Patrick Suter didn't get to ease into his new position as the president of Pennsburg Council. During his first meeting in the new role Tuesday, he led a detailed discussion on 10 waivers requested by the Telford developer looking to build 50 residential units on the former Kline property.

            Council and the representatives for Tim Hendricks made no progress. The municipal representatives asked for more time to consider the requests.

            "We're here to work with you, not against you," Suter told Carl Weiner, the Upper Gwynedd attorney representing Hendricks. "We're trying to figure out the parameters in which we feel comfortable approving this."

            The members voted unanimously to appoint Suter, who previously served as vice president, to the position. After winning reelection last November to a second four-year term, he wasn't expecting to be nominated by Mike Mensch to replace Diane Stevens, who led council for four years.

            An 18-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Suter explained after the meeting that he does not expect to make any directional changes unless he hears from a significant number of residents. He said he wants to conduct the municipality's business in an open and frank manner.

            "I want to make sure everything is done above board," said Suter, who retired from the Army in 2009. "No backroom deals."

            Suter -- who took the oath of office with Richard De Angelis, also recently reelected -- hopes to speak with as many residents as possible. He said he would have an open-door policy.

            "How can you govern if you don't hear from your constituents?" he said. "I can listen to everyone, but I can't make everyone happy."

            Council couldn't reach any conclusions on any of the 10 waiver requests from Tim Hendricks, the managing member of Hendricks Group Developers, LLC. They also declined to approve a sewage facilities planning module resolution for the development.

            Initially, a motion to approve a plan to secure EDUs for the Deerfield Development didn't receive a second. Weiner asked council why it wasn't prepared to move forward.

            Stevens said she objected to the "piecemeal" nature of the developer's presentation. She asked that council see the entire proposal in one place. De Angelis agreed.

            The members and the lawyer -- along with Susan Rice, the engineer representing the developer – discussed several of the waiver requests previously recommended by the borough's planning commission. A pivotal request includes the construction of man-made wetlands as part of its municipal separate storm sewer systems program.

            Weiner asked council to consider waiving the open space requirement since the project -- which features collaboration between Rice and John Rundy, the borough's engineer – would allow the municipality to satisfy its pollutant reduction plan as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Stevens and De Angelis opposed the proposal. Keith Goodwin and Mensch said they needed more time to consider the issue.

            Goodwin was appointed vice president of council. De Angelis will serve as president pro tem.

            Council voted to reappoint its employees, professional firms and its auditing firm during the reorganizational portion of the meeting. Administrative Manager Lisa Hiltz will continue as the borough's secretary/treasurer and open records officer.

            Sager & Sager Associates, located in Pottstown, will remain as the municipality's solicitor. Remington & Vernick Engineers, located in King of Prussia, will continue as its engineer, while LTL Consulting will remain as its code and zoning enforcement officer. Styer and Associates will serve as the borough's auditor.

            Adam Krisko, the third incumbent to win reelection to council, did not attend the meeting.