Note from Jeff:
Good morning (or good evening),
Well, it’s that time of year again when the budget is being debated. Once again the library is in the crosshairs. We need your attendance at tomorrow night’s Commissioner meeting in order to drive the point home that we care about the library. Please show up between 6pm and 7pm so that we can get seats. It promises to be a packed house so wear a bright color (green or pink) so that we stand out.
Even more important, be sure to tell a friend. Word of mouth is our best method to increase attendance!
Listed below is a brief description of our cause. Please feel free to stand up and speak during the public forum. We should have a large contingent for the event and your voice needs to be heard, too!
The library accepts that this is a flat year for appropriations. But we can’t possibly be expected to make up for the requested pension MMO payments from the past and going into the future ($81,000 and $60,000)! We simply don’t have the expendable funds.
It appears that the Township wishes to raid the library operating funds in order to keep the appearance of not raising taxes. This is simply hurting library service to residents and not accepting the current costs of running a class one township.
Equally disturbing is that these MMO payments from 2001 and all pension payments since 1959, have been paid by the Township and the residents already taxed! To penalize or essentially take from the library is a double dip.
Please allocate the library the required funds to cover the MMO or keep them within the Township pension costs as they have been since 1959.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Keep The Skatium
It's not often that HU gets personal. But I'm hoping we can find ways (and $$$) to keep the Skatium open.
Repairs cause concern for Skatium future
By Lois Puglionesi
HAVERFORD TWP. — On a typical day this time of year Haverford’s landmark ice-skating rink, the Skatium, bustles with activity.
Opening its doors between 5 and 6 a.m., the 200-foot by 85-foot rink accommodates a steady stream of hockey games and practices, figure skating, lessons, public skating sessions and children's parties, closing at 1 a.m. or later.
At present, the rink is home to groups like Haverford Hawks, St. Joseph’s University College Hockey, the Delaware County Skating Club, and hockey teams from several area high schools including Cardinal O’Hara and Monsignor Bonner. Haverford College also rents ice time.
So it’s no wonder that members of the skating community are in a tailspin over a situation which, if unattended, could put the Skatium out of commission.
That situation concerns a slow leak of refrigerant from pipes that freeze the ice surface.
Technicians doing routine maintenance last spring noticed that 130 to 150 gallons of the ethylene glycol product was missing, but couldn’t pinpoint the source of the problem.
Addressing the board last summer, Township Engineer Dave Pennoni estimated the leak would continue at 20 to 30 gallons per month. Because seepage seemed contained within the rink’s concrete foundation and layers of insulation, the situation was not deemed a health/environmental hazard.
Pennoni then conjectured that the long-term fix would require replacing the entire system at an estimated $500,000 to $1 million.
Hoping to get through hockey season and buy time, the board opted for a short-term strategy that called for adding a stop-leak product.
Officials have since debated and discussed the matter at several meetings without reaching a decision on how to proceed.
With registration for next season fast approaching, groups like Haverford Hawks feel a growing sense of urgency.
Hawks President Al Austin, said, “Everybody is getting worried. People are asking me, ‘do we have a rink next year, are we going to have a club next year,’ and I don’t have an answer. No one has an answer.”
Austin said the club needs an answer by January.
Comprised of 275 players ages six to 18 on about 15 teams, the Hawks are among the largest clubs in the Delaware Valley Hockey League and one of the Skatium’s best clients. They rent 600 to 700 hours of ice time per year, supplementing with time at three other rinks.
The Hawks want to see the Skatium repaired and think it’s “absolutely worth the money,” said Austin. While the Skatium is essential to the Hawks’ survival as a club, the 35-year-old facility is also a landmark, Austin said.
Though it lacks the glitz and glamour of newer rinks, Austin thinks the Skatium has character, old-fashioned charm and better viewing. Additional renovations and repairs could make it even more attractive.
When contacted last week Township Manager Larry Gentile said, “The decision on the future of the Skatium lies with the board of commissioners. However, the board will require a status report on the leak and some anticipated cost to repair the pipes before it can make a decision. At this time we believe the cost to make repairs…will be between $1 million and $1.5 million."
While the Skatium has for some time reaped modest profits, Gentile noted in his recent budget report that revenues fell by about $80,000 this past year.
Gentile has asked Assistant Township Manager/Recreation Director Tim Denny to prepare a status report for the Dec. 7 workshop meeting, which members of the skating community will undoubtedly attend.
Denny said via email that fluid "is no longer in the site glass as of two weeks ago," but "there's no reason to think" the leak has changed.
Denny also noted that the entire system holds about 3,600 gallons of refrigerant and would shut down after losing 30 percent, or about 1,000 gallons.
Commissioners continue to express divergent opinions on the issue.
Having requested a feasibility study of the Skatium for several years, Tom Broido said Tuesday, "I think an intelligent decision can't be made without an investigation of cost versus benefit, projecting what it's going to cost to fix it, run it, and provide for ongoing repair…"
Broido also suggests "looking at alternatives," such as leasing, sale, or converting the Skatium into a multi-use facility.
However, Larry Holmes has consistently expressed support for the Skatium "and any work it needs to remain a township asset and viable skating venue."
In addition to use by hockey clubs, Holmes pointed to the Skatium's value for families and children.
Holmes also maintained that the Skatium's current problems reflect years of neglect by boards squeamish about spending. The Skatium is "the most obvious of all township assets that's going to hell," he said.
Additionally, Holmes thinks "long-term repairs should be made with long-term money," such as a bond issue or bank loan.
Dan Siegel said "the board has not made any decisions regarding the Skatium because nothing has been brought to the board for decision… When the board receives a concrete proposal, we will review it and act accordingly."
Apropos of Siegel's remarks, the Skatium Advisory Board is recommending that commissioners approve a Request for Proposals for the Skatium floor as soon as possible but no later than Dec. 14.
"The sooner the board gets the actual dollar amount it will take to fix the floor the sooner they will be able to make an informed decision," the Advisory Board said in a statement Tuesday.
The Advisory Board will continue its support and efforts to "educate the public as well as commissioners on the importance of the Skatium, a recognized landmark in Haverford Township."
http://www.delconewsnetwork.com/articles/2009/12/02/news_of_delaware_county/news/doc4b16a6764c2bf121909996.txt
Repairs cause concern for Skatium future
By Lois Puglionesi
HAVERFORD TWP. — On a typical day this time of year Haverford’s landmark ice-skating rink, the Skatium, bustles with activity.
Opening its doors between 5 and 6 a.m., the 200-foot by 85-foot rink accommodates a steady stream of hockey games and practices, figure skating, lessons, public skating sessions and children's parties, closing at 1 a.m. or later.
At present, the rink is home to groups like Haverford Hawks, St. Joseph’s University College Hockey, the Delaware County Skating Club, and hockey teams from several area high schools including Cardinal O’Hara and Monsignor Bonner. Haverford College also rents ice time.
So it’s no wonder that members of the skating community are in a tailspin over a situation which, if unattended, could put the Skatium out of commission.
That situation concerns a slow leak of refrigerant from pipes that freeze the ice surface.
Technicians doing routine maintenance last spring noticed that 130 to 150 gallons of the ethylene glycol product was missing, but couldn’t pinpoint the source of the problem.
Addressing the board last summer, Township Engineer Dave Pennoni estimated the leak would continue at 20 to 30 gallons per month. Because seepage seemed contained within the rink’s concrete foundation and layers of insulation, the situation was not deemed a health/environmental hazard.
Pennoni then conjectured that the long-term fix would require replacing the entire system at an estimated $500,000 to $1 million.
Hoping to get through hockey season and buy time, the board opted for a short-term strategy that called for adding a stop-leak product.
Officials have since debated and discussed the matter at several meetings without reaching a decision on how to proceed.
With registration for next season fast approaching, groups like Haverford Hawks feel a growing sense of urgency.
Hawks President Al Austin, said, “Everybody is getting worried. People are asking me, ‘do we have a rink next year, are we going to have a club next year,’ and I don’t have an answer. No one has an answer.”
Austin said the club needs an answer by January.
Comprised of 275 players ages six to 18 on about 15 teams, the Hawks are among the largest clubs in the Delaware Valley Hockey League and one of the Skatium’s best clients. They rent 600 to 700 hours of ice time per year, supplementing with time at three other rinks.
The Hawks want to see the Skatium repaired and think it’s “absolutely worth the money,” said Austin. While the Skatium is essential to the Hawks’ survival as a club, the 35-year-old facility is also a landmark, Austin said.
Though it lacks the glitz and glamour of newer rinks, Austin thinks the Skatium has character, old-fashioned charm and better viewing. Additional renovations and repairs could make it even more attractive.
When contacted last week Township Manager Larry Gentile said, “The decision on the future of the Skatium lies with the board of commissioners. However, the board will require a status report on the leak and some anticipated cost to repair the pipes before it can make a decision. At this time we believe the cost to make repairs…will be between $1 million and $1.5 million."
While the Skatium has for some time reaped modest profits, Gentile noted in his recent budget report that revenues fell by about $80,000 this past year.
Gentile has asked Assistant Township Manager/Recreation Director Tim Denny to prepare a status report for the Dec. 7 workshop meeting, which members of the skating community will undoubtedly attend.
Denny said via email that fluid "is no longer in the site glass as of two weeks ago," but "there's no reason to think" the leak has changed.
Denny also noted that the entire system holds about 3,600 gallons of refrigerant and would shut down after losing 30 percent, or about 1,000 gallons.
Commissioners continue to express divergent opinions on the issue.
Having requested a feasibility study of the Skatium for several years, Tom Broido said Tuesday, "I think an intelligent decision can't be made without an investigation of cost versus benefit, projecting what it's going to cost to fix it, run it, and provide for ongoing repair…"
Broido also suggests "looking at alternatives," such as leasing, sale, or converting the Skatium into a multi-use facility.
However, Larry Holmes has consistently expressed support for the Skatium "and any work it needs to remain a township asset and viable skating venue."
In addition to use by hockey clubs, Holmes pointed to the Skatium's value for families and children.
Holmes also maintained that the Skatium's current problems reflect years of neglect by boards squeamish about spending. The Skatium is "the most obvious of all township assets that's going to hell," he said.
Additionally, Holmes thinks "long-term repairs should be made with long-term money," such as a bond issue or bank loan.
Dan Siegel said "the board has not made any decisions regarding the Skatium because nothing has been brought to the board for decision… When the board receives a concrete proposal, we will review it and act accordingly."
Apropos of Siegel's remarks, the Skatium Advisory Board is recommending that commissioners approve a Request for Proposals for the Skatium floor as soon as possible but no later than Dec. 14.
"The sooner the board gets the actual dollar amount it will take to fix the floor the sooner they will be able to make an informed decision," the Advisory Board said in a statement Tuesday.
The Advisory Board will continue its support and efforts to "educate the public as well as commissioners on the importance of the Skatium, a recognized landmark in Haverford Township."
http://www.delconewsnetwork.com/articles/2009/12/02/news_of_delaware_county/news/doc4b16a6764c2bf121909996.txt
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