NEW HOPE BOROUGH COUNCIL
182 WEST BRIDGE STREET
JANUARY 7, 2008
7:00 P.M.
ORGANIZATION MEETING
MINUTES

PRESENT: Mayor Larry Keller, Richard Hirschfield, Sharyn Keiser, Ed Duffy, Geri Delevich, Claire Shaw, Randall Flager, and Borough Manager John Burke.

ABSENT: Council member Rey Velasco.
Mayor Larry Keller assumed the position of Chair, pursuant to the Borough Code, to preside over the selection of Council officers for 2008-09.

Mayor Larry Keller announced that Rey Velasco was sworn in as a Councillor for a 4-year term on Saturday, January 5, 2008 since he was unable to attend the meeting tonight.

Mayor Larry Keller administered the oath of office to Councillor Geri Delevich for a 4-year term.

Mayor Larry Keller administered the oath of office to Councillor Richard Hirschfield for a 4-year term.

Mayor Larry Keller asked for nominations for Council President.
Geri Delevich nominated Sharyn Keiser as Council President.
No other nominations were offered.

The appointment of Sharyn Keiser as Council President was approved by a unanimous vote, 6-0.

Mayor Keller asked for nominations for Council Vice-president.

Ed Duffy nominated Claire Shaw as Vice President of Council.

No other nominations were offered.

The appointment of Claire Shaw as Council Vice-president was approved unanimously, 6-0.

Sharyn Keiser assumed the position of Chair as President of Council.

Sharyn Keiser asked for nominations for Council President Pro Tem. Randall Flager nominated Ed Duffy as Council President Pro Tem, and the nomination was approved by a vote of 5-0-1, as follows:

Sharyn Keiser asked for a motion to approve Resolution #2008-1R, approving various banking institutions as depositories.
Claire Shaw moved to adopt Resolution #2008-1R, and Ed Duffy seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Sharyn Keiser asked for consideration of adopting Resolution #2008-02R, appointing the Borough Solicitor, Borough Engineer, Conflict Council, Labor Attorney, Civil Service Commission Solicitor, Auditor, Zoning Consultant Officer, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and Secretary. 

Richard Hirschfield moved to adopt Resolution #2008-2R, and Claire Shaw seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Sharyn Keiser asked for a motion to adopt Resolution # 2008-03R, appointing a Chairperson of the Vacancy Board for 2008.
Richard Hirschfield nominated David Baer as Chair of the Vacancy Board, and Randall Flager seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

Sharyn Keiser stated that two appointees currently serving on the Historic Architectural Review Board desire reappointment for three-year terms.

Ed Duffy moved to re-appoint Gerard Higgins and Russ McLaughlin to the New Hope Historic Architectural Review Board, and Geri Delevich seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Sharyn Keiser stated that there are two open 5-year term positions on the Park and Recreation Board and currently serving are members Roy Ziegler and Joan Saltrelli, who would both be interested in reappointment.

Claire Shaw moved to re-appointment Roy Ziegler and Joan Saltrelli, and Ed Duffy seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Sharyn Keiser stated that there are three vacancies on the Revitalization Committee and that Earl Bierman, Ed Duffy and she would like to be re-appointed for 5-year terms.

Geri Delevich moved to re-appointment Ed Duffy, Earl Bierman and Sharyn Keiser to the Revitalization Board, and Claire Shaw seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

Sharyn Keiser asked for a motion to appoint Dee Dee Bowman, Chuck Tarr, Borough Manager John Burke, Ed Duffy and Sharyn Keiser as an alternate for the Landmark Town Board of Directors for a term of one year.

Geri Delevich moved to approve the appointments, as stated by President Keiser, and Randall Flager seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Sharyn Keiser stated that she would be Chair of the Police Committee and serving with her would be Claire Shaw and Richard Hirschfield.

Sharyn Keiser stated that she and Ed Duffy would continue to be assigned to the Revitalization and Parks Committee and would attend Revitalization Committee meetings.

Sharyn Keiser stated that Claire Shaw would be assigned to the Revitalization and Parks Committee and would attend Park & Recreation Board meetings.

Sharyn Keiser announced that Ed Duffy and Rey Velasco would be assigned to the Land Use and Historic Preservation Committee.

Sharyn Keiser announced that Geri Delevich would continue on the Community Affairs Committee.

Sharyn Keiser announced that Richard Hirschfield and Rey Velasco would be assigned to the Public Works Department, with Richard Hirschfield serving as Chair.

Sharyn Keiser announced that she, Geri Delevich and Richard Hirschfield would continue to be assigned to the ad hoc Facilities Committee.

Sharyn Keiser asked Randall Flager if he would like to be an alternate on the Facilities Committee.

Randall Flager stated that he would rather be on the committee and not an alternate.

Ed Duffy asked if any of these committees could be expanded.

haryn Keiser answered yes, but only three Council members can be on a Committee.

Sharyn Keiser stated that she, Claire Shaw and Richard Hirschfield would be assigned to the Finance and Budget Committee, with Claire Shaw serving as Chair.

Sharyn Keiser asked if any members of Council have any statements.

Claire Shaw thanked the members of Council for her appointment and thanked Richard Hirschfield for his service.

Ed Duffy congratulated Sharyn and Claire on their appointments and thanked Richard Hirschfield for his eight years of dedication to New Hope Borough when many significant changes were made.

Geri Delevich thanked Richard Hirschfield for his eight years of ”monstrous” hard work for the Borough.

Richard Hirschfield congratulated Sharyn and Claire on their appointments and thanked everyone on Council and in the community.

Sharyn Keiser thanked Richard Hirschfield for the incredible job that he has done for New Hope Borough and stated that she looks forward to working with Richard in the future. Ms. Keiser stated that she has learned much from Mr. Hirschfield during his tenure as Council President. Ms. Keiser also thanked Borough Manager John Burke and Police Chief Rick Pasqualini, stating that their dedication and expertise have given New Hope Borough stability.
Sharyn Keiser asked for public comment.

No public comment was offered.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:22 P.M.