New Trappe Borough Council Member Sworn in by Mayor

"I will represent myself and this Council in an appropriate manner at all times," repeated Marshall Stomel as Mayor Connie Peck swore him in as 's newest council member. 

There were two applicants for the open seat created by the resignation of Trappe Councilman Ted Patrick. The first candidate removed himself from the list at the opening of the council meeting. Borough Council conducted a brief, public interview with Stomel, which led to the approval of a motion to add him as the newest member. His term goes until December 2011.

President Fred Schuetz then opened the meeting for public comment. Aileen Johnson from the Perkiomen Valley Library in Schwenksville introduced several programs, including the availability of Mango, a language learning resource and upcoming children and teen events. Flyers are available at Borough Hall. For more information, contact the PV library.

Trappe resident Cathy Kelemen expressed concern "that the endorsed candidates are going door-to-door saying the incumbents are going to raise taxes."

Schuetz said that he did not intend the meeting to become a forum for political discussion. He went on to say that he "heard the same thing" and “the threat of raising taxes is a scare tactic.”

Councilwoman Cathy Johnson said that she thought this talk was "politically inflammatory" as candidate Chuck Rogers rushed to the podium. Schuetz banged the gavel to bring the meeting to order.

Councilman Paul Edwards said that council has not raised the issue of increasing taxes.

“Let this discussion occur on the streets, door-to-door by the candidates,” said  Schuetz.

From the audience, candidate Tammy Liberi pressed the issue further, asking, "Have you at any point mentioned raising taxes?"

"No," responded several council members.

Councilman Nevin Scholl said, "Some of the spending that's been proposed for Main Street, I don't see how you can sustain that without a tax increase. We've already spent money on surveys and engineering plans.”

Other council members said that plans for the revitalization of Main Street have been open discussions at meetings. Schuetz reminded everyone that the creation of Rambo Park took 16 years to complete. The $800,000 cost was covered 80 percent by grants and 20 percent by open space funds from developers. No tax dollars were used for the park.

Diane DeCurtis of Trappe Today and Tomorrow (TTT) spoke about the importance of having specific engineering specs ready when applying for grants. She re-stated TTT's mission to revitalize Trappe saying, "We’re not looking for tax dollars. We'll be looking at donations and grant money."

Schuetz ended the debate with "Trappe voters will decide."

In Jacqui Guenther's borough manager report, she informed council that Gilmore and Associates has recommended Keystone Municipal Services to replace them for borough inspection services. Guenther presented Peck with several awards from the PSAB that were not available at the recent conference they attended.

Council approved the Aetna Healthcare renewal for borough employees, although Johnson requested that they seek out lower cost options in the coming year. Other motions approved included:

• Returning a $40,000 grant because it was specific to Main Street Park
• Purchase of "bouncy mulch" for the play area at Trappe Borough Hall
• Release of some of the DeMutis escrow

Street cleaning is scheduled in Trappe on May 9 and 10, and repair work has been done on the storm sewer on Clahor. Council was made aware that additional work may be needed at and near that site.

A revised sign ordinance has been given to the solicitor and council members were asked to review it over the coming month.

Peck expressed gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Reiff for their help on April 19 at the planting of the butterfly garden at Rambo Park. She encouraged all registered voters to vote on May 17.

Several acts of vandalism were noted. At Waterworks Park, graphic graffiti was removed, and a few areas were repainted. An azalea bush was stolen from Rambo Park, and the port-a-potty was pushed over.

Schuetz again asked community members to "be aware of what's happening at our parks." Any suspicious behavior or damage should be reported to Borough Hall.

Edwards gave an update on the county’s Emergency Management Plan. A county exercise, to include FEMA and PEMA, is coming up, and volunteers are needed for training.

The next Trappe Borough Hall meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7, at 7 p.m. at Trappe Borough Hall.