Bern Township supervisors approve traffic ordinance, road contracts and multiple stormwater agreements

Irene Reed, chair of the Bern Township Board of Supervisors, opened the teleconference meeting at 7:00 p.m. on April 6, 2021. The Board unanimously approved the consent agenda, accepted the treasurer’s report subject to audit and voted on a series of public-safety, planning, road and administrative items.

Manager Brian Potts presented and the Board adopted a Traffic Regulation Ordinance that, according to Potts, establishes “no parking, stopping or standing of vehicles on Leiscz's Bridge Road, between Van Reed Road and Arnold Road, no U-turns on Route 183, between the Route 222 southbound ramp and the northern entrance to Suburban Road in both directions of travel and will allow the police department to issue tickets for unregistered or uninspected vehicles parked on public streets.” Jeff Thompson moved the ordinance and Daniel Tobias seconded; the motion carried with all supervisors voting yes.

The Board awarded two road contracts for the 2021 program. Martin Paving was the lowest bidder for Road Contract #1 (seal coat) at $74,105.83 and was approved by unanimous vote. Allan Myers was the lowest bidder for Road Contract #2 (paving) at $280,340.00 and received the Board’s unanimous approval. Manager Potts said residents on affected roads will receive a three-day email notice before prep work begins and the Board approved temporary closures for the work.

In planning and stormwater business, the supervisors approved several Berks County-related stormwater items tied to the Gring’s Mill project. The Board granted waivers to sections 149-20.A, 149-20.E, 149-20.G and 149-24.B and approved a Berks County Stormwater Agreement for the project; both motions passed unanimously. The Board also approved a separate stormwater agreement for 6 Homestead Drive.

The supervisors discussed a request from Alvernia University to vacate a stoned portion of Cedar Hill Drive at Marina Lane. Manager Potts recommended vacating the portion of the road contingent on Alvernia obtaining required consents from adjoining property owners and paving the section to Township specifications; Dr. Boyd Wagner III moved the contingent approval, Jeff Thompson seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

On personnel and administrative items, the Board ratified beginning the hiring process for an Assistant Road Foreman in anticipation of a retirement; that motion passed 4-1 (Brian Eveland voted no). The Board also approved updated job descriptions for the Township Manager, Road Foreman and Assistant Road Foreman (the Manager’s description now explicitly includes oversight of the Bern Township stormwater program and accompanying manual). Vist Bank’s reinvestment offer for a matured certificate of deposit (matured March 28, 2021) at 0.5% APR was ratified. The Board accepted Lisa Ann McDonald to the Solid Waste Advisory Commission and appointed Dr. Wagner and Mr. Thompson to serve on the Police Bargaining Committee.

Chief Wesley Waugh asked for two Board members to serve on the oral interview panel for a prospective police officer; Chair Reed and Mr. Thompson volunteered. Chief Waugh also requested and received approval to assign fire police for World War II Weekend.

Finance figures read into the record showed a General Fund balance of $1,773,641.87; a State Account balance of $829,791.72; PLGIT $67,039.81; Certificates of Deposit $545,887.95; and Expenses $105,697.01. The treasurer’s report was accepted subject to audit.

The Board scheduled its next regular meeting for Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. There were no public comments recorded. Mr. Thompson moved to adjourn at 7:40 p.m.; the motion carried.