Perkiomen Township board approves final project payments, budgets road repairs and adopts HMGP cash‑management policy

The Perkiomen Township Board of Supervisors met Oct. 1, 2024, and approved a series of final and partial contractor payments, discussed upcoming road work for 2025 and demolition projects, and acknowledged a cash‑management policy required by the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Chairman Adam Doyle opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.; board members present were Adam Doyle, Chairman; Albert Campion, Member; Dean Becker, Member; and Gary Filzen, Member. The Board disclosed it had convened an executive session Sept. 25 to discuss a real‑estate matter concerning 182 Trappe Road. The Board approved the consent agenda, including payment of bills totaling $147,511.14 and the Treasurer’s Report, on a motion by Gary Filzen seconded by Dean Becker; the motion carried 4‑0.

The Board heard a brief presentation from Aileen Johnson, Branch Manager of the Perkiomen Valley Library, with Carol Ewing, vice president of the library. Johnson said circulation is tracking to match last year and the library is distributing information about its annual appeal and outreach efforts; she thanked the Township for continued support.

Engineer Nicholas Szeredai recommended approval of Application for Payment No. 2 (final) for the 2024 Road Project to Highway Materials, Inc. for $17,906.78. Dean Becker moved to approve; Gary Filzen seconded and the motion carried 4‑0. Szeredai also outlined planning for the 2025 road program: an initial repair estimate for Burgess Road was $187,900, and curb‑ramp upgrades necessary to use Liquid Fuels funds would add an estimated $28,500, bringing the project estimate to about $216,400; Szeredai recommended budgeting $230,000 for the project.

On Cranberry Boulevard, Szeredai presented Application for Payment No. 1 (final) to Lawrence Site for $19,600, which included Change Order No. 1 for $300 to maintain sidewalk width and replace a deteriorated panel at Tudor Road. Albert Campion moved and Gary Filzen seconded approval of the change order and payment; the motion passed 4‑0.

Szeredai described demolition and hazard mitigation activity. He reported an estimated $50,000–$60,000 cost to remove extensive bamboo at 10 Skippack Pike and warned that cutting alone would not prevent regrowth. He recommended approval of Application for Payment No. 2 (final) to BRB Contractors for completed demolition work at several sites in the amount of $6,665.00; Gary Filzen moved, Albert Campion seconded, and the Board approved the payment 4‑0. For a separate HMGP project at 574 Gravel Pike, Szeredai said the project manual is complete, a pre‑bid meeting is set for Oct. 9, bids open Oct. 23, and the Board expects to award the contract at the November meeting with an estimated scenario #1 cost of $160,000.

Jeffrey Thoms recommended Application for Payment No. 4 (final) to Hirschberg Mechanical LLC for $12,594.85 for the municipal building upgrade; Dean Becker moved, Albert Campion seconded, and the motion carried 4‑0. Thoms also reported on the salt‑shed addition: inspection revealed delamination in the existing two bays, which must be removed and could exceed a $10,000 allowance and affect the project schedule. He presented Application for Payment No. 1 (partial) to A. K. Petersheim Builders in the amount of $230,040.00; Gary Filzen moved, Albert Campion seconded, and the Board approved the partial payment 4‑0. Thoms said he expects to return in November with a requested change order if the rehab exceeds the allowance.

Manager Cecile Daniel presented an audit proposal from Barsz Gowie Amon Fultz (BGA&F) to complete the 2024 Township audit ($17,500) and the Perkiomen Township Fire Company audit ($2,000), and noted an additional $4,800 would apply only if a Federal Single Audit is required. Daniel also presented a written Cash Management Policy required by the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the US Treasury, designed to minimize the time between receipt and disbursement of federal grant funds. Dean Becker moved to accept the BGA&F proposal and to authorize advertising the Board’s intent to consider appointing the firm at the January 2025 reorganization meeting; Gary Filzen seconded and the motion carried 4‑0. The Board also acknowledged the HMGP cash‑management policy in the October meeting minutes.

There were no public comments. The meeting adjourned on a motion by Albert Campion, seconded by Dean Becker.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, monthly reports, payment of bills $147,511.14): moved by Gary Filzen; seconded by Dean Becker; outcome: approved, 4‑0. - 2024 Road Project — Payment Application No. 2 to Highway Materials, Inc., $17,906.78: moved by Dean Becker; seconded by Gary Filzen; outcome: approved, 4‑0. - Cranberry Boulevard — Change Order No. 1 ($300) and Payment Application No. 1 (final) to Lawrence Site, $19,600.00: moved by Albert Campion; seconded by Gary Filzen; outcome: approved, 4‑0. - Demolition projects — Payment Application No. 2 (final) to BRB Contractors, $6,665.00: moved by Gary Filzen; seconded by Albert Campion; outcome: approved, 4‑0. - Municipal building upgrade — Payment Application No. 4 (final) to Hirschberg Mechanical LLC, $12,594.85: moved by Dean Becker; seconded by Albert Campion; outcome: approved, 4‑0. - Salt shed addition — Payment Application No. 1 (partial) to A. K. Petersheim Builders, $230,040.00: moved by Gary Filzen; seconded by Albert Campion; outcome: approved, 4‑0. - Audit proposal — Accept Barsz Gowie Amon Fultz proposal ($19,500 total) and advertise intent to appoint at Jan. 2025 reorganization: moved by Dean Becker; seconded by Gary Filzen; outcome: approved, 4‑0.

The Board scheduled further discussion of the EAC Tree Vitalization Grant Application and potential salt‑shed change order for the November meeting.