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Narberth Borough is Hiring for the position of Office Manager

Posted on by Michelle Carroll

Office Manager – Full-time Position

Under the direction of the Borough Manager, the Office Manager is responsible for a variety of administrative functions in compliance with State and local codes, and ensures that these services and programs are provided efficiently and effectively. The Officer Manager is an important member of a small management team.

The person in this position will demonstrate a high level of personal integrity and ethical behavior with a proven record of technical competence and a commitment to life-long career development and learning. This person will understand the positive value of developing and maintaining effective relationships with staff, elected officials, and the public. They will be well-versed in applying technology to further organizational efficiencies and demonstrate high attention to detail.

The Office Manager will support the mission, philosophy, policies and procedures of the Borough. They will model integrity, curiosity, responsibility, creativity and respect for all persons and appreciate racial, cultural, and gender diversity. The person in this position will gain valuable experience in all phases of public administration in municipal government. The ideal candidate’s responsibilities will expand beyond the essential functions of the position as their fluency increases.

The Office Manager will report to the Narberth Borough Municipal Building located at 100 Conway Avenue, Narberth, PA from 8 a.m. to 4p.m., Monday through Friday. The salary offered will be $45,000 – $55,000 DOQ and will include a full benefits package.

Position is open until filled. The job description can be found at https://bit.ly/3AG9MxJ. Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@narberthpa.gov.

Narberth Historic District -FAQ

Posted on by Michelle Carroll
Narberth Historic District
  
Come to a Special Meeting of the Narberth Planning Commission to discuss the proposed Historic District ordinance.
Planning Commission members will be available
to answer questions about the Historic District. Public comment is invited.
 
Monday, July 12, 7 p.m.
Narberth Borough Hall
The meeting will also be accessible via Zoom and viewable on the Narberth Civic Association Youtube page.
For specific information, visit the “Boards and Commissions Meetings” page on the Borough web site:
https://www.narberthpa.gov/information/meeting-materials/boards-commissions-meetings/

Please click below to view the proposed ordinance and map.
Historic District Ordinance Historic District Map
 
Narberth Historic District: FAQ 

Why is the Borough considering a Historic District?
Everyone recognizes Narberth’s small-town character. It’s partly because of the people who live here and the activities and organizations we share as a community; it’s partly because our streetscape with houses built roughly a century ago and our lush trees and gardens; and it’s partly because of the stories and traditions that we keep and pass on to new members of the community. It’s a unique combination of time and place.
In recent years, the Borough has seen increasingly rapid change. In particular, many of the homes that are part of this historic fabric have been torn down for speculative new housing. The Historic District will slow that process down by creating a review process before a house is torn down or alterations are made that remove features that are important to the character that we know.
Where would the Historic District be located?
The district would focus on areas of the Borough built before 1945, which is the key era of construction that defines Narberth’s small-town character. That means most of the Borough would be covered. Areas built after 1945 would not be in the district, and some buildings within the district would not be include because they were built after 1945.
What would the Historic District mean to the average homeowner?Narberth’s Historic District would be tailored to Narberth’s specific circumstances, so it would be different from the historic districts in places like Lower Merion Township and Philadelphia. In Narberth, property owners would need to obtain approval to demolish a building, or to remove character-defining features, such as dormers, front porches, turrets, or sleeping porches.
Do I need to get permission to paint my house?
No. Improvements like painting, putting on siding, replacing doors and windows or porch railings, or re-landscaping your front yard would not need approval under the historic district. Nor are there design requirements that have to be met. Over time, as residents have made changes like this, they have added to the patina and character of the town.
However, other Borough codes, such as the building code, zoning code, property maintenance code, stormwater code and street tree / landscaping code would still apply.
What about additions?
No. The ordinance would only require approval of demolitions and removals of character-defining features, not to new additions.
Is my garage or shed considered historic?
In a sense, garages that were built before 1945 are part of the character of our town, because they reflect the history of a place that was built before cars were part of everyday life, and before houses were built with garages within them.
However, most garages and sheds in the Borough would not be included in the district. That is because any building that is not visible from the street, not in the first or second “lot layer” as defined in the zoning code, or built after 1945 would not be included.
What about putting solar panels on my roof, or adding a heat pump outside?
Adding solar panels or heat pumps or other kinds of energy-efficient features would not be covered by the historic district. In addition, the review process for activities that do require approval would have to consider the benefits to sustainability when considering an application.
What is an “advisory review”?
The historic district ordinance includes a provision for an advisory review for modifications that would make significant changes to the appearance of a building, such as additions.
The advisory review requests that property owners meet with a design professional to look at design options that help keep property upgrades and maintenance in character with the Borough’s historic fabric, and potentially even information about “green building” materials and techniques.  It is hoped that this will encourage property owners to consider options that support Borough policies and continue to make Narberth the great place that it is.
The advisory review would be non-binding; that is, property owners are encouraged, but not required, to follow any of the suggestions that are given.
Is this legal?
The Borough’s historic district would be created under authority granted to the Borough under the state’s Historic District Act. The ordinance that the Borough is considering is based on a model ordinance developed by the state’s Museum and Historic Commission. State historic preservation staff have been consulting with the Borough throughout this process. The Borough has also received assistance from its planning consultants at the Montgomery County Planning Commission and the historic preservation consultants at the Lower Merion Conservancy.
Will this cost me anything?
The ordinance provides for Borough Council to establish application fees as it deems appropriate (though none are proposed now), similar to fees for other types of applications and permits.
I just learned about this! Hasn’t this happened quickly?
Narberth’s historic district has been years in the making, with many opportunities for public input along the way.
The process began in 2017, when the Borough asked the State Historic Preservation Office and the Lower Merion Conservancy to create a plan for preserving the historic character of the Borough. The planners worked with a small community advisory committee and held a public workshop in May, 2018, before submitting their report to the Borough in October, 2019.
Roughly at the same time, Narberth created a comprehensive plan, which also involved a community advisory committee and a community survey and open house, and was approved in April, 2019. This plan placed a strong emphasis on the preservation of Narberth’s building stock and recommended that the Borough regularly look at its zoning code and other tools as development conditions evolved.
In January, 2020, the Planning Commission recommended to Council that the Borough explore the creation of a Historic District, and Council authorized the Planning Commission to begin work on that project. Since then, the Planning Commission has discussed the development of the meeting at length in four of its meetings. It has also presented its work to Council at two workshop meetings, and received guidance that shaped the final proposal.

Your input is welcome at the July 12, 2021, meeting as this ordinance is still to be adopted.

Proposed Ordinance – Historic District Ordinance

Posted on by Michelle Carroll

NOTICE IS GIVEN that on July 21, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. at Narberth Borough Hall, 100 Conway Ave. Narberth, PA 19072, Narberth Borough Council will hold a public hearing, and immediately thereafter will consider at the public meeting: AN ORDINANCE OF NARBERTH BOROUGH AMENDING THE NARBERTH CODE TO CREATE A NEW CHAPTER ENTITLED “HISTORIC DISTRICTS” AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE BOROUGH’S HISTORIC DISTRICT’S CREATION, MAP, AND ABILITY TO  DESIGNATE CONTRIBUTING AND NON-CONTRIBUTING RESOURCES THEREIN; LEGAL AUTHORIZATION; PURPOSE AND INTENT; DEFINITIONS; HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD CREATION, FUNCTIONS, AND DUTIES; REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS; REVIEW CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES FOR DEMOLITION AND ALTERATIONS; APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES; EXCEPTIONS; APPEALS; ENFORCEMENT; AND PENALTIES.  The ordinance creates a Historic District in the Borough, as shown on the map, that will require demolitions and enumerated alterations of properties contributing to the historic district to obtain a certificate of appropriateness from Borough Council before further activity is taken.  The proposed ordinance and map were provided to the Main Line Times, 307 Destine Ave. Lansdale, PA 19446 and the Montgomery County Law Library, Montgomery County Court House, Lower Level, 2 East Airy St. Norristown, PA 19401 for public inspection. Copies of the ordinance and map are available to the public electronically on the Borough’s website or upon request, and arrangements can be made for copies to be viewed or provided at Narberth Borough Hall, 100 Conway Ave., weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you have questions or require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hearing or to provide comment, please contact Michelle Carroll at (610) 664-2840.

SAMANTHA BRYANT, BOROUGH MANAGER

Historic District Ordinance 

Historic District Map

Announcement – Repealed Mask Ordinance

Posted on by Michelle Carroll

Narberth Borough Council has repealed the mask ordinance, and Mayor Deutsch has lifted the local state of emergency.

  • Masks are no longer required outdoors in the downtown area and in the parks
  • Individual businesses may still require masks for all customers; please follow posted rules.
  • Gathering restrictions outside are no longer in effect
  • Basketball courts and outdoor bathrooms in Narberth Park are now open

Pennsylvania’s mask ordinance is still in effect.

  • Unvaccinated individuals must wear masks indoors (until June 28)
  • Fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear masks in most areas, unless there is a specific rule in place (airplanes, public transit, hospitals, any business with a posted mask policy.)

Narberth has had the lowest rate of confirmed COVID cases in Montgomery County. Thank you to all our community members for doing their part to keep Narberth safe and healthy over the last 15 months. And remember, vaccinations are free and are currently widely available for anyone age 12 or older through local pharmacies and health care providers. 

Introducing Narberth Borough’s New Manager – Samantha Bryant

Posted on by Michelle Carroll

I am extremely excited to serve the residents of Narberth Borough and advance the goals of Borough Council as the new Borough Manager of Narberth Borough starting May 24th.  I have lived in the Pennsylvania area for about a decade, beginning with graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, and most recently having served as Borough Manager for New Britain Borough.  I moved to the Pennsylvania area after growing up in South Carolina (where my family still resides) and completing a year of community service in AmeriCorps, which took me all around the United States.  I greatly look forward to meeting and interacting with the residents and business owners of the Borough as well as participating in meetings and community events.  When not doing Narberth related activities, I look forward to spending time on the Cynwyd Heritage Trail (near where I’ll be living in Bala Cynwyd), finding and taking care of a cat, and enjoying the wonderful amenities this area has to offer.

Downtown Streetlights

Posted on by Matt West

The Borough is happy to announce that the streetlights along Forrest Avenue, as reported in the Delco Times, will be re-connected by PECO as soon as the weather is favorable.

The Borough thanks PECO for responding to this issue, and looks forward to a continued partnership with them to finalize the details of a permanent solution.

Snow Routes in Effect – 2/18/21

Posted on by Michelle Carroll

If your vehicle is parked along a snow route, it must be moved by 9 a.m. on February 18th. This will enable the Borough’s snow plows to clear the snow from the street without obstruction.

NOTE: Those vehicles not moved will be ticketed and could be towed.

Please remember: following the winter storm, residents and businesses are required to clear the sidewalks on their property within 24 hours of the end of the storm. Sidewalks are to be fully cleared to provide a minimum of 36 inches of clear pathway. Also, snow removed from sidewalks and driveways in not permitted to be put in Borough roadways.

Trash and Recycling: 
Recycling collection will be postponed until Friday, February 19th.
Trash and bulk item collection will be postponed until Saturday, February 20th.

Stay safe, Narberth!