What’s the 422?

Tuesday’s Royersford Borough Council meeting packed a lot into a hour. Here’s what happened at a glance:

• Marino Industrial Systems and Services, the electrical contractor working on the $3 million sewer plant renovation in the borough, requested $17,000 for a change order via Pennoni Associates, the borough engineer. Costs include $9,600 for labor, $4,200 for equipment and $3,200 for material.The change order springs from an error on the original plan that called for the plant’s main power supply to be encased in a plastic pipe. Marino, the engineer and Wastewater Superintendent Jack Huzzard expressed concerns about this and would like the electrical supply surrounded by concrete.

  Council members voted to approve the change order, as long as it meets and doesn’t exceed the industry standard.

• Alicia Houck, a resident of North Third Avenue, complained to council about mulch that’s being spread in the playground at Chestnut Street and Fifth Avenue. Houck said the mulch is garden mulch, not playground mulch, and said her three toddlers come home “filthy.” “I’m just asking the borough to halt the spreading of the mulch until I get more information,” Houck said.Public Works Director Conrad Bower said he’s never heard anyone else complain about it, and that the triple shredded, hardwood oak mulch is the same that’s always been used in the playground.

  Houck said she could bring “at least 100 moms” to the next park and recreation meeting to complain about the mulch. Council President Tom Weikel said the borough would look into the matter, and council perused a sample of the mulch during the meeting.

• Council debated sending the solicitor to oppose a request for variance for Advance Auto Parts, which will be moving to the former Spring-Ford Pharmacy building at Lewis Road and Main Street. The request asks for a variance from the sign ordinance. One proposed sign would be 88-square feet, while another would be 52-square feet, and the signs would be illuminated. The borough’s ordinance allows for a 32-square foot sign.After a discussion, council decided not to send the solicitor, but to let the zoning hearing board deal with the request on its own. Residents in the area have voiced concerns in the past about illuminated signs. The hearing will be May 20.
• Councilman Bruce Burns said the proposed skate park will be 100 feet by 120 feet, and will need two gates, one for emergency access. A path leading to the park will have to have a 5 to 8 percent grade to satisfy the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project still lacks grant money, and a meeting will be held May 18 to discuss the park. The cost of the skate equipment comes to $239,200.
• If the borough buys its holiday lights by May 29, they’ll get an approximate $4,000 discount. The early purchase price comes to $8,970 and wouldn’t need to be paid until November, according to Borough Manager Mike Leonard. He said he’d find out where the money is in the budget and get back to council about it by the May 26 meeting.
• Officer John O’Keefe received honors from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Congressman Joe Sestak for DUI enforcement. O’Keefe accepted recognition from council and Mayor David Urner at Tuesday’s meeting.