Royersford Wastewater Sees Improvement

The Royersford Borough Council met for its regular meeting on Tuesday night and discussed committee reports. Most importantly, wastewater matters were discussed, as well as the ongoing desire to redo the basketball courts at .

Wastewater Committee Chairman Ken Wadsworth gave his report for the month, which revealed many upgrades around the community.

Wadsworth reported that all items were within monthly limitations that were tracked. Corrective actions were taken on the flow meters, which were installed at a cost of $20 thousand. Pump monitors at Green Street Pump Station were installed for $5,000. The 10th Avenue Pump Station storm drainage and pump wet well were fixed to prevent inflow, costing $16 thousand. A new generator was delivered and pump monitor installed at Green Street, as well, costing $25 thousand. There was also a Water Treatment Plant capital upgrade discussed, which is scheduled to cost $3 million. Along with that, a generator would be installed for $300 thousand. Finally, a phosphorus removal system was installed, costing $10 thousand. The report was approved by council unanimously.

Borough Manager Mike Leonard also brought the request for improvements at the basketball courts at Victory Park back to the table.

"We were asked to put some grants in for the basketball court," Leonard announced. "Apparently we missed the dates. I have them written down for the next [deadline] on my calendar."

The Parks and Recreation Committee suggested the courts be resurfaced and improved with new rims and backboards, obtaining the funds via a grant from Pottstown Health and Wellness. Leonard said the cost of the project would probably not exceed $10 thousand.

Leonard suggested council take the money from an existing reserve initially to do the courts, and then apply for the aforementioned grant to use on a new walking trail. There would be no reason to put the project out to bid since it would not exceed $10 thousand, but Leonard ensured he would get three quotes to find the best price.

Council President Tom Weikel said the courts are frequented by the community's children.

"I go there to shoot hoops with my granddaughter," Weikel said. "There are usually 10 to 20 kids playing. It gets used fairly heavily."

Leonard agreed and said the responsibility to keep the courts nice, once they are done, lies on the community's shoulders.

"Once we do this, the kids playing on that court got to monitor and make sure it's not being trashed and that people aren't breaking stuff. We look upon students to help take care of the place."

Other notable items discussed include:

• The bills in the amount of $90,160.96 were paid by unanimous vote
• The Royersford Easter Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, March 31 at 10:00 a.m. Anyone who wants to "play Easter Bunny" and help hide the eggs can come at 8:30 a.m. Weikel said all help is appreciated
• A request for a handicapped spot at 332 Spring Street was approved unanimously
• A request for a handicapped spot at 420 N. 5th Ave. was denied unanimously, as the request violates policy against granting handicapped spots to residents with "off-street" parking
• Planning Commission has not met in March, as the committee is still waiting to hear back on certain ordinances from the Montgomery County Planning Commission. Once the decisions are made at the county level, Royersford's committee will meet and discuss
• The just obtained new firearms through a grant received last year. The first wave of training is complete on the 45-caliber guns
• Officer Mark Smythe just completed his certification training for child restraint systems. He took a 40-hour class and is now a certified technician to inspect all models of child safety restraints on the market. The borough is looking to hold inspections for any residents concerned with the safety of their child's car seat
• Mayor John Guest will hold office hours in April on April 17 from 6 - 8 p.m. and on April 21 from 10 a.m. - noon.