Lower Pottsgrove reports early bridge reopening, police call volume and a $34,750 grant for barn demolition

Lower Pottsgrove Township managers and public-safety officials briefed the Board of Commissioners on infrastructure progress, public-safety workloads and a small capital grant at the Jan. 5, 2026 meeting.

Township Manager Edward C. Wagner told the board that H&K completed and opened the South Pleasantview Road Bridge a few days before Christmas, ahead of schedule. He said a construction manager for the new municipal building is generating a punch list and that a walk-through is scheduled. Elevator issues have delayed furniture delivery until late January or early February. Mr. Wagner also said an agreement of sale for 2199 Buchert Road is prepared and a tentative closing date of March 2 is being eyed; he described that date as flexible based on township needs. A surplus 30K generator that did not meet township needs was sold on Municibid for the reserve price of $4,000.

Public-safety reports: Police Chief Richard Bell presented December statistics including 1,234 calls for service in December and a year-end total of 16,460 calls for 2025. He summarized traffic enforcement, DUI arrests and accident investigations and said the department handled more calls in 2025 than in 2024. Commissioner William Keohane asked whether that represented an increase or decrease; Chief Bell said it was an increase.

Emergency Management: Commissioner Lopez reported a Dec. 26 Emergency Operations Center watch and a Declaration of Winter Weather Emergency that was terminated the following day as conditions improved. Lopez and Chief Bell noted recurring crashes on Route 422, often on Friday evenings, and cited speed as a frequent contributing factor.

Public works and planning: Public Works reported pothole patching, storm-drain cleaning and multiple plow/salt responses in December; staff cleaned equipment after storms and removed downed trees. Mr. Wagner said a large salt delivery arrived in October and that an additional six truckloads were ordered after heavy usage around Dec. 26–27.

Parks and grants: The Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded the township a Local Shares Grant of $34,750 to demolish the Bleim Road and Prusshill Road barns; Mr. Wagner said work will begin once the paperwork is complete, likely in the first quarter.

Planning: Engineer Nick Perilli said the North Adams Street Bridge updates remain pending PennDOT approval. Perilli confirmed Pottsgrove School District will present a sketch plan to the Planning Commission on Jan. 20 proposing turf, new bleachers, a scoreboard, additional parking and a maintenance building for stadium renovations.

Lower Pottsgrove Authority: Mr. Wagner said Authority members will discuss sewer-line maintenance projects for 2026 and that Fred Ebert has consulted DEP and EPA about effluent limits for Sprogels Run and possible multiple discharge locations; the Authority could amend the Act 537 Plan if it moves forward.

What’s next: Multiple follow-ups were set for administrative and planning actions, and the board will consider warrant #964 at the Jan. 15 meeting.