Mayor's Message 2/16/2022

Mayor’s Message

February 16th, 2022  

Good evening. 

My administration remains dedicated to upholding the principles of transparency with the public and Council.  As promised, we have contracted the services of both an independent, third party forensic accountant through Marcum LLP, a top national CPA firm specializing in tax, audit & advisory services and ARPA Administrator Services from UHY/Meridian Consulting, another top national CPA firm with extensive experience in Rescue Plan administration, to help oversee the spending of ARPA funds awarded to Upper Darby in order to demonstrate to our community that we have nothing to hide from them and that the Rescue Plan money allocated for Upper Darby will be very carefully stewarded and invested in our community going forward. I would like to allow CAO Rongione to give the details on these developments…

We’re excited to launch a new partnership to keep Summer Stage supported and local. Upper Darby Township is offering full tuition to the Summer Stage program for up to 400 students between the ages of 10 to 18 who are residents of Upper Darby Township (regardless of what school the student attends). 

Construction on the One Center is still underway in the Township building. It is located on the ground level in the old library and is ADA accessible. The project is anticipated to be completed and serving our community this spring for residents to easily pay taxes, get permits, or ask questions all in one place. 

The abatement phase at the location of the UD Community Center has started and here is a quick update on the Drexeline development: MCB is in the process of recording the land development project and getting their bonds together, as they begin the abatement and remediation phase of their Drexeline property.

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are still being held at the Watkins Senior Center each Tuesday through March 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and each Friday through April 1, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are encouraged and can be made by visiting delcopa.gov/watkins or by phone through the Delaware County Wellness Line at (484) 276-2100. 

There will be a clean-up at Sellers Hall on Sunday, February 27th, at 10 am.  We’re hoping for good weather, so we don’t have to reschedule it again.

The Township is working with Habitat for Humanity to organize a tree planting event as part of our Earth Day-Arbor Day weekend, April 23rd & 24th. Trees will be planted along the streets, as well as in Chapman park. This event will help in our continuing efforts to revitalize Upper Darby by greening our streets and increasing the Township’s tree coverage. 

Finally, Upper Darby Township has been awarded nearly $500,000 in grant funding through the Multimodal Transportation Fund towards construction on the Cardington-Newtown trail. We are very excited to use this money to continue to reinvest in our outdoor public spaces. 

Thank you and good evening.