Leaf blower complaints strain staff | Inquirer Lower Merion
Plus, the local spot to get inventive mooncakes.
Hi, Lower Merion!
The township’s leaf blower ban is putting extra stress on workers, prompting a request for additional funding. Here’s what to know. Also this week, residents’ compost is helping feed a circular food system, a local surgery center is among the busiest of its kind in the region, plus, where to get inventive mooncakes ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival.
— Lisa Dukart (lowermerion@inquirer.com)
Inquirer Lower Merion
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Since launching a phased gas-powered leaf blower ban in June, Lower Merion has received 437 violation complaints, putting “tremendous stress” on township staff who then have to investigate.
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.
While nothing’s been decided yet, the changes could cost $83,000, but give flexibility should complaints later drop off.
The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner explains the proposed staffing changes.
💡 Community news
Lower Merion residents are contributing to a circular food system through the township’s 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.
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’s closely followed by Bryn Mawr Medical Specialist Endoscopy Associates. The Inquirer’s Harold Brubaker explains why surgery centers have seen a surge in popularity in recent years.
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.
City Ave District has been awarded $400,000 from the state 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.
Lower Merion police are warning residents about locking their vehicles and not leaving valuables inside after several recent thefts and break-ins.
Narberth is conducting a pedestrian count via video survey through Monday related to the North Narberth Avenue bridge project.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office is cracking down 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.
🗺️ Other nearby news
Brian O’Neill, the developer behind five proposed — and rejected — nearby data centers, is suing the Upper Merion Board of Supervisors over its decision not to allow the project to move forward, claiming the centers are permitted under the zoning code.
🏫 Schools briefing
In case you missed it, Lower Merion selected its newest school board member Tuesday. Muna Elshakhs, a former Narberth Borough council member, will replace Jennifer Rivera, who resigned recently after being charged with stealing $50,000 from her employer.
Two Lower Merion alums could square off tomorrow during the Temple University-Army game at Lincoln Financial Field. Temple freshman defensive tackle Kechan Miller graduated with the class of 2026, while Army junior offensive lineman Xavier Archawski graduated in 2023.
🍽️ On our plate
A La Mousse owner Anna Chen is working to improve mooncakes’ reputation by giving the intricate but otherwise unimpressive treats a twist, The Inquirer’s Kiki Aranita writes, including stuffing them with a range of fillings and flavors. Find her take on mooncakes at A La Mousse’s Narberth outpost ahead of the the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow.
Vintner’s Table is opening its Ardmore outpost on Monday. Located at 24 Cricket Ave., the Italian-inspired wine bar will also have a salumeria and lifestyle boutique.
Former Sixers icon Julius “Dr. J” 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.
🎳 Things to do
🍿 Movie Night: Friends of Linwood Park and Lulu’s Casita will screen The Muppets outdoors. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Linwood Park
🐑 The Farmstead Fair: Harriton House’s annual celebration includes tours, cooking demonstrations, a beer garden, vendors, games, and pumpkin decorating. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Harriton House
🌻 Eco-Printing with Wildflowers Workshop: Summer may officially be over, but that doesn’t mean its remnants can’t still make beautiful art. ⏰ Sunday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 💵 $85-$95 📍 Stoneleigh
🩰 An Afternoon of English Country Dance: Dust off your Regency-era apparel and learn 18th- and 19th-century country social dances. Registration is required. ⏰ Sunday, Sept. 27, 2-4 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Bala Cynwyd Library
🧺 Family Picnic in the Park: 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. ⏰ Sunday, Sept. 27, 4-6 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Narberth Park
🏡 On the market
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.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $1.2M | Size: 3,369 SF | Acreage: 0.34
📈 Lower Merion market report
Median listing price: $590,000 (down $67,500 from July) 📉
Median sold price: $764,500 (down $435,500 from July) 📉
Days on the market: 58 (up eight days from July) 📈
This Lower Merion market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for August from realtor.com.
🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:
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