If students in the Upper Perkiomen School District return to some form of in-person school in November, the cost could reach several hundred thousand dollars due to concerns over COVID-19. During last week's regular school board meeting, administrators identified multiple related expenses.

            Superintendent Allyn Roche told the members that the issue of potentially transitioning to a hybrid or a 100 percent in-person instructional model would be considered during an Oct. 22 workshop meeting. Students in the district will remain in total virtual learning through at least Nov. 20. According to Assistant Superintendent Andrea Farina, 100 students with special needs are currently receiving face-to-face instructions in three buildings.

            "There are many factors to consider," Roche said during the Sept. 10 regular meeting.

            Administrators will rely on guidance presented by the Pennsylvania departments of Education and Health, as well as the Montgomery County Health Department in making their recommendation to members for the approval of a transition to a hybrid of virtual and in-person learning, or 100 percent face-to-face instruction.

            The superintendent told the members that the ...

            At last week's monthly board meeting, Marlborough supervisors received an update on Perkiomenville Quarry's request to expand areas of operations at its Crusher Road site.

            Solicitor Zachary Sivertsen, filling in for Mark Cappuccio, explained that the quarry is offering to preserve some of the adjoining properties in exchange for township approval of the expansion.

            "It would be a deed restriction for the benefit of the township," said Sivertsen.  "This is a legislative decision that you guys are being asked to make."

            Chairman Billy Hurst attended the last meeting with quarry representatives on the topic. The supervisors directed the solicitor to look into the ramifications of the expansion and the agreement. The supervisors also committed to attending the next meeting.

            The supervisors also discussed a zoning challenge by Halteman Brothers Sumneytown Partners, LP concerning the Sumneytown property that includes the post office.

            In July Marlborough's zoning officer turned down Halteman Brothers' proposal to renovate three apartment spaces in the post office building and to put two more apartments in a reconstructed barn on the property.

            "You can't have more than three dwelling units on the entire property after you do the conversion," said Sivertsen in explaining the reasoning behind the decision. 

            In its appeal letter, Halteman Brothers argued that the proposal is "permitted by right as an expansion of a nonconforming use." If that argument fails the company is requesting a special exception or variance "to permit the additional residential units as proposed."

            The supervisors directed the solicitor to ...