Spring City Borough Council Trying to Figure Out Pennhurst

The Spring City Borough Council met for its regular monthly meeting on Nov. 7 at . Among the topics at hand were , the 2012 budget, sanitation and surface water and the condition of the police department building.

In relation to the Pennhurst Asylum Halloween Attraction, council discussed the feasibility of East Vincent Township dictating the conditions and traffic on Spring City streets - more specifically Church Street and Pennhurst Road. The finance and ordinance committee is currently in discussions on how to proceed with the dealings in the future.

Council also had a short discussion on the condition of the police station, which apparently needs walls pulled out for removal of fungus and mold.

"It must be sanitized and fixed so that it's suitable to be worked in," said councilman Mike Petak. "How can we ask people to work down there?"

President Lou DiGuiseppe said that this would certainly be an issue for the budget, but Petak insisted that above and beyond the budget, this has to happen. It was also noted that this was high on the priority list for new Police Chief Art Brown.

Brown reported at the last police committee meeting that his first duty was dealing with the flooded basement from heavy rainfall. Spring City Officer Schottman resigned on Oct. 3 because he found work closer to his home. Brown said that he is looking for two more part-time officers - preferably one with more experience and one younger officer "right out of the academy."

There's also a possibility that another patrol car could be added to the force, which is being donated from Tredyffrin. It would be used as a backup and to go to court hearings.

In the month of October there were 293 complaints filed, six thefts two criminal mischiefs, 75 traffic citations (11 speeding), 18 criminal arrests, six accidents and 14 parking tickets.

Council made note of the record-setting rainfall that recently occurred in Chester County. During that time, Spring City received a notice of violation by the Pennsylvania Departement of Environmental Protection due to extremely high water flow. The flow meters at four pump stations should be done in four to five weeks according to the sanitation and surface water committee.

Councilman Jim Burns reported that the annual tree lighting ceremony will be on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at Cornerstone. He asked for approval to rent a trolley from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. on the night of the event. The cost would be $402.50. The approval was granted unanimously.

In unfinished business, council unanimously approved a bid from a citizen for $50 to buy the 1985 Chevy dump truck, which is no longer usable. DiGuiseppe commented that it was a steal for the borough.

Finally, council approved motions to advertise the 2012 budget for public inspection, re-enact the Real Estate Transfer Tax, Per Capita Tax and the Earned Income Tax of one-percent for fiscal year 2012, as well as fix the tax rate at 4.01 mills on real estate and 25 mills on occupational assessment for the 2012 fiscal year.

During public comment, Dennis Keen of Church Street and the Pastor said that the weekly Wednesday evening Hope on the Hill has "gone gangbusters," saying attendance has increased significantly in October and early November. He hoped that council would come out and see what it was all about soon. The meal starts at 5 p.m. and ends around 6.

"We're not only feeding people," said Keen, "but the socialization is wonderful! It's an asset to the community."

Keen noted that it will not be held on Nov. 23.