Lower Merion Township Resident Survey
Marginal Frequency Report, Total Sample ---FINAL DATA
Summer 2004
N=1334
9/13/04
Section I: Quality of Life in Lower Merion Township
Q1
Do you think Lower Merion Township is an excellent, good, only fair, or poor place to live?
65%
33%
2%
0%
Q2
All things considered do you think Lower Merion Township has gotten better or worse than it was five
years ago, or has it stayed about the same as a place to live?
15%
69%
16%
Q3
Excellent
Good
Only fair
Poor
Gotten better
Stayed about the same
Gotten worse
Overall, what is the best thing about living in Lower Merion Township?
25%
21%
15%
8%
8%
5%
4%
3%
3%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Location, convenience
Public schools
Local parks, open space
Neighborhood, sense of community
Safety
Dependable services
High quality of life
Other
Police and fire department
Low taxes, tax structure
Clean surroundings
Libraries
Housing availability
Shopping, restaurants
Real estate value
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Franklin & Marshall
Lower Merion Township Resident Survey
Marginal Frequency Report, Total Sample ---FINAL DATA
Q4
9/13/04
Summer 2004
N=1334
Overall, what is the worst thing about living in Lower Merion Township?
19%
16%
8%
7%
7%
5%
4%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Increased traffic
Taxes
Over development, crowding
School taxes
Other
Streets (need cleaned and repaired)
Parking
Property taxes
Nothing
Real estate cost
Trash/leaf collection
Misconception that everyone is wealthy
Poor police force
Two high schools, unnecessary rebuilding of schools
Lack of diversity
Vacant houses
Crime, security
Current school board
Local politics
Poor services
Cost of living
Local government
Public transportation
Animal control
Lack of “community”
Power outages
Board of commissioners
Poor recreational facilities
Noise
Snow removal
Don’t know
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Franklin & Marshall
Lower Merion Township Resident Survey
Marginal Frequency Report, Total Sample ---FINAL DATA
Q5
Summer 2004
N=1334
9/13/04
Which township services do you think should be reduced or eliminated?
53%
8%
7%
5%
4%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
None
Don’t know
Other
Free trash/backyard pick up
Rebuilding of schools
School taxes
Recreation
Government access channel
School administration
Taxes (general)
Poor spending
Board of commissioners
Road repair
Business development
Speed traps
Inspections
Health department
Street cleaning
Parking tickets
Newsletter
Signs/lights
Police/fire
Recycling collections
Tree planting
Pools
All/most
Parking meters
Note: Percentages add to more than 100%, because multiple responses were accepted.
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Franklin & Marshall
Lower Merion Township Resident Survey
Marginal Frequency Report, Total Sample ---FINAL DATA
Q6
Summer 2004
N=1334
9/13/04
Which Township services do you think should be enhanced or added?
21%
16%
14%
9%
9%
8%
7%
6%
4%
4%
3%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Better trash pick up
None
Road repairs
Parks, playgrounds
Other
Traffic monitoring
Police services
Libraries
Do not know
Recreational Programs
Pedestrian and bike trails
Snow removal
Better parking
Preserving open space
New school board
Tree service/ planting
Community center
Enforcing residential ordinances
Senior services
Better health care facilities
Animal control
Government access channel
All/most
Deer control
Kids sports and recreation leagues
Pools
Public transportation
Note: Percentages add to more than 100%, because multiple responses were accepted.
Section II: Use of Township Services
In the past year, how many times have you...
None
1-5
6-10
11-20
Contributed to a volunteer fire company
Contacted Lower Merion Township for any reason
Called for police assistance
Visited the Lower Merion Township web site
Visited a township park
Watched Lower Merion's government access
Channel 7
Visited a township library
24%
24%
64%
54%
19%
45%
71%
65%
34%
33%
31%
29%
2%
10%
2%
7%
18%
13%
1%
1%
0%
3%
13%
7%
21 or
more
3%
1%
0%
2%
19%
6%
19%
28%
14%
15%
24%
Participated in any of the recreation programs
offered by the township
Used the Ardmore Avenue or Belmont Hills pool
Attended a concert at Wynnewood Valley Park
76%
18%
3%
1%
2%
84%
94%
6%
6%
3%
0%
4%
0%
3%
0%
Center for Opinion Research
College
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Franklin & Marshall
Lower Merion Township Resident Survey
Marginal Frequency Report, Total Sample ---FINAL DATA
Summer 2004
N=1334
9/13/04
Section III: Rating of Township Services
How good a job does Lower Merion Township do…
Providing police protection
Providing volunteer fire services
Keeping township citizens safe from crime
Providing convenient hours of operation for public libraries
Keeping township parks clean and safe
Removing snow from township roads
Keeping township streets clean
Maintaining shade trees along township roads
Keeping township citizens informed about township activities
Providing an easy-to-use web site
Enforcing the speed limit on township roads
Providing useful programs on government access Channel 7
Maintaining and improving township roads
Providing adequate space for public parking in commercial areas
Excellent
56%
54%
39%
36%
33%
31%
30%
30%
23%
20%
16%
15%
13%
9%
Good
40%
44%
53%
57%
58%
52%
57%
54%
54%
64%
52%
57%
55%
42%
Fair
4%
2%
7%
7%
7%
13%
11%
14%
20%
15%
21%
21%
26%
38%
Poor
1%
0%
0%
1%
1%
4%
2%
3%
3%
1%
11%
6%
7%
12%
Section IV: Township Finances
Q31
If the township needed to raise more money to pay for the services it provides, which tax or fee would you
prefer?
21%
37%
42%
Q32
The township could also begin assessing a Rear Yard Collection Fee of around $180 per year for
households that place their trash more than five feet away from the curb line. Would you support this?
56%
44%
Q33
Yes
No
Do you currently place your refuse for collection within five feet of the curb line?
45%
55%
Q34
An increase in the Real Estate Tax
An increase in the Solid Waste Fee
An enactment of an Earned Income Tax
Yes
No
[goto Q35]
Would you change your collection point to within five feet of the curb line if the township assessed a Rear
Yard Collection Fee of $180?
n=654
65%
35%
Q35
Yes
No
The township could also enact an Earned Income Tax of one-half of one percent (0.5%). Do you support
this in place of a Real Estate Tax increase?
46%
54%
Yes
No
[goto Q37]
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Franklin & Marshall
Lower Merion Township Resident Survey
Marginal Frequency Report, Total Sample ---FINAL DATA
Q36
9/13/04
Summer 2004
N=1334
Would you support a combination of an enacted Earned Income Tax and increased Real Estate Tax?
n=597
11%
89%
Q37
Generally speaking, the township can create a balanced budget by adjusting the taxes it collects and/or the
services it provides. Which of the following would you prefer?
5%
67%
28%
Q38
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
The township will be required to install larger, more reflective street name signs in the future. Should the
Township convert to standard street signs or retain the appearance of the original 19th century street name
signs, even if the historic signs are up to seven times more costly?
60%
40%
Q41
Much too high
Somewhat too high
Just about right
Do you favor or oppose the township continuing to provide a modest annual contribution to social
service/non-profit organizations that provide services to township residents?
29%
47%
16%
8%
Q40
Increase taxes and increase township services
Increase taxes moderately and maintain township services
Maintain or reduce taxes and reduce township services substantially
Considering the services you receive from Lower Merion Township, would you say the taxes and fees you
pay to the township are much too high, somewhat too high, or just about right?
15%
36%
49%
Q39
Yes
No
Purchase standard street signs
Continue to purchase historic street signs
The township has been awarded a three million dollar county grant to support the maintenance of open
space. How should the township spend its open space money?
55%
53%
35%
35%
33%
29%
24%
10%
Complete pedestrian and bicycle trail linkages
Improve the township's existing parks
Plant more trees
Preserve wetlands
Obtain conservation easements
Create small parks in the different parts of the township
Improve recreation access to the Schuylkill River
Create a new community park
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Franklin & Marshall
Lower Merion Township Resident Survey
Marginal Frequency Report, Total Sample ---FINAL DATA
Summer 2004
N=1334
9/13/04
Please note whether you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
Volunteer fire fighters respond quickly when called.
Township police respond quickly when called.
The township should place a high priority on maintaining its
Triple A bond credit rating.
The township should play an active role in promoting and
Maintaining a healthy business community.
The township should spend additional municipal funds to
preserve open space.
The township should make permit applications and on-line
payments available over the Internet.
The hourly cost for the township's parking meters is appropriate.
The township should provide the funding for libraries that was
eliminated by the state.
The township's Information Newsletter is a valuable resource.
The township should plant more trees.
The township should play a leadership role in the revitalization
of the Ardmore Business District.
The township's government access Channel 7 keeps me informed
about township news.
My property frequently has drainage problems after a heavy
storm.
I regularly shop in downtown Ardmore, not including Suburban
Square.
Cell phone reception in the township is satisfactory.
The township has no control over school district taxes.
Substantial resources should be provided to update the
township's comprehensive land use plan.
The township should build public parking garages.
The township should upgrade its parking meters to allow special
debit card payment.
The township is doing enough to encourage economic
development and revitalization.
My property has had a sanitary sewer backup in the last three
years.
The township quickly repairs potholes.
Township pools need more modern facilities, such as splash
pools, water sprays, etc.
The township should install splash pools and water sprays in
some township parks.
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Strongly
agree
76%
72%
58%
Somewha
t agree
23%
26%
35%
Somewha
t disagree
1%
2%
6%
Strongly
disagree
0%
0%
2%
48%
41%
9%
3%
37%
40%
14%
9%
36%
45%
13%
6%
29%
29%
50%
46%
13%
18%
8%
7%
28%
26%
25%
53%
42%
48%
15%
23%
16%
4%
9%
11%
21%
46%
19%
15%
19%
21%
23%
37%
18%
35%
27%
20%
18%
15%
14%
39%
23%
43%
20%
35%
32%
23%
27%
11%
12%
11%
23%
19%
30%
32%
35%
38%
11%
57%
25%
7%
9%
6%
13%
72%
8%
8%
46%
21%
31%
37%
15%
35%
8%
24%
31%
37%
Franklin & Marshall
Lower Merion Township Resident Survey
Marginal Frequency Report, Total Sample ---FINAL DATA
9/13/04
Summer 2004
N=1334
Section V: Demographics
Q66
How many years have you lived in Lower Merion Township?
2%
12%
13%
24%
50%
Q67
Less than a year
1 to 5 years
to 10 years
11 to 20 years
21 or more years
In what municipality do you work?
39%
31%
13%
11%
5%
1%
Philadelphia
Montgomery
Other
Delaware
Out of state
Chester
Note: 26% of respondents work in Lower Merion Township.
Q68
What type of Internet access do you use at your residence?
39%
21%
27%
13%
Cable
DSL
Dial Up
None
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