Council ratifies crossing-guard contract and approves HARB certificates of appropriateness

Norristown — At its Jan. 5 meeting, Norristown council approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME District Council 88 covering crossing guards for Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2028, and approved several historic-preservation applications.

Administration said the AFSCME agreement resulted from good-faith negotiations, includes a modest 2% annual wage adjustment, maintains existing work rules and was budgeted for 2026. Council asked clarifying questions about term length; administration said contract lengths vary but three-year agreements are common. The council then moved and approved Resolution 26-02 by roll call.

The Historic Architecture Review Board presented Certificate of Appropriateness applications for properties at 517 George St., 513 Sweet St., 345 West Marshall St. and 1230 Linwood Ave. The HARB recommended approval and council voted to approve the COAs on the record.

Both the labor ratification and the HARB approvals were routine actions required for municipal operations and local preservation work; staff said approving the crossing-guard contract avoids interruptions to school-year safety programs.