Norristown council approves contracts for audit review, new fire truck and downtown repairs

Norristown Municipal Council approved a package of contracts and capital actions at its June 16 work session, including an $80,000 internal‑controls review with Plante Moran, a purchase order to reserve a Pierce Enforcer pumper for 2030 delivery, and awards for downtown façade and sidewalk repairs.

The council authorized a professional services agreement with Plante Moran (Plante Moran, PLLC) to provide an internal control review and related services at a proposed cost of $80,000. Planning/administration staff presented the proposal and asked council to approve the contract, which members passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: officials said the contract will strengthen finance controls and help the municipality prepare for complex capital decisions. Planning staff described the scope as an internal control review tied to municipal financial practices.

The council also approved Resolution 26‑47 to place an order now for a Pierce Enforcer pumper that will be delivered in 2030. Fire Department leadership told council that ordering early locks in current pricing while payment is not due until delivery, and that the average age of frontline apparatus is about 17 years; the truck set to be retired would be 37 years old when replaced. “The price quote expires June 30, and then we'll probably see another 7 to 10% markup rate on the fire apparatus,” the fire chief said, adding that no down payment is required to place the purchase order and that payment occurs at delivery.

Council members framed the purchase as part of the approved capital improvement program and said reserving the build slot helps long‑term budgeting and fleet planning. The motion passed on a recorded voice vote.

Council also moved forward on several downtown infrastructure projects. Staff recommended awarding the historic façade contract at 104 East Main Street to Urbina General Contractors LLC for $38,900 under the historic façade program (grants up to $40,000, funded with county ARPA and administered through the planning department and consultant Landmarks LGA). The council asked staff about the single‑bid situation; staff said increasing the program limit to about $40,000 has improved contractor interest and the award was approved.

For 109 East Main Street, staff recommended an award to JPS Construction Company for $327,000 to repair a structural failure beneath the sidewalk. Engineering estimates allocated roughly $274,000 of that amount to structural repair (to be paid from county ARPA funds) and about $53,000 for sidewalk work (to be paid with multimodal transportation and CDBG funds). Staff noted the property owner is unable to pay the owner portion and that the municipality will place a lien on the property for the owner share. Because only one bid was received and the work was deemed urgent, staff asked the council to waive the usual intent‑to‑award phase; council approved the waiver and the award.

Finally, council approved Resolution 26‑51 to authorize a change order for phase 3 of the Saw Mill Run repair (Hoffman property) after contractors discovered unforeseen conditions during work. Staff said the change order will be funded by ARPA and CIP funds rather than the general fund.

What’s next: Implementation steps include contract execution, scheduling build milestones for the fire apparatus, posting façade program materials as required, and filing a lien for the sidewalk owner share. Council recorded each motion as approved during the meeting.