Borough Council and Mayor Guenst hosted a special Groundbreaking ceremony for the Miller Meadow Improvement Project on Saturday, October 26, 2019. This improvement project was made possible through the Montgomery County 2040 Implementation Grant Program. Created in 2016, the Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program assists municipalities in making physical improvements that achieve progress toward goals of the Montco 2040 Comprehensive Plan. This program specifically aims to support projects that support the Comprehensive Plan’s goals of Connected Communities, Sustainable Places, and Vibrant Economy.

In the year 2019, Montgomery County Commissioners awarded 15 Montco 2040 Implementation Grants to 15 different municipalities totaling $1,600,000. $200,000 of this total amount was awarded to the Borough of Hatboro to be used for the Miller Meadow Improvement Project which was developed through the help of the Borough Steering Committee, Borough Engineer, and Staff.

The Miller Meadow Improvement Project is designed to transform the existing open space, resulting in a beautiful gateway for south end of Hatboro. This project will result in the installation of a gazebo, hard surfaced walking trails, a parking area, increased wildflowers, and managed meadow, all of which will enhance the natural area of the park and improve residents’ opportunities to enjoy it.

The overall goal of this project is to create an attractive and welcoming natural area for the community to enjoy. This project will establish clear and inviting pedestrian entrances to the park, make the walk along the front of the park near York Road a pleasant one, create clear pathways for visitors to traverse to enjoy the park, and create a more inviting natural area to encourage visitors to enter the park and engage in physical activity and community interaction in the inviting public space.

Montgomery County Commissioners Val Arkoosh, Ken Lawrence, and Joe Gale were in attendance to celebrate the commencement of this momentous project. Each commissioner spoke about the competitive grant program and noted that obtaining funding through the program is a major accomplishment. Prior to the official groundbreaking, Montgomery County Commissioners presented Borough Council with a check in the amount of $200,000 in funding that will help make Phase I of the project a reality.

Joining Montgomery County Commissioners in sharing words about the project were Senator Maria Collett and State Representative Tom Murt who are both extremely excited for the project to begin. Senator Collett and Representative Murt are both avid supporters for improvement projects throughout the Borough and often provide letters of support that help obtain the funding necessary for large projects. State Representative Murt, who grew up in Hatboro, noted how this transformation of Miller Meadow will further beautify Hatboro and continue to make it a great place to live. Both Senator Collett and Representative Murt emphasized that this project will not only create a beautiful gateway into Hatboro, but will serve as a location in which residents can continue to strengthen the small town community that our residents pride themselves with.

Borough Council posed for a photo with County Commissioners Arkoosh, Gale, and Lawrence to officially break ground for the project. (From Left to Right: Councilman Hegele, Vice President Stockton, Councilman Rich, Commissioner Val Arkoosh, Councilwoman Benjamin, Councilman Forgeng, President Bollendorf, Commissioner Lawrence, and Commissioner Gale)

Members of the Borough’s Steering Committee who helped design the project during the development of the Borough’s new comprehensive plan were also in attendance (From Left to Right: Vice President Stockton, Chuck McElroy, DJ Schultz, Mayor Guenst, President Bollendorf, Marianne Shaeffer, Borough Manager Hegele)

The Miller Meadow Improvement Project would not have become a reality without the immense help of the following:

Borough Council: Council President George Bollendorf, Vice President Dave Stockton, Pro-Tem Bob Hegele, Councilwoman Elle Anzinger, Councilwoman Nicole Benjamin, Councilman George Forgeng, Councilman David Rich, Mayor Nancy Guenst

Borough Staff: Borough Manager Diane Hegele, Assistant Borough Secretary Deena DeRenzis, Borough Engineer Remington & Vernick

Montgomery County Planning Commission Staff: Executive Director Jody Holton, Scott France, Chloe Mohr, Patti Guttenplan, Pat Stasio, Steve Zbyszinski

Hatboro 2040 Steering Committee Members: George Bollendorf, Dave Stockton, Elle Anzinger, Diane Hegele, Bill Tompkins, Denise “DJ” Schultz, Jim Kinney, Leslie Jones, Marianne Shaeffer, Pat Stasio, Robin Laufer, Ron McKnight, Theresa McElroy, Chuck McElroy, Chloe Mohr, Steve Zbyszinski

The Borough of Hatboro would also like to thank Tim Schultz and Bright House Photography for photographing the event.