Photo By: Phillip Silverstone / Fashion & Portrait Photographer
TOWNSHIP DIRECTORY
Board of Supervisors Township Staff
TOWNSHIP MANAGER
William F. Martin
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Joseph DiRocco, CPA
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND ZONING
Erin McPherson
TOWNSHIP ENGINEER
Stephen Burgo, P.E.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Darin Fitzgerald
PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST
Gabrielle Ignarri
DIRECTOR OF LIBRARIES
Mallory Hoffman
SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
T. Michael Beaty
TOWNSHIP SOLICITOR
Gawthrop Greenwood, PC
David Miller, Chair
Julie Gosse, Vice-chair
KS Bhaskar
Matt Holt
Sharon Humble
Carlotta Johnston-Pugh
Murph Wysocki
Volunteer Boards
Environmental Advisory Council Historical Commission
Board of Trustees
Authority
& Recreation Board
Trustees
Commission
Committee Zoning Hearing Board
Newsletter Staff
Patricia Hoffman, Editorial Assistant
Edward Watton, Franklin Maps Sales & Graphics Manager
The staff wishes to thank the many contributors for the content of each Tredyffrin Township newsletter.
Important Phone Numbers
Tredyffrin Township Building
Tredyffrin Township Police Department
Tredyffrin Township Public Works Department
Fire and Ambulance
Tredyffrin Township Libraries
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District
PLEASE NOTE: th During your participation in and attendance at Township events and activities like the Summer Concert Series, 4 of July Celebration, or Community Day, you may be filmed, videotaped, and/or photographed by Township Staff. Your attendance serves as permission for use of your image by the Township (for example: in newsletters or on the Township website).
2024 REMAINING MEETING SCHEDULE & HOLIDAY CALENDAR
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
7 PM - Keene Hall
September 16
October 7 & 21
November 6 & 18
December 2 & 16
ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVISORY COUNCIL
7 PM - Keene Hall
September 24
October 22
December 3
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
7 PM - Keene Hall
September 12
October 10
November 14
December 12
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
7 PM - Tredyffrin
Public Library
September 26
October 24
December 5
MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
7 PM - Keene Hall
October 8
PARK & RECREATION BOARD
7 PM - Keene Hall
September 11
October 9
November 13
PENSION TRUSTEES
7:30 AM - Paul Olson
Conference Room
November 13
PLANNING COMMISSION
7 PM - Keene Hall
September 19
October 17
November 21
December 19
TRAFFIC COMMITTEE
7:30 AM - Keene Hall
September 18
December 18
ZONING HEARING BOARD
7 PM - Keene Hall
September 26
October 24
November 20
December 18
2024 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
TOWNSHIP OFFICES CLOSED.
Labor Day..........................Sept. 2
Columbus Day/ Indigenous Peoples Day..Oct. 14
Veterans' Day ...................Nov. 11
Thanksgiving Day .............Nov. 28
Day after Thanksgiving.....Nov. 29
Christmas Day ..................Dec. 25
New Year’s Day 2025 ..........Jan. 1
TOWNSHIP COMMUNICATIONS
Tredyffrin Township makes every effort to provide information to the residents and businesses as effectively and as timely as possible. The methods currently in use are:
SOCIAL MEDIA
The best and most current place to get information is through the Internet by connecting to the Township website at www.tredyffrin.org, which continues to provide information on all events and programs taking place throughout the Township, as well as providing the latest news, events, and emergency announcements. Tredyffrin is also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, so follow us on these social media platforms.
E-NEWSLETTER
Tredyffrin offers monthly updates about Township news and events via the e-newsletter. To sign up for the e-newsletter, weather advisories, events happening in and around Chester County, and/or alerts by email or by text, visit www.readychesco.org and enroll. By creating a profile and selecting what types of notices you wish to receive, updates can be sent to you however you choose.
PRINTED NEWSLETTER
This printed newsletter is distributed three times a year to every residence in Tredyffrin Township as a public service. Franklin Maps works closely with the staff to provide this service for the Township and its residents. The cost of the newsletter is covered by advertising and not Township funds. If you have items of interest or ideas for articles, please send them to tredyffrin@tredyffrin.org
EXPERIENCE DEDICATION PRECISION
RECYCLING REQUIREMENTS
Residential, Commercial, Institutional & Municipal Recycling Requirements
Tredyffrin Township is mandated by Pennsylvania State Act 101 to recycle. All persons in the Township must contract with an approved collector for the separate curbside or similar location collection of recyclable materials and leaf waste. Township residents must contact a waste hauler to determine dates, materials, and methods of collecting recyclables.
Commercial, Institutional & Municipal establishments in Tredyffrin must separate and store the following materials for recycling collection. If your business does not generate one or more of the following items, you may substitute items such as glass or used motor oil. Every commercial/institutional facility is expected to recycle at least three materials.
Single-family residential establishment
Except as otherwise provided herein, all persons owning or occupying single-family residential establishments shall separate all recyclable materials from municipal waste. Recyclable materials shall be placed in recycling containers and the recycling containers placed curbside or in another designated location for collection by an approved collector.
Multifamily residential establishments
Owners, landlords, or agents of owners or landlords of a multifamily residential establishment must establish a system for source-separation, collection, transportation, and recycling of the recyclable materials generated at multifamily residential establishments. The system must include an appropriate number of labeled recycling containers at easily accessible locations to accommodate the amount of recyclable materials generated at each multifamily residential establishment. The system must also include written instructions to the residents of multifamily residential establishments to inform them of the requirement to recycle and the use and availability of the collection program. The Township reserves the right to require additional recycling containers if the Township deems there are insufficient recycling containers to serve residents.
Commercial, institutional, and municipal establishments
Owners, landlords, or agents of owners or landlords of a commercial, institutional, or municipal establishment must establish a system for source-separation, collection, transportation, and recycling of recyclable materials generated at each building. The system must include an appropriate number of labeled recycling containers at easily accessible locations to accommodate the amount of recyclable materials generated at each building. It must also include written instructions to the tenants or occupants of
commercial, institutional, and municipal establishments to inform them of the requirement to recycle and the use and availability of the collection program. The Township reserves the right to require additional recycling containers if the Township deems there are insufficient containers to serve occupants or tenants.
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Those materials specified by Tredyffrin Township for collection in accordance with this article and recycling regulations that may be promulgated from time to time for separation, collection, processing, and recovery as part of a recycling program. These materials may include aluminum containers, bi-metal containers, corrugated cardboard, glass, leaf waste, magazines, mixed paper, newspaper, high-grade office paper, and plastic.
The following is a list of materials that are required to be recycled within Tredyffrin Township
Aluminum & Bi-Metal (Tin) Containers
Empty beverage & food containers, trays & plates comprised of 100% aluminum and/or steel with a thin plating of tin over the steel
Rinse to prevent bugs
Crush to save space
Test with magnet to make sure the can is aluminum (Magnets should not stick to the sides or top of the can)
Corrugated Cardboard / Corrugated Paper
Break down boxes to easily fit into recycling containers
Fit smaller boxes into larger boxes to keep neat at the curb
Glass
Clear and colored
Empty and clean all bottles
Remove metal caps and rings from bottles
Labels can stay intact
NO light bulbs, window glass, mirrors, ceramics, Pyrex or dishes. Additionally, plate glass,automotive glass, porcelain, or glass ornaments.
Leaf Waste
Leaves may not be disposed of with trash
Leaves and yard waste should be used in a compost pile
Mixed Paper
Paperboard/boxboard, junk mail and other designated recyclable paper. Excludes cardboard containers, magazines, office paper, and newsprint
High Grade Office Paper
White bond paper
White stationary
White notepad paper
Computer printout paper
Non-glossy copier paper
Index cards
Manila file folders
Tabulating cards
Miscellaneous white paper forms (ink color does not matter)
Plastic
Empty and clean plastic containers that contained food, beverage, cleaning, laundry, and other household products. Includes only rigid containers marked with a recycling symbol and a single number (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7). Examples include soda and water bottles, milk and water jugs, laundry soap containers, produce and other food containers, and soap bottles. Excludes expanded polystyrene containers.
Magazines & Newspapers
Tie in bundles or place in paper bags
Options for those who cannot compost: Tredyffrin accepts leaves and yard waste at its compost center on Mill Road in the spring and fall, as well as the first Monday of the month during the winter months.
Visit the Township website for information on the Mill Road Leaf Site. From January to September, the Mill Road Leaf Site is open the first Monday of every month. If the first Monday of the month falls on a holiday, the Township will post an alternate date that the site will be open. The Mill Road Leaf Site is open daily from October through December, Monday through Thursday and Saturday's from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. ( )
closed Fridays & holidays
Special arrangements can be made with your waste hauler or a registered leaf collector for pick-up of leaf waste in biodegradable paper bags, reusable containers or bulk. Bags are available at supermarkets and home improvement stores.
For a full overview of Tredyffrin Township's recycling requirements, visit https://ecode360.com/7113966 to view the Township Code.
Need more information?
E-mail us at tredyffrin@tredyffrin.org or call us at 610-644-1400.
KUDOS KORNER
Berwyn-Paoli Reading Trail
This summer, the Township Building was an official stop on the 2024 Berwyn-Paoli Reading Trail sponsored by PaperPie. Participants in the program stopped by each “station” and read the book that was at that stop. Once they read it, a staff member put a sticker the map. Readers had to visit all Reading Trail locations to be entered into drawings for fun prizes.We had our first visitors at the “station” on July 22. The family stopped in, sat in the reading nook, read the book, and got their stickers for their map. The program continues through September 15.
Visit From Mrs. Claus
Tredyffrin's own Mrs. Claus was also busy this summer. She visited the Paoli Library on July 27 for Christmas in July and shared her summer tips like wearing a hat, using sunscreen, drinking plenty of water, and making sure you have your favorite books at the beach or poolside. She read stories about what she and Santa do when it's not holiday-crunchtime. She was escorted to the library by volunteers from the Paoli Fire Company.
Community Relations Officer Joseph Butler, Township Engineer Stephen Burgo, and Planning & GIS Administrator Robert Emmanuel participated in the TMACC Ride Your Bike to Work Day on May 16.
PARKS & RECREATION
Please join Township staff and your neighbors at the Tredyffrin Tree Lighting Celebration Saturday, December 7, 5 - 7 PM at Wilson Farm Park
See Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by firetruck…then kids will have a chance to visit Santa and there will be plenty of opportunity for taking photos. Enjoy the holiday treats too!
RECREATION — **Watch the Township website for information for 2024-2025 Winter Rec**
Indoor Tennis
Radnor Racquet Club
Ages 4-18 + adult classes, Radnor Racquet Club, 175 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA 19087. Learn fundamentals of tennis including forehand, backhand, serve & volley, as well as basic offensive and defensive strategies.
Instruction will be provided for beginner and intermediate players, as well as training for school tennis team members.
Questions, please contact David Broida and staff at 610-864-4303 or dbroida@gmail.com.
FALL SESSION
8 weeks - Sundays
October 1 - November 19
Cost: $185.00
Session 1
Beginners & Advanced Beginners
3:00 - 4:00 PM
Session 2
Beginners & Advanced Beginners
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Session 3
Advanced Beginners & Intermediate 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Session 4
Advanced Beginners & Intermediate 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Session 5
Adults & Teens—all levels
7:00 - 8:00 PM
WINTER SESSION
8 weeks - Sundays (except February 18)
January 7 - March 3
Cost: $185.00
Session 6
Beginners & Advanced Beginners
3:00 - 4:00 PM
Session 7
Beginners & Advanced Beginners 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Session 8
Advanced Beginners & Intermediate 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Session 9
Advanced Beginners & Intermediate 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Session 10
Adults & Teens—all levels 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Forms can be found on the Township website at www.tredyffrin.org/services/parks-recreation/campsrecreation/tennis-squash. Please return registration form & liability releases to… Tredyffrin Township • 1100 DuPortail Road • Berwyn, PA 19312
COMMUNITY EVENT SPONSORS 2024
& Vernick
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Main Line Music Fest
Saturday, September 28
Noon - 6 PM, Wilson Farm Park Tredyffrin Township is pleased to cohost this year's 15th Main Line Music Festival. Join us for an unforgettable day of music, food, and fun! You'll enjoy:
Great Music ~ Live performances from great local bands! Blues, Indie Rock.
Great Food ~ Delicious offerings from a variety of food vendors.
Great Drinks ~ Refreshing selection of beers and other beverages to keep you cool and in the mood!
Great Merchandise ~ Browse the interesting array of unique vendors offering a variety of merchandise and services for your home or office.
Fun Kidzone ~ Activities and entertainment for the little ones.
Don't miss out on this fantastic day of community celebration and excitement. Visit our website at www.mainlinemusicfest.com
The beneficiary for this year's event is the Veterans Brotherhood.
LIBRARY NEWS
Interview with Tanisha by
Shane Zandotti
The Tredyffrin Public Library congratulates Tanisha Agrawal on winning the Wayne Business Association Scholarship and we're thrilled to have been a small part of her success and look forward to seeing what she'll accomplish. Over the past four years, Tanisha has been a committed volunteer at our library, specifically designing and leading programs for Tredyffrin teens. Her dedication to serving our community has been exceptional. Recently, we had the chance to interview Tanisha about her accomplishments, experiences at the library, and plans moving forward.
Q: How did you discover Tredyffrin Public Library?
A: Shortly after moving to the area from India, I was exploring my new neighborhood when I stumbled upon the Tredyffrin Public Library. Stepping inside, I was immediately drawn to the vast collection of books and cozy reading places. That's when I met Laurie (Teen Librarian), who warmly welcomed me and made the library feel like a second home.
Q: How has volunteering and working with the library changed your life?
A:Working at the library offered a calming routine and a friendly environment that helped me de-stress during high school. In addition to the valuable technical skills I gained in library management, the library fostered my creativity. The flexible environment allowed me to propose new initiatives, and I'm particularly proud of launching the Little Free Art Library and building our new summer program: School Away From School. These experiences instilled a strong sense of responsibility, collaboration, and ownership. But the most transformative aspect was the people I met. The librarians became mentors and friends who inspired me with their knowledge and passion. I plan to visit the library whenever I return because it is home to so many memories.
Q: What inspired you to make the Little Free Art Library?
A: The concept of "Free Book Libraries" in our neighborhood sparked the idea of a Little Free Art Library. I saw a fantastic opportunity to create a space where artists could showcase and share their work and others could appreciate their art. All in all, it brought color and creativity to our community. It's satisfying to see such a small canvas bring a smile to people's faces.
Q: Your Little Art Library has been an enormous success in the community. Did you think it would take off like it did?
A: Honestly, I never anticipated the overwhelming response we've received. When I started the Little Free Art Library, little did I know that there was a huge appetite for these small canvas pieces within the community. But the real credit goes to the talented artists we have here.
They've poured their hearts and souls into their work, and it truly resonates with people.
Q: If you had to pick 3 books to read while stuck on a deserted island, which ones would you choose and why?
A: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy is my favorite romance classic because it addresses human weakness and emotions that shape our relationships.
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck made me think about the American perception of Eastern societies.
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri is excellently written to showcase family bonds and betrayals. The drama and gossip are very entertaining.
Q: How did it feel to win a scholarship with the Wayne Business Association?
A: Winning the WBA scholarship was a wonderful surprise. I'm incredibly grateful to the Tredyffrin Public Library for nominating me. Their support has been instrumental in my journey, and this recognition meant the world to me.
Q: Are you excited for college?
A: Very - I'll be attending UPenn to study
International Relations and hope to work at one of the Penn Libraries.
Q: Do you have any shout-outs to anyone who has helped you along the way or any role models?
A: Absolutely! My parents for their unwavering support, and I wouldn't be here without them. My high school experience was incredibly inspiring thanks to dedicated teachers and the friendships I formed, some of which I'll cherish for life. However, a special shout-out goes to the Tredyffrin Public Library. It's been my home away from home for the past two years. I've met incredible people, particularly Laurie, who's become an invaluable mentor and friend. Her guidance and support have meant the world to me. I'd also like to express my gratitude to Tara and Mallory for offering me the opportunity to work at the library. A lot of love to Lisa, Heather, Claire, Laura, Michelle, Pat, Chris, Carla, Shane, Saj & Sam your support has been instrumental and made my journey the best it could have been.
We appreciate Tanisha for sharing her thoughts with us and are thrilled to see the positive impact the library has had on her over the years. It's inspiring to see someone utilize it as a resource for success and to motivate others to engage with the community. Tanisha's proactive efforts to foster positivity within Tredyffrin are truly commendable.
Now more than ever, the library serves as a hub for building connections and preparing for the future. We hope Tanisha's story encourages others to discover connections and pursue their passions through its resources. Visit the library to pick up a blank canvas to create your own artwork or take a free piece of art from one of our talented patrons. Explore our website at www.tredyffrinlibraries.org for information on upcoming programs and opportunities to connect with fellow community members in Tredyffrin and Paoli.
Fall Fest and the Philly Keys - Save the Date
Saturday, September 21, 6 - 10 PM
Waynesborough Country Club
• Tickets - $125/person or a table for 8 for $950
• Price includes buffet dinner & an open bar
• Adam Joseph, 6ABC, will be our emcee at the event
• The Philly Keys, featuring Brian Aglira (Conestoga Class of 2002), will take centerstage in a dueling piano showdown fueled by audience participation.
• Raffle prizes include: $500 Amazon gift card, premium wines, 4 special Phillies tickets for the 2025 season, 4 special Villanova men's basketball tickets, lots of great restaurant gift cards, and much more.
Each prize valued at $350$500…$10/ticket.
• A HUGE thanks to Sequoia Sentinell Family Office for being our special presenting sponsor.
School Supply Drive - Another Great Year
THANKS…THANKS…thanks to the many individuals, organizations, and businesses that lent a hand in this drive. Over 225 local kids have been offered assistance that will help them start the school year ... just like everyone else.
Some of the special supporters include:
• Polka Dots: they ran a fundraiser to help with the drive.
• FLITE: they covered the cost of the backpacks and some of the supplies.
• Mod Pizza (Gateway): they ran a fundraiser to help with the drive.
Thanks a Million
Besides all the help offered for our recent School Supply Drive and all the folks who sponsored the Fall Fest, we also want to recognize these groups or businesses for being partners with T&E Care:
• Paoli Ford: We recently needed to help someone purchase a car. Another non-profit (Community Backstop) partnered with us and we went to Paoli Ford to see what they could offer. We got the family a great used car thanks to our funds, the funds from Community Backstop, and the great deal offered to us by Paoli Ford. Tone
• The Sailing Team at CHS: they made the 2nd grade bags.
• The T&E Kids Care Club: they donated supplies.
• VF Middle School: they donated supplies.
• CHS Project Wellness (run by Howard Kim): they donated dental and hygiene supplies.
• Beaumont ES: they allowed us to do our sorting there.
Special thanks also to the amazing committee that got all this accomplished: Jen Bracco (chair),
Hicks was our agent and he was terrific.
• The Residence Inn Valley Forge (Swedesford Road): they offered us a nice discount to help a family who was temporarily homeless. Very special.
• The New Eagle PTO: the annual Fun Run held at NEES was a huge success this year! Many thanks to the PTO for sharing with T&E Care all the pledges made. What a great partnership.
• The Westover Companies: they recently made a donation in honor of a local resident.
Visit www.tecare.org/events/fall-fest for basic info and the list of AMAZING sponsors.
Mary Gildea, Laura Giordano, Kim Jamme, Michele Krohn, Amanda Miller, Colleen Mullin, Kate Peyton, Mary Frances Szpila, Jean Allen, Jacqui Cosgrove, and Tina Whitlow.
Check out our website at www.tecare.org/events/schoolsupply-drive for a full wrap and some fun photos.
Questions should be sent to schoolsupplies@tecare.org. THANKS AGAIN!!!
• The TEMS PTO: they made an end of year donation to T&E Care much appreciated.
The mission of T&E Care is to maintain a network of people providing shortterm financial and other material assistance to persons in need who live in and around the Tredyffrin and Easttown Township areas.
Follow us on our website, Instagram, and
T&E Care Board: Jean Allen, Chris Bradley, Jacqui Cosgrove, Megan Fox, Damika Harris, Nancy Higgins, Todd Morrissey, Lisa Nevins, Stacy Stone, Sara Vose, Maryann Walsh, and Tina Whitlow; Sandi Gorman, President.
Facebook.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Officer of the Year
It is with great pleasure that the members of the Police Department announce that Officer Rhonda Carroll was selected as our 2023-2024 Officer of the Year. The TTPD Awards Committee reviewed submissions provided by staff verifying the performance and positive impact the candidate has on the Department and our Community. In selecting Officer Rhonda Carroll as this year’s recipient, the committee unanimously agreed that Officer Carroll represents the finest in dedication, service and commitment to the Tredyffrin T Police Department.
Officer Carroll is a United States Army veteran, as well as a 30-year veteran of the Tredyffrin Township Police Department. She has received numerous accolades throughout her career, ranging from life-
saving awards to Unit Citations for her role in major incidents.
Officer Carroll is a member of the Bike Patrol, Honor Guard, Community Relations, and is currently assigned as a Patrol Officer on shift with Sgt. Moore. She continually represents TTPD as a
School Bus Safety
Overview
Each school day, millions of children ride school buses. Did you know that the school bus is one of the safest vehicles on the road?
Less than 1% of all traffic fatalities involve children on school transportation vehicles. However, children are more at risk when approaching or leaving a school bus. It's important for all drivers, as well as parents and students, to understand school bus safety.
Stop for School Buses
When you see a school bus slowing down or stopping, it's not just the bus that you need to have your eyes on but the surrounding area too. Children wait at least several feet away from a bus and often cross the street when they're boarding or getting off the bus. This is why you must stop for school buses, and don't attempt to pass.
Illegal School Bus Passing
Illegal school bus passing poses a significant threat to children and others on the road. In every state, it is illegal for you to pass a school bus while the stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing.
Understanding School Bus Lights
Learn the school bus laws in your state and always follow them, as well as the flashing lights that school bus drivers use to alert you.
Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. You should slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle.
Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. You must stop your car and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving, before you can start driving again. •
member of the Honor Guard at special events and is always available to assist us at our community-based details.
th On Wednesday, May 29 , Officer Carroll was surprised to realize that she was selected as this year’s Officer of the Year during our in-house awards
presentation at roll call. Family members were on hand as she was presented with the recognition.
Please join us in congratulating Officer Carroll for her outstanding commitment to the community she so proudly serves.
Bus Stop Safety
Parents, it's important to talk to your child, or children, about bus stop safety. Here are some tips.
Before the Bus Arrives
Your child should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives. Ahead of the new school year, visit the bus stop and show your child where to wait for the bus, at least ten feet — five giant steps away from the curb. Remind your child that the bus stop is not a place to run or play
Getting On and Off Safely
When the school bus arrives, your child should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the driver says it's okay to get on or off. Your child should use the handrails to avoid falling.
Always Use Caution Around the Bus
Your child should never walk behind a school bus. If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, tell them to walk on a sidewalk or along the side of the street to a place at least ten feet — five giant steps in front of the bus before crossing. Your child should also make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing to make sure the driver can see that they're crossing to avoid the danger zone. If your child drops something near the school bus, like a phone or book, the safest thing is for your child to tell the bus driver right away. Your child should not try to pick up the item, because the driver might not be able to see them.
Bus Safety
School buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road; they're designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries; and in every state, stop-arm laws protect children from other motorists.
Different by Design
School buses are designed so that they're highly visible and include safety features such as flashing red lights, cross-view mirrors and stop-sign arms. They also include protective seating, high crush standards and rollover protection features. Seat belts play an important role in keeping vehicle passengers safe, but since school buses are different by design, they have a different kind of safety restraint system.
• Large school buses are heavier and distribute crash forces differently than passenger cars and light trucks. These differences help bus passengers experience much less crash force than those in passenger cars, light trucks and vans.
• NHTSA decided the best way to provide crash protection to passengers of large school buses is through a concept called “compartmentalization.” This requires that the interior of large buses protect children without them needing to buckle up. Through compartmentalization, children are protected from crashes by strong, closely-spaced seats that have energyabsorbing seat backs.
• Small school buses (with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less) must be equipped with lap or lap/shoulder belts at all designated seating positions. Since the sizes and weights of small school buses are closer to those of passenger cars and trucks, seat belts in those vehicles are necessary to provide occupant protection. Please keep these tips in mind as you get ready to go back to school this fall!
Information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, part of the US Department of Transportation
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Homeowner Investment in Trees Pays Off
The benefits the Township's tree canopy provides are staggering. For an individual homeowner, an investment in trees and tree care can both offer financial dividends and improve quality of life. According to the US Forest Service, trees can increase property values by up to 20%. In Tredyffrin, our trees are a boon to property values. “People are clamoring to get into this area because of the natural beauty, and our trees are a big part of that. A beautifully landscaped home and a home where the trees have been maintained and cared for definitely adds to a property's value,” according to Kim Cunningham Marren, a Realtor with Compass Real Estate in Wayne.
Buyer Representative, see the discussion on both sides of a transaction. “When I work with sellers, I ask if they have had the trees look arborist. The seller providing information about how they have cared for tr alleviate concern and encourage the new owners to continue the proper care of trees going forward.”
The conversation with buyers has a different focus. “When I work with buyers who are considering very wooded lots and we don't have documentation that mature trees have been looked after, I sometimes get an arborist to look at the trees as part of a property inspection.” Marren says. “This helps new owners to prepare for any shortterm expenses, and to understand what is necessary to maintain the trees on the property.”
Savings through energy cost reduction are another financial benefit of maintaining a mature tree canopy. Most people understand intuitively that trees reduce cooling costs by shading a property, but trees can also decrease heating costs by acting as a wind break. According to the Center for Urban Research, a tree planted on the west side of a home can reduce energy bills by 3% in five years and 12% in fifteen years. The Arbor Day Foundation indicates that well-planted trees can reduce summer energy bills by 20%.
outdoors (up to 19 degrees according to the U.S. Forest Service) may further increase the positive impact mature trees have on both property values and quality of life.
Stormwater mitigation is another area in which trees help both the homeowner and the municipality to save money. Trees help manage stormwater by capturing water in their leaves, and through evapotranspiration, during which the trees' roots absorb water and return it to the atmosphere. In Tredyffrin, the total stormwater remediation provided by our tree canopy is in the hundreds of millions of gallons annually, according to iTree, the USDA's peer reviewed tool for estimating the benefits of trees.
The same tool can estimate this benefit for a given tree or property, and by quantifying the benefits of our tree canopy we can make informed decisions and better understand the return on investment in tree care. An iTree analysis of the tree canopy at our 40-acre HOA community showed that our trees mitigate several million gallons of stormwater annually. Our community's stormwater spending in recent years has been significant. Stormwater expense is significant at the Township level as well; in
the past year a new tax was added to offset rising stormwater management costs. Trees can further benefit our quality of life. At the 2023 World Forum on Urban Forests in Washington DC, scientific research regarding the benefit of trees on our health was the focus of an entire day. Exposure to trees has been correlated to improved outcomes of most major diseases, and trees have likewise been shown to improve mental health and reduce crime. Many of us find peace in being in proximity to the birds and other natural creatures for which trees provide habitat.
All of these factors are part of understanding the cost benefit analysis of the trees on your property and in our community. Our Woodland Ordinance provides exemptions for the removal of trees under certain circumstances, including once a tree is deemed unsafe. The Ordinance also requires replacement plantings after a certain number of removals. It's important to note that, while planting is necessary to maintain our tree canopy, a newly planted tree takes many years to offer the benefits of a mature tree. Preserving our healthy mature trees is the best way to ensure that we continue to enjoy the benefits our Township tree canopy provides.
Emily Bell is a Tredyffrin Township resident and Urban Forestry volunteer and arboriculture student at UMass Amherst.
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/c1f88b18-c7a64646-b556-e1a883afcf5f/content
https://www.fs.usda.gov/psw/topics/urban_forestry/products/CUFR_77_ ENERGY_QandA.pdf
https://www.arborday.org/trees/climatechange/summershade.cfm https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/finding-relief-in-the-shade https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7345658/
Photos — Mature trees create a sense of place and enhance property values, as in these examples from Fernfield Circle and Pugh Road ~ photos courtesy of Anne Murphy
Fernfield Circle
Pugh Road
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
How To Protect Birds from your Windows
It's sad but true that many birds are killed every day all over the world by flying into glass windows. The numbers are staggering. In the United States alone, scientists estimate that a billion birds a year die because of these collisions.
So, why is this happening and what can we do about it? Birds don't see the world in the same way we do. Birds don't recognize glass as a solid object. Humans can recognize glass because we understand the context of glass placement, e.g., we see the door frame or the window frame or the shape of a glass building wall and expect there to be a solid object in that space. Birds only see the reflected vegetation or sky and think they can fly to it. Another situation occurs when windows are opposite one another and the birds think they can fly through both to the other side. In both situations birds hit the window at high-speed, resulting in serious injury and frequently death. We can't expect that birds will learn about glass. After all, even humans get fooled at times. We've all seen a picture of a mountain by a lake. The lake is so still that the reflection of the mountain is crystal clear. We can turn the picture upside down and we wouldn't know which is the mountain and which is the reflection. The only way to protect birds is to change the surface of the glass so that birds can see it. (
You might ask me, if so many birds are being killed, why aren't we seeing dead birds everywhere. Most people aren't aware of birds striking glass for a number of reasons: most birds are small and very light, they usually don't leave a mark on the glass, if they do leave a mark, it is only a smudge that can easily be overlooked. Another reason is that some birds are not killed outright; they may be stunned and fly away after a few minutes. Many of these birds will die from their injuries later after the adrenaline has worn off. Some birds are killed outright due to their injuries, but we don't find them because predators have learned to patrol under the windows to look for food. I've experienced hearing the thud of a bird strike at my home. I rushed outside only to find a chipmunk dragging away the carcass of a dead bird. Downtown where migrating birds awake to find themselves surrounded by glass walls, the maintenance staff of commercial buildings sweep up the dead birds before anyone else notices them. This is why most scientists consider that the estimates for bird fatalities due to collisions could probably be higher
Most of us have heard of major events where thousands of birds are killed flying into downtown skyscrapers. But the reality is that 44% of the bird fatalities come from residences of 1-3 floors. The average number of bird strikes for a residence is 2.1 per year. Some might think that's a small number, but think of how many residences there are across the country and you can see how big the problem is.
Right now, birds are on a downward trend around the world. Since 1970, we have lost 29% of our land birds in North America. This is not sustainable into the future. We need to save every bird we can and protecting
Luckily there are some very simple things we can do in our own homes to start saving bird life from our windows:
1. A very easy way is to make sure that all your windows have full screens. Screens cut down on reflections and provide a cushion, if birds do fly into them.
2. You can make your own window protection using parachute cords. Hanging dark cords across the width of a window vertically spaced 4” apart will provide a visual cue to birds and is very effective at reducing bird strikes. We get used to seeing the cords and they don't impair our view.
See Acopian Bird Savers at: https://www.birdsavers.com/ make-your-own/
3. You can purchase a tape that has small, 9 mm white squares 2” apart. Once the tape is applied vertically every two inches apart, the squares can be rubbed onto the window and the tape removed. That leaves the squares on the window in a 2” X 2” pattern. This provides a visual cue to birds and is rated very effective in keeping even small birds, such as hummingbirds, safe.
See Feather Friendly https://featherfriendly.com/collections
4. Use a paint marker to create a design on the outside surface of your windows. This is cheap and easy. Just make sure you don't leave any clear spaces larger than 2”x2” https://flap.org/oil-based-paintmarkers/
5. We don't recommend using individual stickers or window clings. Unless the stickers are placed on the outside of the window and are spaced with no more than 2” by 2” of open space, they won't be effective. They are also relatively expensive and must be replaced frequently.
6. If you feed birds, the safest place to place your feeders is within 3 feet of your window. That might seem counter-intuitive but with the closer distance the birds don't build up enough speed to do a lot of damage.
Helpful Hints When Treating Windows
• Make sure that you are putting the pattern on the outside surface of the window. Remember, it is important to provide a visual cue to birds by interfering with the reflections.
• Using curtains or blinds on the insides of windows can help in some lighting situations and may reduce the risk of flythrough crashes, but these will not reduce reflections of sky or vegetation on most windows.
With a little bit of effort and creativity, you can transform your yard into a safe place to enjoy birds. Remember that both Easttown and Tredyffrin Townships are Bird Towns and we are here to help you with any questions.
OPEN LAND CONSERVANCY BY
RAYMOND C
Protected Habitat for a Tiny Township Resident
The Mission of Open Land Conservancy includes the purpose “to protect and enhance wildlife habitat”. That responsibility includes not only acquisition and maintenance of open space but ensuring responsible use. When that habitat is right under our — and our dog's — feet, we have to be especially careful. This is why it is so vitally important to keep your dogs leashed in the Nature Preserves. During this year's Spring breeding season, we were lucky to spot this successful song sparrow broodmaking the most of habitat next to a Valley Creek Preserve trail.
One of the least appealing plants in the Conservancy Preserves is the stinging nettle Urtica dioica. It's a major nuisance — giving visitors and volunteers that irritating, but transient, sting by overhanging trails in the wetland preserves and impeding our
attempts to plant trees in the riparian buffer — ask the students from the Center for Families teams that work with the Conservancy each Spring. On the plus side, nettles have some benefits: they are the larval food plant for several species of butterflies and moths. Which in turn are food for our avian residents.
It turns out that they also provide cover for ground nesting birds. This little friend was agitated by a preserve visitor and flew up from the undergrowth alongside a trail. This is a song sparrow; you can check out the alarm call (and its song and other cool facts) here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Song _Sparrow/overview
This prompted a careful foray amongst the stinging nettles, when the source of the parental concern became apparent. Tucked at the base of a false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) shrub and protected by those natural hypodermic needles on the nettle stems was this tiny nest with brown speckled eggs.
THE SONG SPARROW
He does not wear a Joseph's coat of many colors, smart and gay His suit is Quaker brown and gray, with darker patches at his throat.
And yet of all the well-dressed
throng, not one can sing so brave a song.
It
makes the pride of looks appear a vain and foolish thing to hear
In
“Sweet, sweet, sweet, very merry cheer.”
A lofty place he does not love, he sits by choice and well at ease In hedges and in little trees, that stretch their slender arms
Even well-hidden, that nesting strategy seems high risk, and maybe loss of safe habitat partly accounts for a population decline of about 27% between 1966 and 2019, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. However, though, EAC member and Birdtown PA VicePresident Phil Witmer confirms that song sparrows are widespread and common across most of the U.S. and are common in our area.
So, the curious visitor returned a couple of weeks later, to a twofold relief:
1) at least two well-grown song sparrow nestlings, and
2) no sign of the often-parasitic brownheaded cowbirds.
A week later, those babies had taken flight and were beginning their life alongside Valley Creek.
above The meadow brook; and then he sings till all the field with pleasure rings; And so he tells in every ear, that lowly homes to heaven are near In “Sweet, sweet, sweet, very merry cheer.”
Thanks to Míme Migliore, the Nature Education Coordinator for the City of Dublin, Ohio, for posting this Henry van Dyke poem on the Columbus Audubon website.
INSPECTIONS AND CODES
9 Easy Yard Cleanup
Tips for Fall
Fall is a beautiful time to work outdoors but there can be a lot to do. Here are some tips to make your fall cleanup a little easier. From clearing fallen leaves and pruning branches to refreshing flower beds and mowing one last time, here are some simple ways to keep your yard looking great.
Tip 1: Bag Leaves Easily
If a lot of leaves accumulate on your yard, use a tarp to make leaf removal easier. Rake or use a leaf blower to push your leaves onto a large tarp. Thread a carabiner or spring snap through the tarp grommets to create what's basically a huge leaf bag. Then you can easily drag the leaves where you want them. You can combine leaves with other yard waste and household scraps to make compost and improve the soil in your planting beds.
Tip 2: Rinse the Gutters from the Ground
Leaves can also block gutters and clog drainpipes. A gutter attachment for your hose or an attachment for your pressure washer is great for rinsing the gutters after clearing them out. If you notice your gutters are damaged, now is the time to fix them.
Tip 3: Keep Your Yard Tools Handy
If you've got a lot to do around the yard, you can make work easier with the right tools. Fill a standard tool belt with your yard tools, and you'll have everything in easy reach. When the season is over, make sure your tools are ready for spring.
Tip 4: Use a Bucket for Weeds and for Tools
A five-gallon bucket works great when weeding; just collect your weeds inside for easy disposal. Then you can use it to store your yard tool belt when you're finished. If you are doing a lot of kneeling on the ground, you might want to get some kneepads.
Tip 5: Mulch With Fallen Leaves
Flower beds can fill with leaves during the fall, so it's important to clear them out to keep them looking nice and free of pests. You can store the leaves in leaf bags until spring to use as mulch to control weeds in your garden. If you live in an area with low winter temperatures, you can shred the leaves you removed to insulate the bases of your plants against the winter cold. You can shred large amounts of leaves with the lawn mower or place smaller amounts in a trash can and use the string trimmer to quickly shred them.
Caution
When using lawn care equipment, wear eye and hearing protection and any other safety gear as specified by the manufacturer
Tip 6: Prune Branches
If you have dead or out-of-control branches, the fall is a good time to prune or trim them. But wait until spring to prune green branches. Pruning green branches in the fall may not leave the plants enough time to heal before the cold sets in. Pruning helps keep your plants healthy and encourages new growth.
Tip 7: Refresh Flower Beds
Now is also a good time to remove any dead or dying flowers and plants. As an alternative, you can invest a little extra time and bury some nesting pot planters in your flower beds to quickly change out your annuals each season. Just dig out a hole the size of the pot you'll use, place your holder pot into the ground and fill around the edges with dirt. Then place a new plant — still in its pot — into the buried container. This'll ensure that the soil doesn't collapse back into the hole when you switch out plants with the seasons. You can also easily remove flowers before you spray any weed killers.
Tip 8: Pressure-Wash Your Concrete
Once the leaves have all fallen, you may notice stains on your concrete. The fall can be a good time to clean your sidewalk or
concrete driveway with a pressure washer. For a large area, a surface cleaner attachment can make short work of a big job. Having a clean sidewalk is safer and it looks great too. Consider both cleaning and sealing your concrete driveway or sidewalk to help protect the surface from stains.
Tip 9: Mow and Trim the Lawn
Before the cold weather begins, it's a good idea to give your yard one last mow. Bag the clippings or use a mulching blade to return the grass to the soil as compost. A string trimmer or edger helps create clean lines around the boundaries of your grass, which will help keep everything looking neat throughout the winter months.
Information from www.lowes.com
While you are completing your outside fall cleanup, keep in mind that the Tredyffrin Township Code states…
§ 149-5 - A. Outside premises. All outside premises, whether occupied or vacant, shall be kept free of unsanitary conditions and of all nuisances and any hazards to the safety of occupants, pedestrians and other persons utilizing or exposed to the premises. Unsanitary conditions, nuisances and hazards include, but are not limited to, the following for any outside premises:
(1) Vegetation, defined as:
(a) Excessive weeds.
(b) Hedges, trees, shrubs or other vegetation that obstruct the approach sight distance of any highway, street, driveway, traffic signal, traffic signal sign or crosswalk.
(c) Dead and dying trees and limbs or other natural growth which, by reason of rotting or deteriorating conditions or storm damage, constitute a hazard to persons in the vicinity thereof. Trees shall be kept pruned and trimmed to prevent such conditions.
§ 149-5 - B. Landscaping. Premises with landscaping and lawns, hedges and bushes shall be kept from becoming overgrown and unsightly where exposed to public view, so that they do not constitute a blighting factor to adjoining property
The full Code of Tredyffrin can be found at https://ecode360.com/TR1485
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Preserve * Protect * Perpetuate
In less than two years, in 2026, our country th will commemorate the 250 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, signed in Philadelphia in July 1776 and soon thereafter proclaimed throughout the thirteen colonies. The Declaration was a decisive moment in a rebellion against the British Crown that started years earlier in New England with such cascading events as the Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775. The Second Continental Congress convened the next month in Philadelphia. Leaders from the thirteen colonies debated and resolved, making increasing demands of their monarch for reprieve from burdens placed on them. But King George and Parliament ignored their pleas so a rebellion to change the conditions the King imposed on the colonies transformed into the American Revolution to break from Great Britain and declare a new nation.
Tredyffrin is a mere 19 miles from Independence Hall as the crow flies. What was life like in our Township during these years of turmoil and finally conflict?
Tredyffrin was one of nine present-day townships that comprised the Welsh Tract — 62 square miles (Tredyffrin today is 19 square miles) of William Penn's land holdings chartered by the British King in 1681. Persecuted in England, Welsh Quakers sought their own “barony” in America to exercise their religious practices and governance. By 1698, approximately 16 Welsh families had started to settle in Tredyffrin, the “valley township.”
th Recalling our 300 anniversary of municipal incorporation in 2007, many will remember that Tredyffrin Township was founded in 1707. 1715 was the first year that Tredyffrin tax rolls were recorded with names of property owners. Some of these names may be familiar in sections of today's township — Evans in Paoli; Havard in Chesterbrook; the David brothers around Teegarden Park, Strafford and Cedar Hollow; Jarman along Valley Road; Richards in North Berwyn; Walker along Walker Road; and Roberts at Daylesford. The two institutional owners were churches — the Baptist Church in the Great Valley on Valley Forge Road and the Great Valley Presbyterian Church on Swedesford Road. Among much other useful information, the Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society (TEHS) website hosts interactive maps of this period that you can navigate to discover who first owned property in your neighborhood. This link to the 1777 Tredyffrin map is a useful example: http://18ctredyffrin.tehistory.org/1777map. html.
Most early homes in Tredyffrin were cabins constructed of logs. Remarkably, seven cabins still stand today throughout the Township. Most notable for Tredyffrin/Easttown students and their families is the Van Leer-Curwin Log Cabin
BY ROB WILLIAMS, H
built around 1810 and located on the northwest side of Conestoga High School. Tredyffrin then looked like much of the more rural lands of Chester County today, with forests for timber and ever-enlarging farmlands. The northern half of the Township was the fertile Great Valley. Early land holdings were as large as 600 acres, with most about 300-acre farms. For comparison, the full area of Wilson Farm Park today is 86 acres. Farmsteads were scattered far and wide, each with a house, numerous outbuildings, and most often a barn and springhouse along the creek passing through the land.
During this colonial period, recognizable hamlets and villages were not yet established, but numerous mills were built along the Valley and Trout Creeks in the th Great Valley. Over time, most of these 18 century mills were demolished, burned, and are now mere ruins along a creek side. Farm produce, livestock, and flour from the mills was transported eastward along historic Swedesford and Yellow Springs Roads towards the Schuylkill River and eventually distributed in Philadelphia markets.
The 1715 tax records show that only 22 people owned land in Tredyffrin among an estimated population of 130. Properties were divided as family generations evolved and new transplants to Tredyffrin moved to farm the fertile lands. By 1760 the number of landowners rose to 76.
th But the quiet of the mid-18 century would be altered when the American Revolution came to Tredyffrin. In the latter half of 1777, two grand armies totaling 22,000 troops camped in Tredyffrin; the British for three most impactful nights, and the Continental Army for six months.
The stories of Tredyffrin will continue in these Newsletter pages into America's th250 celebration, the Semiquincentennial (Latin: half of 500). Our town's commemoration will start in 2026 along with celebrations in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, but our peak will come in 2027 and 2028 along with the rest of Chester County and the Revolution's Philadelphia Campaign.
Are you interested in our local history and helping to create this celebration? Histories need to be studied and written, events envisioned and developed, libraries and schools prepared with readings and lessons, and conversations started about the meaning and impact of the Declaration of Independence. Help is needed with social media and promotion, event planning, writing, photography and video, and outreach to town merchants and civic organizations.
If you would like to participate, please write to the Historical Commission at tredyffrin@tredyffrin.org. Share your interests and ideas to support our Township's activities. Be sure to let us know how we may contact you.
Van Leer-Curwin Log Cabin (1810) at Conestoga High School
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WHARTON ESHERICK MUSEUM
Imprint 2024: Rhythms marks the Wharton Esherick Museum's 16th annual high school print competition and exhibition. The Imprint program encourages new generations of young artists in the medium of relief printmaking. For this year's Imprint exhibition, we introduced the theme of 'Rhythms.' Much of Esherick's creative practice was shaped by the actors and dancers who surrounded him. He consistently found a way to incorporate that graceful movement into his work, from the Rhythms (1922) woodcut print to his Spiral Library Ladder (1969), and beyond.
Abington High School student Brandon Bacordo was awarded first prize by the guest jurors and museum staff for his print, Geocentrism. A cash prize of $200 was awarded to both Bacordo and the school's art department. Bacordo explains,
“This artwork fits the idea of rhythms by showing four different environments, urban, suburban, rural, and nature, which each have their own different rhythms. But although their wildly different rhythms, they are still connected together by the rhythm of time and the Earth, which not only serves as the central point of the artwork, but also serves as a convergence point for all environments. To further empathize that point, the plaza in the center has 12 spokes, representing a clock, and turning the plaza into a sundial to tell the time.”
Second place was awarded to Andrew Hawkinson from Council Rock School District and third place went to Maddie McMahon from Abington Senior High School. Riese Hughes from Central High School was awarded Honorable Mention and Izzy Tigro from Abington Senior High School won the Viewers' Choice Award. Viewer's Choice voting took place on the museum's Facebook page, where followers were able to weigh in on their favorite prints.
This online exhibition represents a juried selection of works submitted by high school students from across Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties. We are grateful to have had local printmaking artists Katie Garth and Nikki Gilliam as a guest jurors for this year's Imprint competition.
Explore the entire Imprint 2024 exhibition on the Museum's website at www.whartonesherickmuseum.org/imprint-2024
The Wharton Esherick Museum is experienced through guided tours that must be reserved in advance. Visit whartonesherickmuseum.org to make your reservations and learn more about our tours and programs.
Want more time at Wharton's house? Visit www.whartonesherickmuseum.org/volunteer to learn more
Wharton Esherick
Museum
First Place Winner: Brandon Bacordo, Geocentrism, Abington Senior High School
