OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Radnor Township Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 8, 2025

Board of Commissioners & Boards — Monday, September 8, 2025
BodyRadnor Township, Pennsylvania
SessionBoard of Commissioners & Boards
DateMonday, September 8, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:03:41

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

25.

0:01

Um tonight we have a special occasion, so we're gonna call in the color guard for the pledge of allegiance.

0:14

If everybody can please stand up for the cover.

0:33

If everyone would join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:02

Thank you.

1:03

If you um wouldn't mind staying in position until we go ahead and um I'm polling item three A from the business agenda to the top of the agenda because we have such a wonderful showing here.

1:16

Um and I would like to go ahead and get that done so you guys can go off and have more fun than a board of commissioners meeting.

1:23

Um item three A is resolution 2025-130, confirming the appointment of James P.

1:31

Smith Jr.

1:32

as Radner Township Fire and EMS Chief and adopting a memorandum of understanding.

1:39

Mr.

1:39

White, you want to start us off.

1:42

Thank you, Madam President.

1:43

I am excited uh to recommend for the board's consideration the appointment of James P.

1:49

Smith as the township's first ever fire and EMS chief.

1:53

As the board is aware, uh that this process began back in January where I gave uh a presentation to the board and the community highlighting the needs of this position.

2:03

Um in a as a means uh to bring expertise uh onto the township staff with regard to these ongoing conversations with the fire and EMS service.

2:13

We understand um the volunteer fire companies that we work with are absolutely professional, they're doing a fantastic job, but we also understand that the long-term uh implications of the the profession are in question with regard to vol decreasing volunteer numbers and concerns with the EMS uh staffing and finance uh the financial wherewithal of that as well.

2:37

So bringing this position on board uh was critical at this time so that we can ensure that the service remains uh as top notch as it is today going forward for the community.

2:47

Uh I'm happy to bring Mr.

2:49

Smith uh to the board tonight.

2:51

Um I will try to get through this quickly.

2:54

Mr.

2:54

Smith's experience includes eight years as director of fire chief for Ocean City and Rescue Services at both in New Jersey, obviously.

3:01

He where he supervised two deputy chiefs, four battalion chiefs, twelve captains and personnel totaling sixty-seven career fire and EMS, operating from three different stations, uh including a fire-based emergency medical service.

3:14

Mr.

3:14

Smith also served nine years as deputy emergency management coordinator for Ocean City Management, emergency management, uh, where he was responsible for protecting the Barrier Island with uh tax rateables of over 13 billion in a population ranging from 25,000 to 150,000, depending on the time of year.

3:34

Um this position also included management level decision making administration, including budgeting, human resources, master and contingency planning, logistics, operational command and control, communication, special operations, public education, and public information.

3:49

Uh the process that the township uh went through for the last six months included uh an initial advertising, which uh generated 44 qualified candidates.

4:01

Uh it was we through the services of MGT.

4:05

Uh we're narrowed the field down to nine nine candidates that were initially screened, then down to four, then down to two, then down to one, and happy to bring Mr.

4:16

Smith here before the board tonight um for his appointment.

4:21

Thank you.

4:22

Um could I get a motion to approve resolution 2025-130?

4:28

So moved by Commissioner Agnew and a second.

4:31

Second by Commissioner Riley.

4:33

Is there any public participation on this issue?

4:37

Seeing none, I'm gonna call a vote on resolution 2025-130.

4:43

All in favor?

4:45

Aye.

4:46

It's unanimous and with general support, I know from Commissioner Mulrooney, who couldn't be here tonight as well.

4:52

Thank you.

5:11

So please raise your right hand.

5:18

I, James P.

5:19

Smith.

5:20

I James P.

5:21

Smith, do solemnly swear.

5:23

You solemnly swear that I will support.

5:26

That I will support obey and defend.

5:28

Obey and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.

5:32

The Constitution of the United States of America.

5:34

The Constitution and Laws.

5:37

The Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

5:40

Of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

5:42

The Home Rule Charter.

5:44

The Home Rule Charter.

5:45

And ordinances of Radner Township.

5:48

And ordinances of Radner Township.

5:50

I will discharge.

5:51

I will discharge the duties of my office.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Master Planning████████████████████████24%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Public Safety█████████9%
Personnel Matters████████8%
Parking Management████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Public Works Staffing███████7%
Public Engagement██████6%
Tree Planting Regulations█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Radnor Township Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 8, 2025

The Radnor Township Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on September 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM. The board approved several resolutions, appointed a new Fire & EMS Chief, and received a presentation on the Wayne Master Plan. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Meeting Minutes: Minutes from the August 18, 2025 Board of Commissioners meeting were approved.
  • Resolution 2025-123: Adopted the Minimum Municipal Obligation of $3,855,000 for the Radnor Township Defined Benefit Pension Plans.
  • Resolution 2025-128: Authorized cleaning of interior and exterior windows of the municipal building by CleanNet for $14,790, funded from the 2025 General Fund.
  • Resolution 2025-125: Authorized the contract for installation of Willows Park Mansion Driveway lighting to Keith Martin Electric for $10,475, funded from the General Fund.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Sarah Pilling (29 Garrett Avenue) urged the board to improve emergency notification to residents, citing a recent hoax threat at Villanova University. She noted that many residents learned of the event through news media rather than the township's Code Red alert system. She recommended commissioners educate constituents on how to sign up for alerts.

Discussion Items

  • Wayne Master Plan: Mr. Taxa (FHI Studio) presented the scope of the Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI) grant-funded plan, which includes a parking analysis, retail attraction/retention study, and robust public engagement. The study area covers the Wayne business overlay plus areas north of the train station. Parking counts (utilization and turnover) will occur in late September 2025. An open house is tentatively set for November 1, 2025. The final plan will address land use, multimodal improvements, housing diversity, stormwater management, and placemaking. Commissioners asked about construction impacts and SEPTA lot pricing.
  • Appointment of Fire & EMS Chief (Resolution 2025-130): Director White introduced James P. Smith, Jr. as the township's first Fire & EMS Chief. Smith has 8 years as fire chief in Ocean City, NJ. The selection process narrowed 44 candidates to one over six months. Smith was sworn in unanimously. Commissioner Riley asked about the naming distinction between operational and administrative chief; Director White confirmed the title may be revisited as the role matures.
  • Appointment to Code Appeals Board: Elizabeth Springer was appointed to the Code Appeals Board for a partial term ending December 31, 2027. She is a structural civil engineer meeting the board's requirements.
  • Shade Tree Commission Funding (Resolution 2025-124): Chairman James Gibbons requested an additional $27,000 from the Commemorative Shade Tree Fund for fall 2025 tree planting. Plans include 80 bare-root trees (42 for residents, 34 for Willows reforestation, 4 replacements at West Wayne Cemetery) and 16 replacement trees in the Wayne Business District and Aberdeen Terrace. The money comes from outside sources (e.g., grants, donations). The board clarified that tree removal costs will come back for separate approval.
  • Opioid Settlement Forms (Resolution 2025-122): Mr. Nelson explained that signing two participation forms (Secondary Manufacturers Settlement and Purdue Direct Settlement) helps the state and county obtain more funds without any cost or liability to the township.
  • Public Works Garage Change Order (Resolution 2025-126): Mr. Norsini requested $69,900 from the 2024 Facility Bond for trenching, conduit, and concrete work required before resurfacing the public works parking lot. The work is needed to avoid delaying the previously approved project.
  • Crosswalk and Flashing Beacon Design (Resolution 2025-127): A contract for $46,200 was awarded to Gilmore & Associates for design, permitting, bidding, and construction administration for crosswalk improvements, ADA upgrades, and a rectangular rapid flashing beacon at Conestoga Road and Clem Macrone Park. Total timeline is approximately 18 months. Commissioner Coates (absent) sent a statement thanking staff for securing the project. Sarah Pilling spoke in support, citing safety concerns.

Key Outcomes

  • All resolutions on the business agenda (2025-130, 2025-124, 2025-122, 2025-126, 2025-127) were approved unanimously.
  • James P. Smith, Jr. was sworn in as Fire & EMS Chief.
  • Elizabeth Springer was appointed to the Code Appeals Board.
  • The Shade Tree Commission was authorized to spend an additional $27,000 for tree planting.
  • A design contract for the Conestoga Road crosswalk improvements was awarded.

Meeting Transcript

25. Um tonight we have a special occasion, so we're gonna call in the color guard for the pledge of allegiance. If everybody can please stand up for the cover. If everyone would join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. If you um wouldn't mind staying in position until we go ahead and um I'm polling item three A from the business agenda to the top of the agenda because we have such a wonderful showing here. Um and I would like to go ahead and get that done so you guys can go off and have more fun than a board of commissioners meeting. Um item three A is resolution 2025-130, confirming the appointment of James P. Smith Jr. as Radner Township Fire and EMS Chief and adopting a memorandum of understanding. Mr. White, you want to start us off. Thank you, Madam President. I am excited uh to recommend for the board's consideration the appointment of James P. Smith as the township's first ever fire and EMS chief. As the board is aware, uh that this process began back in January where I gave uh a presentation to the board and the community highlighting the needs of this position. Um in a as a means uh to bring expertise uh onto the township staff with regard to these ongoing conversations with the fire and EMS service. We understand um the volunteer fire companies that we work with are absolutely professional, they're doing a fantastic job, but we also understand that the long-term uh implications of the the profession are in question with regard to vol decreasing volunteer numbers and concerns with the EMS uh staffing and finance uh the financial wherewithal of that as well. So bringing this position on board uh was critical at this time so that we can ensure that the service remains uh as top notch as it is today going forward for the community. Uh I'm happy to bring Mr. Smith uh to the board tonight. Um I will try to get through this quickly. Mr. Smith's experience includes eight years as director of fire chief for Ocean City and Rescue Services at both in New Jersey, obviously. He where he supervised two deputy chiefs, four battalion chiefs, twelve captains and personnel totaling sixty-seven career fire and EMS, operating from three different stations, uh including a fire-based emergency medical service. Mr. Smith also served nine years as deputy emergency management coordinator for Ocean City Management, emergency management, uh, where he was responsible for protecting the Barrier Island with uh tax rateables of over 13 billion in a population ranging from 25,000 to 150,000, depending on the time of year. Um this position also included management level decision making administration, including budgeting, human resources, master and contingency planning, logistics, operational command and control, communication, special operations, public education, and public information. Uh the process that the township uh went through for the last six months included uh an initial advertising, which uh generated 44 qualified candidates. Uh it was we through the services of MGT. Uh we're narrowed the field down to nine nine candidates that were initially screened, then down to four, then down to two, then down to one, and happy to bring Mr. Smith here before the board tonight um for his appointment. Thank you. Um could I get a motion to approve resolution 2025-130? So moved by Commissioner Agnew and a second. Second by Commissioner Riley. Is there any public participation on this issue? Seeing none, I'm gonna call a vote on resolution 2025-130. All in favor? Aye. It's unanimous and with general support, I know from Commissioner Mulrooney, who couldn't be here tonight as well. Thank you. So please raise your right hand. I, James P. Smith. I James P. Smith, do solemnly swear. You solemnly swear that I will support. That I will support obey and defend. Obey and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.

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