{"id":292889,"date":"2026-09-24T10:14:08","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T10:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/292889\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T10:14:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T10:14:08","slug":"lower-merion-seeks-additional-staff-funding-after-leaf-blower-complaints-soar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/292889\/","title":{"rendered":"Lower Merion seeks additional staff funding after leaf blower complaints soar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi, Lower Merion<\/a>! <\/p>\n

The township\u2019s leaf blower ban is putting extra stress on workers, prompting a request for additional funding. Here\u2019s what to know<\/a>. Also this week, residents\u2019 compost is helping feed a circular food system<\/a>, a local surgery center<\/a> is among the busiest of its kind in the region, plus, where to get inventive mooncakes ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Lisa Dukart (lowermerion@inquirer.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\"Inquirer<\/p>\n

Inquirer Lower Merion<\/p>\n

A Weekly Newsletter<\/p>\n

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Since launching a phased gas-powered leaf blower ban in June, Lower Merion has received 437 violation complaints, putting \u201ctremendous stress\u201d on township staff who then have to investigate.<\/p>\n

That figure is more than five times the number of complaints the township received for all other standard property maintenance violations during the same time period and has prompted officials to ask for extra staffing funds. That includes making a part-time administrative clerk full-time next year and adding a seasonal code compliance officer. <\/p>\n

While nothing\u2019s been decided yet, the changes could cost $83,000, but give flexibility should complaints later drop off. <\/p>\n

The Inquirer\u2019s Denali Sagner explains the proposed staffing changes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udca1 Community news<\/p>\n

Lower Merion residents are contributing to a circular food system through the township\u2019s pilot compost program, launched last year in partnership with Wynnewood-based Mother Compost and Bennett Compost in Philadelphia, joining a number of local municipalities diverting food waste from landfills<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Main Line Surgery Center, Bala Cynwyd is one of the 20 busiest surgical centers in the region, conducting 8,468 surgical visits last year, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. It\u2019s closely followed by Bryn Mawr Medical Specialist Endoscopy Associates. The Inquirer\u2019s Harold Brubaker explains why surgery centers have seen a surge in popularity in recent years<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Four people were injured and two were hospitalized after a tree fell on several vehicles stopped in traffic on Belmont Avenue near the Old Belmont Avenue split in Bala Cynwyd Friday. One of the individuals suffered serious injuries and was listed in critical but stable condition as of Friday night, 6abc reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

City Ave District has been awarded $400,000 from the state<\/a> to improve sidewalks on the 200 block of Bala Avenue, as well as North Highland Avenue. Work is expected to get underway in the spring. <\/p>\n

Lower Merion police are warning residents about locking their vehicles and not leaving valuables inside after several recent thefts and break-ins<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Narberth is conducting a pedestrian count via video survey<\/a> through Monday related to the North Narberth Avenue bridge project. <\/p>\n

The Montgomery County District Attorney\u2019s Office is cracking down<\/a> on 7-Hydroxymitragynine, more commonly known as 7-OH, and has issued notices to retailers to discontinue sales of concentrated 7-OH products. Sold over the counter at gas stations and smoke shops across the region, unregulated 7-OH kratom has led to addiction for some<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f Other nearby news<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfeb Schools briefing<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f On our plate<\/p>\n

A La Mousse owner Anna Chen is working to improve mooncakes\u2019 reputation by giving the intricate but otherwise unimpressive treats a twist, The Inquirer\u2019s Kiki Aranita writes, including stuffing them with a range of fillings and flavors. Find her take on mooncakes at A La Mousse\u2019s Narberth outpost ahead of the the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Vintner\u2019s Table is opening<\/a> its Ardmore outpost on Monday. Located at 24 Cricket Ave., the Italian-inspired wine bar<\/a> will also have a salumeria and lifestyle boutique.<\/p>\n

Former Sixers icon Julius \u201cDr. J\u201d Erving will be at the Fine Wine and Good Spirits on Greenfield Avenue in Ardmore Saturday at 2 p.m. to sign pre-purchased bottles of American Harvest Organic Vodka<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfb3 Things to do<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf7f Movie Night<\/a>: Friends of Linwood Park and Lulu\u2019s Casita will screen The Muppets outdoors. \u23f0 Friday, Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 Free \ud83d\udccd Linwood Park<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc11 The Farmstead Fair<\/a>: Harriton House\u2019s annual celebration includes tours, cooking demonstrations, a beer garden, vendors, games, and pumpkin decorating. \u23f0 Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 Pay as you go \ud83d\udccd Harriton House <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf3b Eco-Printing with Wildflowers Workshop<\/a>: Summer may officially be over, but that doesn\u2019t mean its remnants can\u2019t still make beautiful art. \u23f0 Sunday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 $85-$95 \ud83d\udccd Stoneleigh<\/p>\n

\ud83e\ude70 An Afternoon of English Country Dance<\/a>: Dust off your Regency-era apparel and learn 18th- and 19th-century country social dances. Registration is required. \u23f0 Sunday, Sept. 27, 2-4 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 Free \ud83d\udccd Bala Cynwyd Library<\/p>\n

\ud83e\uddfa Family Picnic in the Park<\/a>: Narberth Civic Association will have pizza and live music at this event, where neighbors are encouraged to pack a picnic, as well as a shareable dessert. \u23f0 Sunday, Sept. 27, 4-6 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 Free \ud83d\udccd Narberth Park<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfe1 On the market<\/p>\n

A charming five-bedroom Bala Cynwyd home<\/a><\/p>\n

This century-old brick Tudor Bala Cynwyd home blends indoor and outdoor living thanks to plenty of windows, a sunroom, a screened-in porch, and a flagstone patio. The home has formal living and dining rooms, an updated eat-in kitchen, and five bedrooms across the second and third floors, including a primary suite with a double sink vanity. There are open houses today from 12:30 to 2 p.m., Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m., and Sunday noon to 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

See more photos of the home here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Price: $1.2M | Size: 3,369 SF | Acreage: 0.34<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcc8 Lower Merion market report<\/p>\n

Median listing price: $590,000 (down $67,500 from July) \ud83d\udcc9<\/p>\n

Median sold price: $764,500 (down $435,500 from July) \ud83d\udcc9<\/p>\n

Days on the market: 58 (up eight days from July) \ud83d\udcc8<\/p>\n

This Lower Merion market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for August from realtor.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddde\ufe0f What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:<\/p>\n

By submitting your written, visual, and\/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer\u2019s Terms of Use<\/a>, including the grant of rights in Section 10.<\/p>\n

This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer\u2019s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com\/donate<\/a>. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org\/supporters<\/a>.<\/p>\n