Commissioner Roseanne Milazzo

Election Day is November 8, 2022

Voting is every adult citizen’s responsibility. This November West Norriton voters will be able to vote for a U.S, Senator, PA Governor, Congress Person, and State Representative. Here is some important information provided by the PA Department of State and Montgomery County Voter Services.

Upcoming deadlines:

October 24, 2022 - Last day to REGISTER before the November election
November 1, 2022 - Last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot
November 8, 2022 - Last day for County Boards of Elections to receive voted mail-in and civilian absentee ballots (must be received by 8:00 P.M.)
November 8, 2022 - GENERAL ELECTION - the polls are open from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm

The PA Department of States offers election related information on its website: VOTE.PA.GOV

The website offers information on voting in person or by mail, checking your voter registration, applying for a mail in ballot, and registering to vote online.

If you are new to West Norriton or have moved within the township, you can find your voting precinct and polling place at this link: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx

Montgomery County Voter Services offers local information such as where to find drop boxes and addresses and hours of satellite offices in the county. You can find them at: https://www.montcopa.org/753/Voter-Services The office phone number is 610-278-3280

West Norriton is divided into 8 voting precincts. They are numbered 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2, 3-1,3-2, 4-1, and 4-2. Currently the first three listed precincts vote at Norristown High School. Precincts 2-2 and 4-2 vote at Marshall St. Elementary School. Precincts 3-1 and 3-2 vote at Jefferson Fire House, and precinct 4-1 votes at the West Norriton Municipal Building.

After the 2020 Census, many of the districts represented in Congress and in Harrisburg were redistricted to better reflect changes in the state’s population. West Norriton remains in the 4^th Congressional District but has had changes in both the State Senate and State House districts. All of West Norriton is now part of the State Senate 17^th District. The township state representative districts have now changed to the 150^th and the 70^th. Those polling precincts that vote at the Firehouse, 3-1 and 3-2 will remain part of the 150^th State House District, and the rest of the township will be in the 70^th State House District. There is no vote for State Senate in our township this year, but both house seats are up for election.

I genuinely hope that every eligible citizen will register and vote in this and every election.

EAC Installs Pollinator Garden

The Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) members: Donna Suevo, Richard Cole, Sue Devenney, Shari Donath, and Barbara Pollarine, along with volunteer Laura Winslow, installed a pollinator garden on the grounds of the West Norriton Township Administrative and Police Building, Saturday September 24. Township staff and administration also assisted with this project.

The garden is placed between the sidewalk and the police station. There will be a paved path from the sidewalk to the garden. Eventually, it will have several benches to sit in front of the garden and signage with plants names.

This garden is to honor and support migrating monarch butterflies, as well as many other insects, bees, butterflies, and birds. It is vital to plant native plants to support the health of all these beautiful and fascinating insects and birds. Typically, native plants were here during the Pilgrims’ days. They are plants that thrive in our area. There are naturalized plants, as well, that support our birds and insects. We chose plants that are more common to residents and will put out a list in the future of what plants are being used, and some local sources to find them. You will find them blooming from May until late October.

We invite you to come see the garden, and see what all the butterflies, birds and other insects love to eat. One note of interest – goldenrod, which is in the rear corners of the garden, is a very necessary food for the migrating monarchs, which are migrating now. They are planted next to blue asters. If you drive up Route 422, or any other major road, you will see both plants now in full bloom. Fall pollinators are very important for them to feast on before their very long trek south for the winter.

There is a lot to learn about pollinators. You can find information on them on the Audubon.org website, BirdtownPa.org, and the Penn State Extension https://extension.psu.edu. You will also find information on native shrubs and trees.

We hope to use the garden as a teaching tool for schools and residents. We encourage you to join us by purchasing native plants for your gardens.

Your Tax Dollars at Work

Leaf Collection

As the air turns crisp and trees transform into shades of gold and red, our Public Works Department kicks into high gear to prepare for cleanup.

Leaf pickup may seem like simple upkeep, but there's a lot riding on it. Leaf collection prevents slippery leaves from causing accidents on roadways and keeps debris from backing up storm drains. Yard trimmings, food scraps and other organics make up about 34% of municipal waste landfilled in Pennsylvania. The percentage can vary considerably in different communities due to varying yard sizes and horticultural practices. If you can manage this material in your own yard (compared to having it collected for municipal composting) there are environmental and economic benefits by reducing the cost of collection and transportation. Additionally, the organic material can be used to enrich your lawn and gardens.

As mandated by Act 101 West Norriton Township developed a comprehensive recycling program; a major component of this program is the collection of leaves which are delivered to the leaf composting facility at the Norristown Fark Park. The West Norriton Township Public Works Department collects on average 4,500 cubic yards of leaves from the middle of October to the second week of December each year and advertises this collection schedule on our website. Leaves must be separated from the municipal waste stream per Township Ordinance. Leaves are collected utilizing leaf vacuums. Only Township vehicles are permitted to place leaves at the composting facility.

The leaves are composted using a compost turner and the final product is screened through a rotary tumbler. Most of the final product is used on the farm fields throughout the Norristown Farm Park.

Product Pickup Location
In addition, the final mulch product is also available for pick up by the residents of West Norriton Township at the Bin located behind the Jefferson Fire Company, 85 School Lane. Each resident is responsible to load the mulch themselves.
Leaf collection dates may vary due to weather conditions.

Leaf Collection Guidelines

Curbside leaf piles are to be 12 inches high and 18 inches wide.
Do not mix limbs, brush, and other debris with leaf piles, as such items may cause damage to collection equipment and injury to township personnel.
Adverse weather conditions may cause delays.
Township employees and/or equipment are not permitted to enter private property to remove leaves.
Once the leaf machine has passed it will not return until items on every street in the township have been collected.
If your residence is located on the corner of the street, please place the leaves to be picked up at least 25 feet from the intersection.
If you live on a private street in the township, we will pick up your leaves, but they must be bagged. Since most of the private streets in the township have narrow widths, we cannot take the leaf machines down those roadways and safely turn the machine around. Once you have the leaves bagged, please call the township office at 610-631-0450 and schedule the pickup.

October is Fire Prevention Month

Escape Plans Reduce Fire Deaths

Your ability to get out of your home during a fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning

Fire can spread rapidly, leaving you as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.

Get Out Safely
More than 3,500 Americans die each year in fires, and approximately 18,300 are injured. Deaths resulting from failed emergency escapes are particularly avoidable.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) believes that having a sound escape plan will greatly reduce fire deaths and protect you and your family's safety if a fire occurs.
Have a Sound Fire Escape Plan
In the event of a fire, remember - time is the biggest enemy and every second counts! Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames.
Please view the FEMA home fire escape plan map (PDF) that you can use to display your home emergency procedures.
Smoke Alarms
Having working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home and in every bedroom dramatically increases your chances of survival. Smoke alarm batteries need to be tested every month and changed with new ones at least once a year. Also, consider replacing the entire smoke alarm every 10 years, or as the manufacturer guidelines recommend.
Home Fire Drills
Practice escape plans every month. Practice escaping from every room in the home. The best plans have two ways to get out of each room. If the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way out. A secondary route might be a window onto an adjacent roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows. Purchase only collapsible ladders evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory. Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and security bars can be properly opened. Also, practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
Security Bars
Security bars require special precautions. Security bars may help to keep your family safe from intruders, but they can also trap you in a deadly fire! Windows and doors with security bars must have quick release devices to allow them to be opened immediately in an emergency. Make sure everyone in the family understands and practices how to properly operate and open locked or barred doors and windows.
Avoiding Smoke
Immediately leave the home when a fire occurs, do not waste any time saving property. Take the safest exit route but if you must escape through smoke remember to crawl low under the smoke and keep your mouth covered. The smoke contains toxic gases which can disorient you or, at worst, overcome you.
Opening Hot Doors
Never open doors that are hot to the touch. When you come to a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and door frame to make sure that fire is not on the other side. If it feels hot, use your secondary escape route. Even if the door feels cool, open it carefully. Brace your shoulder against the door and open it slowly. If heat and smoke come in, slam the door and make sure it is securely closed, then use your alternate escape route.
Designated Meeting Place
Designate a meeting place outside and take attendance. Designate a meeting location away from the home, but not necessarily across the street. For example, meet under a specific tree or at the end of the driveway or front sidewalk to make sure everyone has gotten out safely and no one will be hurt looking for someone who is already safe.
Contact the Fire Department
If you don’t have a cell phone, designate one person to go to a neighbor's home to phone the fire department. Once out, stay out. Remember to escape first, and then notify the fire department using the 911 system or proper local emergency number in your area. Never go back into a burning building for any reason.
Firefighters Are Friends
Teach children not to hide from firefighters. If someone is missing, tell the firefighters. They are equipped to perform rescues safely.

New Clubhouse at the Jeffersonville Golf Club

The Jeffersonville Golf Club is a well-regarded public golf course, owned and operated by West Norriton Township. Jeffersonville is consistently ranked as on the of the best public golf courses by national publications. First opened in 1931, it is one of the few public golf courses designed by the legendary architect Donald Ross, who also designed the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square. The Jeffersonville Golf Club is located along West Norriton’s Main Street commercial corridor and provides 140 acres of open space in an otherwise densely populated area.

Currently, the Jeffersonville Golf Club is booking an average of 42,000 rounds of golf annually and generating a significant stream of revenue for the Township. The full economic potential of the golf course, however, is limited by the lack of quality space or amenities for expanded gatherings, particularly weddings. The new Clubhouse will replace the Banquet Hall and fill this void within the community – a modern event space to be utilized by all age groups for numerous types of life-cycle events. The Township recently awarded four construction contracts for the new 12,950 square foot facility.

Construction of the new facility is scheduled to begin in November 2023 with anticipated completion by mid-November 2024. The total project cost is $11.8 million with $3.5 million being funded by grants through the Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program (RCAP). The remaining funds will be covered through a General Obligation Note that will be repaid through revenues generated by the facility.

Positions Available

Arts & Culture Commission

The Arts & Culture Commission consists of five members appointed by the Board of Commissioners. Members serve staggered terms that vary in length up three years. Members must be residents of West Norriton Township. Application for positions on the Commission will be via the West Norriton Township website.
The Board is seeking three members to fill the remaining positions.

Mission
To develop, and deliver, cultural arts programs, art in public spaces, and consistent aesthetic sensibilities for the benefit of the residents of West Norriton Township. The creative arts include, but are not limited to art, music, theater, and dance.

Interested applicants can fill out the online form here: https://www.westnorritontwp.org/218/Apply-for-Boards-Commissions

Fall 2022 Edition