A Letter from Benjamin Hover, Council President
Dear Lansdowne residents,
Happy New Year! As we celebrate the new Year and move through Winter into the Spring, this year Lansdowne Borough will continue the growth and renaissance of Lansdowne with projects coming to fruition, businesses opening in our downtown, and new development of housing breaking ground this year!
New Council:
First of all, I want to welcome and congratulate the new members of Council and our new Mayor. This year promises to be full of great opportunities for the building of our community. Our new Councilmembers bring wonderful new perspectives to Council and as a whole are organized to address the needs of our community. We voted on January 3 for our reorganization. Please find the organizing resolutions here with the Council responsibilities for each Committee.
READ MORE HERE.
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Borough Council Meeting Notes:
December, 2021 | January, 2022
December 23rd 2021
Borough council discussed and took action to adopt an ordinance setting the 2022 sewer fee
January 3rd 20022
Borough Council conducted reorganization proceedings and took action to:
- Adopt Resolution 2022-01 establishing Council Committees, liaisons, and protocols
- Adopt Resolution 2022-02 establishing Council decorum
- Adopt Resolution 2022-03 regarding authority and process for Borough Boards and Commissions
- Advertise a schedule for Borough Council Committee meetings for the year of 2022
- Accept Letter of Engagement from the Borough Solicitor
- Adopt 2022-04 creating the Campuzano Award in honor of former Mayor Tony Campuzano.
January 19th 2022
Borough Council Discussed:
- Members of the William Penn School District’s use of the 20th Century Club
- Use of the Twentieth Century Club by the organization Children First PA
- Correspondence from Delaware County regarding a grant award – Delco Greenways
- A request by the HLTC to issue a letter extending RCAP grant to 06/30/2023
- A resolution regarding recognition of the Lunar New Year
- Various proposals of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee
Borough Council took action to:
- Authorize payment of bills for the period beginning December 15th 2021
- Issue letter requesting RCAP grant extension for the HLTC renovation project
- Accept letter of resignation from Jayne Young from the ZHB
- Accept letter of resignation from Carol Martsolf from the EAC
- Accept letter of resignation from Carol Martsolf from the Parks and Recreation Board
- Appoint Dana Robinson as the Chair of the EAC
- Award demolition contract to BRB Contractors
- Award sanitary sewer maintenance contract to Garguile Contractors
- Apply for Tree City – Arbor Day Foundation designation
- Accept letter of resignation from Mr. Joseph Stevenson from the Civil Service Commission
- Reappoint Richard Smalley to Civil Service Commission for a term expiring 1/19/2027
- Appoint Janet English to Civil Service Commission a term expiring 1/19/2027
- Appoint Saadiq Kamara as an alternate to Civil Service Commission a term expiring 1/19/2027
- Hire Thomas Mccole as part-time daytime parking enforcement officer
- Hire Mizani Smith as part-time overnight parking officer
- Approve publishing of a brochure for the EAC
- Approve promoting of the Make Ben Proud (.com) web portal
- Appoint Alana Walls to the EAC for a term expiring 1/19/2025
- Adopt Resolution 2022-05 regarding the Lunar New Year
- Allow the School Board Members to use the TCC for four Saturdays in March 9AM to 10AM
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Mayor Byrne presented the Campuzano Award to Tony Campuzano for his service to the borough, most recently as the borough's mayor. Tony Campuzano is pictured with his wife, Marie Campuzano.
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Join Us for Park Cleanups!
The Parks & Recreation Board has planned clean up events at different parks throughout the year on the first Saturday of the month from 10am-12pm. It’s a great way to get outside, visit new or favorite parks, meet neighbors and the events are family friendly. Our tentative schedule for the next two months will be:
Gateway Park in February and Interboro Park in March.
Look for details and sign-up by following us on Facebook, under Lansdowne Parks & Recreation Board.
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In observance of the Lunar New year, the Year of the Tiger, Lansdowne Borough expresses the deepest respect for Asian Americans and all individuals throughout the world who celebrate this occasion and wish Asian Americans a happy and prosperous New Year.
Read the Resolution
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Lansdowne Council Members Sworn In
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At the January 3, 2022, Lansdowne Reorganization Meeting new council members Kellie Bowker, Robert Curry, Carol Martsolf and Jayne Young were sworn in as well as Magda Byrne as Mayor and Bill Smith as Tax Collector.
Borough Council also voted unanimously for the following officers:
- Council President Benjamin Hover
- Council Vice President Sinoe Naji-Taylor
- Council President Pro Tempore Tangela James
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Mayor Magda Byrne is sworn in
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Councilmember Carol Martsolf
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Councilmember Robert Curry
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Councilmember Kellie Bowker
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Councilmember Jayne Young
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Tax Collector Bill Smith
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At the January 3, 2022, Lansdowne Reorganization Meeting, new council members Kellie Bowker, Robert Curry, Carol Martsolf and Jayne Young were sworn in as well as Magda Byrne as Mayor and Bill Smith as Tax Collector. Lansdowne Borough is excited to welcome Kellie Bowker, Robert Curry, Carol Martsolf and Jayne Young to Council. We also welcome Magda as Mayor and Bill Smith as Tax Collector. Each of Lansdowne Borough’s newly elected officials are excited to contribute to the Borough in a new way.
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Magda Byrne- Mayor
Magda Byrne is no stranger to Lansdowne government. She has served 2 terms as an elected member of Borough Council, serving as Vice President of Council for the past two years. She hopes to use her vast array of knowledge from council to help advocate for the work that council is doing and the residents. Learn more about Magda here.
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Kellie Bowker- Council Member
Kellie Bowker fell in love with Lansdowne when she moved here 26 years ago. Driving through the Borough, she felt like there was a real sense of community and everyone took pride in where they lived. She and her partner raised their two daughters here, and now her love for Lansdowne has drawn her to serve on Borough Council. Learn more about Kellie here.
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Robert Curry- Council Member
Robert Curry has been living in Lansdowne for the past 15 years with his wife and 2 children. Currently an Assistant Principal at Pennwood High School he has been a part of the William Penn School district for the past 4 years. Robert was inspired to join council due to his drive to help others. Learn more about Robert here.
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Carol Martsolf- Council Member
Carol has been a Lansdowne resident for 27 years now. First attracted to the town by its multimodal transportation and walkability, she has come to love Lansdowne and wants to give back to the community by being on Borough Council. She is proud that she raised her adult daughter in this town, since birth. It provided a great community for growing up. Learn more about Carol here.
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Jayne Young- Council Member
Jayne Young has been a part of the Lansdowne community for 38 years. She is no stranger to Lansdowne Borough and served as the borough Mayor for 12 years. Inspired to run by the caliber of the other candidates running for Council, Jayne hopes to bring her institutional memory and expertise from previous positions to her new role. Learn more about Jayne here.
Jayne is pictured on right with Mayor Byrne
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Lansdowne Borough Council, Mayor Magda Byrne, and the Lansdowne Police Department would like to thank Community Volunteer, Jessica Pointer, for organizing a Hygiene Drive to support the students of the William Penn School District.
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Thank you to the Lansdowne residents for stepping up and donating so many supplies at Borough Hall. Thank you also to State Representative Gina Curry for supporting Lansdowne and our neighbor Mayor Joe Bland from East Lansdowne for supporting the intake. Read more here.
Pictured: Representative Gina Curry, Sergeant Schiazza, Mayor Joe Bland, Mayor Magda Byrne, Jessica Pointer, Council President Benjamin Hover, Michael Cantor, and Ramsey Beyer.
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Hays Park Cleanup
The work of the Borough never stops.Even on Christmas Eve, crews hired by the Borough continued the work to cut back underbrush and poison ivy off the fence line sin Hays Park. Lansdowne Borough Council is dedicated to investing in the Parks, recreation, and Green spaces in Lansdowne. And, Borough Council voted to increase the budget for Parks next year. If you have ideas for investment in the Parks or concerns about maintenance, contact the dedicated appointed members of the Parks and Recreation Board of Councilmembers. Grow green in Lansdowne!
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The recently enacted 2022 Lansdowne Borough budget reduces real estate tax by 5% to 7.3039 mills. For the median assessed property value of $146,000 the Borough real estate tax is $1,066.
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The 2022 tax bill mailed on or about February 1st also includes trash and sewer fees. The 2022 annual trash fee will increase $20 for each housing unit from $343 to $363. The purpose of the increase is to offset the increase per-ton fee charged by the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority to receive trash material from the Borough from $58 per ton to $78. The 2022 sewer fee remains unchanged from 2021 at $7.52 per 1,000 gallons and the Borough will not pass through, a 12% increase in fees charged by the sewage treatment facility to treat flow volumes. In 2022 the earned income (wage) tax of ½ of 1 percent (.05%) will remain unchanged.
Learn more here
2022 Budget Document
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Borough Planning & Project Updates
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Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Launches Citizen Survey
You are invited to participate in the Comprehensive Plan process! Complete the Citizen Survey - we value your feedback! Take the survey below!
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The Gateway Slope Project is underway in Lansdowne! It will create a beautiful and welcoming “Gateway” to our wonderful town. “Gateway Slope Notes” are notes by Parks and Recreation Board Member Carol Martsolf, who is a professional civil engineer in Pennsylvania. In these notes, Carol shares educational updates and some basic insights so Lansdowne residents can be updated on the project.
Gateway Slope Note # 63 - Lamps Installed!: Everything is really coming together on this project! The lamps (LED luminaire) were installed! There is no electricity connected to them yet, but that should be occurring once coordination with PECO is complete. The location for the service enclosure is already dug and ready to be filled. There is also temporary mulch cover on the vegetated swale until grass is established. The wooden fence was also installed near Eldon Rd. Great progress! #GatewaySlopeNotes
Learn more here.
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Weekly Police Blotter
Chief Kenneth Rutherford issues a police blotter each week and posts it to the website.
- To receive the weekly police blotter in your inbox each week you may subscribe HERE
- OR view the weekly police blotters on the website HERE
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Sergeant James McCaughan Retires
On Friday January 7th, 2022 Sgt. James McCaughan retired from the Lansdowne Police Department. Known by friends, family, and residents as “JimBob” he served the community for 25 years. Sgt. McCaugan was a prime example of what a Police Officer should be. The community of Lansdowne will never fully know the extent that Sgt. McCaughan went to, to ensure their safety.
During the course of his career he was a member of the Emergency Response Team, Police Mountain Bike Unit, and was a Patrol Sergeant. He finished his career assigned to the Criminal Investigations Divison where he worked on numerous high profile cases which led to arrests and convictions.
In 2003 he represented Lansdowne Police as he traveled to Barcelona, Spain where he won a silver medal in boxing at the Police and Fire World Games. He was awarded “Officer of The Year” in 2005.
The community and department will surely miss your leadership and dedication Sgt. McCaughan. Enjoy your next adventure! Read more here.
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Officer Ronald Lassiter Sworn in as Full Time Officer
At this month's Council Meeting, Mayor Tony was awarded for his service, Sergeant James McCaughan honored for his retirement and Officer Ronald Lassiter was sworn in as a full time officer. See pictures from the awards ceremony below.
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Overnight Parking Permits Available
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2022 overnight parking permits are available online. Click here to get yours and click on “Online Parking Permits” on the right side of the page.
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- Half of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February.
- 1 in every 7 home fires and 1 in every 5 home fire deaths involves heating equipment.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators or space heaters.
- Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away from your home as possible.
- Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.
- Plug only 1 heat-producing appliance (like a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
- Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year.
- Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container, and keep it outside at least 10 feet from your home and any nearby buildings.
Learn more here.
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Board, Committee and Commission News:
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SPIDERS, and SEWERS, and SONGBIRDS -- oh my!
Participants in the Lansdowne Public Library’s Steps into Nature programs learned about all nature bugs, trees, mammals and birds!
Did you know that:
—a harmless spider was first discovered in Lansdowne? In all the world it exists only in our region.
—trees don’t just drop their leaves in fall? With special “scissor cells,” they actually cut their own leaves off!
—Lansdowne’s foxes help keep our houses from being overrun with mice?
—dozens of colorful bird species, each with its own special lifestyle, live in Lansdowne?
Participants in the Lansdowne Public Library’s Steps into Nature programs learned about all these things! Last fall the library held four hands-on outdoor programs, with info interesting to all ages, on the topics of bugs, trees, mammals, and birds.
Learn more here.
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From the Lansdowne Public Library
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Coronavirus Resources and News:
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For the latest Delaware County COVID testing sites CLICK HERE.
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Coronavirus Information:
Lansdowne borough has created a page for all residents to stay updated on the COVID-19 Pandemic. Lansdowne Borough has been updating this site with the latest information as it is received. In addition please find the following resources below: |
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Community News and Events:
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Lansdowne Borough Pet of the Month: Meet Bello!
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Bello was the only dog not barking in the shelter so his owner took him home. He is the sweetest little chap you can meet.
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Want to submit your pet to be featured in the monthly eNews? CLICK HERE TO ENTER YOUR PET
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How to Keep Your Pet Safe in Winter
In most parts of the country, the weather is beginning to get colder and winter is creeping around the corner. For some of our very furry friends, this is the best part of the year, and for others they are just as cold, if not colder, than we are. For all of our pets, big or small, this season can pose major health risks in quite a few ways.
Whether it's ice melts, chapped paws or flaking skin, it’s important to stay aware of what winter brings our four-legged friends. Check out these top 10 cold weather safety tips from the ASPCA to know what to watch out for and how you can keep your pets safe, happy and healthy through the winter months
- If it is too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pets
- After each walk, make sure to wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach.
- Massage petroleum jelly into your pet’s paw pads before going outside to help protect from salt and chemical agents.
- Keep your home humidified and be sure to towel dry your pet as soon as they come inside to avoid itchy, flaking skin.
- Never shave your dog down to their skin during winter.
- Try not to bathe your pet as often during cold spells.
- Thoroughly clean up any antifreeze spills.
- Feed your pet a little extra in the winter months.
- Ensure your furry companion has a warm place to sleep that’s off the floor and away from drafts.
- Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm.
Be sure to keep these tips top of mind this winter so that you and your furry friends can stay warm, cozy and safe.
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Have you ever wondered who coproduces the Illuminate the Avenue Winter Lights Parade, Tree Lighting and Santa Visit, National Night Out, and many other events in Lansdowne? It’s the Lansdowne Business & Professional Association!
It takes many hands to make these events a success so if you’re interested in being a part of the fun, we’re looking for people like you! We’re putting together a community/business events committee for nonbusiness owners who’d like to get more involved in our happenings.
Please join us at our monthly meeting on February 8, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at Lorraine’s A Taste of the South, 36 E. Baltimore Ave., to find out how you can be part of something amazing. Learn more here.
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NEXT CONCERT:
SUNDAY MARCH 27at 3PM
We regret that we have needed to pause activities to protect the health and safety of the orchestra during this early-January Coronavirus-19 surge, leading to the cancellation of our February concert.
Learn more about the rest of our concert season here.
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Lansdowne Folk Club Presents:
January 27, 2022 Diana Jones
February 17. 2022 Harmonious Wail
March 24, 2022 ILYAIMY
April 28, 2022 Michael Clem
May 19, 2022 Walter Parks and Rob Curto
June 9, 2022 Shanna in a Dress
All Concerts are held at the 20th Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, PA.
For further information and ticket purchases, visit the LFC website.
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Public Borough Meetings:
Please see the Borough Calendar for a complete list of meeting locations and details.
Please look for meeting announcements as we begin to schedule live meetings. The website calendar has the most up to date information on meetings and will provide virtual attendance directions for those meetings that are still taking place virtually.
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Lansdowne Borough Information
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Borough Council
Benjamin Hover, President
Sinoe Naji-Taylor, Vice President
Kellie Bowker, Member
Robert Curry, Member
Tangela James, Member
Carol Martsolf, Member
Jayne Young, Member
Administration
Craig Totaro, Borough Manager
Mary Young, Senior Bookkeeper
Donna Lang, Treasurer
Betsy Riffert, Assistant to the Borough Manager
Mayor's Office
Magdalena Byrne, Mayor
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Lansdowne Public Library
Bill Paterson, Library Director
Laura Kranefeld, Circulation Manager
Maria McLaughlin, Head of Children's Services
Luzille Burnley, Office Manager
Parks and Recreation
Erica Sollberger, Director
Police
Ken Rutherford, Chief of Police
Public Works
Kevin Laverty, Director
Code Enforcement
Michael Jozwiak, Director, Zoning and Code Enforcement |
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