Red Hill Borough Council is reporting that the Hendricks Road development, previously believed to be discontinued, is proceeding.
The Council issued the following statement after last month's Town & Country article:
"The January 19 edition of the Town & Country contained an article stating that Mayor Schiffgens reported at the January 11 Borough Council meeting that the Kershner development project is "finished" and that Mary Kershner 'terminated her agreement with Select Properties, the developer.'
"In speaking to both Mrs. Kershner and Developer's Representative, Ben Goldthorp, it has come to our attention that this information is not completely accurate. Mrs. Kershner has informed the Borough that her buyer and she did terminate their agreement; however, Mrs. Kershner and the Developer are actively re-negotiating a new agreement. Additionally, the Developer's Agreement of Sale with Michael Nolan Homes on the Weaver tract has not been terminated. Accordingly, Mr. Goldthorp states that the Developer does not intend to walk away from the project at this time."
In other news, Paul Decker reported on progress of the borough Historical Committee, and discussed the upcoming 75th anniversary of the Upper Perkiomen Sportsmen's Association, and also noted that the committee had assembled a commemoration of Red Hill in World War I, titled "Red Hill and the Great War." Artifacts on loan from local individuals from the war can currently be viewed in the lobby of the municipal building.
Objects related to Perkiomen Masonic Lodge #595 are also being exhibited. Decker thanked council member Donna Paul for her assistance in getting the word out about the committee's activities in the borough's new newsletter.
In roads news, the Council approved a motion to have the borough engineers do core borings on Bitting Alley to determine the thickness of the roadway, since it has been overlaid many times.
The Council also approved the addition of a fourth stop sign at Fifth Street and Bitting Alley, where there is presently a three-way stop.
In the solicitor's report, Mark Hosterman discussed an ordinance recommended for approval by the borough planning commission for wireless communications facilities.
The communications industry has found gaps in coverage especially with data used by smart phones, creating the need for distributed antenna system (DAS) facilities that are usually installed in right-of-ways or attached to utility poles.
If there is a gap in coverage, it will need to be addressed by the zoning hearing board, according to the ordinance.
Hosterman further noted that local government could lose control over the zoning for these facilities if it is taken over by the state of if the entire industry is deregulated.
The ordinance was approved by council.
In beautification news, council approved the ordering of six new snowflake Christmas decorations for Main Street at a cost not to exceed $2,000. Council had budgeted $4,000 for the new decorations.
In maintenance staff news, Council President Doris Decker reported that the staff was converting the old recycling building into a workshop for the staff and an office for the maintenance supervisor. The borough trucks will also be garaged in the building, which would allow three bays in the garage to be possibly rented out. The staff is doing all the work and expects to come in under budget for the project.