Photo by Rachel Ravina {{ photo.photographer.last_name }}.
Second ‘on the road’ session held outside county seat of Norristown
The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners continued its meetings tour with a stop in Momntgomery Township this month.
The second in the “on the road” series took place on October 10 at the Montgomery Township Building at 1001 Stump Road in Montgomeryville. Around 40 people were in attendance.
Commissioners addressed the change in venue during their opening remarks, as Vice Chairman Neil Makhija remarked that “it’s great to see so many people here.”
Chairwoman Jamila Winder, agreed as she gave a shout-out to several municipal officials.
“I want to give a special thank you to Montgomery Township for hosting us this evening. We are grateful for your partnership,” Winder said.
Several agencies were on site ahead of the Oct. 10 meeting, including Montgomery County’s Planning Commission, Community Connections and Voter Services, which had the new mobile outreach van situated outside the township building to provide assistance with voter registration, mail-in ballots and other election-related services. A COVID-19 and flu shot clinic was also available for residents.
“Good evening Montgomery Township. This is exciting,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello, adding, “I’m glad to see a nice turnout.”
The idea originated from DiBello prior to his time serving as a county commissioner. He said earlier this year that he’d received feedback from voters that the meetings — typically held twice a month at 10 a.m. on Thursdays in downtown Norristown — were not convenient for people’s schedules. The idea was later accepted by fellow county commissioners, he said. The first "on the road" meeting was held back in May in Limerick Township.
Montgomery County Planning Commission staff and area residents inspect signage ahead of an Oct. 10, 2024 Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting held in Montgomery Township.
People are seated ahead of the start of an Oct. 10, 2024 Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting held at the Montgomery Township Building in Montogmeryville.The last time the commissioners scheduled meetings in towns around the county was a series of “conversations” dubbed the “listening tour” from 2013 to 2015 under the commissioners chaired by now-Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Trek to county seat
DiBello noted the difficulties reaching the local government building in Montgomeryville as an example of the reverse difficulty for residents traveling to Norristown as the county seat. It takes around 34 minutes to travel from county offices to the Montgomery Township building, depending on traffic, and vice versa.
“For those of us who were trying to get here from Norristown it was some task,” DiBello said. “Believe me, going back into Norristown is just as hard. So I'm glad we were able to come out here to give people an opportunity to attend a commissioners meeting, and I look forward to doing more of these next year as well.”
The initiative was well received by attendees, as a handful of participants shared during the meeting’s public comment period.
“Welcome to the North Penn area, and thank you for coming tonight,” Lansdale resident Margaret Burke said. “I’m glad you got to experience what it’s like for us to come to Norristown. So when we come,we really mean it. So now you know what we go through.”
Lower Providence Township resident Joe Rittenhouse agreed: “First and foremost, thank you for coming out, outside of Norristown. It’s a great, great thing you are doing coming outside and into the community. Highly encourage ... more of it.”
Another meeting outside the county seat has not yet been scheduled. The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 on the eighth floor of One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St., Norristown. Those interested in attending can also do so virtually. Visit montgomerycountypa.gov for more information.
