The Pottstown oral surgery practice that has already received permission to open a new office in Pennsburg wants to utilize another location. Pottstown Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, Inc. has proposed opening an office in a former hardware store near the Pennsburg Square Shopping Center.

            According to Administrative Manager Lisa Hiltz, the business submitted plans within the last month to operate on property occupied by Jurin Roofing Services, located at 560 Seminary St. She said, after the public portion of Tuesday's meeting, that the proposal calls for the interior renovation of existing space.

            Two years ago, council granted the practice preliminary/final approval to construct its second satellite office on a vacant parcel at the intersection of Routes 663 and 29. In March 2024, project manager Chris DeLuca informed the planning commission that his client intended to construct a split-level building on a vacant property across the street from the former Rite Aid, with parking on Fourth Street.

            Since granting final approval on the project in August 2024, the municipality has not received any updates from the developer. According to Solicitor Mark Hosterman, council could cancel the approval since the applicant has not followed through on its legal requirements.

            Eileen Fields, chair of the borough's trash committee, said it's unlikely that Pennsburg, Red Hill and East Greenville will collaborate on a new contract. "I don't think it's doable," said Fields, who added that she would like to include bulk pickup. "It's likely not going to save us anything this time around."

            Fields asked the other members to forward her any ideas or preferences for the new contract. Pennsburg's current contract with Waste Management expires at the end of the year.

            Council announced that it has been awarded a local share account grant, through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, worth $128,728. The money will be used to purchase two police vehicles, according to council President Patrick Suter.

            Christine Bates, branch manager of the Upper Perkiomen Valley Library, asked council to support an application by the Community Thrift Shop for a MontCo. 2040 Implementation Grant for $73,000 to build a new kitchen, bathroom and break room. The members voted unanimously to approve it.

            The Thrift Shop—which has three full-time employees, 60 volunteers and accumulated 12,000 community service hours last year—will be required to produce a 20 percent match, according to Bates.

            Council took action to finalize ownership of a parking lot at the former drug store at the intersection of Routes 663 and 29. It directed the solicitor to draft an easement/agreement with the property owner for the "municipal lot."

            According to Hosterman, the municipality has never formally controlled the lot. He said after the meeting that the idea of ownership likely came from "a verbal agreement" or a "note on a plan."

            In January, Upper Perk police provided 685 total calls and services. That includes 253 public services and 114 traffic details.

            The officers performed 114 traffic details and conducted 72 vehicle investigations. They issued 39 citations and 36 warnings, according to information provided by Chief Joe Adam.

            The department made seven criminal arrests and issued one non-traffic citation. It responded to five reportable and four non-reportable accidents, according to the information. The officers were called to six false alarms at businesses and five parking complaints.

            Municipal authorities responded to eight reported crimes. They include two motor vehicle thefts and two incidents of forgery/fraud/identity theft, along with one assault/harassment/ stalking, public drunkenness/disorderly conduct, sex offense, and vandalism/criminal mischief.