The Sanatoga Post

HARRISBURG PA – Just ahead of the Memorial Day holiday the Pennsylvania State Police, the state Department of Transportation and about 450 local police departments – including officers from Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township – will step up speeding and car seat belt enforcement efforts for a three-week period between Monday (May 24, 2010) and June 13.

Don't be caught without wearing one, troopers and police warn.

The state police will use airplanes to clock drivers’ speeds from above, and then send a radio call to waiting troopers and other officers on the ground to stop violating vehicles. Local police will supplement those operations with traditional traffic enforcement along targeted roads, the state announced Thursday (May 20).

Lower Pottsgrove’s police department has been active almost monthly in state traffic enforcement programs, Chief Michael Shade noted. During April (2010) alone, he reported to the township Board of Commissioners, his officers spent 12 hours over several days on “Drive Safe In PA” tasks at a cost of about $610 that will be reimbursed. The department handled 104 traffic violations last month, Shade said.

Troopers’ Commissioner Col. Frank E. Pawlowski said night-time drivers will be specific targets of the latest Click-It-Or-Ticket campaign. More than half of car crash deaths in the state during 2009 that involved unbelted occupants occurred between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m., Pawlowski said. Of those, more than a hundred were killed between 10 p.m. and 2:59 a.m.

“Not wearing a seat belt continues to be one of the leading factors related to injuries and fatalities on Pennsylvania highways,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler added.

Under Pennsylvania’s seat belt law, all front seat passengers must buckle up. If motorists are stopped for a traffic violation and are not wearing a seat belt, they can receive a second ticket and second fine.

State child passenger safety laws also require children under age 4 to be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat anywhere in the vehicle. Children ages 4 to 8 must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat; children ages 8 to 18 must be in a seat belt.

Photo from UpToSpeedNews.com

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Few get excited by summer school.

POTTSTOWN PA – Here’s the bad news of the coming summer that every kid dreads: summer school has been scheduled in the Pottsgrove School District again this year.

Now the good news: summer starts June 21 (2010) and runs (unofficially) through Labor Day, Sept. 6, while summer school operates only between July 6 and Aug. 5 … and then on Mondays through Thursdays only.

Although students involved sometimes consider it drudgery and an interruption of their vacation, teachers say summer school provides valuable remediational learning and offers an important jump on concepts to be taught this fall.

The district Board of School Directors last week (May 11) unanimously and without comment approved the operation of both elementary and secondary summer school programs.

District Superintendent Dr. Bradley Landis noted that operation of the summer school program at Pottsgrove High is self-supporting, and does not require district financial support. The elementary program, which focuses on reading and math for eligible students, is paid for by federal funding without direct district cost.

For the high school program, student summer school tuition will cost $150 for district resident students, and $300 for non-residents. Courses will be offered in English, math, science, social studies, and computers. Registration must be completed at the high school guidance office by June 30. Eligible students, according to guidance counselors, are those earned at least a 60 as a final grade and had no more than 20 absences in a full-year course.

Related (to the Pottsgrove Board of School Directors’ May 11 meeting):

• Drat! Pottsgrove Approves Summer School, Again
• Notebook Worthy (School Budget Edition)
• Tentative School Budget Adopted, With 4.5% Tax Hike
• Faulkner Named Newest Pottsgrove School Director
• Covering The Pottsgrove School Board Via Twitter
• Will ‘First In’ Guide Choice Of New School Director?

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Find a bargain Friday and Saturday at the Pottstown library.

SANATOGA PA – Weekend activities for western Montgomery County residents (and anyone else!), May 21-23, 2010:

• These events have been added to The Post calendar.

Friday, May 21

A back-door used book sale operated by the Friends of the Pottstown Regional Public Library will be held Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library, 500 High St., Pottstown PA. For more information, call 610-970-6551.

Happy birthday!

Montgomery County will honor its centenarians – persons age 100 and older – during a special celebration titled “Recognizing their Wisdom and Achievement,” scheduled to be held Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brittany Pointe Estates, 1001 Valley Forge Rd., Lansdale PA. The day will feature lunch from 11 a.m. to noon, and a program from noon to 2 p.m. that includes entertainment, guest speakers, and the reading of several proclamations. For more information, call Lynn-Marie Anderson at 215-855-1298.

Saturday, May 22

“Attic treasures” is the promised offering of the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta flea market scheduled for Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (no rain date), in the parish’s Education Center parking lot, Swamp Pike and Neiffer Road, Limerick PA.

A community yard sale sponsored by New Hanover (PA) Township will be held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the township’s Hickory Park, 2140 Big Rd., Gilbertsville PA. In case of inclement weather, the sale will be re-scheduled for May 23 (Sunday). The event is free and open to the public.

A rain-or-shine yard sale hosted by the Pottstown YMCA will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Y, 724 N. Adams St., Pottstown PA. Proceeds from the event will benefit its Partners Campaign for YMCA financial assistance program. For more information, call Lynn Seponski at 610-323-7300.

A used book sale, at 9 a.m. in Pottstown PA. See Friday’s listings.

An open house for persons interested in learning more about dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease care services will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Spring Mill Senior Living, 3000 Balfour Cir., Kimberton PA. During the open house the facility will unveil its new outdoor garden and courtyard. Refreshments and water ice will be served. Visitors also will have an opportunity to register for a chance to win tickets to watch a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game later this summer. For more information, call 610-933-7675.

Learn how to make your own mozzarella and ricotta cheese during a group cooking class scheduled for Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at Mama Velia’s Resturant, 1843 E. Ridge Pike, Royersford PA. The class costs $50 per person, and has a six-person maximum.Contact mamavelias@yahoo.com for more information.

The Angelina Foundation is hosting its fourth annual Family Fun Day at French Creek State Park in Elverson PA on Saturday from noon to 4 pm.  Entertainment will include moon bounces, carnival games, arts and crafts, hay rides, balloon animals, face-painting, visits by your favorite characters, barrel rides, food, and beverages. Tickets cost $10. For more information, call 484-332-3914.

Lovers of the big band beat are invited to “Swing and Sway with the Sammy Kaye Orchestra,” directed by Roger Thorpe, Saturday at 8 p.m. during their appearance in Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown PA. Tickets are available in advance at the box office by calling 484-624-5186, or at the door.

The Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 East High Street, Pottstown PA, will present its second “Senior Follies,” consisting of musical, dramatic, and comedic antics from a performance troupe for older adults, on Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens age 65 and older, and $8 for children. For more information and tickets visit www.tripac.org or call 610-970-1199.

Sunday, May 23

An open house of the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society at Sanatoga Chapel, 2431 E. High St., Pottstown PA, will be held Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the chapel.

The 2010 season of the Pottsgrove Community Band opens Sunday at 3 p.m. in Pottsgrove High School, Kauffman Road, Pottstown PA, with a free concert that includes music from My Fair Lady, several jazz performances, patriotic marches, and several solo performances by the band’s musicians.

Opening try-outs for youth soccer players being sought in Lower, Upper and West Pottsgrove (PA) townships and surrounding communities for the Pottsgrove Soccer Club’s 2010-2011 Travel Teams will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. for boys at Gerald Richards Park, Buchert Road, Sanatoga PA; and at the same time for girls in Hollenbach Park, North Hanover Street, Pottstown PA, across from the Pottsgrove Middle School. All candidates must attend at least two of the three scheduled try-outs. They are asked to wear appropriate clothing and bring plenty of water.

The play, “Senior Follies,” at 3 p.m. in Pottstown PA. See Saturday’s listings.

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POTTSTOWN PA – Members of the Pottsgrove Falcons football team assembled Wednesday night (May 19, 2010) at 6:30 in the high school gym, Kauffman Road, Pottstown PA, for a lift-a-thon. The weight-lifting fund-raiser is intended to help players collect money to attend football camp later this summer.

• Watch a video of the event, above, or see it at The Post’s YouTube account.

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POTTSTOWN PA – The nine-day “week” of May 29-June 6 (2010; Saturday through Sunday) has been designated as Hiking Week in Pennsylvania by the Keystone Trails Association, and while the group has organized several area events to mark the occasion, Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township residents interested in getting a dose of fitness outdoors have plenty of opportunities close to home.

Take to the trails, or the Rocks.

The ninth annual observance is co-sponsored by the trail association and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Their goal: to conduct at least 100 hikes this year. It’s a way to “draw novices and trail-hardened veterans alike” into Pennsylvania’s state parks, forests and municipal greenways, department Secretary John Quigley said Wednesday (May 19).

Organized in 1956, Keystone Trails is an 1,100-member umbrella organization made up of 50 hiking and outdoors organizations around the state.

Five of the township’s 13 parks and designated open spaces have trails worthy of exploration, or even just a casual stroll.

• The most used, Gerald Richards Park at 2130 Buchert Rd., has a paved walking trail that completely circles the 30-acre park and also connects to neighboring residential communities.

Unpaved, and therefore slightly more rugged, trails are available at

• Alfred B. Miles Park, 545 Sunnybrook Rd.;
• Ringing Rocks Park, 1880 N. Keim St.;
• Schuylkill River Park, 2116 Sanatoga Station Rd.; and
• Sprogels Run Park, 75-1/2 Timberview Dr. A major upgrade to Sprogels Run, expected last year, was delayed; the township hopes to install a board walk and nature trail there later this year.

For hikers who want an even greater challenge, Keystone Trails and DCNR have scheduled:

• a 1-mile hike May 29 (Saturday) from 10 a.m. to Noon in French Creek State Park, Elverson PA;
• a 5-mile hike May 30 (Sunday) at 1:30 p.m. at Paradise Farm off Spackman Lane, Exton PA;
• a 5-mile hike June 2 (Wednesday) at 6 p.m. in Valley Forge National Historical Park, King of Prussia PA; and
• 1- and 6-mile hikes June 5 (Saturday) in French Creek State Park, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

Photo by Clipart.com

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Highway stuff, in 140 or fewer characters.

HARRISBURG PA – Transportation news and tips from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation became available Wednesday (May 18, 2010) through PennDOT’s brand new Twitter account, the department announced.

The name of its Twitter feed is “PennDOTNews.” However, the agency will not report traffic or road conditions using Twitter. For that information, travelers must visit www.511PA.com or call 511 for current traffic conditions.

“We want to make sure that our customers have many ways to access important transportation information,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler. “Using Twitter allows us to quickly and easily share information with a large audience.”

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SANATOGA PA – Attorney Scott Breidenbach’s plans to convert a single-family home on Sunnyside Avenue into a professional office building to house his law firm met with generally favorable reaction Monday (May 17, 2010) from members of the Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Planning Commission, which voted to support his requests for zoning variances needed to complete the project.

2158 Sunnyside Ave., Pottstown PA

Official submission of the minor land development plan puts an end to more than a year of anonymous complaints by a limited number of neighboring property owners about Breidenbach’s use of his former home for business purposes.

They charged the township was ignoring what they alleged was an improper use of the property at 2158 Sunnyside Ave., Pottstown PA. However, township Zoning Officer and Director of Codes Keith Place – who received the complaint calls – said he has been working with Breidenbach during the same period to bring the conversion plan to commissioners, during their monthly meeting at the municipal building.

The property, located in an R-4 Residential District, is no longer used as a residence. The site also lies within the Sanatoga Village District and the township’s planned mixed-use development overlay, which means its potential conversion to commercial use was anticipated, commissioners said.

Breidenbach told planners that interior renovations at the property were nearing completion, and approvals he sought were for parking and landscaping behind the building, creation of a single parking spot for disabled persons at the front of the building, signage placement, and surface water controls. All had been reviewed by township engineer Bursich Associates, according to its representative, Chad Camburn.

Planners suggested changes to some landscaping that would better delineate the lot, yet keep sight lines clear for immediately neighboring properties. They also said Breidenbach must submit a plan for lighting the rear parking area.

The commission voted unanimously to support the request for zoning relief affecting the width of the property’s entrance and exit driveway, allowance of a screened single parking space at front, deferring installation of sidewalks and curbing, installation of low-level buffer plants surrounding the parking lot, and exception for use and placement of the firm’s sign, and the structure’s conversion from residential to commercial use.

Commissioner Nicholas Hiriak was absent from the meeting and did not vote.

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Planning Commission meeting of May 17):

• Office Conversion OK For Sunnyside Avenue
• Grading Permit Change Comes With Limits
• Board OKs Ringing Rocks’ Preliminary Plans

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NORRISTOWN PA – Parents who owe but can’t pay mandated financial support for their children “may not be dead beats, just dead broke,” according to Mike Rau, Montgomery County’s assistant director of case management for domestic relations. For them, the county Domestic Relations unit and the Norristown office of EDSI Inc., a workforce development firm, have a new solution.

Here's their chance to go get 'em.

The two are partnering to conduct a job fair, dubbed “Opportunity Knocks,” for the county’s unemployed or under-employed parents who owe child support. It opens today (Wednesday, May 19, 2010) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Domestic Relations Office on the ground floor of One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St., Norristown PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

Parents who owe support and are seeking better employment opportunities also may attend.

“The present economic situation has had an effect on many non-custodial parents’ ability to provide for their children. We want to try and help,” Rau said. The job fair gives individuals a chance to gain employment so they can earn money to assist their children, while it helps local businesses meet their employment needs, he noted.

EDSI has recruited a number of employers in the county — including local newspapers, SEPTA, and Montgomery County Community College — to participate in the free event. Employers will provide information to job seekers and screen candidates for current or potential employment opportunities.

For more information about this or future EDSI job fairs, call Program Director Lois Williams at 610-278-5177.

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The band in rehearsals.

POTTSTOWN PA – The 2010 season of the Pottsgrove Community Band opens Sunday (May 23, 2010) at 3 p.m. in Pottsgrove High School, 1345 Kauffman Rd., Pottstown PA, with a free concert that includes music from My Fair Lady, several jazz performances, patriotic marches, and several solo performances by the band’s musicians.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

The band enjoys “a strong sense of community purpose, and provides free musical entertainment at civic, charitable, and community events,” according to flute and piccolo player Barbara Kirkpatrick. It performs frequently at retirement centers and nursing homes, “bringing musical entertainment to those special audiences,” she added.

Its membership represents a wide range of backgrounds, including medical professionals, schoolteachers, engineers, housewives, students, and senior citizens. All musicians are encouraged to join; there are no auditions or fees. Many members had not played their instruments in years but, due to involvement in the organization, “have re-discovered the enjoyment of playing in a fully instrumented concert band,” Kirkpatrick said.

Photo from Pottsgrove Recreation

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SANATOGA PA – A developer’s need to alter its grading permit for the now 17-foot-tall earthen mound on the north side of East High Street, just west of Rupert Road and the Turkey Hill convenience store, gave the Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township Planning Commission a chance Monday (May 17, 2010) to do something it couldn’t before: exercise more control over what’s happening on the site.

Tornetta Realty Corp., which owns the lot at 3049 E. High St., Pottstown PA, that it hopes to develop commercially – and which has been the subject of months-long controversy over dirt and other earthen fill being stockpiled there – won unanimous approval from planners for changes to the grading permit they first issued in spring 2009.

Amendments are necessary so Tornetta can begin uniformly raising the property’s west end to street level, using fill dumped there over more than a year. The new permissions come with strings attached, however.

Pipeline marker.

Commissioners, during their monthly meeting at the municipal building:

• Accepted Tornetta’s plans to re-grade only the west end of the parcel, roughly between the east end of Shaner’s Mobile Home Park and the west side of a newly cleared and marked right-of-way that designates where a Sunoco Corp. gas pipeline is buried. Tornetta’s inability so far to come to terms with Sunoco on covering the right-of-way created its need for the permit changes, planners were told.

• Ordered Tornetta to act more quickly in reducing the height of the fill mound. Township law allows it to be as much as 31 feet tall, engineering representative Chad Camburn reported, and at one time it reached a height of 27 feet, according to township Manager Rodney Hawthorne. Because of compaction and some re-distribution, it now stands at 17 feet. By July, under commission requirements, it must be cut to no more than 10 feet.

• Said the reduced mound must be grass-seeded and stabilized to prevent more surface water runoff and enhance its appearance until the remaining fill can be distributed.

• Required fill on the west side of the parcel to be distributed in five days. The fill stockpile will be reduced in part by shifting its contents to below-street-level portions of the lot. Rather than have a newer, second mound accumulate there, planners said it had to be dispersed within less than a week.

• Said it would not allow dirt to be stockpiled on any other part of the property, nor would it allow fill to be stored there for use on properties elsewhere.

Township law currently does not include time limits on grading permits, board Chairman Geoffrey Dailey noted, “and maybe that’s something that must be addressed by (Lower Pottsgrove) commissioners,” he added.

“It’s a good thing the developer had to come back to the township to change the permit,” Camburn, of Bursich Associates, the township engineering firm, observed. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t have had any leverage to seek these requirements.”

Tornetta’s latest solution to the grading problem is preferred over an earlier suggestion to fill on either side of the right-of-way, leaving a south-to-north gap the length of the property at its center. That would have funneled storm water toward residents at the property’s north end, creating more difficulties, according to Camburn.

Related:

• Grading Plan May Leave Gap In Sanatoga Land
• Talks Delay Take-Down Of Sanatoga Mound
• Huge Fill Mound On East High To Come Down
• Earthen Mound Could Grow Higher
• Still Piling It Up At The Interchange
• Sanatoga Soil Mound Concerns Its Neighbors
• Grading Gets Started Near Interchange
• Fill Piles At Sanatoga Exit

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Planning Commission meeting of May 17):

• Grading Permit Change Comes With Limits
• Board OKs Ringing Rocks’ Preliminary Plans

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