Meeting Minutes

NEW HOPE BOROUGH
Regular Meeting of Borough Council
MINUTES
April 13, 2004

PRESENT: Richard Hirschfield, Jake Fell, Sharyn Keiser, Geraldine Delevich, Randy Flager, Ed Duffy, Janell Hammond, Solicitor Colin Jenei, and Mayor Larry Keller.

ABSENT: Geraldine Delevich joined the meeting after the new Police Officers were voted on.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR MARCH 9, 2004:
Randy Flager made the motion to approve the minutes for March 9, 2004 and Ed Duffy seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote 4-0-2:

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Mayor Larry Keller made a recommendation to Council for a motion to approve the appointment of Dawn G. Harrison, of 1575 Deep Run Road Pipersville, PA as a Full-time Probationary Police Officer at $14.86 per hour effective April 14, 2004.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to appointment Dawn G. Harrison as a Full-time Probationary Police Officer. Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Randy Flager seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor. Mayor Keller proceeded to swear Police Officer Harrison in.

Mayor Larry Keller made a recommendation to Council for a motion to approve the appointment of Steven Gruber, of 700 Lower State Road, North Wales, PA as a Part-time Police Officer at $14.00 per hour.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to appoint Steven Gruber as Part-time Police Officer subject to a satisfactory completion of back ground and other checks.

Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Jake Fell seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor.

Mayor Larry Keller made a recommendation to Council for motion to approve the appointment of Daniel DiNardo of 434 E. 11th Street, Conshohocken, PA as a Part-time Police Officer at $14.00 per hour.

Richard Hirschfield asked for the motion to appoint Daniel DiNardo as Part-time Police Officer subject to a completion of satisfactory back ground and other checks.

Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Randy Flager seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor.

Richard Hirschfield commented that Part-time officer expenditures for the year to date are well under budget for these people to come on board.

Councilwoman Geraldine Delevich arrived at this time.

Randy Flager presented to the Borough Hall and Council a framed picture of the Michener Art Museum Ribbon Cutting.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

Richard Hirschfield announced that there will be a public meeting tomorrow April 14, 2004 at 7:00 PM at Borough Hall presented by PennDOT. This is in regard to the re-building of the Bridge Street Bridge. Plans and a timeline will be discussed.

Richard Hirschfield reminded the public that April 15, 2004 is now an important day in the Borough since we have an earned Income Tax which is due the same day as the State and Federal Income Tax.

Richard Hirschfield announced that the Borough is in the process of re-doing and replacing some of the flooring (up and downstairs,) and installing carpeting in the Borough office.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to recommended approval of an estimate from Doylestown Floor Covering coming in as the lowest bidder in the amount of $7,334.00 for Borough Hall.

Randy Flager made the motion and Jake Fell seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor.

MANAGER’S REPORT:

Janell Hammond made a recommendation for a motion for the approval of Accounts Payable for April 13, 2004 in the amount of $105,349.18.

Randy Flager made the motion and Sharyn Keiser seconded. Richard Hirschfield asked if there were any questions on the bill list and there were none.

The motion was passed with all in favor.

Janell Hammond made a recommendation for a motion for approval of the Payroll for March 17, 2004 in the amount of $47,991.03 and to include Borough Payroll for March 31, 2004 in the amount of $42,875.97.

Richard Hirschfield commented that the March 17, 2004 payroll includes the payout of unused vacation for the Police Officers.

Randy Flager made the motion and Ed Duffy seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor.

PLANNING:

Richard Hirschfield announced that Mr. Michael wanted to withdraw the review on the New Hope Inn from the agenda but wishes to make a statement.

George Michael Thanked Council and commented that The New Hope Inn will no longer be named that. Recently, Mr. Michael secured an agreement of sale to buy the Canal house property and the adjoining property behind it. This will allow Mr. Michael to create a more sensitive and beautiful property that works in concert with all the parcels. Mr. Michael’s asked to be taken off the agenda for tonight’s meeting and placed on the May agenda. Mr. Michael intention is not to demolish the Canal House but to modify it structurally.

Richard Hirschfield extended congratulations and that Council realizes that the property has some problems. There is also a housing need for people in this Borough and also that the same three issues discussed in previous submissions are important for the future presentations which are set back, density, and height.

Randy Flager commented that the new plans recently submitted seemed to address the Borough concerns and he was pleased with that.

ZONING:

Randy Flager made a motion to appoint Steven Stahl of 11 North Main Street, New Hope PA as a member of the Zoning Hearing Board. Mr. Stahl will be replacing and finishing Robert Goodwin’s term ending December 31, 2004. Sharyn Keiser seconded and the motion was passed with all in favor.

Randy Flager announced a vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board for an alternate position and anyone interested needs to contact the Borough Manager.

HARB:
Rey Velasco made a motion to recommend the appointment of Nancy Sandor of 77 Old Mill Road to the HARB Board as a licensed Real Estate Broker for a term expiring December 31, 2006. Randy Flager seconded.

Joe Balderston asked if Penny is replacing anyone.

Richard Hirschfield answered no, there are two vacancies on the Board and she will be the eighth member.

The motion was passed with all in favor.

Rey Velasco made a motion to reappoint Cynthia Ford of 48 Parchment Drive whose term will expire December 31, 2006. Randy Flager seconded and the Motion was passed with all in favor.

Ed Duffy made a motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the following locations the Historic District:

1.) Logan Inn on 10 West Ferry Street to re-erect a tent and Rey Velasco seconded.

Richard Hirschfield asked why The Logan went back to HARB before Council and that since nothing changed it was not necessary.

Ed Duffy answered that it was a courtesy.

Randy Flager asked if the lights will be there this year, and if they are when will they be taken down?

Carl Asplundh answered that he was directed by HARB to remove them and they will be removed within the next two weeks from this meeting.

Sharyn Keiser asked if there would be music outside again. According to the liquor Control Board there is not to be outdoor music.

Carl Asplundh There will be no speakers just a person playing an instrument.

The motion was passed with all in favor.

2.) Ed Duffy made a motion to Grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for 64 North Main Street for exterior painting and installing plantar boxes. Randy Flager seconded the motion and the motion was passed with all in favor.

3.) Ed Duffy made a motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for 108 New Street for installation of skylights, gutters and Deck construction. Randy Flager seconded and the motion was passed with all in favor.

4.) Ed Duffy made a motion to grant Certificate of Appropriateness for 28 West Bridge Street for installation of a tent, red gravel path and fencing. Randy Flager seconded.

Sharyn Keiser asked Mr. Stephan to explain the tent.

Glen Stephan answered it is to just cover the deck area.

Richard Hirschfield commented that the area questioned was also before the Zoning Hearing Board and the deck is where the merchandise is restricted to.

Geraldine Delevich asked if we are opening the door for every shop to have a tent.

Richard Hirschfield answered that they would have to have the set backs and other requirements to put up a tent including the space. Each location is judged individually and has to be approved every 6 months according to the Ordinance.

Colin Jenei, Solicitor commented that the deck size was limited by the Zoning Hearing Board decision including where the items are displayed. These items are within that limit.

Ed Duffy asked Glen Stephan if it was clear to him that the displayed merchandise only applies to the deck area and no where else.

Glen Stephan answered yes.

The motion was passed with all in favor.

5.) Ed Duffy made a motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for 4 East Bridge Street for replacing, repairing, resealing brick, painting the fire escape, and roof repair. Randy Flager seconded. The motion was passed with all in favor.

6.) Ed Duffy made a motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for 80 Mechanic Street for replacing roof shingles and minor repairs. Randy Flager seconded and the motion was passed with all in favor.

Jake Fell asked for clarification of a document provided for the 80 Mechanic Street application. There was a picture of a different house and asked what it was presented for.

Rey Velasco explained that it was used to show the placement of the copper snow guards being installed.

7.) Ed Duffy made a motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness to 90 Main Street for the installation of two retractable awnings and the demolition of the wall in the front of the building. Randy Flager seconded and the motion was passed with all in favor.

REVITALIZATION COMMETTEE:

Sharyn Keiser announced that there was a pre-construction meeting a week ago attended by Janell Hammond and Rob Loughery for the timelines on the Randolph and Ferry Street projects which should begin in two weeks.

Richard Hirschfield announced the free bridge construction is coming along and should commence on or before the scheduled date.

Richard Hirschfield stated the first phase of the water project which is all down town should be completed and repaved by the end of May weather permitting.

Joe Balderston feels that they are not properly compacting.

Richard Hirschfield answered that he will address that with the engineer.

ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS:
Nothing

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS:

Geraldine Delevich announced the February Visitors Center report and compared it with February of last year;

FEBRUARY

2003 2004
Visitors 873 2,043
Calls 305 353
Donations $212.00 $464.00
Sales $36.00 $55.00

MARCH 2004
There were no records for March of 2003 due to renovation

Visitors 1,916
Calls 345
Donations $450.00
Sales $60.00

Geraldine Delevich announced that Susan Taylor was at the last PIP meeting and mentioned that the Lock 11 project will be completed in November and on April 28th the water will be restored to New Hope. There were 2 notes on history mentioned. In 1852 the canal had its peak years and in 1932 the Canal closed commercially. When the Canal barges were operating, the fee was based on tonnage and the type of cargo.

Geraldine Delevich announced that published in “The H Files,” there was a very nice article recognizing New Hope Borough’s assets for tourism.

Geraldine Delevich congratulated Randy Flager for the interview he gave on NPR discussing the Resolution on Gay and Lesbian Marriage.

Rey Velasco thanked the New Hope Police Department, Fire Department, and the Lambertville New Hope Rescue Squad for their help in the 5k run, which was successful.

Rey Velasco thanked pip for their successful Canal clean-up from Easton to Bristol.

Rey Velasco announced the Indoor and Outdoor New Hope Sculpture exhibition due to open April 17, 2004 at Union Square in the building next to the Blue Raccoon from 7:00PM –9:00 PM and tickets are $15.00.

Rey Velasco announced the Eagle Fire House is having a Bucks County Antique Show from 9 AM – 5PM this Saturday and the proceeds benefit a charity.

Rey Velasco announced Artists of River Towns will open at the Wellness Center in Warrington on Saturday April 16 2004 - May 3, 2004 and feature some of our town artists Jim McGinniss and Doris Brandis. Doris will sign her book on Saturday April 17, 2004. This Friday there will be a V.I.P. preview 6PM-9PM.

Rey Velasco announced the Delaware River Steam Boat Gala which will be on May 8th, 2004.

Jane Witte did not speak into the microphone and the dialog was lost.

OLD BUSINESS:

Sharyn Keiser read a letter from Steven Stahl and Robert Seneca expressing their thanks for all of New Hope’s including Council’s support for forming the Gay and Lesbian Resolution. Sharyn Keiser also read the Resolution following the letter. The letter will be attached to the approved minutes.

NEW BUSINESS:
None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

Doro Kerr asked if there will be leakage when water is let back in the canal?

Richard Hirschfield answered in the eventual plan they will dredge all the way up to Center Bridge, but it will not be this year. The report indicates that they are aware of the leakage.

Joe Balderston mentioned that he is still concerned with the sewer problem that still exists on Fishers Alley down to 25 North Main Street. He filed a complaint on March 20, 2004 with Bucks County Water and Sewer.

Janell Hammond answered that the Zoning Officer went down to inspect the area and concluded that someone is dumping the sewage in the parking lot.

Jake Fell commented that Joe is right, and mentioned where the water backs up in the canal today. Bucks County Water and Sewer exposed that sewage line because they concreted that line and dug the canal deeper than where the sewage line is. Solebury Township 14 years ago denied Kingwoods sewage allotment into the system and in the meantime Solebury built 500 houses where that sewage dumps into the County system which then dumps into the same pipe as ours and it is not big enough. The pumps can’t take the water.

Richard Hirschfield commented that the Borough will look into this first thing in the morning and make it a priority on how Bucks County Water and Sewer will resolve the problem.

Didi Bowman made a suggestion for HARB to hand out the guidelines with the Use and Occupancy to educate the owners as to what is involved with their property in the Historic District. Didi also mentioned the garbage trucks are not following the noise ordinance and hurting her quality of life. The police need to issue citations.

Richard Hirschfield asked Janell to call the carriers and inform them of the noise ordinance and asked the chief to include that in the police rounds.

A Boy Scout (did not identify himself,) came to the microphone and as part of earning a badge and asked council if the demolishing the wall at 90 South Main Street would have any effect on the environment?

Richard Hirschfield answered no.

ADJOURNMENT: