Rofo Council to Upgrade Website, Possibly Basketball Court

The Royersford Borough Council met for a regular meeting on Jan. 10 at . Among the major discussions were the borough's website, the basketball courts at , and the approval of an amendment to an ordinance.

To open, Borough Manager Michael Leonard gave a short report, with details on the possibility of a website upgrade.

"We’re looking into changing and upgrading our website, possibly able to take the building forms off the website," Leonard said. "If you need a roof permit, you can take that right off the website. That’s what our goal is. We're going to put our fee schedule on there. Everybody knows so they can have their permit filled out when they get here. All forms we have will be on there. It will be very informational."

The borough also mentioned a calendar of events being available. All available forms would be printable PDF files.

Pursuant to the borough's police contract, a resolution had to be approved to open a bank account that would cover the costs of equipment and cleaning police uniforms for the total of $700 per year. Council approved the resolution unanimously.

Solicitor Alan Boroff asked council to approve the amendment to the "Knox Box Ordinance," which provides that it is unlawful to tamper with them. A Knox box is a system for emergency responders in which a key is posted in buildings so that if there is a fire in a commercial building, the fire company has access to the building.

The amendment further provides that anyone failing to complying with the ordinance will be subject to a penalty that would go through the district magistrate with a fine up to $300.

"This is a necessary addition to the ordinance to provide for enforcement," Boroff said.

Council voted to approve the amendment unanimously.

Boroff also referenced the zoning for the 800 and 900 blocks of Main Street, saying information was received from the county on Tuesday afternoon. The council is now awaiting review from the borough planning commission, which will have a meeting in February.

Paul Chrisman gave the parks and recreation report. The committee met on Jan. 5. The holiday home decorating contest revealed the following winners, who received a small cash prize:

• 1st Place - 924 Main Street
• 2nd Place - 320 South Sixth Avenue
• 3rd Place - 300 South Sixth Avenue

It was also mentioned in the report that a local resident is interested in resurfacing the basketball court at Victory Park through a fundraising effort. The committee determined it might be better for the borough to handle something like this for liability reasons. The committee decided to pursue the project this spring. The cost should be about $5,900, although council is interested in downsizing the court to regulation size.

The next event is an Easter egg hunt at the end of March.

Leonard concluded the storm water problem occurring at 10th Avenue has been fixed and is hopeful that the next time a storm hits, there should be no flooding issue there.

Council voted unanimously to pay the bills of $106,162.57.

A Jan. 3 reorganization meeting was held to swear in newly elected councilmen and to appoint positions on council and committees. Tom Weikel returns as president of council and Charles Bowers will be the vice president.

Weikel announced committee representatives from council at Tuesday's meeting (first person listed as chairperson).

• Finance: John Kring, Charles Bowers
• Wastewater: Ken Wadsworth, Bruce Burns
• Personnel: Bruce Burns, John Kring
• Public Works: Charles Bowers, Bruce Buckwalter
• Police: Bruce Buckwalter, Paul Chrisman
• Parks and Recreation: Paul Chrisman, Ken Wadsworth

Buckwalter was absent from the meeting.