Voters Approve Abington Township Name Change | News

Some voters in Lackawanna County had a question on their ballots to change the name of their township.

Voters in Abington Township chose to change the name of their township to Waverly Township. Along with the name change, signs will change and eventually, addresses will change.

The vote was 705 for yes, and 114 for no name change.

"It was a nice victory for common sense for the residents of the township,"said township supervisor Doug Klamp.

Abington Township officials said they constantly get calls from folks in South, North and West Abington townships, thinking they live in Abington Township.

Klamp said the name change to Waverly Township will also help with public safety. "If someone in our township with a Dalton address says they're in Dalton, the fire truck or the ambulance goes to the wrong place. Of course there can be bad consequences. So it will make it more clear to emergency personnel where you live by making everyone Waverly Township," Klamp added.

He said eventually mailing addresses will change. Rather than a Waverly or Dalton address, everyone's mailing address will be Waverly Township, Pennsylvania.

Officials said they will send out letters to all Abington Township residents in the next few months letting them know what they need to do.

Township officials said the postal service still has to officially approve the address changes, and that could take a month or two.

Officials also said any signs or decals that will be changed to Waverly Township won't cost the taxpayers any extra money.