Elverson Borough Council passed several motions on Jan. 6 to approve renovations to Community Evangelical Free Church located on Brick Lane.
Borough Engineer Mark Stabolepszy assisted council in coming to a decision about approval for Community Evangelical Free Church’s proposed additions and renovations.
According to Stabolepszy, current plans proposed by the church include building additions, additional parking, drive around drop-off, a second entrance and a necessary switch from private to public sewage. In order for the church to move forward with these plans, council was required to grant several requests.
“Basically, the church has asked for consideration of several waivers, an additional approval of the plans and approval for the sewer planning module,” said Stabolepszy.
The first waiver asked the council to approve the existing plans as both preliminary and final.
“Technically, the final plan wouldn’t have any different information,” said Stabolepszy. “It’s not going to look any different.”
Other waivers cited the requirements for planting trees along Brick Lane, the addition of curb along the entrance and a requirement for site analysis prior to beginning the project.
Council passed motions on the floor to accept these waivers with the condition that Community Evangelical Free Church will make improvements to Brick Lane, which will possibly include base repair and overlay.
Furthermore, council granted general approval under these conditions and adopted a resolution that will help to regulate sewer planning.
Council’s conditions will be relayed to the church for further consideration, but according to Stabolepszy, the church hopes to start moving on this project in 2015.
In other news, council also continued planning for creation of a capital reserve fund and allocation of the Vision Partnership Program (VPP) Grant, as discussed at last month’s meeting.
As promised last month, council members Doug Hoskins and Bob French, with help from Secretary Lori Kolb, worked up a plan for creation of a capital reserve fund, which was presented to council at Tuesday’s meeting.
The fund would set aside money specifically for road and storm water issues.
“We could pulled up to 75 percent if we have an emergency,” said Hoskins. “The money that gets pulled has to be approved by the entire council, so it’s safe.”
The plan proposes putting away $26,000 per year for the next four years.
“The plan is in the system, but it can be tweaked,” said Hoskins.
Council has been asked to look over the plan and will bring it to the table at next month’s meeting.
Also, the first meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Committee for the VPP Grant will take place next week.
“We have a strong group,” said Council President Shirley Crehan.
The committee includes three Borough Council members, two Planning Commission members and several other residents working alongside Team Leader Kevin Myers of the Chester County Planning Commission.
The goal of the committee is to determine and monitor proper use of the $46,000 VPP Grant received by the borough. The grant must be matched $19,800 within 18 months.
The committee will meet the second Tuesday of every month, beginning next week at 7 p.m., said Crehan.
Elverson Borough Council is looking to honor special residents in the New Year and is also discussing ways to welcome newcomers and support local services.
Crehan requested to form a welcoming committee with support of businesses and has been given approval by council to work on the project.
Also, Council Member Merle Stoltzfus is looking for options to assist local firefighters in eliminating the $75,000 deficit they face each year.
“If everybody that gets a letter would donate, we wouldn’t even have to give our donation,” said Stoltzfus. “Those volunteers do so much, and if we paid them all it would add up to around a half a million, so we really should be looking to help them.”
Council will tackle these issues in upcoming meetings.
Discussion will continue at the next borough council meeting, which will take place on Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. in the Elverson Borough Hall.