Pottstown public meetings in 2022
9 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Pottstown Borough Authority
The Board authorized a combination of loans and grants for water system improvements and awarded a $964,000 lead service replacement contract. Other actions included approving a water meter replacement project and updating agreements with PA American Water and Aqua Pennsylvania.
- Approved $1.285M PennVEST funding ($500k loan, $785k forgiveness) (Unanimous)
- Awarded $964,000 lead service replacement contract to Joao & Bradley (Unanimous)
- Authorized purchase of 560 water meters for $490,293.48 (Consensus)
- Approved $424,943 grant request for Lower Pump House generator (Unanimous)
- Approved First Amendment to Bulk Water Purchase Agreement with Aqua Pennsylvania (Unanimous)
- Approved water shut-off agreement with PA American Water with a $50 fee (Unanimous)
- Approved $16,473.79 payment to A.N. Lynch for UV installation project (Unanimous)
- Approved $20,000 legal engagement for Lamb McErlane PC for PennVEST services (Unanimous)
Council Meeting
Council approved the 2023 budget and set the real estate tax rate at 14.229 mills. The board also authorized several land development plans and contract addendums. Public comment focused heavily on a cease-and-desist order regarding a temporary shelter operated by Beacon of Hope.
- Approved 2023 Budget with revenues and expenditures of $58,305,385 (5-0)
- Adopted 2023 real property tax rate of 14.229 mills (5-0)
- Approved Fourth Addendum to Police Chief's contract (5-0)
- Approved Second Addendum to Borough Manager's contract (5-0)
- Approved Precision Polymer Land Development Plan at 816-842 Queen Street (5-0)
- Approved $20,000 for ash tree treatment pending a matching grant (5-0)
- Adopted Resolution 2022-27 to allow tax collectors to waive certain real estate tax charges (5-0)
- Approved payment of outstanding bills totaling $2,053,738.63 (5-0)
Council Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole meeting primarily served to review items for the upcoming regular agenda. President Weand appointed Councilor Vanni to the Efficient Methods Committee. No other substantive votes were taken during the session.
- Appointed Councilor Vanni to the Efficient Methods Committee
- Confirmed resignation of Councilor Michael Paules effective December 31, 2022
Land Bank Board
The board approved three pre-screening applications for property acquisition, with one conditional on a code enforcement check. The board also approved the October meeting minutes, 2023 meeting dates, and the financial report. Payments for solicitor bills and an invoice from PAED were authorized.
- Approved 2023 meeting dates
- Approved October meeting minutes
- Approved financial report showing ending balance of $132,383.64
- Approved payment of $1,505 solicitor bill and $619.61 portion of a second solicitor bill
- Approved payment of $337.50 PAED invoice
- Approved pre-screening applications for Beth Bingaman and JCL Ventures
- Approved pre-screening application for Jemco Management LLC conditional on L&I information
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission recommended preliminary and final approval for a land development plan at 816-842 Queen Street. The project includes a 14,700 sq. ft. building expansion, expanded parking, and a new access point from Queen Street.
- Recommended preliminary/final approval of 816-842 Queen St. land development plan (All in favor)
- Recommended Council grant waivers requested in the Nave Newell letter of November 16, 2022 (All in favor)
- Approved July 2022 minutes with a name adjustment (All in favor)
- Approved 2023 meeting dates
Council Meeting
Borough Council approved the advertisement of the 2023 budget and tax ordinance. The body adopted Ordinance No. 2219 to amend zoning and subdivision regulations and awarded several municipal contracts. Council also authorized new ordinances to regulate smoke shops, hookah bars, and business registries.
- Authorized advertisement of 2023 Budget with projected revenues/expenses of $58,305,385 (6-0)
- Authorized 2023 real property tax rate not to exceed 14.229 mills (6-0)
- Adopted Ordinance No. 2219 amending Zoning and SALDO regarding dumpsters, business hours, and floodplain overlay (6-0)
- Awarded Class I Towing License to Mann’s Towing & Road Service (6-0)
- Awarded Water Trench/Street Restoration project to DePaul & Co. (6-0)
- Rejected Riverfront Park Bridge Abutment bid and authorized readvertising (6-0)
- Approved $6,480 grant application for Riverfront Park Tree Management (5-0, 1 abstention)
- Appointed Todd Thorne to Zoning Hearing Board and Matthew Sundermier to Construction Code Board (6-0)
Council Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole discussed several administrative and budgetary items, including a reduced budget deficit and the potential consolidation of two fire companies. No formal votes were taken as items were deferred to the regular agenda.
- Proposed 2023 budget deficit reduced to $203,000 (2.04% tax increase)
- Proposed consolidation of Empire and Goodwill Fire Companies under Goodwill
- Proposed $60,000 Borough contribution to Goodwill to increase driver pay to $14/hour
- Proposed cooperative agreement with PAED to market 327 Industrial Highway and 175 South Evans Street
- Proposed extension of Hess Lot RFP deadline to January 31, 2023
- Proposed increase in Animal Control Officer compensation from $25 to $30 per call/hour
- Proposed closure of College Drive on December 4, 2022 for Funky Santa 5K
- Proposed addition of Washington Township to the Pottstown Area Regional Recreation Committee
Blighted Property Review Committee
The committee will review the status of several properties, including court hearings and service issues. Members will also discuss potential updates on properties from a July bus tour.
- 310 N. York Street: status of court hearing
- 784 Farmington Avenue: awaiting service by Constable
- 1057 South Street (rear): status of notice of violation letters
- Property updates for 30 Walnut Street, 365 Union Alley, 473 N. Charlotte Street, 1257 Queen Street, and 1210 Queen Street
Blighted Property Review Committee
The committee is meeting to discuss the legal and violation status of several blighted properties. The agenda includes updates on court hearings and notice letters for specific addresses.
- Status of court hearing for 310 N. York Street
- Service status for 784 Farmington Avenue
- Notice of violation letters for 1057 South Street (rear)
- Review of 30 Walnut Street, 365 Union Alley, 473 N. Charlotte Street, 1257 Queen Street, and 1210 Queen Street