Souderton Borough Council unanimously named code enforcement officer Steve Toy as zoning officer and Allace Sander as Right-to-Know Officer during its April 15 work session.
The moves followed an April 1 session in which council passed a resolution “Updating the Emergency Action Plan.” The update included appointing police Chief Brian Newhall to also serve as Souderton’s emergency management coordinator, assuming the role from Public Works Director Steve Coll.
Mayor Dan Yocum started the April 1 council meeting with an elegant and moving tribute to retired Borough Manager Mike Coll for his 40 years of work and accomplishments. Mike Coll, who is Steven Coll’s cousin, was credited with the resurgence of Souderton and with spearheading various projects, including The Montgomery Theater, Main Street improvements, Souderton Community Park and, recently, The Wait Station and Freight Building.
He also lead an initiative to move the municipal building from Main Street to its current location on West Summit Street.
“Mike Coll is Souderton,” the mayor said several times and council and audience members seemed to agree.
Yocum ended his speech with, “The best we can do is say ‘thank you’ tonight, and wish you a relaxing retirement, well-earned after 40 years of dedicated service to this community. From the bottom of our hearts, Mike, thank you for everything.”
Mike Coll took a few minutes to thank Souderton’s council, employees and residents for making him successful. He further thanked several former Souderton public officials who worked with him at the beginning of his career and provided mentorship, including Elaine Frederick, Charles Allebach and Elton Plank, Souderton’s second borough manager. Mike Coll was Souderton’s third.
Newhall reported in the past month 14 vehicle crashes. Arrests year-to-date are down by 17%, major crimes are down 30% and minor crimes are up 50%.
Two used police vehicles were sold on Municibid for $7,400. The new police vehicle was delivered.
The chief’s request for an increased cost amount of $3,500 for a used police car from Towamencin Township to replace the two older vehicles sold on Municibid was also approved.
Council unanimously approved a handicap sign near 215 E. Broad St.
Nine residents attended the work session to bring complaints to council related to parking near Green Street and Parkview Drive around the Parkview Apartments.
Newhall and Sarah Jeter Eaton, acting borough manager, said they would investigate the issues.
A $64,260 bid for a mowing contract is headed for a vote at the May 6 council meeting.
Discussions continue regarding the colors and markings on the Souderton Community Park’s basketball court and fencing around the court. Further discussion was also held on the park’s improvements; paving the walking track and the rain and sculpture gardens.
Council continues to discuss converting the water system from the current chlorine disinfectant process to an Ultraviolet Light filter (UV) process. The UV filter process better handles increased water flows and severely limits any residual pathogens than the current chloride process, it was reported.
Also approved was a resolution laying out “Public Participation Rules for Public Meetings was unanimously approved on April 1.
Authorization to advertise Ordinance #24-760-02 Amending Non-Uniformed Employee Pension Plan was approved.
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