Montgomery Commissioners May be on the Move!

Meetings may be held different times, places.

By Melissa Busch |Special to The Morning Call

February 9, 2008

Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce Castor wants the board to hit the road.

Castor suggested this week that the board of commissioners hold some meetings at different times and locations throughout the county. He said many residents can't make it to the board's early morning meetings in Norristown.

''It's something to think about,'' Castor said.

Commissioner Joe Hoeffel liked the idea, noting the board sometimes met in different places when he was commissioner in the early 1990s. He said commissioners then received a warm reception, especially in the western section of the county.

Commissioner Chairman Jim Matthews agreed they should continue discussing the idea.

''Let's do it,'' Matthews said.

Also Thursday, commissioners approved spending $1.24 million in open space funding to preserve three properties in Douglass, Upper Pottsgrove and Upper Providence townships. The money helps the municipalities protect more than 70 acres for open space.

Municipalities are responsible for coming up with matching funds.

Douglass will put up $688,000 toward the $860,000 purchase of nearly 39 acres of land that is part of the Swamp Creek Greenway. Upper Pottsgrove agreed to pay $356,000 toward the $750,000 purchase of 18 acres known as the Stauffer property. Upper Providence will pay $40,000 of the $200,000 cost to buy 16 acres near Route 29.

Melissa Busch is a freelance writer.