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Votes at a glance: Phoenixville Borough Council actions on easements, ordinances, personnel and planning (April 8, 2025)
Summary
Council adopted multiple resolutions and ordinances, approved a conditional hire, ratified involvement in an Act 2 cleanup, and decided several Historic Architectural Review Board applications. Most items passed unanimously; the extinguishment of a trail easement passed 6-2 and one signage approval passed 6-2.
At its April 8 meeting the Phoenixville Borough Council took votes on a slate of routine and land‑use matters: easements and right‑of‑way actions related to the Bridge and Star Street intersection project; ordinance amendments to the borough code; the conditional hiring of a patrol officer; ratification of borough involvement in an Act 2 environmental cleanup notice; several Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) certificates of appropriateness for signage; and the conditional approval of a Planning Commission–recommended Good Samaritan land‑development plan (reported separately).
Below are the formal actions taken, with motion text, movers/seconders, vote tallies and brief notes. Where the transcript did not include a numerical tally, the vote result is recorded as stated in the record.
Votes at a glance
1) Consent agenda (general consent items; one item removed prior to vote) Motion: Approve the consent agenda (except withdrawn item b4). Mover: Ms. Berkley; Second: (recorded) Outcome: Approved, 8-0. Note: Consent agenda included routine items and multiple reappointments recorded in the meeting packet.
2) Conditional offer of employment — David Dry (patrol officer) Motion: Authorize a conditional offer of employment for David Dry (patrol officer). Mover: Ms. Berkley; Second: Ms. Weiss Outcome: Approved, 8-0.
3) Civil Service Commission rules and regulations (adoption) Motion: Adopt the Civil Service Commission’s recommended revisions to rules and regulations. Mover: Ms. Berkley; Second: Mr. Moore Outcome: Approved (voice vote), recorded as carried.
4) Ratify borough request for involvement under Pennsylvania Act 2 (voluntary cleanup) Motion: Ratify the issuance of a request for involvement letter regarding the Act 2 notice received for a property identified in the notice (date/address as stated in the notice). Mover: Mr. Kirchner; Second: Mr. Weiss Outcome: Approved, 8-0. Note: The solicitor explained the borough has 30 days under the Pennsylvania Land Recycling and Environmental Standards Act (Act 2) to express interest; ratification preserves the borough’s ability to review cleanup documentation.
5) Resolution — extinguishment of a trail easement, 512 South Street (UPI 1521.1A) Motion: Adopt a resolution authorizing extinguishment and recording of a trail easement over 512 South Street. Mover: Ms. Berkley; Second: Mr. Strindfeld Outcome: Approved, 6-2. Note: Solicitor explained extinguishment of a property interest is effected by resolution per borough code; item had been tabled previously.
6) Resolution — acceptance of permanent sidewalk easement, 85 Star Street (UPI 15-10-98) Motion: Adopt a resolution authorizing acceptance of a permanent sidewalk easement for portion of 85 Star Street. Mover: Mr. Weiss; Second: Ms. Berkley Outcome: Approved, 8-0.
7) Resolution — driveway relocation and sidewalk easement, 55 Star Street & 70 Holy Ghost Way (UPI 15-10-97 & 15-10-104) Motion: Adopt a resolution authorizing approval of a driveway relocation agreement and acceptance of a permanent sidewalk easement for those parcels. Mover: Mr. Weiss; Second: Ms. Berkley Outcome: Approved, 8-0.
8) Resolution — transfer of borough real estate (portion), UPI 15-10-103 Motion: Adopt a resolution authorizing the transfer of a portion of borough‑owned real estate (UPI 15-10-103). Mover: Mr. Weiss; Second: Ms. Berkley Outcome: Approved, 8-0.
9) Ordinance advertisement — acceptance of dedication of right of way (Star Street) previously offered from 101 Bridge Street (UPI 15-9-157) Motion: Authorize scheduling/advertising an ordinance accepting dedication of right of way on Star Street previously offered from 101 Bridge Street. Mover: Mr. Weiss; Second: Ms. Berkley Outcome: Approved to advertise, 8-0. Note: Staff said advertising would be held off until clarity from property owner if necessary.
10) Ordinance amendment — Chapter 11 (housing; rental licensing waiver for trust‑held owner‑occupied properties) Motion: Adopt ordinance amendment to Chapter 11 (rental licensing) to provide a waiver process for trust‑held properties occupied by the trust beneficiary. Mover: Ms. Berkley; Second: Mr. Weiss Outcome: Approved, 8-0.
11) Ordinance amendment — Chapter 15 (motor vehicles) Motion: Adopt ordinance amendment to Chapter 15 (motor vehicles updates). Mover: Ms. Berkley; Second: Mr. Strindfeld Outcome: Approved, 8-0.
12) Certificates of Appropriateness (HARB matters) - 10 South Main Street (signage): Motion to approve certificate of appropriateness (relocation of previously‑approved sign). Outcome: Approved, 8-0. - 323 Bridge Street (signage): Motion to approve certificate of appropriateness. Outcome: Motion carries (tally not specified in transcript). - 368 Bridge Street (certificate of appropriateness for exterior/stucco): Council approved in part and denied in part with a condition to modify stucco color consistent with HARB discussion; motion amended on floor and carried, 8-0. - 37 Rich Street (signage): Motion to approve. Outcome: Approved, 6-2. Notes: Council debated whether applicants’ prior noncompliance with code enforcement should affect approvals; solicitor advised the application must be considered on its merits and enforcement proceeds separately if approvals are not followed.
13) Planning Commission referral — 133/135/137 High Street (Good Samaritan Services) Motion: Adopt a resolution conditionally approving the preliminary/final subdivision and land development plan for 133, 135 and 137 High Street. Mover: Mr. Moore; Second: Ms. Berkley Outcome: Approved, 8-0. (Full project coverage in separate article.)
14) Personnel appointment — reappointment of Frank Markey (moved from consent) Motion: Table the reappointment of Frank Markey for interviews and follow‑up. Mover: Ms. Dugan; Second: Ms. Berkley Outcome: Motion to table approved, 8-0.
What to watch next - Staff and applicants must record required covenants and complete engineering, legal and permitting steps before many approvals become actionable (e.g., parking covenants, preconstruction demolition plans). - The extinguishment of the 512 South Street trail easement drew a 6-2 split and may generate follow‑up or public interest given the property‑interest nature of the vote.
