An incident at the code blue shelter in Pennsburg before Thanksgiving required a police response. Last week, several Council members asked the executive director of the organization overseeing the facility why it took more than two weeks to learn about it.

            Marianne Lynch, executive director of the Open Link, described her organization's inability to directly alert a representative of council of the incident as an oversight. She said it would be more responsive in the future.

            The state police responded at 7:38 a.m. on Nov. 23 to a disturbance at the shelter, located at a former church parsonage located at the intersection of Eighth and Main streets, according to information provided by Upper Perk Police Chief Joe Adam. Council learned of the episode during a Dec. 9 executive session, according to outgoing Member Diane Stevens.

            Outgoing Mayor Charles Shagg said he heard three or four separate versions of an incident, similar to the "Whisper Down the Lane" game prior to hearing the official explanation. Stevens and Shagg declined to provide specifics.

            "We need better communication, good and bad," Shagg said during the Dec. 23 workshop meeting.

            Lynch confirmed the incident but did not disclose any additional details. She told council that her organization has reviewed the situation, involving a homeless person and a volunteer, to determine what it could have done better.

            "This interaction feels a little confrontational or adversarial," Lynch said. "I don't want an adversarial relationship with [council]. We need you. We need the shelter."

            President Patrick Suter encouraged Lynch to direct the volunteers to dial 9-1-1 if they are endangered. He described their safety as a paramount concern.  "If something happens that you can't control, it's best to call 9-1-1," Suter said. "Please excuse my language, but sometimes s--t happens."

            Solicitor Mark Hosterman recommended that council and the organization determine what qualifies as a reportable incident. He suggested the appointment of a liaison, likely Administrative Manager Lisa Hiltz.

            State Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, R-24th Dist., presented Stevens and Shagg with proclamations during their final meeting as elected officials during the 53-minute meeting. Pennycuick thanked both for their public service.

            Stevens served 18 years during two separate stints on council, including 12 as president. An eight-year hiatus separated runs of 10 and eight years, respectively. The West 8th Street resident has been a member since winning election in 2018.

            Shagg served two stints as mayor. Most recently, he received an appointment to succeed Vicki Lightcap in November 2020. The Washington Street resident won re-election the following year.

            A retired history teacher and U.S. Army medic who served in Vietnam, Shagg successfully ran for mayor in 2001, defeating incumbent William Umbehauer. He was reelected in 2005, then resigned two years later.

            In 2013, Shagg lost the mayor's race to Lightcap. Four years later, he ran an unsuccessful race for council.

            Council approved an action item for disciplinary action of a police officer. Chief Joe Adam recommended the action against an officer, identified only as No. 128, regarding policy violations for improper storage of departmental equipment during the transportation of a prisoner, according to the agenda language.  During the meeting, Adam declined to provide any additional details. He described it as a personnel matter.

            The members voted to accept the resignation of a vacancy board member. Brian Kilpatrick, Jr. will leave the board on Dec. 31.

            Council voted to increase the hourly wage of an outside snowplow operator. Greg Young will receive $25 per hour. He was earning $15, according to President Patrick Suter.

            "Our guys call him if they need some help," said Member Richard De Angelis, who chairs the borough's roads committee. "He doesn't get overtime."