Former Abington Township Manager Resurfaces In New Role

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA —While Richard Manfredi ended his tenure as township manager at the end of last year, his time working for the township did not come to an end.

The longtime township manager has resurfaced under a new title. Manfredi now serves as the director of the township's Economic Development Corperation.

Residents have spoken out at recent meetings about Manfredi's position, which they say was never announced at an Abington Township Board of Commissioners meeting.

"Mr. Manfredi's new position was never announced at a board meeting," said Adele Kubel, one resident who speaks out at every commissioners' meeting.

She has presented commissioners with a petition of 200 names protesting the move and has discussed it at the past few meetings.

"Mr. Manfredi is inaccessible to residents," the petition given to Patch reads. "It will be detrimental to Abington if Mr. Manfredi continues in any position after retirement."

Manfredi has had previous stops in Warminster Township and Conshohocken Borough before taking over as township manager in Abington. He was replaced by new Township Manager Christopher Christman.

Another resident requested information about Manfredi's appointment that was also not answered by the commissioners.

Those questions included how much Manfredi is being paid, where did the funding for the post come from and how was Manfredi chosen for the position.

The Economic Development Corporation of Abington Township was established on May 9.

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a quasi-governmental non-profit corporation, foundation, or association whose mission is to provide economic development to a targeted geographical area, its website states.

An Economic Development Corporation can promote economic development within the Township by helping Abington:

• Maintain existing business communities, community assets, occupancy levels, and employment;
• Enhance downtown centers, vacant properties, multi-modal transportation, and community facilities;
• Attract investment, revitalization, new employers, job growth; and
• Grow the economy, job market, quality of life of residents, and community assets