Township sets goals for year

Facebook chats, offsite meetings on to-do list

UPPER GWYNEDD » Township staff and the board of commissioners now have a lengthy to-do list to tackle for the rest of 2020 and beyond.

That to-do list includes setting up several new volunteer boards and commissions, holding public meetings away from the township municipal complex and live chats online, and several steps meant to improve transparency and bring residents closer to local government.

“It’s an exciting time in Upper Gwynedd — a lot of changes, and new things to roll out,” said Township Manager Sandra Brookley Zadell.

In January the newly-elected commissioners and staff hosted a day-long goal- setting meeting to discuss and develop goals and priories for the upcoming year. Zadell outlined the main takeaways Monday night, detailing which goals look likely to be finished this year, which look likely to run into or be budgeted for 2021, and others that may go beyond both years.

The goals list is broken down into several main categories: transparency and engagement, environmental issues, combating discrimination and encouraging diversity, mobility issues, and staff and employee retention, with additional goals for the township’s planning, zoning and code enforcement and for township facilities and emergency services.

Most visible to the public early on will be several of the transparency goals, including having commissioners meet and greet residents before public meetings begin, and taking those meetings offsite to reach certain communities.

“The whole point of the ‘transparency and citizen engagement’ piece of the goals was to make meetings more approachable to residents, and make residents feel like they’re part of our meetings,” Zadell said.

Anyone interested in learning more about the township and its staff should save the dates of March 24 at 7:30 p.m. and April 16 at 8 p.m., Zadell said: she’s planning two interactive chats on Facebook Live to field and answer any questions from residents.

“Basically, we’ll just go live to answer any questions that residents might have. When I did it in the past, it was really well-received” in another municipality, Zadell said.

Those who take part can do so via the township’s Facebook page, where Zadell and other staff members will field questions as they’re submitted, and take down information to contact those whose questions they can’t answer right away.

“It’s really fun, and it’s a great way to engage the public, and

MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE PHOTO New Lansdale Police Chief Michael Trail is sworn in by Lansdale Mayor Garry Herbert on March 28, 2018. His wife, Grace, is holding the Bible.