Whitemarsh Supervisors Pause to Honor Ofc. Fox, Police Force

The Whitemarsh Board of Supervisors held a moment of silence to remember Officer Bradley Fox at their monthly meeting Thursday, and also heard from Whitemarsh Police Chief Michael Beaty.

Beaty took the opportunity to thank the community for their support of law enforcement over the past two weeks.

"What was most important was that out of something so senseless and tragic, it galvanized the community," said Beaty. "Everybody came together to stand by the Fox family, the Plymouth family, the Montgomery County family, and law enforcement across the whole region."

Beaty also thanked community members for their individual acts of kindness, saying his department received various items of food, letters, and cards from residents.

"I wanted to take this time to thank the community for what they did and how they stood by us," Beaty said.

In turn, supervisor Sara Erlbaum also thanked the law enforcement community.

"I want to thank our police department and neighboring police who responded that night — they did such an amazing job," Erlbaum said.

Chair Bob Hart asked residents to keep the Fox family in their thoughts and continue to support the family financially.

"We understand all of the emotional and other effects this has on the family, but there's going to be other financial effects that are really long-term and ongoing," Hart said. "We encourage everyone to go out and help this family in such devastating times."

Upcoming dates

The council reminded residents of the following events and dates.

• Saturday, Sep. 29- Drug Take Back Day, Whitemarsh PD, 10 am-2 pm
• Saturday, Oct. 13- fall shredding day, Miles Park, 8 am-12 pm
• Saturday, Oct. 13- Pumpkin Fest, Victory Field, 12-5 pm
• Nov. 3-4: Hope Lodge reenactment

Bid for 2012 road program accepted

The supervisors accepted a bid totaling $287,000 for the 2012 road improvement program. The following roads will be fully milled and repaved. They do not include Sheaff Lane, a secondary roadway previously considered for repaving.

    •    The entire length of Marquis Road
    •    Full reconstruction of Jones Street from North Lane to municipal boundary
    •    West Valley Green Road, from Stenton Avenue to the cricket club
    •    Cricket Road, entire length
    •    Thomas Road from Flourtown Road to Kottler Drive

Township signs off on settlement of multi-million tax assessment appeal

The supervisors voted unanimously to approve a tax appeal settlement with the BPG Group for River Park I & II at 1200 River Road, Conshohocken. According to solicitor Sean Kilkenny, BPG originally appealed its tax assessment in 2009, which was granted by the county. The Colonial School District then took the lead in filling a counter appeal. According to Kilkenny, Whitemarsh, the school district, and the attorney for the taxpayer have now all agreed to the settlement, but have not yet made it official.

According to staff in Kilkenny's office, River Park II, originally assessed at $5.7 million and appealed to $4.2 million, will be settled at $4.5 million.

River Park I, originally assessed at 14.9 million, will likely be settled at $11.8 million, staff said. Whitemarsh stands to collect approximately $41,000 in back taxes on the two properties, staff said.

Appointment to Environmental Advisory Board

The supervisors unanimously appointed Eli Glick to the Environmental Advisory Board. Glick told the supervisors he has been a resident of the township for 16 years, and has also been a Pennsylvania master gardener for 12 years. He maintains a certified pollinator garden and small orchard on his property in Whitemarsh, and hopes to help educate other residents on how to grow their own.