[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6238472,"mediaKeyId","3351612-9cf89399ce359727532ecc6d914b7d5e","parentId",3351612,"title","Narberth committee recommends 32¢/kWh EV charging rate, approves borough Level 2 charger installation","audioSeconds",598,"startMs",2482000,"endMs",3080000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3351612-9cf89399ce359727532ecc6d914b7d5e&start=2482&end=3080","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3351612-9cf89399ce359727532ecc6d914b7d5e/thumbnail_2482000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6238472/Narberth/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Narberth-committee-recommends-32kWh-EV-charging-rate-approves-borough-Level-2-charger-installation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238472-0f6c72b1d0ee86b249c958977a76d30a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154406&Signature=YMPvSL-sXrVYY~QHOsuLRCxori6GDx2Nmg1P3gAHOr-Wldc0zhzJu0Tf4OwTcs5mkffmYLjKOytIQst~g8vJuv8Xk2B5WQA7M3EOFQRGfAjbd3Ncvot0I5BqSWfClyNP6CIs9cRUdL1hWL59xZS~nvNlPC8q-x8i1zFQOJAzx7eS0gX5CJulYt-ZJTAIJ2uDXOO5sRtJlE8IzFT0exSDbcKJAbzcEB5s1cLk0IjQyf2vozmScF0wEawd-OKiEFdL3er7DHcvKh1p2b6b5SiNGi8S3oqz7tGePGX46bczABMh-lhkvkSoTntm-xSIX-dAFGDkotTSLuFng~XqtvVDtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Narberth Borough, PA","date","2025-05-17T00:54:01.777Z","article","The Narberth Finance Administration Committee on May 15 recommended Borough Council approve raising the borough’s public EV charging rate to 32 cents per kilowatt‑hour and approved installation of a dedicated Level 2 charger for borough fleet use at a cost of $4,575.

Why it matters: Committee members said current pricing does not cover the borough’s energy and operating costs for publicly available chargers, and an ordinance requires rates be set to cover all borough‑incurred costs. The rate change is intended to eliminate a per‑quarter subsidy currently paid from borough funds.

Data reviewed
- Current baseline and data sources: The committee reviewed a prior Electric Advisory Committee memo recommending 18¢/kWh (based on 2024 data), but staff analyzed actual first‑quarter 2025 bills and Flow distribution statements. Staff had Pico bills for five of six chargers; one charger’s usage was embedded with lighting costs and was excluded from the Pico breakdown.
- Q1 cost and revenue snapshot: Staff reported the Q1 average energy cost exceeded 19¢/kWh. Using the available Q1 Pico data, staff calculated total Pico charges of roughly $6,200 and conservatively assumed $7,200 to account for the missing station. Net revenue distributed from Flow was about $3,500, leaving an estimated Q1 shortfall of about $3,700 that effectively subsidized public charging.
- Maintenance and operating assumptions: Staff assumed approximately $400 per charger per year for maintenance (parts and service outside warranty). Including these costs, staff found the borough would only break even on energy and modest maintenance at about 30¢/kWh; a 32¢/kWh rate provides a slightly larger margin (estimated net revenue about $900 per year under current usage and the conservative Pico estimate).

Recommendation and local context
- Rate recommendation: Based on the Q1 analysis and projected summer energy price increases, staff recommended a 32¢/kWh rate to cover energy costs and provide limited coverage for maintenance and administrative time. Staff noted Pennsylvania retail public rates typically range roughly 30¢–36¢/kWh; the state average cited was about 34.5¢/kWh.
- Monitoring: The committee asked that staff continue monthly tracking of Pico bills, Flow distributions and energy contracts so the rate can be revisited if energy or usage patterns change. The Electric Advisory Committee offered to assist with utilization reporting.
- Ordinance: Staff noted the borough ordinance directing that charger rates be set to cover all borough‑incurred costs and amortization of installation was reviewed as part of the analysis.

Dedicated borough charger installation
- Fleet charger: The committee approved installing a dedicated Level 2 charger for borough vehicle use in the Public Works yard (removal of an old oil tank is part of site prep). The charger will have its own PECO service line and account to permit separate metering and tracking of borough fleet charging.
- Cost: The committee approved the installation budget of $4,575 for the dedicated charger and related setup.

Formal action: The committee moved to recommend a 32¢/kWh public charging rate to Borough Council and approved the $4,575 dedicated Level 2 charger installation for borough use. Both motions passed in committee.

Ending: Staff will continue to track billing and distribution data and report back so the borough can reassess the rate as energy costs and usage change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance & Administration Committee Meeting, May 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After reviewing first‑quarter usage and billing data, the Finance Administration Committee recommended May 15 that Borough Council set a 32¢ per kilowatt‑hour public EV charging rate and approved the purchase and installation of a dedicated Level 2 charger for borough vehicles at $4,575.","taxTitle","Narberth, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania","taxId",74693,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6238477,"Committee backs Narberth appointment policy with interview discretion and civil‑service caveats",807,1664000,2471000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3351612-9cf89399ce359727532ecc6d914b7d5e&start=1664&end=2471","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3351612-9cf89399ce359727532ecc6d914b7d5e/thumbnail_1664000.jpg","/articles/6238477/Narberth/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Committee-backs-Narberth-appointment-policy-with-interview-discretion-and-civilservice-caveats","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238477-e98ee7d73994e74788d78a6b5d4ffe64/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154406&Signature=mgiumC8ZUhDuNjirsH5lCsq9fP74qg078QNwsx8v10qjuqYfVrfnSWACiARIC~BZykEETWNjMjeIWRlRmLBcsJhXxzkbOSW0NmHiVuU1-FxP8vQiOB6uH5FhcCBmQ3wgHGR1gtDygE6S-UXZauGdlGSpwY6KqCajsr6J-E7rbZkdl6HIOU9KFf3S3A1ATYH6jGXhiPsvSys0KUveIcm3bmLwrt-8LkQmlHfjSUk7vZoXMbXS-jyebizSpYqVhzxxZXVgKNGMk~Nb6a9KF~jiecQUL4Xds3enM2d1r-HSnREoxdRiCWctmm39WLZY0ZVJUX2Rg0jvBVXX0g7a0jEDMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Narberth Finance Administration Committee on May 15 recommended Borough Council consider adopting a Board, Commission and Committee appointment policy that sets a standardized application and selection process but preserves committee discretion for interviews and respects existing enabling ordinances.

Why it matters: The policy aims to clarify how candidates are screened, interviewed and appointed to municipal boards and commissions, balancing transparency with operational flexibility and legal constraints (for example, civil service rules that limit how alternates may participate).

Key committee decisions and discussion
- Interview discretion: The committee agreed to language that allows the selection committee to schedule interviews at its discretion rather than automatically interviewing every applicant. The solicitor suggested this avoids creating unnecessary expectations when the committee has a clear preferred candidate.
- Respecting enabling ordinances: Members asked that the policy explicitly defer to any enabling ordinance or board‑specific bylaws (for example, for civil service or historic architectural review boards) that contain stricter or different appointment rules. The committee agreed to add a caveat such as “unless otherwise provided by law or enabling ordinance.”
- Employees and appointees: The draft states borough employees generally may not serve on boards or commissions, with exceptions where a board’s enabling ordinance requires an employee member (the HARB was cited as an example). The committee directed staff to add explicit exceptions where legally required.
- Alternates and continuity: The committee discussed civil service rules that require alternates who participate to be involved from the beginning of a multi‑step appointment process; the policy will be revised to acknowledge those constraints.

Formal action: The committee moved to recommend the appointment policy to Borough Council with the modifications discussed; the motion passed as a recommendation to council.

Ending: Staff will revise the policy to incorporate discretion on interviews and the caveat deferring to enabling ordinances and return the edited draft to council for final action.","The committee voted May 15 to recommend Narberth's Board, Commission and Committee appointment policy to Borough Council with modifications allowing interviews at committee discretion and caveats to respect enabling ordinances and civil service rules.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6238482,"Narberth committee recommends employee handbook edits on discrimination reporting, vaccinations, bereavement and drug testing",1437,236000,1673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3351612-9cf89399ce359727532ecc6d914b7d5e&start=236&end=1673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3351612-9cf89399ce359727532ecc6d914b7d5e/thumbnail_236000.jpg","/articles/6238482/Narberth/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Narberth-committee-recommends-employee-handbook-edits-on-discrimination-reporting-vaccinations-bereavement-and-drug-testing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238482-d64656c3de1bd9923e14831fe44093f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154406&Signature=ByKPu9-jJ0Bsu-A76rAmXqQ5AP-43x-CZhS34H9QZ7jaD39AcEWfJmYBjoebpX9UvDX8Cs8152ybeLYSPDlkHZwRzRKkehe3k9xYU4uGxf~1U8AcEo7r0McZDxUKunVx5qZjHI7A75COzpcosCrQXYq20mGK-6mFoimgpWbqcoOJTlszjSt4olCEVagdISKokHuSeeK2yKwa3DaaeBfPwQc4azFQJ1sLWMKjhFjDOD~PyWIs8sYFeAjhFRcPeKiZhyC-71Jc5gut2erC55LchuBU-wr6Mdhtt5MPmWB~ECKmU1QRmr9XnjkZI4-v~dac0S3AGxUKEfFkisi19MR17g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Narberth Finance Administration Committee recommended on May 15, 2025, that Borough Council consider adopting an updated employee handbook that includes five specific edits the committee identified.

The changes the committee asked council to consider would: name an alternative reporter for discrimination complaints so employees may avoid reporting to a direct subordinate; add a reserve vaccination policy allowing the borough to require appropriate vaccinations in future endemic or pandemic conditions; explicitly include grandparents in the definition of bereavement leave and permit limited nonconsecutive use within a six‑week window; clarify that confirmed positive post‑accident drug tests are grounds for discipline up to termination (subject to confirmation procedures); and revise a line referencing how to find EEOC contact information online rather than in a borough directory.

Why it matters: The edits affect employee protections, the borough’s ability to respond quickly to public‑health emergencies, and disciplinary exposure for safety‑sensitive driving incidents. Committee members said they want clear, administrable language before sending the handbook to full council for final action.

Committee discussion and next steps
- Discrimination reporting: Committee members agreed the handbook should provide an alternative escalation for discrimination claims when the complaint involves a direct supervisor. The committee discussed naming the borough council president as an alternative reporter rather than routing such complaints to the complainant’s subordinate.
- Vaccination/reserve public‑health clause: The committee added model language to permit the borough to require vaccinations “based on future endemic or pandemic conditions or when such vaccines are otherwise advisable or necessary as a matter of public health and safety.” Maggie Dobbs said that language “would be fine” as a reserve policy so council would not need to amend the handbook in an emergency.
- Bereavement leave: The committee recommended including grandparents in the bereavement definition and allowing up to two of the bereavement days to be taken nonconsecutively, provided the time is taken within six weeks of the date of death and the employee gives as much notice as practicable and staffing allows.
- Post‑accident drug testing: The draft currently requires post‑accident testing for employees involved in workplace vehicle incidents. Committee members discussed adding a clause that a confirmed positive test is grounds for termination but noted that the drug‑testing process includes confirmatory split‑sample testing and Medical Review Officer review. The committee recommended language such as “grounds for termination” and to obtain solicitor and insurer input on final wording.
- EEOC contact language and other cleanups: The committee recommended replacing an antiquated reference to a “local directory” for EEOC and equivalent state agency contact information with a direction to the agencies’ online resources.

Formal action: The committee moved to recommend the employee policy manual to Borough Council with the five edits described above and subject to final review by the solicitor and the borough’s insurance carrier. The motion passed as a recommendation to council.

What remains unresolved: The committee flagged a previously adopted January 1, 2023, non‑nicotine hiring provision (exceptions for nicotine replacement patches were noted in the draft). Members questioned enforceability and asked council and solicitor guidance before final adoption.

Ending: The committee instructed staff to incorporate the agreed edits and circulate the revised draft to full council, with solicitor and insurer review expected before council action.","The Narberth Finance Administration Committee voted May 15 to recommend Borough Council consider an updated employee handbook with five specific edits, including an alternate discrimination reporter, a reserve vaccination clause, clarified bereavement leave, post‑accident drug‑testing consequences and an update to EEOC contact language.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Narberth committee recommends 32¢/kWh EV charging rate, approves borough Level 2 charger installation

Committee backs Narberth appointment policy with interview discretion and civil‑service caveats

Narberth committee recommends employee handbook edits on discrimination reporting, vaccinations, bereavement and drug testing