Norristown council appoints police chief, promotes deputy chief, approves license‑plate readers and moves to advertise quick‑ticket changes

Norristown Municipal Council approved several personnel and procurement actions at its Aug. 19 work session, including appointing Michael B. Trail as chief of police effective Nov. 3, 2025, promoting Lieutenant James Angelucci to deputy chief effective the same date, authorizing advertisement of changes to the property maintenance quick‑ticket appeal process, and permitting purchase of five license‑plate‑reader (LPR) units for parking enforcement.

The chief‑of‑police appointment (Resolution 25‑68) passed on a roll call with four councilmembers voting yes, one voting no and two abstaining. Councilmember Adia Robinson said she had concerns and announced her “no” vote: “If you are the person that is named to move forward, we will do our jobs together, and we will move forward. But I will honor the position that I’ve held throughout this process. And my vote tonight is no.” The official roll call recorded Dustin Queenan and Jasmine Griffin as abstentions; Mia McCoy, Natalie Colson, Rashad Bates and President Rebecca Smith voted aye.

The promotion of Lieutenant James Angelucci to deputy chief (Resolution 25‑69) was approved by council on a roll call and recorded as approved at the meeting. The motion framed the promotion as part of a succession‑planning effort to build police leadership for the next five to ten years.

Council voted to advertise an amendment to Chapter 240 (the property maintenance quick‑ticket program) (Ordinance 25‑07). The advertised change would clarify that appeals to quick tickets are administrative, paper‑review appeals to the Building Code Official rather than in‑person hearings, a change the administration said was recommended by the municipality’s insurance counsel to reduce burden on appellants and municipal resources. Staff reported the quick‑ticket program issues hundreds of notices monthly (staff estimated 300–500 violations issued monthly and 20–30 appeals per month) and that approximately 75% of appeals are rescinded after review. The ordinance was only advertised for public notice at this meeting; final council adoption will require a future vote.

The council approved purchase of five license‑plate readers from T2 Systems for parking enforcement (Police Resolution 25‑67). Contracted cost reported in the meeting was $191,255, with an annual subscription/maintenance cost staff estimated at about $12,000 per year. Staff told council the devices would let parking officers “digitally chalk” plates and more quickly identify scofflaw or out‑of‑compliance vehicles; installation would begin in October and be completed by January if approved. The LPR vote passed 4–3; Dustin Queenan, William McCoy voted no, Jasmine Griffin voted no; Adia Robinson, Natalie Colson, Rashad Bates and Rebecca Smith voted aye. Some councilmembers raised equity concerns about enforcement impacts on residents facing economic hardship and potential downstream consequences such as vehicle booting.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 25‑68: Appoint Michael B. Trail as chief of police, effective Nov. 3, 2025. Outcome: approved. Tally: yes 4, no 1, abstain 2. (Ayes: Mia McCoy, Natalie Colson, Rashad Bates, Rebecca Smith; No: Adia Robinson; Abstain: Dustin Queenan, Jasmine Griffin.) - Resolution 25‑69: Promote Lieutenant James Angelucci to deputy chief, effective Nov. 3, 2025. Outcome: approved (recorded as approved at meeting). Tally: recorded approval by council. - Ordinance 25‑07 (motion to advertise): Amend Chapter 240 (property maintenance quick‑ticket program) to clarify administrative (paper) appeals to Building Code Official. Outcome: motion to advertise approved (unanimous roll call). Note: advertising is a notice step; final adoption will require return to council. - Resolution 25‑67: Approve purchase of five license‑plate readers from T2 Systems, Inc., for parking enforcement. Outcome: approved. Tally: yes 4, no 3. Cost reported: $191,255; estimated annual subscription ~$12,000.

Next steps and context: the chief‑of‑police and deputy‑chief appointments carry effective dates listed in the resolutions; the quick‑ticket ordinance will return to council for final adoption after the statutory advertisement and public comment period; LPR installation and subscription renewal will create ongoing operating costs the municipality must sustain in future budgets. Council also discussed the broader public concern about parking and enforcement, which staff cited as the rationale for the LPR purchase.