Contract extension decision set Oct. 16

More debate on allocating savings from electric deal toward renewable sources

LANSDALE >> Talks will resume on Oct. 16 on whether Lansdale should lock in future savings by extending the town’s purchase power contract for electricity, and how much of that new contract should be dedicated to green energy sources.

“We talked about having a minimum of 75 percent back into alternative energy, from the savings, and 25 percent of that money would go back to the borough for other expenditures,” said electric committee chairman Rich DiGregorio.

Talks began in August and continued in September on whether the town should lock in an extension with electricity provider AMP (American Municipal Power) for five years past the current contract, which runs through 2028, with the goal of securing future savings and a higher percentage of generation from renewable sources.

Those talks continued in the electric committee on Oct. 2, DiGregorio said, and the committee chose to secure savings of roughly $517,000 per year and agree to allocate it toward green sources, rather than reduce the savings by committing to more renewables now.

“The savings are better in Op

tion One than Two: it gives us more flexibility, so if we do go out and, later on, purchase more, it gives us more balance,” DiGregorio said.

Electric Superintendent Andy Krauss said that option was recommended by he and the borough electric department, and would let the town lock in the most savings possible now, while deciding on how to allocate them later.

“My recommendation is that we go with Option One, get the most savings, and then let’s decide, make a really educated decision over the next few months, to really say ‘Is this what we want to do?’” Krauss said.

Borough resident Corinne Mayland, who has called on council to commit to a goal of 100 percent renewable energy sources in the future, said the current agreement calls for roughly five percent of the town’s total electricity supply to come from renewables, and the future options stay about the same.

“If it’s not in the contract, it just means, every single year, now that there’s going to be potential cost savings, everyone’s going to want a piece of that,” Mayland said.

“I would like for us to continue discussions, to figure out how can we accelerate our transition to renewables,” she said.

Council will continue the discussion, and could approve the electric committee’s recommendation of a five-year extension with maximum savings, at council’s Oct. 16 meeting.

‘Curb My Clutter’ could get OK

Council’s administration and finance committee voted on Oct. 2 to recommend full council approve an agreement with regional recycling firm “Curb My Clutter.”

“It’s my understanding that this service is an asneeded service. You are not locked in at your house, nor am I, or obligated to dispose of a television, or refrigerator, or textiles or whatever, with this organization,” said councilman Leon Angelichio.

In September a representative from Curb My Clutter presented to council on how the business lets residents arrange for pickups of clothing and/or old electronics to be recycled, at no cost to the town and with rebates possible for those doing the recycling.

Talks during the administration and finance committee meeting on Oct. 2 centered on whether the agreement, which calls for the town to publicize the company’s programs and initiatives several times a year on borough social media channels and publications, could set a precedent for others.

“My only thought would be, does this open up the door for us having other people asking us, to just advertise their business on our social media pages?” said Borough Manager John Ernst.

Angelichio suggested in the committee talks that the borough solicitor compare the pilot contract suggested by the company with their drafts to finalize renewals, to look for any potential issues or concerns. The committee voted unanimously to do so, recommending council approval subject to vetting by the solicitor, and Angelichio said the final agreement will still allow residents to make donations to other nonprofits or charities instead, if they choose.

“If you wanted to donate your textiles to the Purple Heart, or any other group, you are absolutely free to do so,” Angelichio said.

Committee talking about business district

Economic Development Committee chairwoman Carrie Hawkins Charlton said that board has revived talks about establishing a business improvement district in town.

In September, Hawkins Charlton said, the committee heard a presentation from officials in charge of a similar district in King of Prussia, and how that municipality was able to encourage development via zoning.

“Their current BID came into existence through conversations with commercial property owners who were struggling with high vacancy rates and lowering property values,” Hawkins Charlton said.

“In 2010 they created the BID, and implemented mandatory fees for all businesses within their borders. They used those fees for five specific purposes,” she said, with the primary one being marketing and communication about the district and its opportunities.

Further talks will continue at the economic development committee’s next meeting, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 21.

Lanternfly cleanup scheduled

Councilman B. J. Breish announced that he and his “Friends of Lansdale Parks” volunteer group are planning another Spotted Lanternfly cleanup event.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 20, volunteers are planning to start at Stony Creek Park, located on Hancock Street just west of Line Street, and destroy as many of the invasive red-and-grey insects, and their eggs, as possible.

“October is, from my understanding, sort of when we start to see the lanternfly laying the egg sacs,” he said.

Previous cleanups were done by the volunteer group at Stony Creek and in Whites Road Park in 2018, and Breish said he estimates the most recent cleanup in March 2019 drew over 100 volunteers and destroyed over 28,000 eggs before they hatched.

‘I think we have a significant opportunity to help combat this issue locally, and I’d like to try to do what we can on the 20th,” Breish said.

Anyone interested in volunteering can visit the gazebo at Stony Creek Park during the event hours or join the Friends of Lansdale Parks group on Facebook.