At the 2024 Tinicum Board of Supervisors Reorganization meeting on Jan. 2, longtime planning commission member John Cole was administered the oath of office by Judge Gary Gambardella as Tinicum Township’s newest supervisor.
In a statement to the Herald, Cole said, “It is truly an honor and a privilege the voters of Tinicum have bestowed to enable me to serve this beautiful township. Right now, we are faced with some considerable challenges that I am sure we will surmount. We as a board will be working hard to bring our township into the future with efficiency and an eye toward ever-improving our condition.”
With the reorganization, Eleanor Breslin became board chair, Richard Rosamilia vice chair.
Breslin welcomed in the new year, sharing with residents the board’s top three priorities for 2024 — bridges, land preservation and community engagement / transparency.
At the start of 2024, two state-owned bridges are currently closed: Headquarters Road and Golden Pheasant.
“The board acknowledges the hardship and inconvenience both of these closures cause our residents and businesses, and we will continue to seek solutions that meet the urgent needs of our community,” stated Breslin.
Working in tandem with The Tinicum Conservancy and other like-minded conservationists, the board’s focus on land preservation opportunities has reaped success over the years. Breslin acknowledged the important role conservation easements play in preserving Tinicum’s rural character, natural beauty and environmental resources.
“This year, we will work to strengthen communication and cooperation between the township, local conservation organizations, county and state...,” she said.
Building the Tinicum community’s trust and faith in its elected officials came up often in Breslin’s comments.
She addressed residents saying, “Your input and involvement are crucial, and we encourage you all to actively participate in the initiatives and projects that will shape our community’s future.”
Breslin closed her comments with a promise.
“We recognize that open communication and transparency are fundamental to effective governance, and we will prioritize effective engagement with the community through public meetings to ensure that your voices are heard in the decision-making process,” she concluded.
Rosamilia, a 10-year board veteran, could not attend the organizational meeting.
Reached afterward, he mentioned the importance of continued land and water resource preservation and echoed the need to reach agreement with all concerned parties on construction on the Headquarters Road Bridge. He also insisted that PennDOT provide proper traffic controls for the regularly truck-damaged Golden Pheasant bridge.
He also stressed continued fiscal responsibility, “which has improved dramatically over the past ten-year period, as well as maintaining the tax rate for the residents of our Township.” He would also like to initiate a dialogue to create a “Resident Essential Services Partnership” to looks for ways Tinicum residents can save on services like heating fuels and trash/recycling.
In kicking off the new year, Breslin closed with optimism. “We look forward to working together to achieve these goals and making Tinicum Township an even better place to live, work, and thrive.”
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