Road Reconstruction and Maintenance Schedule Discussed at Trappe Borough Council Meeting

engineer, John Sartor, presented information on road conditions to council members at the December 6, 2011 monthly meeting.

Discussion ensued around the 35 borough-maintained streets and the idea of a 15-year timeline to reconstruct the “bad roads” and provide maintenance to other roads.

“You realize that at the end of 15 years, you start all over again,” noted Borough Manager Jacqui Guenther.

Engineer John Sartor said that most municipalities use a time schedule for road maintenance. Borough Council asked Sartor to present a timeline to them for consideration at the January meeting.

President Fred Schuetz honored borough volunteer Doris Houck for her work on the establishment and maintenance of landscape beds over the years in the community.

“It doesn’t seem right to get an award for doing something you love,” Houck told Council as she accepted the award.

During the public forum, a Joan Drive resident asked for Council’s help in determining the cause and solution needed to resolve a high-frequency noise coming from power lines on College Avenue. The resident did contact PECO but has not gotten satisfaction. Guenther promised to look into the situation.

Guenther presented the 2012 Borough Council meeting schedule. She noted that in November 2012, the regularly scheduled meeting will move to the second Tuesday of the month due to Election Day. Guenther also said that the borough will begin selling ski resort tickets at the end of December. Movie Tavern tickets will continue to be sold through Borough Hall; however, Movie Tavern has increased prices of tickets sold to municipalities. Tickets must now be purchased for $7.50 (up from $6) and made available to the community for $8.50 with the $1 profit benefitting the Trappe Fire Company. Purchasers should note that children tickets are less than $8.50 when purchased at the box office and should plan accordingly.

Council approved annual donations to the Historic Society, the Speaker’s House, the library and Victims Services.

Mayor Connie Peck reported that she and President Fred Schuetz attended the recent Perkiomen Valley School District municipality meeting. This semi-annual gathering is an opportunity for the school district and all six townships and boroughs to share information.

The mayor also said that the Trappe Barn Dance was a great success and noted that Trappe Today and Tomorrow (TTT) made more than $500 on the basket raffle that night. She invited all council members and residents to the first annual Christmas tree lighting at the Speaker’s House on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

The Trappe Fire Company was thanked for again pumping out the Borough Hall basement after flooding around Thanksgiving Day. Some repairs were made to valves and downspouts with the hope that this will alleviate flooding issues.

Fire Chief Brian Long said that Santa will be on his five-hour run through the borough on Saturday, Dec. 17 to greet children and the young-at-heart.

Under committee reports, Councilwoman Cathy Johnson said the planning commission is in need of a secretary.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to get involved in the inner workings of the borough," commented President Schuetz.

Anyone interested in learning more about the position should contact Borough Hall.

The next Trappe Borough Council meeting will be a reorganization meeting on Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall. The public is invited to attend and comment during the public forum.