OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Radnor Township Board of Commissioners Meeting – September 29, 2025

Board of Commissioners & Boards — Monday, September 29, 2025
BodyRadnor Township, Pennsylvania
SessionBoard of Commissioners & Boards
DateMonday, September 29, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:19:55

Transcript — Verbatim
0:20

Thank you.

0:22

I want to give notice that we did have an executive session immediately prior to this meeting to discuss legal issues.

0:32

There are a couple of changes to the agenda, things that are being removed.

0:37

The police commendations under the presentation sections is not going to happen tonight.

0:43

We need had some scheduling issues, and we'll bring that at a future meeting.

0:49

So the other thing that's being removed on the consent agendum is item 2E because that's going to be put out to bid the carpet update.

1:02

And then I guess that's it.

1:05

Public participation is first a general public participation.

1:08

If anybody would like to come and speak, you get five minutes.

1:17

Thank you.

1:20

I live in Inverary on Lindsay Circle.

1:24

Thanks for the opportunity to be heard today.

1:27

We're back talking about the willows noise issue.

1:31

And so I'm Robert.

1:34

My wife Susan's here.

1:35

You've heard from her several times about this.

1:37

We've been radna residents for 36 years, very happily.

1:47

And we've been trying, along with many people standing in front of me and behind me.

2:08

And we're we're kind of in mid-season of that right now.

2:11

And to the point where last night I really was looking forward to sitting on my deck and watch some baseball and maybe the end of the football.

2:21

And the noise was so loud that we had to go inside.

2:25

So it's it's front and center many, many days.

2:38

So that's a little background.

2:40

I'll be brief.

2:41

I just plan to share a few observations, kind of current observations that I've made and others have.

2:48

An opinion or two about what the threshold issues are here, what really needs to happen to move this forward.

2:57

And then I'm going to turn it over to two of my neighbors, Chick and John, to kind of play clean up matters for me.

3:08

So I've heard and read through conversations with the people that are in this room, some reports that are done on a weekly or twice a month basis, depending on how active the the willows is that some people think that it's gotten better.

3:29

It's less quiet, it's more under control.

3:53

A moment in time, it might sound kind of quiet, but maybe they're eating salad, maybe this, maybe that.

4:01

Um but I believe that it has not gotten better, it's gotten worse.

4:07

We have 47 events there this year.

4:10

That's about two times what we had last year.

4:14

Um more of those 47 in the aggregate have music than they did last year as a percentage.

4:22

Um it's gotten louder.

4:25

The crowds somehow have gotten louder.

4:27

I don't know how that happens, but it has.

5:00

Um I really think there's a lack of leadership on this issue within the aggregate.

5:08

I'm not saying it all lays here, but it's a township issue, it's a public nuisance.

5:14

I'm not empowered to fix it.

5:16

I can't arrest people and can't go in and pull the plug.

5:19

Um I believe that someone within your purview, your group, um, needs to pick a leader and lay this issue on their lap and empower them to fix it, because every big issue I've ever been involved with in life and business and real estate and leases, uh, my area of expertise.

5:42

Um, without a leader, nothing happens.

5:44

And this has been going on for at least three years.

5:47

There isn't a leader, nobody has ownership.

5:50

I think a lot of people might think it's a little radioactive for a lot of reasons that we've talked about, but it's got to get fixed.

5:56

And without a leader, it won't get fixed.

5:59

Um I have a friend who's a uh cardiologist.

6:03

The advice he gives his um his patients is put the fork down, right?

6:09

That'll get you better fast.

6:11

And I think what we need to do here is figure out a way to turn the volume down because without that volume control being under the control of one person, not the DJ, not the dad.

6:25

Um, we got to figure out a way to put a master volume control there that somebody controls.

6:31

And then lastly, you know, the the lease.

6:34

The lease is not being enforced.

6:36

I I doubt people even read it.

6:39

But um they're not allowed to do what they're doing.

6:41

They're a public nuisance, they're causing confusion, they're causing lots of noise and disturbance for the neighborhood.

6:49

Thank you.

6:50

Thank you.

6:51

Further public participation.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████19%
Transportation Safety██████████████████18%
Noise Regulation█████████████████17%
Capital Improvement Plan█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Tree Management███████7%
Zoning Variance████4%
Real Estate Market Analysis████4%
Procedural███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Radnor Township Board of Commissioners Meeting – September 29, 2025

The Radnor Township Board of Commissioners met on September 29, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Radnorshire Room. The meeting included public testimony on noise issues, approval of the consent agenda, discussion and tabling of an electric bicycle and scooter ordinance, introduction of a tree ordinance, and approval of several resolutions for capital projects. The board also introduced a new police chief.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously:
    • Approval of meeting minutes from September 8, 2025.
    • Monthly police chief report for September 2025.
    • Staff Traffic Committee minutes from August 20, 2025.
    • Resolution 2025-137: Authorizing agreement with Acrisure for pension actuarial services ($6,225 annually per plan).
    • Resolution 2025-138: Authorizing $44,672 from the 2024 Facilities Bond for carpeting updates (note: this item was pulled from the consent agenda and will be rebid).
    • Resolution 2025-129: Change order for nine street light pole replacements along Lancaster Avenue (not to exceed $52,425, funded from 2019 GOB and $10,000 donation from KMO).
    • Resolution 2025-134: Emergency sewer main repair payment of $13,186.52 to Horn Plumbing and Heating, LLC.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Robert (Inverary resident, Lindsay Circle): Expressed ongoing frustration with noise from The Willows (wedding/party venue). Stated that there have been 47 events this year—about twice as many as last year—and a higher percentage include music. Described the noise as a public nuisance and called for a designated leader to enforce the lease and control volume. Noted that the lease is not being enforced.
  • Anthony Spitako (Inverary resident): Thanked Commissioner Abel for listening but questioned who has the authority to enforce the lease. Noted a sound consultant (Nick Mondo) had proposed speaker direction and placement solutions, but investments in equipment were not used. Suggested moving music inside as a solution. Asked for leadership and accountability.
  • John Ball (Inverary resident, 608 Lindsay Circle): Read a note from neighbor Jerry Ciano (610 Lindsay Circle) who was recovering from a medical procedure. The note stated that while the noise has improved, it still disturbs quality of life. John Ball added that after three to four years of talk, no solution has been reached. Mentioned that the issue affects not only Inverary but also other areas like Mill Dam. Urged the township to hire an expert.
  • Sarah Pill (Garrett Avenue): Raised concerns about carpeting in the township building. Asked about the surface under the carpet, when it was last installed, how often it is vacuumed/shampooed, and cited a study linking carpets to indoor air quality issues. Suggested replacing stair carpet with rubber treads and adding outdoor doormats.

Discussion Items

  • 3A – Caucus: Minor Subdivision Plan – 518 Askin Road (no vote): Applicant Nick Cinelia presented a plan to subdivide a 63,000 sq. ft. vacant lot into two lots (32,498 sq. ft. and 31,975 sq. ft.), each with a planned residential dwelling. The property is on a private road (Askin Road) with 10 existing lots; the subdivision would create an 11th lot. Waivers were requested for showing utilities within 500 feet (aerial photo provided instead) and for sidewalks (neighbors prefer no sidewalks). The applicant agreed to regrade, mill, repave, and widen the road by 4 feet on his property. Commissioners discussed road width, private road status, and the lack of a turnaround. No vote was taken.
  • 3B – Preliminary Land Development – 800 Lancaster Avenue (Villanova University Connelly Center): Applicant requested additional time to respond to township consultant comments regarding parking and building square footage. The board tabled the matter to October 31, 2025.
  • 3C – Ordinance 2025-08: Electric Bicycle and Electric Scooter Regulations (introduced, then tabled): Solicitor Nelson explained the ordinance is based on state law. Chief Lanigan noted enforcement concerns. Commissioners debated the scope: some supported a ban on e-scooters on public roads due to safety, while others argued it was overreach and opposed a blanket ban. Commissioner Mulrooney opposed allowing e-scooters on public roads; Commissioner Coates and Commissioner Riley favored a more limited approach (e.g., helmets, speed limits, age restrictions). Police Chief (newly introduced) suggested redrafting with a focus on education, youth aid panels, and safety from helmets to lights. The board voted unanimously to table the ordinance for revision.
  • 3D – Ordinance 2025-09: Tree Ordinance Amendment (introduced and approved for advertisement): Mr. Gibbons explained that the amendment clarifies when a clearing permit is needed. Previously, removing more than six trees required a $250 permit and a Shade Tree Commission meeting. The change allows removal of dead or dying trees without a permit, provided a hazard tree report is submitted and approved by the township arborist. The board voted unanimously to advertise the ordinance.
  • 3E – Resolution 2025-133: Roof Replacement and Solar Installation at Municipal Building and Public Works Complex: Awarded to Dezigns Construction, Inc. and TerraSol Energies, Inc. for a total of $3,351,126 (including contingency and inspection costs), funded from the 2024 Facilities Bond. The project was rebid due to few bids; the award includes schedule flexibility for long-lead items. Approved unanimously.
  • 3F – Resolution 2025-135: Change Order for Lancaster Avenue Traffic Adaptive System: Authorized payment of $77,678.55 to Lenni Electric Corporation for a new pad-mounted controller, conduit repairs, and credits for unused items. The net change order covers unexpected issues discovered during installation. Approved unanimously.
  • 3G – Resolution 2025-136: Heat Pump and Mini-Split Installation in Township Building: Awarded to JJ White, Inc. for $212,300 (including contingency), funded from the 2024 Facilities Bond. The project addresses extreme temperature swings in the sergeants' office, highway patrol, detectives' office, and server room. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (all items except 2E, which was pulled).
  • Ordinance 2025-08 (E-bikes/e-scooters): Introduced, then tabled for redrafting by staff. Unanimous vote to table.
  • Ordinance 2025-09 (Tree removal): Introduced and approved for advertisement. Unanimous vote.
  • Resolution 2025-133 (Roof/solar): Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2025-135 (Traffic adaptive system change order): Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2025-136 (Heat pumps/mini-splits): Approved unanimously.
  • New Business: None.
  • Old Business: Introduction of new police chief, Jim Smith, who was previously appointed.
  • Adjournment: Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. I want to give notice that we did have an executive session immediately prior to this meeting to discuss legal issues. There are a couple of changes to the agenda, things that are being removed. The police commendations under the presentation sections is not going to happen tonight. We need had some scheduling issues, and we'll bring that at a future meeting. So the other thing that's being removed on the consent agendum is item 2E because that's going to be put out to bid the carpet update. And then I guess that's it. Public participation is first a general public participation. If anybody would like to come and speak, you get five minutes. Thank you. I live in Inverary on Lindsay Circle. Thanks for the opportunity to be heard today. We're back talking about the willows noise issue. And so I'm Robert. My wife Susan's here. You've heard from her several times about this. We've been radna residents for 36 years, very happily. And we've been trying, along with many people standing in front of me and behind me. And we're we're kind of in mid-season of that right now. And to the point where last night I really was looking forward to sitting on my deck and watch some baseball and maybe the end of the football. And the noise was so loud that we had to go inside. So it's it's front and center many, many days. So that's a little background. I'll be brief. I just plan to share a few observations, kind of current observations that I've made and others have. An opinion or two about what the threshold issues are here, what really needs to happen to move this forward. And then I'm going to turn it over to two of my neighbors, Chick and John, to kind of play clean up matters for me. So I've heard and read through conversations with the people that are in this room, some reports that are done on a weekly or twice a month basis, depending on how active the the willows is that some people think that it's gotten better. It's less quiet, it's more under control. A moment in time, it might sound kind of quiet, but maybe they're eating salad, maybe this, maybe that. Um but I believe that it has not gotten better, it's gotten worse. We have 47 events there this year. That's about two times what we had last year. Um more of those 47 in the aggregate have music than they did last year as a percentage. Um it's gotten louder. The crowds somehow have gotten louder. I don't know how that happens, but it has. Um I really think there's a lack of leadership on this issue within the aggregate. I'm not saying it all lays here, but it's a township issue, it's a public nuisance. I'm not empowered to fix it. I can't arrest people and can't go in and pull the plug. Um I believe that someone within your purview, your group, um, needs to pick a leader and lay this issue on their lap and empower them to fix it, because every big issue I've ever been involved with in life and business and real estate and leases, uh, my area of expertise. Um, without a leader, nothing happens. And this has been going on for at least three years. There isn't a leader, nobody has ownership. I think a lot of people might think it's a little radioactive for a lot of reasons that we've talked about, but it's got to get fixed. And without a leader, it won't get fixed. Um I have a friend who's a uh cardiologist. The advice he gives his um his patients is put the fork down, right? That'll get you better fast.

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