Township Council OKs Contract for Community Newsletter

In an effort to reduce the costs associated with producing mailings for residents, Manchester's has authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement for a newsletter subsidized by advertising. 

The newsletter, which will replace the defunct township-produced Manchester Citizen, is planned to "deliver all the important news to the residents of Manchester and keep them abreast of any new information," according to a resolution passed by the council Monday. 

"This is going to be a booklet style with some information on township departments and newsworthy information about our municipality," said Council Vice President Brendan Weiner. 

The township will not pay to produce the newsletter — Publisher Hometown Press, based in Perkasie, Pa., will be responsible for securing business sponsorship and advertisements to cover costs. Distribution fees to about 21,000 homes and businesses in Manchester will be covered by the township.

The number of issues produced each year will depend upon the amount of advertisements that are sold. 

"The vendor will purchase advertisements and based on what the revenue they generate, will tell us how many we can publish," said Business Administrator Elena Zsoldos. "We're hoping for twice a year."

Postage will be purchased at a bulk rate, reducing costs, Zsoldos added. 

Leisure Village West resident Fred Lund asked the council why Manchester needs a newsletter when media outlets and the township website can keep locals updated on happenings.

The kind of content — such as recycling and leaf pickup schedules — is different from what the news media produces, said township attorney Steven Secare. 

Lund also questioned whether more employees will be needed to create content.

Creating each newsletter issue should not be a burden to township employees, Council President Craig Wallis said in response. No additional employees will be needed to produce copy for the newsletter.

"It's not like in other days where you had to go out and write it and edit it," he said. "A secretary can take care of it."

The Manchester Citizen was published up until about two years ago at a cost to the township, Zsoldos said.

Printing and distribution of that newsletter was paid for by Manchester, so the new agreement with Hometown Press offers a tax savings to residents, Weiner said. 

Recycling and leaf pickup schedules will be included in the newsletter, which will save the township the fees in producing and distributing those mailings, said Councilmember Sam Fusaro.