Abington Township · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Abington public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Acquisition of 2828 Spear Avenue Property
The Abington School District has asked to sell its property at 2828 Spear Avenue in Glenside to the Township of Abington. What the Township intends to do with the parcel is a question residents may want answered as the sale moves forward.
Abington School District Middle School Construction
The school district has filed preliminary and final land development plans for a new middle school. The Planning Commission's review is a key step before the plans move forward, with potential implications for traffic, neighborhood character, and school capacity.
Abington Township Public Library Design RFP
The library is working federal and state channels to fund its building project, with two demolition grant proposals submitted through Congresswoman Dean's and Senator Fetterman's offices and RACP funding meetings planned with state lawmakers. A Keystone grant decision is expected by end of March.
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.
Winter Road Salt Supply Procurement
The township is set to approve its winter road salt contract with Morton Salt through the county consortium to ensure clear roads during snowstorms. Securing the contract ahead of winter locks in pricing of $73.44 per delivered ton.
Abington Separated Bike Lanes Action Plan
The board will consider adopting an action plan for separated bike lanes funded by a regional planning commission grant. This plan aims to expand safe cycling infrastructure throughout the township.
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.
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.
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.
Energy Benchmarking and Efficiency
Springfield Township's solar project is expected to cover 89% of its electricity with a 3-year payback, helped by a $240,000 county grant plus PECO funding — a possible template for Abington.
Commercial and Mixed-Use Development Relief
A proposal to build a mixed-use structure on Limekiln Pike is up for review, involving requests for reduced green area, parking minimums, and floor heights. This project touches on commercial growth and streetscape design in a low-intensity district.
Accessory Dwelling Unit and Residential Zoning Variances
Several property owners are seeking special exceptions and variances to construct accessory dwelling units, outbuildings, and new homes that depart from standard setbacks and lot coverage rules. These requests could influence neighborhood density and stormwater management across multiple wards.
Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) Review
Abington's pension funds and OPEB trust experienced strong growth in 2025, returning nearly 16% for the year despite broader economic and market uncertainties.
Monthly Expenditures and Payroll Authorization
The committee authorized more than $3.1 million in bills and $3 million in staff salaries for January 2026. Residents raised questions about how individual employee compensation is detailed in public documents.
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.
Fall Community Tree Events and Volunteer Coordination
Only 4 of 275 households in the target area have signed up for free trees at the September 12 event. A second round of mailers is going out fast, with a local realtor covering postage.
Retiree Medical Plan Provider Selection
The township approved a 22% rate increase for the Independence Blue Cross retiree medical plan because no other insurance carriers submitted bids. Staff explained that changing federal Medicare regulations have made it difficult for insurance companies to offer competitive pricing.
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.
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.
1209 Rydal Road Conditional Use Denial
Residents strongly opposed a conditional use application for 1209 Rydal Road, leading the board to follow the hearing officer's recommendation and deny the request.
Sewer Connection and Right-of-Way Dispute at 1368 Valley Road
Homeowners on Stockton Road fought an indemnity agreement allowing a new Valley Road development to tie into their local sewer line, raising concerns about capacity and disruption.
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.
Municipal Cash Management and Investment Yields
The committee reviewed how global economic shifts, inflation, and market volatility affected the township's pension and OPEB trust funds during the first quarter of 2026. Advisors noted that while short-term returns dipped slightly around -1.7%, overall fund health remains stable, and underperforming investment managers are under close watch.
Fall native plant sale at Abington Township Library
The fall plant sale is set for September 26 with 200 plants, supporting Bird Town habitat efforts. A Bird Town grant was received by Briar Busch.
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.
Energy benchmarking for public buildings
The EAC is drafting a letter for the Abington School District's solar intake form and reviewed its site plan survey.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Abington Middle School Sustainable Design Review
The current school has no stormwater controls — runoff just drains to the stream. The new plan would collect stormwater in basins under the new turf fields and route it through constructed wetlands, which commissioners liked as a possible teaching tool.
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.
MLK Jr. Day partnership with Willow Grove NAACP
The commission is waiting to hear back from Tony at the NAACP about collaborating on MLK Jr. Day; the NAACP's October 18 banquet may be a chance to connect.
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.
Police License Plate Reader Contract (Axon)
The police department is transitioning its automated license plate reader cameras from Flock to Axon under a new 5-year contract, sparking extensive debate from residents regarding privacy and data surveillance.
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.
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.
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 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.
Keswick Village Pedestrian Safety Grant Application
This EDC-funded study would bring rain gardens, permeable pavers, and better street trees to the Keswick Village area along Easton Road — a flood-prone low point in the township. The final public comment meeting is October 7 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
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.
1919 Easton Road Taco Bell Land Development
Developers want to turn an empty bank into a Taco Bell with a drive-thru. Commissioners pushed back on a few utility and stormwater waivers to make sure the project protects local water quality.
Deer Mitigation Program
Abington police presented statistics showing a sharp rise in deer-related complaints and vehicle accidents over the past five years. To address safety concerns and over-browsing, the board voted to approve two emergency controlled archery hunts at Alverthorpe Park before the season ends.
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.
Beech tree leaf disease treatment funding
The Commission is asking for $21,000 in the 2027 budget to treat beech trees showing leaf disease, with a warning that one-time spending without a long-term plan would be wasted. Members also want to chase grants to stretch the money.
Arbor Day Foundation software cost
The Commission's tree-giveaway software costs about $8,500 a year. Alternatives are cheaper but lack the Arbor Day name recognition and the boost in volunteer turnout and reduced no-shows the current platform delivers.
Proposed Traffic Calming Policy
The township adopted a new policy to help install traffic calming devices and address speeding on neighborhood streets. Residents praised the move as an important first step toward making local roads safer for walking and biking.
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.
Montco 2040 Grant for Invasive Plant Management
Fall removal events at Briar Bush, Roychester Park and other sites will pair volunteers with township pesticide applications targeting wisteria and English ivy, backed by grant funding.