Norristown council amends appointments, adopts park plan, advertises 2026 budget and approves library land development
November 19, 2025 | Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
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At its Nov. 18 work session Norristown Borough Council handled several consent and action items after public comment and the Stoney Creek hearing.
Appointments (Resolution 25‑62): Council debated a slate of appointments to boards and authorities and — after discussion about applicant preferences and resident representation — amended Resolution 25‑62 to appoint Terrence Barnes to the Norristown Sewer Authority (term expiring 12/31/2030). The amendment and the amended resolution passed by roll call; recorded votes showed unanimous "aye" votes by the seven council members present.
Parks: Council voted to adopt Resolution 25‑98 approving the Elmwood Park master site development plan prepared by Simone Collins and the Department of Recreation. The resolution passed on a roll‑call “aye.”
Budget and capital program: Finance staff presented the FY2026–2030 capital improvements program (5‑year total about $75 million; 2026 requests roughly $13.8 million) and described funding sources including proposed bond financing and ARPA dollars. Staff reported a refined revenue gap of about $1.69 million and recommended a one‑time use of fund balance for a pension increase plus a proposed 1‑mill tax increase. Council voted to authorize advertising the FY2026 budget ordinance and a separate ordinance to split the tax into a fire service tax (7.16 mil), an EMS tax (0.07 mil) and a general fund rate (12.02 mil), bringing the total levy from 18.25 mil to 19.25 mil for advertisement purposes. Advertising was approved by roll call; council may still revise figures before final adoption.
Library land development (Resolution 25‑99): Council approved preliminary and final land‑development for a Montgomery County rebuild of the Norristown Public Library at 1001 Powell Street after planning and design‑review boards recommended approval. County representatives said Phase 1 demolition is nearly complete and bidding for construction is hoped to go out in January.
Votes at a glance: resolutions 25‑62 (amended), 25‑98, 25‑99 and the budget advertising motions were adopted by roll call; all recorded roll calls in the meeting were unanimous "ayes."
Appointments (Resolution 25‑62): Council debated a slate of appointments to boards and authorities and — after discussion about applicant preferences and resident representation — amended Resolution 25‑62 to appoint Terrence Barnes to the Norristown Sewer Authority (term expiring 12/31/2030). The amendment and the amended resolution passed by roll call; recorded votes showed unanimous "aye" votes by the seven council members present.
Parks: Council voted to adopt Resolution 25‑98 approving the Elmwood Park master site development plan prepared by Simone Collins and the Department of Recreation. The resolution passed on a roll‑call “aye.”
Budget and capital program: Finance staff presented the FY2026–2030 capital improvements program (5‑year total about $75 million; 2026 requests roughly $13.8 million) and described funding sources including proposed bond financing and ARPA dollars. Staff reported a refined revenue gap of about $1.69 million and recommended a one‑time use of fund balance for a pension increase plus a proposed 1‑mill tax increase. Council voted to authorize advertising the FY2026 budget ordinance and a separate ordinance to split the tax into a fire service tax (7.16 mil), an EMS tax (0.07 mil) and a general fund rate (12.02 mil), bringing the total levy from 18.25 mil to 19.25 mil for advertisement purposes. Advertising was approved by roll call; council may still revise figures before final adoption.
Library land development (Resolution 25‑99): Council approved preliminary and final land‑development for a Montgomery County rebuild of the Norristown Public Library at 1001 Powell Street after planning and design‑review boards recommended approval. County representatives said Phase 1 demolition is nearly complete and bidding for construction is hoped to go out in January.
Votes at a glance: resolutions 25‑62 (amended), 25‑98, 25‑99 and the budget advertising motions were adopted by roll call; all recorded roll calls in the meeting were unanimous "ayes."
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