Alburtis Borough Council conducted two conditional use hearings at the March 30 meeting.

Robert Wimmer, of East Penn Children’s Learning Academy, 45 W. Penn Ave., Alburtis, was present to answer questions about opening a day care facility at the same location called East Penn Children’s Learning Center.

This is a permitted use, according to the borough’s C-1 Commercial District and has been recommended by the planning commission for approval by a unanimous vote at the March 15 meeting. Wimmer said the day care facility is estimated to have less than 30 children at one time.

Four or five teachers are planned, depending upon the number of children ages six weeks to kindergarten. Plans are for one teacher for four infants; one teacher for five young toddlers; one teacher for six older toddlers and one teacher for 10 pre-school children. State approval is needed but the borough must approve the plan first. The facility will follow state rules and guidelines.

Wimmer said the facility will be locked for security and parents will have to show identification to pick up children. An indoor play area exists and plans are to have a fenced in play area outside.

Regarding traffic, there are parking spaces, drop-off and pickup spaces; however, pulling out can be a problem because of Alburtis Animal Hospital. Wimmer said parking from the animal hospital spills over into East Penn Children’s Learning Academy parking lot. He said people park in the street which obstructs the view when pulling out onto West Penn Avenue.

Police Chief Robert Palmer said the cars are legally parked and Council President Ron DeIaco asked Sherryann Oels, chairperson of highway committee, to check into the parking at Alburtis Animal Hospital. Solicitor David Knerr asked Wimmer if he could come up with a plan to solve this problem and Wimmer said he would.

Council approved the request for conditional-use as recommended unanimously by motion and Knerr advised Wimmer he would receive a written decision at the April 13 council meeting.

The conditional use hearing for 116-118 S. Main St., requested by Keystone Consulting Engineers of Wescosville, representing Starbird, LLC, to operate a take-out pizza restaurant and a one-unit apartment rental in the same building began immediately. This is a permitted use in Alburtis C-1 Commercial District. The planning commission reviewed and recommended this plan for approval by a unanimous vote at the March 15 meeting.

David Kutzor, of JMR Enterprises in Emmaus, representing Keystone, was present to answers questions from Knerr and council.

Kutzor said a one bedroom apartment on the second floor has met all zoning requirements, including parking. There were about 10 citizens in the audience concerned about parking. Residents were advised it is a commercially zoned district and the zoning ordinance does not apply after 5 p.m. The request was reviewed and approved by the planning commission with recommendations in a letter dated March 11 from Jeff Ott, principal engineer of Ott Consulting. A motion was passed by unanimous vote to approve the request, subject to Ott’s conditions. A written decision will be presented at the April 13 council meeting.

Council and Knerr briefly reviewed several deferral requests from Keystone Consulting Engineers of Wescosville representing Starbird, LLC, owner and developer of Alburtis Tavern and Banquet Hall. On recommendation from Knerr, a motion was passed by unanimous vote to table this until the April 13 meeting.

Mayor Kathleen Palmer reported she attended the mayors meeting March 29 and the group discussed the value of networking.

Police Chief Robert Palmer requested permission to spend $800 for Officer Cory Fluck’s firearms instructor school scheduled April 22 to 24. Council passed a motion unanimously granting permission to spend $800.

Officer Anthony Vanim will attend truck certification school to inspect trucks. Phase one is May 16 to 27 and Phase two is June 3 to 8. Expenses will include a hotel stay.

Chief Palmer also said new handset radios are needed. Current radios are over five years old. The cost per radios is about $300.

Chief Palmer also advised council it is time to replace the cameras in the police cars. The price for upgraded cameras is the same as replacing the computers, $10,000. Dr. Adil Ahmed paid for the computers, so there is money in the budget to cover the cost of the cameras. They cameras could be installed with the computers and in the new car.

Chief Palmer requested permission to move forward with the purchase of the new police car. He said $36,000 is budgeted and the car is estimated to cost $34,000.

DeIaco suggested waiting a little while longer for the car and the cameras, until the tax money starts coming in and Palmer agreed. Council granted permission to go ahead with the truck certification schools and camera equipment.

The monthly police report is being revised as requested and Chief Palmer said council will be pleased with the added information included.

Oels reported she was advised the request from maintenance to add storm drains to Ore Alley should be done in two phases. Phase one is estimated to cost approximately $17,000 and will include tearing up part of Second Street. Council passed a motion unanimously to move forward with phase one and Oels was asked to get an update on the cost from Donnie Derr.

Councilperson Kathleen Raines advised council the total cost of washing and painting the hockey court is $1,663.02 and requested approval to purchase the paint. Council granted her permission by passing a motion unanimously.

Council passed a motion unanimously to hire Kyle Dietrich effective March 14 at the rate of $18.40 per hour.

Following adjournment at 8:45 p.m., council went into an executive session.