Radnor Township Board of Commissioners Meeting – August 17, 2026: District Court Opposition, Creutzberg Center Tabled, Approvals for Police, Parks, and Clock Repairs
Radnor Township Board of Commissioners Meeting – August 17, 2026
The Board of Commissioners met on Monday, August 17, 2026 at 6:30 PM (transcript begins at 6:50 PM) at the Radnorshire Room. The meeting opened with a presentation on the Willows Park Riparian Restoration Project, followed by extensive public comment opposing a proposed magisterial district court at 405 West Wayne Avenue. The board approved consent agenda items, a handicap parking ordinance, purchase of police mobile data terminals, two riparian restoration projects, and a street clock repair contract. A resolution for architectural design of the Creutzberg Center ($491,200) was tabled pending further review, and the board heard a lengthy complaint from a resident about neighbor violations and township inaction on 506 Chaumont Drive.
Presentation
- Shade Tree Commission – Willows Park Riparian Restoration Project: James Gibbons presented a plan to remove invasive vegetation and plant native trees/bushes along Abraham’s Run and Little Darby Creek at Willows Park and Warren Filipone Park. The project includes removal of invasives, hand-cutting around existing trees, and a five-year maintenance plan. Total 2026 cost is $30,000 for Willows Park and $7,350 for Warren Filipone Park, funded from the Commemorative Shade Tree Fund with a $9,650 grant from PHS. The board later approved Resolution 2026-97 for the projects (see Key Outcomes).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Magisterial District Court Proposal (405 West Wayne Ave): Multiple residents spoke in strong opposition. Jason Bologna (500 block W. Wayne Ave) argued the court is inappropriate for a residential neighborhood, citing traffic safety (school buses, narrow one-lane road), insufficient parking, and public safety risks from court attendees. Skip Kunda (7 Woodclow Ct) raised financial concerns, doubting the 10-year payback claim. Thomas Passana (207 W. Wayne Ave) described existing traffic congestion and called for an independent traffic and safety study before a decision. Jackie Baver (415 W. Wayne Ave) questioned why the township would purchase a building for a county court that could relocate, and noted other lease options. Diane Edbrill (200 block W. Wayne Ave) urged the board to reverse course and criticized lack of public awareness. Maria Carrillo (569 W. Wayne Ave) questioned financial projections, inconsistency with the comprehensive plan, and safety for children near the court. Marciana Bradley (317 Liberty Ln) expressed fear for her children walking to school near the court. Alan Ruby (Bloomingdale Ave) cited inappropriate land use, parking, and lack of transparency. Sarah Mercury (207 Highland Ave) highlighted parking shortages and a dangerous crosswalk. Chris Mercury (207 Highland Ave) invited commissioners to a community event to see the neighborhood.
- Gregory Stagliano (Shaumont Dr, Villanova), a lawyer, offered a counterpoint, stating that district courts do exist in residential neighborhoods elsewhere and that traffic patterns would be intermittent. He also noted that accused violent offenders are transported in shackles and handcuffs by sheriff’s deputies, reducing public risk.
- Roberta Winters (326 Williams Rd, Rosemont) spoke in support of the riparian restoration projects, emphasizing the need for ongoing maintenance. She also later requested continued traffic monitoring and data-driven decision making.
- Later Public Comment: Roberta Winters again requested ongoing traffic monitoring and suggested involving high school students in data collection.
Consent Calendar
The consent agenda was approved without items pulled. It included:
- Approval of July 20, 2026 meeting minutes
- Chief Monthly Report – August 2026
- Staff Traffic Committee Meeting Minutes – July 15, 2026
- Resolution 2026-93: Purchase of replacement K9 for Police ($19,600)
- Resolution 2026-94: Purchase of Investigative Digital Evidence Workstation ($14,249.91)
- Resolution 2026-95: Renewal of Onsolve Crisis24 Emergency Notification System ($8,422.65)
- Resolution 2026-92: Property & casualty insurance coverage ($750,895 for 2026-2027)
- Resolution 2026-100: Replacement of mixing valve and piping at Township Building ($10,500)
- Resolution 2026-98: Road de-icing salt contract for 2026/27 winter ($85.90/ton to Eastern Salt Co.)
- HARB certificates of appropriateness for 319 Louella Ave, 202 & 308 Midland Ave, 200 Walnut Ave, 404 Oak Ln, 421 Midland Ave, 420 & 418 St Davids Road
Discussion Items
- 3A. Resolution 2026-99 – Creutzberg Center Architectural Services ($491,200): Township Manager Steve Norsini presented the proposal for design and bidding documents for interior/exterior renovations of the historic Creutzberg Center. He noted deferred maintenance (new roof, ADA entrance, porch replacement, fire suppression). Commissioner Coates questioned the half-million-dollar design cost relative to probable construction cost, calling it “cart horse.” Commissioner Agnew also expressed sticker shock. Commissioner Foster suggested tabling to allow board members to tour the building and have Archer Buchanan present in person. The board voted to table the resolution to a future meeting.
- 3B. Ordinance 2026-20 – Handicap Parking on Highland Ave: Chief presented a request for a handicap parking space on the west side of Highland Avenue. The board approved the introduction (motion and second).
- 3C. Resolution 2026-91 – Police Mobile Data Terminals ($44,869.35): Chief explained the purchase of six Getac tablets under COSTARS program, replacing outdated MDTs from county program. Commissioner Agnew asked about cost; Chief detailed specifications (barcode scanner, cradle system, warranty). Board approved.
- 3D. Resolution 2026-97 – Riparian Restoration Projects (Willows & Warren Filipone Parks, not to exceed $37,350): Mr. Foster presented the Shade Tree Commission’s plan. Roberta Winters commented on maintenance. Board approved.
- 3E. Resolution 2026-80 – Clock Repairs ($16,000): Mr. White explained the unique animated Wayne Street clock designed by Bob Desrochers; repair requires removing the clock head to his Lancaster shop. The clock faces are not working; the train mechanism still functions. After discussion about cost and value, the board approved.
- 6A. Discussion on 506 Chaumont Drive Matter: Resident Greg Stagliano complained about neighbor Mr. Aliba’s alleged violations: unpermitted grading, imported fill, work without permits, fraudulent permit, and resulting property damage (mud, water intrusion, buried fence). He criticized township staff (Norsini, White, Rice) for inaction and slow response to Right-to-Know requests. Commissioners acknowledged his concerns but clarified the board’s limited enforcement jurisdiction. They asked Stagliano to submit a written summary with specific ordinance violations and requested remedy. Commission President promised to investigate staff conduct. The board also noted the statute of limitations for a private nuisance claim may be running.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (all items).
- Resolution 2026-99 (Creutzberg Center): Tabled by vote; to be revisited after board tours building and Archer Buchanan presents.
- Ordinance 2026-20 (Handicap parking): Introduced and passed (motion and second).
- Resolution 2026-91 (Police MDT tablets): Approved (unanimous).
- Resolution 2026-97 (Riparian restoration): Approved (unanimous).
- Resolution 2026-80 (Clock repairs): Approved (unanimous).
- 506 Chaumont Drive: No vote taken; board requested resident submit written complaint with specific ordinance violations and remedies; board to investigate staff actions.
- Upcoming: Town hall meeting on magisterial district court proposal to be announced; mail notification to affected residents promised.
Meeting Transcript
For this Monday, August 17th at 650 p.m. Um, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance. I'd like to give notice that we had an executive session just prior to this meeting discussing real estate and legal matters. We're gonna start off with a presentation from James Gibbons. Thank you. Thanks, Jim. Thanks, commissioners. Um, I'm here today for in uh a project for the Willie Willows Riparian Repair Project. Um I gotta figure this out. How do I scroll down? Never mind. God okay, please excuse me. I'm not really prepared for this. Um we're uh implementing a um trying to do a project at the willows, it's along Abraham's Run. I'm gonna see if we have it here. Abraham's Run and Little Darby Creek along the uh the creek there. We're going to cut down vegetation and replant it. Um that's the scope of it. So we're going 800. Well, sorry about this, guys. I didn't bring my glasses either. So the two streams areas in the uh willows, uh section of Abraham's run between Darby Paoli and Little Darby Creek, and a section of Little Darby Creek between the exit and the entrance roads. You can see where it's outlined in white. Um the project entails removal of invasive vegetation, planting native trees and bushes by volunteers. Uh debris is gonna remain on site for the habitat, um, and we're planning for maintenance to promote growth of native plants over five year period. The participant participants include Randar Township's public works, Mr. Ricky over there, uh Shade Tree Commission and Parks. Randor Conservancy and then volunteers, hopefully from Villanova Conservancy, and then residents. Um approval process in July. We approved the plan at the Shade Tree meeting. Uh we're here. I'm here today for your approval. Hopefully, this is coming up at the end of the meeting, I think. Hopefully, I don't have to stay for that. Um in September, we would plan to do the first mowing and order plant material. October, we're gonna organize volunteers, site trees and shrubs, and arrange for support. Um November would be the second mowing, and then we'd plant the trees, shrubs, and send expenses to the PHS. Um current activities gonna cont we're contracted for invasive vegetation removal. We requested proposals from six firms, specified three mowings, Gerard's Girode's property maintenance one, the bid. I think they're here. Welcome, guys. Um we're gonna source the plant material. Requested proposals are in progress for that. Um we contacted a nursery pleasant runsery, which we Shea Tree has bought from previously and they gave us a proposal for 72 trees at 7,000 and 134 shrubs for 3,000. All these trees and shrubs are gonna be um suitable for the area as well. Um and then a grant limited by PHS or the grants limited by PHS to 7,000 dollars for trees and 2650 for shrubs. Um anything in addition we need to fund. So we were awarded a grant of 9650 from PHS. So part of the project is that's where the money's coming from.
openpublica.com