Wyomissing public meetings in 2023

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will review revised site plans and engineering review letters for the property at 521 Van Reed Road. The commission must decide whether to approve, table, or deny a recommendation for conditional final plan approval.

• Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan for 521 Van Reed Road
• Review of McCarthy Engineering’s review letter dated October 26, 2023

Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission will discuss proposed amendments to the Firefighter and Police Civil Service Rules and Regulations. The body will also consider certifying and recommending candidates for promotion to Lieutenant and Sergeant within the Wyomissing Police Department.

• Proposed amendments to Wyomissing Firefighter Civil Service Rules and Regulations
• Proposed amendments to Wyomissing Police Civil Service Rules and Regulations
• Certification of candidates for promotion to Lieutenant of the Wyomissing Police Department
• Recommendation of candidates for promotion to Lieutenant of the Wyomissing Police Department
• Recommendation of candidates for promotion to Sergeant of the Wyomissing Police Department

Park & Shade Tree Commission

The Park & Shade Tree Commission will discuss updates regarding Emerald Ash borer, Spotted Lanternfly, and other tree diseases. The meeting also includes discussions on winter/spring project plans and the Parkland Request for Proposal process.

• Discussion of Emerald Ash borer and Lantern Fly status
• Review of Winter 2023/Spring 2024 project plans
• Update on Parkland Request for Proposal bid documents (closing November 10, 2023)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will review and discuss site plans for a proposed building addition at 700 & 800 Van Reed Road. The commission will also discuss a review letter from McCarthy Engineering regarding the project.

• Site plan review for RM Palmer at 700 & 800 Van Reed Road
• Discussion of McCarthy Engineering’s review letter

Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission will review applicants for firefighter and police officer positions. The body will decide on the acceptance or disqualification of candidates and rank top applicants for certification to Borough Council.

• Determine acceptance or disqualification of firefighter applicants recommended by the Fire Chief
• Rank top five qualified firefighter applicants for the eligibility list
• Determine acceptance or disqualification of police officer applicants recommended by the Police Chief
• Rank top two qualified police officer applicants for the eligibility list
• Approval of May 25, 2023, meeting minutes

Borough Council

Borough Council authorized several payments for sewer and street improvements and approved a contract for emergency pipe repair. The council also decided to table the disbanding of the Park and Shade Tree Commission to reconsider its structure.

• Approved $727,967.99 payment to Construction Masters Services LLC for 2023 Street Improvement project (6-0)
• Approved $57,002.20 payment to Sewer Specialty Services for sewer rehabilitation (6-0)
• Approved Woodland Road manhole and pipe emergency repair quote not to exceed $50,000 (6-0)
• Authorized holding $1,000,000 PLGIT investment maturing August 10, 2023, to fund operations (6-0)
• Tabled enactment of Ordinance No. 1436-2023 regarding Park and Shade Tree Commission disbanding (6-0)
• Authorized purchase of new Tree Department bucket truck (6-0)
• Approved conditional plan approval for 24 Upland Road (6-0)
• Authorized installation of handicapped parking space at 10 Trent Avenue (6-0)

Planning Commission

The Commission will review subdivision plans for 24 Upland Road and a final land development plan for an apartment building at 521 Van Reed Road. The meeting includes discussions on waiver requests regarding plan scales, stormwater management, and submission procedures.

• Review of 24 Upland Road Annexation Subdivision Sketch Plan of Record
• Waiver request for 24 Upland Road to allow a 1” = 30’ plan scale
• Review of 521 Van Reed Road Folino Apartment Building Final Land Development Plan
• Waiver request for 521 Van Reed Road regarding preliminary plan submission requirements
• Action on a 90-day time extension request for 521 Van Reed Road

Park & Shade Tree Commission

The Commission will discuss the Council-approved dissolution of the Park and Shade Tree Commission effective January 1, 2024. Members will also address tree diseases, seasonal project plans, and duck pond maintenance.

• Discussion of Emerald Ash borer and Lantern Fly updates
• Review of Summer/Winter 2023 projects
• Duck pond maintenance and habitat concerns
• Dissolution of the Commission effective January 1, 2024

Borough Council

Council authorized several payments for water main, sewer, and street projects and approved a $102,994.88 sidewalk bid. The body adopted an ordinance to disband the Park and Shade Tree Commission, transferring its responsibilities to the Infrastructure Committee. Personnel promotions and several community 5K events were also approved.

• Approved $102,994.88 bid from Austill Construction for sidewalk work (7-0)
• Authorized payments to Wexcon Inc. ($75,414.75), Sewer Specialty Services ($172,382.00), and Construction Masters Services LLC ($128,266.43) (7-0)
• Adopted Ordinance No. 1436-2023 to disband the Park and Shade Tree Commission (7-0)
• Approved $80,000 for redesign and fees for the reduced public works project (7-0)
• Accepted residential donation up to $10,000 for a parkland water fountain (7-0)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2023-20 extending 'no parking' on Van Reed Road for 91 days (7-0)
• Denied further traffic flow improvements on Wyomissing Boulevard approaching Penn Avenue (6-1)
• Authorized $7,525 payment to Meister Cox Architects for feasibility study (7-0)

Borough Council

Council approved Ordinance No. 1435-2023, which updates regulations for short-term rentals, bed and breakfasts, and lodging houses. The board also authorized several street improvement payments and approved subdivision plans for Windsor Street.

• Adopted Ordinance No. 1435-2023 regarding short-term rental zoning (7-0)
• Approved $28,575 payment to Construction Masters Services LLC for 2023 Street Improvement (7-0)
• Approved revised contract price of $1,367,109.75 with Construction Masters Services, LLC (7-0)
• Authorized opposition to proposed State Hill Road and Penn Avenue roundabout (7-0)
• Authorized disbanding Park and Shade Tree Commission effective Jan 1, 2024 (7-0)
• Approved $69,242.75 for 2023 second quarter MMO contribution (7-0)
• Approved $39,655.50 final invoice from Telco, Inc. for Green Light Go project (7-0)
• Granted conditional final plan approval for Windsor Street subdivision (7-0)

Borough Council

Council conducted a hearing to consider waiver requests for a proposed 30-unit apartment building. The applicant sought approval to omit first-floor commercial space and provide 32 parking spaces instead of the required 45. No final decision was recorded in the minutes.

Planning Commission

The Commission is reviewing site plans and waiver requests for properties on Penn Avenue and the Windsor Street Subdivision. Members will also discuss the preliminary land development plan for the Boiler Building Site.

• Waiver request for formal land development requirements at 1001-1015 Penn Avenue
• Conditional final plan approval for Windsor Street Subdivision
• Stormwater Management Ordinance waiver requests for Windsor Street Subdivision
• Preliminary Land Development Plan review for Boiler Building Site

Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission will consider re-certifying Kyle Niedermeyer to Borough Council for a police officer vacancy. The Commission will also discuss starting the examination process for new police officers and amending promotion rules for the Lieutenant position.

• Re-certification of Kyle Niedermeyer for Wyomissing Police Department vacancy
• Commencement of examinations for the position of police officer
• Amendment to change Lieutenant promotional process to require only an oral examination
• Approval of December 20, 2022, meeting minutes

Civil Service Commission

The Commission will meet to consider re-certifying the top remaining applicant for a police officer vacancy to the Borough Council. The meeting also includes considering the start of the examination process for new police officer candidates.

• Re-certification of the highest-scoring applicant for a Wyomissing Police Department vacancy
• Commencement of the examination process for the position of police officer

Borough Council

Borough Council authorized several hundred thousand dollars in payments for water main and sidewalk projects. The council also approved a $135,000 compensation package for the Police Lieutenant and granted land development approval for 850 North Wyomissing Boulevard.

• Approved $288,952.91 payment to Wexcon Inc. for 2022 Water Main Replacement (6-0)
• Approved $316,455.30 payment to Telco for Green Light Go work (6-0)
• Approved $7,156.45 payment to LB Enterprises, Inc. for 2022 50/50 Sidewalk Repair (6-0)
• Approved Police Lieutenant compensation package with $135,000 salary (6-0)
• Granted conditional final land development approval for 850 North Wyomissing Boulevard (6-0)
• Authorized hiring of remaining candidate on Police Patrol Officer Civil Service list (6-0)
• Authorized $2,000,000 investment into a PLGIT investment maturing in 60 days (6-0)
• Tabled installation of Cambridge Avenue crosswalk pending school district cost-sharing (6-0)

Borough Council

Council approved the Fire Department Union contract effective April 2023 through December 31, 2026. The agreement includes updated language changing minimum staffing levels from "reasonable effort" to "best effort."

• Approved Fire Department Union contract (7-0)

Borough Council

Council adopted Ordinance 1434-2023 to establish a cable franchise agreement with Service Electric Cablevision, Inc. The board also awarded several infrastructure contracts and approved multiple grant applications for flood mitigation and playground improvements.

• Approved cable franchise agreement with Service Electric Cablevision, Inc. (6-0)
• Awarded 2023 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation & Televising project to Sewer Specialty Services, not to exceed $400,000 (6-0)
• Approved $143,129 contract for 2022 50/50 Sidewalk Repair with LB Construction Enterprises (6-0)
• Awarded highway lighting maintenance contract to Telco Inc. for $15,337.80 plus time and materials (6-0)
• Authorized $500,000 grant application for Lincoln and Brandywine Flood Mitigation Program (6-0)
• Authorized $250,000 grant application for Berkshire Heights Playground Improvements (6-0)
• Approved $14,575 agreement with Meister Cox Architects for Facilities Plan Phase 2 (6-0)
• Authorized participation in opioid settlements with Teva, Allergan, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart (6-0)

Borough Council

Council accepted a petition from residents regarding speeding on Lawndale Road. A motion was approved to hold a special meeting on February 27th to allow working residents to attend and discuss the issue.

• Accepted signed petition regarding speeding on Lawndale Road
• Approved motion to hold special meeting on February 27th

Borough Council

Borough Council approved a conditional use application for a proposed apartment complex at 521 Van Reed Road. The approval grants waivers for building height and paved coverage requirements, subject to several conditions regarding landscaping, lighting, and school busing.

• Approved conditional use waivers for Section 505D (paved coverage) and Section 503D (height) for 521 Van Reed Road (6-0)
• Conditioned approval on the Greenwich Street retaining wall matching the structure facade and approval by Borough Engineer and Manager
• Conditioned approval on maintaining a minimum 20-foot landscape buffer
• Conditioned approval on meeting a 0.0 candlefoot standard to prevent light from casting onto neighboring properties
• Conditioned approval on payment of the recreation fee in-lieu-of at the time of building permit
• Conditioned approval on parking remaining non-fee based
• Conditioned approval on the preservation of Borough-owned street trees
• Conditioned approval on resolving school bus transportation matters with the Wilson School District

Borough Council

Council adopted ordinances defining and regulating short-term rentals and updated off-street parking for lifestyle centers, though rental provisions are suspended for 90 days for further review. Other key actions included approving a $736,159 pump station contract and a liquor license transfer for Telia Greek restaurant.

• Approved Ordinance 1430-2023 and 1432-2023 regarding short-term rentals (suspended for 90 days) and lifestyle center parking (6-0)
• Approved liquor license transfer for Telia Greek at 400 North Park Road (6-0)
• Accepted $736,159 bid from PSI Pumping Solutions for Berkshire Boulevard Pump Station (6-0)
• Approved $14,726.47 final payment to Sewer Specialty Services (6-0)
• Authorized hiring Gregory Capriolo as Assistant Public Works Director at $75,000 salary (6-0)
• Approved sale of used police vehicle to Wyomissing Area School District for $11,000 (6-0)
• Denied Wilson School District request to join intermunicipal agreement for school bus stop enforcement (6-0)
• Scheduled special Fire and Police committee meeting for Feb 27, 2023, to discuss Lawndale Road safety (6-0)

Borough Council

Borough Council authorized 3% raises for administrative staff and adopted a new 2023 fee schedule. The body also approved the reinvestment of $2 million in PLGIT funds and authorized the advertisement of ordinances regarding short-term rentals and taxes.

• Approved 3% raises for all administrative staff (7-0)
• Adopted Resolution No. 2023-01 establishing the 2023 Borough Fee Schedule (7-0)
• Approved reinvesting $2,000,000 in PLGIT funds as two $1,000,000 investments (7-0)
• Authorized advertisement of Ordinance No. 1430-2023 regarding short-term residential rentals (7-0)
• Authorized advertisement of Ordinance No. 1431-2023 regarding Business Privilege and Mercantile Taxes (7-0)
• Authorized advertisement of Ordinance No. 1432-2023 regarding Housing Ordinance rental inspections (7-0)
• Adopted Ordinance No. 1429-2023 to set sewer charges by resolution (7-0)
• Appointed David Reeser as Assistant Borough Treasurer (7-0)