Work to develop a five-acre parcel in Pennsburg is scheduled to commence this week. Construction of a 45-unit development was scheduled to begin Monday, Nov. 11.

            A member of Pennsburg Council disclosed Tuesday that he recently received a construction notice from a Lancaster County excavating company. The letter, to Vice President Keith Goodwin, preemptively apologizes for any temporary inconveniences. The rear of Goodwin's property on Cattail Court directly abuts the former Kline Property.

            Brubacher Excavating Inc. is working with Berks Family Homes to build the community, along with an interior road and the required stormwater management, at 704 Montgomery Avenue. The excavating company expects to complete its portion of the work by July 1, 2025, according to the letter.

            In September, the Mohnton-based developer purchased the property and the plan from Tim Hendricks for $2.010 million.

            Council reserved the right to litigate against the owners of a mixed-use property in the borough. It voted unanimously to enforce its requirements in the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court to make sure cleanup at a property that hosts Everything for Sale, located at 772 Main St., is completed.

            President Patrick Suter described it as a suggestion by Solicitor Mark Hosterman to add more teeth to the borough's enforcement actions. According to Suter, the property owners violated court orders on a couple of occasions.

            "We want to apply more pressure from a different avenue," Suter said.

            In May, Elizabeth Hotz was found guilty of three summary offenses by Red Hill District Judge Maureen Coggins. The judge found that Hotz failed to properly maintain an exterior structure, illegally stored inoperative or unlicensed motor vehicles on the property and accumulated rubbish or garbage.

            Pennsburg's code enforcement officer filed all three cases in the court on April 9, according to information posted on a state judicial website. Though the owner was found guilty, it appears as though the issues have not been remedied, according to an email message from Jennifer A. Long, an administrative assistant for the borough.

            Elizabeth and James F. Hotz, Jr. have owned the property since 2008, when they purchased it from Donald and Susan Brensinger for $330,000, according to county property records.

            The members held a brief discussion on the borough's 2025 budget but did not disclose any significant details. They agreed to discuss it further during a Nov. 26 workshop meeting.

            After the meeting, Suter said next year's budget will hold the line on taxes. He said it was his intent to never raise taxes so long as he is leading the municipality.

            Member Diane Stevens participated in the meeting via telephone.

            In October, the Upper Perk Police Department covered 557 total calls. Public services accounted for 187 of them.

            The officers conducted 94 traffic details and 90 vehicle investigations. They also issued 48 traffic citations and 48 warnings, according to information provided by Chief Joe Adam.

            The agency issued seven parking tickets or warnings, made six arrests and responded to four reportable and non-reportable accidents. Its officers were called to three false alarms at businesses and issued two non-traffic citations, according to a monthly incident/activity report.

            The officers handled 26 total crimes during the month. They included four incidents each of assault/harassment/stalking, forgery/fraud/identity theft and thefts.

            The crimes list presented by the chief includes three incidents each of a narcotics violation and vandalism/criminal mischief, as well as two motor vehicle thefts, liquor law violations and trespassing, and one sex offense and one shoplifting incident.