Dennis Arms resigns from Pottstown council
POTTSTOWN » Borough Councilman Dennis Arms surprised council, staff and residents May 9 when he abruptly announced his resignation, effective immediately.
Arms, who had just accepted congratulations on his recent marriage, read from a prepared statement in making the announcement.
“I have lived in Pottstown my entire life and imagined living, working and retiring in this borough. I started my term in 2016 under the impression I might be able to make a difference in my hometown,” he said.
“Unfortunately the last two years have been more than frustrating. On numerous occasions I have had someone on council ask what we are voting on the night of the vote, blatantly admit they do not understand the financial reports provided, and as a council, vote on items without seeking the information necessary to make a decision,” said Arms.
“I want to thank the residents of Pottstown, especially those in Ward 4, for trusting me to make the right decisions. I hope that our local media and most important, residents, hold their local government accountable for their actions,” he said. “Please accept this letter as my resignation as Councilor, Ward 4 for the borough of Pottstown, as well as all other committees/commissions I have been appointed to effective this evening as I will be moving out of the borough.”
During meetings, Arms is often the only member of council to ask questions on any given subject, most often about how much things cost and often voting against the payment of bills.
One of his frequent complaints about the bills was that a borough that raised taxes by 12 percent in December, saying it could not find any further savings, nevertheless managed to find money to pay a firm to water the plants in borough hall.
Council did not immediately vote to accept his resignation.
Once that vote occurs, council has 30 days to select a replacement, which can be done simply by selecting a willing volunteer, or, as has been done in the past, advertising for applicants, interviewing them publicly and choosing from among those who apply.
Council has yet to announce how it will fill the vacancy.
The be eligible, an applicant must live in the Fourth Ward, which is bordered by Mervine Street in the north, North Charlotte Street to the east, Jefferson Avenue in the south west to North Hanover Street, south to Fourth Street and north on North York Street to the borough line.