Mayor's Message 9/7/22

Good evening. 

We received word today that the DCNR has awarded the township a grant of just over $174,000 towards the engineering of a trail from Marshall Road to Garrett Road through the Beverly Hills Recreation area.  I would like to thank the PEC, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, for all their work on this application and the work they continue to do with my administration to make this recreation trail, which runs from Chapman Park almost to Township Line Road, a reality.  

Upper Darby Tree Tenders are doing an amazing job maintaining the newly planted trees in Gillespie Park. This Sunday, September 11th, from 9am-1pm the Tree Tenders are holding a volunteer event to help clear invasive species from the next section of Gillespie Park to make room for more trees. You can visit our Facebook page, Upper Darby Township - Government for the link to sign up.  Even an hour of your time makes a big difference! 

One of our residents has spearheaded a fundraiser to construct an observatory on the new Community Center and, also, to build astronomy programming for Upper Darby residents of all ages. Under the umbrella of 12th House Productions, this “Reach for the Stars” fundraiser will be held at the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church, on Burmont Road, this September 17th from 2-9pm.

We received word today that the DCNR has awarded the township a grant of just over $174,000 towards the engineering of a trail from Marshall Road area through the Beverly Hills Recreation area.  I would like to thank the PEC, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, for all their work on this application and the work they continue to do with my administration to make this trail which runs from Chapman Park almost to Township Line Road.  

Included on tonight’s agenda are a hearing for three ARPA ordinances and a vote for final passage. These include:

• Ordinance 3119 - $3 million for the Upper Darby Community Center 

• Ordinance 3122 - $2.5 million for the Upper Darby Fire Department

• Ordinance 3120 - $2 million for the Upper Darby Police Department, $150,000 for Gun Violence Prevention, and $5 million for Flood Mitigation and Sewer Upgrades

I urge Council to pass these ordinances for our community tonight. 

The following ARPA ordinances were tabled on August 16 and have not yet been introduced and advertised: 

• Ordinance 3121 - $4.5 million for Parks and Public Spaces which will help fund the upkeep and acquisition of green spaces in Upper Darby and bring about more park improvements such as those being completed at 2nd Ward Playground and Observatory Hill

•  Ordinance 3123 - $5.7 million for COVID Relief & Negative Economic Impacts which contains grants for small businesses and nonprofits, as well as COVID premium pay for our hardworking employees who kept our township running throughout the pandemic. 

• Ordinance 3124 -  $11.7 million for Revenue Replacement for 2020 and 2021 which will help bolster the township’s fund balances and improve our credit rating. 

These funds belong to the community.  I would ask Council for a motion to untable Ordinances 3121, 3123, and 3124 and then a motion to introduce and advertise them.

Thank you.