PennDOT says repaving streets unlikely anytime soon

            Trumbauersville Borough Council announced last Thursday night the borough will soon reduce the speed limit along Main Street from 35 mph to 25 mph.  Broad Street will have its speed limit reduced from 35 mph to 25 mph, as well. 

            Once the new speed limits signs are posted, motorists traveling through the borough have approximately 30 days to become acclimated to the new speed limit before citations potentially could be issued.

            The council meets once a year with representatives from PennDOT to provide a list of items that need repair and are PennDOT's responsibility.  Paving Main Street is of utmost importance to the borough.  However, PennDOT has neither the manpower nor the money to repair the road.  Additionally, PennDOT has no plans to pave Broad Street in the borough until at least 2025. 

            Councilman Fred Potter quipped, "Basically, our roads are going to be paved with good intentions." 

            If PennDOT approves, the borough council will place a "No Turn On Red" sign at the traffic light at Broad Street and Tollgate Road.

            Mayor James Black informed the borough council that he met with the Pennsylvania State Police to request that a resource officer give a police report at borough council meetings.  The state police explained that since the COVID pandemic, they have not had resource officers report on police activity in the borough.

            The borough council agreed to send a letter to Quakertown, Pennridge, and Richland Police Departments that requests a police emergency response, especially at night.  The borough council would like some assistance with speed enforcement and a follow-up on vandalism in the borough.

            The borough council urged residents of Trumbauersville to contact Sen. Robert Mensch, concerning a proposed Act 597 that would move public water and sewer asset management plans from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to the Public Utility Commission (PUC).  The borough considers Act 597, if passed, an unfunded mandate that will cost municipalities great expense.

            The borough intends to apply for a grant of up to $250,000 to construct walking paths on an eight-acre parcel the borough owns near Woodview Road.  If Trumbauersville is approved for the grant, the borough must supply 15 percent matching funds.  The Trumbauersville portion will come from revenue it receives from two cell towers in the borough, not taxpayer funds.

            Trumbauersville Fire Company purchased a new 2023 tanker truck with a water capacity of 3,500 gallons.  The truck is expected to be delivered in July 2023, at a cost of $593,636.  The amount of the loan is $345,950.  It is anticipated that the fire company will apply for a grant for a portion of the loan.  For the fire company to qualify for the loan, the borough council had to attest that the fire company services the borough.

            Marilyn Bobb, Trumbauersville Emergency Management Coordinator, announced a workshop on July 19th to discuss safety issues. 

Recently, Trumbauersville Elementary School had a "Knox Box" installed.  The purpose of a "Knox Box" is to enable emergency personnel to enter a building using a code during a fire instead of manually breaking into a building.  It is highly recommended for businesses.

            The borough announced Trumbauersville Community Day is scheduled for June 4th at the borough's Veteran's Park.  There will be fireworks in the evening.