WEST ROCKHILL NEWS

West Rockhill Supervisors place Holiday House pool debt referendum on November ballot

The move follows the completion of a marketing study, which concluded that the 55-year-old pool, a joint venture of West Rockhill and Sellersville Borough, is approaching the end of its life span.

Holiday House Pool is managed as a joint venture of West Rockhill and Sellersville communities.

The move follows the completion of a marketing study, which concluded that the 55-year-old pool, a joint venture of West Rockhill and Sellersville Borough, is approaching the end of its life span.

  • Government

The West Rockhill Board of Supervisors Wednesday evening approved a maximum $3 million debt referendum to renovate the Holiday House pool.

The move follows the completion of a marketing study, which concluded that the 55-year-old pool, a joint venture of West Rockhill and Sellersville Borough, is approaching the end of its life span. The study projected renovation costs at $1 to $3 million.

The project would cost the average household $129 per year, a 56% property tax increase. If split by Sellersville, the cost would amount to $70 per household. Supervisor Hal Schirmer suggested that residents could be reimbursed with discounted pool memberships.

While the referendum is non-binding, the board said that the outcome will inform its decision on the matter.

“In order for us to make an informed decision, we need more information,” said Supervisor David Collingwood. “Going through this exercise will give us the information we need to make that decision.”

“We’re not making any commitments at this time,” added Supervisor Jay Keyser. “But we’re gonna find out what the voters think.”

The referendum will appear before voters on the November ballot.

Road resurfacing bids

The board awarded a $388,633.50 bid to Highway Materials for the resurfacing of Maisey Road, Augustine Road and Thousand Acre Road. The board also awarded a $264,925 bid to Blooming Glen Contractors to reconstruct Old Mill Road from the county bridge to Forrest Road.

The board also approved the solicitation of bids to repair the exterior of the Heritage House at James Memorial Park, financed by outstanding American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Derstine’s Inc. tax abatement

The board rejected a request from Zach Derstine of Derstine’s Inc. for a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) tax abatement for a proposed 100,000-square-foot cold storage facility on 3115 Old State Road due to concerns about overdevelopment and the potential tax implications. Created in 1977, LERTA is a 10-year tax abatement program to incentivize redevelopment of aging or deterioriating properties. The property currently contains farmland.

The board also approved two letters to PennDOT requesting speed limit reduction studies on Ridge Valley Road and Allentown Road.

The next West Rockhill Board of Supervisors meeting is on August 21 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit westrockhilltownship.org.

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