazzo, Martin Miller and Judith Eckles with Eagle Scout Dennis Trowbridge

The Use of Fire Pits, Fire Bowls and Chimeneas

Office of the Fire Marshal

The Use of Fire Pits, Fire Bowls, Chimeneas and other similar appliances has become popular in our community. The West Norriton Township Fire Marshal’s office would like to share the criteria for their use.
1) You must have permission of the landowner.
2) There must be one person at least 18 years old to assume responsibility for the use of these appliances.
3) A permit from the Fire Marshal is not required.
4) Use in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Once you purchase this appliance, keep these guidelines in a safe place for future reference.
5) Use of Fire Pits, Fire Bowls, Chimineas and similar portable devices must be at least 15 feet away from any building or structure. Keep a clear area (clear meaning free of anything that can burn) of at least 3 feet in diameter around the appliance. Please remember that mulch can burn so keep your appliance at least 3 feet away from mulch as well.
6) Do not use or store Fire Pits, Fire Bowls, Chimineas or similar devices on a balcony or deck.
7) Burn only aged, dried wood. The burning of any type of construction material or trash is prohibited.
8) Do not use any type of flammable or combustible liquid at any time.
9) Have a garden hose connected to a constant water source available close by.
10) Smoke is not allowed to cross property lines. Be mindful of the wind speed prior to starting this type of fire.
11) Do not use on Code Orange or Code Red Air Quality days.
12) Dispose of all ashes in a safe manner. After 24 hours has passed, all left over hot ashes must be thoroughly dampened, cooled, and stored in a metal can that is used solely for ash storage. Ashes that are two or three days old may appear to be safe but can still retain enough heat to cause an unwanted fire. Do not discard hot ashes in a compost pile, paper bag, cardboard box or anything that is combustible. Also, be careful in handling partially burned wood. The wood may still be smoldering and cause a serious burn.

Please keep in mind, that if the Fire Department is contacted and determines your situation to be a fire hazard, the Fire Department can require you to extinguish your fire.

Initial Dog Park Survey Results

Community Dog Park Survey Results

The ad hoc Dog Park Committee launched an online dog park survey in May 2021. As of June 3, 2021, 130 people had responded to the survey. The primary objectives of the survey were:
? Determine how many people would use a dog park & frequency of use
? Determine why people do not use current dog parks
? Identify individuals that would be willing to maintain the future dog park
? Gather feedback on what a future dog park should consist of

The survey consisted of 10 questions, many of which were open-ended and allowed the respondent to provide a lot of feedback. One statistic that particularly stands out is that while only 106 of those that responded to the survey use a current park, 130 of the respondents provided feedback on what they would like a future dog park to consist of. In a nutshell, 130 of the survey respondents would like to have a dedicated off-leash dog park available to them.

The link below summarizes the results for each question.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/stories/SM-S3DV25KJ/

Grass Clipping and Stormwater Impact

You Can Make a Difference

With the rains that occurred over the Spring and Summer months, many of us have to mow our lawns more often. These heavy rains can also contribute to grass clippings ending up in storm water runoff. Grass clippings that are blown into the street eventually enter the street storm drain.

When lawn clippings, fertilizers, soil, leaves, or animal wastes, are picked up by storm water runoff, they are carried directly to our local streams and lakes. All of these materials including grass clippings contain phosphorus. According to the U.S. EPA, phosphorus is one of the most troublesome pollutants in storm water runoff and it is considered the primary cause of water quality problems in our lakes, ponds and streams.
Grass clippings contribute nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous, which cause unwanted and uncontrolled growth of algae and aquatic weeds in the waterways. Increased algae growth is observed as green algae blooms or “scums” on lakes and ponds. Too much algae is harmful to a lake system. It blocks sunlight and prevents other plants from growing. When it dies and decays, it also takes much needed oxygen away from fish. Limiting phosphorus reduces algae blooms. According to the Northeast Wisconsin Stormwater Coalition, one bushel of fresh grass clippings can contain 0.1 pounds of phosphorus which if it ends up in lakes or ponds is enough to produce 30 to 50 pounds of algae.

When mowing your yard, make certain that you do not blow grass clippings into the street. West Norriton has an MS4 Permit with the DEP which regulates stormwater and pollution which may enter the streams from the storm system. We were also required to adopt an MS4 Ordinance adhering to these regulations.

Lawn clippings blown into the street and not cleaned up by the homeowner may enter the storm system and is a violation of the MS4 Ordinance and is a fine-able offense. When mowing, make the first few passes with the lawnmower blowing the grass clippings into the lawn not the street. If there are grass clippings on the street or sidewalk, use a broom or leaf blower to blow them back into the lawn. Do not use a hose to wash them into the street or storm drains. Keeping your leaves and lawn clippings out of the streets and gutters will have significant benefits for local streams. You can reduce the amount of phosphorus entering a stream and keep one of our most precious renewable resources clean for the next generation.

Summer 2021 Edition