Please note, the below recap is not to be used as official minutes for the meeting and are to be used for informational purposes only.
Unfortunately, due to continued technical difficulties with live streaming the meeting, we were not able to broadcast. We are working with our IT provider and internet provider. Loller is a very old building with most of the walls that separate the rooms made from stone which has been creating some issues for us to do the livestream. Staff and Council very much want this resolved and we are working on this diligently to ensure we can share what is happening at all meetings with the community.
I will provide a brief recap here on the meeting. The agenda is posted on our website the Friday before each meeting. After you review the recap and the agenda, if you have further questions, you can post them in the comments or send me an email at dhegele@myhatboro.org and I would be happy to respond.
The invocation was given by Manager Hegele as the Mayor was absent. A moment of silence was held for the passing of long time resident and former Planning Commission Ron Battis.
It was announced that there was an executive session before the meeting to discuss two legal matters and one real estate matter.
PUBLIC SAFETY: The monthly fire company expenditure list was approved. The Borough is also making the annual transfer for capital funding for the Fire Company from the Fire Tax account to the Fire Company Capital Fund for future needs. This is a housekeeping item that is done yearly.
FINANCE/GRANTS: The Union Library of Hatboro monthly expenditure list was approved. There was an update on the ADA Playground project, at this time the Borough engineer is working on completing environmental reports for HUD, the grant administrator. Manager Hegele gave a presentation on the 2nd Quarter Budget numbers. This will be posted on the website today. The Local Share Account Grant Application previously approved by council for the purchase of mobile barricade units was changed due to a decrease in the original costs. Because of the change a new resolution needed to be passed. The previous costs were listed at $379,990, the new cost is $339,990. Council approved the Financial Security Release for the Milliner Lofts Project; this is the second release and the release in the amount of $195,912.00 was reviewed and approved by the engineer. Council also approved the Financial Security Release for Station at Hatboro Project, 21 – 37 N. York Road. This is the first release in the amount of $771,767.45 was reviewed and approved by the engineer. Borough Council also authorized a resolution as needed for the grant application for a Main Street Consultant under the Main Street Matters Program.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & EVENTS: The committee announced all the upcoming events for the next few weeks. They include Senior Bingo, Senior Swim, Senior Movie Day, Red Cross Hands Only CPR, Hungry Hideaway on East Monument Avenue the first Friday in September, First Friday September, Arts and Crafts Block Show the First Friday in September along the 100-200 block of N. York Road, Children’s Entrepreneur Market in Miller Meadow on 9/6, Library Book Sale on 9/6, Lobster Pot on 9/6, Senior Chair Yoga, Cruise Night on 9/19 Sidewalk Sale, York Road on 9/20 and Party in the Park with Fireworks on 9/26. Later today we will post a list of all events, dates, times and locations on our facebook page. You can also follow on Savvy Citizen, Hatboro Events page as well as the organizers facebook/website pages.
There were no new businesses in the Borough announced this month.
Council announced the receipt of grant funding in the amount of $7500 from PECO for lighting upgrades, LED inside Pennypack Community Center.
The Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds is bringing her Montco Roots presentation to Hatboro on 10/29 at 6 PM at Pennypack Community Center.
Borough Council approved a number of special event requests. Earth Day 2026 – 4/11/26 10-3 at Pennypack Community Center. Big Trees – Friend or Foe – 9/17/25 at 5:30 PM in Borough Hall. Linked Souls Paranormal event at Pennypack Community Center on 9/14/25. Hatboro Horsham Hawks Bingo at Pennypack Community Center on 11/7/25. Kat Hall Wiffle Ball event at the Hatboro Little League field on 8/31/25.
The committee also wanted to remind everyone that the annual Rotary Lobster Pot will be held on Saturday 9/6 from 4 to 9 PM in Memorial Park. There will be increased traffic in the neighborhood around the park and the pool as Rotary sells 400 tickets for this fundraiser.
PUBLIC WORKS: The committee provided an update on this; the engineer is working with Penndot on the required project approvals before authorization to pave can begin. The use of Liquid Fuels funding to pay for the paving requires approvals from the agency. Once the approvals are in place, paving will be scheduled, and the contractor is responsible under the contract to notify the residents who will be affected.
The following roads are scheduled to be paved. South Chester from Williams to West Moreland. Jacksonville Road from East Moreland to East Montgomery. Crescent Road (entire road). Bright Road from borough border to Home Road.
ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS & PARKS: The EAC met on Monday, August 4th and discussed the NexTrek Challenge, Earth Day 2026, Summer Presentations, Bird Town and Tree Tenders Update. They also are working on the Riparian Corridor Conservation District Ordinance. Their next meeting is 9/3. Their agenda is posted the Friday before their meeting on the Borough website and the EAC has a facebook page as well. Council also authorized Eagle Scout Aidan Wills to begin fundraising and planning for his Eagle Scout Project, A Story Walk in Miller Meadow.
ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: Provided a list of all meetings for the month of September, these can be found on our website at www.myhatboro.org or savvy citizen. The monthly Land Development update was provided. Milliner Lofts held their ribbon cutting on Thursday and are now welcoming new tenants. Hatboro Station is progressing. Gamburg’s is the same as prior months, no new information to report. 333 N. York Road, the Planning Commission gave a favorable recommendation for the developer to go to council for final approval after conditions in the County, Borough Planner, Engineer and Fire Marshal letters are addressed.
Council provided an update on the West Moreland Avenue Bridge Project. The contractor is working on prep work which includes vegetation removal and relocation of utilities. Stay tuned for updates on the project and when the road will be closed. Council also discussed keeping the same meeting schedule, one time per month for the rest of the calendar year. There was discussion regarding public input, information sharing and the budget. Council approved the following dates for meetings for the remainder of 2025, September 22, October 27, November 17 & December 13th. Borough staff will be working on ways to share more information about meetings before as well as posting draft minutes after. This was discussed at length and Council will make sure if something comes up at a meeting and is not time sensitive that if it needs to wait until the next meeting that they would, if time permitted wait so more public could comment. Council announced that they are still looking for someone to serve on the Historic Commission. They also made various appointments to EAC, Shade Tree, Parking Commission and Joint Board of Appeals. There was a second letter received for the parking commission after the agenda was set and since there is another opening, they will make that appointment in September. Council also approved the appointment of the current Vice Chair of the EAC to serve as the Chair. The final item discussed was the proposal to change the Shoppers Lot sign to add Milliner Lofts, after some discussion this matter was tabled until next month. Staff will share the renderings of the proposed sign on the borough website.
The Borough Manager provided her monthly report that included a late request from HHSC to use Pennypack for Soccer. There was a lengthy discussion about this, and the Manager will be notifying them that they did not get their permit submitted in time and do not have exclusive right to the fields. This matter will be on the September agenda for discussion.
The ZHB rendered their decision on the application of El Limon, the ZHB granted a special exception to operate a commissary kitchen.
The County first ever Pizza with a Planner was a huge success. It was held in this room at the end of July and was well attended. Thank you to Montgomery County for choosing Hatboro for your event.
Been very busy with a number of requests for zoning reviews for properties in the Borough for sale as well as Right to Know Requests. In the past two weeks we have processed 4 zoning reviews and 20 right to know requests. Zoning Reviews and Right to Know Requests are time consuming for the staff.
Today is National Volunteer Firefighters Day, thank you to our awesome volunteer firefighters in Hatboro. Today and every day we celebrate those volunteers who run into a burning building when everyone else is running out. As you all know the men and women of the Enterprise Fire Company of Hatboro give countless hours of their time for the Borough, and we are extremely thankful for each and every one of our volunteers and those from surrounding companies that answer the call every day both here in the Borough and around us. I would also be remis if I did not acknowledge their families for the sacrifices they make when their Dad, Mom, sister or brother are called away to help someone in need
Treasurer Report was given, the balance in all accounts was $4,546,950.80, interest earned on all accounts was $5497.23.
All Department Heads provided their monthly reports, the police reminded everyone that it is back to school, which means more kids walking to school or waiting for buses. He reminded everyone of the bus cameras and the violations received if a driver passes a stopped bus.
Public Works finished a stormwater project on Jacksonville Road and will be beginning one on York Road. One employee attended tree training and learned about trees, maintenance and removal. PECO finally made repairs in the area of York & Fulmor and the streetlights on Fulmor that were out are back in operation. PW reminds residents if you see a streetlight out to notify Borough Hall. PW also began replacement of the Hometown Hero Banners. The new chairs in the council room were donated by the School District. Last month a resident discussed an issue in the creek near West Moreland Avenue bridge. Hatboro PW, UMT PW and the Fire Marshal all checked and could not locate any issues. Thank you as well to PW, PD, FM, Fire Dept and Fire Police for all their work for the Car Show last month. This is a big event and is a lot of man hours involved.
Downtown Development Update: The Wawa for sale, to clarify, the Wawa itself is not for sale, it is the land. The property was sold at a federal marshal sale earlier this year. The new owner is working with staff on the close out due to the Borough, the land could sell and if it sells for the asking price that could net the Borough roughly $75K in transfer taxes.
Main Street Matters Grant Application, met with a consultant and once I have quote for services for business development strategy plan and survey, I can submit the application that council approved submitting last month.
Fire Marshal reported her stats for the month of July.
34 commercial inspections – 136 YTD done
11 residential U&O inspections – 60 YTD
46 rental units/10 properties – 375 units/103 properties YTD
14 fire calls – YTD 69
1 Fire Investigation – 13 YTD
Smoke Detector Installs – 3 – 62 YTD
39 Property Maintenance complaints – 338 YTD
Fire Safety Message was about safe grilling.
Fire Company Report for the month of July included the following: they responded to 25 calls, 17 in the Borough and 8 to other municipalities. One was a major fire in neighboring Warminster and the members did an excellent job of assisting and getting the fire out. The Fire Company continues to train every Wednesday evening and also attends various community events during the month. The Fire Police unit also responded to 18 calls and 2 special details. It was also announced that the fundraising letters are out as well as Bingo fundraiser in September. Tickets are available on the Fire Company website.
Library Report for the month of August was read. The library has 72 new library card members, 148 new books of that 78 books were funded by the Borough taxpayers, 58 new programs held of that the Borough funded 8. The total circulation was 3397 books, dvd’s have been checked out. Happenings at the Library Fading History Part 2 on August 27th from 6 -7:30 PM and the Fall Book Sale on September 6th from 9-2.
All items on the agenda passed with the exception of the July 21st minutes as they were tabled due to not having a quorum to vote, two members in attendance had to abstain from voting as they were not at the meeting, leaving only 3 members to vote. The draft minutes were posted and will be voted on in September. The second item was the proposed sign for the Shoppers Lot and Milliner Lofts; staff was directed to go back to the developer. This will be on the September agenda again.
The official minutes for this meeting will be posted in September after council approves at their next public meeting which is Monday, 9/22 at 7:00 PM.
As always if you have questions, please reach out to one of your council members or the Borough Manager.