Three motions allowing Upper Perkiomen School District officials to move forward with a plan to construct a sidewalk on Montgomery Avenue in Upper Hanover were unanimously approved last week by the school board.

            During their June 22 workshop meeting, board members unanimously approved an action item allowing Superintendent Alexis McGloin to submit plans and applications to Upper Hanover and Pennsburg to construct the sidewalks that will accompany the new middle school.

            They also granted the district the authority to negotiate with two Montgomery County residents on the purchase of property necessary for the sidewalks. Both motions allow the district to condemn a portion of each property to procure the right of way if an agreement with the property owners is not reached by July 24.

            District officials would only utilize eminent domain as a last-case scenario, according to Solicitor Mark Hosterman.

            Staff members will have the opportunity to work out the easements amicably with property owners, Hosterman said. He said that should negotiations with the residents prove unsuccessful, the district will file a declaration of taking and would pay the property owner an amount determined by an appraiser.

            The residents would then have the right to challenge the district's declaration in a "jury of view," Hosterman said after the meeting. The process would allow an appointed board of viewers to review the property value assessment.

            At 801 Montgomery Ave. in Upper Hanover – a property owned by William H Chrisman, Jr. and next to the proposed site of the school – district officials hope to acquire an easement for the installation of a school zone traffic signal, according to the agenda.

            Across the street, at 1028 Montgomery Ave. in Pennsburg, on property owned by Dennis and Shirley Giansante, school officials hope to acquire an easement for the installation and construction of a sidewalk. Hosterman said after the meeting that an existing sidewalk near that residence would be extended a short distance to a proposed school crosswalk.

            During the meeting, Hosterman told the audience that the board needed to secure the easements as soon as possible.  "This can't wait until August," the solicitor said.

            Vice President John Gehman ran the meeting. Dr. John Farris, president of the board and member Jonathan Warren participated in the meeting via telephone. Board members Kimberly Baccari, Kerry Drake and Raeann Hofkin did not attend or participate in the meeting.