News & Press Releases

Municipal Building Elevator



Important Notice: Upper Darby Township Municipal Building Elevator Out of Order

As of February 20, 2024, the Upper Darby Municipal Building Elevator is out of service for repairs. It will not be available for the February 21, 2024 Council Meeting. Members of the public who require use of the elevator to access the 2nd Floor Council Meeting room will be able to view the meeting, sign in for Public Comment, and make Public Comment from the One Center. The One Center is located on the ground floor of the Municipal Building.

Questions should be sent to municipalclerk@upperdarby.org.





Delco Alert - February 16, 2024


Delco Alert
Mayor Ed Brown
February 16, 2024

Good evening. This is Upper Darby Mayor Ed Brown.

Your property tax, sewer and trash fee bills will be dated February 20, 2024 and should arrive in your mailboxes soon. The Township Property Tax discount period is in effect through April 20th and face value is due by June 20th. After June 20th the normal 10% penalty for late property taxes will be in effect. 

The trash and sewer fees are also due on June 20th. This year you will also have the option for online payment for current year property tax, sewer, and trash. Instructions will be included in your bill. 

This Monday, February 19th is a Township Holiday. Monday’s Trash and Recycling will be collected on Wednesday, February 21st. Wednesday’s recycling will be collected on Tuesday for Area 1 and on Friday for area 2. The full calendar is available on the Township website: www.upperdarby.org/trashcalendar.


Finally, for continued updates on Township events, be sure to follow Upper Darby Township Government on Facebook and subscribe to our E-News at 
www.upperdarby.org/newsletters

This is Mayor Ed Brown wishing you a good holiday weekend.


Winter Weather Update - January 20, 2024



Saturday, January 20, 2024 - 7am update


Our crews have worked hard overnight and fresh crews arrived this morning to continue addressing side streets and other areas. Our guys are asking for your help - when clearing your vehicles or sidewalks, please do not shovel the snow into the street. Other things that make it hard to plow or salt is when vehicles are parked too far from the curb (sticking into the street), too close to a corner, or in areas that are designated as no parking. 


Municipal Building Closing at Noon on Jan. 19th


Due to the inclement weather, Upper Darby Township Municipal Building will close at noon today, Friday, January 19, 2024. 
The One Center staff will be handling phone calls and emails during our regular business hours. You can reach them at one@upperdarby.org or 610-734-7625.

Winter Weather Update - January 18, 2024


Winter Weather Update - Thursday, January 18, 2024
Upper Darby Township is expecting up to 6 inches of snow tomorrow, Friday, January 19th. 
As of 6pm, trash and recycling is scheduled to be picked up as planned. Wednesday's Area 1 North of Garrett Road Recycling, Friday's Recycling, and Friday's Trash will be collected on Friday, January 19th due to Monday's holiday. 
Today our township staff turned their attention to preparing for the storm that is expected to being early Friday morning. Our brine trucks were out all day today and covered all of the Snow Emergency and brine routes in addition to our Township parking lots. Public Works has also dedicated a lot of hours into salting and clearing side streets. 
Please help our Public Works crews by not shoveling snow into the street and not parking in fire zones. Stay safe!

Winter Weather Update - January 16, 2024


Upper Darby Township Municipal Building closed at 3pm today. All evening meetings and activities at the Municipal Building and the Watkins Center are cancelled. 
Public Works crews will continue salting our roads. Please be safe while traveling - slow down, increase following distance, and use extra caution on bridges.

January 2nd Swearing In



Please join us for the Swearing In of Edward Brown as Mayor and Council Members Michelle Billups, Marion Minick, Jess Branas, Danyelle Blackwell, and David Bantoe.

You can watch life at: www.youtube.com/upperdarby




Proposed EIT to Preserve & Improve Quality of Life


For Immediate Release
November 10, 2023

Mayor Keffer Proposes EIT to Preserve and Improve Quality of Life


Upper Darby, PA:  Mayor Barbarann Keffer announced today that she proposes a 1% Earned Income Tax (EIT) for 2024.  “The EIT is part of a multi-pronged financial strategy to secure the future of Upper Darby which includes the implementation of the realty transfer tax two years ago, the inclusion of third parties to manage delinquent taxes and fees and the business privilege tax as well as a stronger project and purchase bidding process which has resulted in higher revenues and lower costs over the last four years,” said Mayor Keffer.

Implementing an EIT is an important step for preserving and improving the quality of life in Upper Darby Township. Some of the immediate benefits include::

  • Decreases our dependence on property taxes for revenue and would allow a property tax freeze for the 2024 budget;
  • Helps keep our seniors in their homes by moving the tax revenue from being property based to income based;
  • Spreads the costs of municipal services more evenly among residents and property owners;
  • Increases public safety and community policing by adding 5 new police officers, including their salaries as well as immediate and long-term fringe benefits 
  • Provides needed support to our Fire Department by ensuring that fire protection standards can be maintained;
  • Maintains our commitments to retirees’ pension and health care costs;
  • Brings revenue back to Upper Darby that has for decades gone to other municipalities.

Mayor Keffer goes on to say that “During my administration, I commissioned finance reports in conjunction with the state Department of Community and Economic Development to get my arms around the long-term fiscal projections for our township given our contractual obligations and inflation and the needs of our community for municipal services.  These reports indicate that we need a dedicated new revenue stream and an Earned Income Tax is the best option, one that most municipalities in our commonwealth already have instituted.  I hosted two Town Halls specifically on the topic of our financial future based on these reports: one on April 20, 2022 and one September 20 of this year.” 

The Earned Income Tax (EIT) is projected to generate $9 million in revenue during its first full year of implementation. The financial studies related to the need for this revenue stream are posted on the township website under “Departments-Finance-Special Reports”.  The EIT does not apply to interest earnings, dividends, social security, capital gains, lottery winnings, unemployment, 3rd party sick pay, insurance proceeds, gifts, bequests, inheritances, and active military duty pay.

Mayor Keffer will be submitting to Council a revised proposed budget which will include the revenue from the proposed Earned Income Tax and allow for the increase in the Public Safety budget, increases to the Recreation budget, and removes the proposed property tax increase.  

Chair of Public Safety Lisa Faraglia stated, “The need for increased funding to hire additional police officers in our community is vital. We all value public safety and the well-being of all our residents, it has become evident that an increased police force is essential for maintaining law and order. By implementing an EIT, we can secure the resources to recruit and retain qualified officers, provide ongoing training, and invest in the latest technology and equipment.

The resolution passed unanimously by council was for five additional police officers each year for the next five years. Ensuring the safety of our community is a collective responsibility, a well- supported police force plays a vital role in achieving this goal. I encourage your support for this initiative, as it will contribute to a safer and more secure community for everyone.


In addition to the EIT, the revised proposed budget will offer a new $100 rebate for qualified homeowners on the sewer fee and expand the $100 rebate on sewer and trash fees for disabled veterans who already qualify for a tax exemption.  It also does not raise property taxes.

Council Vice President Hafiz Tunis emphasized, “The 1% Earned Income Tax will put our township in a stronger financial position. With the EIT we can take the burden off our seniors, invest more funds in our police department, and bring back revenue to our community that has been invested in other communities for decades. I would like to applaud the Keffer Administration for this proposal.” 

The revised proposed budget will be available on the Township website in time for the next public hearing on the 2024 Budget which will take place at 6pm on Wednesday, November 15th. There will be a Town Hall on the Earned Income Tax on Thursday, November 16th at 6:30pm.  These public meetings will be livestreamed and archived on the Township YouTube channel.


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Note: Please view some Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Earned Income Tax at: https://www.upperdarby.org/eit


PennDOT Announces Burmont Rd. Closure


From the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT):


Aqua Pennsylvania Utility Improvement to Close Burmont Road Weekdays in Upper Darby Township

King of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that Aqua Pennsylvania will be performing water main construction on Burmont Road in Upper Darby Township, Delaware County, beginning next month.

Motorists are advised of the following travel restriction:

Local access will be maintained up to the work zone. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling near the work area because backups and delays will occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.

Aqua Pennsylvania will complete this project under a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

For a complete list of construction projects impacting state-owned highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, visit the District 6 Traffic Bulletin.

Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov

Subscribe to PennDOT District 6 news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.


Delco Alert 4/3/23 - Trash Schedule Changes and More


Upper Darby Township
April 3, 2023


Good afternoon, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some important updates for our Upper Darby community.

This Friday, April 7th is a township holiday and the trash and recycling schedules are different this week:  Wednesday’s recycling will be collected on Tuesday for Area 2 and Wednesday for Area 1. Friday’s trash and recycling will be collected on Wednesday.

Next week’s trash and recycling schedule will be the regular one with the addition of Yard Waste collections which coincide with your regular curbside collection day.  Please put your yard waste loosely in a trash can or in a yard waste heavy-duty paper bag and help us lower our trash disposal fee costs by participating. 


As part of the Darby Creek Valley Association’s 39th annual Watershed-Wide cleanup, there will be clean-ups at various Upper Darby sites on two Saturdays this month, starting at 9am, rain or shine:

  • This Saturday, April 8, at Penn Pines Park, Gillespie Park (the site of our first recreational trail) and at Bloomfield and Rosemont (which is also part of our first recreational trail);

  • Saturday, April 22, at Naylors Run Park and Naylors Run South (across Garrett Road from the Naylors Run Park entrance) and at the Swedish Cabin;

And thank you to all of our local site captains for heading these clean-ups.  Please go to www.dcva.org for more information and remember that even an hour of your time makes a big difference!


Finally, on Saturday, April 15th, Upper Darby will be hosting a Pet Expo at Kent Park from 10am to 2pm. Visit www.upperdarby.org for details.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer wishing you all a wonderful week!


Welcome Our Newest K9 Radar!




The Upper Darby Police Department is proud to announce the newest member to our department, K9 Radar, a fully trained, facility assistance dog. Radar was received through the nonprofit organization, Canine Companions for Independence. Radar is handled by Officer Anthony Bateman, of the Community Affairs Unit. Radar comes to work every day with a very specific purpose: increase community communication, attend Community Service events and meetings, and is used to help calm and comfort witnesses, crime victims and anyone who may otherwise be afraid, uncomfortable or nervous.

Since 1975, Canine Companions has bred, raised, and expertly trained service dogs in over 40 commands designed to assist and motivate clients with special needs.

Please join us in welcoming Radar to the Upper Darby Police Department and be sure to stop and say hello to him if you see him.



Statement re: Mayor of Upper Darby 2/6/23


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 6, 2023
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org



UPPER DARBY, PA: In light of recent claims made by Council President Brian Burke, Upper Darby Township would like to clarify that Mayor Barbarann Keffer has not stepped down from office and remains the Mayor of Upper Darby per thorough review of the Home Rule Charter by Upper Darby Township Legal Officer, Sean P. Kilkenny, Esq. Solicitor Kilkenny has clearly communicated to Council that “in accordance with Section 803 (F) of the Charter and in my capacity as the Township Legal Officer I have determined that the Mayor is not absent as is defined by the Home Rule Charter.” 


Mayor Keffer is in contact with the Acting Co-Chief Administrative Officers to provide policy guidance and continues to carry out her duties as the Mayor of Upper Darby Township. 


Statement from Mayor Keffer Regarding Events of 1/26/23



Follow Up Statement from Mayor Barbarann Keffer

Regarding Events of January 26, 2023


Upper Darby, PA - On Thursday, January 26, 2023 I was involved in a traffic incident. I have been cooperating fully with local authorities in Upper Chichester. As Mayor of Upper Darby, I realize that I am held to a higher standard and I am prepared to face the consequences of my actions. I will be forever grateful that no one was physically harmed in this incident. I apologize to my family, my staff, and my constituents for this severe error in judgment. I realize that this may be hard for some to forgive but I ask that you look at my 9+ years of public service and not just this one terrible decision.


I am seeking professional treatment for alcohol addiction. An estimated 15 million people struggle with an alcohol use disorder in the United States, but less than 10% of them receive treatment. I hope there are others who can learn from my experience and seek the help they need. 


I want to do well by the community and see Upper Darby grow and prosper. I want our community to be safer, cleaner, and full of opportunity. It’s why I ran for office, and why I am committed to getting the help I need to do just that. I am proud of my accomplishments over the last three years but must also acknowledge the stress of the constant personal attacks from those who do not share my vision for Upper Darby. My treatment plan includes finding healthy ways to handle these stressors so that I can continue to fulfill my promise to reform, reinvest, and revitalize Upper Darby. I want to thank those who have reached out to express their support and understanding during this difficult time. 


My Acting Co-Chief Administrative Officers, Alison Dobbins and Rita LaRue, continue to oversee day to day operations of the government. I have full confidence that they will ensure the smooth operation of Upper Darby Township. 



Upper Darby Township would like to remind you that if you are struggling with addiction, please know that you are not alone and there are resources available to help. Visit the Pennsylvania State Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ website (www.ddap.pa.gov) or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)  to find help seeking treatment for addiction. 


Mayor Keffer Announces All New Upper Darby One Center is Open to Residents


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

January 18, 2023

Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org



Mayor Keffer Announces All New Upper Darby One Center is Open to Residents

The new Upper Darby One Center will provide our community with a new, ADA accessible, one-stop space for our constituent services.


UPPER DARBY, PA: On January 18, 2023, Mayor Keffer held the ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the all new Upper Darby One Center.  The One Center is housed on the ground floor of the Municipal Building and can be entered from Garrett Road. The newly renovated space, which sat empty for 10 years since the municipal branch of the library moved, is ADA accessible and the center boasts a modern, open design with customer service representatives during regular business hours to help our residents with almost all of the constituent services offered by the township. 


“Accessibility was the driving force behind the development of the One Center - not just the physical accessibility to the space, but also the services we provide,” said Mayor Barbarann Keffer. “Now Upper Darby residents, businesses, and guests can go to one place and get the help they need right when they walk in the door from assistance with tax payments to applying for permits. This space has been empty since 2011 and when I first visited this space at the start of my administration, it was being used as storage. I saw the potential of this location and am pleased to finally return this space to the public. After over 10 years, it will become a community resource once again and showcase Upper Darby as a world-class provider of municipal services.” 


The One Center staff are trained on relevant municipal processes for residents of Upper Darby. Community members can now use a single space for needs such as paying taxes or parking tickets, seeking information on licenses or permits and receiving help starting applications, making appointments, reserve recreational spaces, entering requests for code enforcement, and many more. The One Center will also be a new location for presenting informational meetings and seminars. 


“The Mayor and her administration have been dedicated to making lasting reinvestments in Upper Darby since she took office,” said Deputy CAO Rita LaRue. “This is a reinvestment which the community will reap benefits for decades to come. By streamlining the way we organize our constituent services, we hope to make your day a little easier.”


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Delco Alert - 1/13/23


Hi, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some important updates for our Upper Darby community:


This coming Monday, January 16th is a township holiday. The municipal building will be closed in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and no trash or recycling will be collected. Please visit www.upperdarby.org/trash to see how your pick up will be affected by the holiday. 


I’d like to inform all our residents that the ribbon cutting ceremony for the all new Upper Darby One Center will happen next week on Wednesday, January 18 at 1pm on the ground floor of the municipal building. The One Center is a fantastic new resource for our community, located on the Garrett Road side of the building. It will assist us with all of our constituent services as a one-stop, ADA accessible space. I would like to thank all our township staff who made this project possible. 


Additionally, next Thursday, January 19th, we will be hosting a public meeting in the One Center from 7-9pm to solicit community input on the all-wheels, ADA accessible Skatepark planned for Observatory Hill. We want to hear ideas from any Upper Darby residents who would like to come join us for a friendly discussion with 5th Pocket Skateparks, myself and Upper Darby Township. 



This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer wishing you a great weekend. 

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


Delco Alert - 1/5/23


Delco Alert Jan 5, 2023


Hi, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some important updates for our Upper Darby community:


I’m excited to announce that the all new One Center will be opening this month, on January 18, on the ground floor of the municipal building. Just as Upper Darby is the “World In One Place,” the One Center will assist with all of our constituent services as a one-stop, ADA accessible space that shows Upper Darby is a world class provider of municipal services. I am so excited to be bringing this resource to our residents and thankful to our administrative team who have worked together to make this a reality. 


As a friendly reminder, next week, January 9-13th, Christmas trees will be collected along with the regular recycling.  Our public works staff chip the trees for mulch and they also  use them as part of a streambank restoration project near the Swedish Cabin along Darby Creek.  Recycling the trees also keeps them out of the normal trash stream which helps our local environment as well as well as keeping costs down. Please consider recycling your Christmas Tree next week along with your regular recycling. Do not place the tree in a bag and ensure all decorations are removed. 


There is also an upcoming township holiday on Monday, January 16th. The municipal building will be closed in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and no trash or recycling will be collected. Please visit www.upperdarby.org/trash to see how your pick up will be affected by the holidays. You can also sign up for delco alerts to receive updates on changes to the trash schedule by visiting www.delcopa.gov 


This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer wishing you well in the new year. 

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


Upper Darby to build ADA-accessible skatepark at Observatory Hill Park


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

December 23, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org


Upper Darby to build ADA-accessible skatepark at Observatory Hill Park  


UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor Keffer is excited to announce that the Delco Skatepark Coalition has received its first grant, taking us one step closer to a skatepark in our community. The Delaware County Green Ways grant that the coalition received is to build an adaptive, all-wheels and ADA-accessible skatepark at Observatory Hill. The grant application was appropriately titled: “The Very First All-Wheels & ADA-Inspired Skatepark for Adaptive Athletes and Skaters of All Abilities in Delaware County,” according to coalition leader Stacy Olkowski.


“Skateboarding has become one of the fastest growing and most inclusive forms of recreation for all ages and we want to give our Upper Darby residents the ability to participate from the comfort of their own community,” said Mayor Keffer. “The addition of a skatepark in our township helps us to keep up with the way recreation is evolving. It encourages people to rediscover our great local parks and gives our children healthy and productive outlets to stay out of trouble.” 


Currently, Upper Darby Township has proposed plans in place to work in partnership with the Delco Skatepark Coalition for the construction of the concrete skatepark which will be located in the Observatory Hill recreation area. The Delaware County Green Ways grant awarded to the coalition is an exciting step for construction to begin. Mayor Keffer and the coalition are extremely thankful to Delaware County Council for awarding funding to this project for our residents. 


“A skatepark brings a lot of benefits to a community like Upper Darby,” said Olkowski. “Skateparks reach across so many boundaries and help kids learn things like resilience, creativity and perseverance.  It can be a singular activity, or one you do with friends. Skateparks  are inclusive spaces because they  create a community themselves - older skaters teaching the new ones how to skate, people coming to watch and support, adaptive athletes and those with physical disabilities finding a place they can truly use.”


This new grant funding will go towards building the 10,000 square foot all-wheels recreational space at Observatory Hill park. It is the goal of Upper Darby Township and the Delco Skatepark Coalition to ensure that riders of any ability will be able to use this park. Usability is key, but overall Mayor Keffer stressed that the purpose of the park is for all our residents to enjoy a fun, communal activity. Olkowski agreed, stating that the coalition’s goal is that everyone is able to truly use and enjoy the features in the skatepark, no matter what type of wheels they are rolling on.


“From the start, I have been a hands-on, grassroots mayor. The idea for a skatepark came directly from our community and it’s an honor to help make that a reality,” Mayor Keffer said. “I’m pleased to be working with the Delco Skatepark Coalition who is just as dedicated to bringing accessible recreation to our residents as I am. Skating of all kinds has become one of the most popular forms of modern recreation because it can be so accessible to all kinds of people, and in a place as diverse as Upper Darby, that’s doubly important. ”


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Delco Alert - 12/22/22


Delco Alert December 22, 2022


Hi, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some important updates for our Upper Darby community:


The trash and recycling schedule will change for the next two weeks to accommodate our winter holidays. There will be no trash or recycling collected this coming Monday, December 26th as we observe Christmas Day. Also, there will be no trash or recycling collected on Monday, January 2nd in observation of the New Year. Please visit www.upperdarby.org/trash to see how your pick up will be affected by the holidays. You can also sign up for Delco alerts to receive updates on changes to the trash schedule by visiting www.delcopa.gov 


Residents should see the next edition of the bi-annual newsletter in January. This newsletter contains important information about your trash and recycling schedule, upcoming events, and other updates related to Upper Darby. The newsletter will arrive by the end of January and will also be posted to the website: www.upperdarby.org. 


We are monitoring the weather forecast very closely and are prepared for the potential winter weather currently expected tomorrow. Please be safe and use caution throughout the expected weather.


This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer wishing you a happy holiday season. 

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov



Upper Darby Partners with Brixmor to Improve Parking at Pilgrim Gardens Shopping Center


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

December 14, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org


Upper Darby Partners with Brixmor to Improve Parking at Pilgrim Gardens Shopping Center 

Solar powered kiosks create convenience, aesthetic appeal, and positive environmental impact.


UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor Keffer is excited to announce the success of Upper Darby’s partnership with Brixmor to complete updates to the parking lot at Pilgrim Gardens Shopping Center. Through this public/private partnership, old parking meters were removed and replaced with solar kiosks. This type of partnership is an exciting step forward in Mayor Keffer’s vision for revitalizing Upper Darby and supporting our businesses. 


“If we’re going to modernize and improve Upper Darby we have to work together with our business community. Most people might not think much about parking, but it’s a major quality of life issue, and that’s why I was thrilled to partner with Brixmor to improve customers' experience parking at Pilgrim Gardens,” said Mayor Keffer. “Seeing how willing and interested Brixmor was to work with us as a municipality for the benefit of our residents makes me hopeful for more private/public partnership in the future. ” 


Brixmor, a real estate developer and owner of the Pilgrim Gardens Shopping Center, was in the process of renovating their private lot and Upper Darby took the opportunity to encourage them to also improve their parking meters. The result is a modernized, more aesthetically pleasing and easier to use parking lot in our community. 


“It’s always great to see private investment in public improvements,” said the parking director for Upper Darby Township, Dr. Sekela Coles. “We have made great strides over the past two years to modernize our parking in Upper Darby from providing an app to pay for parking via Passport, to making online payment options available, and converting to solar powered kiosks over meters. The Mayor has been tremendously supportive of our efforts to improve the parking experience for our residents, businesses and visitors.”


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Upper Darby Awarded $2 Million RACP Grant to Fund Construction of the First Ever Community Center


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 28, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org


Upper Darby Awarded $2 Million RACP Grant to Fund Construction of the First Ever Community Center


UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor Keffer is excited to announce that Upper Darby has been awarded $2 million in state funding from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). These grant funds will be used to assist the construction costs of the all new Upper Darby Community Center - the first of its kind in the township as well as the first LEED certified building in Upper Darby. 


“It’s always great to see more state funding coming into Upper Darby, and especially for such a groundbreaking project like our new Community Center. This will serve as the foundation of a revamped, dynamic Recreation Department with new programming and opportunities provided for residents of all ages, ” said Mayor Keffer. “I’m so thankful for the help from our State Senator Tim Kearney and State Representative Gina Curry, for their help in securing this grant.”


Thanks to this amazing funding secured, on top of the funds already received for the Community Center project in Upper Darby, demolition at 7000 Walnut Street has been completed and construction is slated to begin in 2023. Upper Darby has already received competitive RACP awards in addition to $1 million in Community Project Funding for a green roof secured with the help of Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon.  


“Community centers offer so many opportunities for neighbors to interact and learn,” said Senator Tim Kearney. “Upper Darby Township is a multicultural hub, and I believe this facility will create an atmosphere where neighbors can foster and cultivate relationships with one another. I am happy that I was able to advocate for funding to support this project. Initiatives like this will make the 26th District an even more dynamic space for residents and visitors."


“Community centers like the Upper Darby Community Center, provide a safe place for neighbors to gather,” said Rep. Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware. “They are proven to help reduce violence and increase community engagement. I am pleased to have partnered with Upper Darby Township and our community to help secure this vital funding and bring this exciting project to fruition. I look forward to continuing to find ways the commonwealth can invest in our community.”


Keeping the community we serve in mind, Mayor Keffer’s administration made certain the Upper Darby Community Center was designed with the feedback from residents in mind. JMT Architects, who had been awarded the contract through a competitive RFP process and participated in multiple public meetings as well as solicited feedback from the public through a survey conducted in 5 languages, gave a presentation that included design plans and rendering of the first of its kind facility located at 7000 Walnut Street. With careful and thorough planning, the Community Center has secured roughly $9 million in total funding. 


Through a combination of state grant programs and federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding the Community Center has received: $3 million was allocated from ARPA to be used for matching funds to secure grants, $2 million from this round of RACP grants, $1 million from community funding, and finally $1 million from the state grant Local Share Account. By understanding and leveraging grant opportunities, Upper Darby hopes to achieve $11 million in investment with only $3 million in local dollars used.


“Myself and my administration are committed to revitalizing, reforming, and reinvesting in Upper Darby, and our new Community Center project is a perfect example of those three principles in action,” Mayor Keffer said. “This grant funding is an exciting step forward towards a dynamic new space for all our residents to enjoy. Last but not least, the responsible contracting ordinance promoted by my administration will ensure that the Community Center will be built with the highest quality, most local labor possible.” 

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Upper Darby Fire Department Becomes One of Few to Achieve New and Improved ISO Rating


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 21, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org


Upper Darby Fire Department Becomes One of Few to Achieve New and Improved ISO Rating


UPPER DARBY, PA: Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer and Mayor Barbarann Keffer are pleased to announce that the  Upper Darby Fire Department recently received a new and improved rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO). Once every five years or so, fire departments throughout the country all receive an evaluation and a score from the ISO and are graded on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the best possible score. Upper Darby earned a rating of “2”, a score held by approximately 1700 other fire departments in the nation, and an improvement from the previous score of “3” which the department has held since 2014.


“This is an amazing achievement for our Fire Department and our community as well,” said Mayor Keffer.  “We’re seeing evidence of all the work we’ve done to revitalize and reform Upper Darby. I’d like to thank our firefighters and Chief Sawyer for all that they’ve done to achieve this outstanding new rating.” 


The official name for this rating is the Public Protection Classification or PPC, but it’s informally called a fire score. The PPC score is a rating of how efficiently your fire department serves your local community.  A low ISO score will inspire the community to trust in the services provided by the fire department should they ever need them. Lower scores can also decrease home insurance rates in the community.  A good ISO score indicates that a fire is not likely to severely damage or even decimate a building because the fire department is well trained, staffed and has suitable resources. Upper Darby’s PPC score is effective February 1, 2023. 


UDFD has made great improvements over the last two years, as they worked through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Our firefighters continue to receive the most updated fire rescue training which contributed to the improved ISO score in 2022. UDFD also received increased scores for their water supply systems which is judged on the process of inspections for fire hydrants, the locations of hydrants, and their flow capabilities. Scores also increased for the department's equipment quality, response times to structure fires, and staffing. 


“I’m happy to see our dedication to fire safety in Upper Darby being recognized with this rating increase,” said Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer. “Our Upper Darby Fire Department is one of few who provide such highly skilled services to their residents. We are looking forward to achieving a “1” rating in the coming years.”  

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Delco Alert - 11/3/22


Delco Alert November 11/3/22 


Hi, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some important updates for our Upper Darby community:


Next week, there are two township holidays, Election Day and Veterans Day. Due to this the municipal building will be closed on Tuesday, November 8th, and Friday, November 11th. There will be no recycling or yard waste collected next week and the trash collection schedule has been altered to accommodate the holidays. Fliers have been distributed to the residences whose trash collection day has been affected. For further information, please visit www.upperdarby.org/trash


In advance I would like to thank all our veterans for their service and encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote this coming Tuesday. 


This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer wishing you a great weekend. 


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PUBLIC NOTICE - Upper Darby Township Year 2023 Budget


PUBLIC NOTICE

UPPER DARBY TOWNSHIP

YEAR 2023 BUDGET 



Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by Township Council on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. before the scheduled 7:00 p.m. Committee Meeting, for the purpose of reviewing Upper Darby Township’s Budget for the Year 2023.  

The meeting will take place in the Township Meeting Room #202 of the Municipal Building, 100 Garrett Road, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

The meeting will be streamed to the public via You Tube live: https://www.youtube.com/upperdarbytwp.  The meeting can be also viewed on the Upper Darby Township Council’s Facebook page.


Copies of the budget message and the budget are available on the township’s website, https://www.upperdarby.org/SpecialReports.  Persons requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hearing or review the budget should contact Upper Darby Township at 610-734-7600, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


ALEXIS CICCHITTI 

CHIEF MUNICIPAL CLERK


October 2022 Monthly Newsletter


View below updates for October 2022 and a message from the desk of Mayor Keffer on upcoming events and Township resources! 

Click here for the downloadable version with links!



PRESS RELEASE: Mayor Calls On Council to Retract False Report


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2022





Mayor Calls On Council to Retract False Report
 
UPPER DARBY, PA: On September 14, 2022, Council voted to approve the final report of Chris Boggs, which was not signed, authored, or presented with any CPA and/or any person with municipal accounting experience whatsoever. One week later, well respected municipal finance expert, Donna Stillwell, CPA (certified public accountant), CFE (certified fraud examiner) of Brinker Simpson, presented a report which pointed out major fundamental errors in the Boggs report, undermining the credibility of the entire report. Today, Mayor Keffer is calling on Council to retract their seal of approval for the false report and move forward to heal and improve the community. 
 
Ms. Stilwell’s findings are as follows:
 
Claim 1: Unauthorized Use of ARPA Funds: 

Proved false by: Boggs’ entire report uses the concept of “First in, First Out.” On September 21st, the so-called accounting method according to Boggs of “first in, first out” used to get to this conclusion of spent ARPA funds is “not a real accounting methodology,” according to Donna Stilwell of Brinker Simpson. This is also supported by Marcum - a top national CPA (Certified Public Accountant) firm engaged to investigate claims made by Council regarding ARPA funds - who stated that they had performed analyses of the actual bank balances of general fund bank accounts comparing them to the ARP funds from December 1, 2021 through February 7, 2022 and determined that the actual bank balances exceeded the ARP funds at all times. 

Claim 2: The Administration used restricted funds to make their representation of February 7, 2022 that all the ARPA proceeds were in their own PLGIT account.

Proved false by: This claim is highly predicated on the claims pertaining to the Highway and Liquid fuels restricted accounts. On September 21st, Stilwell described this particular section of the Boggs report as, “really very wrong.” “The Wells Fargo account and Santander account referenced by Boggs were not liquid fuels funds,” she said. “Those are deposited from PENNDOT into the TD bank account. The money in those other accounts came from various grant or Aqua reimbursements. That is general fund money and not liquid fuels.” Stilwell went on to specify that “nobody violated state laws,” as Boggs’ report implies. The liquid fuels fund was audited in 2021 in accordance with state requirements which is available on the PENNDOT website.

This is further backed by the Marcum report that details clearly the transactions that took place to segregate the ARPA Funds - which is not required by federal law under the Final Rule - at Council’s request. “The PLGIT ARP account x5050 was opened on February 4, 2022 with transfers from the PLGIT general fund account x5013 totaling $13,581,101.21. Additionally, the following transfers into the PLGIT ARP account x5050 were made on February 7, 2022:
       $3,576,006.34 was transferred from the WF general fund account x9773;
       $390,000.00 was transferred from the Citizens Bank24 general fund account x9157; and
       $3,333,861.45 was transferred from the Santander general fund account x5237.
The above transactions brought the balance in the PLGIT ARP account x5050 to $20,880,969.”
All of the transfers detailed here clearly originate from general fund accounts which, by their nature, do not contain restricted funds. 

Claim 3: The Administration violated the UDT Home Rule Charter by not keeping distinct bank accounts of all sums received by taxes and other sources. 

Proved False By: The section of the Home Rule Charter cited by Boggs reads “keep distinct accounts of all sums received.” Due to Boggs lack of understanding of municipal finance, he believes accounts means bank accounts when the actual definition of accounts means a “record or statement of financial expenditure and receipts.” As shown by his own report and Marcum’s, Upper Darby does keep a distinct accounting of all incoming revenue. 
The idea of commingling revenue funds is also an accepted practice in municipal government. As Donna Stilwell explained on the 21s, this accepted practice in larger municipalities is called “consolidated cash.” “They put all their money in one account,” said Stilwell, “and then the general ledger deciphers what is in that account.” This is a practice used by cities such as Scranton and Philadelphia. 

On September 21st, Donna Stilwell clarified the US Treasury never required separation of funds. “It was not a requirement,” Stilwell stated. This was clarified previously in the Marcum report and is stated clearly in the Treasury’s own “final rule” which contains all rules and regulations for the ARPA funding. Commingling of ARPA funds is a nonissue which has been stated now by two highly respected accounting firms and the federal government themselves. 

Claim 4: The Administration violated the UDT Home Rule Charter by over spending the budget by $1.7 million. 

Proved false by: According to Stilwell, taken in its best light, the statement is “premature.” Stilwell went on to indicate that the audited financials will likely show a surplus but even if the audited financials support Boggs premature conclusion, that amounts to nothing more than a 1.9% deficit. “That’s what we’re here arguing about today, 1.9%. From an accounting standpoint, that is a very immaterial number,” Stilwell said. 

Claim 5: The Administration violated Federal Law when they submitted a false certification to the Federal Government. 

Proven false by: Boggs claim here is built on a false foundation due to his lack of understanding of municipal finances with regards to the Liquid fuels funds mentioned in claim 2. He also believed that payroll funds were restricted accounts when making this erroneous claim, again showing a lack of understanding of normal internal controls in municipal government. 

His report ultimately confirms that no money was ever missing and that the money was not spent on pension obligations, as previously stated by Vice-President Councilor Laura Wentz. Two reports, one by a highly credible accounting firm Marcum, now conclude that no money was missing. 

Due to these clear inaccuracies, Mayor Keffer is calling on Council to revoke their vote and heal the community. “We have clear evidence that this report is full of falsehoods and misinformation,” said Keffer. “To back a report that is so obviously wrong is damaging to this community. It’s time to heal the divide that began months ago with these false claims and move on towards doing the work for Upper Darby.” 



PRESS RELEASE 9/14/22


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 14, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org




Boggs Changes His Story: New False Claims Debunked

 

UPPER DARBY, PA: Tonight, the slim majority of Council’s hand-picked investigator has caved to the pressure of the all-white finance committee’s obvious agenda for this partisan, biased investigation. While many questioned the back-room appointment of Christopher Boggs, a defense attorney with no documented experience with municipal or financial matters - let alone the intricacies of municipal accounting - from the beginning, it has become painfully clear that his primary qualifications are his long service to the Republican Party and a willingness to deceive the public to achieve a partisan goal. 


The slim majority of Council, who many in the community have come to refer to as the “white power six” or simply the “shameful six,” have never hidden their intentions - they want to undermine the Mayor and the Chief Administrative Officer. In fact, Councilman Andrew Hayman stated at tonight’s meeting to Boggs, “you and I discussed several times through the month of August and into the month of September what the justification is for the report in the first place. You stated to me multiple times that the former mayor, Tom Micozzie, the chair of Upper Darby Republican Party, was ‘intimately involved’ with this report,” Hayman said. “You [Boggs] said that he recruited your law firm to do this report specifically and you have said that you find it hard to believe that he is not in constant communication with President Burke, Councilor Wagner, and Vice President Wentz.”


Knowing this, it is not surprising that their hand-picked lawyer with no relevant qualifications arrived at their predetermined conclusions – it is only surprising that Boggs freely admitted, in writing just weeks ago, that he did not have evidence to back up these conclusions. 


According to his own report, Boggs relied primarily on “consultations” with a single disgraced former employee who has previously been caught lying about the ARPA funds to cover his own culpability - neither interviewing nor even submitting questions to a single member of the Township’s finance department during the relevant time period. These interviews would have been elucidating–Boggs may have experience as a criminal defense attorney, but he is obviously unfamiliar with municipal accounting - and defamation law. Three weeks ago, Boggs admitted as much when he stated to Council that he is in no position to criticize Marcum LLP, an independent accounting and consulting firm with decades of municipal accounting. Yet now his report purports to completely reject the analysis and conclusions of the Marcum report. 


Municipal accounting is complicated, as anyone who attempts to read either the Marcum report, authored by independent, experienced municipal accountants, or the Boggs report, authored by a criminal defense attorney with no municipal accounting experience, can appreciate. It is not clear why no one with expertise in accounting was willing to put their name on the Boggs report, but the report cites no professional accountants or auditors as authors or consultants. This is likely why the report also fails to cite any basic accounting principles as authority for its conclusions. 


The Boggs report makes a number of sweeping claims, each of which are either backed with no evidence or have already been thoroughly debunked by other reliable sources. 


Claim One - The Administration spent ARPA Proceeds without the authorization of UDT Council. 


Proved false by: During their presentation on May 19 of this year, Marcum -  a top national CPA (Certified Public Accountant) firm engaged by Mayor Keffer directly - stated that they had performed analyses of the actual bank balances of general fund bank accounts comparing them to the ARP funds from December 1, 2021 through February 7, 2022 and determined that the actual bank balances exceeded the ARP funds at all times. They have made clear that the “inspection of available documents and meeting transcripts shows that only $6 million for revenue replacement has been approved as of May 10, 2022 and the remaining ARP funds have not been appropriated.” Unlike Council’s investigation led by Solicitor Boggs, Marcum conducted in depth interviews with multiple staff at Upper Darby Township, Treasurer Haman, and the disgruntled former employee Boggs also spoke with, and concluded that, “despite numerous interviews, no person reported or provided information alleging misuse of the ARP funds.” Treasurer Haman himself, whose false Treasurer’s report kicked off both these investigations, stated at the meeting tonight, “the administration has not withheld any information that I have asked for,” in explanation as to why he’s stopped giving Treasurers reports since. Haman has since repeatedly asked for Council to appropriate the ARPA funding. 


Claim Two - The Administration used restricted funds to make their representation of February 7, 2022 that all the ARPA proceeds were in their own PLGIT account.


Proved false by: The Marcum report details clearly the transactions that took place to segregate the ARPA Funds - which is not required by federal law under the Final Rule - at Council’s request. “The PLGIT ARP account x5050 was opened on February 4, 2022 with transfers from the PLGIT general fund account x5013 totaling $13,581,101.21. Additionally, the following transfers into the PLGIT ARP account x5050 were made on February 7, 2022:

  • $3,576,006.34 was transferred from the WF general fund account x9773;

  • $390,000.00 was transferred from the Citizens Bank24 general fund account x9157; and

  • $3,333,861.45 was transferred from the Santander general fund account x5237.

The above transactions brought the balance in the PLGIT ARP account x5050 to $20,880,969.”

All of the transfers detailed here clearly originate from general fund accounts which, by their nature, do not contain restricted funds. In this section of his report, Boggs has made further, largely inaccurate claims pertaining to the Highway and Liquid Fuels restricted accounts. This money does not come from the state, it comes from the county. It is a reimbursement to the general fund and should be deposited there. The complete lack of accuracy on this page of his report does not instill any confidence in Boggs or his ‘accountant’s’ understanding of municipal finances.  


Claim Three - The Administration violated the UDT Home Rule Charter by not keeping distinct accounts of all sums received by taxes and other sources. 


Proved false by: This is a wildly inaccurate reading of the Home Rule Charter and misrepresents the daily accounting practices of Upper Darby Township. Upper Darby does keep a distinct accounting of all sums received by taxes and other sources - if it was otherwise there would be an audit finding at the end of each year which would flag the error. The Home Rule Charter does not say taxes must be separated, it states in Section C-504 that the Township “must keep distinct accounts of all sums received,” only specifying that accounts must be kept, not that taxes must be separated. At no point during their investigation did Boggs ask to see any accounting related to the collection of taxes and other Township fees. Our auditor, Christopher Herr, has stated that in fact, many municipal funds are commingled in the general accounts alongside taxes including permits, fines, charges for services, etc. Boggs has clearly misinterpreted the Home Rule Charter in making this claim, further showing his lack of qualifications to make any determination of violations of the HRC.

Claim Four - The Administration violated the UDT Home Rule Charter by over spending the budget by $1.7 million. 


Proved false by: One cannot state that there is a deficit until the final adjustments for 2021 are madeUpper Darby operates off a cash basis which means that while our fiscal year ends in 2021, many transactions occur in the early months of 2022 that are a part of the 2021 fiscal budget. The Township is working through the 2021 year end financials and the $1.7 million deficit referenced in Boggs’ report will change once that is completed. Neither Boggs or his “accountant” are auditors and do not have the qualifications required to audit the Township financials and say whether or not the Township went over budget. If this were to be true, it would be flagged in the yearly audit, which is underway. Additionally, as CAO Rongione and Brinker Simpson have both stated, these $1.7 million expenditures that they see are offset by grant money which will be journaled as revenue for 2021. 


Claim Five - The Administration violated Federal Law when they submitted a false certification to the Federal Government. 


Proved false by: This claim is proved false by all evidence given so far in this release and by the Marcum report as well. For the federal law to be violated by the certification submitted, ARPA funding would have needed to be spent without approval from Council. Marcum has stated clearly that “at all times the general fund bank account balances exceeded $20.88 million,” where the ARPA funds were located. Once funds are commingled, Marcum detailed that dollars can no longer be told apart. Essentially no dollar is labeled “tax” or “ARPA” until they are in a segregated account. This is completely allowable under the Final Rule. Marcum wrote “despite possible concerns expressed by UDT Council members and others, regulations and other guidance published by the U.S. Treasury did not require amounts remitted to municipalities pursuant to ARP be maintained in a separate deposit account.” 


Based on all the evidence above, Boggs failed to accurately prove that ARPA funds had been spent without approval, and therefore, no federal laws could have been violated. All ARPA funds are subject to audits conducted directly by the federal government. If any of these claims were to somehow contain any truth, the federal government would discover evidence of wrongdoing. Every member of the Administration is aware of this requirement from the federal government. This is a wild and dangerous accusation to make as it potentially spreads unfounded fears and misinformation to the public, particularly considering this claim was labeled as “UNDETERMINED” in Boggs’ report and was still included and presented as an accusation against the Administration. 


In summation, Boggs’ report and presentation are full of proven false accusations and misinformation. This report does a disservice to the public, whose tax dollars were wasted on a political witch hunt. “The Keffer administration has been fully transparent and open since questions were first raised in a malicious sneak attack ‘Treasurer’s Report’ that was orchestrated in bad faith and in violation of the Home Rule Charter by Councilperson Wentz and the disgruntled and disgraced former Finance Director, Gary Merron,” said Mayor Barbarann Keffer. “Even the Treasurer himself has rescinded his statements and asked Council to move on and appropriate the ARPA funds. We now have two reports that say no money is missing and there is no reason to not allocate the ARPA funds. It’s time to put this petty divide behind us and move on. ” 





Delco Alert - 9/2/22


Delco Alert 9/2/22 


This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some important updates for the community. 


First, today is the last day of twice a week trash pick up and once weekly pick up will begin again starting Tuesday September 6th. This Monday is the Labor Day holiday and trash will not be collected. There will be a holiday trash schedule for next week. For the complete trash schedule, including the holiday adjustments, please visit our website www.upperdarby.org


The 5th Annual Upper Darby International Festival is coming up on Saturday, September 24th from 12pm-6pm in and around the Five Points Intersection. The Township is happy to be partnered once again with The Friends of the Tower Theater District. This event is free and fun for all ages, featuring a YMCA sponsored Kids play Zone, a headlining performance from the internationally recognized Brazilian music band Minas, and the Parade of Flags, along with a wide array of food, vendors and other cultural and musical performances. I’m looking forward to seeing our community come together once again.


Thank you and have a great Labor Day weekend. 


Mayor Keffer Attends Installation of Solar Panels on Upper Darby Municipal Building


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 1, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org


Mayor Keffer Attends Installation of Solar Panels on Upper Darby Municipal Building


UPPER DARBY, PA: Last week, Mayor Keffer oversaw the installation of the first ever solar panels on the Upper Darby Municipal Building (please see attached photos from the installation). This project is one part of the Mayor’s broader vision of reinvestment and revitalization across Upper Darby. The funding for these panels, as well as the panels to be installed on the Watkins Senior Center, comes from the Mayor’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan.


Installing solar panels on the municipal building is a step forward towards reaching a Silver rating from SolSmart, a national designation program designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to solar energy and foster the growth of mature local solar markets. Silver ranking is obtained when Bronze ranking criteria are met and solar training has been conducted for inspection and permitting staff, along with some zoning requirements. Upper Darby is well on its way to achieving this rank. 


All of this serves as part of Mayor Keffer’s plan to revitalize and reinvest in a greener Upper Darby. “We are setting new expectations and standards for development in Upper Darby and when you do that, it is important to lead by example,” Mayor Keffer said. “By installing solar panels on our own government buildings, we’re not only making the Township greener, we are sending a message to residents and developers about what is possible here. We’re making advancements and amenities like solar energy more accessible to our community. This is truly amazing progress.” 


The Township has received a surge in applications for residential solar panels - approximately 106, many of which were approved - since the announcement was made in 2021. The solar panels on the municipal roofs alone will offset the greenhouse gas reductions of the following equivalent emitters: 20.6 cars off the road, 10,642 gallons of gas consumed per year, 11.4 homes energy use, 219 barrels of oil per year, 32.2 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled. It is also the  carbon sequestration equivalent of: 1,564 tree seedlings grown for 10 years and 116 acres of US forest. 


SolSmart also helps to streamline local government systems which affect business and residents going solar. By installing them on municipal buildings and increasing the SolSmart rating, the process is made much easier for the community to install their own solar panels. 


“This is smart fiscal policy and a sound investment. These panels will pay for themselves in only five to ten years,” said Mayor Keffer. “Not only that but they will help mitigate the effects of the climate crisis locally, and we’re ahead of the curve in the state - Upper Darby will be only the sixth municipality in Pennsylvania who will qualify for a silver designation through SolSmart’s program once we complete our last remaining requirements. This is a massive step towards making our Township a more environmentally friendly place for our residents, and we’re excited to be ‘leading the charge’ so to speak, towards more accessible solar energy.” 

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PRESS RELEASE: Judge Rules Council Violated Sunshine Act - Dismisses Petition


August 30, 2022


Judge Rules Council Violated Sunshine Act - Dismisses Petition


UPPER DARBY, PA: Today, August 30th, Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge Spiros Angelos ordered that Upper Darby Township Council’s petition for declaratory judgment be dismissed on the grounds that their June 1, 2022 action violated the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. The Sunshine Act, designed to ensure transparency and robust democratic participation in government, requires that the public be given notice of any “official action” before it is undertaken so that residents have an opportunity to participate and comment. Violations of the Sunshine Act deprive the public of this fundamental right to have a voice in their government.


“I am thankful that the court has upheld the right of the people to participate in their government and to be fully informed of upcoming votes and agendas,” said Mayor Barbarann Keffer. “The willful violation of the Sunshine Act is very disrespectful to our residents and staff. We have lost countless hours since June 1 on this topic. I hope this decision will restore some sense of sanity and good faith to our Council. Now is the time to move forward, and I am eager to work with Council, CAO Rongione, and the community to do just that.”


The vote taken by Council on June 1, 2022 at the public Council meeting attempting to deem the office of Chief Administrative Officer “forfeited” was not identified on the meeting’s agenda. After objections to the vote were raised by the Township’s solicitor, the Mayor, several members of Council, and the public, the slim majority of Council filed this petition asking the Court to declare their vote valid and enforceable. The Court rejected their request and dismissed their petition. Because the Court found that the vote was taken in violation of the Sunshine Act and was therefore invalid, the Court did not address whether Council has the power under the Home Rule Charter to deem the office of the Chief Administrative Officer forfeit by a simple majority vote. 

“It is my sincere hope that we can put this unfortunate chapter behind us and get back to the important work of serving our residents and moving our community forward,” said CAO Vincent Rongione. “Every reasonable person associated with this matter knew the vote violated the law from the beginning, including the people who took it. The vote was taken against the advice of their lawyers and while their own fellow Council members were warning them that this would be the result.”


Any government officials who participate in a meeting with the intent and purpose to violate the Sunshine Act can be convicted of a summary offense subject to penalties of up to $1,000. This decision only addressed the narrow question of the validity of the vote, and did not address potential convictions or penalties. 


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Mayor Keffer’s Upper Darby Summer Stage Scholarship Program Sees Great Results in First Season



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 22, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org



Mayor Keffer’s Upper Darby Summer Stage Scholarship Program Sees Great Results in First Season


UPPER DARBY, PA:  Earlier this year, in fulfillment of her commitment to an equitable, sustainable, and financially secure Upper Darby Summer Stage Program - which serves and promotes the talent of our local kids - Mayor Keffer announced that the township was offering free registration to Upper Darby kids for Upper Darby Summer Stage programs. Specifically, any Township resident between the ages of 10 and 18 could attend completely free of charge, with no income or academic requirements. 


“We wanted any Upper Darby kid with a desire to participate to be able to take advantage of this nationally-recognized, local  program without having to worry about the cost,” Mayor Keffer said. “It was an amazing success. We were able to send so many Upper Darby kids for free and see all their great performances throughout the summer. Our community is full of so many talented performers and backstage crews helping to revitalize our township through their work.”


The 47th season of Upper Darby Summer Stage offered full-day summer programs that included 6 Performing StArts Programs, 6 Children's Theatre Shows, and a Technical Theatre program. Upper Darby Summer Stage has played a crucial role in uplifting the arts for students in and around the area for decades. With the support of the Mayor and the Township, Upper Darby Summer Stage found a new home with the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation (UDAEF) this year.  


“This year, more Upper Darby kids than ever got the chance to shine on stage and behind the scenes,” said Deputy CAO Alison Dobbins, also a representative on the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “The casts and crews of these programs were more diverse than ever. The Mayor’s initiative to cover costs for Upper Darby children has really made a difference in accessibility to the programs.” 


Mayor Keffer congratulates UDAEF and their new Artistic Director, Chris Luner, on a magical season! “Keeping this treasure here in Upper Darby - and ensuring it is widely available to all residents - is my priority,” Mayor Keffer said.


This sentiment was shared by the many families who were able to participate in the programs this year along with the Township’s partners at UDAEF.


“Summer Stage is a great program and has been a magical experience for my son,” said Cintia Isles, a proud Upper Darby Summer Stage parent whose son was a part of Rising Stars. “The Upper Darby Township’s grant made it possible for students from all over the township to participate in this special program. Hopefully the grant continues so that Summer Stage can continue to grow and reflect the beautiful diversity of Upper Darby.”


“I want to thank Mayor Keffer for her steadfast support of the program this summer,” said Terry Tracy, president of the Board, on behalf of the UDAEF. “The decision to restructure the program’s governance, management, and economics was certainly a calculated risk, but Mayor Keffer’s personal investment helped to make this summer one that should make every resident of Upper Darby proud. And while the program’s unparalleled production value may be the most obvious example of success, our joint efforts to provide expanded, equitable access to arts education to all Upper Darby kids will pay tremendous dividends in our community long after they take their final bow.”


“Part of our goals since the beginning has been to reinvest in this community,” Mayor Keffer said. “Upper Darby Summer Stage is a great example of reinvesting in our young residents by giving them the tools they need to not only grow as students, but succeed as well, and the arts plays such an important role in that. The success of this program - being able to see our community come together and create fantastic works of art - is a great reminder of how our township, ‘The World In One Place,’ is home to so many wonderful, talented people.” 


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Mayor Keffer Hosts Third American Rescue Plan Town Hall in Upper Darby


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 15, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org


Mayor Keffer Hosts Third American Rescue Plan Town Hall in Upper Darby 


Upper Darby, PA: On Monday, Mayor Barbarann Keffer hosted a town hall meeting that built on the first ARPA town hall held on January 13th of this year and many other public meetings afterward. The purpose of Tuesday’s meeting was to allow for continued public input on the use of ARPA funds awarded to Upper Darby Township. Leadership from various departments in the Township, including Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer, Superintendent of Police Tim Bernhardt, and the township’s engineer, were present as well as and key community stakeholder who spoke to the public about crucial projects which qualify for ARPA money. 


Mayor Keffer stressed in her opening remarks the importance of the ARPA funds for the Township. “The ARPA funds are a unique opportunity for local governments to make strategic and long term investments in our infrastructure, enhance our financial stability, and help mitigate the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of these funds is for us to reinvest in our community,” Mayor Keffer said. “This is a once in a generation opportunity to make incredible improvements, investments, and upgrades for our residents, but it will only be successful if we get moving now and get moving together.”


The Mayor has put forward robust spending plans - including grants for small businesses, vehicles and equipment for first responders, new and improved parks and open spaces, gun violence prevention programming, a new, first ever, Upper Darby Community Center, and much more, no fewer than ten times since January only to have a slim majority of Council vote against these much needed initiatives. 


Now, the Mayor has proposed a series of 6 narrowly tailored ordinances, one for each ARPA approved budget category, so that the public can better appreciate the plan and priorities and more easily participate in the process.

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Delco Alert - 8/12/22


Delco Alert 8/12/22


Hi, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with an important update for our Upper Darby community:


Construction at the Drexeline shopping center is in full swing and traffic will be affected on the 4900 block of Woodland Avenue. There is a large street sign posted at the intersection of Clarendon Road and Woodland Avenue; traffic is being directed to turn onto Clarendon towards State Road in order to limit the amount of traffic cutting through the shopping center during this phase of the project.  This phase is expected to last 5-6 weeks. 

 

As the 4900 block of Woodland Avenue is a one-way street heading southbound, residents of this block are still permitted to exit through the shopping center.  


There will be some growing pains during this $100 million dollar redevelopment project. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 


On Monday, August 15 at 6:30 pm, in the township building, I will be hosting another Town Hall on the American Rescue Plan funding.  It will be streamed on the township YouTube channel as well.  So, that’s this Monday, at 6:30 in the township building, my 3rd ARPA Town Hall. 


This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer wishing you a good evening and a cooler weekend. 

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PRESS RELEASE: Wentz & Burke in Violation of UD Home Rule Charter According to Official Legal Memo


May 24, 2022


 

Wentz & Burke in Violation of UD Home Rule Charter According to Official Legal Memo

 

Upper Darby, PA:  Today, the Law Offices of Sean Kilkenny, who serves as Upper Darby solicitor, issued an official legal opinion stating that multiple recent actions by certain Council Members violated the Home Rule Charter. The opinion states that the potential remedy for members of Council who willfully violate an express provision of the Charter is immediate forfeiture of Office. The violations stem from the ongoing issues surrounding Upper Darby’s allotment of American Rescue Plan Act funding from the federal government. The legal opinion comes following the release of an independent forensic investigation into the handling of the funds which was conducted by the highly respected accounting firm, Marcum Advisors LLP and stated that there was no misuse of the funds. 

 

“Certain members of Council have been violating the Charter’s prohibition on Council interference for months but it has now become so flagrant, obvious, and damaging to our community that I requested a formal legal opinion from our solicitor,” said Mayor Keffer. “Our community and our employees deserve better than this from these Council members. It really is long past time to put petty personal feelings and political ambitions aside and do what is                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            best for the people who elected us to serve them.”

 

The legal memo outlines a number of actions which constitute specific violations of the Charter including: 

 

  1. Violating the Charter’s general prohibition on Council interference with the Administration
  2. Attempting to direct the work of Administration staff
  3. Engaging in direct negotiations with Township union employees
  4. Soliciting requests from local non-profits for ARPA funding

 

The Charter defines the Council’s powers and purview as strictly legislative and gives all necessary and incidental authority and power to the Mayor to conduct the administration of the government. All of the items listed above and in the legal memo fall well outside of the Council’s legislative powers and provide the general basis for the legal conclusions in the memo. 

 

“It really is a sad thing for the community when politicians allow their ego to not only cloud their judgment but to really negatively impact the lives of the people they are elected to serve,” said Upper Darby Chief Administrative Officer Vincent Rongione. “Unfortunately, that is exactly where these certain Council members have led Upper Darby. It really should be embarrassing to them personally but unfortunately and more importantly, as one resident put it at a recent town hall meeting, their conduct is embarrassing for the entire community.”


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PRESS RELEASE: Key Findings from Marcum LLP’s ARPA Forensic Investigation


May 19, 2022


Key Findings from Marcum LLP’s ARPA Forensic Investigation

 

Upper Darby, PA:  Marcum LLP, a top national CPA (Certified Public Accountant) firm specializing in tax, audit, forensic, & advisory services presented their findings today from the forensic investigation regarding the management and accounting of ARPA funds disbursed to Upper Darby during Mayor Keffer’s town hall. Below are the key findings of this report:

 

  • Marcum performed analyses of the actual bank balances of general fund bank accounts comparing them to the ARP funds from December 1, 2021 through February 7, 2022 and determined that the actual bank balances exceeded the ARP funds at all times.

  • Despite numerous interviews, NO person reported or provided information alleging  misuse of the ARPA proceeds. 

  • At the February 2, 2022 UDT Council Meeting UDT Treasurer David Haman (“Haman”) stated “we’re six million dollars less than we started with.” Haman’s comment was based on his “treasurer’s report” which included only eleven general fund accounts and compared the ARP funds to one general fund bank account. Investigation established Haman was incorrect. The “Analysis of Operating Funds for the Month of December 2021” prepared by Merron and emailed to Haman on January 28, 2022 contradicts this statement, showing an “operating fund balance” of $1.9 million over the ARP amount received (i.e. approximately $22.7 million compared to the $20.88 million of ARP funds). At the time of this meeting, Haman and Merron knew or should have known that Haman’s report was flawed. 

  • Haman in his interview stated that he regrets the wording he used in his report and that he should not have labeled it on the document he presented as “ARP funds spent.”

  • Council should appropriate the funds in a timely manner in order to allow Upper Darby Township to use the funds prior to expiration. States, localities, territories, and tribal governments have until December 31, 2024 to obligate these funds and December 31, 2026 to spend the ARP funds.

  • Marcum requested a Zoom interview with Laura Wentz, Upper Darby Township Council Vice President, Councilwoman At Large and the Chair of the Finance Committee. Ultimately Wentz declined the invitation by stating “I do not see any justification for you to need to speak to me or any Council Member.” 

 

“It’s very important to me that the public have confidence in how this investigation was conducted and that the people conducting it had no prior connections to Upper Darby,” Mayor Keffer stated. “To be very clear about the nature of this report, we commissioned the investigation and cooperated fully, but we did not direct or control the process. That is the nature of an independent third party forensic investigation.”


The full report can be found on the Township’s website by clicking the link here: https://www.upperdarby.org/news/post/4395/


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Park Clean Ups & Community Meetings


Mayor Keffer and the Upper Darby Recreation Committee will be hosting neighborhood meetings and park clean ups throughout Upper Darby during the month of April. The Mayor's Recreation Committee has been working closely with her to fulfill her goal of reinvesting in our community and revitalizing our neighborhoods. Mayor Keffer has focused on securing funding opportunities to upgrade our public spaces with an eye towards environmental impact and long term sustainability. These events will offer a chance for residents to share their concerns and learn more about our plans while making a positive impact on their local park.

Saturday, April 2nd at 11am - 69th Street Recreation Area
Saturday, April 9th at 9am - Observatory
Saturday, April 9th at 11am - Scullion
Saturday, April 16th at 10am - Sellers Recreation Area
Saturday, April 23rd at 9am - Naylors Run w/DCVA
Saturday, April 30th at 10am - Penn Pines

Questions? Email mayor@upperdarby.org.


Notice of Intent to Award - Resurfacing of Various Streets



Notice of Intent to Award - Sellers Library Roof Replacement



PRESS RELEASE - Community Center Land Development Approval


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 14, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org

New Upper Darby Community Center Received Unanimous Land Development Approval and Next Steps Taken Towards Securing Budget 

 

UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor Keffer is excited to announce that her long-time advocacy for a Community Center in Upper Darby took a huge step forward at last month’s Council Meeting when Council voted unanimously to move forward with the project. As part of the federal government’s program to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Upper Darby Community Center is eligible for American Rescue Plan funding. At the next meeting on March 16th the budget for the Community Center will be introduced at the Council Meeting, marking the start of the next big step in the project.

 

JMT Architects, who had been awarded the contract through a competitive RFP process and participated in multiple public meetings as well as solicited feedback from the public through a survey conducted in 5 languages, gave a presentation that included design plans and rendering (see below) of the first of its kind facility located at 7000 Walnut Street where it will replace the current multi-purpose center.  

 

“Council’s approval of this land development - unanimously at that - brings us one step closer to creating a revitalized and unified Upper Darby community. The chance to use ARPA funding to cover some of the costs is an exciting opportunity as well,” Mayor Keffer said. “With the construction of the Community Center, Upper Darby will finally have a place where residents from all over the Township can gather that is also easily accessible without a car. Having the center will not only improve the lives of our residents but work towards revitalizing our business district as well.”  

 

At the Council Meeting on February 2nd, Pastor Nathanial Goodson of the Bywood Community Association spoke in support of the Community Center project. “I am here to support Mayor Keffer’s vision for the Community Center. I am also happy that this modern building will be erected in the Bywood section of Upper Darby,” Pastor Goodson said. “While I am pleased that the center will benefit all residents, I am equally delighted that it will be in one of the traditionally underserved neighborhoods in our community.”

 

“In addition to the long term positive impacts of the Community Center on Upper Darby residents, the center will also provide a much needed short term economic infusion by creating local jobs,” said Councilman Hafiz Tunis. “The recent passage of the Responsible Contractor Ordinance will ensure that the highest quality local labor will be used in the construction of this facility.”

 

The Mayor’s belief in the Community Center dates back to her earliest days as a Councilperson and recalls her own history as an all-Catholic League basketball player at Cardinal O’Hara.

 

“It’s incredibly important to me that the Community Center offer the highest quality facilities possible, especially for Upper Darby’s youth,” Mayor Keffer said. “There are many outdoor public spaces already for them to get together, but really no indoor options. To truly revinvest Upper Darby, we have to provide a safe place for the young people of our community to play, learn, and grow.”

 

Image Caption


PRESS RELEASE - Trash Fee Rebate


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 8, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org

Mayor Announces Trash Fee Rebate for Eligible Residents

 

UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor Keffer is happy to announce that Upper Darby Township is now offering a Trash Fee Rebate to eligible residents who qualify for the PA-1000 (the Property Tax Rebate). The Mayor and her administration are working diligently along with Senator Tim Kearney’s office to bring this new benefit to residents and make the process as smooth and easy as possible.


“I know that families and seniors often struggle to make ends meet at the best of times - I’m a working mom of two myself,” Mayor Keffer said. “Now, with all the added stresses and loss of income due to the pandemic, it’s only getting harder for those most in need. That is why this much needed rebate is more important now than ever.”


“Upper Darby’s Trash Fee Rebate is an added resource that will benefit eligible residents,” said Senator Kearney. “My office is happy to assist constituents with completing the PA-1000 form and helping them navigate the process for applying for the rebate. As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, inflation, and other issues impacting our economy, we must meet the needs of the people. Every little bit counts."


The rebate is a multi-step process and to be considered eligible for the program residents must first have paid their trash fee for 2022 and must also be eligible for the PA-1000. Those who qualify must have an income below $35,000 and fall into one of these categories:


  • Pennsylvanians age 65 and older

  • Widows and widowers age 50 and older

  • People with permanent disabilities age 18 and older

 

If eligible, residents then should apply for the PA-1000 if they have not already done so. More information can be found on upperdarby.org/finance. Once you have applied and received payment, please bring proof of receipt from the PA 1000 and proof of payment to Upper Darby Township for your Trash Fee for 2022 to the Tax Office at 100 Garrett Road. Documentation can also be mailed or emailed to tax@upperdarby.org. Residents can call the Mayor’s request line at 610-734-7625 with any questions. 


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PRESS RELEASE - Mayor Launches Inaugural Summer Stage Tuition Assistance Program


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 4, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org

Mayor Launches Inaugural Summer Stage Tuition Assistance Program for Upper Darby Kids 

The new partnership with Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation will provide up to 400 full scholarships for any Upper Darby child without financial or academic barriers to entry

 

UPPER DARBY, PA: Today, in fulfillment of her commitment to an equitable, sustainable, and financially secure Upper Darby Summer Stage Program which serves and promotes local kids, Mayor Keffer is honored to announce  that the township will be offering scholarships to the Upper Darby Summer Stage program. These will be granted to residents between the ages of 10 and 18 for up to 400 children. There are no income or academic requirements, only a strong desire to be an active participant in the nationally-recognized program. 

 

“Harry Dietzler and I worked very hard together to complete and launch the application forms for Upper Darby Summer Stage 2022 scholarships,” Mayor Barbarann Keffer said. “They are available on both the township site and the official Summer Stage site, so we can maximize the amount of students - new and returning - who apply to the program.” 

 

Upper Darby Summer Stage has played a crucial role in uplifting the arts for students in and around the area for decades. With the support of the Mayor and the township, Upper Darby Summer Stage is able to remain local and widely available to all residents no matter their level theater experience or what school they attend. Upper Darby Summer Stage also offers opportunities for students not just in the spotlight, but behind the scenes as well. Scholarships are open to those interested in set building and design as well as other tech roles in the various productions. 

 

“I am dedicated to making the arts easily accessible to the children of Upper Darby,” Mayor Keffer said. “Part of our goals to reinvest in this community begins with investing in our youth by giving them the tools they need to not only grow as students, but succeed as well and the arts plays such an important role in that.” 

 

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Public Safety Virtual Townhall


There will be a virtual, public safety town hall on Wednesday, March 9th, with Mayor Barbarann Keffer, Chief of Police Tim Bernhardt and Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer. Updates will be given on their respective department accomplishments from the past year and issues currently impacting the community. Any questions can be submitted in advance through the registration or during the meeting through the chat function on zoom. Registration is required for this event and can be completed by visiting https://tinyurl.com/Publicsafetyvirtualtownhall


PRESS RELEASE - Mayor Hires ARPA Administrator and Calls For Independent Forensic Investigation


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 18th, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org

Mayor Keffer Announces Independent Forensic Investigation, ARPA Administrator, & Plan to Move Upper Darby Forward

Top National Accounting Firms Marcum LLP, UHY Advisors, Join Forces with Upper Darby & Well-Respected Regional Firm Brinker Simpson to Provide Financial Certainty & Security Moving Forward 

UPPER DARBY, PA: Today, Mayor Keffer announces the engagement of both an independent, third party forensic accountant through Marcum LLP, a top national CPA (Certified Public Accountant) firm specializing in tax, audit & advisory services and ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Administrator Services from UHY Advisors Inc. – another top national CPA firm with extensive experience in Rescue Plan administration – to oversee the spending of ARPA funds awarded to Upper Darby.

“We are very happy to be working with these nationally respected and trusted firms to give our taxpayers confidence in how their hard earned money is being handled and invested. I want to state again that my administration is dedicated to upholding the principles of transparency and that we have nothing to hide from the public or council despite the recent outrageous allegations,” Mayor Keffer said. “We’ve engaged these independent financial services in order to further guarantee that the Rescue Plan money allocated for Upper Darby is accounted for in full and will be very carefully stewarded and invested in our community going forward. Keffer continued, “This pandemic has caused a lot of people a lot of hardship and this money is there to help everyone rebound and bounce back. This is no time for political games and this opportunity for historic investment shouldn’t be held hostage for any reason. We need to get the politics out of this situation immediately so that we can get the money invested in our employees and our community as soon as possible.”

 Mayor Keffer made the decision to engage one of the top CPA firms in the world, Marcum LLP, to provide the public and Council absolute assurances that the ARPA funding was handled appropriately and is intact. This decision was made as one of three parts in a plan implemented by Upper Darby Township to address public concerns arising from politically charged accusations from some on Council about it’s financial operations. 

  1. What happened in the past- Marcum LLP has been engaged and will deliver a forensic audit/analysis for the public and Council regarding the management and accounting of ARPA funds disbursed to Upper Darby. 

  2. What will happen going forward- UHY Advisors Inc. will administer the initial disbursement of $20.8 million to ensure compliance with the “Final Rule” issued by the U.S Department of the Treasury governing the handling and disbursement of the funding. 

  3. Daily finance operations- Brinker Simpson and Company LLC., a well-respected regional accounting firm based in Springfield, PA - will be contracted to provide services and oversight related to cash management, budget compliance, and day-to-day operations. 

In regards to the services contracted from Brinker Simpson, CAO Rongione stated, “We had gotten very close in the Finance Director search to a highly qualified applicant, unfortunately because the working environment has become so publicly toxic, we were not able to retain that individual, and we had to look for another route to provide those services. That said, we are very happy to have three independent, very well respected firms coming on board to provide our residents absolute certainty that their hard-earned tax dollars are being handled and spent properly.” Rongione continued, “Independence is the key here to providing the public confidence. If what you are really concerned about is the truth of the matter and the proper handling of the funding then let the independent professionals do their work and keep your personal political agenda out of it. That is what is best for the residents and that is what they want and deserve.”

The Mayor reiterated that her administration remains dedicated to revitalizing and reinvesting in Upper Darby. “We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the ARPA funding is handled with care and properly allocated. We have done that so far but are engaging with UHY to keep future funds from being politicized in a similar manner. This money is time sensitive, it’s imperative that Council approves this budget so that the Township can get projects like sewer restoration and grants for small businesses and nonprofits, COVID bonus pay for employees, and our $1 million towards gun violence prevention underway as soon as possible.” 

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PRESS RELEASE - Statement from Mayor Keffer on Emergency Council Meeting


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 7th, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org

Statement From the Mayor Concerning Emergency Council Meeting Over ARPA Fund Allocation:  

 

UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor’s Message - February 7th, 2022 - EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERED at roughly 7:45pm.


Good Evening. The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to set aside any doubts the public and council may have concerning the appropriation of the American Rescue Plan funds and to ensure that township employees continue to be paid and township services continue to be provided. That is why I want to start out this evening with two important facts: 

 

1) in every Councilors’ folder (and also attached below) is a letter from PLGIT - Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust - certifying that we have $20.8 million dollars, the complete amount of ARPA funding, in a single, segregated bank account, and 

 

2) because we take the concerns of the public and Council seriously, we are engaging an independent, third-party forensic accountant to examine the township’s financials over the last few months, and, in fact, the last few years. 

 

It is essential for the credibility of this investigation that it be conducted by an independent, 3rd-party firm. I would like to reiterate that my administration has nothing to hide from the public or Council and we look forward to an independent review of the financial situation which we inherited as well as the situation over the last two years.

 

We hope the letter certifying the location of the ARPA funds and the forensic review of our books will help alleviate concerns, but the township remains critically low on operating funds without Council approval of the necessary $6 million allocated for “lost revenue” coverage. “Lost revenue” is a federal calculation intended to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in March of 2020, on municipal governments which is why the federal government gave the ARPA funds directly to all municipalities throughout the country. It is meant to cover revenue losses such as permit and parking fees, mercantile and business taxes, among other sources. To be clear, the current situation of operating funds is not new or uncommon for Upper Darby. Using ARPA funds to cover this regular cash flow need rather than pursuing a short term financing loan called a TRAN - Tax Revenue Anticipation Note - will save the taxpayers significant money in associated fees and interest costs that come with every loan. 

 

We never believed we would be at this point in the process during the multitude of conversations, both public and private, that happened with Council members over the last 5 months. Multiple times, we have negotiated with Council members about the ARPA funding, only to have been met with demands for more documentation or, at the last two Council meetings, with surprise documents. At the January 19th meeting, Council Vice President Laura Wentz produced a wildly amended ARPA ordinance in the middle of the vote to advertise the original ARPA ordinance, Ordinance 3111, already before Council.  It was only after I broke the tie that the original ARPA ordinance was advertised and put on the agenda for the February 2 Council meeting.  At that meeting, Councilor Wentz distributed a Treasurer’s report moments before the start of the meeting.  That incomplete and inaccurate report was used by a coalition of council to vote to table the ARPA ordinance. Councilors Siddique, Billups, Hayman, Blackwell and Tunis voted to authorize the release of the ARPA funds and keep employees paid and services provided. 

 

Myself and members of Council were elected by the people of Upper Darby to serve the people of Upper Darby. Residents, businesses and our employees should not be used as pawns in a political chess game. There’s plenty of time to score political points against me. Again, tonight I am asking Council to approve the $6 million in ARPA “lost revenue” funds and do what’s right for the people and keep the township running smoothly until our regular tax revenues arrive in March. 

 

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PRESS RELEASE - Catholic Schools Week 2022


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 3rd, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org

Mayor Keffer Visits Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School and Saint Andrew’s School For Catholic Schools Week 

 

UPPER DARBY, PA: On Thursday, February 3rd, Mayor Keffer visited Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School as part of National Catholic Schools week in Upper Darby. The week is held in celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary, secondary schools, and early childhood centers play in providing a comprehensive, values-based education for America’s young people. 

 

“Having attended a Catholic school myself, I’m happy to have this opportunity to acknowledge all that these organizations provide to not just our children, but our community as a whole,” Mayor Keffer said.  

 

There are six Catholic schools located within the Upper Darby School District. However, Catholic schools often function quite separately from public schools in the same area. Through visits like this, Mayor Keffer hopes that more bridges can be built between these schools and the rest of the education system in our community. 

 

“There are many available recreational programs, like Summer Stage, that the Upper Darby School District takes advantage of,” Mayor Keffer said. “We’d love to see students from these Catholic schools coming out as well. Our services are for every Upper Darby resident and by having students from all different backgrounds being able to interact, we are taking a step forward with this new generation towards a more unified community.” 

 

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PRESS RELEASE - New Vaccine Testing Trailer


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

January 25th, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org

Mayor Keffer Announces Free Walk-up COVID Testing Clinic in Upper Darby 

 

UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor Keffer is happy to announce the opening of a new walk-up COVID-19 testing facility located in Upper Darby Municipal Lot #1 at 100 Garrett Rd directly across from the Township Building. It has been open for township employees for the past few days and will open to all starting tomorrow, January 26th at 9am. The site is part of the Mayor’s continuous efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also highlights the Mayor’s ongoing commitment to equity and access by creating a much needed walk-up option for those who may not be able to utilize the more common drive-through clinics. 

 

“Testing is an important mitigation strategy. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or has had a confirmed exposure to the virus is highly encouraged to take advantage of the clinic. We hope this new testing site will allow residents to more successfully navigate the persistent hurdles of life during the pandemic,” Mayor Keffer said. “We talk a lot about reform, reinvestment, and revitalization in Upper Darby, but you can’t meaningfully accomplish those goals without living up to the values of equity and access.”

 

Testing slots at the clinic will be available between the hours of 9am and 5pm, though residents should check online at testpa.online for updated hours of operation as well as to schedule an appointment. While appointments are strongly recommended, walk-ins will be accepted. 

 

“Many of our residents in this densely populated area do not have the space or financial resources to own a car, so these drive-through clinics are completely inaccessible to them,” Mayor Keffer said. “It’s even more important then, that we prioritize the creation of walk-in testing facilities.” Keffer concluded, “I know this has been going on far longer than any of us wanted or imagined but we are getting through it together. I promise you that if we continue to stick together and care for each other, our children and grandchildren will look back and be proud of how we navigated this historic challenge.”

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Trash Fee Rebate 2022


Homeowners who qualify for the 2021 Pennsylvania Property Tax Rebate (PA-1000) are now eligible for a trash fee rebate of $100.

You can learn more about the PA-1000 program from the PA Department of Revenue: https://www.revenue.pa.gov/FormsandPublications/FormsforIndividuals/PTRR/.


To be eligible for the rebate:

1. Applicants must qualify under the PA-1000. The PA-1000 program benefits income-eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. You can file your PA-1000 online at mypath.pa.gov or print the form at https://www.revenue.pa.gov/FormsandPublications/FormsforIndividuals/PTRR/.

2. Applicants must present proof of payment indicating the amount received from the PA-1000 program such as the State Rebate check or the notice of Direct Deposit. The deadline to apply for the PA-1000 is June 30, 2022 and PA-1000 rebates begin to be issued by the state in early July 2022.

3. The Township must confirm that the applicant has paid the trash fee for 2022.



PRESS RELEASE - Mayor Proposes American Rescue Plan Budget


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

January 21st, 2022
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org

Mayor Proposes American Rescue Plan Budget that Includes $1000 Bonuses for Employees, $1 Million for Gun Violence Prevention Initiative, Grants for Small Businesses & Other Major Investments

 

UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor Keffer is happy to announce that her proposal to invest Upper Darby’s first installment of American Rescue Plan funding in major infrastructure improvements, employee bonuses, the Upper Darby Police & Fire Departments as well as Township parks and open space, small business grants, and more cleared its first hurdle at this Wednesday night’s council meeting. 


“One of our top priorities for this funding is to acknowledge and thank our township employees,” Mayor Keffer said. “They have been working tirelessly to ensure everyone’s safety and kept things running smoothly for the last two years." Keffer continued, "No family here in Upper Darby or around the world hasn’t been impacted by this pandemic. That is why this plan is targeted to provide immediate relief to small businesses and first responders as well as those suffering mental health challenges or confronting the nightmare of being unhoused. It also invests in the unseen and far too often forgotten infrastructure that will provide Upper Darby with the necessary foundation to come back from this economically stronger and more unified than ever.” 


The goal of the plan is to align with the federal government's mandate to create a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that will support the long-term growth and opportunities of Upper Darby Township. In addition to items mentioned above, also included in the plan is funding to support non-profits dealing with the growing mental health and homelessness crisis, vaccine incentives for employees as well as a new COVID testing site in Upper Darby, massive repairs and upgrades to stormwater and sewer infrastructure, and millions of dollars to replace lost revenue as a result of the pandemic. The plan is designed to comply with strict guidance from the Federal Department of the Treasury about what expenses are eligible under what it has called “The Final Rule”. 


“We inherited so much neglected infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and disinvestment on top of the pandemic’s impact that it is absolutely critical that we invest these funds strategically where Upper Darby needs them most," said Chief Administrative Officer Vincent Rongione. “We greatly appreciate councilpersons Tunis, Siddique, Hayman, Blackwell, and Billups, who strongly supported the Mayor’s proposed plan and whether you are excited about preserving open space, supporting first responders, recognizing Township employees, or any other aspect of this plan, there are plenty of reasons to attend the next Council meeting and express your support. We look forward to working with every member of Council to pass this important legislation.” 


The plan will go up for vote at the council meeting on February 2nd. The plan has been discussed at three public meetings including a recent virtual town hall meeting focused solely on the plan. The PowerPoint presentation from that meeting is attached for more detailed information.


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Notice of Intent to Award - Upper Darby Welcome Center Demolitions



Notice of Intent to Award - Solar Panel Project at the Municipal Building and Watkins Senior Center



Responsible Contractor - Upper Darby One Center Renovation - General Construction



2022 Preliminary Budget & Presentation


Preliminary 2022 Budget 

A presentation of the proposed 2022 budget was presented at the October 20, 2021 Council Meeting. 

2022 Budget Presentation 

DRAFT Proposed 2022 General Fund

DRAFT Proposed 2022 Sewer Fund

DRAFT Proposed 2022 Sinking Fund 

DRAFT Proposed 2022 Highway Fund 


PRESS RELEASE - 2.5 Mil. Commitment to Summer Stage



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org 



MAYOR KEFFER ANNOUNCES $2.5 MILLION COMMITMENT TO SECURE THE FUTURE OF SUMMER STAGE & GUARANTEE UPPER DARBY KIDS GO FREE

UPPER DARBY, PA: Today, Mayor Barbarann Keffer announced an unprecedented $2.5 million commitment to the Township program known as “Upper Darby Summer Stage”. These funds will secure up-to-500 full scholarships annually for Upper Darby residents to participate in the nationally renowned theater arts program. The ten-year commitment also ensures the Upper Darby High School Performing Arts Center will remain the home of the program.

Upper Darby’s first Mayor, Sonny Kane green-lit the program in 1975 and after its first successful season said, “There are alternatives for those not attracted or oriented to sports. Our new summer program called Summer Stage has been very successful.” Since that time, the Township has pursued excellence through this program. Mayor Keffer’s announcement guarantees not only the future of the program but also finally solidifies the promise of inclusiveness and equitable access for all.

“The Summer Stage program is an invaluable public trust and that is why we have worked so hard to put together a plan that preserves, protects, and grows the program even in the wake of Mr. Dietzler’s retirement,” said Mayor Keffer. “The Township extends its sincere thanks to Harry for his many decades of service. I am truly grateful for his vast contributions to our community and that is why our plan offers him full artistic control for as long as he wishes to participate. Now more than ever, it is critically important that all kids, regardless of their families’ financial situation, get to experience the magic of Upper Darby Summer Stage.”

The administration’s proposal would fund up-to-500 annual scholarships to be awarded proportionally throughout the seven Township Council Districts to ensure equity of access for all students. The current in-district program fee is $250 per student. The proposal also includes a partnership with the Upper Darby School District worth an estimated $125,000 per year to secure the High School’s Performing Arts Center and to offset ongoing maintenance and necessary long term capital investments in the facility. Under the plan, the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation ("Foundation") would administer the program with full artistic, personnel, and financial control based on their own program fees, ticket prices, fundraising, and internal management capacity. In order to safeguard the taxpayer’s historic and future investments and interest in the program, the proposal would give the Township and School District significant representation on the Foundation Board of Directors and create transparency to the public with the Foundation’s bylaws, board, and finances. While there are still significant details to be worked out and the proposal would need final sign-off from all three parties, the Township’s Chief Administrative Officer expressed optimism about the process.

“It’s truly been an honor to work with Harry Dietzler these past two years, particularly in overcoming the challenges presented by the pandemic to ensure a strong 46th season,” said Vincent Rongione, Upper Darby’s Chief Administrative Officer. “If we can get through that together, I am confident we can get through this too. Obviously, it was disappointing when they chose to take the negotiations public but Mayor Keffer’s commitment to delivering for the students and the community has never waivered. She told us to stay positive and find a way to make sure the program stays in Upper Darby and goes on for decades to come.” Rongione continued, “The ball is really in the Foundation’s court because this proposal addresses every one of their stated concerns and is a homerun for the community. I sincerely hope that cooler heads prevail and we can all begin planning for a fabulous season 47 of Upper Darby Summer Stage.”

Mayor Keffer continued, “The School Board and the district administration have always been great partners and friends to Upper Darby Summer Stage. I am grateful for their commitment to the program and their focus on staying positive and doing what is in the best interest of the community.”

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PRESS RELEASE - Van Gogh Experience


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 10, 2021
Contact: socialmedia@upperdarby.org



Upper Darby’s Tower Theater Reopens With Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience


UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor Barbarann Keffer welcomes Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience to the iconic Tower Theater in Upper Darby. This is the first event to be held at the legendary live performance venue since early 2020. 


Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is a 360-degree digital art exhibit that explores the life and works of the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. This highly anticipated exhibit is scheduled to be on display and open to the public from August 26 through February 2022 at the Tower Theater. Tickets can be purchased online at www.vangoghexpo.com


“We are thrilled to welcome the internationally renowned virtual Van Gogh exhibit to 69th Street in Upper Darby,” Mayor Keffer said. "The exhibition has received rave reviews in cities around the globe. We could not be happier to add Upper Darby and the world famous Tower Theater to that list. Live Nation continues to be an incredible partner, helping to bring arts, culture, and vitality to our downtown business district, and we can't thank them enough for landing this major event for our town and our region. Together with Live Nation and the newly formed Friends of the Tower Theater District non-profit, I want to invite and encourage everyone who comes to enjoy the exhibit and to shop, dine, and explore all that Upper Darby has to offer.”

 

Staged inside the Tower’s historic space, which has hosted thousands of live concerts and events, this experience will provide visitors with a unique look into the life of Van Gogh, providing a new understanding of the post-impressionist creator. The one-of-a-kind event is made possible by Exhibition Hub, an international entertainment producer, and Fever, a leading entertainment discovery platform. 


Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience will offer a COVID-safe digital experience for art enthusiasts of all ages. All visitors will be required to wear face masks at all times and must adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. Hand sanitizer stations will be available to visitors on-site. The location of the event allows for a minimum of six feet between visitors and high ceilings for increased ventilation. 

 

Using innovative 4k resolution technology provided by Barco, the global leader in visual display technology, visitors will step into a virtual experience featuring more than 400 of Van Gogh’s iconic sketches, drawings, and paintings dramatically displayed four-stories-high on over 30,000-square-feet of projection surface. The unique experience is made possible by state-of-the-art video mapping technology, coupled with projections on the floor to create the impression for the audience of being enveloped in the art. 

 

The exhibition also includes an optional one-of-a-kind virtual reality (VR) experience in a separate gallery. This multi-sensory experience guides the viewer through a 10-minute journey on “A Day in the Life of the Artist in Arles,” that provides insight into the inspiration behind some of Van Gogh’s most beloved works, including Vincent’s Bedroom in Arles, Starry Night, and Wheatfield with Crows. Limited VIP tickets that include the VR experience also are available via the website. 


Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience had its debut in Naples, Italy in 2017. Since then, the exhibition has had highly successful runs in over a dozen cities throughout Europe and Asia, including London, Brussels, Berlin, Beijing, Tel Aviv. It has also run in New York City, Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C. This experience will be opening in more cities throughout the United States through 2021 and beyond. 


Upper Darby is Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest municipality, and Mayor Barbarann Keffer is committed to creating new opportunities for its more than 87,000 residents. Elected in 2019, Mayor Keffer has focused her efforts on reform, revitalization, and reinvestment into Upper Darby.  

        

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PRESS RELEASE: Five New Firefighters


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 23, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 



UPPER DARBY WELCOMES FIVE NEW FIREFIGHTERS FROM INAUGURAL JOINT TRAINING ACADEMY WITH WILMINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT


UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor Barbarann Keffer and Chief Derrick Sawyer attended the graduation of five new members of the Upper Darby Fire Department in Wilmington, DE, on Saturday, July 17: Joseph ChetaloWilliam Garges, Dylan Haberle, Timothy McMinn, and Tyler White-Burke. 


“We are delighted that these newly minted firefighters are joining the Upper Darby Fire Department,” Mayor Keffer said. “They are part of our reinvestment in Upper Darby, and they are setting a wonderful example for other young people who aspire to public service.”

 

“We are proud to welcome these recruits to the best job in the world,” Chief Sawyer said. “They will be a great asset to the future of our Department, and we are committed to providing them with the tools they need for success in serving our community.” 


The graduates’ recruit class represented the first time in the 100-year history of the Wilmington Fire Department that outside agencies participated in their training academy. In addition to the five Upper Darby recruits and the 25 from the Wilmington Fire Department, 10 were from the City of Chester Bureau of Fire. The academy consisted of a rigorous 14-week training curriculum that included academic study, hands-on skill training, live fire training, and stringent physical fitness requirements. The ceremony featured remarks by Chief Sawyer, Chief Looney of the Wilmington Fire Department, and Commissioner Rigby of the Chester Bureau of Fire, as well as an award ceremony and the pinning of badges on the new firefighters. 


Saturday’s graduation comes on the heels of a busy time for the UDFD. They recently received a FM Global Grant for their Fire Investigator Division, which will be used for fire investigation initiatives. Last month, they co-hosted a Youth Police & Fire Academy in conjunction with the Upper Darby Police Department. On Wednesday, Chief Sawyer was the virtual commencement speaker for the Montgomery County Fire Academy Class 2101, who have completed the Pennsylvania Entry Level Firefighter Training program. He also said the UDFD is already preparing for their next class of cadets, with a preliminary exam scheduled for applicants in late August. 


Upper Darby is Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest municipality, and Mayor Keffer is committed to creating new  opportunities for its more than 87,000 residents. Elected in 2019, Mayor Keffer has focused her efforts on reform, revitalization, and reinvestment into Upper Darby. Chief Derrick Sawyer is a 35-year veteran of the fire service who became the leader of the UDFD in September 2021. He previously served as the Fire Commissioner of the Philadelphia Fire Department and the Fire Director for Trenton Fire and Emergency Services in Trenton, NJ.  


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PRESS RELEASE - UD Adds Ten Police Officers


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 23, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 



UPPER DARBY ADDS 10 POLICE OFFICERS IN LATEST ROUND OF THE MOST QUALIFIED AND DIVERSE CLASS IN TOWNSHIP HISTORY


UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor Barbarann Keffer and Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt swore in 10 new officers of the Upper Darby Police Department yesterday: Brian J. Brown, Joseph Cristello, Jr., Jacob Daniels, Dean DiCrescenza, Desiree Forlini, Mazen Malak, Luke McCann, Haley O’Connor, Ostap Royik, and Thomas Sharp, Jr.


“All of these officers will be valuable additions to our renowned Police Department,” Mayor Keffer said. “They are setting a great example for others who aspire to public service, and they are helping us revitalize Upper Darby by serving the community in this capacity.”


“Our vision is to reflect the community that we serve in Upper Darby,” Superintendent Bernhardt said. “These officers are in great hands, and we are committed to giving them all the tools necessary for success. The UDPD has 133 sworn officers who are committed to bettering their community.” 


Mayor Keffer noted that the new group of officers are part of a bigger wave of changes within UDPD. “We are looking forward to continuing to reinvest in the Police Department, including the addition of body cameras,” Mayor Keffer said. “We are also working to expand community policing, and we are aggressively pursuing grants that will help us modernize the department.” 


The new officers are eager to start the next chapter of their careers in law enforcement, and many of them already have deep roots in the Upper Darby community. Officers Brown, Cristello, Malak, O’Connor, and Sharp are all graduates of Upper Darby High School, and Officer DiCrescenza is a graduate of Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School. Officer Royik, who is originally from the Ukraine, emigrated to the United States with his family when he was 3 years old, then became a U.S. citizen at age 18. Officer Malak said he sought a position with UDPD because he appreciates what a diverse and welcoming community Upper Darby is, and he is proud to represent the Arab and Muslim community in his new role. For Officer Sharp, joining the Police Department is special to him because he is following in the footsteps of his father, retired UDPD Lieutenant Thomas Sharp, Sr.

 

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PRESS RELEASE - Mayor's Remarks from PA LETI Program


For Immediate Release

April 13, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 



MAYOR BARBARANN KEFFER’S FULL REMARKS FROM THE PA LETI PROGRAM PRESS CONFERENCE IN UPPER DARBY


Thank you Attorney General Shapiro and District Attorney Stollsteimer for their vision and leadership in recognizing Upper Darby and the Upper Darby Police Department as the right partner to advance innovative and smart new community policing strategies. As the 6th largest municipality in the Commonwealth and by far the largest municipality in Delaware County we are well positioned to create positive change in law enforcement as well as in the everyday lives of people. That is what the LETI program is all about - not just public safety generally but genuine compassion and care for individual people, especially those in crisis. 


I am confident in Superintendent Bernhardt and our officers to use their judgement in the implementation of this program to help earn and grow community trust and that will make us all safer and healthier in the long run. The LETI program is community-focused policing at its best. It balances all treatment options with the enforcement of the law and strives to best help our residents with all available 21st century tools and best practices. Simply put: The LETI program saves lives and families by recognizing and treating addiction for what it is: a disease and not a crime. 


Thank you once again to Attorney General Shapiro for his trust and confidence in Upper Darby and to DA Stollehiemer and Superintendent Berndhardt for all of their work and dedication on behalf of Upper Darby. And, a very special thank you to Gina Marchetti who spoke so bravely about her personal story. To anyone who has struggled or is struggling with addiction, please know that we are on your side and that help is available if you need it. Thank you.

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PRESS RELEASE - Underground Railroad Walking Tour


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 26, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 



UPPER DARBY BRINGS HISTORY INTO THE PRESENT WITH NEW UNDERGROUND RAILROAD WALKING TOUR 


UPPER DARBY, PA — Mayor Barbarann Keffer is pleased to announce the first iteration of the Upper Darby Underground Railroad Walking Tour, which was researched and spearheaded by the Upper Darby Historic Commission at her request. A self-guided walking tour that features seven local spots of interest along the Underground Railroad, it was created to highlight both the local history of the Underground Railroad and early American life in Delaware County. 


“It is wonderful to see this project come to fruition,” Mayor Keffer said. “We are proud of our rich local history in Upper Darby, and our connection to the Underground Railroad is an important part of the struggle for equity in the United States. Everyone in Upper Darby knows Garrett Road, but they probably don’t know that Thomas Garrett was Harriet Tubman’s right hand man on the Underground Railroad. It is long past time that we promote, celebrate, and reckon with our great history. This is a multi-faceted project to begin that process that members of the Historic Commission will continue to flesh out with an audio component, signage, and more in the years to come.”


The announcement of the Underground Railroad Walking Tour coincides with Upper Darby’s celebration of Black History Month. “This honors the legacy of local residents who were active in the  anti-slavery movement, as well as those who gained their freedom through the Underground Railroad,” Mayor Keffer added. “In a community as diverse as Upper Darby, it is critically important that we acknowledge and reckon with America’s sin of slavery. By learning from our history, we have the opportunity to create a future that addresses the long-standing systemic inequities that plague our nation.  My administration is intent on fostering a community based on compassion, mutual respect, and equality for all people.” 


The Upper Darby Underground Railroad Walking Tour spans 4.5 miles and can be completed in approximately 90 minutes, depending on how much time is spent at each location.


The seven stops are:

  • Garrett Houses/Thornfield; 3218 Garrett Road

  • Riverview House (now Holy Child Academy); 475 Shadeland Avenue

  • Riverview Farm/Museum at Arlington Cemetery, 2900 State Road

  • Hoodland/Sellers Library; 76 S. State Road

  • Former location of Howard House (now Pica's); 7803 West Chester Pike

  • Sellers Hall; 150 Hampden Road

  • Friends Cemetery; 236 Powell Lane


A downloadable guide with details about each stop on the Tour is available on the township website at www.upperdarby.org. Everyone who takes the Tour is encouraged to post their pictures on social media with the hashtag #UDURWalk.


Upper Darby is Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest municipality. Elected in 2019, Mayor Barbarann Keffer has focused her efforts on reform, revitalization, and reinvestment into Upper Darby. Mayor Keffer is also working to make the community more inclusive and grow it as a forward-looking regional leader for families and businesses.   


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PRESS RELEASE - Community Center Public Presentation


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 5, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 


REINVESTMENT CONTINUES IN UPPER DARBY: MAYOR KEFFER’S COMMUNITY CENTER PUBLIC PRESENTATION SET FOR MARCH 10


UPPER DARBY, PA — Mayor Barbarann Keffer will be holding a virtual public presentation of the plans for the new Upper Darby Community Center On Wednesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. This event will be an opportunity for residents to review the initial design and plans, and provide input on this important project, which is currently in the feasibility phase. Pre-registration is required; individuals can register online via the Township website at www.upperdarby.org, or they can call 610-734-7625 to register by telephone


The location of the proposed Center is 7000 Walnut Street, which is currently the site of the Upper Darby Welcome Center. Mayor Keffer and her administration are working with BKP (Buell Kratzer Powell), the architecture firm that was awarded the feasibility bid through the township's Community Development Block Grant program, on the planning for and design of the new Center. 


“This community center is needed at this location,” Mayor Keffer said. “It would be a big step in the right direction toward the revitalization of Upper Darby. We are a dynamic community for families and businesses, and we welcome input from residents throughout the Township to create the best center possible.” 


Partial funding for the project comes from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a state grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.  


“We are deeply grateful to all of the elected officials and community groups who believe, as I do, that Upper Darby deserves a state-of-the-art recreation and learning facility,” Mayor Keffer continued. “From after-school tutoring to computer access to urban farming, adult education, and physical fitness, this center will serve as a catalyst for our business district and a springboard for whatever our individual residents can imagine.”


The Mayor's vision for the Community Center stems from her belief that reinvestment raises the quality of life for all residents and from her experiences playing and coaching basketball. Her initiative to establish a Community Center has received strong support from Upper Darby Township Council, State Representatives Margo Davidson and Mike Zabel, State Senator Tim Kearney, as well as community members across the education, religious, and business sectors. The Upper Darby School Board, Delaware County Parks & Recreation, the Cobbs Creek West Community Association, and the Bywood Community Association also support this endeavor. 


Upper Darby is Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest municipality, and Mayor Keffer is committed to revitalizing its public facilities, neighborhoods, and parks. Elected in 2019 after serving on Council for six years, Mayor Keffer has focused her efforts on reform, revitalization, and reinvestment into Upper Darby. Keffer is also working to make the community more inclusive and grow it as a regional leader for families and businesses.  


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PRESS RELEASE - Drexeline Project 2021 Update


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 3, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 



MAYOR KEFFER GETS DREXELINE PROJECT MOVING AGAIN 

Construction set to begin this April 


UPPER DARBY, PA — Mayor Barbarann Keffer is pleased to announce that the Drexeline Redevelopment Project received final approval to proceed in a unanimous vote by Upper Darby Township Council during their meeting on Wednesday, February 17th. This decision underscores Mayor Keffer’s commitment to working with developers to reinvest and revitalize Upper Darby in a dynamic and environmentally-responsible way.


“Drexeline is Upper Darby’s largest redevelopment project in 25 years, and it will be of tremendous benefit to the community,” said Mayor Keffer. “I thank Township Council for their support in proceeding with the plans, and we are looking forward to what will be created by this project, including new jobs, improved roads, and an enhanced hub for public transit.” 


The Drexeline Shopping Center Redevelopment Project is located on State Road in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby, and it is being managed by an affiliate of MCB Real Estate. Phase 1 of the project is scheduled to start in Spring of 2021, pending additional State and Federal approval. When completed, the project will contain a new state-of-the-art 72,000 square foot ShopRite, 14,000 square feet of retail, restaurants and service providers, along with the construction of a new Wawa and a renovated PNC bank branch and an additional 6,400 square feet along State Road. ShopRite, the 14,000 square feet of retail and Wawa are currently scheduled to open in the Fall of 2022. The final phase of the project is slated to include a new market-rate, multi-family residential building and multi-use trail along the Darby Creek, as well as a new self-storage facility. The project should be fully completed in mid-2024.


“The perseverance and commitment from Mayor Keffer (and her administration) along with the Township Council and community members of Upper Darby, have driven this project forward” says, P. David Bramble, Co-founder and Managing Partner of MCB Real Estate. “MCB and our partners at The Hampshire Companies look forward to continuing our close working relationship with Upper Darby as we move our focus to leasing the 20,000 square feet of retail shop space.  We are more than excited to start construction on what will be a staple within this community for decades to come.”


“The new Drexeline Shopping Center will help bring the community together through its mixed use space, which will provide a larger area in which to live, work, and play,” Mayor Keffer said. “It will also help alleviate traffic congestion, provide more off-street parking for residents and visitors, and improve stormwater management in the Drexel Hill neighborhood.” 


Upper Darby is Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest municipality. Elected in 2019, Mayor Barbarann Keffer has focused her efforts on reform, revitalization, and reinvestment into Upper Darby. Keffer is also working to make the community more inclusive and grow it as a forward-looking regional leader for families and businesses.  

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DELCO ALERT - Winter Weather 2/7/2021


Delco Alert February 6, 2021 - Winter Storm Warning for February 7th

Good evening, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with an update regarding the snow that is due to impact Upper Darby Township tomorrow, Sunday, February 7th. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Delaware County.

Snow plans rely heavily on the cooperation of residents. Please help our Public Works, Police, and Fire Departments: Do not park at street corners, in fire lanes or in front of fire hydrants. We need to keep these areas open for our snow plows and public safety vehicles. Please utilize off-street parking if available.

Please clear snow emergency routes of cars by noon on Sunday, February 7th. Cars that are parked on snow routes may be towed beginning at noon on Sunday, February 7th.

Snow plowing will begin after snow begins to accumulate. Our Public Works department is prepared with plows and salt and is ready to go. Please stay off the road ways and avoid all non-essential travel during the snowstorm so that our salt trucks, snow plows, and first responders can move freely and keep everyone safe.

If you have an emergency, please call 911. This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer thanking you for doing your part to stay safe in this winter storm.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


PRESS RELEASE - Mayor Keffer Supports Governor's School Funding Budget


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 5, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 


Contact: Vincent Rongione: vrongione@upperdarby.org; 610-505-8977



MAYOR BARBARANN KEFFER STRONGLY SUPPORTS $26 MILLION SCHOOL FUNDING INCREASE PROPOSED IN THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET 


UPPER DARBY, PA — Today, Mayor Barbarann Keffer announced her support for increasing the State’s Basic Education Funding to the Upper Darby School District by 65%. The newly proposed budget plan would provide an additional $26 million in funding for the Upper Darby School District, which received $40 million from the state for the 2020-2021 school year. Mayor Keffer believes  that a well funded School District is a critical component of her plans for a revitalized and strong future for Upper Darby.


“The Upper Darby School district is our largest and most important stakeholder and partner as we work to reform and reinvest in our community,” said Mayor Keffer. “I applaud Governor Wolf for expanding the use of the fair-funding formula and I urge all lawmakers across the state in the most sincere and powerful terms to join me. Simply put - our kids are worth it.”   


Lt. Gov. John Fetterman added, “Investing in education means providing a better future for our kids. Giving our children more opportunities leads to a brighter future for all Pennsylvanians.”


Pennsylvania’s fair-funding formula is designed to create equitable funding for schools across the state and particularly in districts that serve low income and fast-growing districts. Currently, only 11% of state funding for schools is distributed using the fair funding formula. Governor Wolf proposes to cover the increase in school funding by raising the state’s current personal income tax rate, 3.07%, to 4.49%. However, only the top one-third of earners would pay more, because the proposal expands exemptions and tax forgiveness. The plan would provide complete tax forgiveness to single people who make less than $15,001 and married couples who earn less than $30,001, while providing a $10,000 allowance for each dependent. 


“The current property tax formula makes our taxpayers among the most unfairly burdened taxpayers in Pennsylvania.” Mayor Keffer continued. “The new proposal would help alleviate this burden by driving more money through the fair funding formula. Our School District does an excellent job with what they are given but the reality is that they have been given far too little for far too long. A child’s zip code shouldn’t determine the quality of their education. We must do better.” 


Upper Darby is Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest municipality, and Mayor Keffer is committed to creating new opportunities for its more than 84,000 residents. Elected in 2019, Mayor Keffer has focused her efforts on reform, revitalization, and reinvestment into Upper Darby.  


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DELCO ALERT - Trash Schedule Change


Delco Alert February 5, 2021 - Monday's Holiday

Hello, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with an update on next week’s trash collection for our Upper Darby community:

Previously our Public Works employees recognized both Lincoln’s Birthday and Washington’s Birthday as holidays rather than Presidents’ Day. My administration has been working towards recognizing Veterans Day by moving the second February holiday to November to honor our veterans. We had hoped to have this resolved so that we could properly recognize our veterans this year. However, Monday, February 8th will be a Public Works holiday and Trash and Recycling will not be collected on Monday, February 8th.

The trash and recycling schedule for next week, a holiday week, is as follows:

-On Wednesday, February 10th, we will collect the Monday’s trash and recycling routes.
-On Tuesday, February 9th, we will collect the Tuesday trash and recycling routes along with Area 2’s recycling.
-On Thursday, February 11th, we will collect the Thursday trash and recycling routes.
-On Friday, February 12th, we will collect the Friday trash and recycling routes along with Area 1’s recycling.

This information is available on our website at www.upperdarby.org. If you have any questions, please contact the Mayor’s Request Line at 610-734-7625 or requests@upperdarby.org.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer thanking you for your understanding.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


Underground Railroad Walking Tour


Visit seven historic stops on the Underground Railroad right here in Upper Darby. The tour spans 4.5 miles and can be completed in approximately 1.5 hours.

Locations include:

  • Garrett Houses/Thornfield; 3218 Garrett Road
  • Riverview House (now Holy Child Academy); 475 Shadeland Ave.
  • Riverview Farm/Museum at Arlington Cemetery, 2900 State Road.
  • Hoodland/Sellers Library; 76 S. State Road
  • Former location of Howard House (now Pica's); 7803 West Chester Pike
  • Sellers Hall; 150 Hampden Road
  • Friends Cemetery; 236 Powell Lane

If you take photos along the way, we'd love to see them! Post your best shots on social media with the hashtag #UDURWalk


DELCO ALERT - Winter Weather 1/31/2021


Delco Alert January 31, 2021 - Winter Storm Warning

Good morning, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with an update regarding the snow that is due to start today. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Delaware County. We expect the winter storm to impact the area Sunday through early Tuesday.

Our Public Works crews have been brining our snow emergency routes, hills, curves, and “hot spots”. Snow plans rely heavily on the cooperation of residents. Please help our Public Works, Police, and Fire Departments: Do not park at street corners, in fire lanes or in front of fire hydrants. We need to keep these areas open for our snow plows and public safety vehicles. Please utilize off-street parking if available.

Cars that are parked on snow routes will be towed beginning at 3 pm today, Sunday, January 31st.

Snow plowing will begin after snow begins to accumulate. Our Public Works department is prepared with plows and salt and is ready to go. Please stay off the road ways and avoid all non-essential travel during the snowstorm so that our salt trucks, snow plows, and first responders can move freely and keep everyone safe.

There are 125 miles of roads in Upper Darby Township. Plowing is handled in a specific order in each zone. We will have plenty of crews out this afternoon, evening, and overnight. State Highways are handled by PennDOT. We appreciate your patience as we work to address the effects of this winter storm.

If you have an emergency, please call 911. For routine questions, please contact the Mayor’s Request Line at requests@upperdarby.org or 610-734-7625.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer thanking you for doing your part to stay safe in this winter storm.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


Trash & Recycling Newsletter


January 2022 Trash and Recycling Newsletter

The 2022 Trash & Recycling Newsletter was mailed to all Upper Darby Township homes at the end of January. Haven't received yours? You can print a copy HERE or call 610-734-7625 to request one be mailed to you.

Dear Upper Darby Community,
The Trash & Recycling calendar in this newsletter covers through June 30, 2022. The July 2022-January 2023 calendar will be out in June.
Please remember, recycling is an important & legally required endeavor. My administration is working hard to lower the cost by competitively bidding the recycling contract, pursuing grants, & increasing yard waste collection. Contaminated recycling continues to elevate the cost of recycling. Please follow the recycling rules to help us keep costs as low as possible. We appreciate everything you do to keep Upper Darby clean!
The 2022 Budget did not increase Property taxes and creates a Trash Fee Rebate for Seniors (details below). My administration continues to do our best to cut costs while increasing services. I am proud to serve the Upper Darby community and continue to build our shared future as, “The World in One Place”.
Sincerely,
Barbarann Keffer, Mayor

Do you prefer the full month by month calendar? Print yours HERE


PRESS RELEASE - UD Receives Smoke Alarm Grant


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

January 15, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 



UPPER DARBY RECEIVES GRANT FROM EXELON FOR SMOKE ALARMS 


UPPER DARBY, PA — Mayor Barbarann Keffer and Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer are pleased to announce a $2,000 grant from Exelon to provide free smoke alarms to residents of Upper Darby who cannot afford to purchase them. This award was received through the Community Risk Reduction Program, and it underscores Mayor Keffer’s commitment to reinvesting in Upper Darby. 


“We are grateful to Exelon for their support,” said Mayor Keffer. “It is important that all Upper Darby residents feel safe in their homes, and having smoke alarms available at no cost for people who would not otherwise be able to get them is part of that.”


“Fire prevention and safety is our top priority,” Chief Sawyer said. “This funding will help us protect our community’s most vulnerable residents.” 


"Chief Sawyer is a community risk reduction expert, and this grant is just the beginning of leveraging his experience to make our residents safer," Mayor Keffer added


Residents can request a free smoke alarm by calling the Upper Darby Fire Department at 610-734-7673, or by submitting a request online at https://www.upperdarby.org/smokealarmrequestform


Upper Darby is Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest municipality, and Mayor Keffer is committed to revamping its parks, neighborhoods, and public facilities. Elected in 2019, Mayor Keffer has focused her efforts on reform, revitalization, and reinvestment into Upper Darby. Keffer is also working to make the community more inclusive and grow it as a regional leader for families and businesses.  


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PRESS RELEASE - Mayor Secures $1 Mil. Grant for Community Center


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

January 14, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 




REINVESTMENT DELIVERED: MAYOR KEFFER SECURES $1 MILLION GRANT TO FUND PHASE ONE OF UPPER DARBY COMMUNITY CENTER 


UPPER DARBY, PA — Mayor Barbarann Keffer is pleased to announce a $1 million award to fund Phase One of building a state-of-the-art Upper Darby Community Center. This award underscores Mayor Keffer’s commitment to reinvest in Upper Darby and to revitalize and engage with diverse communities and residents of all ages. 


“Now more than ever, our kids need a safe place to play and learn after school,” said Mayor Keffer. “This center represents a critical - and long overdue - step for our community. It will send the signal that Upper Darby is on the move as a forward-looking destination community for families and businesses alike.”


The funding for the project comes from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a state grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. The project is currently in the feasibility phase, and the new center would replace the current multi-purpose center located at 7000 Walnut Street. Architecture firm Buell Kratzer Powell has created a preliminary exterior rendering of the facility. 


“We are incredibly thankful to all of the elected officials and community groups who believe, as I do, that Upper Darby deserves a state-of-the-art recreation and learning facility. When you give people tools and opportunities, the possibilities for what that can achieve are endless,” Mayor Keffer continued. “From after-school tutoring to computer access to urban farming, adult education, and physical fitness, this center will serve as a catalyst for our business district and a springboard for whatever our individual residents can imagine. We look forward to working together with the community to create the best center possible.” 


The Mayor’s belief in the Community Center dates back to her earliest days as a Councilperson and recalls her own history as an all-Catholic League basketball player at Cardinal O’Hara. Her efforts to establish a Community Center received strong support from Upper Darby Township Council and State Senator Tim Kearney, as well as community members across the education, religious, and business sectors. The Upper Darby School Board, Delaware County Parks & Recreation, the Cobbs Creek West Community Association, and the Bywood Community Association also support this endeavor. 


Upper Darby is Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest municipality, and Mayor Keffer is committed to revamping its parks, neighborhoods, and public facilities. Elected in 2019, Mayor Keffer has focused her efforts on reform, revitalization, and reinvestment into Upper Darby. Keffer is also working to make the community more inclusive and grow it as a regional leader for families and businesses.  


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American Rescue Plan Town Hall


In March 2021, President Biden and the US Congress approved the American Rescue Spending Act of 2021 which provided resources for fiscal recovery due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included in the act was funding for state and local governments.

On Thursday, January 13th at 5:30 pm, Mayor Keffer and Township Council hosted a virtual town hall to get input and feedback on the proposed spending for the American Rescue Plan funds. Mayor Keffer has provided Council with a proposed spending structure for these funds. While this is an important investment in our community, it is critical to understand that the federal government has very strict guidelines for how we are and are not permitted to spend these resources. The goal is to identify a spending structure from which specific programs will be designed.

The slides from the presentation are available HERE.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate. The full Town Hall can be viewed below.



PRESS RELEASE - UD Welcomes New Firefighters


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

January 11, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 



UPPER DARBY FIRE DEPARTMENT WELCOMES FOUR NEW FIREFIGHTERS 


UPPER DARBY, PA: Mayor Barbarann Keffer and Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer congratulate the four Upper Darby Fire Department cadets who graduated from the Philadelphia Fire Academy earlier today. Glenn Baker, Dylan Cullen, William Maguire, and Kevin Rapp are members of Fire Cadet Class 198. 


“We are so pleased to have these graduates join the Upper Darby Fire Department. Their commitment sets a wonderful example for others who aspire to public service, and they are helping us revitalize the community by serving it in this capacity,” said Mayor Keffer. 


“These young men are among the best and brightest in Upper Darby, and they will be a great addition to the department,” said Chief Sawyer. 


The Philadelphia Fire Academy’s rigorous nine-month program includes fire suppression training, hazardous materials awareness, and fire- and life-safety education. The cadets also became certified as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), qualifying them to provide basic emergency medical care.



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PRESS RELEASE - UD Launches Passport Mobile Parking Payment


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

January 8, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 



UPPER DARBY LAUNCHES PASSPORT MOBILE PARKING PAYMENT SYSTEM 


UPPER DARBY, PA — Today, Upper Darby Township announced the launch of Passport Parking, an application that will allow drivers to pay parking fees directly from their mobile devices. The system is managed by Passport Labs, a transportation software company that manages mobile pay parking, enforcement, and other services for cities, universities, and agencies worldwide. 


This is the latest step in Mayor Barbarann Keffer’s promise to reform, revitalize, and reinvest in Upper Darby. When Mayor Keffer took office one year ago, she promised to govern with an eye towards modernizing operations in the Township and providing transparency for Upper Darby residents and business owners. At that time, Upper Darby residents were not able to pay a parking ticket online. An online ticket payment service was then implemented in the spring of 2020.


Now, the Passport Parking app allows users to safely and discreetly manage all aspects of parking, from contactless payment options, to status updates, to parking history. Users can pay for parking from anywhere on their mobile devices, receive a notification when their parking time is close to expiring, and track past receipts, all within the app. 


“We are very excited to bring Passport Parking to Upper Darby to provide a safer and more user-friendly environment for residents, business owners, and visitors alike,” said Mayor Barbarann Keffer. “As Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest municipality, Upper Darby should be a forward-looking destination community and mobile parking via the Passport app is just one more step toward building exactly that.” 


“Passport Parking offers drivers a safe and easy option to pay their parking fees, while also streamlining operations for our Parking Enforcement officers throughout the Township,” said Sekela Coles, Director of Parking Enforcement.


“We are proud to partner with Upper Darby as they look towards modernizing their parking operations system and creating a safer parking environment in the Township,” said Passport Labs executive Anthony Caddell.


This is the first-ever mobile parking application in Upper Darby Township. Through Passport Labs’ operating system and cloud-based solutions, Upper Darby can more accurately enforce parking and enhance compliance with Township parking regulations. Passport Parking will allow the Township to collect revenues from parking fees in a more timely and efficient manner.


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PRESS RELEASE - Mayor Keffer Reinvests in Fire Station 37


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 5, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 



    MAYOR KEFFER REINVESTS IN STATION 37 WITH NEW LADDER FIRE TRUCK    

        

Upper Darby Township, PA: Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer will welcome Mayor Barbarann Keffer, Councilwoman Danyelle Blackwell, Councilman Brian Burke, Councilman Bob Gwin, and Councilman Hafiz Tunis Jr., along with members of the community, to Station 37, located at 7241 West Chester Pike, on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. to take part in a long standing tradition in the fire service, the housing of a new fire truck.


Mayor Keffer, Chief Sawyer, and members of Township Council will perform a ceremonial “Housing of the Apparatus”. During this ceremony, a brand new 2020 Seagrave Ladder Truck will be officially assigned to Upper Darby Station 37. This state-of-the-art ladder truck was purchased with capital funds and will replace the 1996 Seagrave ladder truck that is currently in use.


The new truck is part of Mayor Keffer’s efforts to reinvest in and modernize the Township by ensuring that the fire department has the best equipment available in order to better serve the community. 


The origin of the Housing Ceremony dates back to the early 1800’s. The community would get involved along with the firefighters, in a gala event denoting a new start. The firefighters would clean and decorate the fire station. Getting dressed in their finest parade uniforms, they would invite the community to help them celebrate their good fortune. The new fire apparatus would first be pushed by the firefighters who would use and maintain the new apparatus. A second “pushing in” would be conducted by local politicians, dignitaries, clergy, and community members. A third “pushing in” would be conducted by an invited rival fire company, which symbolizes the importance of brotherhood and teamwork in the fire service.





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DELCO ALERT - December 23, 2020


Delco Alert - December 23, 2020

Good Afternoon. This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some updates for Upper Darby Township residents.

Our home rule charter states that we must pass a millage rate before the end of the year. The court-mandated County reassessment delayed key information that we needed in order to calculate the millage rate. Based on new information from the County, we are adjusting the millage rate to ensure that we remain revenue-neutral for 2021. Therefore, I have called for special meetings of Upper Darby Township Council for Thursday, December 24th at 8am to introduce the adjusted millage rate ordinance and on Thursday, December 31st at 8am for a public hearing on the ordinance.

As with all public meetings until COVID-19 is contained, these meetings will be virtual and available to the public on the township YouTube channel. Residents can call in to 484-393-5861 OR email their comments to comments@upperdarby.org until 8am on Thursday, December 24th. For the December 31st meeting, comments will be accepted from noon on December 30th until the close of the public hearing.

As a reminder, the Township is closed this Friday, December 25th and next Friday, January 1st. No trash or recycling will be collected on those dates. Please check your calendar, which runs through the end of January, for full details. There is also one on the township website. Please help us reduce recycling costs: take the caps off bottles and do not put your recycling in plastic bags. Contaminated recycling is costly. When in doubt, throw it out.

Curbside Christmas Tree collection run January 4th through January 15th on your regular recycling day. You can also drop your tree off at Naylor’s Run Park at any time to be mulched. We appreciate your efforts to keep these items out of landfills.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer wishing you a safe and healthy Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year.

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DELCO ALERT - Winter Weather 12/16


Delco Alert - December 16, 2020

Good afternoon. This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some notifications about the snow storm.

The latest weather forecast is predicting snow to begin in Upper Darby after 2pm. Our Public Works crews have been brining our snow emergency routes, hills, curves, and “hot spots”. Snow plans rely heavily on the cooperation of residents. Please help our Public Works, Police, and Fire Departments: Do not park at street corners, in fire lanes or in front of fire hydrants. We need to keep these areas open for our snow plows and public safety vehicles. Please utilize off-street parking if available.

Snow plowing will begin after snow begins to accumulate. Our Public Works department is prepared with plows and salt and is ready to go. Please stay off the road ways and avoid all non-essential travel during the snowstorm so that our salt trucks, snow plows, and first responders can move freely and keep everyone safe. There are 125 miles of roads in Upper Darby Township. Plowing is handled in a specific order in each zone. We will have plenty of crews out this afternoon, evening, and overnight. State Highways are handled by PennDOT. We appreciate your patience as we work to address the effects of this winter storm.

As of noon today, December 16th,, trash and recycling are being collected as regularly scheduled..There are no changes to the trash and recycling schedule at this time.

Please check our Facebook posts which are also available at www.upperdarby.org for regular updates on snow removal, trash, and recycling.

If you have concerns about the expected storm, please call the Mayor’s Request Line at 610.734.7625. Always call 911 in an emergency.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer wishing you a safe and healthy afternoon.

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Drexeline Shopping Center Update


Drexeline Shopping Center Update

 

by Mayor Barbarann Keffer
December 9, 2020

Tonight, Upper Darby Township Council voted to approve a preliminary land development plan for the development of the Drexeline Shopping Center. First and foremost, MCB delivered land development plans to the Township for the first time in February 2020. Since then, my administration has worked very cooperatively with MCB to improve the plan and that has resulted in a decrease of impervious surfaces, better connectivity for pedestrians and vehicles and a plan that reflects the realities of our post-COVID future.

There is a big difference between a conceptual plan and a land development plan. The conceptual plan was presented at the May 2018 Zoning Hearing Board meeting. It is very important for everyone to know that there was no land development plan prior to February of this year when MCB submitted one to the township. Regarding speculative lost revenue, I will refer to the testimony of MCB’s financial consultant at the May 2018 Zoning Hearing Board meeting: the development yields a positive net fiscal impact to the township of approximately $80,000 a year. The consultant goes on to say: “during construction we estimate approximately $460,000 net positive impact to the township. Most of that are construction permits and fees that would be required as part of the construction.”

To be clear, permit fees are not a revenue-generator. Permit fees cover the township costs for plan review, inspections and other professional services. In fact, municipal fees are expressly forbidden by state law to be money-makers. I am absolutely thrilled that this development, which is at the western gateway into our township, is moving forward.

A copy of the Drexeline development transcript from the May 2018 Zoning Hearing Board meeting is available HERE.

Details related to the Drexeline Redevelopment are available at: www.upperdarby.org/businesses/redevelopment/2001/drexeline.


Township Council Events Committee Job Fair


Upper Darby Township Council Events Committee Job Fair

On Saturday December 12th from 2-4pm the Upper Darby Township Council Events Committee is holding a Virtual Job Fair. To register, please email udcouncileventscommittee@gmail.com with your contact information, or call (610)803-7219 and leave a message. There will be several employers and resources available for job seekers to aid in their job search, or to get training for a better career. There are still some spots available, but act soon to ensure you can register.


Twice Per Week Trash Pick Up Begins 7/6/2020


CHANGE TO TWICE PER WEEK TRASH PICK UP
May 28, 2020

Dear Residents,

As you were notified by our Delco Alert on Wednesday, May 27th, twice per week trash pick up will be delayed until Monday, July 6th. 

The largest factor in our need to delay the start of twice per week trash pick up is the need to hire seasonal help. Twice per week trash pick up is only made possible by hiring seasonal help. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to move forward with adding seasonal employees to our staff. This was, in part, to protect our current sanitation staff by not introducing new people into the staff at a time when we are also staggering schedules and taking other steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Now that the Governor is moving Delaware County from red to yellow, we are able to move forward with hiring the necessary seasonal help to allow us to do twice per week trash pick up. Due to the amount of applicants, the number of people we need to hire, and the time it takes to train them, we cannot begin twice per week trash pick up until July 6th. We appreciate the hard work that our Sanitation Staff have been doing during this public health crisis. They have been doing a great job making sure there has been no disruption in service during this pandemic.

We have heard from residents who say that they would like a reduction of their sewer and trash fees due to the change in schedule. Please keep in mind that much of the Sewer and Trash fees go to cover the Township costs to sewer treatment facilities and the cost to dispose of the trash and recycling.

This decision was not made lightly and we completely understand and apologize for any inconvenience to residents. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to safeguard the long term fiscal health of Upper Darby Township. Many municipalities are making drastic cuts to budgets and services because of the pandemic. We are fortunate that these kinds of drastic reductions are not necessary in Upper Darby. We are shortening the time frame for twice per week trash pick up but not eliminating it.

Sincerely,

Mayor Barbarann Keffer

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DELCO ALERT - June 25, 2020


Delco Alert - June 25, 2020

Good afternoon, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some important reminders for Upper Darby township residents.

Fireworks have become a nuisance here in our community and we have gotten many, many calls and emails from residents these last few weeks. This is a friendly reminder that fireworks are prohibited in Upper Darby Township by Ordinance No. 2765 which expressly prohibits the discharge of “any explosive substance or mixture of chlorates or nitrates.” In addition, fireworks can be very traumatizing for our young children, pets and Veterans suffering from PTSD. Please show respect for our combat veterans and your neighbors who might be affected by the sudden noise created by consumer fireworks.

Tomorrow the Governor will move Delaware County to the Green Phase of his reopening plan. I am excited for additional businesses and our parks to reopen and I urge everyone to follow guidance from public health officials to ensure the health and safety of our community. If you are sick, please stay home. Continue to allow for social distancing of at least 6 feet. Please wear a mask or face covering in public.

Metered parking enforcement has resumed so that customers have access to parking at local businesses. Parks and playgrounds are re-opening and residents are cautioned to use them at their own risk since playground equipment cannot be sanitized after every single use. Permits will begin being issued by the Recreation Department for the Township’s outdoor facilities. Please contact Recreation at recreation@upperdarby.org or by calling 610-789-3656.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer thanking the Upper Darby Community for their continued cooperation and support. Our community is stronger together and these small courtesies go a long way to making everyone safer and healthier.

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DELCO ALERT - June 17, 2020


Delco Alert - June 17, 2020

Hi, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some message for our Upper Darby Township community.

We continue to follow Governor Wolf’s COVID mitigation plan and are still in the yellow phase - where some businesses are opening up and gatherings are limited to 25 or fewer people. The Township Building remains close to the public as do our libraries, senior centers and playgrounds until further notice.

As a reminder, the face value municipal tax deadline has been extended to June 30th and the mercantile tax deadline is July 15 in coordination with the federal income tax deadline.

There is a council meeting tonight at 7pm. Details on how to view the meeting are online at upperdarby.org.

So even though the weather is nicer and we’re outside more and businesses are opening up, I still want to encourage people to follow the mitigation efforts. I’m still wearing my mask and social distancing and I hope you are, too, so we can get through this safety and as completely as possible. Thank you.

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UD Community Day of Healing


Upper Darby Community Day of Healing

Wednesday, June 10, 2020
6:30pm
In front of the Upper Darby Township Municipal Building
100 Garrett Road; Upper Darby, PA 19082

Join Mayor Barbarann Keffer and other community leaders in a peaceful gathering of the Upper Darby community and friends to grieve with the world over the tragic death of George Floyd and to present a unified front against the unsettled legacy of race relations in America.

Please wear a face mask or face covering. Please bring a candle or flashlight for a moment of healing.


Upper Darby Rebuild Grant Program


Upper Darby Rebuild Small Business Grant Program

UPPER DARBY TOWNSHIP TO LAUNCH ‘UPPER DARBY REBUILD’ GRANT PROGRAM FOR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES
Upper Darby Township officials announced plans for a $350,000 grant program for Upper Darby-based small businesses, to help offset financial losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our community has withstood a great deal this year. From the COVID-19 pandemic, to the recent unrest over the longstanding racial injustices, as we come out of these turbulent times, we come out with a renewed sense or purpose, of community, of camaraderie. We’ve seen the pain, the frustration, the destruction these twin pandemics have raised in our community. It’s time to rebuild.” said Upper Darby Mayor, Barbarann Keffer.“I am so pleased to announce this small business grant program that will put your tax dollars back into our community so that we can rebuild not just our businesses, but our lives and our communities. I was elected Mayor to bring change to Upper Darby, to bring opportunity, and give Upper Darby residents the government they deserve. This is the first step, and I look forward to finding new ways to strengthen our futures, together.”

The application process will open towards the end of the month, and businesses interested in applying should take note of the following important details:
Grants will be offered up to a maximum of $2,500 per award.
Applications will be scored. Funds will not be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Businesses must be based in Upper Darby and have 50 or fewer employees.
Preference will be given to businesses who have not been able to get funding from other sources.
Women and minority-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.
To be eligible businesses must comply with specific Community Development Block Grant Program federal guidelines.
The Mayor's office has contracted with Entrepreneur Works to help administer the program. A virtual information session will be hosted Monday, June 15 at 11am. Businesses are encouraged to attend; please register at https://entrepreneurworks.ticketleap.com/.

Questions on the grant program can be directed to business@upperdarby.org.


DELCO ALERT - June 8, 2020


Delco Alert - June 8, 2020

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with an important update for Upper Darby Township.

Working in conjunction with Superintendent Berhardt, I am pleased to announce that 69th Street has reopened for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Businesses are permitted to reopen. The curfew is lifted effective immediately. The National Guard may still be present and we appreciate their support.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and enjoy the rest of your day.

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Statement from Mayor Barbarann Keffer


Statement from Mayor Barbarann Keffer
June 5, 2020

Dear Residents,

Over the past few days we’ve seen tremendously impactful peaceful protests to seek justice for Geroge Floyd and countless others. Over the past week, we’ve affirmed that the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery mattered. The lives of those that we have lost and do not know their names mattered; they were mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, and friends. They were loved. They were valued. And ultimately, they were failed by our institutions and our inaction. We will not fail them any longer with our silence. From here, we must do the work.

I want to be unequivocally clear: racism and bigotry will not be tolerated within our Township. To those that think things will remain how they are; how they’ve always been, that the racist policies and practices that we have failed to address and behavior we have failed to recognize will resume; you could not be more wrong. You do not define Upper Darby, and you will not hold us back.

Over the past week we have seen that the majority of Upper Darby residents want to see meaningful change, to address the most pressing issue of our time. They want to build a future that we can be proud of, they want to build a future that is accepting, and inclusive, and most of all, safe and just and promising; regardless of the color of your skin.

As your Mayor, as a mother, and as a human being, the events that are being brought out of the darkness and into public view are horrifying and devastating. I can not know, and will not ever know, the depth of pain and frustration that many members of our community have endured, but I can promise you that we will do better. We will actively call out injustice and bigotry when we see it. We will not skirt around the uncomfortable truths and ugly realities that exist both out in the open and under the surface of our community; we will have the difficult conversations to make meaningful, lasting change.

We have the opportunity to shape a future that addresses the long-standing systemic inequities that plague our nation. Let’s not squander it. Let’s focus on the hard work we must undertake and focus on creating a community based on compassion, mutual respect and equity for all people.

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DELCO ALERT - June 1, 2020


Delco Alert - June 1, 2020

Good evening, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with an important update.

As a reminder, Upper Darby township’s public safety curfew continues until further notice. The curfew is in effect from 8pm to 6am. Residents may only leave their homes to work at essential businesses, to seek medical attention or to seek assistance from law enforcement. We’re taking these steps out of an abundance of caution and concern for public safety and we appreciate your cooperation.

The Upper Darby Police Department in coordination with Delaware County Mobile Incident Response Team, County Emergency Services, and the Delaware County District Attorney’s office led a tremendous response to contain and control the looters who descended upon 69th Street yesterday afternoon and ransacked multiple businesses. We are grateful to the police departments from across Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester Counties who assisted on Sunday evening.

Starting at 5 this morning crews from the Parks and the Highway divisions cleaned the impacted areas of glass and debris and a group of local volunteers also assisted in these efforts. 69th Street from Ludlow to Walnut will remain closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic until further notice.

Tomorrow is Primary Election Day - the curfew will remain in place but will not impact Election Board staff who are considered essential workers. Residents may travel to and from their polling places as necessary. Please be sure to visit www.votespa.com to see if your polling place has changed.

Lastly, tomorrow is also a Township Holiday and there will be no trash or recycling collections. Tuesday’s trash and recycling will be collected on Wednesday, June 3rd. Wednesday’s recycling in area 1 will be collected on Friday, June 5th.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer thanking the residents of Upper Darby Township for their cooperation.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


DELCO ALERT - May 31, 2020


Delco Alert - May 31, 2020

Good evening, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with an important announcement. Due to recent events in our region and in consultation with the Upper Darby Police and Fire Departments, I am issuing a public safety curfew for our township. The curfew shall be imposed beginning Sunday, May 31st from 8:00 p.m. to 6 a.m. for all persons within Upper Darby Township and will continue until further notice. Residents may only leave their homes to work at essential businesses, to seek medical attention or to seek assistance from law enforcement. These steps are being taken out of an abundance of caution and concern for public safety and we appreciate your cooperation.

I grieve with the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. I understand the need to make your voices heard. This afternoon, I was heartened to see Upper Darby residents come together for a peaceful protest and moment of silence on Lansdowne Ave. Thank you for representing Upper Darby at its finest. It is heartbreaking to see the destruction occurring in our region and around the country these last few days. I signed an emergency declaration instituting this public safety curfew to protect our residents and business owners. Let us not allow the actions of a few bad actors to distract us from the serious issues facing our nation.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer thanking the residents of Upper Darby Township for their cooperation.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


DELCO ALERT - May 27, 2020


Delco Alert - May 27, 2020

Hello, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some messages for our Upper Darby Community.

I would like to acknowledge the victims of COVID-19 and their families as well as the other losses many of us are experiencing: graduations and promotions; financial stability; food security; celebrating with family and friends. Thank you to everyone who continues to practice mask-wearing and social-distancing as we collectively work to contain the virus.

We have now passed the point where we’ve been living more days in 2020 under an emergency declaration than not. This has been a really tough time for most of us and we will get through it together. The pandemic has been a huge disruption in ways we could never have previously imagined. I am sorry to report that there will be no July 4th fireworks this summer or open-air outdoor movie nights or National Night Out. These gatherings are just not possible under the current public health guidance.

The township building will remain closed to the public until further notice as will our libraries, playgrounds and senior centers. Sewer and trash fees are due May 31; the face-value municipal taxes are due June 30. Please mail your payments to 100 Garrett Road; Room 102, Upper Darby, PA 19082.

Next Tuesday, June 2 is Primary Election Day. It is a township holiday and we will follow the updated trash and recycling collection schedule. A big change for this summer is that twice-a-week trash collection will begin on Monday, July 6. Monday, July 6 will begin our twice-a-week summer trash collection. We are doing this in an effort to contain costs throughout this year and into 2021 while maintaining as many of our services as possible. We are just beginning to grasp the impact of this global pandemic on our budget and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work together to ensure the long term financial health of our community.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer reminding everyone to stay safe, stay home and if you have to go out, wear a mask and stay six feet apart. Let’s move forward together. Thank you.

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Residency Requirement Eliminated in August 2019


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2020

LEGAL EXPERTS AGREE: UPPER DARBY RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT ELIMINATED IN AUGUST 2019
Despite their best efforts, Keffer administration is legally unable to reinstate longstanding Township Policy
Upper Darby Township, PA - Today, Upper Darby Mayor Barbarann Keffer announced that her administration’s attempts to reinstate a residency requirement for Township employees would constitute the unilateral change of a mandatory bargaining issue and it is therefore not allowed by Pennsylvania Law. The longstanding requirement was eliminated in August of 2019 by Ordinance 3059 which was signed into law and attested to by then Council President Donald Bonnett, then Mayor Thomas Micozzie, then Secretary of Council Jacob Bierling Jr., and then Chief Administrative Officer Thomas Judge Jr.

“In all sincerity, we were very surprised when we realized what they had done,” said Mayor Barbarann Keffer. “That is a major reason why I was advocating to reinstate a policy. You have to remember, under the previous Council, we usually only saw the ordinances the night of the voting meeting and only right before it started,” Keffer continued. “Sometimes they would give us notice and sometimes they wouldn’t. That’s just not the way we want to run things now.”

After discovering that the requirement had been eliminated, the new administration proposed an ordinance to reinstate a residency requirement. While in discussions on the issue with various collective bargaining units in the Township the issue was raised that this matter might not be able to be resolved by ordinance and that it may require a collective bargaining solution. After consulting with some of the state’s most well respected labor lawyers, the analysis was reached that any new residency requirement that was proposed to change what the previous Mayor and Council had done would constitute a unilateral change to a mandatory subject of bargaining, in violation of the Pennsylvania Public Employee Relations Act (“PERA” or “Act 195”).

“We have a lot of respect for the men and women that work for the Township. Their unions raised an issue and we took it very seriously. We consulted various legal experts and we intend to follow their opinion and uphold the law as we inherited it from the previous administration,” said the Mayor. “I ran on the promise of transparency and I’m going to tell the residents what is going on even when it isn’t perfect.”

“We appreciate the way Rongione & Mayor Keffer handled it,” said Transportation Workers Local 234 Business Agent George Bannon who represents the Township’s blue collar workforce. “Our union, and all the unions in the Township as far as I know, have been bargaining over this requirement for decades. When I brought it to Vince’s attention, he consulted the Mayor, got with the legal experts and handled it as quickly and fairly as possible under the circumstances.”

“There is really nothing the new Council and Mayor can do. The requirement was eliminated by the previous Mayor and Council and any attempt to reinstate it would subject the Township to a very expensive lawsuit that they would likely lose,” explained Sean Kilkenny, the Township’s solicitor. “We confirmed all of that with highly experienced labor counsel and they agree.”

“Honestly, it’s a tough pill to swallow,” said Upper Darby Chief Administrative Officer Vincent Rongione. “We may never know if the previous administration’s intent in eliminating the requirement but, in this case, it really doesn’t matter. For whatever reason, mistake or otherwise, they eliminated the requirement and it’s going to really cost the Township significantly.”

Courtney Richardson is the associate at Kilkenny Law who first discovered that the requirement had been eliminated while researching another issue and she saw it pretty clearly, “When an ordinance uses a phrase like ‘deleted in its entirety’ there is no room for interpretation. Sean and I reviewed the language and agreed. That is when we brought it to the Mayor.” Sean Kilkenny also represents 30 or so other municipalities and school districts in the region. Ms. Richardson went on to say, “We see a lot of municipalities getting away from these requirements anyway and moving toward the earned income tax model. You hate to see your clients hands tied in any situation but our job is to help them understand it from a legal perspective and make the best of it moving forward.”

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DELCO ALERT - May 19, 2020


Delco Alert - May 19, 2020

Hello, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some reminders about coronavirus, free food distribution and this week’s Township Council meeting.

I want to express my heartfelt sympathies to those who have lost a loved one to coronavirus and, in general, to everyone whose lives have been disrupted by the pandemic through financial insecurity or other hardships. This has been a really tough time for most of us and we’ll get through it together.

I am pleased to announce that Upper Darby township, in partnership with the Share Food Program, will be offering free boxes of food to township residents.

Food will be available for pick up on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting this Wednesday, May 20 and Saturday, May 23.

There will be two pick up locations and times:
-11:30am at the Municipal Parking Lot across from the Township building at 100 Garrett Road, and
-12:30pm at the 69th Street Playground on the 500 block of 69th Street.

You don’t need to bring ID, just show up. One box of food per household. This program will continue every Wednesday and Saturday through June at these locations. If you know a person or a family in need in your neighborhood, please spread the word.

I want to say a very special ‘Thank you’ to our friends at the Share Food Program for working with us and to all the volunteers who will be helping with the distribution.

This Wednesday, May 20th at 7pm is the next Township Council meeting. Full details of the meeting can be found at www.upperdarby.org. If you or someone you know is unable to watch on YouTube, please call 610-734-7625 for details of how to call into the meeting.

Public Comments should be submitted to Township Council at comments@upperdarby.org or by calling 484-393-5861. Be sure to include your name and address when submitting public comment so that it can be included in the record.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer reminding everyone to stay safe, stay home and if you have to go out, wear a mask and stay six feet apart. Thank you.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


DELCO ALERT - May 13, 2020


Delco Alert - May 13, 2020

Hello, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some messages for our Upper Darby Township community.

First off, I want to express my heartfelt sympathies to those who have lost a loved one to coronavirus and, in general, to everyone whose lives have been disrupted by the pandemic through financial insecurity or not being able to visit with family. We here in the township are working to deliver municipal services as well as programs to protect our residents and small business owners through the pandemic and beyond. Many thanks to our first responders and essential employees who, every day, work to keep us safe and fed.

Frequent updates about Coronavirus-related programs and services, like food distribution, mental health and grant programs can be found on the township website: upperdarby.org and the official township Facebook page: Upper Darby Township - Government. If you do not have access to the internet and need information on these programs, please call the Mayor’s Request Line at 610.734.7625.

I regret to announce that all in-person Township summer camps and recreation programs are cancelled including Youth and Tot Lot programs. In light of the State’s projections related to the COVID-19 pandemic, offering in-person summer programs would put the health and safety of our residents at risk. In addition, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education has closed all School District facilities for the summer which limits our ability to offer in-person programming. The decision to cancel in-person summer programs was not made lightly but we must balance public health and safety against the delivery of these programs. The safety of our children and staff comes first.

Please know that I share in your disappointment and recognize the important role our summer recreation programs have in our community. We are exploring virtual options for the Township sponsored Schoener MusicMan Camp and Summer Stage. More information will be available as soon as possible.

We are adhering to the Governor’s directives as to when we will re-open. It can be confusing and frustrating to see and hear mixed media messages about this and I want to thank everyone who is doing their part to help control and contain this virus.

Observing social distancing and wearing personal protection gear shows that we respect each other and are working towards the collective goal of containing the virus. And I do see many of our residents adhering to these precautions. I also see discarded gloves, masks, wipes and little doggie bags on our streets, and in our storm drains and parks. Let’s all work together and contain personal protection gear and dog business in trash containers and keep our neighborhoods and parks clean, so everyone can enjoy them.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer reminding everyone to stay safe, stay home and if you have to go out, wear a mask and stay six feet apart. Thank you.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


Summer Recreation Update


Upper Darby Township regrets to announce that all in-person Township summer camps and recreation programs are cancelled including the Youth and Tot Lot programs. In light of the State’s projections related to the COVID-19 pandemic, offering in-person summer programs would put the health and safety of our residents at risk. In addition, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education has closed all School District facilities for the summer which limits our ability to offer in-person programming. The decision to cancel in-person summer programs was not made lightly but we must balance public health and safety against the delivery of recreation programs. The safety of our children, staff, and community partners comes first.

Please know that we share in your disappointment and recognize the important role our summer recreation programs have in our community. We are exploring virtual options for the Township sponsored Schoener MusicMan Camp and Summer Stage. More information will be available as soon as possible.

In accordance with Gov. Wolf’s extension of the Stay at Home order, all Upper Darby Township parks, playgrounds, fields, recreation areas, senior centers, and libraries remain closed. No permits will be issued until further notice.


Position Announcement: Fire Chief


Position Announcement: Upper Darby Township Fire Chief

About Upper Darby Township Fire Department
Upper Darby Township Fire Department has the responsibility of protecting a population which numbers approximately 81,777 residents within a large municipality of approximately 7.62 square miles. It currently consists of five (5) stations: Garrettford Drexel Hill Fire, Highliand Park Fire, Upper Darby Fire, Cardington-Stonehurst Fire, and Primos Secane Westbrook Park Fire. The fire department is a combination department which includes approximately 44 Career Fire Fighters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Fire Chief is responsible for fire prevention and oversees the enforcement of all fire code activities in the Township. Enforces all laws and ordinances pertaining to such activities.

  • Plan, organize, and administer a program of fire prevention and public safety in accordance with approved policies and directives.
  • Review and evaluate all work performed by firefighting forces and other departmental personnel in accordance with Township human resources policy and procedure.
  • Supervise and direct all Township fire departments including all firefighting and administrative personnel.
  • Serve as, and/or designate as needed, the incident commander of the fire/rescue operations when at the scene of any incident occurring in the Township and work with the District Chiefs at the scene of any incident.
  • Oversees and coordinates training programs for all firefighting personnel.

Desired Skills and Abilities:

  • Must have the ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with the public in a courteous and professional manner; prepare reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to pay close attention to detail and coordinate various activities simultaneously; must possess analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Knowledge of local, state, and national fire-related grant and other funding opportunities.

Qualifications:

  • Must possess a minimum of ten (10) years of firefighting experience and at least five (5) as a senior member in a fire department.
  • College degree required; advanced degree, preferred.
  • Must have general knowledge of recruiting/selection, training, financial, and supervisory skills needed to lead a combination response organization.
  • Must be knowledgeable in all areas of fire suppression.
  • Must be knowledgeable in rescue methods.
  • Must have acquired all necessary fire certifications to perform the duties of this position including: Fire Fighting, I and II, Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, Fire Officer III, Incident Command
  • Hazardous material awareness.
  • SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus)
  • Rescue Training (Jaws of Life)
  • Must have knowledge of emergency response procedures, first aid, and CPR.
  • Must possess duly authorized current Commonwealth of Pennsylvania driver’s license.
  • Must have also attended the following: Driver Safety Program (EVOC), Pump Certification Class (Pump Operator), and Ladder Certification Class (Ladder Operator).

Physical Requirements:
This role must be able to pass a physical examination and perform physical functions associated within this role of Fire Chief. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time and sit at a desk for prolonged periods of time working at a computer.


To apply for this position, please email a resume and cover letter to jobs@upperdarby.org. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis.


Delco Strong - Small Business Support


Small Businesses are the backbone of our community and Mayor Barbarann Keffer would like to remind small business owners that the Delco Strong Small Business Support Grant Program applications will be accepted online from 12:01 am to 11:59 pm on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Paper applications will be accepted at the Delaware County Courthouse entrance, 201 W Front Street; Media, PA On May 6th between the hours of 12noon and 4:30pm. On May 7th between the hours of 8:30am and 1:00pm. The Delaware County Economic Development Oversight Board is administering the Delco Strong Small Business Support Grant Program to provide small businesses located in Delaware County with financial relief due to business disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic shut down.

For full details about the Delco Strong Small Business Support Grant Program, please visit: https://delcostrong.delcopa.org/


DELCO ALERT - May 6, 2020


Delco Alert - May 6, 2020
Hello, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some messages for our Upper Darby Township community. Tonight, Council will hold its monthly committee meeting. Details on how to view the meeting are on the township website. Because Council will not be voting, there is no public comment period in this meeting.

Frequent updates about Coronavirus-related programs and services, like food distribution, mental health and grant programs can be found on the township website: upperdarby.org and official township Facebook page: Upper Darby Township - Government. If you do not have access to the internet and need information on these programs, please call the Mayor’s Request Line at 610.734.7625.

Next week, May 11-15, is our Spring Yard Waste Collection. Contain your yard waste loosely in trash cans or in yard waste bags and place them on the curb with your regular recycling.

The timeline to pay the flat rate for Upper Darby municipal taxes has been extended to June 30. Mercantile taxes are due July 15 to coincide with the Federal Income Tax due date.

As you may know, the Pennsylvania Primary Election was moved to Tuesday, June 2nd. Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to vote by mail in this primary. To apply for a mail-in ballot, please visit votespa.com to apply online. Or, you can call 877-868-3772 to request a paper application. You must apply by Tuesday, May 26th.

I want to express my heartfelt sympathies to those who have lost a loved one to coronavirus and, in general, to everyone whose lives have been disrupted by the pandemic through job and housing insecurity or not being able to visit with family. Many thanks to our first responders and essential employees who, every day, continue on the front lines of the battle against the coronavirus.

Delaware County is in the Governor’s red zone and we still need to abide by social-distancing and mask-wearing. On Monday the County reported the highest single day increase in fatalities due to coronavirus and we still have a lot of work to do before the County can reopen. Thank you to everyone who is doing their part to help control and contain this virus.

Observing directives about social distancing and wearing personal protection gear brings us together to contain and lessen the spread of the Coronavirus. Driving around the township and doing infrequent grocery shopping, I see many of our residents adhering to these precautions. And I also see discarded gloves, masks and wipes on our streets and sidewalks. It shouldn’t be someone else’s job to pick up anyone else’s trash. Let’s all work together and contain personal protection gear in trash containers and keep our neighborhoods clean.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer reminding everyone to stay safe, stay home and if you have to go out, wear a mask and stay six feet apart. Thank you.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


DELCO ALERT - April 26, 2020


Delco Alert - April 26, 2020

Hello, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with some reminders for the Upper Darby Township community. As you may know, the Pennsylvania Primary was moved to Tuesday, June 2nd. The Township Holiday has also been moved to Tuesday, June 2nd. Trash and recycling will be collected on its regular schedule this week. Please make sure that your trash is placed in a sealed bag and that mattresses are wrapped in plastic. Your cooperation helps protect our sanitation workers and our neighborhoods.

Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to vote by mail in the June 2nd primary. To apply for a mail in ballot, please visit votespa.com to apply online. Or, you can call 1-877-868-3772 to request a paper application. You must apply by Tuesday, May 26th.

This is a challenging time and I want to express my heartfelt sympathies to those who have lost a loved one to coronavirus and, in general, to those whose lives have been disrupted by the pandemic through income loss or not being able to visit with family. My thoughts are with the 341 township residents who have tested positive for the virus and with those first responders and essential employees who, every day, are on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus. Thank you to everyone who is doing their part to help control and contain this virus.

Finally, many of our residents may be experiencing a range of emotions due to fear, isolation, health, and economic circumstances. Delaware County has established a Telehealth Helpline which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 855-464-9342 to speak with a certified peer specialist or mental health professional.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer reminding everyone to stay calm, stay safe, stay home and if you have to go out, stay six feet apart. Thank you.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


DELCO ALERT - April 22, 2020


Delco Alert - April 22, 2020

Hello, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with a message for the Upper Darby Township community.

I want to offer my sympathies to those who have lost a loved one to coronavirus. It is distressing to hear of the continued rise in new cases and fatalities in our Township and I want to thank our health care workers, first responders, and those working in life sustaining businesses for their hard work to keep our community going.

The Governor has extended the Stay At Home order to May 8th. Thank you to those who are staying home which protects the vulnerable, reduces the spread of this disease, and keeps more families from experiencing the grief of losing a loved one to the coronavirus.

Today is Earth Day and I would like to ask residents to do their part to protect our environment. The environment is not only parks, creeks and open spaces - it is our neighborhoods, streets, sidewalks and yards.

Please dispose of masks and gloves properly. Throwing them on the ground or leaving them in shopping carts increases the risk of spreading coronavirus and you’re making someone else deal with it.
Pick up after your dog (or dogs). It’s common courtesy. And, just like with the discarded gloves and masks, you’re making someone else deal with it.
Make sure your trash is in sealed bags in a garbage can. If you’re tossing out a mattress, make sure it is wrapped up in plastic.
These measures protect our sanitation workers and keep trash and other debris from ending up in stormwater drains, streets, sidewalks and yards.
Thank you for doing your part to protect the environment and our community. It will be great to look back on this and remember what we’ve done to support each other.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer reminding everyone to stay calm, stay safe, stay home and if you have to go out, stay six feet apart. Thank you.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


DELCO ALERT - April 18, 2020


Delco Alert - April 18, 2020

Hello, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with a message for the people of Upper Darby Township. I would like to express my condolences for the victims of COVID-19 and their families. The number of people in our community who have tested positive continues to rise. There are signs that physical-distancing measures are working but we are not out of the woods yet. The Governor has announced a three-phase plan for Pennsylvania but cautioned that reopening cannot happen until the spread of coronavirus slows further.

I want to thank those who are on the front lines of this fight including our first responders and health care workers. But, most of all, I want to thank employees at life-sustaining businesses who are keeping our community going. The Pennsylvania Health Secretary has also signed an order to protect critical workers. This includes a mandate that people must use a mask while entering businesses starting tomorrow, April 19th at 8pm. Please do your part to keep our community safe. Things will improve if we continue to work together.

Maintain physical-distance, wear a mask while out in public; don’t throw your gloves or masks on the ground or in a shopping cart. The more we work together consistently to contain the virus to bring it to a standstill, the quicker this part of our lives will be over. Let’s be strong for each other. In the future, we will all look back and be proud of how we responded to this unprecedented challenge.

Another quick note, concerning public health. I know that our resident canines have been getting a lot more exercise since the Emergency Declaration. Please pick up after your dog as you walk outside. Your dog’s business is your business.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer reminding everyone to stay calm, stay safe, stay home and if you have to go out, stay six feet apart. Thank you.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


Gov. Wolf Announces Plan for PA


Gov. Tom Wolf Announces Plan for Pennsylvania
On Friday, April 17th, Governor Wolf announced a Plan for Pennsylvania which will provide citizens and businesses relief, allow for safe and expediant reopening, and lay a road to recovery from the challenges and hardships created by Covid-19.


Mayor Keffer Raises Pride Flag


MAYOR KEFFER RAISES PRIDE FLAG FOR THE FIRST TIME OVER THE UPPER DARBY TOWNSHIP BUILDING
The flag was a gift from regional & national LGBTQ leaders, as first step toward new social and economic partnerships ahead
Upper Darby, PA – Today, Mayor Barbarann Keffer personally raised the Pride flag over the Upper Darby Township building as a show of commitment to the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights and solidarity with the community in its ongoing struggle for full and meaningful recognition and equality. This, first of its kind, public display was made possible in Pennsylvania’s 6th largest municipality by a gift from LGBTQ leaders and organizations in Philadelphia, including the William Way LGBT Community Center and local leadership from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s been a long time coming but I am proud that our Upper Darby Township government has just made a public affirmation of the fundamental dignity and equality of our LGBTQ+ community members,” said Mayor Barbarann Keffer. “This is another step toward delivering on my promise of a more inclusive Upper Darby where everyone is treated with respect and no one is left behind. More than 50 years after the Stonewall riots in New York, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender sisters, brothers, and friends as we celebrate pride month. The best of America is an evolving story, a belief that all people are created equal and that progress toward an ever more perfect union is possible and the raising of this flag is an unambiguous statement that that idea is alive and well in Upper Darby Township.”
“Upper Darby reached out to us through a mutual colleague in the LGBTQ community and we were thrilled to be a part of the first public pride display in their history,” said Philadelphia based business and political advocate, Jonathan Lovitz, who is also NGLCC’s Senior Vice President. “Public recognition and affirmation are the first steps toward economic inclusion and full equality. The future of our movement and our Commonwealth is diverse, intersectional, and will accept nothing but full inclusion of all communities. We want to thank Mayor Keffer for not letting her first Pride month in office pass without acknowledging our communities’ struggles, celebrating our equality and the intentional representation of our Black and BIPOC community members on the flag, and welcoming us to the public square in Upper Darby.”
NGLCC is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for the LGBT business community and the exclusive certifying body of LGBT-owned businesses in the United States. They are represented in Pennsylvania by three local affiliate chambers: The Independence Business Alliance (Philadelphia); Keystone Business Alliance (Harrisburg); and Three Rivers Business Alliance (Pittsburgh).
“We want to thank leaders from the William Way Center in Philadelphia for helping us make this happen and we hope it is the beginning of a new and meaningful partnership,” continued Keffer. “At this moment, and especially in a community as diverse as ours, we felt it was more important than ever to fly the Philadelphia Pride flag, which has the additional brown and black stripes, highlighting the LGBTQ issues of people of color, to show that we understand that no one is free until everyone is free and no one is equal until everyone is equal. The process and progress toward freedom and equality are ongoing and we must continue to expand our efforts for inclusion across traditional lines of race, sex, gender-identity, and all lines if we hope to achieve meaningful civil rights for all. Our partnership here with the Center, and the Chamber shows that Upper Darby is open for business but even more importantly that we are open to the real conversations and hard work of building a better, more inclusive, and more equal shared future for all of us.”.

Keffer also noted that Upper Darby was set to have its first Pride festival this year but those plans were halted by the pandemic. She hopes next year the festival will be even bigger and better than the group of local activists had planned and that the raising of the flag stands as a comfort and an inspiration going forward.


DELCO ALERT - April 9, 2020


Delco Alert - April 9, 2020

Hello, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with an update for Upper Darby Township. This is a strange and challenging time and I’d like to thank everyone who is doing their part to comply with Governor Wolf’s Stay At Home order. The number of positive cases being reported for Upper Darby and Delaware county continues to increase. This rise in cases shows how important it is to stay home unless it is necessary for work, weekly grocery shopping, or medical care. Self-isolating is not easy but I know that Upper Darby residents care about protecting the vulnerable and are strong enough to come through this challenge together.

If you must leave your home you are strongly encouraged to wear a mask. If you are using a disposable mask or gloves, please throw them away in a trash can or bring them home. Do not litter.

As a reminder, Friday, April 10th is a holiday for township employees. There will be no trash or recycling.

The township building remains closed to the public but many of our services have been moved online. Please visit upperdarby.org/online. You can apply for and pay for licenses, permits, bulk trash and much more while staying safe at home. Again, that is upperdarby.org/online.

This can be a tough time of year to be away from family and friends. We must stay physically distant for the next while but if we all do our best then we will get through this crisis more quickly. I hope that you have a good weekend. This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer reminding everyone to stay calm, stay safe, and stay six feet apart from each other.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


DELCO ALERT - April 4, 2020


Delco Alert - April 4, 2020

Hello, this is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with an update on the coronavirus and Upper Darby Township. As you may have heard, Governor Wolf and the PA Department of Health are now encouraging Pennsylvanians to wear masks whenever they leave the house. Masks help prevent people from sharing illness. You do not need a surgical or N95 mask. Please save those for health care professionals and first responders. Instructions on how to make simple protection can be found on the Township website – upperdarby.org.

This Friday, April 10th, is Good Friday and it is a Township Holiday. There will be no trash or recycling collection on Friday, April 10th.

Please visit our website for full details. Our public works staff has been doing a great job of collecting our trash and recycling throughout this crisis. Please help keep them safe by making sure your trash is in a sealed bag placed inside a trash can. And place any mattresses in a mattress bag available online.

I regret to announce that the Township’s Shred event originally scheduled for April 18th has been cancelled. I have also cancelled all in person listening tour events until further notice. We must stay physically distant for the next while but if we follow the Governor’s Stay Home order then we will get through this crisis more quickly.

Finally, Interim Superintendent of Police, Tim Bernhardt would like to remind residents that if they wish to report businesses or residents who are not complying with the Governor’s Stay At Home order to please call the non-emergency line at 610-734-7693. That’s 610-734-7693. Please keep our first responders safe by staying home as much as possible.

This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer reminding you to stay calm, stay safe, and stay home.

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To sign up for Delco Alerts visit www.delcopa.gov


Help Stop the Spread
Governor Tom Wolf is encouraging members of the public to wear homemade cloth or fabric masks. Save surgical masks and N95 respirators for our health care workers and first responders. Remember this saying: "My mask protects you, your mask protects me." Find full details and instructions to make a homemade mask at: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Stop-the-Spread.aspx


PRESS RELEASE - April 1, 2020


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 1, 2020

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 


Upper Darby Township Keeps Running Through Health Crisis

Mayor Keffer applauds Council and Staff for keeping government running during COVID-19.

Upper Darby, PA, April 1, 2020 - In these uncertain times Upper Darby Township has been able to take unprecedented steps to keep the government running during this crisis. Mayor Barbarann Keffer and Council President Laura Wentz share the goal of providing a sense of normalcy and stability for our residents during this public health crisis. Township Council’s March meeting was initially postponed but within a week, the Administration and Council were able to work together to hold their first virtual meeting on Wednesday, March 25th.

“We don’t know how long that this will last and it is important that Council and the Administration continue conducting regular business to serve the public. Upper Darby Township is the 6th largest municipality in Pennsylvania and we cannot afford to let this crisis stop us from providing critical services and operating to the best of our ability.” said Mayor Barbarann Keffer.

“At the virtual meeting on March 25th, Council voted to extend the 2% discount period on municipal taxes to April 30,” added Council President Wentz. “This is just one example of business that needs to take place despite the emergency.”

Upper Darby Township buildings remain closed to the public and staff are working on reduced or staggered schedules. All time sensitive operations continue including trash, recycling, and public safety. Residents can visit www.upperdarby.org/online to see a full list of online services that are now available. These services have never been available online before and also represent a significant advance for the Township and its residents in terms of both, everyday operations and emergency preparedness.

“Previous Councils and Administrations never faced this type of emergency or created any type of plan to deal with it. My team was able to move many services online in less than two weeks and put in place the technology to keep the government functioning. These are huge steps forward that make us all safer and more prepared for this and future emergencies,” said Mayor Keffer. “Now, in the normal course of business, a vote on Land Development is scheduled to come before Council. The Upper Darby School District has a plan to stop bussing our children outside of the district and we feel it is our job to give them the opportunity to come before Council.”

There will be a special meeting of Council immediately following the regularly scheduled 7pm Council Committee Meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Agendas for both meetings can be found at: www.upperdarby.org under “Scheduled Meetings.” Residents can view online at www.youtube.com/upperdarbytwp. Public Comment will be accepted at comments@upperdarby.org or 484-393-5861. Residents who are unable to view online can listen by phone by calling 646-749-3122 and using access code 660-650-701. Access to this phone line will not be available until 7 pm.

“There is a lot of important business before council this evening including Ordinances related to a critically needed fire inspection program and an update to the Property Maintenance code,” said Council President Wentz. “The resolution on the Aronimink Land Development is just one item on the agenda.”

Mayor Keffer, Township Council, and the Administration are working hard to keep this government running during this rapidly changing situation. We are “Upper Darby Strong” and will come through this crisis together. Our thoughts are with those afflicted with COVID-19 and their families. Do your part and #StopTheSpread and as always, stay calm, stay safe, and stay home.


DELCO ALERT - April 1, 2020


Delco Alert - April 1, 2020

Good morning, Mayor Barbarann Keffer here with an update on the corona-virus. The safety and well-being of our residents is our top priority. As more testing is done, the number of people who test positive in our community will certainly rise, but it is not cause for panic. We all need to be strong for each other and prepared for this to get worse before it gets better. Now more than ever it is critically important that we all continue to practice social-distancing and strictly observe the Governor’s stay-at-home order. Social distancing means staying home unless absolutely necessary, only shopping for essentials once per week or less, and only interacting with people who live in your home who are also strictly observing these recommendations.

If you are experiencing any of the virus symptoms: fever, shortness of breath, dry coughing, please call your primary physician immediately. If you do not have a primary physician or if you have any other questions related to the corona-virus, please call the Greater Philadelphia hotline at: 1-800-722-7112 that’s 1-800-722-7112.

While we all work through this health emergency together, all township buildings remain closed to the public, as do libraries, parks including athletic fields, courts, and playground equipment, and senior centers. I’d like to thank our township employees who are working staggered shifts to provide public safety and municipal services to keep us safe and to keep things running as normally as possible.

To that end, tonight, township council will hold its 2nd virtual meeting. Full details of the meeting can be found at www.upperdarby.org. You can also call 610-734-7625 for details of how to call into the meeting.

Public Comments should be submitted to Township Council at comments@upperdarby.org or by calling 484-393-5861. Be sure to include your name and address when submitting public comments so that they can be included in the record.

Additionally, you can find more important resources on the official township Facebook page, “Upper Darby Township – Government” and the township website: upperdarby.org.

One other very important matter for our Township, today is National Census Day and if you haven’t already completed the census, I encourage you to do so. Census data is used to distribute hundreds of billions of federal dollars each year and impacts healthcare, roads, and schools. The census can be completed online at 2020census.gov. Let’s make Upper Darby Count, now and for the future.

If you have questions or concerns about municipal issues, please send an email to: request@upperdarby.org or call the request line at: 610.734.7625.

I know this is a tough time for everyone but our community is too strong and too important to not pull together and get through this. Thank you for your cooperation so far. Let’s stay calm, stay safe and stay home. Thank you.


VIDEO MESSAGE - March 28, 2020


Mayor Keffer's March 28th Update
Please view the latest video from Mayor Barbarann Keffer regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Hotline: 1-800-722-7112

Follow Upper Darby Township - Government on Facebook!


DELCO ALERT - March 25, 2020


Delco Alert - March 25, 2020

Hello. This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with a COVID-19 update for Upper Darby Township. I want to thank all of our Township residents for doing their part to stop the spread of this virus. I also want to say a major thank you to our Township employees who are keeping the government running during this crisis. Upper Darby has a lot to be proud of in how we have responded to this situation. Of course, our thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery are with the rising number of families who have someone who has tested positive. If we all stay calm, stay safe, and stay home we will get through this together.

As we anticipated, Governor Wolf has issued a stay at home order that includes Delaware county and the surrounding areas. This order took effect on Monday evening and will continue through April 6th. That means everyone in Upper Darby and in all of Delaware County must stay at home except for certain essential activities. Detailed guidance on the Governor’s Stay At Home order can be found on the Upper Darby Township website - upperdarby.org.

Upper Darby Township Municipal Building remains closed to the public. Employees are working with a reduced and staggered schedule. Trash, recycling, public safety, and all time-sensitive operations continue. All Township libraries, parks including athletic fields, and courts and senior centers remain closed.

Township Council will be holding their regular March meeting tonight Wednesday, March 25th at 7pm via YouTube live. Please visit upperdarby.org for details. Public comment will be accepted via comments@upperdarby.org or 484-393-5861. Public comment must include your name and address. Comments that do not follow the rules of decorum will not be read into public record. This meeting is being held under the guidance of the Pennsylvania Open Records office and in full compliance with the Sunshine Act. It also represents a significant step forward in the Township’s emergency preparedness capacity. We do not know what the future holds and having this technology in place will make us all safer and better able to function in this and future emergencies.

Thank you for doing your part to contain the virus as best we can by separating physically for the next while. I realize that this outbreak has been challenging for all of us. If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed it’s okay to ask for help. Please call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text PA to 741-741. These services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.

Let’s stay calm, stay safe and stay home.


VIDEO MESSAGE - March 23, 2020


Mayor Keffer's March 23rd Update
Please view the latest video from Mayor Barbarann Keffer regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)


DELCO ALERT - March 22, 2020


Delco Alert -

Good evening. This is Mayor Barbarann Keffer with an update on Upper Darby Township’s efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. After Delaware County merged forces with Chester County’s Health Department, we learned that as of today, 11 township residents have tested positive for the virus. Our hearts go out to the afflicted and their families and for their quick recoveries.
Our township is the largest by far in the county and it is not surprising that positives would be higher in number here. But, this is not a contest, nor is it a cause for alarm. We are headed towards a likely escalation in the number of people who test positively for the virus. Knowing that the virus has officially entered our community makes our efforts of “stay calm, stay safe and stay home” all the more critical.
The effects of the pandemic change daily and rapidly. Many of us are aware that the governors of New York and New Jersey have both issued “shelter in place” declarations over the weekend. There is also a possibility that our governor will do the same.
Until that happens, Upper Darby Township Municipal Building remains closed to the public and employees are working with a reduced and staggered schedule. As of this moment, trash, recycling, public safety, and all time-sensitive operations continue. All Township libraries, parks including athletic fields, and courts and senior centers remain closed. I would like to thank our township employees who serve our community every day and are prepared to react to any changes that are ahead.
It’s also tax season. The deadline to receive the 2% discount on Municipal Taxes will be extended to April 30th. Please mail your tax payment using the enclosed envelope or to Upper Darby Township, 100 Garrett Road; Upper Darby, PA 19082.
We have no idea when this public health crisis will subside and our administration is taking steps to adapt and to modernize. Township Council will be holding their March meeting this Wednesday, March 25th at 7pm via youtube live. Please visit upperdarby.org for details. Public comment will be accepted via comments@upperdarby.org or 484-393-5861. Public comment must include your name and address.
My administration continues to work closely with County and State officials to monitor this rapidly-changing crisis . Please visit the Delaware County website delcopa.gov for their daily updates on COVID-19.
Let’s prepare ourselves to move forward together, to contain the virus as best we can by separating physically for the next while. Let’s stay calm, stay safe and stay home. Thank you.


PRESS RELEASE - March 19, 2020


Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 

Upper Darby Township Mayor Reminds Residents to Stay Calm, Stay Home, and Stay Safe
Mayor Keffer Signs Emergency Declaration, Extends Tax Discount, and Implements Proactive Plan to Mitigate Spread in Upper Darby

Upper Darby, PA, March 19, 2020- Limiting non-essential travel is key to stopping the spread of COVID-19. Mayor Barbarann Keffer and her administration have taken important steps to protect residents and employees. The Township Government will continue to provide services, but the Upper Darby Township Building is closed to the public. In addition, the Township Libraries, Parks, and Senior Centers are closed.

“I want to assure everyone that we are fully prepared to continue operating the government through this challenging time,” said Keffer. “This is a tough time for all of us. It is also the time for us to come together as a community to help reduce the spread of the Coronavirus.”

The deadline to receive the 2% discount on municipal taxes has been extended to April 30th. In the meantime, property owners are strongly encouraged to mail your payment in the envelope included with your tax bill or directly to the Township at: Upper Darby Township; 100 Garrett Road; Room 102; Upper Darby, PA 19082.

Parking enforcement is still in effect with a focus on safety violations such as double parking, blocking crosswalks, blocking driveways, parking on the sidewalk, parking in a fire zone, blocking a fire hydrant, and parking in a bus stop. Parking meter violations will continue to be enforced to ensure that everyone has the chance to access essential businesses such as grocery stores and pharmacies. Parking Tickets should be paid online at www.upperdarby.org/payticket or by mail.

“Township administration and staff are working together to ensure continuity of services. We appreciate your understanding as we move through this unchartered, rapidly-changing territory,” said Keffer

Mayor Keffer stresses the importance of staying home and encourages residents to use this time to participate in the 2020 Census. By now, residents should have received a letter with instructions to complete the 2020 Census. They can also visit 2020census.gov to participate online. It’s safe, easy, and confidential.

“I want to encourage all residents to stay calm, stay home, and stay safe,” said Keffer. “This is an uncertain time but it’s also an opportunity to realize the best in ourselves and our community. Thank you for doing your part to stop the spread of Coronavirus. We’re all in this together.”


COVID-19 Update - March 17, 2020


COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – March 17, 2020

Mayor Barbarann Keffer and her administration continue to update the Township’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) as new information becomes available. As always, our first priority is the safety of our residents and our Township employees.

In an effort to comply with updated guidance, the March 18th Township Council Meeting is postponed. The Township is making every effort to ensure that future meetings are conducted in a manner that protects the health of our Township Council, along with members of Boards and Commissions, while also complying with the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. It is absolutely critical that the government continues to function during this and any future emergency and that is why plans and protocols are being put in place to ensure the continuity of government.

The Township Government remains fully operational but the Upper Darby Township Municipal Building is now closed to the public for the rest of the week. Residents are strongly encouraged to utilize phone (610-352-4100), email (requests@upperdarby.org), and the Township website (www.upperdarby.org) to conduct township business.

All government functions are operating as usual and trash and recycling pick up will continue.

Mayor Keffer reminds the public to stay calm, stay home, and stay safe. She thanks the community for doing their part to the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).


COVID-19 Update - March 15, 2020


COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Discouraging Non-Essential Travel
March 15, 2020

Limiting non-essential travel is key to stopping the spread of COVID-19. Mayor Barbarann Keffer and her administration have taken important steps to protect residents and employees. The Township Government will continue to provide services, but the Upper Darby Township Municipal Building will be closed to the public for 48 hours on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17. All employees are expected to report as usual.

Residents are strongly encouraged to utilize phone (610-352-4100), email (requests@upperdarby.org), and the Township website (www.upperdarby.org) to conduct Township business.

1. Mayor Keffer will be calling upon Township Council to extend the deadline to receive the 2% discount on municipal taxes to April 30th. This will allow property owners who prefer to pay their municipal taxes in person the opportunity to do so until the end of April. In the meantime, property owners are strongly encouraged to submit their tax payments by mail to:

Upper Darby Township
100 Garrett Road
Room 102
Upper Darby, PA 19082
2. Parking Tickets should be paid online at www.upperdarby.org/payticket or by mail.

3. In accordance with guidance provided by State and County officials, any public meetings convened by the Township during this time period will be physically closed to the public while still providing for real-time two-way public comment and participation. Mayor Keffer, Council President Wentz, and the Administration have made arrangements to have the Wednesday, March 18th Council Meeting live-streamed so that the public can listen and participate virtually in compliance with the PA Sunshine Act. Full details will be announced at www.upperdarby.org/covid19 shortly.

4. The free Tax Prep event scheduled for March 19th is cancelled. Campaign for Working Families, the organization coordinating this event, is taking safety precautions to protect their clients by postponing tax site operations until at least 3/30. Residents may follow up after this date for more information. Mayor Keffer reminds the public to stay calm, stay home, and stay safe. She thanks the community for doing their part to the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).


COVID-19 Update - March 14, 2020


COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update – March 14, 2020

On March 13th and 14th Governor Tom Wolf announced new guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19. In accordance with Federal, State, and County Guidance:

  • All non-essential travel is strongly discouraged in Upper Darby Township.
  • All non-essential large gatherings are strongly discouraged in Upper Darby Township.
  • All non-essential visits to Township Buildings and Facilities are discouraged.
  • All Religious leaders are encouraged to exercise discretion in order to mitigate the spread of illness.
  • Residents are encouraged to stay calm, stay home, and stay safe. Please don’t panic. Food stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and their suppliers will remain open.

Upper Darby Township is taking the following steps to encourage social distancing:

  • Effective Saturday, March 14th, Watkins and Pilgrim Gardens Senior Centers are closed. Seniors who rely on Watkins Senior Center for lunch should call 610-734-7652..
  • Effective Saturday, March 14th Upper Darby Parks and Welcome Center are closed. Department Leisure Services’ permits have been cancelled.
  • Effective Sunday, March 15th all Upper Darby Township Libraries will be closed.
  • NOTE: Upper Darby School District schools will be closed for 2 weeks effective Monday, March 16th per Gov. Wolf's announcement.

The Township Municipal Departments are open and operating all services including regular trash and recycling pick up.

Limiting non-essential travel is key to stopping the spread of COVID-19. We strongly encourage you to call before you come to any Township Building, including Police Headquarters and local Fire Stations, to determine if you are able to be assisted by phone. The Main Township phone number is 610-352-4100 and a full contact list is available at www.upperdarby.org/contact/directory. As always, in case of any emergency dial 911.

In order to discourage non-essential travel and to safeguard the residents, as well as the staff, Mayor Keffer will be calling upon Township Council to extend the deadline to receive the 2% discount on property taxes from March 31st to April 30th.

Residents and businesses should submit their taxes by mail to:

Upper Darby Township
100 Garrett Road
Room 102
Upper Darby, PA 19082

Parking tickets can be paid online at www.upperdarby.org/payticket or by mail.

If it is essential that you access the Township Building, please be advised that we have put precautions in place to limit contact. Visitors will be asked to wash their hands upon entering the building and will be limited to the first floor.

In compliance with guidance from Delaware County Council, Township Council meetings will proceed as scheduled at this time. Special precautions will be taken to ensure the health and safety of both the Council Members and the public. However, meetings of other Boards and Commissions will be postponed until further notice.

This is a rapidly changing situation and residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for the Delco Alert System by visiting www.delcopa.gov


COVID-19 Emergency Declaration - March 13, 2020


COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Emergency Declaration - March 13, 2020

Today, Mayor Barbarann Keffer signed an Emergency Declaration for Upper Darby Township due to the effects of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. The Township is taking steps to support the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus.

In accordance with Federal, State, and County Guidance:

  • All non-essential travel is strongly discouraged in Upper Darby Township.
  • All non-essential large gatherings are strongly discouraged in Upper Darby Township.
  • All non-essential visits to Township Buildings and Facilities are discouraged.
  • All Religious leaders are encouraged to exercise discretion in order to mitigate the spread of illness.

Upper Darby Township is taking the following steps:

  • Effective Saturday, March 14th, Watkins Senior Center and Pilgrim Gardens Senior Center will be closed. Seniors who rely on Watkins Senior Center for lunch should call 610-734-7652.
  • Effective Sunday, March 15th all Upper Darby Township Libraries will be closed.
  • Effective Monday, March 16th the Upper Darby Welcome Center will be closed.

The Township Municipal Departments are open and operating all essential services. We encourage you to call before you come to any Township Building including Police Headquarters and local Fire Stations, to determine if you are able to be assisted by phone. The Main Township phone number is 610-352-4100 and a full contact list is available at www.upperdarby.org/contact/directory. As always, in case of any emergency dial 911.

If it is essential that you access the Township Building, please be advised that we have put precautions in place to limit contact. Visitors will be limited to the first floor where they will be able to access the Tax Office, Licenses & Inspections and Health Department Services. Parking tickets can be paid online at www.upperdarby.org/payticket or in person at the Parking Enforcement Office in the Basement level of the Township Building.

In addition, we encourage residents and businesses to submit their taxes by mail to:

Upper Darby Township

100 Garrett Road

Room 102

Upper Darby, PA 19082

In order to discourage non-essential travel and to safeguard the residents as well as the staff, Mayor Keffer will be asking Township Council to extend the deadline to receive the 2% discount on property taxes from March 31st to April 30th.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, please call your health care provider or call the PA Department of Health at 1-877-PA HEALTH. In addition, please continue to take everyday precautions by washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, and avoid sick people. COVID-19 is spread through close contact and so all are encouraged to take the precaution of avoiding crowds and keeping distance from others.

This is a rapidly changing situation and residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for the Delco Alert System by visiting www.delcopa.gov. The township is meeting with stakeholders throughout the day and more information will continue to be released.


COVID-19 Update - March 12, 2020


COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update – March 12, 2020

Mayor Barbarann Keffer has been closely monitoring the global outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) including high level coordination with the PA Department of Health, the Delaware County Emergency Services Center, the Upper Darby School District, and the Township leadership team. On Thursday, March 12th, based on new information from the State, Mayor Keffer immediately met with Interim Superintendent of Police Bernhardt, Interim Fire Chief Gove, and senior members of her administration to continue strengthening the Township’s response plan for COVID-19.

Upper Darby Township is committed to maintaining public safety and keeping the public informed as we take critical steps to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. On Thursday, Gov. Tom Wolf and PA Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine provided an update on the State’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts and guidance to reduce the spread of the virus. In accordance with Federal, State, and County Guidance:

  • All non-essential travel is strongly discouraged in Upper Darby Township.
  • All non-essential large gatherings are strongly discouraged in Upper Darby Township.
  • All non-essential visits to Township Buildings and Facilities are discouraged.

The Township Municipal Departments are open and operating all essential services. We encourage you to call before you come to any Township Building, including Police headquarters and local Fire stations, to determine if you are able to be assisted by phone. The Main Township phone number is 610-352-4100 and a full contact list is available at www.upperdarby.org/contact/directory. As always, in case of any emergency dial 911.

If it is essential that you access the Township Building, please be advised that we are taking precautions to limit contact. Visitors will be limited to the first floor where they will be able to access the Tax Office, Licenses & Inspections and Health Department Services which have been relocated to the first floor temporarily. Parking tickets can be paid online at www.upperdarby.org/payticket or in person at the Parking Enforcement Office in the Basement level of the Township Building.

In addition, we encourage residents and businesses to submit their taxes by mail to:

Upper Darby Township

100 Garrett Road

Room 102

Upper Darby, PA 19082

In order to discourage non-essential travel and to safeguard the residents as well as the staff, Mayor Keffer will be asking Township Council to extend the deadline to receive the 2% discount on property taxes from March 31st to April 30th.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, please call your health care provider or call the PA Department of Health at 1-877-PA HEALTH. In addition, please continue to take everyday precautions by washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, and avoid sick people. COVID-19 is spread through close contact and so all are encouraged to take the precaution of avoiding crowds and keeping distance from others.

This is a rapidly changing situation and residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for the Delco Alert System by visiting www.delcopa.gov


COVID-19 Update - March 6, 2020


COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update – March 6, 2020

Local, County, State, and Federal officials are coordinating their response to COVID-19, the illness caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus. Upper Darby Township's Mayor and high level officials have been in direct communication with Delaware County, Delaware County Director of Emergency Services, and the Secretary of the PA Department of Health.

This morning Gov. Wolf announced that there are two presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania; one of which is an adult in Delaware County. This afternoon Delaware County held a press conference where they noted that the case in Delaware County is not community spread. The individual had traveled to an area in the United States where COVID-19 is present and came in direct contact with the virus. The individual is currently in their home in isolation. The PA Health Department is conducting aggressive contact tracing to determine who the individual may have come in contact with. The Health Department is contacting those individuals and no further information about the individual is available at this time.

The best way you can help to stop the spread of viruses, from seasonal flu to coronavirus, is by washing your hands, covering your mouth with your sleeve during coughs and sneezes, cleaning surfaces and staying home if you are sick.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

Individuals most at risk for severe symptoms include seniors and those with pre-existing conditions.

We encourage residents to take common sense precautions to avoid the spread germs. The State and the CDC do NOT recommend that the general public wear masks. Masks are not recommended to protect the general public from the virus. Masks are recommended for health care professionals and first responders who are in direct contact with those who are infected.

General Precautions & for anyone who does not feel well:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover any coughs or sneezes with their elbow, not their hands.
  • Clean surfaces frequently, such as countertops, light switches, cell phones, and other frequently touched areas.
  • Contain - if someone is sick, they should stay home until they are feeling better.

For more information about COVID-19 you can visit:

  • Delaware County
  • PA Department of Health
  • Center for Disease Control (CDC)
     

Mayor Barbarann Keffer's 2020 Listening Tour


Upper Darby Township residents are invited to share their thoughts with Mayor Keffer at one of the following Listening Sessions:

  • Monday, February 24th, 7pm

Prayer Chapel Church of God in Christ
7099 Locust Street; Upper Darby, PA 19082

  • Sunday, March 1st, 3pm

Highland Park Fire Company
24 Park Ave; Upper Darby, PA 19082

  • Wednesday, March 25th, 6:30pm

St. Eugene’s Hall
200 S. Oak Avenue; Primos, PA 19018

  • Tuesday, April 21st, 7pm

Beverly Hills Middle School
1400 Garrett Rd, Upper Darby, PA 19082

  • Thursday, May 21st, 7pm

Drexel Hill Middle School
3001 State Rd, Drexel Hill, PA 19026

Please email the Mayor at mayor@upperdarby.org or call 610-352-4103 with questions.


Community Events and Meeting Calendar