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Upper Hanover supervisors award $221,375 bridge contract, authorize solar ordinance advertisement; resident raises noise concerns about Macoby Run pickleball
Summary
At their April 9 meeting the Upper Hanover Township Board of Supervisors approved a $221,375 contract for St. Paul’s Church Road bridge repairs contingent on PennDOT and county approvals, authorized advertisement of a Public Utilities Solar Ordinance, approved routine contracts and appointments, and heard a resident warn that a new Macoby Run Park pickleball court may exceed township noise limits.
Chairperson Steven Rothenberger called the Upper Hanover Township Board of Supervisors to order at 7:00 p.m. April 9 at the municipal building in East Greenville. The five-member board approved a series of routine and project-specific items, including a conditional award for bridge repairs, the advertisement of a proposed solar ordinance, and several administrative contracts and appointments.
The most consequential action was the Board’s 5-0 vote to award the St. Paul’s Church Road bridge repair contract to Professional Construction Contractors, Inc. for $221,375. Township Engineer Peter Eisenbrown recommended the award but noted the contract is contingent on approvals from PennDOT and Montgomery County. Chairperson Steven Rothenberger announced the award after a motion from Ben Fiorito and a second from Dottie Diehl.
Why it matters: the bridge repair is a capital maintenance project the township has been preparing to bid; proceeding now, subject to required external permits, allows crews to begin work once approvals are secured and supports continued upkeep of local road infrastructure.
The Board also authorized the advertisement of a Public Utilities Solar Ordinance by unanimous vote on a motion from Supervisor Stefan Laessig, seconded by Tim Woodward. Advertising the ordinance starts the formal public-notice process required before further hearings or adoption.
During public comment, resident Tom Ward expressed concern about construction of a pickleball court at Macoby Run Park, telling the Board that a noise expert he consulted believes “the noise generated from the courts will exceed the permissible noise levels under the Township Ordinance.” Ward offered to share the consultant’s contact information with township staff for potential testing. The Board did not take immediate action on the comment; staff and supervisors noted the concern for follow-up.
Other business approved by the Board included: - Reinvestment of two matured certificates of deposit through PLGIT at rates of 5.10% and 5.17% (reported by the Budget & Finance committee). - Authorization for the Township Engineer to prepare an updated Stormwater Management Ordinance (motion approved 5-0). - Acceptance of a Bowman proposal for a traffic study at Rose Drive and James Road for $3,610 (approved 5-0). - Approval of a COSTARS contract with Scantek Infomanagement Solutions for software ($3,450) and scheduled scanning services not to exceed $30,000 as budgeted (approved 5-0). - Renewal/update of QNB bank accounts and routine approval of previously paid bills and the April bills list (all 5-0 votes). - Appointment of Thomas McCabe to the Sewer Authority to fill an unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2028 (approved 5-0). - Appointment of Jon Warren as the township representative to the Perkiomen Creek Act 167 Steering Committee (approved 5-0). - Approval of tax refunds for 858 Gravel Pike (Palm Rentals) and 3741 Layfield Road (Steven Nolt) as presented by the Tax Collector (approved 5-0).
The Board reviewed several planning and zoning matters: it approved waivers for the Upper Hanover Business Center (motion carried 4-0-1, with Chair Rothenberger abstaining) and for the Deerfield Subdivision (5-0). The Board heard from the applicant for 1004 Cedar Lea Court about an in‑law suite and advised that township policy requires an agreement indicating the suite is temporary and that the house be returned to single‑family use when no longer occupied by relatives; the Board took no action to intervene in the pending Zoning Hearing Board matter. The Board reviewed and raised no objection to an application at 2133 Ward Road to construct an 864-square-foot detached garage.
The meeting record included routine reports entered by Township Manager Anne W. Klepfer: a fund balance of $16,063,944.02 in the township accounts and the State Police report of 165 total incidents in the reporting period, including 22 traffic-related incidents.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. on a motion from Dottie Diehl, seconded by Stefan Laessig. The Board scheduled a joint work session with the Planning Commission for April 18 and its next regular meeting for May 14, 2024.
