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Council unanimously approves skate‑park talks, road and sewer projects, two stormwater bump‑outs and ad‑option of leaf‑blower ordinance
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Summary
Following a long public comment period on zoning, Narberth Borough Council unanimously approved a letter of intent to reopen skate‑park talks with Lower Merion, authorized the 2026 road bid advertisement, approved design work for two stormwater bump‑outs, and cleared several capital purchases and procedural resolutions.
After an extended public‑comment session dominated by concerns about zoning and parking, Narberth Borough Council moved through a package of administrative and capital actions on Thursday and approved each item by voice vote.
Consent and capital approvals: The council approved the consent agenda (recorded as unanimous, 6–0) and then authorized advertisement to bid the 2026 road program covering Conway Ave, Stewart Ave and Price Ave (about 0.57 miles and ~10,000 sq yd). Council also authorized a CoStars contract for slip‑lining sewer main repairs on the 300 block of Grayling Avenue and an adjacent block at a contract price of $71,650; staff said slip‑lining avoids full trench excavation and repaving, saving money. For winter operations the council approved a $26,131.76 CoStars purchase of an Ariens Mammoth 850 sidewalk snow‑removal unit (attachments included) to reduce overtime and speed sidewalk clearance. Council likewise authorized purchase of a public‑works dump‑truck chassis (CoStars) for $72,980.27 as budgeted in the capital plan.
Skate park letter of intent: Council approved sending a letter of intent to Lower Merion to reopen negotiations about a neighborhood skate park at Narberth Park. Staff and council emphasized the letter does not bind the borough to a final size or footprint; the borough will seek to specify “neighborhood skate park” language consistent with the adopted master parks plan (commonly defined as roughly 6,000–12,000 sq ft) and will form a steering committee, issue an RFP and solicit community input if talks proceed.
Stormwater bump‑outs and MS4 compliance: Council approved staff recommendations to proceed with engineering and design for two sediment‑capture bump‑outs on Windale Road (one at Windale & Shady and a second roughly 100 feet west). Staff explained the work responds to DEP MS4 sediment‑reduction obligations; the borough has secured substantial grant funding for prior installations and expects county conservation‑district grants could cover much of the work. Engineers will present detailed plans publicly before bids are issued.
Noise and nuisance ordinance: Council approved advertising Ordinance 10‑69 to restrict gas‑powered leaf blowers, aligning timing and enforcement with neighboring Lower Merion; the ordinance sets phased enforcement windows (first‑year notice and complaint‑based enforcement was discussed) and also contemplates outreach to landscaping contractors.
Police procedure and trustees: Council adopted Resolution 23‑607 clarifying the borough’s authorization for custodial arrests in certain summary offenses (public intoxication, disorderly conduct, etc.) to support accreditation and risk management. The council accepted the resignation of a police‑pension trustee (Kent Merriman) and noted two vacancies on the Police Pension Fund trustees; staff requested applicants with financial or investment backgrounds.
Votes at a glance: all actions on the agenda were approved by voice vote with no recorded dissenters during the March 19 meeting.
What happens next: For projects requiring design or bidding, staff said they will notify affected residents, present engineering plans to infrastructure committee and advertise bid packages when designs are final. For zoning matters, council will host additional outreach sessions before any ordinance is introduced.
