Abington Township · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Abington public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Election Voter Guide
Election day is right around the corner on November 3rd, and you need to know who and what is on your ballot. Check out this quick voter guide to find your exact polling place before heading out to vote.
Cancellation of CDBG-DR Housing Rehabilitation Grant Activity
The township had to cancel an owner-occupied housing rehab program funded by Hurricane Ida relief grants because strict federal rules made local homeowners ineligible.
Meetinghouse Road Sidewalk and ADA Ramp Improvements
Abington is moving forward with bidding for pedestrian and accessibility upgrades along Meetinghouse Road between Sunset Avenue and Westbury Road. These improvements will make walking safer and more accessible for local residents.
Road Salt Mitigation
The council wants to issue an RFP for a road salt management plan, an issue residents have supported. Mitch Gertz will draft it.
Watershed Grant Opportunities and Public Land Resource Allocation
A resident raised concerns about rising water levels and sediment buildup along Tookany Creek causing flooding on Wannamaker Avenue.
State aid increase and library finances
State aid jumped 7% to about $257,000 and the annual appeal raised nearly $51,000 — its best year in three. Some budget categories, like maintenance and periodicals, ran over in 2025.
Adult literacy program
With $20,000 in new funding, the adult literacy program keeps producing wins — students earning nursing test prep, driver's licenses, and CDLs, including one who became an Abington School District bus driver. A June 15 reception is planned.
Zoning Map Corrections Across 13 Wards
The township's zoning map has errors dating back years — homes zoned as parks, split-zoned lots, and mislabeled civic sites. Fixing the map should make permit applications less confusing for homeowners, without changing taxes or allowing new commercial uses on residential streets.
EV Charging Station Infrastructure Expansion
Bids for township EV charging stations came in too high, so the township is rebidding with fewer locations. Installations must be done by year's end, and the EAC may chip in financially once revised bids arrive.
Meeting Document Transparency and Public Notice Windows
Civic association representatives raised concerns that meeting packets and documents are posted too late for residents to review and comment effectively, citing a packet posted over Labor Day weekend.
Code Enforcement and Citation Concerns
A local property owner raised concerns regarding excessive citations and legal fees resulting from code enforcement actions after a lightning strike damaged his swimming pool.
Heritage Tree Program and New Homeowner Outreach
The commission is working out how to reach new Abington homeowners and get free trees planted on their properties, using a private nursery and volunteers to spread the word.
Keswick Village tree removal and replanting
Keswick Village plans to remove unhealthy trees along its main road and has hired a landscape architect. The commission's tree expert agrees the trees are in poor shape but wants the replanting plan to include money for long-term care.
Ordinance revision discussions with Tri-State
The commission plans to invite Liz from Tri-State to a future meeting to discuss ordinance revisions — a step that could shape local human relations enforcement.
Implicit bias training with police department
Commission members Justin Williams and Monique Allen will run an implicit bias training on September 30 at 7 p.m. for the Montco Youth Aid Panel, part of ongoing HRC-Abington Police cooperation.
Keswick Avenue SEPTA Bridge Underpass Mural Project
Arcadia University and the Glenside Civic Association are bringing fresh artwork to the Keswick Avenue underpass. The murals will celebrate local history and nature on both sides of the bridge connecting Abington and Cheltenham.
Willow Grove mall tax assessment and sale
The township paid a $700,000 tax assessment for the Willow Grove mall in July, just before the property was sold. Settlement closes at the end of August, which may affect future tax revenues.
2027 Pension Funding Obligations
The township must set aside roughly $6.85 million for its three pension plans next year. The good news: the total is down $12,000 after last year's $2 million jump, so no new budget pressure.
2027 Township Budget and Environmental Initiatives
The EAC is asking for 2027 funding for a climate action plan, ICLEI membership, a student fellowship, and more — plus a part-time energy manager recommendation going to the township budget.
School Safety and Parking
Abington residents packed a recent town hall to demand urgent school safety upgrades and hash out frustrating local parking headaches. Locals want fast action from town leaders to protect students and fix neighborhood congestion.
Penmore Place HOA tree canopy decline
A 15-home HOA near the Rydal train station has about 13 acres with a thinning canopy and invasive-species problems. The Commission is stepping in to review the property and help build a long-term care strategy — its first-ever HOA partnership.
Ardsley Community Center Lease Extension
The township extended its lease with the school district for the popular Ardsley community center property through September. Officials are working through final legal details for a longer-term agreement.
Municipal Composting and Recycling Outreach
EAC volunteers ran an eco-friendly craft table at the library pop-up event and will bring recycling activities to Pre-Night Out on August 3.
HRC Ordinance Refinement
After the Tri-State HRC coalition meeting, the commission plans training and a review of its own enabling ordinance with expert Liz Bradbury.
National Night Out logistics
The commission is staffing National Night Out on August 3, with volunteers split between shifts and a request for Justin to power wash the tent.
Bird City Network and Briar Bush reforestation grant
Bird Town merged into the international Bird City Network, and Briar Bush received a $132,000 Montco 40 grant (with $20,000 match) for reforestation work happening this year — volunteers are needed. Spring native plant sales raised about $2,000, with a fall sale on September 26.
Abington Art Center Rent Abatement & Facility Improvements
The board approved a three-month rent abatement for the Abington Art Center to offset the cost of heating and plumbing upgrades at the historic Little Meetinghouse. This partnership allows the center to expand year-round programming.
4th of July Parade Quiet Zone
Kristin and Bonnie will try again to establish a quiet zone at the July 4th parade, an effort carried over from earlier meetings.
Voters' rights forum proposal
Chair Michele Cooper floated hosting a forum on voters' rights and intimidation, pending a check of whether the commission's ordinance allows it — possibly with Upper Dublin as a partner.
Police Department Taser Upgrade
The police department is upgrading its non-lethal de-escalation tools by entering into a five-year purchasing agreement for Axon Taser 10 devices.
Swimming Pool Complex Feasibility Study
The township hired Simone Collins to study rebuilding or replacing the municipal pools, incorporating public input and state grant requirements.
Human Relations Commission Outreach and Community Programming
The HRC reviewed recent successes like the Human Library and MLK Day events, while planning future collaborations with Montgomery County Community College and the NAACP to expand local civil rights and community engagement.
Universal library cards across MCLINC libraries
County libraries are moving toward one universal card, so your card would work the same everywhere. Abington dropped replacement fees and lost-item refunds to line up its policies.
2026 Parks and Recreation Fee Increases
The township approved raising various park and pool fees for 2026, including raising resident pool passes from $115 to $130, to help cover rising facility maintenance costs.
MLK Jr. Day Community Celebration
The commission finalized plans for the upcoming MLK Jr. Day celebration, honoring local community leaders and organizations with service awards.
Human Library Event Planning
Organizers are preparing for the February 1 Human Library event, featuring diverse 'human books' sharing lived experiences.
Industrial Fire
A massive industrial fire broke out at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown, forcing evacuation warnings for nearby residents. Thankfully, early air quality tests haven't found any dangerous toxins floating around yet.
Industrial Fire Emergency
Voluntary evacuations and shelter-in-place orders near SPS Technologies in Abington have officially been lifted after an industrial fire scare. If you live in the area, the immediate danger is gone and things are getting back to normal.
Administrative Appointment
Abington Township just brought in a brand-new boss to run daily local government operations. This administrative shakeup means a fresh face is steering the city's day-to-day business.
Traffic Enforcement
Abington Township is installing red-light cameras at local intersections to catch people running traffic lights. If you have a habit of pushing stale yellow lights, you're going to want to break it real quick before these new cameras start snapping photos.