1 00:00:10,020 --> 00:00:11,430 Who rise by the 2 00:00:18,015 --> 00:00:23,970 United States of America and to the Republic, which it stands, one Nation under 3 00:00:24,030 --> 00:00:27,991 God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 4 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:35,610 Good evening. Can we have a roll call, please, babe? 5 00:00:36,810 --> 00:00:37,440 Mr. Mizel? 6 00:00:37,890 --> 00:00:38,129 Here. 7 00:00:38,460 --> 00:00:39,901 Ms. Petry-Betsey? 8 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:40,411 Here. 9 00:00:40,470 --> 00:00:41,340 Ms. Whitman? 10 00:00:42,360 --> 00:00:42,540 Here. 11 00:00:43,231 --> 00:00:47,970 Mr. Burnside? Present. Mr. Green's not here. Mr. Magerman? 12 00:00:48,151 --> 00:00:48,449 Here. 13 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:51,420 Mr. Kessey? Here. Mayor DeLuca? 14 00:00:51,750 --> 00:00:51,884 Here. 15 00:00:53,401 --> 00:00:54,810 Okay. Once again, good evening. 16 00:00:57,390 --> 00:01:01,170 First up, I see we don't have a mayor's report tonight. Is that correct? 17 00:01:01,470 --> 00:01:02,640 No, we don't have anything at this point. 18 00:01:03,450 --> 00:01:03,600 Yes? 19 00:01:03,750 --> 00:01:03,901 No. 20 00:01:04,170 --> 00:01:09,900 Okay. Thank you. All right. Okay, first up on our agenda is the appointment 21 00:01:10,051 --> 00:01:14,640 of David R. Nyman as secretary and Right-to-Know officer. 22 00:01:17,100 --> 00:01:18,060 I'll make that motion. 23 00:01:18,420 --> 00:01:18,870 I'll second. 24 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:22,125 You make a motion? 25 00:01:23,700 --> 00:01:26,325 Oh, okay. So I'm making a motion for 26 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:33,676 Dave Nyman to be the secretary and Right-to-Know officer, and that is what was 27 00:01:33,810 --> 00:01:34,020 first- 28 00:01:34,170 --> 00:01:34,185 Yeah 29 00:01:34,185 --> 00:01:40,080 ... then second. Any comments from council? The public? All in favor? 30 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:40,920 Aye. 31 00:01:40,950 --> 00:01:41,700 Aye. 32 00:01:44,415 --> 00:01:44,415 Aye. 33 00:01:51,990 --> 00:01:53,730 Okay. Okay, first, a few announcements. 34 00:01:54,930 --> 00:01:59,910 Council met in executive session on August 17th for personal matters, 35 00:02:01,051 --> 00:02:06,510 August 18th for potential litigation, and we'll meet again 36 00:02:06,690 --> 00:02:10,171 on August 22nd for personnel matters. 37 00:02:12,450 --> 00:02:12,900 Okay. 38 00:02:15,421 --> 00:02:21,195 That was a little bit out of order. Next up is a certificate of appropriateness, 39 00:02:21,601 --> 00:02:26,370 9 East Bridge, entrance door, color change to gold foil. Can I have a motion? 40 00:02:26,671 --> 00:02:27,480 I'll make that motion. 41 00:02:28,380 --> 00:02:29,010 I'll second. 42 00:02:30,601 --> 00:02:31,800 Any comments from council? 43 00:02:33,630 --> 00:02:35,430 No. Do we have a picture of that up there? 44 00:02:39,630 --> 00:02:40,830 I like the color of the door. 45 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:42,915 Very creative and really- 46 00:02:42,960 --> 00:02:42,976 Yeah. 47 00:02:42,990 --> 00:02:43,065 Mm-hmm. 48 00:02:43,275 --> 00:02:43,800 Gold foil. 49 00:02:45,930 --> 00:02:47,835 Makes it stand out. Yeah. 50 00:02:47,835 --> 00:02:47,835 Yeah. 51 00:02:47,865 --> 00:02:50,760 Just for everyone's benefit, we can see what's going on. 52 00:02:50,985 --> 00:02:51,421 Yeah. 53 00:02:51,465 --> 00:02:52,230 Thank you, Erin. 54 00:02:52,530 --> 00:02:52,740 Great. 55 00:02:53,010 --> 00:02:56,700 Any comments from the public? All in favor? 56 00:02:57,120 --> 00:02:57,300 Aye. 57 00:02:57,360 --> 00:02:57,809 Aye. 58 00:03:00,195 --> 00:03:00,195 Aye. 59 00:03:00,210 --> 00:03:00,615 Okay. 60 00:03:04,110 --> 00:03:08,280 Certificate of appropriateness 4 East Mechanic, a sign installation. 61 00:03:08,310 --> 00:03:09,135 Can I have a motion? 62 00:03:10,171 --> 00:03:10,921 I'll make the motion. 63 00:03:11,580 --> 00:03:12,150 I'll second. 64 00:03:14,130 --> 00:03:15,615 Any comments from council? 65 00:03:16,770 --> 00:03:18,690 Do we have a picture of that or- 66 00:03:19,020 --> 00:03:19,740 B something? 67 00:03:23,430 --> 00:03:27,750 Okay, so- 68 00:03:29,340 --> 00:03:30,750 It was up. Yeah. 69 00:03:33,060 --> 00:03:34,335 Yeah. I don't know if it was that one. 70 00:03:34,380 --> 00:03:36,660 Zoom in. I think there was an actual picture. 71 00:03:39,150 --> 00:03:41,190 No. 72 00:03:41,580 --> 00:03:42,510 Do you want to bring it up? 73 00:03:43,410 --> 00:03:46,351 Maybe. 74 00:03:49,590 --> 00:03:49,875 Yeah, I- 75 00:03:49,904 --> 00:03:51,900 Aaron, so if you bring it up so it's that B spot right there. 76 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:54,840 Yeah, you see where it says B5? It's not color... 77 00:03:57,090 --> 00:03:58,215 We do it in the colors. 78 00:04:00,930 --> 00:04:01,980 Oh, that's it. So- 79 00:04:02,550 --> 00:04:02,625 Yeah 80 00:04:02,730 --> 00:04:02,730 ... 81 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:06,090 any comments from council? 82 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:10,531 No. From the public? All in favor? 83 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:11,041 Aye. 84 00:04:11,070 --> 00:04:11,324 Aye. 85 00:04:11,324 --> 00:04:11,400 Aye. 86 00:04:11,940 --> 00:04:17,701 Okay. Next is a certificate of appropriateness, 17 through 19 87 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,445 West Mechanic sign installation. Can I have a motion? 88 00:04:20,731 --> 00:04:21,541 I'll make that motion. 89 00:04:22,110 --> 00:04:22,591 I'll second. 90 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:28,170 Okay, and I know that the applicant is here tonight. 91 00:04:29,370 --> 00:04:31,470 Welcome to West Mechanic. 92 00:04:33,660 --> 00:04:35,160 Any comments from council? 93 00:04:37,230 --> 00:04:38,160 No, great sign. 94 00:04:38,281 --> 00:04:39,390 Cool. Yeah. 95 00:04:39,824 --> 00:04:42,420 And any comments from the public? 96 00:04:44,820 --> 00:04:45,810 Okay, all in favor? 97 00:04:46,470 --> 00:04:46,710 Aye. 98 00:04:46,770 --> 00:04:46,980 Aye. 99 00:04:47,010 --> 00:04:47,460 Aye. 100 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:49,380 Good luck in your new location. 101 00:04:54,031 --> 00:04:54,630 Okay. 102 00:04:56,850 --> 00:04:59,820 Next up is a resolution to adopt Bucks County 103 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:06,420 2026 Hazardous Mitigation Plan. Can I have a motion? 104 00:05:07,230 --> 00:05:07,920 I'll make the motion. 105 00:05:08,070 --> 00:05:08,580 I'll second. 106 00:05:09,300 --> 00:05:15,210 Okay. I'm going to defer to our zoning officer for a brief description of what 107 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:16,335 we're talking about here. 108 00:05:17,100 --> 00:05:21,510 Yeah, so basically, every municipality is required to update their hazard 109 00:05:21,570 --> 00:05:24,600 mitigation plan every five years. 110 00:05:24,900 --> 00:05:27,810 This was spearheaded by the Bucks County Planning Commission. 111 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:34,035 The basis for the requirement is to be eligible for funding in 112 00:05:34,591 --> 00:05:39,510 the event of disaster, for pre and post-disaster funding, and it's required through 113 00:05:39,540 --> 00:05:39,810 FEMA. 114 00:05:40,860 --> 00:05:41,130 Okay. 115 00:05:41,685 --> 00:05:42,240 All right. 116 00:05:42,435 --> 00:05:46,395 The county really tries to keep each municipality from having to do this on their 117 00:05:46,470 --> 00:05:50,701 own, and they do it cooperatively, and they involve members from each of the 118 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:54,420 municipalities in the county to help with that. 119 00:05:54,435 --> 00:05:56,550 They do it about, I think, every five years. Is that Lisa? 120 00:05:57,031 --> 00:05:58,170 Correct, every five years. 121 00:05:58,260 --> 00:05:58,380 Yeah. 122 00:05:58,920 --> 00:05:59,400 Excellent. 123 00:05:59,430 --> 00:06:00,060 Very good. 124 00:06:00,150 --> 00:06:00,570 Thank you. 125 00:06:01,620 --> 00:06:03,810 Okay, comments from council? 126 00:06:04,380 --> 00:06:04,531 Nope. 127 00:06:04,980 --> 00:06:07,290 From the public? All in favor? 128 00:06:08,250 --> 00:06:08,535 Aye. 129 00:06:08,535 --> 00:06:08,535 Aye. 130 00:06:08,535 --> 00:06:08,580 Aye. 131 00:06:11,940 --> 00:06:15,045 Next up is adoption of a tax claim ordinance. 132 00:06:15,180 --> 00:06:17,685 This was advertised on August 2nd- 133 00:06:19,201 --> 00:06:19,260 Yeah 134 00:06:19,290 --> 00:06:21,765 ... and approved by council. Can I have a motion? 135 00:06:22,650 --> 00:06:23,400 I'll make that motion. 136 00:06:23,940 --> 00:06:24,510 I'll second. 137 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:29,760 Okay. This basically was a means by which 138 00:06:30,210 --> 00:06:34,995 any unpaid taxes, real estate taxes, 139 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:41,220 this organization that would 140 00:06:41,850 --> 00:06:43,470 collect those money would 141 00:06:45,030 --> 00:06:50,701 give us 95%, and they'd keep 5%. Well, this new arrangement is that we get 100% of 142 00:06:50,730 --> 00:06:55,110 their monies. So it was a win-win for us. 143 00:06:55,155 --> 00:07:00,930 So, we don't have that many unpaid real estate taxes that it amounts 144 00:07:01,020 --> 00:07:06,466 to much money, but it's still a benefit for the borough, and that's what 145 00:07:06,510 --> 00:07:12,210 we're voting on tonight. Any additional comments from council? 146 00:07:12,510 --> 00:07:13,410 No. Good job. 147 00:07:13,425 --> 00:07:15,960 From the public? All in favor? 148 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:17,026 Aye. 149 00:07:17,026 --> 00:07:18,390 Aye. 150 00:07:18,466 --> 00:07:18,466 Aye. 151 00:07:18,510 --> 00:07:23,820 Okay, next up is the consideration of approval to submit Bird Town PA 152 00:07:23,835 --> 00:07:26,250 application and fee. Can I have a motion? 153 00:07:26,581 --> 00:07:27,750 I'll make the motion. 154 00:07:27,811 --> 00:07:28,290 I'll second. 155 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:29,401 Okay. 156 00:07:33,870 --> 00:07:36,480 Anne, you want to, yeah, give us a little... 157 00:07:36,540 --> 00:07:38,190 You want to talk a little bit about it? 158 00:07:38,265 --> 00:07:38,850 This is your- 159 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:50,701 Pam Kerr. K-E-R-R. Sorry. No, I don't want to talk about it, 160 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:52,591 obviously. 161 00:07:55,230 --> 00:07:59,115 Matt was supposed to be here. He gave the presentation at the workshop, and 162 00:07:59,190 --> 00:08:04,740 basically, the Environmental Advisory Council would like to add the Bird Town 163 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:09,270 PA certification to the borough. It is 164 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:16,845 possible to do this and come in at the Silver level, and within a couple of months, 165 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:22,695 be at the top Gold level because a lot of the basis is 166 00:08:22,770 --> 00:08:27,750 the Naturalizing New Hope certification and the Shade Tree 167 00:08:28,350 --> 00:08:33,375 certifications. And then we'll build on it over time to do more things that are 168 00:08:33,420 --> 00:08:39,300 good for the birds. But we basically not only qualify, but we qualify well up the 169 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:43,875 scale at this point. And Pam, as far as getting to the Gold level, is it building 170 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:47,370 up the native habitats to attract more birds? Is that how we get to that? 171 00:08:49,860 --> 00:08:55,080 It is. It probably comes down to a few points of proclamations and things, and then 172 00:08:55,140 --> 00:08:59,431 the big work is the long-term work, where lights out during... 173 00:08:59,880 --> 00:09:02,670 We're not going to do that all in two seconds. That's going to be long-term. 174 00:09:02,910 --> 00:09:08,340 So this is just the sort of basis to say we have been committing to the Shade Tree 175 00:09:08,910 --> 00:09:14,880 USA and to the National Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Habitat. 176 00:09:15,090 --> 00:09:20,130 So this is building so that over time we have a fundamental basis for doing better. 177 00:09:21,210 --> 00:09:23,250 But I forget what exactly we need to be gold. 178 00:09:23,311 --> 00:09:27,330 I think it's more paperwork points than it is because we've got so much stuff 179 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:27,840 already going on. 180 00:09:27,855 --> 00:09:28,965 Already. Okay. 181 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:33,061 Any other comments for Pam or- 182 00:09:33,181 --> 00:09:36,780 No. Great way to build on the work you've already been doing with naturalizing New 183 00:09:36,870 --> 00:09:41,280 Hope and the Shade Tree Commission's good work and everything, so great to expand 184 00:09:41,311 --> 00:09:41,940 that work. 185 00:09:42,165 --> 00:09:42,840 I've heard. Yeah. Thank you. 186 00:09:43,020 --> 00:09:43,950 Keep us going. 187 00:09:50,820 --> 00:09:56,370 Lori, L-O-R-I. Stagnitto, S-T-A-G-N-I-T-T-O. 188 00:09:58,140 --> 00:10:01,440 Kudos to Pam and to the groups for 189 00:10:03,151 --> 00:10:08,130 wanting New Hope to be a bird down, but unfortunately, I just wanted to say, we are 190 00:10:08,220 --> 00:10:12,990 taking away their natural habitats at an alarming rate. 191 00:10:13,590 --> 00:10:16,530 Trees are being cut down left and right. 192 00:10:16,561 --> 00:10:21,450 Developers are taking out as much greenery and habitat as they 193 00:10:21,510 --> 00:10:27,360 can, and it's just something we really have to be aware of and careful of. 194 00:10:27,750 --> 00:10:33,075 I think about the Mansion Inn, had two massive trees and gardens and greens and 195 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:39,090 shrubs behind it, and now if you go back there, it's just concrete and stone, and 196 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:41,520 there's nothing green back there at all. 197 00:10:41,610 --> 00:10:46,980 It's like an entire block of New Hope has no greens anymore. 198 00:10:47,700 --> 00:10:52,681 Every time they put up one of these massive houses on the river, they're taking 199 00:10:52,710 --> 00:10:58,681 down the massive trees along the river where our eagles and hawks 200 00:10:58,770 --> 00:11:04,260 and songbirds stop. So there's that. 201 00:11:04,830 --> 00:11:09,690 And of course, it's interesting, the Bucks County Audubon Society just put out 202 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:16,140 lights out for the next month or so because of bird migration, but yet we 203 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:19,890 have things like the bridge and the bright lights 204 00:11:21,330 --> 00:11:23,820 that are so bad for birds and wildlife. 205 00:11:24,390 --> 00:11:29,670 So I think we really have to be on top of this and especially our trees. Thanks. 206 00:11:29,790 --> 00:11:33,270 Thank you. Any other comments from the public? 207 00:11:35,401 --> 00:11:40,365 Okay, I neglected to add that we have $160 208 00:11:40,830 --> 00:11:46,515 application fee with this for... We get two signs, I think, for free, and we're 209 00:11:46,890 --> 00:11:51,960 paying for one because the recommendation was to get three, so it's $160 210 00:11:52,020 --> 00:11:56,640 application fee with this. So just want to add that to the motion, and 211 00:11:58,500 --> 00:12:02,370 if there's no other comments from the public or council, all in favor? 212 00:12:02,460 --> 00:12:02,790 Aye. 213 00:12:02,910 --> 00:12:03,120 Aye. 214 00:12:05,910 --> 00:12:10,590 Next up is the consideration of temporary tent exception request for Parry Mansion 215 00:12:10,620 --> 00:12:12,255 Museum. Can I have a motion? 216 00:12:12,870 --> 00:12:13,651 I'll make that motion. 217 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:14,311 I'll second. 218 00:12:15,330 --> 00:12:16,590 That's okay. Okay. 219 00:12:19,500 --> 00:12:23,565 I think I have a couple photographs describing it. 220 00:12:23,580 --> 00:12:26,490 They're going to have tents up for about a month. 221 00:12:28,110 --> 00:12:32,250 I think it's about a month. Three weeks, three and a half weeks, I think was the- 222 00:12:32,311 --> 00:12:36,120 Yeah. Yes, two weeks. Yeah, it's going to be naturally screened- 223 00:12:36,134 --> 00:12:37,019 From the landscape 224 00:12:37,170 --> 00:12:38,175 ... by the landscaping. Yeah. 225 00:12:38,175 --> 00:12:39,480 Okay. So 226 00:12:40,770 --> 00:12:46,020 they have the necessary insurance policies and it looks like it's a substantial 227 00:12:46,290 --> 00:12:47,669 looking structure. 228 00:12:48,780 --> 00:12:50,490 It's next page. There you go. 229 00:12:50,551 --> 00:12:51,121 There you go. 230 00:12:53,340 --> 00:12:55,560 Any comments from council? 231 00:12:55,786 --> 00:12:59,460 No, just that it's an artist spotlight that they're highlighting within, right? 232 00:12:59,580 --> 00:13:04,470 It's a series of local artists that they'll be sponsoring as part of it, so it's to 233 00:13:04,500 --> 00:13:09,030 highlight the arts in town, which I think is a worthwhile endeavor. Yeah. 234 00:13:09,090 --> 00:13:13,740 Yeah. The application says September 11th through September 25th. 235 00:13:13,755 --> 00:13:13,786 11th through the 25th. 236 00:13:13,801 --> 00:13:17,085 So look forward to seeing the programming that's going on there, and yeah, 237 00:13:18,151 --> 00:13:18,960 highlighting our town. 238 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,490 Any other comments from council? 239 00:13:24,780 --> 00:13:27,810 Anything from the public? All in favor? 240 00:13:28,500 --> 00:13:28,770 Aye. 241 00:13:28,801 --> 00:13:29,070 Aye. 242 00:13:31,801 --> 00:13:36,480 Okay, next up is consideration approval to hire Eva 243 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:42,931 Guasconi with a visitor center, a much-needed position 244 00:13:43,020 --> 00:13:44,431 filled. Can I have a motion? 245 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:45,690 I'll make that motion. 246 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:46,980 I'll second that. 247 00:13:47,401 --> 00:13:48,390 Is Eva here? 248 00:13:48,690 --> 00:13:49,860 Is Eva here? No. 249 00:13:50,115 --> 00:13:50,401 No. Okay. 250 00:13:50,670 --> 00:13:50,911 Okay. 251 00:13:51,630 --> 00:13:52,110 She is 252 00:13:53,490 --> 00:13:59,161 being hired for $12 an hour, and she's going to act as a 253 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:04,110 fill-in and a much needed respite for the active 254 00:14:06,030 --> 00:14:10,920 employees of the visitor center, so we're glad that we've brought in some 255 00:14:10,950 --> 00:14:15,840 reinforcements. Any comments from council? 256 00:14:16,036 --> 00:14:20,580 I think this will allow us to potentially offer the visitor center more hours on 257 00:14:20,610 --> 00:14:26,070 holidays and so forth as well. So we had had two part-time staff, but this way we 258 00:14:26,100 --> 00:14:29,806 can hopefully have yet another resource to be able to be open more for people, 259 00:14:30,510 --> 00:14:31,890 because it definitely matters. 260 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:36,901 Yeah, and we're really trying, along the same lines, we're trying to figure out 261 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:43,020 with Victoria's help and everything, is identifying pulses of activity in the 262 00:14:43,051 --> 00:14:47,130 borough that would make and warrant the 263 00:14:48,301 --> 00:14:53,340 opening of the visitor center during the times where it's not open now. 264 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:57,960 It's both for restrooms and for the help that the visitor center provides. 265 00:14:57,975 --> 00:15:03,645 So, I'm sure Victoria might have something more to add to that. 266 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:06,030 We're hoping seasonally for Fridays. 267 00:15:06,151 --> 00:15:06,450 Right. 268 00:15:06,901 --> 00:15:12,735 So hopefully throughout December, and then we can reevaluate in the new year and 269 00:15:12,901 --> 00:15:18,690 look towards other dates or perhaps coordinating with the playhouse for matinee 270 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:19,320 performances. 271 00:15:19,411 --> 00:15:20,145 Perfect. That's great. 272 00:15:20,145 --> 00:15:21,286 That's great. Yeah. 273 00:15:21,420 --> 00:15:24,151 Or like Black Friday perhaps or something, things like that. 274 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:27,540 Yeah. Ken and I met with the playhouse, and that's something that they're very 275 00:15:27,570 --> 00:15:30,780 interested in seeing us support to be able to be open around the times of the 276 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:32,280 matinee, so that would be awesome. 277 00:15:32,340 --> 00:15:37,950 And we're getting into budget season now, so we'll make sure that we take all that 278 00:15:37,980 --> 00:15:43,185 into consideration for next year and trying to get the hours and not have you had 279 00:15:43,651 --> 00:15:46,440 struggle as much as you had during the- 280 00:15:47,460 --> 00:15:47,551 No. 281 00:15:48,060 --> 00:15:51,029 Keeping the place open just with the two of you. 282 00:15:51,871 --> 00:15:53,700 So any other comments from council? 283 00:15:54,871 --> 00:15:58,051 Anything from the public on Eva's... 284 00:15:58,740 --> 00:16:03,330 Her name is G-U-A-S-C-O-N-I, and 285 00:16:03,450 --> 00:16:06,661 we're happy to have her wherever she is. 286 00:16:07,830 --> 00:16:11,189 Any other comments from the public? All in favor? 287 00:16:11,220 --> 00:16:11,715 Aye. 288 00:16:13,095 --> 00:16:13,095 Aye. 289 00:16:13,110 --> 00:16:18,121 Okay, next up is the consideration parks and rec request to 290 00:16:20,100 --> 00:16:23,895 compensate a mural artist to paint the grate at the Ferry Landing Park. 291 00:16:24,450 --> 00:16:25,335 Can I have a motion? 292 00:16:26,371 --> 00:16:27,299 I'll make that motion. 293 00:16:27,450 --> 00:16:27,931 I'll second. 294 00:16:28,380 --> 00:16:30,871 Okay, this is Ferry Landing Park. There's a 295 00:16:35,490 --> 00:16:41,280 sewer grate, and so it's going to be memorialized in the best way that 296 00:16:41,371 --> 00:16:42,810 they could possibly... 297 00:16:44,220 --> 00:16:47,670 Is the artist here tonight? No. Okay. All right. 298 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:54,690 Do we have a rendering of it, of what she has in mind? 299 00:16:56,371 --> 00:16:58,920 This is something that you've talked about in the past. 300 00:16:58,980 --> 00:17:03,510 I think the difference is when it was originally discussed, it was going to be 301 00:17:03,540 --> 00:17:07,651 someone from the high school doing it, and there wasn't any expense involved. 302 00:17:07,681 --> 00:17:12,165 And so the only reason it's on your agenda is there's money in the budget for park 303 00:17:12,181 --> 00:17:14,070 and rec, but this was not specifically- 304 00:17:14,611 --> 00:17:14,760 Yeah 305 00:17:15,361 --> 00:17:17,280 ... budgeted, so that's why we put it on the agenda. 306 00:17:18,255 --> 00:17:18,255 Okay. 307 00:17:18,270 --> 00:17:21,780 But it was a project that council, I believe, was very much in favor of. 308 00:17:22,111 --> 00:17:22,801 Yes, definitely. 309 00:17:22,830 --> 00:17:27,480 And we got permission from Bucks County Water and Sewer because of sewer grate. 310 00:17:27,780 --> 00:17:28,740 Right. I understand. 311 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:34,770 I just wanted to, for those who, since we don't have anything, I think the sketch 312 00:17:34,830 --> 00:17:39,810 is going on and we're pretty sure what it is, but you don't have the visual, but 313 00:17:39,871 --> 00:17:45,585 it's by Hope Gabor Bek, who did John and Peter's, who is just did the Ferry 314 00:17:45,660 --> 00:17:51,630 Landing interior, and is about to rehab the Beatrix Potter mural at 315 00:17:51,660 --> 00:17:57,450 the library that nobody's seen before, but it's really there. So, it's exciting. 316 00:17:57,480 --> 00:17:58,230 It's going to be bright. 317 00:18:00,150 --> 00:18:05,010 Bucks County Water and Sewer had okayed it. I think Public Works help clean it. 318 00:18:05,100 --> 00:18:06,301 Everybody's involved. 319 00:18:06,690 --> 00:18:06,765 They 320 00:18:07,980 --> 00:18:11,280 okayed that it be done, but they didn't okay the design. 321 00:18:13,159 --> 00:18:13,758 They don't need- 322 00:18:14,089 --> 00:18:16,788 We okayed that. We trust Hope. 323 00:18:17,358 --> 00:18:21,258 Okay. No, because I'm just wondering if that should be a provision for us in terms 324 00:18:21,318 --> 00:18:26,193 of seeing it. Typically, we would want to see something that is being put-- 325 00:18:27,858 --> 00:18:29,988 I don't know if I want to make a big deal about it, but- 326 00:18:30,003 --> 00:18:30,003 No 327 00:18:30,003 --> 00:18:31,998 ... I mean, it is in one of our parks and- 328 00:18:32,149 --> 00:18:34,818 It's a price, but we're lucky Hope's fitting us in. 329 00:18:35,028 --> 00:18:37,037 I would think we should just move forward. 330 00:18:37,277 --> 00:18:37,353 No, that's it. 331 00:18:37,353 --> 00:18:39,857 And we do know what Hope more or less looks like. 332 00:18:40,128 --> 00:18:41,613 It will be bright, because it's Hope. 333 00:18:41,613 --> 00:18:44,808 Well, and that concerns me personally. 334 00:18:44,868 --> 00:18:46,188 Well, it's also flat. 335 00:18:46,248 --> 00:18:47,839 Yeah, I understand. Look- 336 00:18:48,168 --> 00:18:48,678 Jellyfish 337 00:18:48,768 --> 00:18:49,278 ... we're going to- 338 00:18:49,909 --> 00:18:50,268 Okay. 339 00:18:51,649 --> 00:18:54,378 I hear you. I'm just trying to slide past it. 340 00:18:58,608 --> 00:18:58,728 Okay. 341 00:18:59,958 --> 00:19:04,878 Any comments from council to add to-- I love living in the ambiguity. 342 00:19:06,078 --> 00:19:07,399 It's a surprise. 343 00:19:07,428 --> 00:19:08,659 Did you say jellyfish? 344 00:19:09,108 --> 00:19:11,688 It's going to be right in the area of more jellyfish. 345 00:19:11,899 --> 00:19:12,738 Which is a sculpture- 346 00:19:13,188 --> 00:19:13,352 Oh, okay 347 00:19:13,352 --> 00:19:14,598 ... there. 348 00:19:14,613 --> 00:19:15,348 So there's no jellyfish then. 349 00:19:15,378 --> 00:19:18,948 No. Well, the sturgeon went away, and the jellyfish came in. 350 00:19:19,098 --> 00:19:20,642 The sculpture is a jellyfish. 351 00:19:20,688 --> 00:19:23,028 I was thinking shad would be more appropriate for the- 352 00:19:23,089 --> 00:19:25,024 We don't have any shad sculptures. I'm sorry. 353 00:19:25,488 --> 00:19:28,578 No, for the mural. I thought you were saying the mural on the grate was going to be 354 00:19:28,608 --> 00:19:29,149 jellyfish. 355 00:19:29,268 --> 00:19:32,358 No, the mural is going to be fishy of some sort. 356 00:19:32,418 --> 00:19:35,988 But I think it's going to be, we don't know what kind. 357 00:19:36,003 --> 00:19:36,332 Fish of some sort. 358 00:19:36,332 --> 00:19:37,098 It's going to be Hope's fish. 359 00:19:37,278 --> 00:19:38,118 Leave it at the ambiguity. 360 00:19:39,393 --> 00:19:39,798 Thank you. 361 00:19:40,608 --> 00:19:40,923 The 362 00:19:47,149 --> 00:19:52,623 fee for this mural is $1,650, which includes 363 00:19:52,623 --> 00:19:56,298 materials, so that's part of the discussion tonight. 364 00:19:57,138 --> 00:20:01,248 Any other comments from council? Yes, Ed. 365 00:20:06,708 --> 00:20:10,428 Are they going-- Ed Duffy, 231 Way, New Hope. 366 00:20:11,208 --> 00:20:15,618 Are they going to present whatever this thing is before you and get approval? 367 00:20:16,368 --> 00:20:17,899 Or are you just going to go blind faith? 368 00:20:20,568 --> 00:20:26,553 I think for something like this, and based on what I'm hearing, I think we can 369 00:20:27,198 --> 00:20:29,133 take a shot here. I mean, that- 370 00:20:29,868 --> 00:20:33,738 A mural. Isn't a mural what you're supposed to see, not here? 371 00:20:33,768 --> 00:20:36,978 It's a sewer grate, basically. It's a- 372 00:20:37,024 --> 00:20:37,818 It's a sewer cover 373 00:20:37,833 --> 00:20:39,318 ... it's a sewer cover in the- 374 00:20:39,978 --> 00:20:41,073 What are they going to put on it, though? 375 00:20:41,149 --> 00:20:42,138 It's going to be painted. 376 00:20:43,188 --> 00:20:43,848 Just painted? 377 00:20:44,178 --> 00:20:45,573 Just painted. Yeah. No- 378 00:20:45,918 --> 00:20:46,608 Really cool. 379 00:20:47,508 --> 00:20:48,378 Really cool on that. 380 00:20:48,468 --> 00:20:50,313 No statement. No type of statement. 381 00:20:50,313 --> 00:20:51,078 No statements. 382 00:20:51,589 --> 00:20:54,498 We've already got a statement, okay. You know what I mean. 383 00:20:54,948 --> 00:20:55,128 Okay. 384 00:20:55,188 --> 00:20:55,848 Thank you very much. 385 00:20:56,208 --> 00:20:56,598 Thank you. 386 00:20:57,918 --> 00:20:58,428 All right. 387 00:21:00,948 --> 00:21:02,808 Did we approve that? No, we didn't. 388 00:21:03,438 --> 00:21:04,548 It's still under public comment. 389 00:21:04,578 --> 00:21:08,089 We're still in public comment. Anybody else have a comment? 390 00:21:08,178 --> 00:21:10,159 Got thrown off the scent, you see. 391 00:21:12,498 --> 00:21:16,458 Okay. Nothing more from the public. Yeah, just to Jay. 392 00:21:16,548 --> 00:21:21,708 Chief, just to add a little levity to this whole situation, is it going to be 393 00:21:21,738 --> 00:21:24,843 painted in place, or are they going to take the sewer grate back to the-- 394 00:21:26,928 --> 00:21:28,247 Okay, just thinking. 395 00:21:29,507 --> 00:21:32,718 Take it away for a day. Have somebody watch over the hole. 396 00:21:34,248 --> 00:21:37,128 For those who don't like it, it's on the ground. You can look over it. 397 00:21:38,178 --> 00:21:40,159 Will we be able to watch it being painted? 398 00:21:41,659 --> 00:21:42,348 No paparas. 399 00:21:42,708 --> 00:21:43,488 I think 400 00:21:45,708 --> 00:21:48,108 it was primed maybe yesterday. 401 00:21:48,678 --> 00:21:50,418 Any public- 402 00:21:50,839 --> 00:21:53,328 I think a sketch is going on maybe 403 00:21:53,418 --> 00:21:53,808 Okay 404 00:21:53,823 --> 00:21:57,378 I wasn't down there. If somebody gets eyes on it, call around. 405 00:21:58,143 --> 00:21:58,143 Yeah. 406 00:21:58,248 --> 00:22:02,538 Just, I'm waiting for-- It was supposed to be this week. It's okay. 407 00:22:02,748 --> 00:22:04,068 I don't disagree. Yeah. 408 00:22:05,899 --> 00:22:10,758 Okay. Let me know. We're going to self-acknowledge breach of absolute protocol. 409 00:22:10,998 --> 00:22:14,268 We are going to take a vote. All in favor? 410 00:22:14,448 --> 00:22:16,339 Aye. 411 00:22:16,352 --> 00:22:16,352 Aye. 412 00:22:18,589 --> 00:22:24,228 Next up is the certificate of appropriateness 357 West Bridge, 413 00:22:24,888 --> 00:22:29,238 demolition of existing and addition and front porch. Can I have a motion? 414 00:22:29,808 --> 00:22:30,498 I'll make that motion. 415 00:22:30,948 --> 00:22:35,748 Okay, we're going to punt over to our solicitor 416 00:22:36,528 --> 00:22:37,038 for- 417 00:22:39,078 --> 00:22:42,888 I'm going to address this from the podium. May I ask Maslo, Mr. 418 00:22:42,948 --> 00:22:43,878 Fay to come forward? 419 00:22:45,288 --> 00:22:50,988 Council met in executive session, consistent with the Yanacono case, to be informed 420 00:22:51,258 --> 00:22:56,598 of the legal issue of HARB issuing a tie vote, which 421 00:22:57,288 --> 00:23:01,458 was not a recommendation in regard to this request or application for certificate 422 00:23:01,518 --> 00:23:04,008 of appropriateness for this property. 423 00:23:04,098 --> 00:23:07,578 So we discussed the ramifications of that tie vote. 424 00:23:08,253 --> 00:23:12,528 There were two issues that were unresolved before HARB. 425 00:23:13,608 --> 00:23:18,858 Having read the HARB chair, Jay Frio's memo to council, and also having read the 426 00:23:18,948 --> 00:23:22,278 minutes of the August 4 HARB meeting carefully. 427 00:23:22,339 --> 00:23:27,362 The two issues that remained were the roofing material, the existing is 428 00:23:27,468 --> 00:23:31,862 asphalt. What was discussed by and among the owner, Mr. 429 00:23:32,089 --> 00:23:37,758 Maslo, and HARB members were three historical materials, one being the existing 430 00:23:37,818 --> 00:23:43,442 asphalt, second being a standing seam metal roof, third being a simulated 431 00:23:43,548 --> 00:23:44,328 slate roof. 432 00:23:46,038 --> 00:23:50,149 Original slate or actual slate was also discussed, but it was not vetted because 433 00:23:50,178 --> 00:23:55,428 there was no examination or consideration of the weight of original slate on this 434 00:23:55,458 --> 00:23:56,538 particular structure. 435 00:23:58,698 --> 00:24:03,858 So in regard to the second issue, which was massing, 436 00:24:04,518 --> 00:24:10,008 M-A-S-S-I-N-G, that was also not voted upon by the HARB members. 437 00:24:10,098 --> 00:24:14,839 It was brought up after the motion was presented by the HARB chair. 438 00:24:15,468 --> 00:24:21,243 And so it was not actually part of any recommendation or 439 00:24:21,948 --> 00:24:23,899 discussion per se. 440 00:24:25,518 --> 00:24:30,768 So I made a recommendation to council, which Mr. Maslo and Mr. 441 00:24:30,888 --> 00:24:36,123 Fay are agreeable to, and I'll summarize it as follows, and I'll ask Mr. 442 00:24:36,348 --> 00:24:38,958 Maslo to confirm. Maslo. 443 00:24:40,488 --> 00:24:40,909 All right. 444 00:24:42,288 --> 00:24:47,343 First is that during the August 4 HARB session, HARB members, led by Mr. 445 00:24:47,628 --> 00:24:50,058 Frio and Mr. Maslo, 446 00:24:51,498 --> 00:24:57,409 did I get it right? Did reach a consensus on certain aspects of the proposed 447 00:24:57,468 --> 00:24:59,328 structure, including windows, 448 00:25:00,558 --> 00:25:01,098 railings, 449 00:25:02,478 --> 00:25:05,508 light fixtures, and siding. I asked Mr. 450 00:25:05,568 --> 00:25:11,149 Maslo this evening if, consistent with the confirmed transcript and discussions on 451 00:25:11,178 --> 00:25:16,788 those subjects, does he continue to affirm his willingness to abide by what was 452 00:25:16,848 --> 00:25:21,589 discussed at the August 4 HARB meeting, and his answer was okay. 453 00:25:22,668 --> 00:25:25,968 The second issue was, I conveyed to Mr. 454 00:25:26,208 --> 00:25:31,909 Maslo that council prefers standing seam metal roof to replace the 455 00:25:31,938 --> 00:25:37,308 existing asphalt roof and to be also involved in any additional roofing for 456 00:25:37,368 --> 00:25:41,703 additions or anything else that's going to be part of this new structure. And Mr. 457 00:25:41,958 --> 00:25:44,029 Maslo agreed. Okay. 458 00:25:46,368 --> 00:25:51,693 The third is that with regard to the massing and with regard to what 459 00:25:52,758 --> 00:25:57,948 is presented to be partial demolition of the existing structure, retaining the 460 00:25:57,978 --> 00:26:03,753 historic materials and removing non-historic materials, I recommended, 461 00:26:04,578 --> 00:26:09,753 rather than council considering remanding the massing issue back to HARB, 462 00:26:10,652 --> 00:26:16,473 that Mr. Maslo consider meeting with staff members, myself, our engineer, and 463 00:26:16,518 --> 00:26:19,683 our manager in short order, as early as next week, 464 00:26:21,078 --> 00:26:26,358 to discuss their proposed demolition and their proposed 465 00:26:26,958 --> 00:26:28,639 redesign of the structure, 466 00:26:30,048 --> 00:26:35,748 recognizing that council has a reservation about massing based on the record to 467 00:26:35,808 --> 00:26:40,848 date. Mr. Maslo agreed to that. And then that 468 00:26:41,058 --> 00:26:46,443 process will include a second meeting, which will 469 00:26:46,458 --> 00:26:51,708 include two or three council members, so you have the opportunity to hear the 470 00:26:51,798 --> 00:26:57,768 discussion firsthand. And then that will be reported at the September council 471 00:26:57,798 --> 00:26:58,083 meeting, 472 00:26:59,448 --> 00:27:05,298 including a potential resolution proposal that would result in your being presented 473 00:27:05,899 --> 00:27:09,723 a certificate of appropriateness for your review and consideration to approve. 474 00:27:11,598 --> 00:27:15,438 And Mr. Maslo agreed to that process, and Mr. Fay also agreed. 475 00:27:15,948 --> 00:27:18,678 Let me add for this understanding that Mr. 476 00:27:18,889 --> 00:27:23,448 Maslo is represented by Andrew Griffin, attorney. I spoke to Andrew this morning. 477 00:27:23,839 --> 00:27:27,649 I tried to reach him this evening, but I know he's solicitor for another borough in 478 00:27:27,678 --> 00:27:30,948 the county and unavailable. So I told Mr. Fay and Mr. 479 00:27:31,008 --> 00:27:34,953 Maslo I will call Andrew directly tomorrow morning, fill him in on this, and 480 00:27:34,968 --> 00:27:38,389 they're comfortable with that discussion between the three of us. 481 00:27:39,498 --> 00:27:44,328 The third issue, or the fourth issue I should say is, we really want to know and 482 00:27:45,198 --> 00:27:50,808 have explained to us the size and the configuration of the new design. 483 00:27:50,868 --> 00:27:55,038 So that's part of the agenda to be discussed in addition to the demolition process. 484 00:27:55,428 --> 00:28:00,438 And as you know, if a certificate of appropriateness was approved as requested for 485 00:28:00,468 --> 00:28:05,464 a partial demolition, no work could begin until council approved the plan of 486 00:28:05,508 --> 00:28:09,423 demolition and approved the plan of redesign and reconstruction. 487 00:28:09,798 --> 00:28:14,598 So those are topics that will be addressed informally, but also presented in public 488 00:28:14,688 --> 00:28:20,298 session in September. The last issue was the basement, which shows in the new 489 00:28:20,358 --> 00:28:26,193 plan. So the basement is not prohibited under borough ordinances, but the use is 490 00:28:26,193 --> 00:28:31,098 something to be discussed and vetted with Mr. Mazzo and Mr. Fay. 491 00:28:31,488 --> 00:28:35,794 So they're the issues that I think are pertinent to this resolution. 492 00:28:35,868 --> 00:28:41,149 And based upon Mr. Mazzo's agreement to this administrative process, 493 00:28:42,152 --> 00:28:45,544 the agenda item will be deferred and tabled until September. 494 00:28:46,488 --> 00:28:51,529 Is that all acceptable? Okay. And I think you would need a motion to table this 495 00:28:51,558 --> 00:28:56,132 based on that recitation of the proposed administrative process. 496 00:28:56,658 --> 00:29:02,103 I'd like to make a motion that in light of that description of events that will 497 00:29:02,149 --> 00:29:04,339 occur, that we 498 00:29:05,628 --> 00:29:06,919 table this motion. 499 00:29:08,178 --> 00:29:09,408 Table the motion of- 500 00:29:11,478 --> 00:29:17,149 Consideration of the HARB project memo and trying to address the tie 501 00:29:17,208 --> 00:29:18,498 vote by HARB. 502 00:29:18,889 --> 00:29:19,518 Right. Okay. 503 00:29:20,899 --> 00:29:21,618 Is there a second? 504 00:29:22,218 --> 00:29:25,053 I second the motion, yeah. Then we discuss it all. 505 00:29:25,518 --> 00:29:27,783 Well, do we have discussion here? 506 00:29:27,978 --> 00:29:33,529 Just want to clarify for myself and everybody, I understand, but, so the point 507 00:29:33,649 --> 00:29:38,478 is, just in brief, we'll talk, if council doesn't, and council and the developers 508 00:29:38,568 --> 00:29:43,548 don't come to a meeting of the minds, then this process continues through HARB or 509 00:29:43,563 --> 00:29:43,923 something. 510 00:29:44,268 --> 00:29:44,718 Correct. 511 00:29:44,733 --> 00:29:45,333 Is that right? Yeah. 512 00:29:45,378 --> 00:29:49,548 When we get to September, you have all your options available to you, which may 513 00:29:49,608 --> 00:29:51,258 include remanding it back to HARB. 514 00:29:51,544 --> 00:29:51,544 Okay. 515 00:29:51,558 --> 00:29:56,389 Which may include just taking the initiative of granting or denying a certificate 516 00:29:56,419 --> 00:30:00,589 of appropriateness, but understand under the HARB ordinance, if council were to 517 00:30:00,618 --> 00:30:06,018 deny the certificate application, you'd have to explain to the applicant what 518 00:30:06,108 --> 00:30:08,807 conditions he could adopt that you would approve. 519 00:30:08,868 --> 00:30:09,198 Yeah, right. 520 00:30:09,288 --> 00:30:14,508 So that really is the logic behind informally sitting down and talking, and 521 00:30:14,568 --> 00:30:19,488 meeting, and understanding whether there's a compromise or resolution that could be 522 00:30:19,518 --> 00:30:20,029 developed. 523 00:30:20,419 --> 00:30:26,118 Okay. And John, just to confirm, as part of that discussion, the 524 00:30:26,448 --> 00:30:30,408 removal of the non-historic portions will be discussed, the methods for how- 525 00:30:30,589 --> 00:30:30,843 Correct 526 00:30:30,889 --> 00:30:31,654 ... potentially that's done. Okay. 527 00:30:32,058 --> 00:30:34,248 As you know, when we talked about 810 Waterloo- 528 00:30:34,399 --> 00:30:34,488 Yeah 529 00:30:34,728 --> 00:30:37,098 ... I described that process as peeling the onion. 530 00:30:37,188 --> 00:30:42,663 So we want to know not only what non-historic remnants are going to be removed, 531 00:30:43,458 --> 00:30:49,218 but how are they going to preserve the historic remnants in place, and just 532 00:30:49,279 --> 00:30:53,149 exactly what is the sequence of operations as we've discussed with- 533 00:30:53,448 --> 00:30:53,568 Okay 534 00:30:53,628 --> 00:30:54,093 ... 810 Waterloo. 535 00:30:54,139 --> 00:30:56,958 And that will be part of discussion, this whole preface. Okay. 536 00:30:57,933 --> 00:30:57,933 Okay. 537 00:30:57,933 --> 00:30:57,933 Thank you. 538 00:30:57,933 --> 00:31:00,649 Again, hearing all that, is that acceptable? 539 00:31:00,678 --> 00:31:01,683 Thank you. Well done. 540 00:31:01,758 --> 00:31:02,328 Thank you. 541 00:31:02,389 --> 00:31:02,553 Yeah. 542 00:31:02,598 --> 00:31:03,258 Thank you. 543 00:31:03,288 --> 00:31:07,128 Thank you. Okay, any additional comments from council? 544 00:31:07,188 --> 00:31:11,658 Yeah. I think we are all looking forward to those buildings being brought back 545 00:31:11,718 --> 00:31:14,612 into their historic-- 546 00:31:15,858 --> 00:31:20,493 Being a wonderful addition to West Bridge Street compared to the state they've been 547 00:31:20,508 --> 00:31:24,948 in for the past few years. So we are looking for a way forward there, but 548 00:31:25,008 --> 00:31:30,032 maintaining the historical integrity of town, as I'm sure the applicants are aware, 549 00:31:30,108 --> 00:31:33,378 you've been around here long enough. So I appreciate the ideas. 550 00:31:33,738 --> 00:31:38,478 Hope to work together to find a solution that the council can live with, since HARB 551 00:31:38,538 --> 00:31:42,408 was deadlocked, and be able to find a way forward to bring these back to 552 00:31:43,908 --> 00:31:45,558 make them shine again. So thank you. 553 00:31:45,618 --> 00:31:47,358 And though I may get boos- 554 00:31:48,978 --> 00:31:52,279 Since you're not making a decision tonight, you're not obligated to hear public 555 00:31:52,428 --> 00:31:54,828 comment, but you certainly can opt to hear public comment. 556 00:31:55,908 --> 00:31:56,118 Okay. 557 00:31:56,598 --> 00:31:57,048 Okay. 558 00:31:57,228 --> 00:31:57,498 For sure. 559 00:31:58,368 --> 00:32:01,399 I have nothing to fear here. 560 00:32:01,518 --> 00:32:01,532 Thank you. 561 00:32:02,328 --> 00:32:07,788 If there's no other comments from council, I don't know if there is. Okay. 562 00:32:08,058 --> 00:32:12,438 John, nice job there in terms of framing that for our benefit. 563 00:32:13,188 --> 00:32:15,649 Any public comment? Yeah. 564 00:32:22,339 --> 00:32:24,889 I appreciate everybody being willing to work together. 565 00:32:25,548 --> 00:32:27,438 I appreciate how hard HARB 566 00:32:28,848 --> 00:32:34,128 sought to find a solution and just, this is a difficult piece. It's a former home. 567 00:32:35,628 --> 00:32:39,258 HARB has some options to say what kind of roof, but it's a former home. 568 00:32:39,768 --> 00:32:42,408 It's probably the most expensive way to do it, the former home. 569 00:32:43,038 --> 00:32:46,158 So there's all sorts of issues, but one of the things I wanted to say is 570 00:32:48,408 --> 00:32:52,788 we've made so many mistakes over the last decade or two in terms of not following 571 00:32:52,848 --> 00:32:53,764 our own guidelines, 572 00:32:55,368 --> 00:33:00,813 and this is a moment where we can consider massing, where because of 573 00:33:00,858 --> 00:33:02,673 previous massive massing, 574 00:33:04,518 --> 00:33:06,407 we've left ourselves a narrow route. 575 00:33:06,468 --> 00:33:10,669 So I'd love a lot of attention to go into this, and I appreciate your willing to do 576 00:33:10,728 --> 00:33:12,678 it, and I appreciate Mr. Mass is willing to do it. 577 00:33:13,698 --> 00:33:16,893 But this is serious stuff that we have just- 578 00:33:17,328 --> 00:33:17,538 Mm-hmm 579 00:33:17,568 --> 00:33:22,188 ... blown up our town. And as Laurie mentioned before, we went and had a block that 580 00:33:22,218 --> 00:33:26,658 has no long, big lawn, no gardens in the back, no anything. 581 00:33:27,048 --> 00:33:32,149 And we have a chance to preserve a tiny bit, and that's what that foundation of the 582 00:33:32,208 --> 00:33:36,048 wildlife habitat, the bird town, and the tree city is about. 583 00:33:37,038 --> 00:33:41,808 Thank you. Any other comments? Okay. 584 00:33:42,438 --> 00:33:43,098 All in favor? 585 00:33:43,878 --> 00:33:44,448 Aye. 586 00:33:45,889 --> 00:33:46,428 Okay. 587 00:33:48,348 --> 00:33:53,808 Next up is the approval of meeting minutes, 588 00:33:54,318 --> 00:33:58,548 July 21st, 2026. Borough council meeting. 589 00:33:58,608 --> 00:34:00,258 Can I have a motion to approve the minutes? 590 00:34:01,008 --> 00:34:01,818 I'll make that motion. 591 00:34:02,298 --> 00:34:04,817 I'll second. All in favor? 592 00:34:04,908 --> 00:34:05,538 Aye. 593 00:34:06,468 --> 00:34:10,968 Approval of accounts payable. Accounts payable for August in the amount of 594 00:34:10,998 --> 00:34:15,048 $237,689.86. 595 00:34:16,279 --> 00:34:21,919 Also, payrolls for July 24th 2026 and August 7th 596 00:34:22,098 --> 00:34:24,708 2026 in the amount of 597 00:34:24,723 --> 00:34:30,378 $103,633.87 and 598 00:34:30,393 --> 00:34:36,258 $124,540.18. Can I have a motion to 599 00:34:36,798 --> 00:34:38,358 approve those accounts payable? 600 00:34:38,988 --> 00:34:39,753 I'll make that motion. 601 00:34:40,608 --> 00:34:41,238 I'll second. 602 00:34:41,928 --> 00:34:42,649 All in favor? 603 00:34:43,098 --> 00:34:43,548 Aye. 604 00:34:44,149 --> 00:34:50,058 Okay. Finance committee, we met, was it 605 00:34:50,089 --> 00:34:50,449 today? 606 00:34:50,508 --> 00:34:50,808 Today. 607 00:34:53,478 --> 00:34:54,378 We met today. 608 00:34:54,738 --> 00:34:55,037 Been a long day. 609 00:34:55,069 --> 00:34:58,398 We went over the numbers and there 610 00:35:00,858 --> 00:35:01,098 were 611 00:35:03,468 --> 00:35:09,258 no meaningful anomalies and consistent with last year on all major revenue 612 00:35:09,378 --> 00:35:15,168 and expense items. We're just beginning to prepare for budget 613 00:35:16,308 --> 00:35:22,158 season, which will be in full swing in the next four or five weeks, but 614 00:35:22,728 --> 00:35:27,648 it's getting started right now. And we're fortunate we have Dave, our interim 615 00:35:28,038 --> 00:35:33,828 borough manager here helping guide us through a very pivotal moment in 616 00:35:33,918 --> 00:35:36,078 time. It's the summer, and 617 00:35:39,918 --> 00:35:45,168 you should only know how valuable it was that we were able to get Dave in here and 618 00:35:45,888 --> 00:35:50,388 make a difference in a lot of areas. So it's really been great. 619 00:35:52,248 --> 00:35:57,978 And more specifically, all of the numbers are on the website, 620 00:35:58,398 --> 00:36:03,558 so you're free to take a look at it, question anything that you 621 00:36:04,578 --> 00:36:09,318 have any interest in, and we'll be certain to communicate with you about it. 622 00:36:10,968 --> 00:36:13,308 Next is a HARB report. 623 00:36:13,968 --> 00:36:19,188 HARB met on August 4th and had four formal 624 00:36:19,218 --> 00:36:22,128 reviews. 9 East Bridge Street, 625 00:36:23,598 --> 00:36:25,758 357 West Bridge Street, 626 00:36:27,199 --> 00:36:31,983 and 4 East Mechanic Street, the Beast Bar, and 627 00:36:32,868 --> 00:36:36,768 719 West Mechanic Street, the Dancing Elephant. 628 00:36:38,058 --> 00:36:38,988 Okay, thank you. 629 00:36:41,208 --> 00:36:41,568 Zoning. 630 00:36:43,998 --> 00:36:47,433 So there was no meeting, but we do have one scheduled for September 10th. 631 00:36:50,922 --> 00:36:54,462 Planning. Well, maybe we'll have- 632 00:36:55,422 --> 00:36:55,962 Eric, I think- 633 00:36:56,143 --> 00:36:59,202 Oh, Eric, you're going to do it. You're taking over. Okay, good. Thank you. 634 00:37:00,312 --> 00:37:01,212 So that was last night. 635 00:37:03,072 --> 00:37:08,877 Other than the minutes and some other daily reporting, there was a review of a 636 00:37:08,893 --> 00:37:14,623 preliminary subdivision application for 105 North Main Street, and that was vetted 637 00:37:14,681 --> 00:37:17,202 quite well by the committee. 638 00:37:18,582 --> 00:37:24,312 I guess where it stands right now is Lisa sent plans to the DCNR and for 639 00:37:24,327 --> 00:37:28,272 review, and we're really waiting for a response from them. 640 00:37:29,322 --> 00:37:30,852 We do not have a timeline for that, though. 641 00:37:32,502 --> 00:37:33,132 Okay. 642 00:37:33,252 --> 00:37:33,477 And 643 00:37:34,932 --> 00:37:38,412 there was a discussion on short-term rental ordinance as well. 644 00:37:40,032 --> 00:37:44,802 Okay. Yeah. Next is the Planning Commission Comp Plan. 645 00:37:45,582 --> 00:37:50,022 Sure. So the Comp Plan Committee met with Bucks County Planning Commission last 646 00:37:50,052 --> 00:37:55,572 week, where we have now a full draft of the comprehensive plan to 647 00:37:55,632 --> 00:37:58,857 review. So we did feedback on, 648 00:38:00,643 --> 00:38:04,902 one, updating the pictures. There were some photos in there of Mother's Restaurant 649 00:38:04,932 --> 00:38:07,752 and The Dubliner, and it's just poking old wounds. 650 00:38:07,766 --> 00:38:12,132 So little things like that, but also I think it was a very good 651 00:38:13,242 --> 00:38:18,927 overview of where we are. It summarized the past year and a half of 652 00:38:18,972 --> 00:38:22,287 feedback and input from the community and from our local businesses, which I think 653 00:38:22,302 --> 00:38:26,741 was very important. And then also, the newest addition that we saw was the action 654 00:38:26,802 --> 00:38:29,893 plan, which is how do we implement this at each stage. 655 00:38:29,982 --> 00:38:30,222 So, 656 00:38:31,602 --> 00:38:34,482 some discussion about that, digesting how this is going to work. 657 00:38:35,292 --> 00:38:40,782 Members of the Planning Commission, as well as Council, have been invited to submit 658 00:38:40,797 --> 00:38:44,652 their edits and comments to incorporate into a next draft. 659 00:38:45,552 --> 00:38:50,652 That will be presented to Council once that's complete, and then there will be a 660 00:38:50,682 --> 00:38:55,887 public meeting, again, open to the general public, to engage with the comprehensive 661 00:38:55,992 --> 00:39:01,393 plan and provide their feedback on where it is before it goes through the process 662 00:39:01,452 --> 00:39:03,702 of getting formally adopted and approved. 663 00:39:03,762 --> 00:39:08,143 So we continue to move along, and hopefully there will be a version of this for the 664 00:39:08,202 --> 00:39:13,873 public to review as well in the next probably couple of months, as well as a public 665 00:39:13,932 --> 00:39:15,822 workshop where they present how this works. 666 00:39:15,852 --> 00:39:20,382 I think the implementable aspect of the plan really helps make this more than just 667 00:39:20,472 --> 00:39:25,827 a document that sits on a shelf, but it gives actual instruction for concrete not 668 00:39:25,873 --> 00:39:29,937 only types of things we can do, be it update ordinances, build relationships, seek 669 00:39:29,982 --> 00:39:34,512 grants, but also it gives ownership of who would take the lead on those aspects. 670 00:39:34,572 --> 00:39:39,972 Which I think really helps provide a roadmap or a to-do list for us to take the 671 00:39:40,062 --> 00:39:44,052 ideas and feedback and actually implement them over the next... 672 00:39:44,202 --> 00:39:48,672 It's the bridge to 2035, so it's not going to be done overnight, but it gives us a 673 00:39:48,732 --> 00:39:52,062 to-do list of things that we can be working on. 674 00:39:52,123 --> 00:39:52,242 Okay. 675 00:39:55,182 --> 00:39:57,102 Next up is Green Initiative. 676 00:39:57,582 --> 00:40:03,401 Green Initiative. So Ken and I hosted the potential bidders for the Green 677 00:40:03,462 --> 00:40:07,496 Initiative. We did a walkthrough of the sites on August 5th, I believe it was. 678 00:40:07,916 --> 00:40:13,182 It was extremely well-attended. We had 25, 30-ish people representing probably 679 00:40:13,212 --> 00:40:18,792 about 18 or so firms who potentially would provide bids for the open RFP. 680 00:40:19,242 --> 00:40:21,942 The RFP closes this Friday, the 21st. 681 00:40:23,022 --> 00:40:24,222 I thought it was the 24th, but- 682 00:40:24,447 --> 00:40:24,942 21st. 683 00:40:25,032 --> 00:40:25,332 Oh, okay. 684 00:40:25,482 --> 00:40:30,836 21st. And we've had some already to complete, and then there's a bunch more that 685 00:40:30,852 --> 00:40:35,382 are actually in process. So we'll see how many proposals we get at the end of the 686 00:40:35,982 --> 00:40:41,262 week, and then those proposals will be given to the Green Space Committee for 687 00:40:41,352 --> 00:40:43,182 review, and then we'll schedule from there. 688 00:40:43,272 --> 00:40:45,552 So you'll be hearing a lot more about it. We're pretty excited. 689 00:40:45,882 --> 00:40:51,072 A lot of great feedback from the folks who walked around town with us that it's an 690 00:40:51,102 --> 00:40:54,942 exciting initiative, and we're excited to see this hopefully come to fruition. 691 00:40:55,722 --> 00:40:57,506 And as it gets developed and everything- 692 00:40:57,567 --> 00:40:57,567 Yeah 693 00:40:57,567 --> 00:40:59,172 ... we'll have a couple workshops. 694 00:40:59,682 --> 00:41:04,662 We'll start framing out some options and things that we want 695 00:41:04,842 --> 00:41:10,482 complete input from the public. We have a very diverse 696 00:41:10,496 --> 00:41:15,836 committee. But we want to expand it, and we want to get everybody in the community 697 00:41:15,942 --> 00:41:17,322 really excited about this. 698 00:41:18,732 --> 00:41:22,256 And it really ties in with so many of the efforts that really seem to really 699 00:41:22,302 --> 00:41:27,552 resonate with people as it relates to the comprehensive plan, and it just all comes 700 00:41:27,582 --> 00:41:29,487 together and dovetails really nicely- 701 00:41:29,502 --> 00:41:29,607 Yeah 702 00:41:29,623 --> 00:41:31,722 ... with what we want to 703 00:41:33,012 --> 00:41:33,222 be- 704 00:41:33,373 --> 00:41:33,387 Yeah 705 00:41:33,387 --> 00:41:35,712 ... and what we want to do. So it's great. 706 00:41:37,272 --> 00:41:39,102 And Joe, EAC. 707 00:41:39,582 --> 00:41:44,772 So the EAC met on August 5th, and primarily we discussed things like the Bird Town, 708 00:41:45,012 --> 00:41:50,893 which I think is a great small step that we're taking to preserve what we 709 00:41:50,922 --> 00:41:54,506 do have in town. So I do think that that's just one small bit in that, so I think 710 00:41:54,552 --> 00:42:00,162 that was good. We also discussed the glass recycling just 711 00:42:00,222 --> 00:42:04,873 to see where the procedures are, and the questionnaires should've been sent to us. 712 00:42:05,143 --> 00:42:06,252 Did anyone- 713 00:42:06,522 --> 00:42:06,672 Yeah. 714 00:42:08,952 --> 00:42:11,292 Dave will be able to comment briefly on that. 715 00:42:11,562 --> 00:42:12,582 Okay. 716 00:42:12,597 --> 00:42:16,123 It might not be exactly what you guys are looking for, but it will 717 00:42:17,352 --> 00:42:18,222 keep the thing moving. 718 00:42:18,373 --> 00:42:20,262 I think it's just the guidance that they need. Yeah. 719 00:42:20,307 --> 00:42:22,632 Yeah. So I think he'll be commenting on that. 720 00:42:22,647 --> 00:42:25,902 Okay. The other thing that did come up was that there is the battery bucket that is 721 00:42:25,932 --> 00:42:31,662 at the New Hope Library, and just wondering about the process in terms of 722 00:42:34,302 --> 00:42:37,752 is it budgeted in the administrative process for getting that new bucket each time 723 00:42:37,782 --> 00:42:41,562 it's filled up. That was just something that came up, and I think that John had 724 00:42:41,623 --> 00:42:47,292 emailed about that. I'm not sure. Did he email you, Dave? 725 00:42:48,072 --> 00:42:48,552 Say that again. 726 00:42:48,672 --> 00:42:50,742 Did John email you about the battery bucket? 727 00:42:52,212 --> 00:42:53,952 Battery bucket was replaced, yes. 728 00:42:54,072 --> 00:42:54,282 Okay. 729 00:42:54,912 --> 00:42:55,602 No, thank you. 730 00:42:55,812 --> 00:42:56,352 All right, thanks. 731 00:42:56,442 --> 00:42:58,707 I think that was in the last council update that I gave you. 732 00:42:58,812 --> 00:42:59,022 Yeah. 733 00:42:59,472 --> 00:42:59,592 Yeah. 734 00:43:00,012 --> 00:43:02,382 On Friday it was at the library. Yeah. 735 00:43:02,907 --> 00:43:06,552 Yeah. Okay. All right. Thank you. Okay, we have 736 00:43:08,172 --> 00:43:10,662 manager's report. Just a couple of things tonight. 737 00:43:11,832 --> 00:43:12,162 First, 738 00:43:13,722 --> 00:43:18,792 as you move forward with your manager search, I think council needs to acknowledge 739 00:43:18,852 --> 00:43:23,382 the engagement of Minor Center to do that particular activity. 740 00:43:23,502 --> 00:43:25,512 So we need a motion to that effect. 741 00:43:26,592 --> 00:43:27,807 I'd like to make that motion. 742 00:43:28,092 --> 00:43:28,632 I'll second. 743 00:43:30,822 --> 00:43:31,422 All in favor? 744 00:43:31,873 --> 00:43:32,262 Aye. 745 00:43:32,352 --> 00:43:34,272 Aye. 746 00:43:34,362 --> 00:43:35,893 Second thing I have is, 747 00:43:38,202 --> 00:43:43,842 your council's aware that we replaced one of our police vehicles, and we'd like to 748 00:43:43,873 --> 00:43:49,422 put the used vehicle on Municipal to dispose of it, so I'd like council's 749 00:43:49,452 --> 00:43:50,982 permission to do that. 750 00:43:51,012 --> 00:43:56,772 I'd like to make a motion to advertise the Ford Taurus on Municipal. 751 00:43:56,982 --> 00:43:57,882 Second that motion. 752 00:43:59,412 --> 00:44:00,012 All in favor? 753 00:44:00,342 --> 00:44:00,777 Aye. 754 00:44:00,777 --> 00:44:00,777 Aye. 755 00:44:03,852 --> 00:44:09,282 And going back to EAC project, I've been spending some time looking 756 00:44:09,402 --> 00:44:14,022 over their consideration of the glass recycling effort that they seem to want to 757 00:44:14,082 --> 00:44:19,902 do. I have some concerns regarding the implementation and the 758 00:44:19,962 --> 00:44:23,112 use of public works, how that would exactly work. 759 00:44:23,172 --> 00:44:25,137 Because we do not have 760 00:44:27,162 --> 00:44:31,873 trash collection borough-wide, I think there's some complications that I'm just 761 00:44:31,902 --> 00:44:37,842 concerned about. So I'm asking council to just be patient and work with 762 00:44:37,902 --> 00:44:41,382 EAC a little bit further. I don't think it's quite ready for your action yet. 763 00:44:42,072 --> 00:44:42,268 And Dave- 764 00:44:42,268 --> 00:44:43,182 That's my recommendation 765 00:44:43,362 --> 00:44:48,042 ... will you be providing feedback to the EAC on your concerns? 766 00:44:48,373 --> 00:44:48,972 Yes. 767 00:44:48,987 --> 00:44:49,332 Yes. Okay. 768 00:44:49,393 --> 00:44:49,662 Yes. 769 00:44:49,932 --> 00:44:55,752 I think, yeah. I think another workshop for this once 770 00:44:55,902 --> 00:45:01,752 it's been described where it's not ready for prime time, and maybe they 771 00:45:01,782 --> 00:45:05,772 can speak to that, and we were better versed on what... 772 00:45:06,132 --> 00:45:09,942 Because I think what was prepared for us when the... I forget. 773 00:45:10,123 --> 00:45:11,727 Who was here who made the presentation? 774 00:45:11,772 --> 00:45:12,312 Matt was here. 775 00:45:12,342 --> 00:45:15,342 Yeah, Matt was here. Yeah, I'm just ultimately concerned about the ultimate 776 00:45:15,402 --> 00:45:16,137 feasibility. 777 00:45:16,437 --> 00:45:17,712 Yeah. I think they were making- 778 00:45:18,552 --> 00:45:20,202 And be worthwhile. 779 00:45:21,432 --> 00:45:26,847 So just for the public's benefit, and as a former EAC liaison, I know this was a 780 00:45:26,862 --> 00:45:30,612 discussion. We don't have municipal-wide trash collection, 781 00:45:32,832 --> 00:45:38,202 and the recycling, while it is offered by many of our independent providers, I 782 00:45:38,232 --> 00:45:41,292 think there's concern with single-stream recycling. 783 00:45:41,322 --> 00:45:44,592 The evidence points to a lot of that single-stream recycle, what you put in the 784 00:45:44,623 --> 00:45:48,912 giant everything goes recycle bin, doesn't always end up getting recycled. 785 00:45:49,242 --> 00:45:54,537 Glass in particular is well known for if it is segregated and 786 00:45:55,692 --> 00:45:59,502 glass-only collection actually has a very high rate of cont- ... 787 00:45:59,562 --> 00:46:05,546 successful recycling. So, by offering that service or exploring offering it, and 788 00:46:05,562 --> 00:46:09,282 they're not making a specific proposal, but we want to figure out how we might be 789 00:46:09,342 --> 00:46:10,212 able to capture this. 790 00:46:11,772 --> 00:46:15,912 For especially a lot of the businesses on Main Street, beer bottles, wine bottles, 791 00:46:16,332 --> 00:46:22,123 other bottles. Seems like a very meaningful way to reduce the trash 792 00:46:22,182 --> 00:46:26,562 load and effectively increase the amount of recycling that's taking place in New 793 00:46:26,623 --> 00:46:31,827 Hope, while also offering a benefit to the restaurants, because that means they can 794 00:46:32,592 --> 00:46:36,852 pay less for their regular trash collection, and perhaps figure out a way to divert 795 00:46:36,912 --> 00:46:42,252 more recyclable materials away from our landfills and to productive use. 796 00:46:42,373 --> 00:46:45,882 I also put as a note that I would love to see a way for residents to be able to 797 00:46:45,912 --> 00:46:51,072 drop off our glass as well, to just reduce trash as much as we can. 798 00:46:51,282 --> 00:46:55,362 So, that's why glass recycling in New Hope is a place that we're start-- Well, we 799 00:46:55,393 --> 00:46:57,972 started with the battery bucket, which has been extremely successful. 800 00:46:58,332 --> 00:46:58,376 Mm-hmm. 801 00:46:58,812 --> 00:47:02,202 And so now, what else can we recycle and divert from landfills? 802 00:47:02,592 --> 00:47:04,212 So, I think we can try and figure out a way. 803 00:47:04,272 --> 00:47:08,022 So thanks, Dave, for doing the work to figure out how to get this idea into action. 804 00:47:08,082 --> 00:47:09,643 We know it's easier said than done, so- 805 00:47:10,632 --> 00:47:10,902 Thank you 806 00:47:10,932 --> 00:47:11,893 ... we'll figure it out. 807 00:47:14,382 --> 00:47:17,292 And the last thing that I have under my report is actually just an update. 808 00:47:18,822 --> 00:47:24,132 MS4 is stormwater management, and basically we have to update our 809 00:47:24,162 --> 00:47:30,057 report on a biannual basis, and I want council to know that we have submitted 810 00:47:30,057 --> 00:47:34,393 the updated report to DEP, and they've acknowledged receiving that report. 811 00:47:34,422 --> 00:47:35,771 So, we're current and up to date. 812 00:47:36,012 --> 00:47:36,882 Okay, good. Thank you. 813 00:47:37,061 --> 00:47:37,302 Thank you. 814 00:47:37,393 --> 00:47:39,492 That's great. Solicitor's report? 815 00:47:39,582 --> 00:47:40,632 That concludes my report. 816 00:47:40,722 --> 00:47:41,292 Thank you. 817 00:47:41,352 --> 00:47:41,532 Yep. 818 00:47:50,802 --> 00:47:55,393 Members of council, before you is a proposal 819 00:47:55,482 --> 00:48:01,362 to approve the settlement agreement and release that has been 820 00:48:01,452 --> 00:48:07,212 agreed to in principle by the borough and the 821 00:48:07,272 --> 00:48:12,822 Landing Property LLC and Black Dog Construction, which is a fictitious name for an 822 00:48:12,882 --> 00:48:16,662 entity known as Salt & Pepper Group LP. 823 00:48:16,873 --> 00:48:21,942 This has to do with three notices of violation that were issued 824 00:48:22,123 --> 00:48:28,062 in January and March of 2026, that involved properties 825 00:48:28,123 --> 00:48:33,477 at 22 North Main and 36 North Main that involved 826 00:48:33,852 --> 00:48:38,862 violations of the borough zoning ordinance, property maintenance code, and the 827 00:48:39,342 --> 00:48:44,322 historic architectural review board ordinance pertaining to the 828 00:48:44,412 --> 00:48:50,307 unauthorized use of the patio at the Landing during their grand opening without 829 00:48:50,352 --> 00:48:56,037 a property, the placement of fencing without approvals from 830 00:48:56,322 --> 00:49:00,132 either zoning or HARB, and also the 831 00:49:01,482 --> 00:49:06,222 gathering of construction materials that had been, for lack of a better term, 832 00:49:06,312 --> 00:49:09,072 littered some of the areas of the property. 833 00:49:09,432 --> 00:49:14,186 Ultimately, the parties entered into negotiations and have agreed to 834 00:49:14,322 --> 00:49:19,602 tentatively agree to the owners of the property 835 00:49:19,632 --> 00:49:25,616 paying $10,000 as a compromise of the overall resolution 836 00:49:25,662 --> 00:49:31,377 of the litigation. All of the matters that had been set forth in the notices of 837 00:49:31,452 --> 00:49:37,123 violation have been resolved. The fencing has been removed, the property has been 838 00:49:37,152 --> 00:49:42,822 cleared, and the appropriate approvals for the use of the patio have been 839 00:49:42,912 --> 00:49:48,312 achieved. So, the members of Landing Property and also 840 00:49:49,062 --> 00:49:54,432 Salt and Pepper have signed the settlement agreement and release, and I have it 841 00:49:54,462 --> 00:49:58,962 available for execution on behalf of the borough if the borough so approves. 842 00:49:59,982 --> 00:50:00,432 Thank you. 843 00:50:03,072 --> 00:50:08,532 So I'm going to say, can we have a motion to approve the 844 00:50:08,623 --> 00:50:14,052 settlement of New Hope Borough and the Landing Property LLC? 845 00:50:14,922 --> 00:50:15,672 I'll make that motion. 846 00:50:16,902 --> 00:50:17,623 I'll second it. 847 00:50:18,492 --> 00:50:19,873 Any comments from council? 848 00:50:21,672 --> 00:50:24,042 Public? All in favor? 849 00:50:24,792 --> 00:50:25,632 Aye. 850 00:50:27,342 --> 00:50:29,007 Can we have a motion to approve? 851 00:50:34,782 --> 00:50:35,262 Okay. 852 00:50:36,837 --> 00:50:37,902 Do we need to remake the motion? 853 00:50:37,962 --> 00:50:40,062 Do we have to remake the motion or- 854 00:50:40,077 --> 00:50:42,192 I make the motion as necessary for the document. 855 00:50:44,082 --> 00:50:45,702 Okay, so say that again. 856 00:50:45,762 --> 00:50:50,307 So, motion to approve the draft settlement agreement and release that has been 857 00:50:50,382 --> 00:50:56,276 pre-signed by the property owner, authorization for your president and 858 00:50:56,322 --> 00:50:59,022 your manager to sign that document on behalf of the borough. 859 00:50:59,893 --> 00:51:00,748 Well, and I mean- 860 00:51:01,302 --> 00:51:04,151 I'll make that motion. Well, I'll second that motion. 861 00:51:04,332 --> 00:51:05,922 Okay, all in favor? 862 00:51:06,042 --> 00:51:06,552 Aye. 863 00:51:07,692 --> 00:51:07,992 Thank you. 864 00:51:08,052 --> 00:51:08,592 Thank you, John. 865 00:51:09,522 --> 00:51:11,322 Okay, public comment. 866 00:51:13,902 --> 00:51:14,562 Yes. 867 00:51:19,932 --> 00:51:24,267 John Volpe, my wife and I, Mary, live at 263 North Main Street. 868 00:51:24,582 --> 00:51:27,192 Could you just move a little bit closer to that? Thank you. 869 00:51:27,253 --> 00:51:30,492 Sure. I'm sorry. I don't want to waste the board's time. 870 00:51:30,732 --> 00:51:33,822 My wife had called you earlier about our issue. 871 00:51:35,592 --> 00:51:40,452 The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is apparently notifying 872 00:51:41,262 --> 00:51:42,373 certain homeowners 873 00:51:44,052 --> 00:51:49,782 that they want steps removed from the inclines behind their homes. 874 00:51:51,282 --> 00:51:54,672 Some of these steps, like ours, have been there for 75 years. 875 00:51:56,562 --> 00:52:01,272 Apparently investigating this, and now my wife and I had to hire an 876 00:52:01,332 --> 00:52:07,302 attorney. This has been a debatable point, probably for about 100 years, as to who 877 00:52:07,362 --> 00:52:08,682 owns these inclines. 878 00:52:11,142 --> 00:52:13,782 I just wanted to ask the board, and Chief, 879 00:52:15,432 --> 00:52:21,312 in case somebody from this department would show up and attempt 880 00:52:21,373 --> 00:52:22,542 to remove the steps, 881 00:52:24,042 --> 00:52:26,652 can I call the police and have them removed? 882 00:52:28,332 --> 00:52:33,462 Because my deed to my home, my wife's home, says that we own the incline. 883 00:52:34,422 --> 00:52:39,373 And our attorney is dealing with them right now, but 884 00:52:40,482 --> 00:52:43,753 I do not want them, nor does my wife, to remove these steps. 885 00:52:43,782 --> 00:52:49,482 They've been there for 75 years. So, I just wanted to get your 886 00:52:49,542 --> 00:52:53,322 opinion. I don't want to create any problems for anybody. 887 00:52:53,353 --> 00:52:56,728 But if they do show up, which they have threatened to do, 888 00:52:58,932 --> 00:52:59,892 can I call the police? 889 00:53:01,422 --> 00:53:04,302 I don't think we can offer a legal opinion on that. 890 00:53:04,362 --> 00:53:04,812 I mean- 891 00:53:06,072 --> 00:53:12,012 I think the issue is whether the steps are on property owned by DCNR 892 00:53:12,192 --> 00:53:17,562 or on land that has been granted easement rights to 893 00:53:17,623 --> 00:53:22,512 DCNR. I actually spoke to Mr. Murphy this morning on this issue. 894 00:53:22,812 --> 00:53:24,612 Ed Murphy, that's your counsel, correct? 895 00:53:24,672 --> 00:53:25,092 Correct. 896 00:53:25,242 --> 00:53:30,942 Yeah. So, he's in touch with DCNR. Or I recommended that he do so, and 897 00:53:31,992 --> 00:53:37,242 I will call Mr. Murphy tomorrow, and I will recommend that DCNR 898 00:53:38,262 --> 00:53:43,512 be advised not to come onto your property. I don't really believe they will. 899 00:53:43,633 --> 00:53:49,587 I think that's a trespass. And I'll say this on the record for your benefit, 900 00:53:49,692 --> 00:53:54,163 that it's one thing to say the steps are on their property, it's another to cross 901 00:53:54,192 --> 00:53:57,762 your land to get to those steps. So, they can't do that. 902 00:53:57,972 --> 00:53:58,182 Okay. 903 00:53:58,392 --> 00:54:01,123 And I'll confer with Mr. Murphy on that issue. 904 00:54:01,603 --> 00:54:03,552 I appreciate it, Chief. Thank you so much. 905 00:54:06,253 --> 00:54:07,542 Yes. Yes, sir. 906 00:54:08,832 --> 00:54:09,702 Yeah, Ed. Yeah. 907 00:54:19,302 --> 00:54:24,312 Ed Duffy, New Hope, 23 Oden Way, Village Two. 908 00:54:26,383 --> 00:54:27,522 About the recycling. 909 00:54:28,873 --> 00:54:34,482 We up in Village Two started recycling maybe 20 years ago, and we 910 00:54:34,542 --> 00:54:38,202 went through different iterations of recycling. 911 00:54:40,062 --> 00:54:45,447 And we tried glass. We did that for a while. That didn't work out. 912 00:54:45,913 --> 00:54:51,717 We evolved through different iterations to the most valuable thing is 913 00:54:51,762 --> 00:54:55,003 cardboard. You could actually make money on that. 914 00:54:55,062 --> 00:55:00,792 If you could splice that out of the public, you can make money, get 915 00:55:00,822 --> 00:55:04,902 money for different causes, nonprofits and stuff like that. 916 00:55:05,652 --> 00:55:06,883 And we're doing that today. We 917 00:55:08,712 --> 00:55:11,712 recycle the cardboard, and the rest of we 918 00:55:13,332 --> 00:55:17,666 Just throw into a large bin. So that's what's happening, and 919 00:55:19,902 --> 00:55:25,827 I think maybe the borough manager could talk to the property manager and 920 00:55:25,902 --> 00:55:27,508 learn a lot of stuff, because he's 921 00:55:28,962 --> 00:55:32,772 going through a lot of different iterations of recycling. 922 00:55:32,862 --> 00:55:36,432 So this is just a public comment. Okay? 923 00:55:36,883 --> 00:55:37,152 Okay. 924 00:55:39,103 --> 00:55:40,842 That's it. Thank you very much. 925 00:55:40,992 --> 00:55:42,012 Thanks. 926 00:55:46,992 --> 00:55:49,272 Okay. 927 00:55:52,422 --> 00:55:56,892 In response to what Mr. Volpe said, it would be very interesting to know what the 928 00:55:56,952 --> 00:56:01,572 facts are. We've been told that DCNR owns our back 929 00:56:03,582 --> 00:56:04,392 berm, whatever it is, 930 00:56:06,432 --> 00:56:07,032 towpath bank. 931 00:56:09,072 --> 00:56:12,792 And they have said they are going to take trees down on our property. 932 00:56:13,482 --> 00:56:18,312 And Steve, staff at the borough, have been working hard to try to move this 933 00:56:18,342 --> 00:56:23,112 forward, and I think I'm going on a year, and a couple of trees can crash into the 934 00:56:23,142 --> 00:56:26,472 house at any moment. So on the one hand, they own the property. 935 00:56:26,892 --> 00:56:29,082 On the other hand, they can't get anything done. 936 00:56:29,952 --> 00:56:34,242 So it's difficult, and I understand all the reasons why they are backed up and 937 00:56:34,812 --> 00:56:40,452 whatever, but they could come on the towpath and drag the steps from the top. 938 00:56:41,592 --> 00:56:46,302 So it would be worth finding out whether there were ever official easements, what 939 00:56:46,392 --> 00:56:50,157 the heck they're doing. Because they're claiming it, I've assumed they know what 940 00:56:50,172 --> 00:56:54,597 they're saying. On the other hand, we were told, "Don't plant anything, don't do 941 00:56:54,672 --> 00:56:57,133 anything," even though we wanted to put native plants on it. 942 00:56:57,222 --> 00:57:01,422 It's like nothing's happening, and they're not taking dangerous trees down. 943 00:57:01,482 --> 00:57:06,312 But they've had people out twice. So it's something that needs to be addressed. 944 00:57:06,883 --> 00:57:11,652 And I know people are trying, but that's not enough, especially when you hear 945 00:57:11,772 --> 00:57:16,062 things like this happening. And as far as the glass recycling, 946 00:57:17,592 --> 00:57:23,052 I just wanted to point out we were simply, as the EAC, trying to get a 947 00:57:23,082 --> 00:57:26,442 sense of whether anybody was interested. 948 00:57:26,457 --> 00:57:30,597 Not about whether we move forward, whether we go out saying we're just asking some 949 00:57:30,612 --> 00:57:33,492 questions, and that was just the first step. 950 00:57:33,552 --> 00:57:37,003 As far as feasibility, there's a zillion issues, for sure, agreed. 951 00:57:37,663 --> 00:57:42,792 But one of them is the school used to have, not this, but some sort of recycling 952 00:57:42,822 --> 00:57:46,317 bins, and we might be able to negotiate with them, and then it's a question of who 953 00:57:46,422 --> 00:57:49,137 puts it there and there's so many steps along the way. 954 00:57:49,182 --> 00:57:54,253 This was just meant to be the first step to see if anybody even wanted it before we 955 00:57:54,282 --> 00:57:59,862 went ahead. So I just wanted to make it clear that we weren't gung-ho thinking we 956 00:57:59,922 --> 00:58:01,123 could jump right into this. 957 00:58:01,542 --> 00:58:06,913 I'm glad you made that point because we were reluctant to be hard-nosed about the 958 00:58:06,972 --> 00:58:12,642 whole thing. It just seemed like it needed to be developed a little bit more and 959 00:58:13,302 --> 00:58:17,892 be juiced up a little bit and say, "Look, if we do this," some investigation with 960 00:58:17,982 --> 00:58:22,572 some restaurants, and do they have an interest in it? 961 00:58:22,962 --> 00:58:26,652 Well, that's all we were really going for the bars and restaurants- 962 00:58:26,742 --> 00:58:26,982 Right 963 00:58:27,042 --> 00:58:32,772 ... who have the most glass recycling to ask, "Are you interested at all?" And so 964 00:58:32,952 --> 00:58:37,378 maybe we should be showing you the letter that would go out that shows how this is 965 00:58:37,452 --> 00:58:38,742 a tiny first step. 966 00:58:38,772 --> 00:58:39,478 I think that- 967 00:58:39,478 --> 00:58:43,242 And that might help. Because we were not expecting to move quickly on this. 968 00:58:43,692 --> 00:58:47,503 We were expecting to start exploring if there was enough interest. 969 00:58:47,532 --> 00:58:51,702 We didn't want to do masses if nobody is willing to even think about it. 970 00:58:51,762 --> 00:58:52,152 That's great. 971 00:58:52,182 --> 00:58:52,753 Yeah. Thank you. 972 00:58:52,962 --> 00:58:57,582 All right. No, thank you. Any other comments from the public? 973 00:58:59,472 --> 00:59:01,811 Okay. Meeting is adjourned.