OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Radnor Township Board of Commissioners Meeting - December 8, 2025

Board of Commissioners & Boards — Monday, December 8, 2025
BodyRadnor Township, Pennsylvania
SessionBoard of Commissioners & Boards
DateMonday, December 8, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:05:25

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Board of Commissioners meeting.

0:01

I'd like to call to order Board of Commissioners for Monday, December 8th, 2025.

0:07

If everyone would join me for the Pledge of Allegiance, thank you.

0:29

Oh, we have a pretty full room tonight.

0:32

I'd like to give notice that we did have an executive session immediately prior to this meeting to discuss legal and real estate issues.

0:41

We're going to start out with a presentation, and I have a few comments to make, if once I can find them here.

1:27

They're both longtime Radner residents.

1:29

Jake for almost 15 years and Ken for over 40, which I think is rather impressive.

1:35

They're both married and have children who have done community things in Radner Township and gone to the Radner schools.

1:44

They both traveled the world extensively.

1:46

By report, Ken has been to all seven continents, and Jake's been to over 30 countries and has even met the Dalai Lama, which I thought was sort of fun.

1:56

They're both avid sports fans.

1:58

Everyone here knows that Jake can often be found on the sidelines of one of his kids' games.

2:03

He's even been known to kind of sneak in a little bit late, having the game having gone on a little later than it should to Board of Commissioners' meetings.

2:11

Jake's a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs, go cubbies.

2:19

And the first thing he said, are you gonna catch a Cubs game?

2:23

Um Ken, being a more reasonable Philly sports fan, roots for the Eagles, go birds, the Phillies, and the Villa and Villanova basketball.

2:32

In preparing these remarks, I learned a lot about both of their remarkable careers.

2:37

Before Jake moved to Radner in 2011, he had a career in Washington, D.C.

2:42

He worked for the Speaker of the House for over five years, where he began to focus on foreign policy and defense.

2:48

He developed an interest in intelligence and later received a master's degree from the U.S.

2:53

Naval War College.

2:55

He pursued a career in intelligence at what I hear quite lofty levels.

3:00

Upon moving to Radner with his growing family, Jake was offered a job with Jane's, a defense and security company, where though the company has changed names since, he still is employed today.

3:11

He is a strong record of community service.

3:14

After serving on the Shade Tree Commission, he was elected to the BOC in 2017, and he has a reputation for tenaciously advocating for his constituents in Ward 6 for promoting community projects, and notably he's always been a proponent of fiscal responsibility.

3:34

Ken has a PhD in mathematics and is a graduate graduate of Villanova Law School.

3:41

He's a licensed actuary, a former insurance and financial executive, and a former college professor.

3:48

He brought with him a strong financial background and broad management and legal experience.

3:54

He has been a fantastic and compassionate treasurer, even though the job nearly killed him.

4:00

Literally.

4:28

You're very welcome.

4:30

And for Treasurer Frolock, after all the hoop losses.

5:00

Well after all the hoops losses.

5:02

Oh, Ken, would you like to say something?

5:04

Yes.

5:05

Go for it.

5:14

I want to express my thanks to Radner Township for the honor of being their treasurer.

5:22

In 2020, when I ran for election for the job, I wondered what I would find if I were elected.

5:37

My career in business had included several positions that required me to fix a poorly run operation, a poorly performing company or department.

5:54

Those positions were painful.

5:58

I hoped I wouldn't find a poorly performing organization in Radner.

6:05

I need not have worried.

6:09

The whole township organization works well.

6:14

The Radner staff cares about the quality of their work, and they care about the residents of Radner.

6:26

They are competent in their jobs and are familiar with the history and the reasons that we have the procedures we do.

6:40

And many of the staff have been here for decades.

6:45

They know their jobs well.

6:47

For example, during my four years as treasurer, there was zero turnover in the financial department.

6:58

Zero.

8:00

As I turn my job over to the new treasurer, I look back with pride that I was part of the excellent staff of Radner Township.

8:14

Thank you.

8:28

Actually.

8:52

Hi, everyone.

8:53

Eleanor Ball, 608 Lindsay Circle in Villanova.

8:57

I'm here with a number of representatives from our neighborhood tonight.

9:03

Many of whom have come out because of their concern, as you know our concern for what's been happening with the noise that floats across from the Willows Mansion to Inbrary.

9:20

And though we've had many conversations with these neighbors who are here tonight, many of them have felt that strongly enough about it that now they have decided to attend and be here with us.

9:34

So I like to read a petition that we are presenting to you tonight, signed by sixty two neighbors in the Inberary community.

10:06

Given the nature of the Willows Park topography and since music mitigation efforts starting in 2022 have not resulted in any measurable nor acceptable solution.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Noise Regulation████████████████████20%
Transportation Safety████████████████16%
Fiscal Sustainability████████████12%
Public Safety████████8%
Parking Management██████6%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Zoning Variance█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Radnor Township Board of Commissioners Meeting - December 8, 2025

The Board of Commissioners met on Monday, December 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Radnorshire Room. The meeting included a presentation honoring outgoing Commissioner Jake Abel and Treasurer Ken Frohlich, public comments on noise from the Willows Park Preserve, adoption of several ordinances and resolutions, and approval of the 2026 budget.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution 2025-165: Authorized the purchase of radios for the Fire and EMS Chief for $17,112.20 (net of a $9,964.80 discount), funded from the Capital Fund. Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2025-164: Awarded the 2026 Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Contract (B-25-008) to Petroleum Traders Corp. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Willows Park Noise: A group of residents from the Inverary neighborhood presented a petition signed by 62 neighbors demanding that the Township enforce the lease with Willows Park Preserve (WPP) and move all outdoor amplified music indoors. Speakers (Eleanor Ball, Susan Fahy, Bill Casey, and others) described the noise as a public nuisance that has persisted since 2022, preventing them from enjoying their properties. They cited a lease clause requiring WPP not to interfere with residents' use of the park or nearby homes. Residents expressed frustration over lack of communication from the Township and WPP, and stated they would seek action in January if no resolution was reached. Commissioner Abel confirmed that no official decision had been communicated to residents for the 2026 season.
  • Library Update: Nadia Vandewal, representing the Radnor Township Memorial Library Board of Trustees, thanked the Township for its support, reported a record-breaking 750 participants in the 12th annual Elves for the Shelves race, and highlighted the library's three-year financial plan and community impact.

Discussion Items

  • 3A. Caucus – Minor Subdivision (216-220 Radnor Chester Road): A lot line change to transfer 10,048 square feet including a barn from 220 to 216 Radnor Chester Road. Presented as a minor subdivision creating no new lots. The applicant noted both property owners support the change. No vote was taken; the item will return in January for a vote.
  • 3B. Ordinance 2025-08 – Electric Bicycle and Electric Scooter Regulations: Adopted after a public hearing and amendments. Key amendments included: (1) Clarifying that e-bikes/e-scooters are allowed on Township property when visiting buildings but must be dismounted in parks; (2) Changing the prohibition on "motorized bicycles" to "electric motorized bicycles" to avoid conflict with state law on gas-powered mopeds. The ordinance prohibits e-bikes on the Radnor Trail and in parks (except for transportation to buildings). Commissioner Abel was recognized for championing the ordinance.
  • 3C. Ordinance 2025-11 – Special Purpose Parking Zones: Removed a handicap space at 166 Meredith Avenue and added handicap spaces at 232 Poplar Avenue and 114 North Lowrys Lane. Adopted unanimously.
  • 3D. Resolution 2025-166 – Emergency Management Plan Update: Adopted an updated Emergency Operations Plan, last updated April 24, 2023. Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Gian Christophoro explained the update mainly involved contact list changes to remain compliant with state and county requirements. Adopted unanimously.
  • 4A. 2026 Budget (Ordinance 2025-13): The board adopted the 2026 Comprehensive Budget with a real estate tax millage rate of 2.7101 mills (up from 2.4852 in 2025). Discussion focused on the request for three additional police officers. Township Manager Bill White recommended deferring hiring until later in 2026 and reevaluating, noting that adding the officers would increase the millage to 2.7389. Commissioner Larkin opposed the budget, citing concerns about revenue shortfalls and staffing increases. The budget includes funding for three new civilian positions (mechanic, park maintenance laborer, park operations coordinator) and one sewer fund position. The motion passed 6-1 (Larkin opposed).
  • 4B. 2026 Sanitary Sewer Rent Rate (Ordinance 2025-14): Increased the sewer rent rate to cover approximately 75% pass-through costs for water treatment, capital construction, and one additional public works sewer staff member. Adopted unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinance 2025-08 (e-bike/e-scooter regulations) adopted as amended.
  • Ordinance 2025-11 (handicap parking zones) adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution 2025-166 (emergency management plan) adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinance 2025-13 (2026 budget with millage of 2.7101) adopted 6-1.
  • Ordinance 2025-14 (sewer rent rate) adopted unanimously.
  • Motion to cancel the December 22, 2025 Board of Commissioners meeting passed unanimously. (Note: The transcript contains an apparent inconsistency: earlier discussion mentioned canceling the December 27th meeting, but the formal motion cited December 2nd, 2025. The motion as stated in the transcript passed.)
  • The caucus on the Radnor Chester Road lot line change will proceed to a vote in January.

Meeting Transcript

Board of Commissioners meeting. I'd like to call to order Board of Commissioners for Monday, December 8th, 2025. If everyone would join me for the Pledge of Allegiance, thank you. Oh, we have a pretty full room tonight. I'd like to give notice that we did have an executive session immediately prior to this meeting to discuss legal and real estate issues. We're going to start out with a presentation, and I have a few comments to make, if once I can find them here. They're both longtime Radner residents. Jake for almost 15 years and Ken for over 40, which I think is rather impressive. They're both married and have children who have done community things in Radner Township and gone to the Radner schools. They both traveled the world extensively. By report, Ken has been to all seven continents, and Jake's been to over 30 countries and has even met the Dalai Lama, which I thought was sort of fun. They're both avid sports fans. Everyone here knows that Jake can often be found on the sidelines of one of his kids' games. He's even been known to kind of sneak in a little bit late, having the game having gone on a little later than it should to Board of Commissioners' meetings. Jake's a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs, go cubbies. And the first thing he said, are you gonna catch a Cubs game? Um Ken, being a more reasonable Philly sports fan, roots for the Eagles, go birds, the Phillies, and the Villa and Villanova basketball. In preparing these remarks, I learned a lot about both of their remarkable careers. Before Jake moved to Radner in 2011, he had a career in Washington, D.C. He worked for the Speaker of the House for over five years, where he began to focus on foreign policy and defense. He developed an interest in intelligence and later received a master's degree from the U.S. Naval War College. He pursued a career in intelligence at what I hear quite lofty levels. Upon moving to Radner with his growing family, Jake was offered a job with Jane's, a defense and security company, where though the company has changed names since, he still is employed today. He is a strong record of community service. After serving on the Shade Tree Commission, he was elected to the BOC in 2017, and he has a reputation for tenaciously advocating for his constituents in Ward 6 for promoting community projects, and notably he's always been a proponent of fiscal responsibility. Ken has a PhD in mathematics and is a graduate graduate of Villanova Law School. He's a licensed actuary, a former insurance and financial executive, and a former college professor. He brought with him a strong financial background and broad management and legal experience. He has been a fantastic and compassionate treasurer, even though the job nearly killed him. Literally. You're very welcome. And for Treasurer Frolock, after all the hoop losses. Well after all the hoops losses. Oh, Ken, would you like to say something? Yes. Go for it. I want to express my thanks to Radner Township for the honor of being their treasurer. In 2020, when I ran for election for the job, I wondered what I would find if I were elected. My career in business had included several positions that required me to fix a poorly run operation, a poorly performing company or department. Those positions were painful. I hoped I wouldn't find a poorly performing organization in Radner. I need not have worried. The whole township organization works well. The Radner staff cares about the quality of their work, and they care about the residents of Radner. They are competent in their jobs and are familiar with the history and the reasons that we have the procedures we do. And many of the staff have been here for decades. They know their jobs well. For example, during my four years as treasurer, there was zero turnover in the financial department. Zero.

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