Meeting Minutes

NEW HOPE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
February 27, 2007
MINUTES

PRESENT: Sharyn Keiser, Ed Duffy, Geri Delevich, Claire Shaw, Randy Flager, Mayor Larry Keller, Borough Manager John Burke, Solicitor T. J. Walsh and Chief Rick Pasqualini.

ABSENT: Richard Hirschfield and Rey Velasco.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Keller asked Council to consider approving the annual 5K Spirit Run by the New Hope-Solebury Community Association on Sunday, April 1, 2007. Mayor Keller announced that the Certificate of Insurance is in place for the event and that the Chief has been contacted as to the arrangements for closing or partially closing local streets.

Patty Beans Clark, a representative of the Association, added that it is the Association’s 8th year running this event and it is very successful.

Claire Shaw moved to approve the request, and Randall Flager seconded. Sharyn Keiser asked for public comment. The motion was approved unanimously.

Mayor Keller asked for consideration of hiring Nick Whitney as a part-time, probationary police officer at the rate of $15.00 per hour.

Randy Flager moved to approve the hiring of Nick Whitney, and Claire Shaw seconded. Sharyn Keiser asked for public comment. The motion was approved unanimously.

Mayor Keller administered the oath of office to Police Officer Nick Whitney.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Sharyn Keiser announced that an executive session was held before tonight’s meeting and that the topic of discussion was a real estate acquisition matter.

Sharyn Keiser asked for consideration of adopting Resolution 2007-07R, approving an agreement of sale with St. Martin’s of Tours Church and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to acquire a portion of T.M.P. No. 27-10-12, located at 111 New Street, and authorizing the appropriate Borough officials to undertake all necessary actions too fulfill the terms and conditions of the agreement.

Geri Delevich moved to approve Resolution No. 2007-07R, approving the agreement of sale with St. Martin’s of Tours Church and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to acquire a portion of T.M.P. No. 27-10-12, located at 111 New Street, and authorizing the appropriate Borough officials to undertake all necessary actions to fulfill the terms and conditions of the agreement. Randall Flager seconded.

Sharyn Keiser asked for public comment.

Greg Conocchioli a merchant in town did not agree with the purchase of the Church. He stated that the Borough should abandon its plans for the park at 52 West Ferry Street.

Dee Dee Bowman, New St., stated that she would expect greater sensitivity towards nearby residents from the Borough on the issue of parking at the church property. Ms. Bowman also stated that the Landmark Towns Regional Revitalization Report recommends that Borough Hall be relocated outside of the commercial district.

Joe Knox, 55 S. Sugan Rd., supported the purchase and considered the church an important historic landmark. Mr. Knox stated that more space is needed for the Police Department. Mr. Knox also stated that the Borough’s taxes are a bargain for local taxpayers.

Bob Gerenser, 22 S. Main St., stated that this is a “win-win” proposal that will secure the historic view of the hillside. Mr. Gerenser concluded by stating that this is a good thing, do the deal.

Elaine McNealy, North Main Street, stated she was happy to see that this historic site will be preserved.

The motion adopting Resolution No. 2007-07R was approved unanimously.

Sharyn Keiser asked for consideration of authorizing professional architectural services by George J. Donovan AIA & Associates for 111 New Street and of appointing a Facilities Committee, consisting of the Chief of Police, Borough Manager, and three Councilors: Richard Hirschfield, Sharyn Keiser, and Claire Shaw.

Randy Flager moved to approve Donovan & Associates and the Facilities Committee and Claire Shaw seconded. The motion was adopted unanimously.

Sharyn Keiser asked for consideration of appointing Libby Neiburg to the Park and Recreation Board to take the place of Elsa Wise, whose term expires Dec 31, 2008.

Geri Delevich moved to approve the Neiburg appointment, and Ed Duffy seconded. The motion was adopted unanimously. Randall Flager was absent for this vote.

Sharyn Keiser asked for consideration of appointing Carl Glassman, who is currently an alternate member of the Zoning Hearing Board, as a full time member, taking David Newhart’s place with a term expiring December 31, 2008.

Claire Shaw moved to appoint Carl Glassman, and Ed Duffy seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. Randall Flager was absent for this vote.

Sharyn Keiser asked for applicants to fill up to three vacant alternate positions on the Zoning Hearing Board.

Sharyn Keiser asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda, as follows.

A. Consideration of approving payment of accounts payable for February 14, 2007, in the amount of $95,160.96; of payroll for January 17, 2007 in the amount of $46,928.69; and of payroll for January 31, 2007 in the amount of $46,825.04.
B. Consideration of approving the minutes of the December 20, 2006 and January 10, 2007 public meetings of Borough Council.
C. Consideration of adopting Resolution No. 2007-03R, amending the resolution establishing the Revitalization Committee.
D. Consideration of adopting Resolution No. 2007-04R, establishing the IRS business mileage reimbursement rate for 2007.
E. Consideration of adopting Resolution No. 2007-05R, re-establishing a UCC Board of Appeals and setting policies and procedures for appeals.
F. Consideration of adopting Resolution No. 2007-06R, authorizing submission of a TCDI grant application to the DVRPC.
G. Consideration of approving Annette Rosenberg as a regular part-time receptionist at the Visitors’ Center.
H. Consideration of approving Matthew Decker as a regular full-time laborer in the Department of Public Works.
I. Consideration of issuing a Certificate of Appropriateness, as recommended by the Historic Architectural Review Board, for:
(1) 31 North Main Street by A. C. Hipple for exterior design features; and
(2) 2 West Bridge Street by A. C. Hipple for exterior painting.

Randy Flager moved to approve the consent agenda, and Geri Delevich seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

LAND USE AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Sharyn Keiser stated that the conditional use hearing for Marsha Brown, for expansion of the restaurant use located at 15 South Main Street in the Central Commercial (CC) district, would continue at this time.

A transcript of the conditional use hearing for Marsha Brown is available at Borough Hall and is attached hereto.

The regular meeting resumed following completion of the Marsha Brown hearing.

Sharyn Keiser stated that the next item on the agenda is a discussion of Zoning Hearing Board appeal #302, submitted by Scannapieco Development Corporation, for the “Scannapieco Residence” project, located at 300 South River Road. Ms. Keiser explained that Tom Scannapieco has submitted an application for certain variances to the Borough’s Zoning Hearing Board for this project and that Council’s role tonight is to determine whether it will oppose, support, or take no position on the application pending before the Zoning Hearing Board.

Tom Scannapieco stated he wishes to build a new residence at Waterworks. The proposed single-family dwelling unit will be part of the Waterworks Association and will not be subdivided from the larger tract. Mr. Scannapieco stated that he would provide a model demonstration project for building in the floodplain. Mr. Scannapieco stated that he is entitled to build an additional 4 dwelling units at the site and that he will give up his right to the 3 of the additional units for permission to construct this 1 unit.

John Burke asked if this meant that he would not build a second dwelling unit in the future in place of the existing water treatment plant. Mr. Scannapieco stated that he would also reserve the right to build the additional unit at the water treatment plant site, if the BCWSA relocates the treatment plant.

Ralph Fey, the project architect, stated that the house would be constructed in accordance with UCC and FEMA floodplain standards. The house would be approximately 4,000 sq. ft, consisting of 3 bedrooms and a library with a masonry garage.

Gregg Emmons, an attorney representing Mr. Scannapieco, stated that this is the last stage of a flexible condo project. Waterview was reduced from 32 approved units to 28 units, and a 150-room hotel project was abandoned. The land is owned by Mr. & Mrs. Scannapieco as Unit H. It is a condo pad. A number of variances are required, including use, setbacks, etc.

Geri Delevich expressed concern about overdevelopment, building in the floodplain, and the impact downriver and stated that she is opposed to any more construction on the river.

Shirley Hart, a resident of Waterworks, stated that Scannapieco installed inadequate heating units and cited other inadequacies at Waterworks. Ms. Hart stated that construction would have a negative impact on the floodplain.

Richard Myers, representing the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, asked why someone would want to add more infrastructure in harm’s way in the floodplain?

Randy Flager asked why would Council allow variances to build in the floodplain and thought that a report should be provided showing the effect of the project on the floodplain.

Claire Shaw stated that too many variances are being requested and asked if the proposed project fits the land.

Joe Knox, a resident of South Sugan Rd. and a member of the emergency management team, commented that it is hazardous to build in the floodplain because of flooding, especially for the safety of the emergency teams that must evacuate people during floods.

Claire Shaw commented that the applicant is seeking exemptions from restrictions that are in place for the protection of others and does not support the project.

Paul Stubbs, President of the Waterworks Association, stated that the Association has an existing agreement with Scannapieco and is bound to support the application.

Claire Shaw moved to send the Borough Solicitor to oppose the application, and Geri Delevich seconded. The motion was adopted unanimously.

Sharyn Keiser announced that Tom Smyth was not in the auidence to make a presentation to establish a cooking school at 85 West Bridge Street and tabled his application until next month.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Geri Delevich announced the January summary for the Visitors’ Center as follows:

Visitors 1,262
Calls 226
Brochures 8
Sales $38.45
Donations $175.39

Geri Delevich announced that the New Hope Arts Center is holding a fund raising event at Hamilton Square Restaurant in Lambertville where they are hoping to raise money to contribute to their goal of $800,000 for the renovation of the art building on Stockton Avenue. Tickets are $125.00 each.

ADJOUNRMENT