Commissioner
Judith Eckles

It’s Time to Get Out and Vote

On Tuesday, May 16 there will be a primary election in Montgomery County, including two Township Commissioner seats here in West Norriton Township.

In the County, there are three County Commissioner positions up for election as well as 10 County departments. Each department is headed by an individual elected directly by the voters every four years.

According to the Montgomery County website, “These 10 officials are commonly referred to as ‘Row Officers,’ a term that came about many years ago when the 10 departments were first listed in a row on the election ballot.”

Most of the offices are uncontested but there are several highly contested seats. There are five Democrats and three Republics vying for three seats as County Commissioner. Register of Wills and the Coroner offices are also contested seats. All the Row Office races, except prothonotary and district attorney, have a candidate from both parties.

The County Row Officer positions are:

Clerk of Courts
Controller
Coroner
District Attorney
Prothonotary
Recorder of Deeds
Register of Wills
Sheriff
Treasurer

In addition to the Commissioners and Row offices there are also candidates for State Supreme Court, Superior Court, the Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Judges.

I encourage you to register to vote if you haven’t done so already. To vote in PA you must register to vote at least 15 days before the election; that means May 1 is the deadline for the May primary. You can register to vote online or request an absentee or vote by mail ballot at www.vote.pa.gov . There are a number of government agencies where you can register in person including PennDOT Photo License and Driver’s License Centers.

Exercise your right to vote either by mail or in person. The primary election is Tuesday, May 16. The General Election is Tuesday, November 7.

Single-use plastic bag ban

On November 9, 2022, the West Norriton Township Commissioners passed an ordinance prohibiting retail establishments from providing single-use plastic bags and non-recycled paper bags to their customers beginning on April 22, 2023. Retail establishments may provide customers a recycled paper bag if the bag is provided to the customer for a charge of not less than $0.15 per bag. These recycled bags must contain a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled content.

The use of single-use plastic bags has numerous severe environmental impacts, including increasing greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that by 2030, plastic production will surpass coal for climate change impact. Plastics also contribute to litter, add to ground level ozone formation, acid deposition, and solid waste generation, as well as harm wildlife. Microplastics can enter the human body through ingestion and inhalation where they may be taken up in various organs and can affect health. The goals of the Commissioners in passing this ordinance are to conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce waste, litter, and water pollution, and to protect the public health and welfare.

Enforcement of this ordinance will not occur until 6 months after enactment, to allow establishments to prepare for this change and use up any old inventory of plastic bags.

You can do your part to help the environment by bringing your own reusable bags when you go shopping. West Norriton is also supplying reusable bags. You are invited to stop by the Township Building at 1630 W. Marshall Street.

More information: https://www.westnorritontwp.org/471/Single-Use-Plastic-Carry-Out-Bag-Ordinan

The RSVP link for this is: https://forms.gle/iv8Dk4dRPA5TY9LNA

Commissioners Put American Rescue Plan Act to Work

West Norriton Township will once again be applying a COVID credit to the sewer billing.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides relief for individuals affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The Board of Commissioners has approved another round of sewer credits for residential sewer customers. A credit of $42.00 per household and $20.00 per rental unit will be applied to your July dated bill. The credit will show on your bill as “Covid Pandemic Credit”

The Commissioners also approved a donation for $125,000.00 from The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to the Jefferson Fire Company #1, to help with the purchase of tools for their new Fire truck.

Your Tax Dollars at Work

THE DOs AND DON’Ts OF TREE LIMB COLLECTION

As a service to the community, tree limb collection takes place the third Tuesday of each month from April through September. Branches must be placed at the curbside for pick-up by 10:00 a.m. on collection day. Only branches and limbs are allowed.

PLEASE NOTE: Tree stumps, vines, Holly bushes, weeds, grass and leaves Will·NOT be taken.Tree limbs must not be in plastic bags or tied with metal wire.

Limits: Individual Branches - 6 inches in diameter and 6 feet long; total collection per household limited to two cubic yards (the equivalent of six trash cans). Improperly prepared materials will not be collected including large piles.

The Public Works department appreciates your adherence to the rules.

Why compost?

Richard Cole, Member of the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC)
Most people throw their food scraps into the trash. In fact, about 40% of food is discarded. It’s assumed that food that goes into the landfill will biodegrade, which is unfortunately not the case. The process by which organic matter is broken down in landfills creates methane which is a potent greenhouse gas. As an alternative, redirecting waste from landfills will help save room in landfills and create less methane. Additionally, when you compost properly, you’re helping create nutrient rich soil by capturing the nutrients from food scraps and returning them to the soil through application to the land. If you want to compost, but not for use in your garden, you can pay for a service that will regularly pick up your compostable items.

Currently, Back to Earth composting is only one such business in our area. Back to Earth provides curbside pickup twice a month for $20 for residents. Many businesses want to be more sustainable but aren’t aware of the compost service. Commercial service requires meeting with businesses to come up with a proposal. For people who do not want a regular pickup service they can bring their compostables to a drop off site for $5 per 5 gallon bucket. Currently there is a site at Maple Acre Farm in Plymouth Meeting. Twice a month, from 9 to noon, a crew member is present. You can pick up compost for use in your garden a couple of times a year.

Note: Back to Earth is working on having a drop site at the Norristown Farm Park.

Solar Charging Stations installed at 2 of our most popular Parks

If you have visited Padden Park recently, you’ve probably noticed some of the major improvements which were made over the past year or so. A new state-of-the-art playground, new pavilion and restrooms, and a brand new (expanded) parking lot, to name a few.

Our latest addition to the park is the installation of a Solar Powered Charging Station, located next to the newly constructed inclusive playground system. Another Charging Station has been installed along the walking trail at Centennial Park between the Major League and Minor League fields. The charging station locations were chosen for user convenience and maximum exposure to the sun.

The Stand-up Solar Charging Stations continue with our renewable energy focus here in West Norriton Township. The sleek looking solar-powered, long endurance charging stations provide power for smartphones, tablets, and other hand-held devices. They are each equipped with LED lighting, a tabletop, 4 dual port USB/USB-C charging outlets and are ADA accessible.

Next time you visit Padden or Centennial Park, look for the new solar charging stations and feel free to charge up!

Centennial Park Station

Padden Park Station

Padden Park Pavilion

PAVILION RENTALS

Looking for a space to host a children’s birthday party or a small group gathering? Consider reserving one of West Norriton’s pavilions. With locations at two of our most popular parks (Padden Park - 2101 Oakland Drive & The Firehouse Recreation Site – 85 School Lane), our pavilions provide an ideal outdoor setting for any spring, summer or fall party.

Both pavilions are located within steps of newly renovated playgrounds. A $75.00 rental fee will be charged for use of the picnic area, for up to a maximum of 4 hours.

Permit applications are available on the township website or at the township building. Applications must be submitted at least 14 days in advance for approval.

Please contact the Recreation Department for availability. 610-630-1251

Spring 2023 Newsletter