On her retirement as Twp. Manager, supervisors honor her
By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times
East Marlborough Supervisors Chair Richard Hannum reads a proclamation honoring the retiring Township Manager, Jane Laslo, Monday night.
EAST MARLBOROUGH – Jane Laslo, the Township Manager of 39 years, received a standing ovation at her last Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Monday night – and a bench at Unionville Park in her honor.
Board chairman Richard Hannum began Laslo’s last meeting by reading a proclamation to honor Laslo upon her retirement, effective Sept. 1. Laslo served the township since 1977 as manager, secretary and treasurer.
The proclamation stated, “…Whereas her [Laslo’s] service to these capacities has been exemplary serving the board of supervisors, township staff and the citizens of East Marlborough Township with excellence and dedication to public service and whereas the board of supervisors, township staff, and citizens owe a great debt of gratitude to Ms. Laslo… in recognition of her exemplary public services, the board of supervisors in honor of Ms. Laslo’s service to the township, shall be installing as part of the Phase II construction of the Unionville Park, a dedicated bench in honor of Ms. Laslo.”
The plaque will read, “This bench is dedicated to Jane R. Laslo in East Marlborough Township for her dedication and years of service as Township Manager, Secretary and Treasurer to our community.”
Hannum said, “I hope that everyone will come to Unionville Park to see the bench that will be in honor of Ms. Laslo.”
Laslo replied, “Well, I might be sitting on it.”
More than 25 candidates submitted resumes for the opening and the board announced last month that Laurie Prysock, the current Assistant Township Manager, will replace Laslo on Sept. 12.
Phase II of the Unionville Park Project is near completion and Laslo reported that it “is shaping up quite nicely.” Final paving is scheduled for next week and the final touches on the playground, the short board walk over wetlands, and the pavilion are underway and near completion by the end of September.
In other township business regarding construction, Hannum read the conditional use order for 150 townhome units on 39.8 acres on Schoolhouse Road. The list of requirements such as open space, parking issues, the trail system, and the limitations on height and width were reviewed with Attorney John Jaros who represented the developer.
The township Fire Marshal and representatives from Longwood Fire Company will be reviewing the development plans to ensure that emergency equipment has an adequate turning radius, at least 55 feet, in the event of an emergency. Jaros agreed to work with the township to “reach an accord.”
Also reviewed were the preliminary development plans for 11 single-family homes located within Marlborough and Marlborough Springs Roads with the applicant, Scott Emerson and his attorney, George Broseman. The development, that has not been given an official name yet, will have 8 driveways instead of a common internal road.
The board will take more time to review the preliminary plans and address any issues prior to approval at the next meeting on Sept. 12.
In other recurring township news, Supervisor John Sarro provided an update on the traffic calming initiative in the village of Unionville. He mentioned that more time is needed to sort through the lengthy proposal from Traffic Planning and Design, Inc.
Some considerations are moving the crosswalk that connects Hoods BBQ and the Unionville Recreation Association’s parking lot to a safer location that avoids lot traffic and may require removal of a section of guardrail. Also considered are the costs associated with various flashing lights that is on the wish list.
The Safety Committee will be reviewing the proposal and will report back to the board at the next meeting.
The board reviewed a list of proposed amendments to the zoning ordinances presented by Cuyler Walker of the Planning Commission. Walker suggested that several ordinances can be interpreted differently and needed to be clarified to avoid future issues.
One such ordinance is the limitation on height of construction to 35 feet that needs to include roof peaks and be defined specifically. Another ordinance concerns the restoration of wetland buffers when disturbed by construction and according to Walker needs to conform with the model ordinance for Pennsylvania.
The board approved Walker’s suggestion to send the draft ordinance amendments to the county for a 30-day review and the comments from the county and the supervisors could be incorporated into a revised document for the next township meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 12. The meeting minutes and agenda can be viewed by visiting the township website at www.eastmarlborough.org.
