At the monthly public board meeting on April 14, Marlborough's supervisors tabled a request by Valley Soccer to use Finland Road Park because of their objections to the club's COVID-19 related mask regulations.

            Guidelines established by the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA), Valley Soccer's insurer, mandate that coaches, players, referees and spectators wear masks at all times, according to Valley Soccer President Kate Detterline.

            Marlborough Chairman Billy Hurst pointed out that the township, however, does not make park users wear masks and questioned Valley Soccer's right to usurp that authority.

            "We don't require it now," Hurst said, "and if they're going to use our park, they should follow our park rules."

            Hurst recommended that the supervisors not vote on Valley Soccer's request until the mask-wearing requirements are clarified by both sides.

            Member Bill Jacobs chimed in, "We don't require [masks], and I don't think anybody should come onto our property and say they're going to require somebody [to wear a mask]."

            Hurst went as far as to label the mask mandate as discriminatory.

            "They can require it of their participants but they're asking for our permission to use our park to discriminate against people that don't wear a mask," Hurst stated.

            Questioned by the Town and Country via email about his choice of words, Hurst responded through Township Solicitor Mark Cappuccio.

            "Mr. Hurst believes individuals should be permitted to choose whether or not they wish to wear a face covering," Cappuccio wrote. "Notwithstanding, at the next meeting [Hurst] intends to recommend that the township continue to follow the PA Department of Health Order that requires face coverings."

            Valley Soccer's use of the park will be discussed at the supervisors work session on April 26, beginning at 6 p.m.

            In other developments, township Manager/Secretary/Treasurer Marybeth Cody reported that developer Fred MacIntosh has orally agreed to all of the township's conditions for remediating the portion of Knight Road that is in the Candlewyck development. MacIntosh will mill the entire portion of the road that needs repair, allow inspection under the road's surface, make necessary repairs, and repave the surface.

           Cody told the supervisors that Cappuccio is hopeful a formal, written agreement will be ready by May.

          "We want to keep this moving if this is going to happen," Member Brian Doremus said, noting the September deadline for the liquid fuels fund, which goes toward road improvements.

            Another item on the "punch list," the planting of trees, has not started yet, according to board members.

            Public Works Director Jake Ferguson has resigned in order to concentrate on his personal business.

            In his resignation letter, dated March 15, Ferguson wrote, "This certainly is bittersweet for me as I love working at Marlborough Township and I am very grateful for my time here, the people I've met and the things I have learned."

             On March 22, the supervisors held an executive session to discuss the open position. As of last Wednesday's meeting,19 resumes had been submitted by individuals seeking to replace Ferguson.

            Cody reported that negotiations with Comcast regarding the renewal of the township's agreement with the cable company are ongoing. At the center of the discussions are the changes Comcast has made to the previous contract and what that means for the township in terms of fees.

            Cody, after attending a recent webinar on cable companies' relationships with municipalities, said, "There's 27 different items that the township can receive franchise fees on and we're only receiving, I think I counted, 11."

           The supervisors were asked to make comments on the proposal before the workshop session on April 26.

            Despite one pending minor change, the nuisance ordinance was declared ready for advertisement and will be voted on at the May 12 board meeting. The ordinance deals with issues that undercut the quality of life in the township, such as excessive noise.

           Police Chief Darren Morgan informed the board that Saturday, August 14, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., has been set as the date and time for Marlborough's National Night Out. The event, held with other Valley police departments and first responders will feature games, safety demonstrations, exhibits and food at St. John's Lutheran Church in Green Lane.

            Morgan also presented a $1,000 check to the board from Project Live UP. The money was part of the proceeds from Project Live's annual 5K/5Mile race which was held virtually in 2020. The money will go toward the department's technical equipment fund.

            Last week's meeting was the first entirely in-person supervisors meeting held by Marlborough in several months.