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December 2023 Lower Merion E-Newsletter

December Holiday Refuse and Recyling Collection Schedule

A refuse and recycling holiday collection schedule will be in effect for December 25th - 29th, due to the Christmas Day holiday.

There will be no refuse or recycling collection on Monday, December 25th. 

All Township Facilities will be closed on Monday, December 25, 2023, in Observance of Christmas Day.

All Township Libraries will be closed on Sunday, December 24, 2023, and Monday December 25, 2023.

Shop Local and BYOB!

This holiday season, remember to patronize local retailers and Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) when you’re out shopping! Beginning January 21, 2024, Lower Merion Township retail establishments will no longer be allowed to provide customers with single use plastic carry-out bags, and they will be required to charge a fee of at least $0.10 to provide compliant paper and reusable bags. Visit the link below to learn more about the new ordinance.

Heating Assistance/ Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The 2023-2024 LIHEAP season is now open.  

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants.  The cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on your bill. These grants range from $300 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type. Remember: This is a grant and does not have to be repaid.

Get LMT News directly to your cell phone via text! To sign up text LMTNews to 888-676-2608

PRC Traveling Glass Recycling Bin

Throughout the month of December, individuals can drop off glass bottles, jars and jugs of all colors (no color sorting required) at the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) Travelling Glass Recycling Bin. When you take the time to use glass-only drop-off sites, nearly 100 percent of the glass collected is recycled into new bottles and jars, while curbside programs are only able to capture up to 70 percent of glass for recycling. A bottle, jar or jug dropped in the bin today could be recycled and back on a store shelf in less than 30 days!

Here’s where you can find the Travelling Glass Bin this month:

December 2-7 in HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP (Delaware County) Haverford Township Office parking lot, 1014 Darby Rd, Havertown, PA 19083 Hours: 7 am – sundown hosted by Haverford Township

December 9-14 in LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP (Montgomery County) Lower Merion Township Transfer Station, 1300 N. Woodbine Ave, Penn Valley, PA 19072 Hours: Monday through Friday 8AM-2PM (open from 9AM - 2:30 PM on Saturday and closed on Sunday)

December 23-28 in RUTLEDGE BOROUGH (Delaware County) Chambers Memorial Church parking lot, 2 E. Sylvan Ave, Rutledge, PA 19070 Hours: 7 am – sundown hosted by Borough of Rutledge

Note: Containers should be empty and rinsed, with lids and labels still on. Bags and boxes used to deliver glass must be discarded off-site.

Click the link below for more information about the PRC Travelling Glass Recycling Bin program.

Become a Sustainability Ambassador!

Would you like to get involved with Lower Merion Township Sustainability Efforts? There are

three ways to be involved at varying levels of time commitment:

• Lowest Time Commitment: Follow and share Township Sustainability Initiatives

Follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram) and update your email subscription preferences to include "News & Announcements: Sustainability".

• Low Time Commitment: Be a Sustainability Ambassador

Receive emails about sustainability-related learning opportunities, community events, volunteer opportunities, and other low-commitment calls to action.

• Higher Time Commitment: Join a Working Group

Meet regularly and lead the efforts to advance sustainability in the Township.

Year End Lower Merion Library Donations

Our libraries give so much to the community -- inspiring joy, promoting literacy, and providing life-long learning.

Lower Merion libraries are some of the oldest community support institutions in the township, three (Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd and Ludington) have served us for over 100 years each, and the other three (Belmont Hills, Gladwyne and Penn Wynne) will celebrate that milestone in the next decade, or so. 

All six libraries began through the selfless efforts of local volunteers who valued literacy and learning. Community engagement and local support continue to be the hallmarks of the Lower Merion Library System with each library deeply connected and responsive to the local community.

While the Township provides generous support for library staff and facilities, our dedicated library board members and volunteers raise over $400,000 annually to provide the books, films, digital materials, and programs – all the things we love and associate with our great libraries.

Won’t you join them in making this work possible?

Santa Runs have been scheduled with the following Fire Companies on the below dates and times:

Ardmore Fire Company: December 17^th in South Ardmore; December 18^th in North Ardmore, beginning at approximately 5:00 PM

Belmont Hills Fire Company: December 23^rd, beginning at approximately 5:30 PM

Gladwyne Fire Company: December 24^th, from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Please visit www.gladwynefire.org for exact times & locations)

Additionally, Santa will be stopping by Penn Wynne Fire Company station for their Annual Santa Sunday on December 17^th and Narberth Fire Company’s station on December 21^st, beginning at 7:00 PM.  

Community Advocates Learning Event

On Saturday, December 9 from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm, join the Community Advocates for Clean Energy at the Upper Merion Township Building to learn about federal and state programs that are providing tax credits, rebates, grants and financing for stakeholder groups in Philadelphia-area communities. Resources will be available for homeowners, renters, and community organizations.

You won't want to miss the Harriton Holiday Pop-up Shop on Sunday, December 3, from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. We'll have a selection of gently used toys, decorations, new gift items and more just in time for holiday shopping. 500 Harriton Road, Bryn Mawr, PA

Proceeds benefit the preservation of historic Harriton House.