Pottstown Thanks Three for 100 Years of Service

Photos by Evan Brandt

From left, Mayor Stephanie Henrick, Detective David Mull, Officer Gregory Fritz, Police Chief Mick Markovich after recognizing the two retiring officers for a combined 60 years of service to the Pottstown Police Department.

Kathie Mintto, center, is congratulated by Pottstown Borough 

Council President Dan Weand, left, and borough Manager

Justin Keller, right, on her retirement after 40 years.

Two days after welcoming some new faces, borough hall said goodbye to some very familiar ones.

Two police officers, David Mull and Greg Fritz, both retired after 30 years of service each to the department.

Also bidding borough hall farewell was Kathie Minotto, who has held a number of posts in the borough offices for 40 years.

Mull served for more than eight years as the School Resource Officer in Pottstown Middle and High School and in 2012 was selected by his fellow officers as the Officer of the Year.

Fritz was recognized last month with a lifesaving award for his successful efforts to save a baby during birth in September.

Speaking of life-saving, Fire Chief Frank Hand reported to council Wednesday night that not only did the borough's emergency medical services have 353 calls in December, in all of 2019, they responded to 3,959 calls. "That means our emergency services were on the street an average of 13 times a day," Hand said.

On the fire side, the department has 86 calls in December with two fires totaling $125,000 in damages. In all of 2019, the department had 1,069 calls and 12 major fires totaling $580,000 in damage, said Hand.

In other matters, Borough Manager Justin Keller said on Tuesday, five parking kiosks were installed along High Street which will allow people to pay for parking without downloading the smartphone Parkmobile app the borough initiated in May.

The app will still work, but the kiosks will allow those without to pay for parking without getting a ticket.

The kiosks can be used for any spot or parking lot on High Street because "we're now identifying vehicles with their license plate numbers," Keller said.

He also reported that an improved pedestrian crossing will be installed in King Street to make it easier for folks to cross between Memorial Park, and the new Colebrookdale Railroad station there, and the Carousel at Pottstown and Manatawny Green mini-golf.

Also of interest is a plan to make it easier for developers and property owners to get through the borough processes by having the planning commission and historic architecture review board meet on the same night and, when possible, share members.

Not only would it make it easier on applicants, it would also save the borough money by not having to pay professionals to be at two different meetings on two different nights, Keller said.

And now, because Twitter Publish seems to no longer want to embed its own product, click here to read the Tweets from the meeting.

Pottstown Tax Hike Drops, Cops Get 5-Year Pact

Photos by Evan Brandt

When it comes to determining the big story from the Wednesday night borough council meeting, it's kind of a toss up.

The two biggest contenders are the budget and a five-year police contract.

• The gist of the budget story is the threatened tax hike of 4.25 percent outlined in October, has been whittled down to 3.83 percent. 
• As for the police contract, the union has agreed to a five-year contract which will provide raises of 18.5 percent over its length.
• Council will also vote Monday on a two-year lease with Boyertown Multi-Service to operate

  

  Potential improvements at the community
  college campus in Pottstown.

  the Ricketts Community Center.
• Additionally, officials from Montgomery County Community College made an exciting presentation re-imagining the Pottstown campus.
• And then there is the Carousel at Pottstown, which has raised the $800,000 to $1 million needed to expand its building to allow a restaurant to operate there.
• Thomas Hylton informed council Trees Inc. has received a $35,000 grant from the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, which he and his wife Frances will match, to create a $70,000 budget for street tree trimming, maintenance and treatment to fend off the invasive emerald ash borer.
• Council was also presented with a draft of a new 10-year franchise agreement with Comcast to continue to provide cable service in the borough, but will eliminate one of PCTV's three channels.
• There is also a move afoot to eliminate some of the 20-year-old licensing fees for "entertainment machines," but a concern about the growth of digital gambling machines.
• Then there are the five appointments to five different boards and commissions that must be made Monday and Council Vice President Carol Kulp, who lost her seat in the Democratic primary in May, has applied to be appointed to a five-year term on the Pottstown Borough Authority, replacing Michael Benner, who has also applied.
• Also, be aware that the red Mascaro trash bins are being replaced this week by gray ones so

  

  Ed Kelly shows council some of the bike path
  stanchions he has picked up.

  they stand out less.
• And "fans" of Pottstown's bike lanes may appreciate the visit from Roland Street resident Mike Kelly who, for the second time, hand-delivered some of the stanchions that separate the bike lane from the car lane and which, he said, residents were assured "would be maintained" by the borough.

So we'll have to see how many of these can be turned into full-fledged news stories in The Mercury.

And for fans of reports, here is the monthly mayor's report:




Want more? How about the borough manager's report? (I challenge you to decipher what it is we are supposed to do with the old red Mascaro trash bins from this. I gave up and turned it off so as not to make it even more confusing.)



And with that, here are the Tweets from the meeting

Tax Hike Down, 5-Year Police Pact Gives

Dragon Boat Will Ferry Santa to Pottstown Saturday

Santa will arrive in downtown Pottstown Saturday via dragon boat, crossing the Schuylkill River to land in Riverfront Park, before riding a fire truck downtown for more holiday fun.

There was news a-plenty at last night's Borough Council meeting, which we will get to in tomorrow's post, but first I want to let everyone know how busy Santa Clause will be in Pottstown, particularly on Saturday.

Despite the fact that no one provided any of this information to the newspaper, or me, the economic development report delivered at Wednesday night's council meeting by Peggy Lee-Clark, executive director of PAID, provides the basics.

Christmas magic begins Friday night at The Alley on High Street, which is now decorated as a
"Christmas Village" and from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, vendors including NV Donuts, will be there along with a Christmas Tree.

"But the real excitement starts on Saturday," Lee-Clark said.

From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Santa will be at The Pottstown Integrated Wellness Complex at 724 N. Adams Street, known to most as the YMCA, to visit with children and adults alike.

From 12 to 2 p.m., Beverly's Pastry Shop at 322 High St. will host Christmas cookie decorating.

The big man in the red suit will arrive in downtown Pottstown via, get this, a dragon boat, which will ferry him and his throne across the Schuylkill River to Riverfront Park at 2 p.m.

From there, he will ride a fire truck to The Alley on High Street to hob knob with Pottstown peeps.

From 3 to 6 p.m. is the official "Holiday Stroll" on High Street where shoppers can fill out a "bingo card" with a theme from "A Christmas Story," which, by zero coincidence, is the show that opens at Steel River Playhouse, which opens Friday and runs through Dec. 22.

Bingo cards can be obtained from the Schuylkill River Heritage Area in Riverfront Park, where Santa will stop by after his sojourn across the river, and at The High Street Terminal market, 300 High St.

But make sure you are back at Smith Family Plaza in front of borough hall by 7 because that's when the tree lighting begins.

It is also when the winners of the contest for businesses decorating the planters outside their buildings will be announced by the judge, Mayor Stephanie Henrick.

(Santa will return to Pottstown on Dec. 21, when he will ride a fire truck through town, according to Pottstown Fire Chief Frank Hand.)

And don't forget on Sunday is the Historic Holiday House tour, proceeds from which raise money to pay for July 4, 2020 fireworks at the GoFourth Festival in Memorial Park. Read more about that here.

Here is video of Lee-Clark's report:



And for those of you who can't wait for the hard news out of last night's meeting, here are the Tweets from the meeting.

Tax Hike Down, 5-Year Police Pact Gives

Borough and Police Said to be Close to New Contract

There were not a lot of headlines to come out of last night's borough council meeting.

The meeting was less than 30-minutes long and the big item on the agenda, the possible approval of a new police contract, passed without any action.

Given that the police department is the single largest item in the general fund; and that its pension fund and post-retirement are together underfunded by more than $30 million make this item of critical import to the borough's finances.

In September, council approved a new three-year contract with the borough's other major union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Beyond the 4 percent raises, perhaps the most impart aspect was the implementation of a new kind of pension plan. Rather than guaranteeing benefits, making the borough responsible for producing them, it guarantees contributions.

Those contributions are deposited in a plan much like a 401K and whatever returns it produces at an employee's retirement is what they get. That new methodology will apply to all new employees hired after Jan. 1.

In fact, last night council approved the advertising of the ordinance that will put it into place.

But whether a similar system will be put in place for new police officers and finally stem the red ink bleeding from the budget won't be known until next month.

Borough Manager Justin Keller said the borough and the police union are not done negotiating.

"We're making great progress. We're very close. Just smoothing over some language. We'll be in good shape a couple weeks," he said.

Speaking of the budget, council approved the advertisement of a $45.3 million 2020 budget that would raise taxes by 4.26 percent.

By law, the budget must be advertised 10 days before its adopted. Keller said he is still awaiting some numbers which may allow the tax hike to be lowered before it is adopted next month.

In the meantime, council approved two new business ventures last night. A massage therapy shop will move into the Nagle Center off Moser Road and a new auto body repair shop will be built on West High Street if the conditions set out in the approvals are met.

The borough may also make headway on the hidden problem of 100-year-old stormwater arches that have begun to collapse.

Two funding programs offered by the Commonwealth Financing Agency previously restricted to sanitary sewers and drinking water have been expanded to include stormwater facilities.

Council approve applying for $1.5 million from two grants to repair those collapsing, conduct maintenance on those that might, and survey those whose conditions are unknown.

And with that here are the Tweets from the meeting, what few there are:

Quick Work

Pottstown Gets New Officer, Delays Ricketts Vote

NEWEST OFFICER: Robert Seanor pinned on his son's police badge for the first time Monday night after Adam Seanor was sworn in as the Pottstown Police force's newest officer.

Seanor was sworn in by District Judge Scott Palladino because Mayor Stephanie Henrick is still recovering from surgery and was absent from Monday night's meeting.

Here is video of Seanor's swearing in:

Ricketts Center Vote Delayed

The other news looming over Monday's meeting evaporated when a motion on the agenda to extend for another four years the Olivet Boys and Girls Club's contract for running the Ricketts Community Center.

Regular readers will recall in May that another organization, the STRIVE Initiative, also applied to run the center.

"The borough has to do better," said Bill Robertson.

For the past 10 years, the center has been run by Olivet, which is based in Reading and, by their own admission, not always smoothly.

STRIVE, which is an acronym for Strengthening Tomorrow Requires Initiative and Vision, is a Pottstown-based organization and said they would return the center to its original mission.

Bill Robertson, who is one of the principals in STRIVE, chided council for not being transparent about the decision.

He said STRIVE sent the borough an email in late June asking about the status of the decision and whether any additional information was needed. "We received no answer," he said.

Robert Brown

"The borough has to do better," Robertson said. "If you vote tonight without some kind of explanation for your reasoning, it's going to be another example of why we have a problem in Pottstown."

Robertson was not the only person critical of the borough's record of making Ricketts available to the public.

Robert Brown, who said he was program director at Ricketts in the 1980s, questioned why the gates at the outdoor basketball court at the center were locked at 8 p.m., when it is still light out in the summer.

"I'm throwing up a red flag," said Brown. "I need answers about why things always get cut there."

Terrence Shawell, left, and teens who want to play basketball
into the evening at the Ricketts Center address council Monday.

Terrence Shawell brought the teens from his mentoring class to the meeting to raise the same concerns.

He said the problem was first identified on Memorial Day.

"My biggest concern is having these kids on the streets, riding in the bike lanes getting hit by cars," Shawell said. 

"We just want to be sure the center is not the only placing that is being locked up, and closed at 8:30 because that's very detrimental to do all summer. It's very detrimental to put kids on the street at 8 o'clock," Shawell said. "That's one of our big issues."

Andy DeJesus

Adding his voice to the chorus of concern about summer nights with nothing to do was Andy
DeJesus, who told council he is a federal officer, but grew up in Philadelphia.

"What saved me is there was a park behind my house. We played basketball, we played baseball, we played whatever we could," he said, adding it was those activities which kept him out of trouble.

"If you don't give these kids some way to burn off all that extra energy they have, it's going to go into things none of us want," DeJesus said.

Representatives of Olivet Boys and Girls Club were in the audience, but did not publicly respond to the issues raised by the other speakers.

When it came time on the agenda for the vote, Councilwoman Trenita Lindsay made a motion to table the vote. It was seconded by Councilwoman Rita Paez.

Lindsay said because Ricketts is in the Seventh Ward, Councilman Joe Kirkland, who monthly provides a report from the Olivet Boys and Girls Club about operations at the center, should be present for the vote. He was absent Monday night.

Tracy Daywalt

Mascaro Complaints

Another theme that ran through public comments Monday were complaints about Mascaro trash
service.

The Berks County-based company has held the borough trash contract for several years, and it expires this year.

Tracy Daywalt told council that half the time her trash is not picked up and she has grown frustrated with the excuses.

She said he won't pay her trash bill any more and, as a result, the borough has sent her a water shut-off notice.

Nicolette Sambrick

Nicolette Sambrick complained about Mascaro's service last month and was back again Monday with similar complaints.

"I keep shelling out money for a service I'm not getting. I am so sick and tired of excuses," Sambrick said. 

From now on, she said, she will deduct trash billing from her payments to the borough if it is not picked up on the proper day. "I'll put the money in an escrow account," she said.

During his report, Borough Manager Justin Keller said some of the problems being raised may be addressed in the new trash contract, whoever the successful bidder may be.

"One of the things we're working with the Housing Coalition on are penalties and how do we keep whoever we get here with the next contract hones," Keller said. 

"We're working on creating an escalating penalty schedule for missed pick-ups, that will put you into specific categories and in order to get out of the penalty system, you'll have to have perfect pick-ups for six months," said Keller.

"And just to remind residents, if you have a trash complaint, please call Public Works (610-970-6527), Mascaro has an individual who has been assigned to essentially come in and clean-up after the regular trash crew and essentially take care of any missed pick-ups, put the cans back where they belong, that sort of thing," Keller said.

Here is the full video of his report:



Finally, council also approved a number of temporary street closings; two for block parties, one for a church service to be held out in the street; one for National Night Out; two for Red Horse Motoring Club car shows and biergartens and one for a Sly Fox Brewery half-mile run.

And with that, here are the Tweets from the meeting.

New Officer and Delay of Ricketts Decision

Hats Off to 102-Year-Old William Hurter and More

Photos by Evan Brandt

Pottstown Mayor Stephanie Henrick, right, congratulates resident William C. Hurter who was recognized by borough council Wednesday night on his 102nd birthday

Everyone once in a while you get something a little out of the ordinary when covering a borough council meeting.

Last night was one of those nights.

Stepping outside the increasingly frightful torrent of world and national news; the juggling act of trying to cover more than 90 municipal and school board primary elections; the hailstorm that is  social media, something sometimes comes along that just makes you stop and smile.

That something, or someone, was William C. Hurter.

A packed council room joined council and Mayor Stephanie Henrick in a proclamation celebrating his 102nd birthday Wednesday night.

The entire room sang "Happy Birthday" to him, after which the mayor presented him with some "Pottstown swag" gifts.

"There is a fringe benefits to getting to 102 I guess," he joked.

Here is the video:



During World War II, he served on the U.S.S. Franklin. He and his wife of 79 years, Dorothy, raised four daughters: Gail, Bonnie, Lynne and Karen.

They in turn gave him six grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

In 1952, he started his own business, Hurter's Meats and Provisions on Washington Street, which still exists today as Hurter's Food Distributors at 398 Circle of Progress.

Congratulations Mr. Hurter on a life well-lived.

Pottstown Police Officer of the Year

Mayor Stephanie Henrick, right, and
Police Chief Michael Markovich, left, congratulate Andrew Licwinko
for being named Pottstown's Police Officer of the Year.

That was not the only celebration that occurred last night.

May 8 was the date chosen to honor the Pottstown Police Officer of the Year. This year, the officer
chosen was Andrew Licwinko.

Again, Mayor Stephanie Henrick acted as Master of Ceremonies, noting that "he's a team player and always willing to drop what he's doing and assist others."

He is particularly effective in dealing with drug crimes, due to his knowledge of drug suspects in the borough and their associates, she said; adding that he also interacts with residents in a positive way, particularly playing and joking with children.



Afterward, Henirck offered a personal annecdote, that Licwinko was the police officer who responded when she was in a serious car accident several years ago.

"You held my hand while they cut me out of the car and you had the dubious honor of cleaning out my car and you may have thought I was moving" there was so much stuff in there.

Congratulations to Officer Licwinko.

New Bus Routes

Council also heard a report from A.J. Knee, a consultant with Michael Baker International, which

New routes are being proposed for the PART bus system.

was hired to update them on the Transit Development Plan.

He reviewed the procedure the firm went through, riding all the Pottstown Area Rapid Transit bus routes, talking with drivers, riders and seeking input on changes or improvements sought.

The result is a proposed change in routes, including one that will run up to the Boyertown area.

Knee said the changes would not increase the bus system's budget

I'll have more on that once I get my hands on the presentation he gave. It was a little hard to read from my seat.

Keim Street Bridge Meeting

Borough Manager Justin Keller announced that the engineering consultants for the Keim Street bridge replacement project will hold a public workshop on Wednesday, May 22 at 4:30 p.m. for public officials.

From 6 to 8 p.m., there will be an open house for the general public, where you can get your questions answered.

It all happens at the Montgomery County Community College West Campus in Pottstown at 101 College Dr.

That New Parking Scheme

I will be writing a more extensive explanation for the new parking system being implemented in downtown Pottstown.

However, Keller offered a brief overview and video explaining how the new system will work.

In essence, High Street still has a three-hour parking limit, but they have changed how you pay for it. Instead of feeding a meter or paying at a kiosk (which you can still do at the public lots) you pay through your smart phone.

The ap is called ParkMobile and he said it takes a few minutes to download and register.

The first hour of parking on High Street is still free, but must also be registered through ParkMobile.

He also said observations that three hours is not long enough for people to see a show at Steel River Playhouse and have a nice dinner, so the three-hour limit will be lifted after 5 or 6 p.m.

Here's video of his presentation:




And with that, I think I'll call it a night.

Here are the Tweets from the meeting, look for more extensive coverage in future editions of The Mercury.

Aging Gracefully, New Bus Routes and Officer of the Year

Police Promoted, Silence on Looming 12% Tax Hike

Photo by Evan Brandt

Surrounded by their families, newly promoted Pottstown Police Sgt. Thomas Leahan, third from left, and newly promoted Pottstown Police Cpl. Michael Breslin, read their promotion certificates along with Mayor Stephanie Henrick, right, during last night's Pottstown Borough Council meeting.

If you had fallen asleep for a few moments Tuesday evening, you might have missed the Pottstown Borough Council meeting.

And council did little to help keep the audience awake.

But there was a bright spot.

As is traditional in Pottstown, when two police officers were promoted at the start of the meeting, their families and fellow officers packed the room for the promotion ceremony.

Mayor Stephanie Henrick read a proclamation, framed promotion certificates were presented and cameras clicked as spouses pinned the new stripes to the shirts of the promoted officers.

Corporal Thomas Leahan is now Sergeant Thomas Leahan; while officer Michael Breslin is now Corporal Michael Breslin.

Congratulations to both.

Also of interest was a fire safety talk by longtime Pottstown Fire Chief Richard Lengel, appropriate given that October is Fire Prevention Month.

Here is the video:




Missing completely from last night's meeting was any talk of the looming 12 percent property tax hike unveiled with the $48.9 million draft budget last week, either from council, the staff or the public.

Guess everybody's OK with it.

Here are the Tweets from the meeting:

Pottstown Police Promotions

Say Good-bye to Police Chief Rick Drumheller

Photos by Evan Brandt

Pottstown Police Chief Rick Drumheller was all smiles after announcing that he will retire in July, 18 months earlier than expected.

Drumheller got the best kind of goodbye from
Pottstown Mayor Stephanie Henrick last night.

In case you weren't online last night, or checking my Twitter feed on your phone (and why not?!?), you may not know why this man is smiling.

Police Chief Rick Drumheller announced he is retiring 18 months sooner than everyone expected. His last day will be on July 6.

I will miss him.

From what I could see, he was a gentle soul for a police chief and truly cared about the community where he worked for 30 years.

And he had the nicest way of telling you he wasn't going to tell you anything whenever I asked him about a crime investigation he wasn't ready to talk about.

He doesn't have a new job lined up, or a problem at work. He said "I just know in my heart its time."

Click here to read the Mercury story I wrote last night.

The other significant news event from last night's meeting is the consideration of a resolution from Pottstown Borough Council opposing the planned YMCA closure in June.

Council will join a number of government and community organizations opposing the closure, including Pottstown School Board, the Pottstown Metropolitan Area Regional Planning Committee, the Pottstown chapter of the NAACP and, perhaps as soon as next week, the Pottsgrove School Board.

Also weighing in was Don Smale, a member of the task force Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA put together to make recommendations for easing the closure and finding new homes for the programs -- but specifically instructed NOT to recommend keeping it open.

Here is video of what he had to tell council:



Council President Dan Weand said he went through a similar experience when an Ohio-based company bought Stanley Flagg Brass in West Pottsgrove.

"They mismanaged it, ran it into the ground but kept taking the money out of it and sending it back to Ohio. Then, when they had failed to invest in any upgrades at the plant, they said 'well, you don't make money anymore, so we're closing you down,'" said Weand.

"We called it mining for gold by the executives. This is the same scenario I'm seeing out of Y," he said.

Council will vote on the resolution Monday.

Of less immediate, but perhaps no-less--important significance was the naming of four people to to the board of the newly created Pottstown Land Bank.

They are Cheryl Chiarello, who also serves on the Pottstown Blighted Property Review Committee; Twila Fisher, who head's The Hill School's Hobart's Run initiative; Deb Penrod, a member of the Pottstown Planning Commission and the board of the Pottstown Regional Public Library and Andrew Monastra, a local attorney and member of the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority.

And with that, I'm headed to bed.

Here are the Tweets and videos from the meeting:

Police Awards and Some Taxing News in Pottstown

Photo by Evan Brandt

Nine Pottstown Police officers, along with chief Rick Drumheller were recognized with Meritorious Service Awards Wednesday night for their efforts in successfully dealing with an armed subject with mental issues in a stand-off in Limerick in January. From left are Officer Christopher Zahorchak, Corporal Steven Morrisey, Officer Jeffrey Portock, Detective Heather Long, Detective Mark Wickersham, Sergeant Mark Boyce, Officer Jacob Ritter, Corporal James O'Neill and Detective Brooke Fisher. 

As is so often the case, the big ticket news item from last night's borough council meeting appeared nowhere on the agenda other than a listing as "manager's report."

What Borough Manager Mark Flanders had to report was pretty sobering -- that as things stand, the various borough funds are nearly $2.4 million in the red.

The reasons are no mystery: The loss of $26 million in total assessed property value over three years; increased costs, particularly for health care and two years of using fund reserves to balance the budget and avoid a tax increase.

And that loss in assessed property value does not even include the loss when (or if) Pottstown Memorial Medical Center is taken off the tax rolls because of being purchased by the non-profit Reading Health Systems.

With more assessment challenges lined up, county officials are warning Pottstown to prepare for a total assessment of $780 million, down from $806 million in 2016, Flanders said.

To fill that projected gap would require a real estate tax hike of 23 percent.

As Council President Dan Weand noted, the number always starts out high at the beginning of the budget process, and gets whittle down through the process.

Flanders said that the whittling has gotten to the point where "council will have to make some tough decisions over the next few months" and decide which services will get cut.

Council Vice President Sheryl Miller urged council against cutting emergency services and suggested an independent study might be needed to look at salaries in the borough, some of which she said are "outrageous."

We'll have more coverage of this issue in subsequent The Mercury.

Here are the Tweets from the meeting:

Police/Employee Awards and Historic Renovation

Photos by Evan  Brandt

Police Chief Richard Drumheller, left, and Mayor Sharon  Thomas, right, congratulate canine officer Jeffrey Portock after being announced as the 2016 Police Officer of the Year Wednesday night.

The awards were flying fast and furious Wednesday night, almost as furious as Council Dennis Arms's temper ...

Although you might expect the Police Officer and Borough Employee of the Year awards to be given out in January, or December, in Pottstown the day is May 3.

Dan Weand, left, and Mark Flanders congratulate

Luis Colon, the borough's first-ever Employee of the Year.

Officer Jeffrey Portock, whose exploits in 2016 were outlined in a proclamation read by Mayor
Sharon Thomas, was singled out for his bravery and his competence during the past year.

And while Pottstown has named an officer of the year, well for years, 2017 marks the first time it has also named an Employee of the Year among its non-uniformed personnel.

And that honor went to Luis Colon, a wastewater treatment plant operator who, according to Borough Manager Mark Flanders is always pleasant, helpful and busy.

But they were not done yet.

In addition to an Officer of the Year, and an Employee of the Year, borough leaders also handed out one of its occasional Lifesaving Awards.

This one went to Pottstown Police Sgt. Michael Ponto who, on Oct. 13, stayed with a shooting victim, who had been shot several times in the groin and was found bleeding near the intersection of York and E. High Streets.

Sgt, Michael Ponto's lifesaving actions are applauded during

Wednesday night's Pottstown Borough Council Meeting

The shots were dangerously close to the victim's and he likely would have bled to death before Goodwill Ambulance personnel arrived had Ponto not retrieved his first aid kit and applied pressure to the wounds.

However, the victim survived thanks to his efforts.

When the awards were over and the room thinned out, the yelling began.

Well, perhaps I exaggerate. How about, "the spirited exclamations of the councilman from the fourth ward."

That's Dennis Arms for those of you who don't know.

He first got exercised after Greg Lingo, a developer with Rockwell Development, unveiled plans to convert the old brick shirt factory at Cherry and South Charlotte streets into market-rate condominiums.

It was not the proposal that got Arms worked up. He thinks the idea is a great one.

What got him going was that the first reaction was not relief, or thanks but questions about parking.

The former shirt factory Rockwell Development Group wants  to
spend 

$2 million renovating into market-rate condominiums.

"I can't believe we're worried about parking!" he shouted. "That building has been vacant for 40 years and here's a guy who wants to spend $2 million fixing it up, and you're talking about parking!"

Council eventually found its manners and welcomed the developers, who are already familiar with Pottstown, to the borough.

"Thank you for investing in our town," said Arms.

Later, council again discussed a subject Arms and raised at last month's meeting -- the idea of eliminating wards in Pottstown and having all council members be elected "at large."

Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr. reported that the law prohibits it being brought to referendum, and puts the decision in council's hands. It can either eliminate the wards, or make five wards instead of seven and make two of the seats at-large seats.

When council expressed what might be charitably called its ambivalence to the idea, Arms exploded again.

"Why did we go through this puppet show if you all knew you didn't want to change anything," Arms fumed. "We're wasting Chuck's time and we pay for that time."

"There's nothing wrong with wanting more information," said Mayor Sharon Thomas.

In that vein, Arms raised another point Wednesday which actually got some traction. He suggested that the public be allowed to see the background information that council members get to go along with their agenda before each meeting.

With the obvious exception of things which are not public documents, such as personnel or attorney/client privileged information, council agreed and Flanders said it could be done.

So look for that on the borough web site soon.

But it may not be enough for Arms, who later in the evening posted on Facebook that he wonders if he wants to serve on council for another two years.

Anyway, enough about all that, here are the Tweets!

Pottstown Police Get 3 Years of 3% Raises in Pact

Borough Council saved the news for last last night.

After leaving immediately to a closed-door executive session after the meeting began, the vote and details of a new three-year contract with the Pottstown Police Officers Association were not addressed until the end of the meeting.

As you have no doubt already read in the print version of The Mercury, council unanimously approved a new three-year contract for police that provides raises of 3.25 percent the first year; 3.5

percent the second and 3.5 percent in the third.

The police contract cycle is now the same as the non-uniformed union cycle and all borough employees are in the same health plan -- there were once something like seven plans.

In other news, council also agreed to assist with plans to put a welcome to Pottstown sign in the empty lot at King and Manatawny streets across from The Ice House, as well as art panels along the King Street bridge and light pole banners downtown.

Borough Manager Mark Flanders said work on replacing the King Street bridge will likely not get underway until the summer of 2018 and council voted to apply for a Montco 2040 grant to install a pedestrian crossing across King Street at the entrance to Memorial Park and the Carousel at Pottstown on the other side.

Council also agreed to sell 629 Walnut St. to Habitat for Humanity to be refurbished and sold to a first-time homebuyer.

And Phillies Fire Company Vice President Miles Feather said about a dozen people turned out for the first Fire Academy event. The next one will be on Feb. 26 and will focus on ladder operations.

While you're waiting, you can read the Tweets.

Police Promotion, Lifesaving Awards Kick Off 2017

Photos by Evan Brandt

Pottstown Police Officer Zachary Robinson, second from left, and Cpl. Steve Morrisey, are flanked by Pottstown Police Captain Robert Thomas and Chief Rick Drumheller, as well as Police Chaplain Everett Debnam, right, after receiving commendations for reviving a North Hanover Street man on Nov. 12.

Although there was a lot on the agenda of Wednesday night's borough council meeting, it was nice to start the year off with two positive police stories.

The first we will relate here is the tale that began on Nov. 12 when officer Zachary  Robinson arrived at 331 N. Hanover St. to find George Weller collapsed half in and half out of the door of apartment 29.

Weller was blue, not breathing and had no pulse.

Robinson immediately began providing oxygen and chest compression, but because of where the victim was located, had to stand over him, straddling him in the doorway.

When Corporal Steve Morrisey arrived, and saw Robinson was tiring, he stepped in and relieved him until medical help arrived. They were later informed Weller had regained a pulse, due in part to their efforts.

Police Chief Rick Drumheller said both officers' uniforms will now bear a badge indicating they have saved a life, although Morrisey's will have a star in the center because it is the second time he has performed that service.

Police Officer Todd Istenes, on the other hand, was on hand Wednesday to receive a different change to his uniform -- some stripes on his sleeve -- specifically, to be promoted to corporal.

Newly minted Pottstown Police Corporal Todd Istenes, in blue shirt,
is 

flanked by Capt. Robert Thomas, Chief Rick Drumheller
and Chaplain 

Everett Debnam after being promoted Wednesday.

"When you're the chief of police, you're afforded the luxury of watching your officers grow up," Drumheller said as Istenes stood next to him.

"I've watched Todd's career from the very beginning. I've watched his dreams and desires, his goals and his meticulous work," said Drumheller.

As the newest member of the command staff, "I have to tell you, your world will change," Drumheller told Istenes. "There will those who respect you, those who put themselves out, and there will be those who test you. Do well, just maintain what you've been doing your whole career, and you'll do a fine job."  

Of course than just these two things happened last night.

There was a presentation on land banking, a blight-fighting tool that borough council seems newly interested in taking up. Look for a story on that in The Mercury in the coming days.

Also, PDIDA Executive Director Sheila Dugan has asked not only for the size of the PDIDA board of directors to be reduced from nine to seven, but also reviewed the first year of the downtown farm market, and plans for the coming year.

That too will be the subject of a coming Mercury article.

And there are 14 appointments to be made at Monday's meeting, but the most interesting one looks like it will be for the open seat on the Pottstown Borough Authority.

Last month, the authority board wrestled with the procedure, and appropriateness, of seeking the re-appointment of Jeff Chomnuk. He schooled them a bit on their previous endorsements.

And now it seems that Council Vice President Sheryl Miller, who ousted Chomnuk from the Third Ward seat on council, is now seeking to be appointed to his seat on the authority.

That's going to be interesting.

In the meantime, here are the Tweets and videos from last night's meeting:

1st Annual Meet and Eat With Police This Afternoon

Today's event will be much like the National Night Out held at the Chestnut Street Park each year.

The NAACP Pottstown Chapter, Pottstown Police Department and the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office will host the first annual Picnic With Police today from 12 to 2 p.m.

The event will be held at the park at the intersection of Chestnut and Washington streets and will be similar to a National Night Out event.

There will be free grilled hot dogs, snacks and drinks, as well as games, music and giveaways.

The even seeks to bring police together with the communities they serve and will allow the community to meet their local beat officers, including several new officers who have recently joined the force.

"This is a family-oriented event to bring everyone together for casual conversations or to discuss community issues while having fun," Pottstown Police Chief F. Richard Drumheller said i0n a preprared release.

"We are blessed in Pottstown to have such strong and vibrant organizations and coming together to relate on an informal basis with our police officers is important on so many fronts," said Jonathan Corson, interim president of the Pottstown NAACP chapter. "It's always better to have strong lines of communication in place before there ever might be a problem to face together.

"Pottstown residents of all ages are encouraged to come out, enjoy some good food, spend time with their neighbors and meet the beat officers," said assistant district attorney Brianna Ringwood. "We're looking forward to seeing everyone."

Hobart's Run Getting Up and Running

Surprisingly sharp photo by Evan Brandt

Pottstown Police Sgt. Ed Kropp Jr., left, and Licensing and Inspections Director Keith Place address the third Hobart's Run meeting, held Wednesday at Mount Olive Baptist Church.

The Hobart's Run effort to revitalize and stabilize the area around The Hill School campus seems to be hitting its stride.

Following up on community meetings at the Ricketts Center and Goodwill Firehouse, director Twila Fisher met with about two dozen residents in the basement of Mount Olive Baptist Church Wednesday evening.

And to be better able to answer questions she brought not only Randy Doaty, The Hill School's director of security and a Pottstown native, but two members of the police department and the borough's director of Licensing and Inspections.

Doaty reviewed the conception of the idea for Hobart's Run, which came from the James Street Improvement District in Lancaster, and was officially kicked off in January with Fisher's hiring.

Doaty also explained how both Lancaster and The Hill School have successfully used street-facing cameras to help reduce crime.

Fisher said Hobart's Run is initiating a "bike ambassador" program which will put more residents on the streets, getting to know neighbors and being better attuned when something is amiss.

The cards Kropp handed out.

On the same subject, Kropp, who heads the department's Community Response Unitt, handed out cards explaining how to give police tips on drugs and quality of life issues, and answered questions about the best ways to work with the police.

They are busy, having received 24,000 calls for service in 2015.

Officer Greg Fritz explained how abandoned cars should be reported to police.

Place said at this time of year, the most likely quality of life code violations are grass that is too high, trash or people putting household furniture on their porch.

Fisher said a clean-up of the 300 block of Queen Street has been arranged for April 30.

"Simple things make a big difference when there is a joint effort on the block," said Fisher.

The meeting wrapped up with John Armato, director of community relations for the Pottstown School District, giving a characteristically enthusiastic run-down of some of the programs that make the district -- one of the oldest in the state -- unique.

Here are the Tweets from the meeting.

New Faces at Borough Police and Tax Collector Posts

Mercury photos by Evan Brandt

Newly sworn in Pottstown Police officer Ryan Guth, right, has his badge pinned on by his sister Cara at Monday night's Pottstown Council meeting while Police Chief Rick Drumheller enjoys the spectacle.

There are some new faces in Pottstown borough as a result of actions taken at Monday night's council meeting.

First up is a new police officer, Ryan Guth, who was sworn in Monday night by Mayor Sharon Thomas.

Here's video of that:

Roy Reifsnyder Sr.

And then, Pottstown council -- for the second consecutive time -- acted to replace an elected tax collector who had to resign because they could not meet the requirements of the state.

Last time, it was the person who lost the election, Barbara Toroney. This time, its a new face that is probably very familiar to many, Roy Reifsnyder Sr., a lifetime resident known to many for his decades of involvement with the Pottstown Little League.

But Reifsnyder is also a recently retired accountant and comptroller for a large company and he stepped in -- at council president Dan Weand's request -- when the person who won the election, Coleen Belovich, resigned before she took office.

She could not meet the requirements, more specifically, the bonding requirements, of the office.

Reifsnyder will hold the office for two years and then must step down or run for reelection to the remaining two years of the term.

Here is some video of Reisfsnyder being sworn in:



Also applying for the post was Claude Erb, who goes by Curt.

Although he was not chosen, Council Vice President Sheryl Miller said she had several ideas about other ways he could volunteer to help the borough.

Several other interesting things happened which you can find out about by reading the Tweets and links down below.

Police Promotions and Council Goals

Photos by Evan Brandt

Newly promoted Corporal Steven Morrisey, center, is congratulated by Pottstown Police Chief Rick Drumheller, right, and Police Captain Robert Thomas, left.

Mark Boyce, center, is congratulated on his promotion by
Pottstown Mayor Sharon Thomas, right,
while his wife and boss look on.

Two Pottstown Police officers moved ahead in their careers Wednesday night, and borough council members outlined goals they hope will help Pottstown move ahead.

Pottstown newest sergeant is Mark Boyce and its newest corporal is Steven Morrisey.

Both were promoted in a ceremony Wednesday that filled the council room with family, fellow officers and well wishers.

Council also heard from organizers who want to revive a 10-year-old bicycle race in town -- the Pottstown Criterium.

And there was more discussion about reviving, or revising, the Pottstown Human Relations Commission.

Council will also vote Monday on whether to modify the lease for the former Pottstown Metal Weld building to the Carousel at Pottstown. The current lease required them to be open by the end of 2014. Terry Jones, the carousel vice president, said the facility will be open by April.

And there are vacancies caused by expired terms on the Blighted Property Review Committee, the Borough Authority, the Code Board of Appeals, the Environmental Advisory Commission, the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority, the Planning Commission and the Zoning Hearing Board.

Most of those currently in the seats have asked to be re-appointed.

And then there were the goals.

Council President Dan Weand had asked each council member to come up with one goal for 2016.

To find out what everyone said, read the Tweets below!

Rotary Names Det. Long 'Person of the Year'

Pottstown Police Det. Heather Long

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown Rotary Club.

The Rotary Club of Pottstown is pleased to announce Detective Heather Long as its selection as the 2015 Person of the Year. 

A juvenile detective and forensic Interviewer, Detective Long graduated from Mansfield University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Human Development Psychology. 

She has been employed with the Pottstown Police Department since January 2007 and was transferred to the detective division in July 2010, assigned as the juvenile detective.

In this capacity, Detective Long specializes in the investigation of child abuse and sexually based crimes. She is a member of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force, Montgomery County Sexual Assault Task Force (SATF) and the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) at Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center. She is also a trained forensic interviewer at Mission Kids CAC.

Detective Long is currently the president of the Pottstown Police Officers’ Association. Over the last five years, she organized the annual PPOA Fishing Derby for children of the community. 

For the last three years, she organized the annual Gregg Boyle Memorial Golf Outing, which allows community members to golf with police officers and pay respect to one of Pottstown’s finest.

This is not the first time Detective Long has been recognized for her outstanding service to the Pottstown community. She was honored as Pottstown Police Officer of the Year for 2014. 

Detective Long was also honored by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office for her work

Long, right, is congratulated by

Montgomery County DA Risa Vetri Ferman

on a child rape case, where the offender (71 years old) pled guilty and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.

The Pottstown Rotary Club annually recognizes a member of the greater Pottstown community for outstanding contributions in areas such as the arts, business, education, health care, non-profit public service, and government service. 

Members of the community are invited to the ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, September 9 at the Rotary Pavilion in Riverfront Park. 

The ceremony followed by dinner will begin at 6 pm. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance. For tickets and additional information, contact Ted Flint at 610-943-4443.

The Pottstown Rotary is a local and international service organization comprised of men and women committed to making a positive contribution in their community and the world. 

The Rotary Club of Pottstown supports a number of programs in Pottstown, including, literacy building, the Pottstown Halloween Parade, student scholarships, Operation Backpack, and Meals on Wheels. 

The club also sponsors the Pottstown High School Interact Club, a service club for high school students. 

To learn more about The Rotary Club of Pottstown, visit www.PottstownRotary.org.