Bobst: 'Biggest Thing We Need To Do Better With Residents Is Communicate'

Pottstown Manager Jason Bobst and Director of Public Works Douglass Yerger, along with members of borough council, met with residents for an all ward borough meeting on Wednesday.

The town hall, open forum format found Bobst breaking down issues in the borough, with input from the citizens present.

The meetings, which will occur quarterly, are part of Bobst's new initiative to improve communication between borough government and the populace. Aside from the meetings, Bobst is looking for "ways to engage residents on an informal basis" as well, including through a possible email service, the borough's Facebook page and a future website overhaul. 

"The biggest thing we need to do better with residents is communicate," Bobst said.

The Borough Manager went on to break down the different issues facing Pottstown.

 Trash

Yerger took the lion's share of the trash issues. While he acknowledged there will be "growing pains" as the new contract takes effect, he expects things to be smoothed out within a few weeks. Issues include the new pickup rules for the once a week runs, which now collect large, red 96-gallon totes. With the new size, Yerger emphasized that excess bags and other trash items not in the tote will not be collected. 

The new totes are not owned by the borough and should not be marked with addresses.

"I've been telling people to use permanent marker," Yerger said, noting that the marker wipes off of the plastic. All totes also have individual serial numbers, which can be recorded and used for identification purposes. The contractor is also responsible for fixing problems with the totes, such as the lid or wheels, and has "two business days to correct whatever deficiencies" there may be, Yerger said.

Yard waste pickup will now be on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Residents who notice trash sitting out in inappropriate places or for days along the curb are encouraged to notify their councilors.

"I'm up and down those streets every day too," said Councilor Mark Gibson, who expressed his desire to assist in the issue whenever possible "You're the eyes out there."

The one-tote system was decided upon in part to increase recycling, Yerger said. While Pottstown pays to have trash removed, a credit of $15 goes to the city for every ton of recycling.

Ordinances

Bobst said the borough will look for ways to alter various ordinances. Gibson said the Public Safety Commission will begin to review a revamping of the charge-back ordinance on January 26. The ordinance calls for restitution to the township from property owners with frequent police visitations. Rental ordinances will also be scrutinized to ensure they are in compliance with Act 90, the Neighborhood Blight and Revitalization act. 

The borough is looking a a system implemented by Washington state to help the Citizen Advisory Ordinance, according to Bobst. 

Since January 1, 500 abandoned vehicles have been cited.

Codes

Bobst is looking for ways to better enforce codes and notify property owners of their citations. There needs to be a "better system" than simply tagging the property, Bobst said. Possibilities include email notifications. Bobst does not want codes enforcement to be used "as a hammer, but as a way to encourage people to maintain their properties." 

Political Redistricting

The proposed plan by the state House that would have divided Pottstown into three districts has been rejected by the supreme court. Bobst hopes the next plan will keep Pottstown intact.

"It was like taking our voice and splitting it into three," Bobst said regarding the rejected plan.