PRESENT – President Bollendorf, Vice President Reichner, Councilwoman Shay, Councilwoman Jacobus, Councilman Hendrickson, Councilman Myers, Councilman Hoover, Mayor Schultz, Manager Hegele, Assistant Secretary DeRenzis, Solicitor Geiser, Engineer MacNair, Fire Marshal Valesky, Fire Company President Brown, Treasurer Smith, and Library Borough Representative Johnson were present.

ABSENT- Chief Ruegg was excused.

CALL TO ORDER – President Bollendorf called the February 24, 2025, Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

INVOCATION – Mayor Schultz gave the Invocation.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Chief Ruegg led the Pledge of Allegiance.

RECOGNITION OF BOGGS PRINTING 45TH ANNIVERSARY IN HATBORO – The Borough Recognized Boggs Printing for operating in the Borough for over four decades.

MEETING NOTES – President Bollendorf read the Public Comment policy on the back of the agenda regarding addressing Council and time allotment.

PUBLIC COMMENT – VOTING ITEMS ONLY – There was no public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Schultz thanked the EAC for all of their hard work they do for our community, there is new development and Hatboro is growing physically and is excited for the new change, Council id voting on the 2025 Events this evening and excited to announce they are bringing back the sidewalk sales and 1st Fridays, restaurant week is March 5-9th so look for specials, and spring is just around the corner and for everyone to enjoy the upcoming warm weather.

OFFICER’S REPORTS –
•PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Bollendorf thanked Public Works, Fire Marshal Valesky, and first responders for handling the bad windstorm and Manager Hegele for handling in a timely manner. He also stated they are entering negotiations regarding the Hatboro Police Department contract which expires the end of 2025.
•TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Smith stated that the balance in all accounts for the period ending January 31, 2025, is $ 1,453,119.60 with interest earned in the amount of $ 2,822.96.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT – Solicitor Geiser stated it has been a quiet month and has worked on an easement and handled routine business matters and legal questions.

ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer MacNair stated Land Development Projects 1. 21-23, 27 South York Road/Station at Hatboro/Canalley Tract (24-00804) Project was approved as a 3- story mixed-use building with 102 residential units and 4,732 square feet of retail space. A preconstruction meeting was held on January 17, but several minor conditions need to be met prior to plan recording and the start of construction. The demolition permit has been recommended for approval. 2. Milliner Lofts (24-00936) Project was approved with a total of 36 1- and 2-bedroom residential units and 2,320 square feet of commercial space at 24-28 South York Road. G&A is continuing to observe the site construction and review submittals for conformance with the approved plans. 3. 206 Wood Street (25-00135) Minor subdivision project approved in November 2024 to permit division of the existing lot into two lots. G&A issued a review on 2/13/25 and is awaiting a revised submission to address the comments. Public Improvement Projects 1. Memorial Park Trail (24-00763) Project kick-off meeting was held in July 2024 to discuss a trail in Memorial Park between West Monument Avenue and West Moreland Avenue. The DVRPC and PennDOT held a scoping meeting on January 21. No recent work from our office. 2. MS4 Permitting G&A received MS4 permitting information from RVE. G&A has provided recommendations to the Borough for meeting the DEP’s MS4 permit requirements. G&A is reviewing the draft MS4 permit documents published by the DEP for the next permitting cycle. 3. Stormwater Concerns G&A is preparing requested recommendations for addressing two stormwater concerns located on Borough property. G&A performed infiltration testing in the Corinthian Avenue rightof-way on 2/7/25, adjacent to 429 Lincoln Drive, and is designing a shallow stormwater facility based on the results. G&A provided the Borough with three design options to consider for replacing a storm pipe and end wall on Borough property adjacent to 501 South York Road and will work with the Borough to facilitate construction by Public Services. 4. West Monument Avenue Bridge G&A provided requested recommendations for addressing bridge maintenance.

MANAGER’S REPORT – Manager Hegele stated West Moreland Bridge – the project was awarded by the county on 1/14 per the county website. The Borough was not notified. Per the bid docs, the project was awarded to Haines & Kibblehouse and they have 920 calendar days to do the project. The Borough will share any information when received. Tax Bills are out so if you did not receive, please contact Tax Collector Mount at her office or via email. Her info is on our website, or you can call Borough Hall and we will be happy to reach out to her. The February PC meeting was cancelled due to the weather. They will be meeting on March 11th and will continue the review of the zoning re-write as well as an application from Victorian Village to convert the former DC space to two apartments. ZHB also did not meet in February as the applicant on the agenda – Concordance Ferments (former old mill) withdrew their application for relief as it was determined it was not needed. If you called or emailed our office today, there was some interruption of service due to our IT company beginning the installation of our new computers. We apologize for any inconvenience. Integra will be installing new computers this week at Borough Hall and PW. Republic Services tour Councilman Myers and I are visiting the King of Prussia Recycling Center next week to see how they process our recycling. Looking forward to sharing information on this. Exciting news, Linked Souls Paranormal Group of Hatboro was in over the weekend to study Borough Hall. They will be working on a presentation to share with the public results of their findings. Thank you to Councilman Myers and Councilwoman Hendrickson for their time accompanying them through the building. Stay tuned for more information as this group is looking to do more in Hatboro. A local film crew has been filming the last few weekends on Main Street for an upcoming film called Misfits. If you see a film crew in front of stores, this is why. It is a local who has written this screen play and is now making it into a movie. Pennypack Events, lots going on at PP read attached, if you miss any of these, please join the Hatboro Events Facebook page, flyers will be out soon for these events as well and will be posted throughout the community. Lastly as you see we are livestreaming again. We wanted to test everything tonight. Tomorrow we will announce this on our website and Facebook so persons can tune into our meetings.

STAFF REPORTS –
POLICE – There was no report this evening.

TAX COLLECTIONS – The Tax Collector’s report was electronically submitted.

PUBLIC WORKS – Manager Hegele stated Land Stewards Meadow training, working with contractor who did work in the Meadow for training for our PW staff on maintenance of the new meadow as well as existing. The weather has delayed this. Our Bucket Truck was damaged in an accident, as a result we have not been able to use the bucket for streetlights and other routine day to day things we use it for. The appraiser was out today, and we hope to get the green light to purchase a new bucket which should take about a month. York & Williams, been having issues with crosswalk signal. The signal at times is getting stuck on only at certain times, not sure if the extreme cold weather was a factor, a new part is being replaced. Everything is under warranty. The Borough was notified that the Retrievr pickup service for recycling clothing and electronics has been discontinued by the vendor. While we are sorry to lose this option, the county is offering the service through Goodwill Keystone stores in Monto, Chester, Berks, and Bucks which are accepting electronics for reuse or recycling as well as clothing and household items. The Montco Recycling website has been updated with this information, see the listing under TVs as an example Televisions | Montgomery County, PA – Official Website. We have posted info as well as sent out on savvy citizen and it will be in the electronic newsletter. The Foreman completed pesticide classes last week. Several of our PW staff are pesticide certified and must take yearly classes to keep the certification active. There are mandatory credits needed before September of each year. Weather, glad to enjoy a nice day and an uneventful weather weekend, between the wind, snow, and ice the staff at PW are tired. We have used a lot of salt, a lot of overnight and weekend man hours and as always, our PW staff does an excellent job and never misses a beat. There are many municipalities who have cancelled trash and recycling collection because of the weather. I know we say this all the time about trash, but our guys are proud of the work they do for council and the community.

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT –Vice President Reichner, Staff Member Rob Jacobus and I attended the annual Chamber meeting/lunch at Ross & Co. I spoke for a few minutes on an update on development activities in the Borough. There was a nice turn out with a lot of the newer businesses in attendance. Councilman Myers, Councilwoman Hendrickson, Mayor Schultz, and I attended the grand opening on Saturday at the Greek Korner. The Chamber of Commerce put this together for the new business. We were joined by State Senator Collett and State Representative Guenst. They broke plates with the owners as this is Greek tradition and like the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, they had so much to eat. If you have not been there, stop by the food is good. These new food places are not good for my diet. Earlier this month the Borough held a Business Get together. Vice President Reichner, Councilman Hoover and Councilwoman Hendrickson, Staff member Rob Jacobus and I were all in attendance. There was approximately 50 to 60 persons in attendance, representing several businesses in the Borough. Not everyone was a store front, but it was a productive meeting with a lot of great feedback. The Chamber is working on a First Friday event because of this meeting and the Borough events committee is going to discuss some ideas at their next meeting. Stay tuned for information on all events. Working with volunteers from the Chamber and Kathy on a business directory, this was something that the business owners wanted. Once done the Borough will be sharing in our new resident packets, we send these out to all new residents along with information on other Borough matters. We will also share with the community.

FIRE MARSHAL – Fire Marshal Valesky stated The Borough of Hatboro Fire Marshal’s Office provides the following report of activities for the month of January 2025. INSPECTIONS: 11 Commercial Fire Inspections (YTD: 11) *NOTE: This number includes Fire Inspections and Commercial U&O Inspections. -4 Fire Re-inspection 8 Residential U&O Inspections (YTD: 8) -2 Residential U&O reinspection’s 29 Units/ 16 Properties Rental Inspections (YTD: 29 Units/16 Properties) -3 Rental Re-inspection FIRE CALLS/INVESTIGATIONS: 13 Fire Calls (YTD: 13) -DETAILS: Multiple broken sprinkler pipes, gas leak in a building, (2) dispatched building fires that were burnt food and an outdoor electrical fire, sparking vacuum. 1 Investigations (YTD: 1) -DETAILS: Assist FM 25 w/ kitchen fire on Mettler. SMOKE DETECTOR INSTALLS: In partnership with the Red Cross, I assisted with installing 6 smoke alarms (YTD: 6) *Note- I have found homes during U&O inspections or rentals that do not have working smoke detectors, or enough working smoke detectors. By code, you are required to have one smoke detector on every level of your home, and one in each bedroom. I recommend every home have at least one CO detector, but two would be better. If you need smoke detectors, please reach out. TRAINING: I attended the monthly Bucks County Fire Marshal Association meeting. I attended the bimonthly Montgomery County Municipal Fire Officers Meeting. I attended a DCED Webinar on municipal assistance. I attended a NVFC webinar on Community Risk Reduction. PERMITS: 0 Fire Permits (YTD: 0) PROPERTY MAINTENANCE: We received 30 complaints (YTD: 30). The breakdown is as follows: 8 Work w/o permit complaints 2 Unregistered rental complaints 0 Unregistered business complaints 1 Grass/tree/overgrowth complaint 2 Safety/Fire complaints 15 Snow complaints 2 Misc. complaints (sign issues) I had my monthly meeting with the resident at 5 James Road regarding hoarding. COURT: None, however, issued multiple citations for unpaid FM inspections, unregistered rentals, and snow that wasn’t shoveled. OTHER: I assisted two businesses with changing their Knox box keys. I set up and toured the new Victorian Village Project and the Milliner Lofts Project with the Fire Company. I worked on maps for the fire company. I had the opportunity to speak at the Rotary Meeting and share what I do as a Fire Marshal for Hatboro. I attended the Crooked Billet Pride assembly with the other invited guests. I followed up on numerous open issues at businesses. I conducted a sprinkler flush at 440 S. York Rd. I provided a tour of the firehouse to a member of the public who requested it. MONTHLY SAFETY MESSAGE: Every year, there are approximately 45,000 home electrical fires. Half of those fires are caused by lighting equipment or home electrical wiring, which is why it is so important to get permits and use licensed and registered contractors. Home electrical fire deaths peak between midnight and 8 a.m. Plug only 1 heat producing appliance (like a coffee maker, space heater, or microwave) directly into a wall outlet at a time. Never use an extension cord for a heat producing appliance. Extension cords should never be used as permanent wiring.

FIRE COMPANY – VP2 Roome stated for the month of January 2025, the EFC responded to a total of 30 calls, 12 of which were in the borough, 3 weekly drills, 1 body meeting, and I BOD meeting, and reviewed the personnel totals. VP2 Roome stated the EFC still has yard signs available for anyone interested in displaying and they are always looking for volunteers. VP2 Roome also stated that the Fire Police responded to 23 calls with the Fire Department and 66 FP responded.

SECOND ALARMERS – Quarterly report was electronically submitted.

UNION LIBRARY – Borough Representative Kennedy state the library has 38n new card members since January 1st, received 272 new books in which the Borough funded 131 of them, held 46v programs and circulated 2,119 books, DVDs, etcetera. She also stated their annual appeal is ongoing and if you would like to donate, call, drop by library, or go online to do so. The vestibule project has begun, and parking is restricted to the back lot behind Hatboro Federal (thankyou to President Linda Roehner) and to please follow their signage. She also announced the upcoming events which can be found on their website hatborolibrary.org.

ORDER OF BUSINESS AND VOTING ITEMS
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF REPORTS – Councilwoman Shay made a motion to acknowledge receipt of Public Works, Fire Marshal, Tax Collector, Treasurer’s Reports, Shade Tree Minutes, EAC Minutes, and UMHJSA minutes. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Jacobus, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST, PAYMENT OF BILLS, MANUAL CHECKS AND TRANSFERS – Councilman Myers made a motion to approve Warrant List, Payment of Bills, Manuel Checks, and Transfers for the month of January 2025. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hoover, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

JANUARY 27, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – Vice President Reicher made a motion to approve the January 27, 2025, Council Meeting Minutes. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Shay, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

FEBRUARY 10, 2025, COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – Councilwoman Jacobus made a motion to approve the February 10, 2025, Committee Meeting Minutes. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hoover. Motion carried 6-0 with 1 abstention as President Bollendorf was excused from the meeting.

ENTERPRISE FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilman Myers made a motion to approve the Enterprise Fire Company Expenditure List for the month of January 2025 in the amount of $22,058.34. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Jacobus, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

FIRE INSPECTION ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – Councilwoman Shay made a motion to authorize Manager Hegele and Fire Marshal Valesky to begin working with Solicitor Geiser on an amendment to the Borough’s Fire Marshal Inspection Ordinance. Motion was seconded by Vice President Reichner, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

FIREHOUSE GRANT EXTENSION – Councilwoman Jacobus made a motion to approve the submission of an extension request for the Fire House Improvement Grant. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hoover, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

2025 INSURANCE COMPANY RISK CONTROL GRANT – Councilwoman Shay made a motion to approve the purchase of suppressor device for the Hatboro Police Department in the amount of $ 3,999.00. This purchase will be reimbursed through the Delaware valley Trusts Risk Control Grant program. Motion was seconded by Councilman Myers, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT CHANE ORDER #3 – Councilman Myers made motion to approve change order 33 for the Pedestrian Improvement Project resulting in a net contract reduction of $103,340.34. Motion was seconded by Vice President Reichner, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FINAL PAYMENT – Councilwoman Jacobus made a motion to approve the final payment request for the Pedestrian Improvement Project to Marino Corporation in the amount of $ 38,959.006. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hoover, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

2025 SPECIAL EVENT REQUESTS – Councilwoman Jacobus made a motion to approve the 2025 Special Event Requests for the Borough of Hatboro in accordance with the list submitted to Borough Council. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Hendrickson, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

RATIFICATION OF BOY SCOUT BINGO FUNDRAISER ALCOHOL PERMIT – Vice President Reichner made a motion to ratify Chief Ruegg and Manager Hegele’s approval of the Alcohol Permit for the Boy Scout Designer Bag bingo event. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hoover, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

SALE OF BOBCAT ON MUNICIBID – Councilwoman Shay made a motion to authorize staff to list the sale of the Bobcat on Municibid. Motion was seconded by Councilman Myers, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

CERTIFIED BIRD TOWN APPLICATION – Councilwoman Shay made a motion to authorize signature of the certified bird town application. Motion was seconded by Councilman Myers, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

24-28 S. YORK ROAD BALCONY REQUEST – Councilman Hoover made a motion to approve the field change request from the developer at 24-28 S. York Road allowing a portion of the third-floor roof to be changed into two balconies in accordance with the revised plan set. Motion was seconded by Councilman Myers, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

CELANO PARK AQUA EASEMENT – Vice President Reichner made a motion to approve the easement agreement between the Borough of Hatboro and Aqua America for water main improvements in Celano Park. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Hendrickson, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

120 E. MONTGOMERY AVENUE CELL TOWER LEASE AMENDMENT – Councilwoman Shay made a motion to accept the new lease terms from SBA Communications for the cell tower located at 120 E. Montgomery Avenue and the new lease rate for this tower will be $1,500.00 per month for 25 years. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hoover, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

350 N. YORK ROAD ASSESSMENT APPEAL SETTLEMENT STIPULATION – Councilwoman Hoover made a motion to approve the Assessment Appeal Settlement Stipulation for the property located at 350 N. York Road. This assessment appeal will result in an additional $ 35,346.99 owed to the Borough. Motion was seconded by Councilman Myers, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

EAC APPOINTMENTS
MOTION: Councilwoman Hendrickson made a motion to appoint Jonathan Pignatelli to the Environmental Advisory Council for a term of two years. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hoover, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

MOTION: Councilwoman Jacobus made a motion to appoint Alex Myers as Chair of the Environmental Advisory Council Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Shay, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0 with 1 abstention (Councilman Myers).

OLD BUSINESS AND UPDATES – There was no old business or updates.

NEW BUSINESS
VICTORIAN VILLAGE CONDITIONAL USE – Councilwoman Jacobus made a motion to authorize staff and Solicitor Geiser to schedule a Conditional Use Hearing for the Victorian Village Conditional Use Amendment Application. Hearing date and time shall be subject to Planning Commission recommendation. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Shay, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT – There was no public comment.

ADJOURNMENT – Councilwoman Shay made a motion to adjourn the February 24, 2025, meeting. Motion was seconded by Vice President Reichner, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0. President Bollendorf adjourned the February 24, 2025, Council Meeting at 7:46 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by:
Diane C. Hegele, Borough Manager/Zoning Officer/Open Records Officer

Transcribed by Cindy Bollendorf, Recording Secretary