Owing largely to the near constancy of temporary flight restrictions (TFR) placed upon them due to its proximity to President Joe Biden’s home in nearby Wilmington, the New Garden Flying Field did not hold its usual flight show in 2023. With a virtual roll of the dice and a strong likelihood that a TFR will not be enacted on a Tuesday, the airport will be taking to the air once again, with an air show and fireworks celebration that will be held on June 25. 

The event – which will be presented by Merrill, a Bank of America Company and other local businesses and corporations – will include a packed lineup of what has become a New Garden tradition: aircraft and antique cars on display, family fun activities, food and craft vendors, afternoon and evening stunt demonstrations, live music by the Holy Smokers, a beer and wine garden and a fireworks celebration at the end of the evening. The event will include performances by Nathan Hammon Air Shows, Eric Edgren Air Shows, the Jersey Jerks Demo Team, Kevin Russo Air Shows, Yukon Sourdough and the Cross Keys Skydive Team.

For the first time, the air show will host a performance by the Sky Elements Drone Show, the leading drone light show provider in the U.S., whose portfolio includes shows across the country for community events, sports teams, businesses, artists and major brands. The performance will include a 150-drone light show that will showcase a choreographed display of several images above the flying field. In addition, the New Garden Air Show will showcase monster truck demonstrations and displays. 

Gates will open at 2 p.m. and the rain date will be June 26. Tickets will be available at the gate or in advance by visiting www.newgardenflyingfield.com.

Township unveils revamped website

In a presentation to the Board of Supervisors, administrator Ahtziri Romo introduced the township’s upgraded website (www.newgarden.org.), that provides visitors with a more user-friendly method of obtaining information, highlighted by a search tool that is located on the website’s main splash page. The site’s redesign, which began in February, is provided in English and Spanish and includes links to township services, meetings agendas, ordinances and legislations, updated news, a calendar of events, zoning district maps, links to the township’s social media and YouTube videos, and information about facilities, open space and township parks. 

The township developed its new website in collaboration with CivicPlus, a leading technology company that works with government agencies to create advanced and easy-to-navigate websites for residents. The township also gathered additional ideas from the websites of other government agencies to gather ideas for its website.

Two projects receive approval

In other township business, the board approved the engineering agreement that will allow for the first-phase design of the East Parallel Taxiway at the New Garden Flying Field – at a total cost of $1.27 million for design, engineering and construction. In compliance with the Flying Field’s master plan, the reconstruction of the taxiway will support the development of the airport as a transportation asset through the maintenance of its major assets. 

The cost of engineering – which will be completed by TransSystems – will cost $78,718, 95 percent of which will be financed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation (BOA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and five percent by the Flying Field.

The board also approved the paving contract with Martin Paving at a cost not to exceed $57,013.50 and a contract with Long’s Asphalt at a cost not to exceed $1.36 million – for the paving of Pemberton Road between Bancroft and Cedar Springs roads in the township. 

Adoption of a fiscal policy

The supervisors also approved the adoption of the township’s fiscal policy, which will serve as a framework for sound financial policies in the development of annual budgets and other financial decisions that will lead to good bond ratings and reduce the cost of borrowing. Historically, the township has operated without an institutionalized financial management document which has led to a common practice of approving structurally unbalanced budgets, lacking a capital replacement strategy for its aging infrastructure, and having a sustainable plan for long-term solvency.

Reflecting the points made in a presentation by township Manager Christopher Himes and stated in a summary, “the policy provides guidance and ensures that there is a common understanding among the elected officials, staff, and the community concerning what a structurally balanced budget is, and the township’s intent to maintain it from year to year. The policy intends to demonstrate a commitment to long-term financial planning and sound fiscal policy.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].