Christman Welcomed By Abington Commissioners

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA —He walked into the meeting room where 15 microphones of Abington Township Commissioners stood before him.

He walked toward the spot where the place card read his name instead of the previous township manager who had served the township of 58,000 residents for years.

Christopher Christman, you're not in Derry Township anymore.

Christman —who replaced the retired Township Manager Richard Manfredi —chatted with commissioners who came over to his side of the board room, shook hands with regular meeting attendee Joseph Rooney, and had a short discussion with another attendee Adele Kubel.

Christman began his tenure on Jan. 6 after stints in Dauphin County, Bucks County, and Montgomery County in various municipal manager capacities.

Christman previously served as township manager in Hilltown Township, Bucks County, and Palmer Township in the Lehigh Valley.

He got his start as assistant township manager for Limerick Township, Montgomery County, after working seven years as a legislative aide to the Lehigh County commissioners.

For the past six years, Christman served as township manager in Derry Township, a community in Dauphin County that includes the famous Hershey's chocolate factory and amusement park.

But Abington has 15 commissioners, lots of towns within the township, and 58,000 residents to try and please as the person running the township's day-to-day operations.

"We look forward to working together and learning from you and your expertise," Commissioners President Thomas Hecker said.

During the Jan. 9 meeting, the commissioners gave Christman additional duties by appointing him as township secretary.

Christman didn't say much during the meeting, other than noting that a township official was on a Zoom call awaiting to address commissioners.

He was also greeted by speakers during the public comment portion of the meeting.

One resident complained that Christman never got back to them during the three days before the meeting.

Another welcomed him with hopes that Christman could steer the township in the right direction.

"I hope you lead the township with integrity, courage and wise counsel," Rooney said.