Communications committee outlines outreach plan for Lower Salford open‑space referendum

The Weber Sapper Communications Committee on Feb. 18 agreed on a public‑information approach to help residents understand a planned open‑space purchase and an associated earned‑income tax referendum for Lower Salford.

Committee members said their role is to maximize accurate distribution of information across township channels rather than to advocate a position. Members reported the township will use its newsletter (Hometown Press, scheduled for May distribution), the website and text alerts; the committee recommended adding targeted voter‑service messaging (registration deadlines and how to vote) and mobilizing an informal volunteer “pack” to share factual materials in neighborhood groups, school and scouting networks.

Why it matters: The referendum would fund purchase and upkeep of a township open‑space parcel the supervisors have negotiated to buy. Committee discussion centered on ensuring newly arrived residents and independents — groups that sometimes miss typical election communications — receive clear guidance on registration and where to find authoritative information.

What was decided and why: Members recommended a short resident survey (see below) and a new‑resident mailing to reach people between when they move in and when they first receive the newsletter or sign up for text alerts. Grace (township staff, present at the meeting) said the recent new‑resident mailing covered houses with sales from Oct. 1 to Feb. 1 and that about 62 mailings went out this cycle. Committee members described a community meeting on Feb. 11 with roughly 20–24 attendees where participants weighed the tax’s costs and benefits; committee discussion reported an illustrative cost figure discussed at that meeting of about $17–$22 per resident (per month estimate mentioned in public discussion).

Survey and timeline: The committee reviewed prior survey results (about 164 responses) and moved to launch a short redeployed survey in March with three questions, adding text alerts to the list of channel options and an explicit “calling/visiting the township office” choice. The survey link or QR code will be placed in the May newsletter; members agreed to leave the survey open through May/June and to collect paper copies at the Harleysville market to broaden reach.

Voter‑service messaging: Committee members emphasized including clear instructions about voter registration and eligibility for the referendum, noting some independents or recent arrivals may not realize they must be registered to vote on the question. The meeting did not record a firm registration deadline; the committee asked staff to include the exact date and registration steps in any outgoing voter‑service materials.

Outreach mechanics: Committee members discussed non‑advocacy materials (historic photos and imagery) to highlight Lower Salford’s open‑space value, and encouraged training of volunteer messengers so information remains accurate. Grace said township staff will continue to own official posts (constant contact, newsletter and website) but welcomed coordination on message formats and channel selection.

Next steps: The committee will finalize the short survey for March distribution, coordinate a QR/link for the May Hometown Press newsletter, and prepare a voter‑service box for email/text and the website with registration instructions and authoritative project facts. The committee also asked staff to confirm the exact registration deadline and to return with any updates at the next meeting.

Sources: Committee discussion and staff updates at the Feb. 18 meeting.