Boy, 11, lauded for combating homelessness
NORRISTOWN >> Thursday’s Montgomery County Commissioners meeting started off on a high note as a young boy was recognized for his working combating homelessness.
The commissioners commended Soroush Shirmohammadi, 11, of Harleysville for helping to raise money for The Gift of Warmth campaign, which helps raise awareness of the most vulnerable populations currently experiencing homelessness.
“We were able to provide temporary shelter in a hotel or motel to the most vulnerable individuals facing homelessness in our
county. Twenty of those motel stays were made possible through the generosity and thoughtfulness of one special boy,” said Blair Dawson of Your Way Home. “Soroush turned 11 this year and for his birthday he asked that instead of gifts his friends and family members make donations to the Your Way Home Gift of Warmth campaign. Together, they raised almost $1,900.”
Shirmohammadi and his mother said a few words to commissioners before being presented with a commendation.
In opening comments, commissioners’ Chairwoman Valerie Arkoosh noted that commissioners are now taking public comment for the county’s Complete Streets Policy. The policy is part of the Montco 2040 plan to improve transportation quality and access. The drafted policy will be open for public comment through the end of July and a copy of the policy can be found at www.montcopa.org/completestreetspolicy.
Commissioner Ken Lawrence also added in opening comments that for the 15th year, the Office of Children and Youth will be conducting a back-to-school drive for children who have suffered or are at risk of abuse or neglect. The drive will be collecting pens, pencils, backpacks, folders and more. Information on the drive can be found on the county’s Twitter feed @Montcopa.
Resolutions
Two resolutions were brought before commissioners Thursday including the authorization of a Community Planning Assistance contract for Abington School District. The contract would allow for a comprehensive enrollment studies projection report that would look at demographic trends, birth patterns and more.
“Abington School District is growing quite a bit in recent years. It even exceeded our projections so we’re going to be looking closely at what’s happening there,” said Scott France, section chief for the Montgomery County Planning Commission.
The contract amount is $7,070 with the total paid by Abington School District amounting to $5,303. The contract will run from August through November.
Additionally, commissioners authorized a TEFRA approval for the Emergency Care Institute on Butler Pike. The funds would be used for the renovation of the property and acquisition of fixtures, furniture and other equipment.
Awards of Contract
Nine awards of contract were announced at Thursday’s meeting:
• A contract renewal for engineering services to multiple providers for multiple departments.
• A contract award for Assets & Infrastructure for a prefabricated building to Modular Genius Inc. in the amount of $236,406.
• A contract award for the Controller for payroll services to Automatic Data Processing Inc. in the amount of $2,051,971.83
• A contract award for Public Safety for renovations to E.H. Glover Inc. in the amount of $104,525
• A contract award for Assets & Infrastructure for contracted services to Rinehart’s Sanitation Services in the amount of $30,997.
• One contract award and one contract renewal for Health and Human Services
• A contract renewal for the Southeastern PA Regional Task Force for software to Cody Computer Service Inc. in the amount of $92,804.36
• A contract award for the Southeastern PA Regional Task Force for hardware/software to Mutual Link in the amount of $139,953.04.
• A contract award for the Southeastern PA Regional Task Force for software to NC4 in the amount of $170,000.