Township of Lower Merion

This Tree Canopy Management Plan provides a 10-year strategic framework to preserve and increase the Township's urban tree canopy through 2034. Key recommendations include establishing township-wide canopy cover goals with five-year monitoring intervals, adopting a species diversity policy adhering to the 30/20/10 guideline, and expanding replanting strategies. The plan also emphasizes fully integrating the tree inventory into the Traisr GIS/Asset Management System to support data-driven policy decisions and maximize the benefits of the urban forest.

The Finance Committee meeting addressed the authorization to accept a proposal for property and liability insurance coverage. Staff recommended accepting the proposal from the Kilmer Group/Keystone Insurers Group for coverage effective January 1, 2026, at a cost of $852,536. This proposal offers improved coverage amounts and results in an estimated premium savings of $103,607 in 2026 compared to the renewal price from the current provider, the Delaware Valley Property & Liability Trust program.

The Building & Planning Committee meeting agenda included consideration for the authorization to release funds held in escrow as Improvement Guarantees for the Inwood Farms project (Escrow Release No. 4). Key discussion items also involved making recommendations to the Board of Commissioners regarding a Preliminary Land Development Plan for 1400 Waverly Road (Waverly Heights), which entails demolishing seven villas and constructing new apartment buildings and additions, necessitating waivers for site disturbance on steep slopes and for driveway profiles exceeding maximum slope limits. The agenda also listed items for the approval of Certificates of Appropriateness and Historical Commission applications.

The Police Committee agenda included consideration for recommendation to the Board of Commissioners authorizing the Township Manager to issue conditional offers of employment for four open police positions. The need arises because the Police Department currently has 118 active officers out of an authorized complement of 136 sworn officers, leaving 18 open positions. The action involves authorizing conditional offers to four candidates from the certified list approved on July 29, 2025. Successful candidates will either attend the police academy for Act 120 certification or begin in-house training and the Field Training Officer Program if already certified. The funding for these positions is included in the 2025 adopted budget and the 2026 proposed budget.

The Police Committee meeting agenda included authorization for police promotions, specifically seeking recommendation for the promotion of one Sergeant from the certified list. A revised item focused on authorization to issue conditional offers of employment to five probationary police candidates who meet Civil Service requirements to fill open positions, noting that the department has 17 vacancies. Another revised item sought authorization for the Civil Service Commission to conduct competitive examinations to establish a new eligibility list for the position of Probationary Police Officer to address anticipated future needs, as the current list is expected to be depleted after the January 2026 academy class.