[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6648306,"mediaKeyId","3032367-f949f945dd487caac2fc1cb7c7d00a41","parentId",3032367,"title","Votes at a glance: Abington Board passes zoning, environmental, contracts and appointments (Feb. 13, 2025)","audioSeconds",2528,"startMs",1444434,"endMs",3972880,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032367-f949f945dd487caac2fc1cb7c7d00a41&start=1444&end=3972","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032367-f949f945dd487caac2fc1cb7c7d00a41/thumbnail_1444434.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6648306/Abington/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Abington-Board-passes-zoning-environmental-contracts-and-appointments-Feb-13-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648306-0ae7eb1dc06c33807d831b737487abd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155743&Signature=jLs5UCgozjKkqA96H8ukw4GSAukIxZwRYs0OA9R8bcJXa0gTDtNNzozI-jsb0Qo0h1GonrWebq03Ngcdvxs7FNE4jwpzXZBMxc4fKzTI1WUCi0jNFn5sFD0iZMawyNGLoPe9A4Fbfe7lxRd~Sd~hcjM1i~InHpm0tj2xr2wHJWka6~3sxC460gFA1KgEz5e1-78VFRnQXhSfQDWPGrqGuCF26UiSk972hAXmlvP1NApWSqaUFHusHSqyJu~lhrT7CePSRnq9vgxMWSnsnpob5lPJgt8YvwkVs6OkrAB3c6pX6VB4xC0cr4YLUdNUAlOR2ocUJS4OnQlQMRoEfv5bcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Abington Township, PA","date","2025-02-13T00:00:00Z","article","At its Feb. 13 meeting the Abington Township Board of Commissioners approved a range of routine and substantive items. The following is a summary of motions, identifying the motion text recorded in the minutes, mover (when stated), and the outcome as entered on the record.

1) Consent agenda (items 8 through H). Motion to pass the consent agenda was moved by Vice President Matt Vahey and seconded; the motion carried on voice vote. Outcome: approved.

2) BOC-08-021325 — Preliminary and final major subdivision and land development (LD-22-01) for DGS Associates, 1603 and 1617 Old Road; Resolution 25-06. Motion moved and seconded; no opposition recorded. Outcome: approved.

3) BOC-09-021325 — Public hearing and adoption, Ordinance 22-25 (zoning amendment to create/use-category for tobacco store/smoke shop/vape shop). Motion to open hearing and adopt moved by Vice President Matt Vahey; hearing opened, public comments taken, hearing closed by motion, and ordinance adopted. Outcome: approved.

4) BOC-10-021325 — Ordinance 22-26 (single-use plastics and expanded polystyrene foam products). Motion to adopt moved and seconded; the motion carried with one recorded dissent. Outcome: approved (one dissent).

5) BOC-11-021325 — Three-year agreement with Montgomery County (snow and ice clearance on county highways, bridges, sidewalks and approaches) beginning 10/15/2024 and ending 09/31/2027 (as listed in motion). Motion moved and seconded; approved on voice vote. Outcome: approved.

6) BOC-12-021325 — Resolution 25-008: appoint tax collection committee delegates (primary delegate Janet Herman; first alternate Christopher Christman; second alternate Monica Embry), effective 02/14/2025. Motion moved and seconded; approved. Outcome: approved.

7) Resolution to appoint Christopher Christman as chief administrative officer for the township's nonuniformed and police pension plans, effective Feb. 2025. Motion moved and seconded; approved. Outcome: approved.

8) BOC-14-021325 — Appointments: Travis D'Onofrio to Shade Tree Commission (term to 12/2028) and Peaches Cooper to Environmental Advisory Council (term to 12/31/2027). Motion moved and seconded; approved. Outcome: approved.

9) BOC-15-021325 — Change Order No. 1 to K.R.F. (construction administration services) for the inclusive park and playground, amount $11,000. Motion moved and seconded; approved. Outcome: approved.

10) BOC-16-021325 — Authorization of contingency funding for the inclusive park and playground project in the amount of $50,000 for unforeseen expenditures during construction (to be drawn from a $150,000 contingency fund). Motion moved and seconded; approved. Outcome: approved.

11) BOC-17-021325 — Resolution 25-010: compensation for absent township tax collector for period 2026–2029. Motion moved and seconded; approved. Outcome: approved.

12) Finance Committee item FC-01-021325 — Motion to approve December 2024 expenditures in the amount recorded in the meeting record and salaries/wages as stated; roll-call vote conducted. Motion carried by roll call (individual commissioners recorded as voting yes). Outcome: approved.

For several items the motion text shown in the meeting transcript is abbreviated in the minutes; where the transcript lists an ordinance or resolution number, that identifier is included here. The meeting record shows motions were generally moved by Vice President Matt Vahey or other commissioners and seconded; formal roll-call votes were used for the finance item and voice votes for many other measures.

The board completed new-business items and heard additional public comment before adjourning the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 13, 2025 Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal motions and outcomes recorded at the Abington Township Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 13, 2025, including ordinance adoptions, contracts, appointments and budget approvals.","taxTitle","Abington, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania","taxId",60954,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6648311,"Abington amends zoning to restrict vape shops; public hearing notes state-law limits on outright bans",551,1514380,2065451,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032367-f949f945dd487caac2fc1cb7c7d00a41&start=1514&end=2065","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032367-f949f945dd487caac2fc1cb7c7d00a41/thumbnail_1514380.jpg","/articles/6648311/Abington/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Abington-amends-zoning-to-restrict-vape-shops-public-hearing-notes-state-law-limits-on-outright-bans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648311-69409b4e47ff71a655c451e147f90846/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155743&Signature=WVmYBrscKpTd9MgMv~kunWX-z-A-d5C2jy3I4sNPCUJCD8MKybr9r6UG44zwOY9YMqrZUHaiN2J1~c~zLff9WomPxRmQMA929W3quDLGRLoLi7TfzExd-l-zdaZ~scv4xyJG7z03rjcYXhIZwZIcAcV5KzqOv4h4LLUTNf-PcJRhOADRQPQbYyt5JbIpf08LtKQwcntlpqmwC6GIi-vtnGdlb6DYWBdUrDWWasEvi4GH3FtQJnc6Mu54iKChTUKILCa247pudnv9BJluWiOgPAV-Y3hxb1tnXWENwfjVlN3nteqCurZZ1CN3BTQj0vWSVoUtJf-F0rWt2q3Mw3JqWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Abington Township Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing Feb. 13 and then adopted Ordinance 22-25 to amend the township zoning code to add a use category for \"tobacco store/smoke shop/vape shop\" and to restrict where that use may locate in the township.

The hearing included public comment from residents who said they are concerned about the number of vape shops visible along commercial corridors and the ease with which minors can obtain vaping products. Adele Cubell, who spoke at the hearing, said the township has \"at least 30 vape shops\" in or near Abington and urged limits on new locations: \"No more vape shops,\" she said.

Solicitor Clark explained the legal constraints facing local governments considering restrictions on tobacco and vaping retailers: \"The selling of these products ... is regulated by the state and ... the federal government. You are not permitted to completely ban a lawful use. You have to make provisions in your zoning code for a lawful use to be allowed at least somewhere within the township. You are allowed to have reasonable regulations regarding how they operate, where they can go.\" He said the draft ordinance was written to be the most permissible restriction likely to withstand legal challenge.

Commissioners expressed support for action to limit new vape shops in sensitive areas, noting concerns raised by parents and school staff. Commissioner Laney Martin said she had received multiple constituent calls and called the ordinance \"a huge public concern in Abington.\"

After public comment and solicitor remarks, the board voted to close the hearing and then to adopt Ordinance 22-25. The vote carried with affirmative voice votes and no recorded opposition. The ordinance will amend Article XXI (use regulations) and related parking and comprehensive-use matrix sections to add the new use category and applicable location restrictions.

The solicitor and several commissioners emphasized the ordinance's regulatory (zoning) approach rather than an outright prohibition, noting the township's need to align with state and federal laws governing tobacco and vape product sales.

The board adopted the ordinance and moved on to other agenda items.","After a public hearing, the township adopted Ordinance 22-25 to add specific use-category provisions for tobacco/smoke/vape shops in the zoning code; the solicitor said the township may regulate locations but cannot ban a lawful use entirely.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6648316,"Abington adopts ban on single-use plastics and expanded polystyrene; board declines paper-bag fee for now",1153,2111910,3265260,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032367-f949f945dd487caac2fc1cb7c7d00a41&start=2111&end=3265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032367-f949f945dd487caac2fc1cb7c7d00a41/thumbnail_2111910.jpg","/articles/6648316/Abington/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Abington-adopts-ban-on-single-use-plastics-and-expanded-polystyrene-board-declines-paper-bag-fee-for-now","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648316-1e1745f588732c27b5ceea89f391b290/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155743&Signature=avMChTJoQ3QwRTmCgQbKjDi4d3lU17SDNM95soCZ-qvKaBPPdpvDnvInICfmBqurDB-vWSAlpx3tNmZusk~ggQynUBBLAfB84aKOQ0N3kb6hsNMBEi9eTht2BFdvTNxCe0XGDSP6bd0AO3w6y3eLjOkZMzhdPHmkxMNpI~AqWpUgltSV23a1uyVdo0LNs9772h~PXnO3qaciRU9YKwyPwMQalWLEHVBiRyji2UdWIxkAp83h36Pb4vmGgv7CdrN2XqMHUxg3fYGl56vVwCBHTUm9eUaN8-uq2cElzlptazFbVAb5z~-IR1Tfc26~8fOi50IpTN5SS6yVZxTDtiwyXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Abington Township Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 13 to adopt Ordinance 22-26, banning single-use plastic bags and expanded polystyrene foam products in the township.

The ordinance, moved and seconded during the board's new-business section, passed after roughly an hour of public comment and discussion among commissioners about whether the measure should include a 10¢ convenience fee on paper bags to encourage reusable bag use.

Supporters at the meeting and in the public record said the ban will reduce litter and environmental harm. Jackie Pickering, a Meadowbrook resident who spoke during the public-comment period, told commissioners she had checked with major retailers and found many already offer incentives or do not charge for paper bags. \"What we don't want to do is have people just move to paper because [they] end up in the landfill,\" Pickering said.

Others urged stronger rules. Resident Amit Simon asked the board to require recycled-content paper if the fee is not adopted: \"If you're implementing a policy that will knowingly increase the use of paper bags ... why not have a provision that requires use of recycled paper?\" he said, arguing recycled paper would reduce the ordinance's environmental trade-offs.

Commission discussion focused on two issues: whether a paper-bag fee should be added now and whether the ordinance should require a minimum recycled-content standard for paper bags. Vice President Matt Vahey clarified earlier edits to the draft ordinance: \"We removed the requirement to print that the material is recycled. We did not remove the requirement that the material has to be recycled. It has to have at least 40% post-consumer material.\" That 40% post-consumer-content requirement remains in the adopted ordinance.

Commissioner John Spiegelman, who said he had considered proposing the bag fee as an amendment, summarized his plan to monitor implementation before pursuing a fee: if the shift from plastic to disposable paper is observed in local retailers, he said, he will bring an agenda item to add a convenience fee in the months after the ordinance takes effect. \"If the latter is the case ... I will be asking our board leadership and township administration for an agenda item to amend this ordinance with a bag fee,\" Spiegelman said.

Other commissioners voiced concerns that a convenience fee could place an undue burden on some residents or be unpopular with local businesses, while several said they supported the underlying ban but preferred to revisit a fee later.

The motion to adopt Ordinance 22-26 carried with one recorded dissent and otherwise affirmative voice votes.

The board also heard public suggestions for nonregulatory measures to accompany the ban, including voluntary sustainable-storefront recognition programs and business engagement to encourage reusable bags. Abakaki Evans, an associate member of the township's Environmental Advisory Council, pointed to a neighboring borough's voluntary storefront recognition program as a possible model for Abington.

Implementation notes provided during the meeting indicated the ordinance will be bid- and grant-compliant where federal funds are involved; staff said some components of projects tied to federal funding (for example, curbside or recycling work) must meet federal guidelines.

The board approved the ordinance and moved to the remaining agenda items.","The Abington Township Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance 22-26 prohibiting single-use plastic bags and expanded polystyrene foam products, while debate over a convenience fee for paper bags continued and a single dissent was recorded on the final vote.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Abington Board passes zoning, environmental, contracts and appointments (Feb. 13, 2025)

Abington amends zoning to restrict vape shops; public hearing notes state-law limits on outright bans

Abington adopts ban on single-use plastics and expanded polystyrene; board declines paper-bag fee for now