Abington commissioners approve mowing contract, appoint zoning member and authorize rebids; several items tabled

Abington Township Board of Commissioners on March 13 adopted a series of routine and substantive measures, including a multi-year mowing contract, approval of a memorandum of understanding with the Friends of Briar Bush and a roll‑call approval of the township's January expenditures. The board also voted to reject bids for the Ardsley Wildlife Sanctuary Phase 2 project and authorized rebidding.

The actions carried during the voting session included a motion to table one consent item (item C) for further discussion and an approval of the remaining consent agenda items. Commissioners moved through new business items that included a resolution recognizing April 2025 as Pennsylvania’s Safe Digging Month, the mowing contract award, the Ardsley rebid authorization, the Friends of Briar Bush memorandum of understanding and an appointment to the zoning hearing board.

Votes at a glance: The board recorded these formal outcomes during the March 13 meeting: a) Motion to table consent agenda item C — approved (motion to table carried). b) Consent agenda (items A, B and D) — approved. c) Resolution 25013 recognizing April 2025 as Pennsylvania Safe Digging Month — approved. d) Award of the 2025–2027 mowing contract for zones 1, 2 and 3 to M and M Lawn Care East Inc. in the amount of $187,850 per year; authorized a fund balance transfer of $89,516 from account 018200027900000 with the remaining $98,334 from the parks and recreation budget — approved. e) Rejection of Ardsley Wildlife Sanctuary Phase 2 project bids as opened 03/04/2025 and authorization to rebid — approved. f) Memorandum of understanding between Abington Township and the Friends of Briar Bush concerning vehicle use — approved. g) Recommendation appointing Peter Kim to the Zoning Hearing Board to fill a term ending 12/31/2027 — approved. h) Finance committee motion to approve January 2025 expenditures of $3,699,986.30 and salaries/wages of $2,493,864.17; authorization for officials to sign invoices through April 2025 — approved by roll call; motion carried.

Managers and staff described next steps for several items. Assistant Township Manager Ashley McElpaine and Township Manager Chris Christman told the board that the Ardsley Phase 2 rebid is expected to be re‑advertised and that administration aims to present an award for board action by the next month; staff said the project must be completed by year end. On the Friends of Briar Bush vehicle, staff said the township will purchase a replacement van that will be part of the township fleet but remain on site for Friends of Briar Bush use; the existing van will be disposed of via auction or municipal bid because it “does not have safely operating seat belts.”

Details and financial clarifications included in motions: the mowing contract was presented as $187,850 per year for 2025–2027, with a fund balance transfer of $89,516 from account 018200027900000 and $98,334 from parks and recreation account 011045045100000 to cover the first year. The finance committee reported January expenditures and payroll totals in the motion noted above.

The board held no unfinished business and moved to public comment after the voting session concluded. Several residents used the general comment period to raise concerns about code enforcement, alleged rat infestations and the handling of meeting minutes; those comments were heard but did not produce additional formal action at the meeting.

Audience and follow up: Commissioners asked staff to return with additional information on the rebid timeline and to coordinate with the solicitor’s office on bid compliance. Commissioners also signaled that the administration will provide follow‑up on any resident questions related to items that were tabled or approved.