A Quick Look at Tuesday’s Phoenixville Borough Council Meeting

Phoenixville Borough Council had a packed agenda at its June meeting Tuesday.

Here’s a quick peek at what happened. Phoenixville Patch will have more on many of these issues.

Reeves Park Problems

What Happened: The condition of Reeves Park after the Dogwood Festival came up several times throughout Tuesday’s meeting. Borough Manager Jean Krack admitted there was a “little bit of a communication gap” with Dogwood planners after the festival, but the Jaycees and the borough are now working together to get the park back in shape.

Krack, along with several council members and the mayor, noted that he’d heard from residents on the condition of the park after the festival. The Jaycees have hired a contractor to help repair damage to the park, and options will be examined to prevent future problems.

How it Affects You: The Jaycees have hired the contractor, and Mayor Leo Scoda said that borough taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for repairing damage. For park users, Councilman Dave Gautreau (R-East) said the Jaycees seem willing to work with the borough to get the park back to pre-Dogwood conditions.

Church Housing Development Timeline

What Happened: Attorney Michael Murray was present, representing Church Housing Corporation. Murray asked council to act on a zoning text amendment requested by CHC to make senior housing on the former Friendship Fire site possible.

Dr. David Saneck, a planning commission member, told council during public comment that the CHC request did not come with a plan and called the requested zoning text amendment a “major change” to the zoning in that district.

Council voted 7-0-1 to request that planning commission issue its recommendation by the Aug. 9 meeting. Councilman James Evans (D-North) abstained from the vote. At the last meeting, he is the one who presented the development idea to council.

How it Affects You: The plan was originally for a firehouse on the north side, but those plans were scrapped as there isn’t enough manpower to staff a station. The fire chief told council at previous meetings that response time to the north side is still very quick and that no residents should be affected.

You can see more about the Church Housing Corporation proposal for subsidized senior housing in .

Fireworks Are a Go

What Happened: Council honored Karen Johns for her work as chair of a newly formed fireworks committee. At the end of 2010, council removed $14,000 in funding for a July 4 fireworks display. raised more than $10,000, and the show will take place at its previous site, Friendship Field.

How it Affects You: The borough’s fireworks display will go on, so you can head to Friendship Field to watch it or check it out from the comfort of your home if you have a good view.

Talk of a New Borough Hall

What Happened: After hearing from the auditor that the borough has one bond issue out, the mayor stated during his remarks that council should consider moving forward on a new borough hall.

Council voted to take steps toward a $2.5 million new bond issue for water treatment plant improvements, and Krack explained near the end of the meeting that if council wants to move on a new borough hall, it should wrap that up in that bond issue rather than going through the work of getting another bond issue.

How it Affects You: Rates are low so moving forward with a new borough hall now rather than waiting for the future could save taxpayers money.  

Selling Water Infrastructure Moving Forward 

What Happened: Council voted 6-1-1 with Marc Reber (R-Middle) in opposition and Richard Kirkner abstaining for financial reasons to authorize consulting firm Gannett Fleming to work on getting ready to sell a piece of the borough's water infrastructure. The contract is not to exceed $14,000. 

Phoenixville owns franchises that supply water to Mont Clare and parts of East Pikeland Township. For background on the issue, .

How it Affects You: Water customers outside of the borough using the franchise water have not had a rate increase in more than a decade. While borough customers pay $6.15 per 1,000 gallons, customers on the franchise system pay $3 per 1,000 gallons, as the borough needs to get approval from the Public Utilities Commission to raise rates on the franchise customers. 

Shade Tree Ordinance Progressing 

What Happened: Council directed the solicitor to have a look at the borough's code when it comes to shade trees and the Tree Advisory Commission. for maintenance and removal of street trees in 2011. The current ordinances on the books aren't clear about financial responsibility for street trees. The altered ordinance may include a move to expand the Tree Advisory Commission from three members to five. 

Council also authorized the borough manager to move forward with forms developed by the commission. The forms deal with how residents can be sure they are getting proper tree services when they're paying for maintenance and removal. 

How it Affects You: If you are one of the approximately 1,200 property owners in the borough with a tree or trees adjacent to your property, the changes to the ordinance may outline financial responsibility for street tree care.

In the past, the borough has budgeted between $40,000 and $80,000 to take care of street trees in the borough. This year, as there isn't anything budgeted, homeowners may be responsible for footing the bill for trimming and removal, unless another solution is found.