Why the fire department wants an extra $1.1M | Inquirer Lower Merion
Plus, a township native’s new documentary explores her family’s Holocaust history.
Hi, Lower Merion!
As the township finalizes its 2027 budget, the fire department is seeking additional funding to the tune of $1.1 million. Here’s why it says that’s needed. Also this week, a township native’s new documentary explores her family’s Holocaust history, we look at why Bryn Mawr College has launched an Institute of Failure, plus an Uber driver has been sentenced for raping a Villanova University student.
— Lisa Dukart (lowermerion@inquirer.com)
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The township’s fire department seeks $1.1M in additional funding as calls grow and volunteers shrink
Lower Merion’s fire department is seeking additional funding from the township as the number of volunteer firefighters dwindle and calls increase.
The department has requested an additional $1.1 million from the township next year, funds that would allow it to hire a fourth full-time firefighter at each of Lower Merion’s six fire stations. The funding would also go toward rising operating costs.
“Our volunteer system is stressed,” Merion Fire Company president Brooke McMullin told commissioners.
The township’s fire houses are currently slated to receive roughly $2.5 million next year, a figure that could change as the township finalizes its budget in the coming weeks. There are budget meetings scheduled for Nov. 18 and Dec. 2 before potential adoption on Dec. 16.
The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner looks at the funding crunch.
A Lower Merion native is gearing up for the premiere of her new documentary, which explores her family’s history during the Holocaust.
Madeline Kohn, 23, began working on I Don’t Know What I’m Doing Here in 2024, taking a 10-day journey to retrace her grandmother’s steps in her native Romania.
Kohn said the film at its core is about “chasing belonging and finding familiarity,” and that visiting significant places from her family’s past gave her a sense of “rootedness.”
It will premiere Tuesday at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History.
The Inquirer’s Earl Hopkins delves into Kohn’s story.
💡 Community news
As students increasingly strive for perfection, Bryn Mawr College has taken a new approach to teaching them that failure is a part of life through its “Institute of Failure.”
Lower Merion is slated to get four new electric vehicle charging stations at the township lot in Bryn Mawr, part of $37 million in funding Gov. Josh Shapiro announced for southeastern Pennsylvania.
Gratz College recently opened its Bala Cynwyd campus at 382 Bala Ave. Known as Gratz Commonspace, the project combined two properties with a glass atrium. There’s an open house Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Haverford resident Jeff Yass’ wealth continued to climb this year, according to the latest Forbes 400 ranking of wealthiest Americans. The cofounder of Susquehanna International Group has an estimated net worth of $77.8 billion, making him the wealthiest person in the state and the 18th wealthiest in the nation. He’s followed at No. 59 by SIG cofounder Arthur Dantchik, who lives in Gladwyne and has a $19.5 billion net worth. Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin ($11.7 billion), Morgan Properties founder and chairman Mitchell Morgan ($6.7 billion), and Phillies managing partner John Middleton ($4.9 billion), all Bryn Mawr residents, also made the list along with Wynnewood resident and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie ($8.8 billion).
Montgomery County commissioners released the proposed 2027 budget this week, which calls for no county tax increase. There will be public hearings on Dec. 3 ahead of an expected adoption vote on Dec. 17.
🗺️ Other nearby news
Mirvan Dinler, the Uber driver who pleaded no contest to raping an unconscious Villanova University student in her dorm room in 2024, has been sentenced to three to six years in state prison and must register as a sex offender. He also faces deportation to his native Turkey.
All lanes on a sinkhole-plagued stretch of Route 202 in King of Prussia are now open after months of repairs, PennDOT announced last week.
🏫 Schools briefing
Friends’ Central School this week announced its largest-ever gift. The Wynnewood Quaker school received $24.7 million from an anonymous graduate donor.
🍽️ On our plate
Main Line restaurant Sangkee expanded its footprint this week, soft opening Sangkee Peking Duck at Wayne’s Gateway Shopping Center. The new spot specializes in its namesake dish and other duck offerings such as duck stir-fried noodles, Peking duck bao, and duck soup, along with other Chinese dishes.
A new restaurant, Koutouki, opened at 24 E. Eagle Rd. in Havertown Monday. Chef Tony Procopos’ joint dishes up traditional Greek cuisine such as spanakopita, souvlaki, lamb chops, and moussaka.
🎳 Things to do
🧶 Ornament Workshops: Stoneleigh is hosting two DIY holiday ornament workshops, one geared toward experienced crocheters on Friday and another on Saturday for families with kids ages 6 to 12. ⏰ Friday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m.-noon and Saturday, Nov. 14, 10-11:30 a.m. 💵 $30-$40 for the crocheting event, $25-$30 for the family event 📍 Stoneleigh, Villanova
🦸 The Incredibles: Catch a screening of the 2004 Disney Pixar animated film. ⏰ Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m. 💵 $6.75-$7.75 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute
🖼️ 23rd Annual Betsy Meyer Memorial Exhibition and Opening Reception: See the works of three contemporary artists, which will be unveiled at an opening reception and on display for the next month. ⏰ Opening reception is Saturday, Nov. 14, 6-8 p.m., exhibit is on display through Friday, Dec. 18 💵 $10 suggested donation for the opening reception 📍 Main Line Art Center, Haverford
🏡 On the Market
This Gladwyne townhouse has lots of living space thanks to a living room with a fireplace, a sunny family room, and a finished basement. Its updated kitchen has a large island and stainless steel appliances. It has three bedrooms and a home office. Outside, there’s a deck and a patio with a gazebo.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $1.175M | Size: 2,291 SF | Acreage: 0.11
🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:
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