Road Work, Park Contest and a 'Respectful' Refusal

Photo by Evan Brandt

This sign at the park and ballfield at the township building explains 

how people can help the township win $10,000 to make improvements.

Wednesday night's meeting of the board of commissioners was quick but fruitful.

As the headline suggests, several items related to driving were dealt with and the Pottstown Area Heath and Wellness Foundation's parks contest was outlined as well.

To the roads -- the commissioners voted to remove the High Street traffic light at Flagg Lane.

Necessary when workers were pouring out of the Flagg Brass plant at the end of their shift, the light now serves no real purpose.

Township Manager Ed Whetstone said it took PennDOT months to produce a 64-page report to approve the removal of the signal.

Township Solicitor Lee Mescolotto joked that "it only took a five-page report to put in in the first place."

Whetstone also reported that turning lanes will be added to High Street at the Grosstown Road intersection, the site of many recent accidents, by the end of October. Also, the flashing lights at West Pottsgrove Elementary School have been installed and will be active shortly, and plans are underway to to work on the Grosstown Road bridge over the Manatawny next year.

Whetstone also reported that the Gambone organization has plans to develop the 20 acres opposite Upland Square, including a hotel, big box store, restaurant and gas station.

Commissioner Charles Valentine outlined the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation parks contest works and urged residents to visit the park near the township building and vote using their smart phones to have a chance at the $10,000 first prize, to be used to improve the park.

And finally, Whetstone read a letter from Pottstown Borough Council President Stephen Toroney 'respectfully' refusing the request from the Lower, Upper and West Pottsgrove commissioners seeking one seat on the Pottstown Borough Authority.

"This is not the end of this," Whetstone said.

Without further ado, here are the Tweets from the meeting. As always, connectivity was a problem, so there might not be as many as you're used to .... but perhaps that's a blessing.