Route 63 detours off to a rough start

            One of the topics at the monthly Marlborough Board of Supervisors meeting last week was the lessons learned from the storm response that ripped through the area at the end of May, including being more proactive in prepping for emergencies and staying in touch with residents.

            With the power out, one of the biggest needs was for a place to charge cell phones and other devices. The Marlborough Township Building was open for that purpose.

            The Green Lane firehouse was also open for charging and for water.

"I've also reached out to the [Upper Perk YMCA], and they've told me that people who are without power, that they can go to the Y and get showered, use the facilities, as long as they show their driver's license, and they let them in free," said Township Manager Marybeth Cody.

            The township website also has a "Disaster and Emergency Preparedness" section which provides links to the state website.

            Green Lane Mayor Lynn Wolfe and Supervisor Billy Hurst both urged residents to sign up for Montgomery County's ReadyMontco notification system which delivers alerts to various devices and is also linked to on the website.

            Wolfe was on hand at the supervisors meeting to report on the response to the storms.

            "At the height of the storm, 2,507 people were without power in Marlborough Township and Green Lane Borough," she said.

            PennDOT, Marlborough and Green Lane Fire Company cleared the roads of debris.

            Ramifications from the storm continue to persist for the township. During the event, some flaws in the new connections from the emergency generator in the township building were revealed, such as office lights failing to function.

            The township is also seeking help repairing the parking area at Lake Skymount which was apparently marred with deep ruts when Asplundh, the tree removal company, staged its trucks there during work to clear storm damage.

            "It really took a hit," Chairman Brian Doremus said. "It was very soft and they broke through the old paving that's down there."

Cody has been in contact with the company about correcting the situation.

            "I have a list that Jake (Ferguson, Public Works Director) supplied me with of how much stone would cost, fabric, man-hours, the fuel to repair that parking lot. That's the stone, not the asphalt."

            Also regarding Lake Skymount, where the township is using a $10,000 PECO grant to install modular docks, Cody reported that discussions are ongoing about the layout and the cost.

            The detours inflicted on the public because of the bridge replacements on Route 63 are not getting rave reviews.

            "It has not been trouble-free," Doremus understated. Problems were exacerbated by people moving barricades.

            "It seems the trailer trucks are not getting the message that they shouldn't be going down there at all, because it's very difficult to turn a trailer truck around down at the intersection of the Sumneytown Hotel at Geryville Pike and 63."

            Part of the problem is the PennDOT signage or lack thereof.

            "I talked to Representative (Marcie) Toepel's office and that's pretty much what we're getting," Hurst said.

            Police Chief Darren Morgan presented a list of concerns to the project manager, including the timing of the traffic lights at the Route 29, Crusher Rd., Upper Ridge Rd. intersection and signs.

            In another PennDOT connection, Highway Materials has informed the township that its Perkiomenville quarry is operating overnight this week because of a project in Milford. Overnight operations will also be happening in July.

            "I did mention that it's kind of a nuisance to the township residents," Cody said.

            Highway Materials indicated that it is sensitive to those issues and will work with the township to compensate for the inconvenience.

            During the meeting it was announced that one part-time police officer has resigned from the force while a new part-time policeman has begun work.

            The meeting took place amidst improved aesthetics. A new TV display, new chairs, new tables, and improved lighting have transformed the meeting rooms in the township building.

            Some of the old furniture was sold on Municibid, an online government surplus auction site, with the replaced wooden and metal chairs attracting bids of close to $1,500.

            "With the sale of those chairs, we came under budget. We were given ten thousand; we came in under budget at $5,312 for everything," said Cody. "We even threw in a TV with a mounting under that cost, so I think we did great coming in under budget."

            The next supervisors' meeting is July 10.