BOROUGH COUNCIL

Council Organization and Committees

New Hope has an elected 7-member Borough Council which plays a central role in borough government. Council sets policy, enacts legislation, adopts budgets, controls expenditures, appoints advisory commissions and boards, and hires employees. Council members are elected to four year terms, with either 3 or 4 members up for election every 2 years.

Council elects a president, vice-president, and president pro tem from its ranks. The president, in coordination with council, appoints council committees and chairpersons, who are responsible for overall policy implementation.

Current Council Committee Chairs & Members:

Claire Shaw - Council President; Chairperson, Police Department Committee; Member, Finance & Budget Committee

Rey Velasco - Council Vice President; Member, Community Affairs Committee; Member, Land Use & Historic Preservation Committee for HARB; Member, Community  Affairs Committee

Ed Duffy - Council President Pro Tem; Chairperson, Land Use & Historic Preservation Committee for HARB, Planning Commission & Zoning Hearing Board; Member, Revitalization Committee

Sharyn Keiser - Member, Police Department Committee; Chairperson, Finance & Budget Committee; Member, Revitalization Committee

Geraldine Delevich - Chairperson, Community Affairs Committee; Member, Shade Tree Committee

William Scandone - Chairperson, Park & Recreation Committee; Chairperson, Public Works Committee; Member, Land Use and Historic Preservation Committee for Planning Commission

Nick Gialias - Member, Park and Recreation Committee; Member, Public Works Committee

Mayor

The New Hope Mayor, Laurence D. Keller, has several roles: he works with the Police Chief to set police policy and work rules and is responsible for emergency proclamations. He attends borough council meetings and generally votes when there is a tie. The mayor also represents the borough in local functions and events and may perform weddings.

Council Meetings

Borough Council meets on the 3rd Tuesday (7:30 P.M.) of each month at the New Hope Borough community center, located at 125 New Street, at the former site of the St. Martin of Tours Church. Meeting dates and times are subject to change. For up-to-date public meeting information, consult the "Notices/Meetings" section of this web site. The public is encouraged to attend and to participate fully at all public meetings.