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Whitemarsh Board adopts several ordinances, awards trail bid and approves financials
Summary
The Board adopted ordinances on a property sale, NFPA standards, EV charging life‑safety, and mobile food vendor inspections, tabled a proposed Director of Public Safety ordinance, authorized a $436,297 bid for the Wells Street Trailhead, and approved March 2026 financials.
At its April meeting the Whitemarsh Township Board took a number of routine and policy actions: it adopted several ordinances, approved contracts and awards related to trail projects, handled certificates of appropriateness in the historic district and approved routine financial items.
Ordinances and policy items
- Ordinance #1053: The board adopted an ordinance to authorize the sale of real property located at 14 Marple Lane via public bid; staff said the Home Rule Charter requires an ordinance for sales over $6,000 and the bid packet will be posted online and include on‑site walkthrough details.
- Ordinance #1054: Adopted portions of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards where silent in the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code to strengthen local fire prevention and life‑safety enforcement.
- Ordinance #1055: Adopted life‑safety requirements for electric vehicle charging stations inside parking structures; the ordinance excludes private residential charging and references R3 residential code exemptions.
- Ordinance #1056: Adopted a modification to the Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance removing a special‑event exemption so vendors under special event permits remain subject to inspections.
- Ordinance #1057: The proposal to create a Director of Public Safety position was tabled to the May 14 meeting to allow additional review and public comment; residents voiced concerns about long‑term recurring costs and suggested directing funds to volunteer emergency services instead.
Contracts, grants and approvals
- Resolution #2026‑08: The board approved amended pass‑through indemnity and cooperation agreements for AIM Academy’s RACP grant paperwork, reflecting an additional $250,000 and removing Township monetary exposure.
- Wells Street Trailhead Project: Staff opened bids and recommended awarding the Wells Street Trailhead Project to James D. Morrissey, Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder at $436,297; a Montco 2040 grant will provide $200,000 toward the project and the design includes 24 parking spaces and a small pedestrian bridge.
- Escrow Release #1 — Creek's Edge Project: The board approved a $202,793.64 final escrow release after staff inspection confirmed conformance with the approved plan.
Administrative and historic‑district items
- The board approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for rooftop solar at 53 East Germantown Pike and granted COA and a hold‑harmless agreement for a new sign and building improvements at 29 East Germantown Pike following HARB recommendations.
Financials
- The board approved March 2026 financials showing expenditures of $996,484.80, payroll of $744,803.48, and pension plan expenditures of $8,933.69; a resident requested future board materials include comparisons to prior‑year and budget figures for transparency.
Votes at a glance
- Conditional Use #02‑06 (428 Germantown Pike): approved (voice/roll call confirmed: 4–0). - Ordinance #1053 (14 Marple Lane sale): adopted (4–0). - Ordinance #1054 (NFPA adoption): adopted (4–0). - Ordinance #1055 (EV charging safety): adopted (4–0). - Ordinance #1056 (Mobile Food Vendor inspection change): adopted (4–0). - Ordinance #1057 (Director of Public Safety): tabled to May 14, 2026. - Resolution #2026‑08 (AIM Academy RACP agreements): adopted (4–0). - Wells Street Trailhead bid (James D. Morrissey, Inc.): authorized (4–0). - Escrow Release #1 — Creek's Edge: approved (4–0). - March 2026 financials: approved (4–0).
The board closed the meeting after announcing recent executive sessions on personnel.
