Cameras to Deter Park Vandalism in Schwenksville

On Thursday evening, Schwenksville Borough Council reviewed and accepted a bid, submitted by Mark Brass, for implementation of a camera system near the Pavilion in Meadow Park.

The camera system will cost the borough an estimated $3,000 and will consist of two weatherproof mounted cameras meant to provide 24-hour surveillance of the park in hopes of deterring recurrent acts of vandalism. 

The surveillance system is expected to be installed in late September and will include the ability for certain officials to monitor the video remotely over the Internet. Borough Mayor Joseph Giunta will look into the possibility of insuring the cameras in case of vandalism done directly to the cameras. Signs will also be posted notifying people in the park that they are under video surveillance.

Borough Manager Michael Galla announced that he had received a letter from PennDOT notifying the borough of the agency's intent to close the Skippack Pike Bridge for four months during the spring of 2012 in light of “planned construction and the complex nature of bridge work.” Traffic will have to be rerouted to the Plank Bridge, which is expected to negatively impact the flow of traffic on Main Street. 

Galla also advised the council of the by the state's Department of Environmental Protection. A drought watch requires a voluntary 5 percent reduction in water use by residents of areas affected by drought. 

Borough Engineer David Leh announced to the council the start of the Main Street Revitalization Project this week. Residents will notice the white lines being eradicated and repainted along Main Street to provide clearer striping for motorists.

Leh said the Forrest Lane Project funded by a federal Community Development Block Grant was approved late in the season and would be difficult to implement this summer. Leh said the project would most likely begin in spring of 2012. 

Council Solicitor Bob Brant proposed a Main Street parking ordinance that would establish parking restrictions through an agreement with PennDOT. Council approved the ordinance, which requires motorists to park only in designated spots along Main Street. Signage will be implemented along Main Street as part of the ordinance.  

A motion to advertise an Animal Ordinance was discussed and accepted by the council. The council will advertise a public hearing that will provide information to residents regarding an ordinance that sets a maximum number of animals allowed per household. 

Fire Chief Jim Keyser stated there were two fire calls in the Borough for the month of July. Councilwoman Gail Phillips spoke as an EMS representative and said there were 14 EMS calls for July. Mayor Joe Giunta reported a total of 34 police incidents for the month, six of which included simple assault, harassment and assault, as well as several traffic stops. 

Ray Yeanish of the Streets and Roads Committee spoke with the Council about the dire condition of Cedar Street, Summit Avenue and Miller Street in the borough.

“Some sort of Band-Aid needs to be implemented fast, or the borough is going to lose these roads,” Yeanish said.

Finance councilman Ray Misko suggested getting a quote for oil, stoning and chipping these roads before winter as a temporary fix due to low funding at the moment for road repairs.

Councilwoman Maureen Giacomucci spoke to the council for the activity committee about how she was pleased with the amount of people who showed up to this week’s concert series in the park, which featured the band Dog Bite Money. Giacomucci also thanked the Fire Company for its help with the concert lighting.

Giacomucci tendered her resignation from the borough council, effective following the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m. The next Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting will take place Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at .