Justin M. Keller

The Committee of the Whole meeting included an Honorable Discharge Presentation honoring Sgt. Michael Ponto for his retirement. Subcommittee reports covered infrastructure, noting an attached report and additional manager comments, and transportation, which did not meet. The Economic Development & Business Liaison provided an update on sales and leases showing an increase from the previous year, along with status updates on construction projects at 274 N. Hanover and 30 N. Hanover. Board reports included updates on the Land Bank, the Business Improvement District planning for a Main Street Manager interview process, and MLK Jr. Day/Human Trafficking Awareness Month recognition by the Human Relations Commission. The Mayor's Report thanked various departments for holiday efforts and discussed upcoming changes at Tower Health. The Manager's Report detailed the updated PARRC Strategic Plan, recent grant successes including $350,000 for Ricketts Center improvements and $100,000 for a Goodwill fire truck, and a meeting with the new director of Boyertown Area Multi Service. Agenda items reviewed included approving the remainder of the 2026 Council meeting dates, addressing a zoning application for unpermitted deck roof structure at 223 N. Charlotte, reviewing the Traffic Signs and Posts Bid, requesting a Fuel Contract Extension for PART, discussing the vacation of a paper street, and reviewing President's appointments to committees and upcoming Board vacancies.

The meeting began with an announcement regarding the hybrid format (in-person and virtual) and procedures for public comment. Subcommittee reports covered an uptick in fire department calls, and Finance & Administration reported year-to-date financials, showing General Fund Revenues at 102% and expenses at 87%. The Efficient Methods subcommittee noted progress on automating work orders via one-call, and the Safety Committee successfully swore in a new police officer. Key New Business items included the approval of the 2026 Council Meeting Schedule, the awarding of contracts for traffic signs and signposts, the extension of the fuel contract for Pottstown Area Rapid Transit, and appointments to several bodies. Luke Johnson was appointed to the Zoning Hearing Board after a roll call vote, five individuals were appointed to the Blighted Property Review Committee, and appointments were made to the Pottstown Borough Authority, Vacancy Board, Pension Board, and Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Committee. The meeting concluded with the payment of Borough bills totaling $4,808,216.65.

The meeting agenda included committee reports from Emergency Services, Finance and Administration (which reviewed the February 2026 Finance Committee Summary Report), Efficient Methods, and Safety Committee. Other committee reports covered Regional Planning, the Blighted Property Review Committee, and the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC). A public hearing was scheduled regarding the potential vacation and closure of a portion of N. Adams Street. The Consent Agenda addressed adopting minutes from prior meetings in January 2026, designating the Civil Service Commission as the arbiter for Heart and Lung Act appeals, authorizing a DCNR Grant application for the Pollock Park Playground, designating April 2026 as "Safe Digging Month," authorizing the destruction of certain municipal records, approving the Pottstown Area Rapid Transit (PART) audit which had zero findings, granting event requests for Pottstown GoFourth to operate a Biergarten in Memorial Park, and granting a request for the Pottstown Rotary Club to hold the Independence Day Parade with associated street closures. The council also planned to address the payment of bills. New Business included action on an ordinance to vacate N. Adams Street, discussion regarding the possible appointment of a Municipal Engineer, and possible actions on two Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) applications concerning properties at 267 E. High Street and 79 N. Hanover Street/148 Chestnut Street. Appointments were also scheduled for the Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), as well as the Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Commission (PMRPC).

The meeting commenced with the Reorganization and Swearing in Ceremony. District Justice Edward Kropp administered the Oath of Office to Stephanie A. Henrick as Mayor. New Councilors were sworn into office, including members for the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th Wards, and the Tax Collector. The primary agenda involved the election of officers: Trenita Lindsay was elected President of Council (5 yes, 2 no), Ryan Procsal was elected Vice President of Council (5 yes, 2 no), and Joseph Kirkland was elected President Pro-Tem (6 yes, 1 no). Subsequent motions carried unanimously to appoint Alexa Bonfanti as Secretary, Marley Boone as Treasurer, Matthew T. Hovey as Solicitor, Charles D. Garner Jr. as interim Conflict Counsel, Cedarville Engineering as Interim Borough Engineer, and Zachary Nelson as Open Records Officer. There was a brief discussion regarding presidential appointments to committees, and the Rules of Order for Borough Council were adopted.

The meeting agenda covered several key items, beginning with the public comment policy specific to Borough of Pottstown residents and taxpayers, including virtual participation requirements. Presentations were scheduled for the Veterans Island Project and PARRC Membership. The agenda included several reports from subcommittees (Infrastructure, Transportation, Ordinance Review Committee, Economic Development & Business Liaison) and various Boards & Committees (Land Bank, Business Improvement District, Human Relations Commission, Library, Pottstown School District). Discussions included the Mayor's Report, Manager's Report, and Solicitor's General Discussion. Specific zoning matters for 79 N. Hanover and 267 E. High were listed for consideration. Other actions included discussion on Heart and Lung Claims, Rebid for Manatawny Green, RFP for Borough Engineer, resolutions regarding the DCNR Grant for Pollock Park Playground and Safe Digging Month, a Records Destruction Resolution, and a PART Audit review. The agenda also noted requests for a GoFourth Beer Garden and a Street Closure for the 4th of July Parade, as well as discussions on upcoming Board Vacancies. The final item listed was an ordinance for ordaining and vacating a portion of N. Adams Street for the Regular Meeting.