At its regular meeting on Sept. 3, the Lower Frederick Board of Supervisors authorized Lower Frederick Police Chief Brian Cass to sign the current memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Lower Frederick Police Department (LFPD) and the Perkiomen Valley School District (PVSD).

            Cass stated that the department handles most of the problems that occur on PVSD campuses and that the LFPD's primary role is to provide daily support during student arrival and dismissal.

            The last time the township signed an MOU was in June 2017. An updated version of the document was brought to the attention of the board in July 2023.

            Township Solicitor Peter Nelson, Esquire, reviewed and edited the document before returning it to PVSD Safety Supervisor Dean Miller in August 2023.

            Recently, Cass was contacted by Miller regarding the status of the MOU, which had been signed by PVSD representatives. Nelson recommended that Cass sign the document.

            After township Engineer Carol Schuehler delivered her monthly report, resident Dan Orfe asked Schuehler if the township's engineering staff has enough bandwidth to enforce the township's development agreements and if the township is allowed to hire additional help to make sure proper oversight is taking place.

            Resident Dyanne Jurin suggested that the township consider hiring a code enforcement officer. Schuehler responded that her staff holds pre-construction meetings with developers to walk through requirements. Inspection reports that document activities taking place on the site, conversations between the inspector and the site contractor(s), and pictures of the site are produced daily. "I do feel we have excellent coverage of this."

            Nelson stated that he has prepared development agreements that incorporate language intended to address problems that were experienced in the past.

             Board Chair Marla Hexter stated, "This is a different board, and a different solicitor and we have a different approach towards development than in the past. We have much stronger development agreements."

            The board authorized the final payment release of $111,608.50 to Doli Construction Corporation for the Lower Frederick sewer extension project.

            The board authorized the initial payment release of $78,786 to Dane and Son Construction Inc. for the sewer plant flood barrier project, which is 90% of the total contract sum of $87,540.  The flood barrier was installed this month at the township's wastewater treatment plant.

            The system consists of mounting hardware affixed to the wall on either side of the doors. Stackable pieces called "fast logs", can be individually locked on to the mounting hardware in advance of a flood event.

            Township Manager Jason Wager presented the Fiscal Year 2025 proposed budget calendar for review. This year's budget planning was started earlier to alleviate time constraints the township faced last year and allows the board more time to fully review and adopt next year's budget.

            For the month of August, the LFPD received 318 calls and conducted 67 traffic stops, 48 of which resulted in citations. Officers attended intelligence operations training conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police.

           Over the next several weeks, members of the department will be attending officer resilience training, which focuses on officer's mental health and wellbeing.

            Officers staffed the Folk Festival and the August Concert in the Park. No incidents were reported.

            The department has received multiple speed complaints along Smith Road with 85% of the traffic passing a speed sign installed near 27 Smith Road classified as speeding. The department is working with Wager and the township's road crew to install a set of "speed lines" to make drivers more aware of the posted 25 mph speed limit.

            Chief Cass thanked the department's Detective-Corporal Dave Milligan for his diligence and hard work in an ongoing police investigation.

            For the month of August, the Lower Frederick Fire Company responded to 17 calls, nine of which were in the township, for a year-to-date total of 157 calls. Fire company personnel accrued 24 hours of service time for a year-to-date total of 367 hours. Personnel accrued 469 hours of training, volunteer, and administrative time, for a year-to-date total of 2,144 hours.

            Fire company training activities included hose line advancement, rural water supply operations, department team building, and the annual MontCo tanker task force drill.

            August's Steak Night and the Michael Kors purse raffle fundraising events were both a big success. The fire company is hosting a Fall Cornhole Tournament at 12 p.m. on October 12 at the fire house. A restaurant gift card raffle will be held in the near future. The fire company's new sign is available for advertisement for a weekly rental fee.

            During the public comment period, resident Bryan Hill asked if there was a plan to repair the bad areas on Zieglerville Road.

            Sacks responded saying there was no plan. "They shut it down."