{"id":39497,"date":"2025-11-20T11:03:06","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T11:03:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/39497\/"},"modified":"2025-11-20T11:03:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T11:03:06","slug":"the-township-changes-you-may-want-to-brace-for-inquirer-lower-merion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/39497\/","title":{"rendered":"The township changes you may want to brace for| Inquirer Lower Merion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi, Lower Merion<\/a>! \ud83d\udc4b<\/p>\n

Could the township see its first parking meter rate hike since 1999<\/a>? The change is one of several ordinances considered at last night\u2019s township meeting. Also, meet two Rhodes scholars with local ties<\/a>, and catch up on the latest in the push to merge Lower Merion\u2019s two high school football teams<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lower Merion residents may want to brace for a few adjustments on the horizon, including a lower speed limit on parts of Lancaster Avenue and new rules surrounding where smoke and vape shops can operate.<\/p>\n

Township commissioners considered multiple ordinances at their meeting last night, including the speed limit reduction and a proposal that would up the cost of parking in the township for the first time in 25 years, potentially generating around $900,000 annually.<\/p>\n

Read the latest updates from reporter Denali Sagner here.<\/a><\/p>\n

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

Montgomery County officials last week unveiled their proposed 2026 budget<\/a>, which includes a 4% property tax increase. The draft budget was written before Pa. lawmakers finally reached an agreement on a $50.1 billion state budget<\/a>. Montco\u2019s chief financial officer said the budget was written with the assumption of stagnant funding and kept it \u201cstatus quo.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking of the state budget, the finalized plan provided no additional funding for SEPTA<\/a>. Meanwhile, the transit agency completed its required inspections of all 223 Silverliner IV Regional Rail vehicles just ahead of its deadline, but travel woes aren\u2019t likely to end with many cars yet to return to service<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mark your calendars: There will be a concert honoring WMMR host Pierre Robert in Philly next month, where bands and musicians close to the former Gladwyne resident will gather to celebrate his memory<\/a> after his recent death shocked the music world.<\/p>\n

A Philadelphia man admitted to a hit-and-run that happened outside the Taco Bell on City Avenue last year. Jamal McCullough, 38, did not call 911 or help Tracey Carey, 61, after he struck her as she attempted to cross the highway in her wheelchair<\/a>, according to police.<\/p>\n

Two of this year\u2019s prestigious Rhodes scholars boast local connections: Yale University senior Aruna Balasubramanian hails from Bala Cynwyd and is a Harriton High alumna while Alice Hall, studying at MIT, is the daughter of Welsh Valley Middle School Principal Chris Hall, according to the school district<\/a>. The Inquirer\u2019s Maggie Prosser caught up with the two, and Balasubramanian shares advice for other Main Line high schoolers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lower Merion\u2019s compost pilot program is underway, providing the free service to eligible households within Bala Cynwyd. You can find more details on the yearlong initiative here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A reminder that the Thanksgiving holiday will impact your trash and recycling pickup next week. Not sure when your holiday collection will be? Use the township\u2019s address lookup tool to confirm<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Attention pet owners: There\u2019s a new dog daycare, boarding, and spa in town. Hounds Town opened its doors in Narberth yesterday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A chemist and former executive at Conshohocken-based pharmaceutical company Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen) recently launched a luxury skincare line out of her Bryn Mawr home. Jennifer Sherak\u2019s eponymous company caters to women over 40 and is looking to buck a \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d approach. (Philadelphia Business Journal<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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

In case you missed it, Lower Merion Superintendent Frank Ranelli made an official recommendation during a recent school board meeting not to merge the district\u2019s football programs. The move comes amid a push from parents<\/a> to combine teams. A school spokesperson said any further action or vote on a potential football merger would be the school board\u2019s decision<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Harriton is hosting a \u201cHigh School Family Workshop Night<\/a>” on Monday. It kicks off at 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Harriton High School\u2019s boys soccer team recently won its first-ever Central Athletic League title<\/a>, as well as the PIAA District One 3A title, before advancing to the state semifinals, where the team lost to Abington Heights.<\/p>\n

Today is picture retake day<\/a>. Also, the book fair continues today and tomorrow at Bala Cynwyd Middle School. And tonight, the high schools kick off their fall plays. Harriton is performing Clue, which runs through Saturday, while Lower Merion High is putting on Legally Blonde, which is on until Sunday. Reminder for families: Elementary and middle school students don\u2019t have class on Tuesday, and all students are out on Wednesday. The district is closed next Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. See the full calendar here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

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

\ud83e\udd20 Barn Dance<\/a>: Brush up on your dancing skills or learn some new steps at this event. \u23f0 Friday, Nov. 21, 6:30-9 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 $25 \ud83d\udccd Riverbend Environmental Education Center<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf81 BHL Holiday Market<\/a>: Belmont Hills Library is hosting the first of three holiday markets this weekend, where you can shop goods from local artisans. \u23f0 Saturday, Nov. 22, 2-7 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 Pay as you go \ud83d\udccd Belmont Hills Library<\/p>\n

\ud83e\uddd9\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Let\u2019s Celebrate the Opening of Wicked: For Good<\/a>: Kids ages 5 to 12 can make themed edible crafts inspired by Elphaba and Glinda. \u23f0 Sunday, Nov. 23, 4-5 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 $21.20 \ud83d\udccd The Candy Lab<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd95 Movie Matinee<\/a>: Catch a screening of The Land Before Time at the library. Registration is required. \u23f0 Tuesday, Nov. 25, 1-3 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 Free \ud83d\udccd Penn Wynne Library<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf42 Fall Cornucopia Creations<\/a>: Create your own Thanksgiving centerpiece. \u23f0 Tuesday, Nov. 25, 6-7:30 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 $95 \ud83d\udccd Plant 4 Good<\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude97 Worth the Drive: A Longwood Christmas<\/a>: Longwood Gardens\u2019 annual holiday display kicks off tomorrow and runs through early January. This year\u2019s theme is inspired by jewels and gems. \u23f0 Friday, Nov. 21-Sunday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 $25 for kids 5-18, $45 for adults 19 and older, free for members and kids under 5\ud83d\udccd Longwood Gardens<\/p>\n

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

Luxury and privacy in Bryn Mawr<\/a> <\/p>\n

This sprawling, nearly 8,000-square-foot gated estate in Bryn Mawr boasts five bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms. Among its highlights? A sweeping staircase, gym, sauna, wine cellar, and lagoon-style pool.<\/p>\n

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

Price: $3,250,000 | Size: 7,931 | Acreage: 1.61<\/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