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Lower Pottsgrove approves gasoline bid advertisement, extends conditional offer to highway laborer and hears public safety and infrastructure updates
Summary
At its June 3 meeting Lower Pottsgrove’s board approved advertising gasoline bids, extended a conditional offer to a highway laborer, canceled the June 20 meeting and heard reports on police hiring, DEP EDU requests and a $240,000 sewer lining project.
The Lower Pottsgrove Township Board of Commissioners on June 3 unanimously approved several motions and received multiple departmental updates about hiring, infrastructure and public services.
Commissioner Michael McGroarty moved to approve the May 16 minutes, a motion seconded by Commissioner William Keohane; the board voted 5-0 to adopt the minutes. Later in the meeting Commissioner Keohane moved (seconded by Commissioner Robert Mohollen) to advertise one-year gasoline supply bids for consideration at the July 1 meeting; the motion passed 5-0. Commissioner Michael McGroarty then moved (seconded by Commissioner Earl E. Swavely) to extend a conditional offer of employment to Harry Dewees for the Highway Laborer position; the board approved 5-0. Commissioner Robert Mohollen moved to cancel the June 20 meeting; Commissioner Michael McGroarty seconded and the motion passed 5-0. The public meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Township Manager Edward C. Wagner and staff provided operational updates: Wagner said he and Commissioner Lopez are arranging two 5-by-5 signs at 1963 East High Street to mark the future municipal offices and police department. Wagner reported a May 13 virtual meeting with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) about releasing additional EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) allocations; "we will likely get between three hundred fifty (350) and four hundred (400)," Wagner said, which would support both the development by Sanatoga Land Holdings and a proposed hospital. Wagner also said a $240,000 sewer main lining project from Keim Street to Buchert Road is slated to start later in the week and should take about four days (7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.).
Police Chief Richard Bell presented May public-safety data (1,224 calls for service; 167 traffic citations; three DUI arrests; 36 accident investigations) and said the department switched reporting systems mid-May to the Montgomery County reporting platform. He said three final candidates remain for a patrol officer opening (two have completed polygraph testing, one is scheduled), Civil Service certification will follow, and a conditional offer will be presented to the board when the list is certified. Chief Bell said the department conducted a DUI checkpoint in May that produced one DUI arrest and issued numerous traffic citations.
Public works priorities reported for May included manhole casting replacements on Gresh Drive ahead of paving (Mervine Street paving tentatively scheduled to start July 8), pothole repairs, weekly park mowing, shoulder cutting and boom mowing on multiple township roads, and removal of two dead ash trees in Fox Hollow Circle open space. The township also noted that recycling tote distribution was underway; some residents reported delivery issues and staff will coordinate with contractor JP Mascaro to resolve outstanding deliveries.
Other items: Planning Commission business was rescheduled from June 12 to June 25 to achieve a quorum and will review a proposed Gateway–Mixed Use Text Amendment for Sanatoga Green with a formal hearing set for July 1. Manager Wagner announced the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 8 (11 a.m.–3 p.m., rain or shine) and summer concerts beginning June 30 at Sanatoga Park. The meeting minutes noted that Warrant #945 for May was not yet available at the time of the meeting.
