On the agenda: Whitemarsh Township meeting — Data Center (Sep 28)

Whitemarsh Township
Media Communications Advisory Board
Monday, September 28, 2026 Agenda
IN-PERSON at the Whitemarsh Township Building
(616 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444)
MEMBERS:

___ Ryan Hurley (Chair)

___ Mark Cratin
LIAISONS:

___ Sharon Harvey (Vice Chair)

___ Crystal Taylor

___ Megan Griffin-Shelley (BOS)

___ [Vacancy]
___ Rob Brown (Staff)

1. Call to Order
2. Announcements
o

All present are requested to speak into the microphones.

3. Approval of Minutes: July 27, 2026
4. New Business:
o

PSATS “Township News” Highlights America 250 in Pennsylvania
 Whitemarsh Township featured prominently in the July 2026 edition of this newsletter

o

Whitemarsh Living Fall 2026 Newsletter
 Final draft approved for printing; sent out for printing and mailing to residents. Should be
in mailboxes by early-October.

o

Communication Strategies Overview
 Previously requested by MCAB; overview of strategies used by all Township
departments

o

Infographic Rotation Summary (Whitemarsh Community Access)

o

Review of Recent Township-Produced Videos:
 Fall Parks & Recreation Dance Program Promo (1:00)
 Fall Shredding Day Promo Video (1:00)
 From Leaves to Mulch: The Conversion Process (2026 Update) (2:00)
 CRPOSGTP Public Listening Session Highlights (8:00)
 Abolition Hall in Whitemarsh: “Martha Maulsby Hovenden” (10:00)

5. Video Projects In The Works:
 Abolition Hall Tour – Topic: “Abolition Hall & The Arts”
- The script for this proposed second Abolition Hall segment is being finalized.

 “Better Yards, Better Whitemarsh, Better Planet” Promo Video
- Rough narration for video (on behalf of EAB) reviewed. Visuals currently being
planned. Voiceover narration not yet scheduled.
 Communication Medium Promo Videos
- Whitemarsh Weekly
- Whitemarsh Living / Digital Archive
- Electronic Community Sign
 Transitioning to Winter: A Closer Look
- Footage of Public Works crew preparing their equipment for winter operations
shot in 2025; scriptwriting pending/on hold.
 Fire Prevention PSA Series (2026 Visual Update)
- Fire Marshal’s Office reviewed script, offered minor edits. Visuals being updated,
and new voiceover scheduled. Hopefully, it gets completed before Fire
Prevention Week (October 4-10) as an all-in-one version, and as individual
segments.
6. Old Business
o

Board/Committee Member Vacancies
 Update on efforts to fill open seats across some of the Township’s advisory boards

7. Board Comment / Public Comment
8. Next Meeting: Monday, November 23rd, 2026, at 7:00PM
9. Adjournment

SCHEDULED MEETINGS FOR 2026:
Monday, January 26, 2026
(Reorganization)

Monday, March 23, 2026

Monday, July 27, 2026

Monday, September 28, 2026

Monday, June 1, 2026
(Rescheduled due to
Memorial Day Conflict)

Monday, November 23, 2026

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INFORMATION
1. Public meetings of the Board shall follow a prescribed agenda, which will be available to the general
public two days preceding the meeting.
2. If members of the public wish the Board to address a specific item at a public meeting, a written request
to the Township Manager shall be submitted by noon on Friday of the week before the meeting. The
written request shall specify the item or items the individual desires to be addressed.
3. The Board may consider other matters for the agenda as they see fit.

4. The Board will entertain Public Comment at either the beginning of the meeting or prior to specific
action items during the meeting, at the discretion of the Chair. Individuals must advise the Chair of their
desire to offer such comment.
5. A Public Comment period will be provided at the conclusion of a meeting for input on any subject.
6. The Board Chair shall preside over Public Comments and may within their discretion:
a. Recognize individuals wishing to offer comment.
b. Require identification of such person.
c. Allocate total available Public Comment time among all individuals wishing to comment.
d. Allocate up to a Three (3) minute maximum for each individual to offer Public Comment at a
meeting, Township Staff shall time comments and shall announce, “one minute remaining” and
“time expired” to the Chair.
e. Rule out of order scandalous, impertinent and redundant comment or any comment the
discernible purpose of which is to disrupt or prevent the conduct of the business of the meeting
including the questioning of, or polling of, or debating with, individual members of the Board.

Media Communications Advisory Board
Monday, July 27, 2026
Meeting Minutes
Held IN-PERSON at the Whitemarsh Township Building,
616 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444

Board Members Present:
Ryan Hurley (Chair), Sharon Harvey (Vice Chair), Mark Cratin
Board Members Absent:
Crystal Taylor
Liaisons Present:
Rob Brown, Media Production Coordinator (Township Staff)
Liaisons Absent:
Megan Griffin-Shelley (Board of Supervisors)

CALL TO ORDER:

Chair Hurley called the MCAB meeting to order at 7:03pm.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mr. Brown informed the MCAB board that Supervisor Griffin-Shelley (BOS liaison) was unable
to attend tonight’s meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES (JUNE 1, 2026):

Mr. Brown noted the ADA Title II presentation slides from the June meeting, which were offered
as an attachment to the minutes. Ms. Harvey moved, and Mr. Cratin seconded the motion to
approve the June 1, 2026, minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously (3-0).

NEW BUSINESS:

1.) Whitemarsh Living Fall 2026
a. Mr. Brown announced that the article submission period for the Fall newsletter is
open as of July 20th to all Township departments, boards and committees, etc.,
with a deadline of Friday, August 21st. He said the Fall edition is anticipated to
come out in early October.

Page 1 of 5

b. He added that no photo contest will take place. MCAB is invited to submit
anything informational for the newsletter.
2.) Abolition Hall – New Communication Items
a. Mr. Brown updated the board on current communication items related to the
Abolition Hall property, as follows:
i. Tour Segment Video Status & Additional Segments:
Editing work continues on this video segment, shot back in March. This
segment focuses on the life and sculpting career of one of the Corson
descendants best known for creating the two large stone tablets still
displayed at the Washington Memorial Chapel. The audio portion of the
video was reviewed by Roy and Ann Wilson from a quality standpoint and
to plan the format for additional segments on topics tied to the property’s
history and the family who lived there. The Wilsons are working on these
scripts and will notify Mr. Brown upon their completion.
ii. Juneteenth Lecture (“Forgotten Patriots: Blacks & Native Americans
in the Revolutionary War”):
This 90-minute lecture held at Abolition Hall on June 19th – the first
Township event of this kind on-site since it preserved the property – was
recorded in its entirety and can be watched on local cable and on our
YouTube channel. Local historian Jim Segrave-Daly led this discussion
on some of the lesser-known blacks and Native Americans (and women)
who contributed to the Revolution – some on the American side, some on
the British side. Mr. Brown said many residents attended the lecture,
which was described as engaging.
b. The board had no comments or questions.
3.) Infographic Rotation Summary (Whitemarsh Community Access)
a. Mr. Brown reviewed and displayed notable additions to the infographics rotation
since last meeting, which included several America 250 programs and events, an
administrative job opening, firework displays, Parks & Recreation items, and
current road work.
Page 2 of 5

b. The board had no questions or comments.
4.) Review of Recent Township-Produced Videos
a. New videos completed since last meeting were reviewed:
i. Boards & Commissions Overview Video
ii. Library Corner: America 250 at the Library
iii. Fourth of July Parade Highlights
iv. Cop Camp 2026 Highlights
v. Library Corner: Summer Reading Program Promo
b. Additional videos noted were the Juneteenth lecture video (already discussed),
and the full virtual public meeting from Montgomery County on the Cross County
Trail & Bridge Extension Project for local cable access.
c. Mr. Brown explained there are two versions of the Boards & Commissions video:
A long-form version with all segments in one, and as individual segments. The
Whitemarsh Authority segment completed last year is now included in the series.
d. There were no board questions or comments.
5.) Video Projects in the Works:
a. Mr. Brown reviewed the list of Whitemarsh Community Access videos currently in
the works:
i. Abolition Hall Tour – Topic: Martha Maulsby Hovenden
1. (Already discussed)
ii. CRPOSGTP Public Listening Session
1. Covered the entire public meeting on July 20th. Working on a
highlight video which would go out when the project consultant’s
executive summary is publicly released.
iii. Other Planned Videos & Promos:
1. Whitemarsh Living & Digital Archive Promo - Promotes the twiceyearly newsletter, and the ability to view previous editions online
2. “Whitemarsh Weekly” Promo - Promotes the weekly e-newsletter
offered by the Township
3. EAB’s “Better Yards, Better Whitemarsh, Better Planet” Program
Promo - A collaboration with the Environmental Advisory Board to
promote their latest environmental initiative

Page 3 of 5

iv. Potential Projects:
1. Basketball Nets in Roadway Ordinance PSA: Would explain
existing Township ordinance regarding basketball nets and
basketball hoop setups sometimes seen curbside, and to move
them out of the way in times of leaf collection, snow removal, etc.
2. Township Budget Process: Explains what goes into the annual
budget process, including the general timeline.
3. Transition to Winter Operations (Public Works): Would go behind
the scenes of the Public Works Department when they ready their
equipment and resources for winter operations. Footage of this
was shot last year.
4. The Board of Supervisors: Duties and Responsibilities: In addition
to explaining the duties and responsibilities of our elected
Supervisors, would also explain why a BOS meeting runs the way
it does.

OLD BUSINESS:

1.) Board Member Vacancies Update
a. Mr. Brown explained that due in part to the EAB’s difficulty in attracting new
volunteer residents to their board, Township staff started working to highlight
current advisory board/committee vacancies in the Whitemarsh Weekly,
Facebook, and on the website, per MCAB’s recent recommendation. As of this
meeting, EAB now has three open seats (out of seven), leaving them with a bare
majority.
b. Chair Hurley asked for a follow-up at some point on whether this effort yields any
success and/or benefits for the Township. Ms. Harvey asked if it could also be
posted on the Electronic Sign. Mr. Brown said he would find out if this is possible.

BOARD COMMENT / PUBLIC COMMENT:
No public was in attendance.

No board comments or questions, except one about Whitemarsh Weekly.

NEXT MEETING DATE: Monday, September 28, 2026, at 7:00pm

Page 4 of 5

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no other matters of business, Ms. Harvey moved, and Mr. Cratin seconded to
adjourn the meeting. Motion approved (3-0).
Meeting ended at 8:13 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,

Rob Brown

Media Production Coordinator

Page 5 of 5

AMERICA’S

8 PA TownshipNews JULY 2026

BIRTHDAY
Townships Honor the Past,
Look to the Future During
Semiquincentennial Celebrations

For the past 250 years, townships have played a pivotal role in American history. Municipalities are commemorating the 250th anniversary
of the U.S. through community celebrations, historical preservation
projects, and educational events.
BY HANNA MARTIN / ASSOCIATE EDITOR

JULY 2026 PA TownshipNews 9

More than 3,500 people line the
streets of Whitemarsh Township during its annual Fourth of July parade.
(Photo courtesy of the township.)

O

n July 2, 1776, the U.S.
Continental Congress
declared the American
colonies independent of
Great Britain. Two days
later, Congress adopted
the Declaration of Independence. Flash
forward 250 years, and Americans are
refecting on the birth of the nation
while strengthening and preserving the
country for future generations.
Townships across the commonwealth are commemorating the 250th
anniversary by passing ofcial resolutions in support of America250PA,
the state’s ofcial commission to commemorate the semiquincentennial, and
holding their own community festivals,
lecture series, and preservation projects
to mark the occasion. (For more information about America250PA, see the
sidebar on page 16.)
“As local governments, we’re in a po10 PA TownshipNews JULY 2026

sition of leadership, and so I think that
we really should be communicating to
our communities how special it is that
we have been able to keep this democratic experiment going for 250 years,”
says Jason Lang, director of parks and
recreation for East Goshen Township in
Chester County. “It’s a lot of hard work,
and it’s bringing people together of different religions and perspectives and
politics, but we’ve done it successfully.
We should celebrate that.”

Collaborative commemoration

Whitemarsh Township in Montgomery County has a rich Revolutionary War-era history, having played a
pivotal role in the war and shielding
the Continental Army from destruction. In late 1777, Washington’s troops
had just sufered losses at Brandywine
and Germantown, and the British
had captured Philadelphia. Needing

a secure base to regroup, Washington
moved his approximately 11,000 cold,
hungry, and exhausted troops into the
heavily wooded hills of Whitemarsh,
about 13 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
After struggling uphill attempting
to breach a two-mile long defensive
ridge during the three-day Battle of
Whitemarsh, the 14,000 British troops
retreated, allowing the Continental
Army to march to Valley Forge for the
winter. During and after the battle,
the army commandeered the Hope
Lodge estate in Whitemarsh as a major
military hospital and requisitioned local resources to care for hundreds of
wounded soldiers.
Tis year, Whitemarsh Township
is commemorating its role in the war.
After the township received information about the semiquincentennial
from the county about two years ago,

Whitemarsh Township has held or supported
a variety of historical lectures and reenactment events to commemorate the 250th anniversary. Above, a Betsy Ross impersonator
displays the original 13-star flag design,
while presenter Matthew Dodd performs
Colonial-era songs during the Songs and Stories of the American Revolution event. (Photos courtesy of the township.)

Director of Parks and Recreation
Tomas Blomstrom immediately started creating a page about America250
for the township’s website and contacted various community historical
organizations to collaborate on events.
Te township has also added a patriotic spin to its traditional activities
throughout the year.
“Partnerships have been central to the
success of the township’s America 250
eforts,” Blomstrom says. “We strongly
believe that commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary should be a
collaborative regional efort that brings
communities together.”
In addition to supporting lecture

“As local governments, we’re in
a position of leadership, and so
I think that we really should be
communicating to our communities
how special it is that we have been
able to keep this democratic
experiment going for 250 years.”

Rather than planning one central America250 celebration, Whitemarsh Township incorporated patriotic
themes into events throughout the calendar year, such
as providing volunteers with red, white, and blue T-shirts
for a cleanup event. (Photo courtesy of the township.)

JULY 2026 PA TownshipNews 11

AMERICA250

series and various historic tours at
sites like Abolition Hall, Historic
Hope Lodge, and St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the township
has planned its own reenactments,
a parade, and historic-themed flm
showings, and placed life-sized cutouts
of fgures like George Washington,
Frederick Douglass, and Benjamin
Franklin around municipal buildings.
“We didn’t want to make it a single
250 event but instead looked at all
the things that are already happening
in our community to piggyback on,”
Blomstrom explains. “We tried to put a
little patriotic twist on those events. If

12 PA TownshipNews JULY 2026

“Partnerships have been central
to the success of the township’s
America 250 efforts. We strongly
believe that commemorating the
nation’s 250th anniversary should
be a collaborative regional effort
that brings communities together.”
we’re going to order T-shirts or basketball nets, we can order them this year
in red, white, and blue. All of a sudden,
when you’re looking around and seeing
the patriotic colors and historic events,
it gives you that sense of community
and pride.”

‘Really appreciating the history’
During the Revolutionary period,
East and West Goshen townships were

simply Goshen Township. Although
the single municipality split in 1817,
the townships are going back to their
roots by celebrating the country’s 250th
anniversary together. For about two
years, members from the two communities have attended committee meetings to plan lectures, battlefeld tours,
and history walks.
In May, the townships hosted an
America250 Celebration festival at
East Goshen Park. Te event included
ceremonies recognizing fallen Revolutionary War soldiers, a parade, demonstrations, live music, reenactors, and
community organizations with booths.
“I was standing by the area where
we had the reenactors, and they not
only know their history, but they all
had very hands-on exhibits, and let
people really get involved,” says West
Goshen Parks and Recreation Director Kenneth Lehr. “I saw a mother
with a son who was maybe 7 or 8 years
old, and I was just letting her know,
‘Hey, the bounce houses are over there;
there’s the children’s craft area; there’s
the music,’ and she said, ‘You know,
with these reenactors, he could just
play with these guys all day,’ and that
was just really cool for me to see that
they were really appreciating the history.”
During the event’s opening ceremony, township ofcials recognized the
approximately 100 American soldiers
killed during the Battle of the Clouds
in 1777, during which a thunderstorm
soaked the gunpowder and paper
cartridges of both armies and forced
the Continental Army to retreat. Te

AMERICA250

townships are now home to two fags
that few over the State Capitol honoring the fallen soldiers.
Guests were also invited to sign a
giant Declaration of Independence following a reading of the document, with

East and West Goshen townships returned to their Colonial
roots, planning a joint semiquincentennial celebration. (Parade
photo courtesy of Tom Steines; reenactor and Declaration signing photos courtesy of Ken Lehr.)
14 PA TownshipNews JULY 2026

state Rep. Chris Pielli being the frst to
sign.
“Anybody in attendance could be
just like our Founding Fathers and
sign the Declaration with a feather
pen, which was really cool,” Lang says.
“Each township has one, and they’ll go
on permanent display.”
Te townships plan to continue collaborating with the West Chester Area
Council of Governments on a regional
event in which downtown West Chester Borough will be transformed into a
historic timeline. Te group is working
with local businesses and restaurants to
ofer special food, drinks, and items for
sale as part of the celebration.
“Look for a partner — another
municipality or maybe a nonproft organization — that you have a common
interest with,” Lehr recommends. “It
makes the work a lot easier and helps to
split the expenses.”
“Work with your county historical
society, or maybe your municipality has
a historical commission,” Lang agrees.
“Parks and recreation people do wonderful events, but we’re not historians
by nature. So if you can bring in that
expertise and marry those two things

“The more diverse groups and people that you can
get involved in the planning and in the execution
of the event, the more interest in the community.”
together, you can create a nice profle
of activities that have both the history
and logistical understanding of how to
really pull of and market events for the
public.”

Involve the community

Forward Township in Butler County
is the site of an event that occurred
two years prior to the Revolutionary War but could have changed the
course of American history. In December 1753, a young George Washington
narrowly escaped an assassination
attempt by an indigenous guide. Te
township planned its America250
Celebration around this local piece of
history at an event held at the historic
Glen Eden event barn in May.
Planning for the event started
about two years ago, when then-new
supervisor Susan Oliver-Stough encouraged her fellow township supervisors to commemorate the “semiquin.”
Despite some road bumps, about
200 residents attended and learned
about Washington’s near-assassination
and township history and listened
to a string quartet. Sponsors covered
the cost of the event, and many local
businesses donated refreshments; no
taxpayer dollars were used.
“Te more people in your community you can get together, the more
resources you have,” Stough says. “Everyone knows someone who can help,
and it just takes of from there. Te
more diverse groups and people that
you can get involved in the planning
and in the execution of the event, the
more interest in the community. If it’s
something that’s planned in a vacuum
within the township staf, it’s not going
to have the impact that it would have if
you get the community involved.”
Original plans for the reenactment
included replacement of a crumbling
limestone monument located next
to the township salt shed with a new
granite statue and the original monument’s plaque commemorating the

assassination attempt on Washington.
Te new monument would be located
by the township ofce’s fagpoles and
include an educational kiosk. However,
because project costs were higher than
expected, the township is now planning to complete it in the future.

Te township involved the community in every step of planning the commemoration, and both the ceremony
and monument projects served as two
local high school students’ senior projects.
“It’s important that a community

JULY 2026 PA TownshipNews 15

AMERICA250

knows who they are and where they
came from,” Stough says, “and it’s important for the younger generations to
understand what it took to get to where
we are today. If you never really know
your history, then you don’t really
know who you are. Te 250th anniversary only comes around once.”

What is America250PA?
The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial, or America250PA, was formed by the General Assembly in 2018 as
the state’s official initiative to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. America250PA encourages communities in all 67 counties to commemorate the
semiquin through education, preservation, innovation, and celebration, and
municipalities throughout Pennsylvania have passed resolutions in support. (To access a sample resolution, sign in to psats.org, hover over the
Programs & Services tab, and select Resource Center from the drop-down
menu. Click Resolutions Samples and find the sample resolution, titled
“America250PA Resolution.”)
“We were the first state in the nation to have all 67 counties pass a
resolution becoming official partners,” said America250PA Executive Director Cassandra Coleman at PSATS’ Annual Conference. “My love is with local
government, and we actually have over 500 local municipal partners who
passed a resolution as well.”
While America250PA encourages communities to hold celebrations
and commemorative events, the commission is holding its own officially
recognized programs, which can be found at https://america250pa.org//
Officially_Recognized. An ongoing lecture series featuring a variety of
Revolutionary-era topics are scheduled at locations around the state. Find
a lecture near you at https://america250pa.org/PPE:_Lecture250.
“There are so many amazing communities with such diverse and unique
stories,” Coleman said. “We want to tell those. We want to showcase this
commonwealth as a whole to the rest of the country and the world as it
descends here this year.”

America250PA Executive Director Cassandra Coleman explained the commission’s
mission to the PSATS membership at the PSATS Annual Conference.
16 PA TownshipNews JULY 2026

‘We have a rich
history and culture’

When the Revolutionary War
started, Lower Paxton Township in
Dauphin County mobilized its citizens
immediately. Originally a part of Lancaster County, citizens from the township, then called Paxton Township,
and Upper Paxton Township joined
the 10th Battalion of the Lancaster
County Militia. Today, Lower Paxton
Township is honoring its past through
historical preservation projects and
community celebrations.
In May, the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted a dedication for
a marker honoring American Revolutionary War patriots buried at Shoops
Cemetery. Te event featured remarks
from state and local ofcials, a reading
of the Preamble to the Constitution,
and recognition of the patriots.
Te Lower Paxton Township Historical Commission is also facilitating
the Newside Cemetery Restoration
Project, an ongoing efort started in
early 2025. Last summer, project crews
discovered graves dating back to the
1740s of 48 township settlers, including 23 veterans. Volunteers have also
refurbished a 102-year-old Daughters
of the American Revolution monument
honoring 23 veterans from the Revolutionary, French and Indian, and 1812
wars, as well as 25 other settlers.
Recently, the group erected a 20-foot
fagpole fying Betsy Ross’s Revolutionary-era fag, and students from the
Dauphin County Technical School
installed steps and a handrail from a
sidewalk up a hill to the graveyard. Te
township plans to hold a rededication
ceremony for the cemetery on September 5.
“Te main reason Newside was
proposed is because cemeteries are
pretty much our only tie-in with the
Revolutionary War, and they will remain for the long term,” says township
Community Engagement and Media
Manager Michelle Tompson. “Tere
were no battles fought in the general
area, although we have the possibility
of some encampments.”
Te township will also celebrate the
nation’s 250th birthday with its StarSpangled Spectacular event in July. Located at the Dauphin County Heroes

AMERICA250

Grove Amphitheater, the festivities will
include performances by the Lower
Paxton Variety Band, Freedom Guard
& Dance, and the Colin Alvarez band,
as well as other activities, free popcorn,
and giveaways. Attendees will be in-

Forward Township hosted an educational commemoration of George Washington’s
near-assasination to mark the 250th. (Photo courtesy of the township.)

vited to write or draw the importance
of celebrating the semiquin on paper
cubes, which will be combined into the
shape of the Liberty Bell and displayed
at the township building.
“It doesn’t have to be a complicated
event,” Tompson says. “It can be
whatever you have the means to do and
what staf and volunteers are able to
accomplish. You could hold a walk, it
could be a service project, or it could be
a simple ice cream truck where people
come and get ice cream in the park to
celebrate summer and the anniversary
of our nation’s birth.
“We have a lot of national history
that happened here in Philadelphia;
we have the Liberty Bell, historic sites,
and memorable monuments within the
state,” she continues. “It’s important for
municipalities to remind people, not
just on July 4, that we have a rich history and culture. We made 250 years of
that legacy. Let’s continue that legacy
forward to keep our nation strong and
vibrant for the next generations.” F

Lower Paxton Township is
the site of historic preservation and dedication events.
In May, the Daughters of
the American Revolution
hosted a dedication event in
Shoops Cemetery (left), and
the Lower Paxton Historical
Commission has engaged
volunteers in restoring the
Newside Cemetery throughout the year (above). (Photos
courtesy of the township.)

18 PA TownshipNews JULY 2026

Fall 2026

IN THIS ISSUE:
Data Center Regulations Adopted
Whitemarsh Ambulance Turns 70
Meet the New Public Works Director
...And Much More!

whitemarshtwp.org

WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
Currently, no centralized content calendar exists in terms of planning and communicating of
information with residents. However, a variety of strategies are used regularly by departmental
staff to coordinate and provide news and information across seven (7) mediums ranging from
social media and our website to local cable, newsletters and brochures.
Below is a breakdown of all Township mediums used, who oversees them, and strategies
employed for each.

Whitemarsh Community Access:
Format Type: Infographic Slide, Video
Department: Whitemarsh Community Access
As a multitasking one-person department (with or without interns or volunteer assistants)
overseeing three township mediums, including its local Government Access cable channel,
timelines are fluid and not tied to strict scheduling, unless the topic is time specific. Those
examples include event promos, event highlights, and public meetings. Also, event flyers from
Parks & Recreation, other departments, and our advisory boards/commissions. Board of
Supervisors meetings, after being televised live – and livestreamed to YouTube, are prepared for
replay as quickly as possible. Community Access also maintains the digital signage board in the
Township Administration Building lobby.

YouTube Channel (@WhitemarshTownshipPA)
Format Type: Video
Department: Whitemarsh Community Access
Whitemarsh Community Access maintains the Township’s YouTube channel and adds new
content to it, so the same strategy used for local cable applies. Content publishing varies based
on subject matter, format and priority. Public meetings are usually first on the list, while event
highlights/promotions, and informational videos are added within reasonable time after
departmental review. When possible, premieres are scheduled to attract as many viewers as
possible. Finally, links to YouTube videos get shared in Whitemarsh Weekly, Whitemarsh Living
(when reading online), social media, and the township website. Annually, the channel gets
10,000 views or more, and the number of subscribers slowly but steadily increases. All things
considered, it has come a long way since its launch in October 2020.
Page 1 of 5

Whitemarsh Living
Format Type: Newsletter
Department: Whitemarsh Community Access, Township Administration
The township’s official magazine-style newsletter is published twice a year – in the Spring and
the Fall. Article and flyer submission deadlines for all departments, boards and committees,
and external organizations such as the Library, Whitemarsh Art Center and our emergency
services agencies, are announced internally 6 to 8 weeks prior to the final draft being approved
for printing and distribution. Printing and mailing to residents are done by a local printing
company and is normally a two-week process, given how many residents opt for the print copy.
The Spring edition arrives in early-April, and the Fall edition in early-October, both in print and
online. Prior to Fall 2021, it was assembled by Parks & Recreation. While having equal access to
information is important for the newsletter, three recent editions (Spring 2022, Spring 2023 and
Fall 2023) received extended online editions due to submissions exceeding the 40-page limit. In
these situations, additional flyers are usually displayed after page 40. This move is considered a
last resort, and those additional entries are noted on both tables of contents.
In 2023, the township created a new webpage allowing residents to view all previous editions of
Whitemarsh Living (except Spring 2010, where no print copy is known to exist), plus the final
three years of its “Annual Reports” predecessor.

Township Website (www.whitemarshtwp.org)
Format Type: Text, Graphics/Flyers, Webpage Update/New Webpage
Departments: Administrative Departments, Parks & Recreation
Most departments generally manage their own portions of the township website as part of
their duties and responsibilities. This includes updating page information, posting news alerts,
event flyers, and meeting agendas. Tom Gailey, consultant from Gailey-Murray
Communications, also assists the township with the website, adding news alerts on the
homepage as needed.
Community Access is not the “webmaster,” but since the early 2020s has helped staff address
certain issues, adding or modifying webpages and information as requested. Meeting agendas
are typically posted a week in advance of scheduled meetings by township staff who facilitate
their respective board/committee meeting(s).

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Whitemarsh Weekly (e-Newsletter)
Format Text: Text, Graphics/Flyers, Weblinks
Department: Administrative
Tom Gailey assembles and produces Whitemarsh Weekly, the contents of which all come from
township staff requests. All items are due on Wednesdays, allowing e-blasts to be assembled,
tested and put out on Thursdays. In emergency situations, such as severe winter weather, the
Weekly is put out as necessary to provide timely updates.

Social Media
Format Type: Text, Graphics/Flyers, Weblinks
Department: Administrative, Various Departments
In addition to the township’s main social media pages, two administrative departments
maintain their own pages to help share timely information with residents. Also noted here is the
social media presence of one of the township’s advisory boards:
Official Township Pages: Tom Gailey maintains the township’s official Facebook and X accounts.
All posts are made at the request of our staff and typically planned one day to one week prior,
depending on the information. Emergency items are posted when warranted.
Parks & Recreation: The department maintains a Facebook page which promotes the countless
programs they offer, special events they host, and other events held by our ancillary
organizations – namely, the Library, Whitemarsh Art Center, Whitemarsh Ambulance, our two
volunteer fire companies, and others. Parks & Recreation flyers are produced in-house and
regularly displayed to generate and sustain public interest up until the day of said event or
program. Special events throughout the year are planned the November/December before,
while programs are planned a month in advance – normally before December, if winter, spring
or summer; or before August if in the Fall. Much of Parks & Recreation’s output is also shared
via email blast, Whitemarsh Community Access, Whitemarsh Living, etc.
Fire Marshal’s Office: The Office of Emergency Management recently started an Instagram page
(and one other platform) for their department to put out upcoming special events, tips and
information related to public safety. Facebook as another potential platform has been floated.
Planning of posts depends on safety factors such as weather conditions (i.e., Heat wave safety
info prior to this year’s Parade) but are usually made a few days to a week in advance. But the
primary purpose of the department’s social media is to post information in a timely manner in
case regular township social media doesn’t do so.
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Boards & Commissions: The Environmental Advisory Board is the only advisory board in which
they have a social media presence - on Facebook and Instagram. They were created in April
2019 but stopped actively posting in November 2023. Recently, EAB has been discussing
restarting social media activity during their public meetings. Their goal would be to create
timely, educational content for residents on ways to protect the environment in Whitemarsh
and promote their initiatives – using eye-catching photos and as little text as possible to
generate views. Some major sticking points are still being ironed out as of this writing.

Electronic Community Sign:
Format Type: Text, Infographic Slide
Department: Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation oversees the sign, located across from Miles Park at the Germantown
Pike/Joshua Road intersection, and manages the slideshow rotation there. Township items are
displayed first, followed by items requested by community organizations. All requests are
evaluated by Parks & Recreation when they get them and if approved, are posted. The Library,
Whitemarsh Art Center, both fire companies, and Whitemarsh Ambulance also get their event
adverts posted on the sign.

Whitemarsh Recreator Brochure:
Format Type: Newsletter/Brochure
Department: Parks & Recreation
The Recreator is a seasonal brochure listing programs offered by Parks & Recreation, and how
much they cost for residents and non-residents to enroll; and promotes upcoming special
events in the township for people of all ages. The Winter/Spring/Summer edition goes out in
December, and the Fall edition in August. As previously noted, special events are planned the
November/December before, and programs a month prior. The Recreator is online-only,
available on the township website, under Parks & Recreation. (They stopped printing the
Recreator some years ago.)

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Conclusion:
Each of the township’s seven (7) mediums has unique characteristics which come with their
own timelines for technical, staffing and/or other reasons. Some content is best suited for a few
mediums, while other content often appears in all of them. But in general, all communicated
content and information from the township, by all departments and their staff, comes with
advanced planning dependent on format, subject matter, and priority. Based on observations, a
content calendar or other singular approach to outward communications is unlikely to work at
this time. In lieu of a singular strategy, there are common themes and strategies used by all,
each of which is highlighted in this report.

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INFOGRAPHIC & VIDEO ROTATION REPORT
September 28, 2026

Infographic Rotation – Notable Additions:
TITLE
Volunteer to Serve Your
Township

DESCRIPTION
Infographic highlighted volunteer openings for three advisory
boards/committees (MCAB, HARB, and EAB) to Whitemarsh
residents.

Abolition Hall Tours

Flyer promoting two added site tour dates in October and November

Dance Program Flyer

Promotional flyer highlighting Fall/Winter dance program (aka,
Whitemarsh Dancers) schedule; session started September 14th.

MontCo Back to School
Drive
America 250 Flyer
Updated
Road Work Update
Citizens Police Academy
Flyer
Library Events
Fall 2026 Recreator Now
Available
Green Ribbon Trail
Feedback / Survey
Promo
Spring Mill Fire Company
Events
Ft. Washington State
Park What To Do
Friends of the Library
Used Book Sale Flyer
Tree Giveaway 2026
Event Flyer
Deer Cull Program 2026
Info

Montgomery County-produced flyer promoting opportunities for
parents of school-aged kids to get free supplies ahead of the
upcoming school year. Ran from July 13 to August 21st.
Updated flyer promoting the America 250 webpage on the
Township Website; some events occur in the Fall and early-Winter
seasons
1.) PECO Gas Replacement work started the week of 8/17
through year’s end.
2.) West Valley Green Road to close near bridge for inspection
(9/15 to 9/17)
Promoted the 2026 CPA event hosted by the Whitemarsh Police
Department. (It’s now postponed to 2027 due to low resident
interest.)
1.) Dine and Donate event on 8/21
2.) Donation Day event on 9/18
3.) Halloween Costume Collection event on 10/10
Promo for new Whitemarsh Recreator (Fall 2026)
Flyer advertises Green Ribbon Trail study, and the request for public
feedback via a survey. Also promoted a community listening session
at Upper Dublin Township Building on September 24th.
1.) Designer Bag Bingo event (10/4)
2.) Red Cross Blood Drive event (10/6)
3.) Carnival flyer (dates: 9/17 to 9/20)
Fall educational/volunteer programs promoted here (2 slides)
Advertised this event, held September 26 & 27
Advertised event, plus available tree species. As the event neared,
the graphic (and matching flyer) was updated as residents
requested the tree species of their choice.
Within two slides, showed all four locations in the Townships, dates
when the cull will take place, and highlighted what will happen
there.

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INFOGRAPHIC & VIDEO ROTATION REPORT
September 28, 2026

Completed Video Content Since Last Meeting
 Fall Parks & Recreation Dance Program Promo (1m 00s)
 Promotional video (requested by Parks & Recreation) for the Fall/Winter program
(also known as “Whitemarsh Dancers”), using brief excerpts from the Spring 2026
Dance Recital to showcase the outcome of the event. Schedule from original flyer
also shown.
 Fall Shredding Day Promo (1m 00s)
 Promotional video for upcoming Fall Shredding Day event at Miles Park on Saturday,
October 3rd.
 From Leaves to Mulch: The Conversion Process (2m 00s)
 Updated informational video about the leaf collection and mulching process in the
Township. It features a new voiceover – a member of the Public Works team.
 Abolition Hall in Whitemarsh: “Martha Maulsby Hovenden” (10m 00s)
 This first of a series of planned segments highlighting the historical and art aspects
of Abolition Hall/Corson Tract focuses on the life and career of one of the Corson
family’s descendents – Martha Maulsby Hovenden, who is best known for creating
the two large stone tablets still displayed at the Washington Memorial Chapel in
Valley Forge.
 CRPOSGTP Public Listening Session Highlights (8m 00s)
 The Township held a public listening session at Miles Park Buliding on July 20th as
another way to get input and ideas on park, recreational and open space
opportunities in the future in Whitemarsh. The video is highlights from that 65-minute
meeting. (CRPOSGTP stands for Comprehensive Recreation, Parks, Open Space,
Greenways and Trails Plan.)

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