NEW HOPE BOROUGH
REGULAR MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL
Rescheduled from Last Tuesday due to Veteran’s Day Holiday.
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2003

PRESENT: Richard Hirschfield, Sharyn Keiser, Ed Duffy, Randy Flager, Geraldine Delevich, Robert Baldi as Borough Solicitor, and Mayor Larry Keller.

ABSENT: Sandra Trappen

CALL TO ORDER:

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 14, 2003:
There was approval of the minutes for October 14, 2003. Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Randy Flager seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor.

MAYORS REPORT:

Mayor Keller announced last Thursday, November 13, 2003 there was a power outage and as unpleasant as it was the Fire, Police, & Public Works Departments kept everything running smoothly.

Mayor Keller announced that recently Bucks County Water & Sewer was installing piping at the corner of Bridge and Main throughout the night. The noise level was uncomfortable for residents but, it offered less congestion on the roads during the day.

Mayor Keller announced the Michener Museum will be opening formally this week-end. There is a V.I.P. Donor event this Wednesday evening, a corporate and business partner event on Thursday, a members reception on Friday, and a little precession will be held at the PNC Bank on Saturday including Bag pipers who will be escorted to the Museum by the police Department where Representatives Bernie O’Neal, James Greenwood and Senator Conti will hopefully be there for a ribbon cutting.

Richard Hirschfield announced that on Channel 6 this evening there was a small segment on the Michener Museum.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to accept the Administrator’s Revised 2004 Financial Requirements and minimum Municipal Obligation Budget for New Hope Borough Police Pension Fund. Randy Flager made the motion and Sharyn Keiser seconded. The Obligation Budget for 2004 shows an amount of $53,665.00 and it will almost be covered by State aid. This will not be the case in 2005. The Borough is facing a major pension shortfall in 2005 because the actuarial tables being used for this analysis are based on the year 2000. The new pension forecast will be based on the year 2003 and the pension fund is in much worse shape than it was in 2000 which will probably result in a significant contribution by the Borough and the Police Department.

The motion was passed with all in favor.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to accept Resolution # 2003-16, eliminating the Police Officer’s Contributions for 2004. One will not be needed this year but, in 2005 it will be a different story. Randy Flager made the motion and Jake Fell seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to accept Ordinance #2003-12, accepting “Hardy Bush Way” as a public road in the Borough of New Hope, extending from the 202 spur into the Borough parking lot. Jake Fell made the motion and Sharyn Keiser seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor. There will be an opening and formal memorial in the Spring.

Mary Gardener of 52 South Main Street stated, “There have been many complaints by the customers of New Hope that the Back Door Parking lot is not open.”

Richard Hirschfield answered, “It is open during the day and closed at night. If there are any complaints please call Borough Hall and they will check into it.”

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to extend the Marsha Brown Valet Lease to include Sunday Mornings, starting at 11:00 AM for brunch beginning December 7, 2003. Richard Hirschfield stated that this should only be limited to the winter months and there should be a cost involved.

Randy Flager asked, “What will Marsha Brown propose to pay the Borough for this request?”

Richard Hirschfield answered, At this point nothing has been proposed.”
Randy Flager made a motion for the President and the Vice President go into negotiations with the representatives of Marsha Brown’s restaurant for a valet lease only for the winter months beginning December 7, 2003 and not to go beyond April 4, 2004 and Jake Fell seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor.

Richard Hirschfield introduced Mr. Steve Coppens one of the owners of 12-20 West Bridge Street property.

Mr.Coppens presentation was to discuss a replacement of an existing sidewalk fronting their property with natural brick or a stamped concrete walk and to include radiant heat for snow melting. Mr. Coppens also has concerns about his water run-off which he believes was caused by PennDOT.

Richard Hirschfield stated, “The water has no place to go and it could be a safety issue and this is not all Steve’s property. The Borough can order all the owners to correct the situation or the Borough can take care of it and not access the owners. It should be a matter for the Borough Engineer and the Borough Zoning Officer to review.”

Steve Coppens stated, “That he and the other owners along that road should not be accessed from the Borough and felt that the road was built incorrectly which could be cause of the problem.”

Richard Hirschfield agreed with Mr. Coppens and recommended that PennDOT, Bucks County Water & Sewer, The Borough Engineer, and the Zoning Officer become involved.

Geraldine Delevich commented that she would like the Borough Engineer to look at the asphalt walkway that has become a sidewalk and commented it was not designed to be a sidewalk.

Richard Hirschfield agreed.

Richard Hirschfield announced “The 2004 budget will not be reviewed this evening and will be available for review at Borough Hall on November 26, 2003. There will be a public hearing on December 9, 2003 to make any adjustments necessary to the budget and hopefully pass it. Mr. Hirschfield commented that the budget is relatively flat this year and there is no increase in taxes.”

MANAGER’S REPORT:

Janell Hammond recommended a motion of Accounts Payable for November 18, 2003 in the amount of $ 71,640.16. Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Randy Flager seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor.

Janell Hammond recommended a motion of Borough Payroll for October 15, 2003 in the amount of $33,881.65.

Janell Hammond recommended a motion of Borough Payroll for October 29, 2003 in the amount of $54,650.39 which includes Police Holiday Pay. .

Janell Hammond recommended a motion of Borough Payroll for November 12, 2003 in the amount of $39,278.34.

Randy Flager made the motion of approval for the last three recommendations and Sharyn Keiser seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor.

ZONING:
Randy Flager made a motion for the recommendation of the reappointment of the following members for another term; David Newhart, Carl Glassman-Alternate and Steve Stahl-Alternate, expiring December 31, 2008. Sharyn Keiser seconded and the motion was passed will all in favor.

HARB
Sharyn Keiser announced that HARB has not had a meeting this month which is very rare.

Sharyn Keiser made a motion for Cynthia Ford to serve another term on the HARB Board expiring December 31, 2006 and Randy Flager seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor.

REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE:
Nothing to Report.

ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS:
Nothing To Report.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS:
Geraldine Delevich announced that the New Hope-Lambertville Winter Festival Committee requests to hang a banner across Bridge Street that will announce the Winter Festival to the community. The banner will be hung Friday, January 23, 2004 to February 10, 2004. Sharyn Keiser seconded.

Richard Hirschfield announced that the Borough has received an insurance certificate and everything seems to be in order.

Mayor Keller asked, “If the banner would interfere with the Bridge work commencing in January?”

Richard Hirschfield answered, “No it shouldn’t.”

The motion was passed with all in favor.

Geraldine Delevich asked for a motion for an extension of the banner announcing the opening of the Michener Museum, until December 29, 2003 Randy Flager seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor.

Geraldine Delevich announced the visitor’s Center report for October 2003 as follows;
-Visitor’s 4,904
-Sales $178.00
-Donations $850.00

Geraldine Delevich announced that the Independent Merchants Halloween Ball was a success and well attended and hopefully it will become annual event.

Geraldine Delevich announced that the Independent Merchants joined in together to purchase a commercial, created to promote the New Hope Holiday season. Two dozen commercials will be aired 11/10/03 through December 21, 2003. Comcast has also given 200 free A & E holiday sponsorship spots and 24 ads, highlighting local businesses. There will be an Independent Merchants meeting at Karla’s Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 7:00 PM for the grand showing.

Geraldine Delevich announced the annual New Hope/Lambertville Chamber of Commerce coupon book developed by the Independent Merchants will be available again this year.

Geraldine Delevich announced that on December 5, 2003, Friday, the Independent Merchants and the Lambertville Chamber of Commerce will have a Holiday Shopping Event and at this point asked Carolyn Dechert to elaborate.

Carolyn Dechert announced that the Holiday Shopping event will include local businesses staying open until 9:00 PM serving refreshments, raffle drawings, music and other forms of entertainment.

Geraldine Delevich announced Santa Claus is expected to visit on December 5, 2003 in New Hope and Lambertville and there will be elves handing out candy and shopping information in the early evening.

Ray Valesco announced that the lighting of the tree will take place the Sunday after thanksgiving, November 30th, 2003 and Santa will be there.

Geraldine Delevich thanked Triumph Brewery for hosting an event in the past month celebrating the One year anniversary of the Ordinance for no discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Triumph offered their restaurant to celebrate and Tim McNutury had a debut of the film “Liberty and Justice for All.”

Richard Hirschfield announced that there was not an Executive Session as announced on the agenda this evening.

Randy Flager announced, “That in the State of Massachusetts the Supreme Court today ruled that it was unconstitutional to discriminate and prohibit gay marriage in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. This is the first time this has ever happened and we should follow this closely.

PUBLIC WORKS:
Sharyn Keiser thanked Public Works for a light that was installed at the corner of Bridge and Main to aid residents through the black out. Tom and Steve were on duty until 2:00 AM and all their efforts were appreciated.

OLD BUSINESS:
Geraldine Delevich asked, “Is there any information as to when the water lines are coming into East Ferry Street.”

Richard Hirschfield answered, “By January.”

Geraldine Delevich stated that after talking to many residents during elections, many comments were made on the Noise Ordinance concerning the sound of the motorcycles and amplified music, and why the Police Department doesn’t issue citations?

Chief Pasqualini answered that the Police Department will be purchasing a noise meter and the noise Ordinance will be revised to be in line with the Federal standards in approximately January of 2004 and then the complaints will be addressed differently. Currently, the noise Citations are only served after the issue of a notice first at the same location, and the motorcycles are addressed under the Motor Vehicle Code. When the decimeter is in place we will use the Noise Ordinance in conjunction with that resulting in a higher fine.

Doro Kerr- suggested there should be a sign at the entrance of New Hope warning of a noise Ordinance.

Bill Keefer commented that the advertising a check point for motorcycles at a certain location is unwise because the motor cyclists turn off before the check point.

Chief Pasqualini addressed the comment by saying, “The motor cycles have been a problem and tried to address it collectively with the Mayor, Solebury, Lambertville and Upper Make field. The road blocks do work, they send a message that there is enforcement. There are limited resources in the Police department and we are doing the best job we can.”

Richard Hirschfield commented that the Council is against illegal motorcycles and wants everyone ticketed.

Sharyn Keiser commented that she read an article that New Hope is Motor cycle friendly and that the Police Chief himself owns a motorcycle and this publicity had a negative impact on New Hope. Officers can walk down the street and issue tickets to the motorcyclists and feel we are capable of that. One Sunday while walking down South Main Street Officer Keen was on duty and issuing tickets and during that time there was not one loud muffler on the whole block because of an Officers presence.

Richard Hirschfield announced “The issue is illegal motorcycles.”

Chief Pasqualini commented, “That he supports the article but is against the few who drive illegal motorcycles.”

The dialog was lost by a few residents at this point due to not using the microphone.

NEW BUSINESS:
None

Randy Flager congratulated the elections of the Council members.

Doro Kerr commented that she commended the Fire and Rescue Department rescuing someone on the rapids arriving immediately even though it was not an emergency.

Jan Witte commended the New Hope Police Department and the Solebury Police Department on an event sponsored by Bernie O’Neal’s office involving identity theft which was very enlightening.

Joe Balderson thanked HARB for their efforts and input on the new construction at his business location on 25 North Main Street.

Joe Balderson is concerned with the run off from Verizon and that the Borough has some responsibility in this matter and would like help from the Borough Engineer.

Richard Hirschfield commented that he will review it with the Engineer and get back to him.

Joe Balderson commented that he “Has great concern with the BBQ restaurant being approved to store their garbage on the second floor of the building. A fire suppression system should be installed.”

Richard Hirschfield commented, “That the Zoning Hearing Board had a stipulation in the decision that the Zoning Officer has to approve the garbage management or it cannot go forward. They were given notice by the Borough Monday, November 17, 2003 that this is considered a Minor Land Development issue, since they are changing use from retail to restaurant therefore they have to appear before Council for approval of conditions that the Borough Council may have along with the Zoning Hearing Board which will be in December 2003.”

Joe Balderson asked, “What was the projected meter loss in revenue from the Water installation.

Richard Hirschfield answered, “That it is relatively low and during the month of December the meters are bagged for the holidays.”

Carolyn Dechert asked “What they are going to do with the supplies from Bucks County Water & Sewer blocking the sidewalks?”

Tom Carroll answered,” They have to stock pile material in order to keep the process productive and he did talk to the contractors about these materials and equipment which will be removed off the streets for the holiday season on Wednesday, November 26, 2003.

Elaine McNealy commented. “That she is proud of her home state Massachusetts with the ruling to not discriminate against gay marriage.

ADJOURNMENT: