Officials invited to upcoming police coverage meeting

        During their work session Monday night, the Upper Hanover Board of Supervisors approved drafting a letter to recommend a zoning variance necessary for the Upper Perkiomen School District to proceed with plans for construction of a new middle school at the intersection of Walt Road and Montgomery Avenue in the township.

        Township Manager Stan Seitzinger reported after Tuesday's regular monthly meeting that the township's planning commission is also recommending the variance, specifically required to build a 3-story classroom wing on the proposed new construction for 6th through 8th grades. 

        The variance request will go before the zoning hearing board during a public hearing on August 17 at the township building. Seitzinger cautioned that the recommendations of the board and planning commission do not necessarily mean the variance will be granted. Seitzinger reminded all that "The zoning hearing board is an independent body."

        In May, the school board voted to initiate the Commonwealth's PlanCon (Planning and Construction) process in order to seek reimbursement for the district expansion project.

        On Tuesday night, Pennsburg Mayor Vickie Lightcap asked the board to consider sending one or two representatives to an upcoming meeting organized to continue to the conversation about police coverage throughout the valley.

        "We would love to have your voice at the table, along with everyone else," Lightcap said.

        Chairman Eugene Fried asked that Lightcap send meeting details to the township manager once a date is set but did not specify who will attend the meeting.

        In related business, Fried reported that the Skippack barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police, which covers Upper Hanover Township, will have a new station commander effective next week.

        In other business Tuesday night, the board approved fund disbursement to the Upper Perk Chamber of Commerce for the Wayfinding Program. Seitzinger reported that the $13,000 requested falls within the range previously approved by the board as a contribution to the effort. Supervisor Ben Fiorito opposed the motion.

        Fried reported that there will be a personnel change effective September 1. According to Fried, the township currently employs two clerical workers – one working full-time and one working part-time in the township building. As of September 1, these two employees will switch positions at their own mutual requests.

        "Our full-time employee wants to work part-time and our part-time employee wants to work full-time," Fried explained. "It worked out pretty well. We couldn't ask for a better situation."

        The board also discussed logistics for installing a flag bracket on the pavilion at Camelot Park at the request of the Upper Perkiomen Valley Lion's Club.

        Carolyn Gucwa of Red Hill submitted a request to hold a Veteran's Day ceremony at Camelot Park on Friday November 11. Gucwa reported that the event, which was annual until 2009, resumed last year when Pennsburg hosted the ceremony, along with a luncheon. According to Gucwa, the intent will be for each municipality in the valley to take a turn hosting the event going forward.

        The board asked Seitzinger to plan for a small luncheon after the ceremony.

        Gucwa reported that planning for the ceremony will occur during a monthly meeting of area Veteran's organizations and community members, held the first Monday of each month at the VFW in Red Hill. Fried suggested that the group additionally consider exploring the feasibility of hosting The Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, at Camelot Park.