Souderton council meets new Indian Valley library director

At Souderton Borough Council’s July work session, Tracey Reed, the new Indian Valley Public Library Director, said she would like to help improve the community’s civil discourse.

Reed joined the library in June following the retirement of Margie Stern after eight years in the role.

While meeting with the council, Reed also summarized her background, which includes more than 30 years at various libraries.

While she stated that “books are the backbone of the library,” she also spoke of what else libraries offer — conference rooms, classes, museum passes, internet hot spots, DVD players and other things to borrow. A library card, Reed noted, entitles holders to much more than books.

When asked, what she sees as her biggest challenge as director, Reed responded, “Learning the ins and outs of the Indian Valley Library.”

In other business, Public Works Director Steve Coll informed council that street sweeping is underway and noted excessive heat has resulted in a few minor sinkholes the department is addressing, including one on Washington Street.

Police Chief Brian Newhall provided an update on efforts to quell vandalism at Souderton Community Park. Incidents, he said, are slowly subsiding. Residents and parents are stepping up, along with extra police patrols.

The chief also advised that the Bus Patrol program is back up and running. There were four reported violations in Souderton last month.

A Bus Patrol Program report, he said, showed that during the past school year (6/1/23 to 6/1/24), there were 639 reported incidents in Souderton. After Souderton Police staff’s review and assessment of the incidents, 328 citations were issued.

So far, the chief said, no one has appealed the citations. One egregious violation occurred, when another school bus drove by a stopped school bus, with the flashing stop sign clearly visible.

Discussions are underway with the chief and a PennDOT representative regarding the process and cost to implement a school zone on East Broad Street. Anticipated funds could come from grants or, possibly, the school district.

A speed study is also planned for Main Street (Route 113), School Lane and West Broad Street within Souderton.

Three more amended ordinances were unanimously authorized for advertising: adopting a 2018 version of the International Building Code, revisions to Possession and Discharge of Weapons in Recreation area and requirements and penalties for snow tires and chains. Revisions to the ordinance on recreational fires on private property (concerning fire pits) have been tabled for further discussion.

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