Baptiste, Kernen Hope to Return to Collegeville Council

Andrea Baptiste and Catherine Kernen, two former council members, are joined by two other Democrats to challenge four Republican incumbents - Arnold Mann, Rowan Keenan, Paul MacDonald and Rod Rees.

  Former Collegeville Borough Council members Andrea Baptiste and Catherine Kernen are running again to represent Collegeville residents, along with two other Democrats who will challenge the four Republican incumbents, according to an unofficial candidate list from the Montgomery County Board of Elections. Collegeville Council Vice President Arnold Mann, Rowan Keenan, Paul MacDonald and Rod Rees are all running for re-election on the Republican ballot; the four won four-year terms to council in 2009. Baptiste, who was elected to council in 2007, lost her re-election bid in 2011. Kernen served on council from 1998 to 2000 and 2004 to 2005; she lost her bid in 2011.  The two will be joined by fellow Democrats Christopher Nicholas and Gloria…

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Changes Coming to Collegeville McDonald’s

Borough Council approved the land development plan at its January meeting; the fast-food restaurant will be closed for four months during renovations.

  Collegeville Borough Council approved a land development plan regarding the Collegeville McDonald’s, which includes removing the Play Place, improving site circulation, and adding a side-by-side drive-through. “This is all part of the new McDonald’s re-branding initiative, in regards to bringing a lot of their existing facilities up to the new look of the McDonald’s,” said Michael Jeitner, Principal of of Boehler Engineering, who presented to council at its January meeting along with Bill Zuccarello of McDonald’s. The site, on the corner of Main and Second Streets, will be closed for roughly four months during construction, which is likely to begin around September of this year. The new site circulation will feature the same number of …

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Collegeville Council Recognizes PVHS Senior for Eagle Scout Project

Peter Moran, of Collegeville, created a historical marker in the Perkiomen parking lot.

  Collegeville Mayor Albert Stagliano presented a certificate of appreciation to Perkiomen Valley High School Senior after completing a historical marker in the Perkiomen Trail parking lot on Main Street. “It is very impressive,” said Collegeville Borough Council President Terrie Stagliano. Borough manager Geoff Thompson explained that Moran contacted the borough last year when starting a project to earn his Eagle Scout Badge, wanting to create a historical marker in the Perkiomen Train parking lot. “Not only is it about the train station that used to be where the Collegeville Diner now is, but it also has information about trollies that used to go through town, and a lot of historic photos of Main Street,” said Moran. “It is pretty much …

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Collegeville Borough Appoints Junior Council Person

Maggie Cavanagh, a Perkiomen Valley High School sophomore, has been appointed as a junior council person, and will attend all meetings as the high school liaison.

Margaret Cavanagh, a Perkiomen Valley High School sophomore, was appointed by Collegeville Borough Council as a junior council person at the Oct. 3 meeting. Cavanagh will serve as a non-voting liaison between Perkiomen Valley High School and Collegeville Borough Council. Council Member Louis Tulio said that she encouraged Cavanagh to apply for the position after Cavanagh asked about how to get more involved with the community. Cavanagh is a member of student council at Perkiomen Valley High School. She also takes voice lessons, and is contemplating trying out for the school play. Additionally, Cavanagh is a waitress and Meadowood Retirement Community in Worcester. The new council member, who attended the meeting with her parents, Kevin and…

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Former Council Member Argues Sign Ordinance at Collegeville Meeting

John Zvarick engaged in heated debate with solicitor, after being denied zoning relief.

Former Borough Council Member John Zvarick had a heated debate with Collegeville Borough Solicitor Mark Hosterman regarding signage for his family's business on Route 29 in Collegeville, at the August 1 Borough Council Meeting. “I need exposure for my business, and it will not hurt the borough,” Zvarick said. The issue, which has been brewing since last July when Zvarick was denied zoning relief from signage requirements and an ordinance variance and interpretation, relates to signs for Lily Laser and Beauty, part of a five-tenant building located at 534 Second Avenue in Collegeville. “This strip is really the Las Vegas of Collegeville,” said Zvarick. “It is a commercial strip. Every business has a large sign.” Currently the building …

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Unclaimed Escrow To Be Moved To Collegeville General Fund

Plus other news and notes from Wednesday's borough council meeting

Following the advice of the borough's auditor, during Wednesday night's meeting Collegevile Borough Council unanimously approved a motion that will allow the transfer of $32,000 of unassigned escrow funds to the borough's general fund. "They're not attached to any project that we're aware of," said Borough Manager Geoff Thompson. "These funds have accumulated over many years, through land developments processes and people posting escrow for various types of projects." The motion stipulated that if a person can prove he/she is owed a portion of the unassigned escrow funds, the money will then be paid out of the general fund. Police statistics for April During the month of April, the Collegeville Police Department received 662 calls, which …

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Collegeville Borough Discusses Public Works Projects

Contracts awarded for trailhead kiosk project, next year's snow removal

Wednesday's Collegeville Borough Council meeting was fairly brief, but several projects came up during the regular reports and business discussions during the meeting. Councilman Rowan Keenan, while reporting for the Collegeville/Trappe Municipal Authority and the Public Works Department, said that the departments had extensively discussed new water meters for the borough. The new meters will be able to be read from the street, which will drastically reduce the time it takes for an employee to complete the job. When questioned by Council President Terrie Stagliano whether "all the homes in the borough would be affected," Keenan said yes, all the borough's water meters would be replaced. "Who pays for the new meters?" asked Stagliano. "CTMA…

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Collegeville Borough Council Notes

CEDC announces hiring of new Main Street manager

Collegeville Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday evening. Among several items of regular borough business, the council heard that the Collegeville Economic Development Corporation has hired a replacement for former manager Linda Flederbach. Brian Dubas, speaking for the CEDC, said that the corporation has hired Rachael Morrison, who was previously the executive director of revitalization in Sea Isle City, NJ. "Rachael has experience increasing volunteers and running profitable fundraisers," Dubas said. There were 60 applicants for the Main Street manager position, and the search committee narrowed it down to six candidates. Council President Arnold Mann said the council is "excited about what we're doing." "The …

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Collegeville Holds the Line on Taxes

Council passes budget for next year. In other news, Linda Flederbach is stepping down as Main Street manager.

The town’s holiday celebrations went off without a hitch on Saturday afternoon and evening, getting everyone in the borough into the spirit with a bang! Collegeville Economic Development Corporation leader Linda Flederbach called the event a “great success,” with huge thanks to every member of the Collegeville community. The first Jingle Jog attracted 185 runners, 171 finishing strong with a fastest time of the pack at 17:59. The tree lighting that followed in the newly dedicated parking lot at Third and Main was lovely, as was the evening of ice carving, ugly sweaters and more! If you missed out this year, fear not! The Jingle Jog and all the other wonderful holiday festivities will be back next year. Unfortunately, however, the community…

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Unofficial Results: Republicans Take Collegeville Council Seats

Three seats -- six candidates; Terrie Stagliano, Louise-Marie Tuilio and Hugh Braun pulled ahead

Candidate Votes Percentage Andrea Baptiste 417 16.37% Hugh Braun 442 17.35% Catherine Kernen 387 15.19% Alex Rodriguez 310 12.17% Terrie Stagliano 506 19.87% Louise-Marie Tulio 485 19.04%