Lansdale could name street after longtime fire Chief Jay Daveler

 A popular route running past a Lansdale landmark could soon have a familiar name.

“I am looking for a resolution from council, to rename the Vine Street Connector in honor of fire chief Jay Daveler,” said borough Manager John Ernst.

Prior to his passing at age 86 on April 18, Daveler had been a local icon for more than half a century, serving as a firefighter with the Fairmount Fire Company starting in 1957, then chief of that company from 1967 to 2011.

During his tenure, Daveler oversaw the modernization of the company, its vehicles, and the construction of the current station at 100 Vine Street, helped develop a local fire training school, and wrote in national publications about fire safety. The longtime chief also founded and owned Davro Instruments, an optical equipment company, and Nostalgic Collectibles on Main Street, and was named the first-ever winner of the town’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

After his passing, firefighters and local officials honored him with a procession and service on April 25 past the station he helped build, and in May town officials said they hoped to create some sort of lasting tribute to him in town. Since then, Ernst told council’s administration and finance committee on Nov. 5, staff and the fire company have come up with an option: putting the fire chief’s name on the Wood-Vine Connector route, a stretch of roughly four blocks of roadway that runs past the fire station.

“It would not be legally changing it, in terms of the PennDOT designation or changing it on Google Maps, but we would be honoring Jay by applying signage,” Ernst said.

    Longtime Fairmount Fire Company Chief Jay Daveler was honored by then-state Rep. Bob Godshall with the first Lansdale Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. (Photo courtesy of Fairmount Fire Company of Lansdale)
  

Committee chairwoman Carrie Oglesby asked if the designation would be similar to that done on Broad Street in 2022 to honor late Dr. Frank Boston, founder of what would become Lansdale Hospital, and Ernst said the Daveler designations and décor would be similar.

“It would be ‘Chief Jay Daveler Way,’ and it would go from the intersection of South Broad and Vine Street, right here at borough hall, all the way to the intersection of Wood Street and West Main, at Stove and Tap and Backyard Beans,” Ernst said.

“We would look to apply, you’ve probably seen them before, above or below the street name, another name plaque — we would be looking to do that,” he said.

Early estimates are that the cost would be roughly $3,000, according to the manager, and a tentative dedication date is already in mind.

“If everything goes according to plan, I’m looking to try and have that dedication happen on February 1st, which is Jay’s birthday,” Ernst said.

“The fire company is aware of this, and they’re on board with it. They think it’s a great idea, and we’re looking to try to do this sooner rather than later,” he said.

The administration and finance committee voted unanimously to recommend the designation for full council approval, and the later group could do so when they next meet on Nov. 19.

Lansdale’s borough council next meets at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the borough municipal building, 1 Vine Street. For more information visit www.Lansdale.org.

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