The year is concluding on several upbeat notes for the Marlborough supervisors. The police department was honored at last week's final monthly meeting, the budget was approved without a tax increase, and the Haines Historical Foundation Museum Center took a major step toward final resolution.

            Crisis intervention specialists from Montgomery County Emergency Services, in partnership with the Montgomery County Office of Mental Health, presented a "plaque of appreciation" to the Marlborough police for completing a course that educates first responders on how to identify mental illness, how to interact with it, and how to deescalate crisis situations.

            Marlborough's officers had 100 percent compliance during the three-day training. Michelle Monzo and Anna Trout, the crisis intervention specialists, lauded the relationship they developed with the Marlborough police and are looking forward to providing guidance and help as real life situations crop up.

            "We're extremely proud of them," said Trout. "They're amazing individuals. I hope you are as proud of them as we are."

            Monzo added, "It takes dedication. It takes saying, 'This feels important. This feels like something that helps us do right by people, and by the community, and by the families that live here.'"   She described Marlborough Police Chief Darren Morgan as "a familiar face in mental health trainings."

            The network includes a veterans response team which Monzo said "has made an impact."

            After the presentation, Morgan reported that the annual toy drive, conducted in concert with Upper Perk and East Greenville police, was a huge success. The storage area containing the donated toys is "fuller than it's ever been," said Morgan.

            He also mentioned that the Frank Buza family has requested contributions to the drive "in lieu of flowers" to honor the former Marlborough police chief who passed away on Dec. 11.

            Even though the drive ended last Friday, Morgan said that contributions will still be made to The Open Link or the money will be put into an account and used for Christmas 2023.

            Morgan paid tribute to Buza, who started the Marlborough police department in 1974 and was a member of the department until 2009.  "He taught me pretty much everything that I've known," the current chief said.

            Morgan additionally reported that body cameras are fully operational and all the officers have been trained.

            The supervisors reluctantly accepted the resignation of part-time police officer Patrick Francis who accepted a full-time job with the Upper Perk Police.  "It is a loss," Morgan said. "Pat was a great guy, great for our department. Took it upon himself to attend many events in the community."

            After some minor tweaks following last month's preliminary presentation, the 2023 budget was passed unanimously.  "Everything is right in line," said Township Manager/Secretary/Treasurer Marybeth Cody. "No tax increase."

            Monies included $625,000 carried over from 2022, which is more than was predicted. "It's all positive," Cody said.

            Cody also told the supervisors that reimbursement funds for Tropical Storm Ida are starting to arrive from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to pay for costs associated with clean-up after the 2021 event. So far, the township has received over $18,000 from FEMA.

            John Haines IV plan to turn his property into a museum/welcome center finally received land development approval from the board after months of wrangling about various zoning issues, including two hours spent last week discussing right-of-ways, easements, and widths of trails.

            The vote to approve was 2-1, with Brian Doremus voting against granting approval because of concerns about waiving normally required sidewalks, curbs, and storm sewers. What is still lacking is state approval for an on-site sewer system, but that is not expected to be a problem.

            Some of Haines' neighbors were once again in attendance to raise concerns about the gridlock caused by the Nov. 7 political rally held for Dr. Mehmet Oz, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, on Haines property.

            Solicitor Mark Cappuccio explained to the neighbors that Haines will have to comply with permits issued for each event. He said that if the limitations of the permits are violated, the neighbors have legal recourse.

            Cappuccio used parking issues as an example. He told the residents that if overflow parking is off the Haines' property and into the neighborhood, neighbors can call the police, take pictures and notify the township through Cody.

            "It would be a zoning violation," Cappuccio said. "When that happens, that goes to court, if necessary. Courts can order damages, etc. They can order fines, things of that nature."

            Parks and Recreation member Burt Shive reported on the ongoing problems with beavers and muskrats in Lake Skymount. Last spring, Shive told the supervisors that the activity of the beavers was lowering the quality of experience at the recreation site and received permission to hire a trapper. However, the trapper only had a month to work before the beaver hunting season ended on March 31.

            While several beavers were captured last spring, the rodents are still a problem.

            "I've spent a lot of time on the backside of Skymount correcting the spillway," Shive told the Town and Country. He recounted removing a log that the beavers had used to dam a section only to have the beavers re-obstruct the section within 48 hours.

"We added muskrats [this year] because they have been boring holes in the dam," Shive explained.

            Supervisors Billy Hurst and Bill Jacobs voted to again hire the trapper. Doremus was opposed, once again citing his fear that the hiring of the trapper would become an every year thing. "I'm proud to be a part of the board that used the existing ordinance to make it legal for the trapping to happen and keep the population under control," Shive said.

            The next supervisors monthly meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 3, instead of the normal second Wednesday of the month.