The proprietor of two Pennsburg businesses appeared before council Tuesday night asking for assistance in dealing with issues related to the removal of the bridge on Main Street. Nelson Floyd, the proprietor of the Speakeasy Coffee Company and Spices & Such, both located at 875 Main St., told the members he was looking for a way to maintain non-local customers.

            "We're missing out on drive-by business," Floyd said.

            Both businesses were on a pretty good growth spurt when the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) set up a detour between 8th and 10th streets earlier this year, according to Floyd. He said their trajectory has not been impacted drastically.

            At Floyd's request, council agreed to investigate the possibility of installing a sign at the intersection of Routes 663 and 29 to alert commuters that several businesses in the vicinity of the construction remain open. President Diane Stevens directed Upper Perk Police Chief Joe Adam to check with his contact at PennDOT to see what kinds of signs would be acceptable.

            "Anything you could do would help," said Floyd, who lives in the Woxall village of Upper Salford.

            Member Adam Krisko agreed to coordinate the effort, which would include contacting business owners to gauge their interest. Stevens wondered aloud if PennDOT could pay for the sign. Adam said he would contact Montgomery County officials about the possibility of acquiring an illuminated sign.

            "A lot of businesses south of 8th Street have been impacted," the police chief said. "This could end up being a large sign."

            Council voted to approve the purchase of two new police vehicles. Both are necessary to support the borough's growing police department, according to President Diane Stevens. She said the members did not buy a car last year.

            One of the vehicles was included in the current budget, according to Stevens. The other vehicle will be funded, in large part through a $150,000 LSA Grant.

            The members voted to approve a loan, at 4.75 percent interest, through QNB Bank, for the purchase of a 2023 Ford Explorer Interceptor from Fred Beans Ford at a total cost of $54,131.36. The municipality will make monthly payments of $1,031.80, according to information provided by Stevens.

            For the other vehicle, the grant will fund most of the purchase of the 2023 Ford Explorer Interceptor EcoBoost V6 through Sands Ford. The municipality will allocate $50,000 of the grant towards the purchase of the vehicle, which costs $59,219.38.

            Council also voted to approve the purchase of eight outer vest carriers and ballistic rifle plates for the police department at a cost of $13,855.84. The members approved a motion allowing Adam to apply for 50 percent reimbursement through a Federal Ballistic Vest Grant.

            A $70,000 Keystone Communities grant, recently acquired from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development by Administrative Manager Lisa Hiltz, will defray the cost of a new dump truck. According to Stevens, $100,000 of the LSA grant has been allocated for the purchase.

            Solicitor Daniel Sager and Mayor Charles Shagg did not attend the meeting. Adam participated by phone.