After the February Township Board meeting, Commissioner Don Read sent an open letter to all commissioners. This letter addresses concerns about misinformation and a vote on a resolution to support the Upper Pottsgrove Police Department. The vote on the resolution was 3 to 2 and the support resolution passed. Commissioners, I want to address and correct misinformation presented during Tuesday night’s…
The Upper Pottsgrove Journal
Please see below a letter from Commissioner Don Read to all Commissioners and, in particular, Cathy Paretti and Dave Waldt, concerning the appointment of members of the Planning Commission during the January Upper Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners Meeting. Commissioners, I have reviewed my notes from Monday’s meeting, and I remain stunned that both Cathy and Dave nominated the very…
Recently, a few residents and the Pottstown Public Library Director have spoken out at Upper Pottsgrove Township Board meetings against the zeroing out of funding for the public library in Pottstown. The Board had taken this action after Commissioner Cathy Paretti suggested the cuts during the 2021 budgeting season. Prior to the 2020 budget, the Township provided $32,000 to the…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Upper Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners Establishes a Planning Commission with New Volunteers. Upper Pottsgrove Township, 1/27/2025 — The Upper Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce the establishment of the Planning Commission, now comprised of a dedicated team of volunteers. The Board extends its heartfelt thanks to Earl Wagner, Chris Mullen, Wayne Weaver, Matt Hartzell, and…
Representing the Best Interests of All Residents Must Be Our Priority. The primary responsibility of every elected Upper Pottsgrove Township Commissioner is to represent the best collective interests of all residents. This is not a novel concept; it is the foundation of public service. However, recent actions compel us to reflect on who truly represents whom. When I was…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Upper Pottsgrove Township Files Legal Action Against Matthew E. Murray Over Right-to-Know Law Abuse Pottstown, PA – Upper Pottsgrove Township has filed a civil complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, seeking legal remedies against Matthew E. Murray for the alleged abuse of the Right-to-Know Law (RTKL). The complaint outlines significant burdens imposed…
Recently, the Common Pleas Court ruled against our plan to build a municipal complex on Township property citing co-mingling of funds as a major reason for the ruling—an action that occurred long before any of the current members were on the board. While we respect the decision, we believe it lacks a strong legal foundation and have decided to…
Upper Pottsgrove Commissioner Hank Llewellyn has put together an overview of the history of Upper Pottsgrove Township accompanied by interesting map from 1877. Please see his article at the link by clicking the “Read Full Article” below or go to the “Section” tab above, Upper Pottsgrove History. Please see as well the complete 1877 Map of the Pottstown Area.
Commentary by Deb Bingham: As I drive through Upper Pottsgrove Township, I see the signs “Save Smola Farm–Stop Stealing our Taxpayer Funded Open Space.” “What does this really mean?”, I have been asked by residents in neighboring municipalities. I said that Smola Farm (actually Evans Rd) is not being stolen but a few acres are going to be used for a municipal complex…
Commentary by Renee Spaide: In a world filled with hatred, who would have ever thought that it would trickle down to local government. Unfortunately, that is where we are. The ”save Smola farm” debacle is all about hatred, not a one-and-a-half-acre piece of land. I am a past commissioner. I was on the board when many of these decisions were made. They were…