Here's What's Happening at Borough Hall This Month:

Monday, February 6th

5:00pm HARB
6:00pm Personnel, and Public Safety
7:00pm Tree Advisory Commission

Tuesday, February 14th

7:00pm Borough Council

Tuesday, February 21st

6:00pm Parks and Recreation
7:00pm Infrastructure, Technology, Transportation, & Sustainability Committee

Monday, February 27th

6:30pm Recreation Board

Tuesday, February 28th

6:00pm Finance Committee
7:00pm Policy Committee

Borough News

Parking rates have increased in all Borough-owned and Borough-managed parking lots. All lots are now $2/hour; electric vehicle charging spots are now $2.50/hour, with a minimum of 3 hours.

New Assistant Public Works Director

Please join us in congratulating Kalen Kronemeyer on his new role as the Assistant Public Works Director! In addition to his new role, Kalen will continue to manage the Water Distribution Department.

When not busy with work, Kalen enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his family and dogs.

PARKS & RECREATION

Available Programs

Sew Much Fun!
Chess Club
Flag Football Training Academy & Clinic
Soccer Shots
T-Ball
Snapology
Young Rembrandts Art
Improv
Tai Chi
Strength, Core & Flexibility
Zumba
Martial Arts
Table Tennis
Women's Volleyball
Men's Basketball
Kickball
Pickleball (Indoor and Outdoor)
Hula Hoop Fitness Challenge
Handyman University

For info or to register for any of these programs, click here!

POLICE

Widespread Unemployment & Other Frauds

Numerous agencies throughout the Commonwealth of PA have seen an increase in fraudulent attempts to apply for unemployment benefits using previously stolen identities. This criminal activity has affected our Phoenixville community members and employees as well.

Signs of fraud include:

Employers receiving notice that a claim has been opened for a current employee who is actively working, or an unknown person.
Individuals receiving unemployment benefits that they did not apply for from the PA Treasury.

Anyone who is a victim is encouraged to file a police report. You will need an official police report incident number to help safeguard your name as well as any prevent future identity theft scams. The Phoenixville Police Department is requesting that victims report the fraud to Labor & Industry online at the UC Benefits Website, https://benefits.uc.pa.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx. Click “Report Fraud Here” at the bottom of the page to complete the Identity Theft Form. There is no need to log in.

Victims who are legitimately collecting unemployment, but have had their accounts hijacked and money rerouted should call the Fraud Hotline at 800-692-7469.

Victims who receive checks or US Bank debit cards in the mail should return them to L&I with a brief signed statement as to the reason for the return, along with a contact phone number and email address. Checks should be marked VOID. Both checks and debit cards should be returned to:

Pennsylvania Treasury

651 Boas Street, Room 400

L&I Building

Harrisburg, PA 17120

The Phoenixville Police Department is also encouraging victims to start a recovery plan with the Federal Trade Commission by visiting www.identiytheft.gov

Remember, the IRS will never call you asking for your personal information or money. They do not want nor will ever ask you for Bitcoin or prepaid credit cards as payment. The police or sheriff’s department will never call you asking for cash to release a grandchild out of jail who was involved in an auto accident. Please talk to your elderly relatives about these types of scams. It may save them a fortune!

FIRE

There is something about the winter months and curling up with a good book by the fireplace. But did you know that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths? With a few simple safety tips and precautions, you can prevent most heating fires from happening.

The Phoenixville Fire Department and National Fire Protection Association want you to be safe as we navigate through the rest of the winter season.

Be Warm and Safe this Winter!

• Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.

• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

• Never use your oven to heat your home.

• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.

• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.

• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

Heating Equipment Smarts

• Install wood burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

• Install and maintain CO alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call 9-1-1.

For more important safety tips and advice, please visit the National Fire Protection Association at www.NFPA.org

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?

Firefighter – Emergency Medical Responder – Emergency Medical Technician

Minimum 16 years of age to join. Paid fire, rescue, & EMS training. Paid uniforms & apparel.

Contact New Member Onboarding Representative Bryan Baker via email at bbaker@phoenixvillefd.org for more information or visit www.PhoenixvilleFD.org.