County to give public look at new voting system
NORRISTOWN >> Among announcements at March 7’s commissioners’ meeting were dates for the public to become familiar with a new voting system.
The new voting system, which will move residents to a new voter-marked paper ballot system, was approved by commissioners in December to accommodate 425 polling locations and nearly 600,000 registered voters.
The current voting system was purchased in 1996 and is in need of updates. It also did not include a voter paper trail, which is now mandated by the Commonwealth.
“I’m very excited to announce a bunch of dates that will allow our community to have the opportunity to see our new voting system prior to the May 21 primary,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Valerie Arkoosh.
Residents will be able to attend an event on Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Ambler Borough Hall. The event will allow potential voters to get acquainted with the new system by handing in paper ballots and participating in a mock election.
Additionally, commissioners announced that voting demos will also be taking place before the Conversations with Commissioners event, an event similar to town halls.
Conversations with Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, April 9, at the Upper Merion Township building; Tuesday, April 23, at the Montgomery County Community College West Campus in Pottstown; Wednesday, May 1, at the Upper Perkiomen Education Center in Pennsburg; and Monday, May 6, at Arcadia University in Glenside.
Public safety report
The commissioners also received the 2018 Annual Report for Public Safety, which highlighted various successes of the department throughout 2018.
Among those items were the development of a multidisciplinary active threat plan, the completion of a Montgomery County Hazard Mitigation Plan and a live fire full-scale exercise to test dispatch procedures, communications, and operational capabilities of the Foam Task Force in response to a flammable liquid incident.
“I want to recognize public safety employees. They work very hard — days, nights, holidays. It’s a great group and I’m proud to be associated with them,” said Tom Sullivan, director of Public Safety.
The full report is available on the Montgomery County website under the Department of Public Safety page.
New Fraud Hotline
Montgomery County Controller Karen Sanchez also announced the unveiling of a new Fraud Hotline.
“Fraud can be known or suspected by members of the victim organization but sometimes people are afraid to call up and let people know. They’re afraid of retribution,” explained Sanchez. “Most fraud is detected from tips and early detection can reduce the extent of financial losses.”
A Fraud and Abuse Tip Line is now available to report, specifically, incidents related to Montgomery County government resources and activities. More on the tip line can be found on the Montgomery County website on the Controller page.
Appointments
Additionally, commissioners approved seven resolutions related to appointments and re-appointments for The Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council, the Montgomery County Industrial Development Authority, the Montgomery County Aging and Adult Services Council and Montgomery County Community College. Resolutions also included a change to the Montgomery County Public Health Code regarding best practices for Salmonellosis as well as authorizations for a TEFRA approval for Thomas Jefferson University and municipal planning assistance contracts for Marlborough Township and Bridgeport Borough.
Contracts awarded
Fifteen awards of contract were announced including:
• ITS equipment in the amount of $401,492.37
• Health and Human Service pesticide services with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for $30,000
• The District Attorney and Coroner’s Office for drug testing and forensic toxicology services with Nation Medical Services of Willow Grove in the amount of $2,540,000
• The District Attorney’s Office with Crime Point Inc., for equipment in the amount of $95,497.80
• The District Attorney’s Office with Kelly Automotive Group of Emmaus for a vehicle, in the amount of $27,030.
• The District Attorney’s Office with Whitmoyer Auto Group for a vehicle, in the amount of $30,398
• Assets and Infrastructure with Apple Chevrolet for a vehicle, in the amount of $31,341.20
• Assets and Infrastructure with Whitmoyer Auto Group for vehicles, in the amount of $58,768.
• Assets and Infrastructure with New Holland Auto Group for a vehicle, in the amount of $24,964.
• A vehicle for purchasing with New Holland Auto Group in the amount of $23,010
• Assets and Infrastructure for engineering with Michael Baker International Inc., in the amount of $381,629.97
• Two contract renewals and four amendments for Health and Human Services
• Assets and Infrastructure for water sampling and analysis with Analytical Laboratory Services Inc., in the amount of $14,500.
• A contract amendment for Housing and Community Development for consulting services with Capacity for Change, LLC in the amount of $7,200.
The next commissioners’ meeting is scheduled for March 21.