Borough Council

December 15, 2025 7:00 p.m. The regular meeting of Doylestown Borough Council was held on the above date and time in Council Chambers, with the following members present: Council President Jack O’Brien, Vice President Amy Popkin, and Council Members Ben Bell, Larry Browne, Jennifer Jarret, Robert Kinney, Dennis Livrone, Connor O’Hanlon, and Elizabeth Wyckoff. Also present were Junior Councilperson Thomas O’Reilly, Mayor Noni West, Borough Solicitor Andrew Griffin, Borough Engineer Jim Dougherty, Central Bucks Regional Police Department Police Chief Karl Knott, Borough Manager John Davis, Assistant Manager/Finance Director Caroline Brinker, and Planning and Zoning Director Karyn Hyland. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 1. Community and Governmental Affairs Chairperson Ben Bell presented the 2025 Youth Leadership Award to Fiona Simek in recognition of her positive impact on the community through her leadership and service. 2. A Town Crier was present, who read a Proclamation for Ms. Brinker which acknowledged her accomplishments in 2025. Ms. Brinker is responsible for all Borough financial activities and in addition, crafted the Borough Budget, helped to complete the CBRPD Budget, including the Police Union Contract, and helped to complete the AFSCME contracts for both the Borough and the CBRPD. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. O’Brien called for a motion to approve the November 17, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes (Kinney-Browne). Hearing no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, a vote was called, and the minutes were unanimously approved. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor’s End-of-Year Report – December 15, 2025. First, I want to thank the Doylestown Historical Society, Ron Strouse and Cheryl Halderson for sharing their Town Crier this evening and to John Miller for presenting Caroline’s proclamation in such a memorable way. Doylestown is alive with holiday spirit. The community has come together through the annual holiday parade, Santa’s House, the Holiday Lights Bike Ride, our first-Ugly Sweater Walk, museum activities and seasonal displays, our merchants’ Jolly Sip and Stroll, Wreaths Across America, and more. Throughout the borough, our faith community is holding celebrations reflecting the diversity and spirit of the season. 261  What has struck me this year is generosity. The inaugural Ugly Sweater Walk collected more than 30 bags of food, supplies, toys, coats, and gloves—benefitting the New Britain Food Pantry, Bucks County Opportunity Council, and Code Blue. Participants in the Holiday Lights Bike Ride donated $240 to Doylestown FISH. Just last week, one of our local organizations reached out to ask how they can help Code Blue and the unhoused. And soon, Discover Doylestown will announce their year-end community donations. Amid all the festivities, this generosity stands out to me as the true spirit of the holiday season. A shared sense of generosity, connection, and goodwill —that compassion, connection, and community are what make Doylestown special. As we look ahead to 2026, we carry this same spirit of generosity and collaboration with us. In the year ahead, our focus remains on keeping Doylestown welcoming, safe, and vibrant— supporting our residents, strengthening partnerships, and continuing to invest in our Borough. Together, we will continue building on what makes this community strong. Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season and a Fabulous New Year! PUBLIC SAFETY - Mr. Browne 1. Authorization to Advertise Ordinance Establishing a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program. Mr. Browne said this ordinance establishes a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program for Doylestown Borough. He said that this volunteer-based program will work with the Borough’s Emergency Manager for the purpose of enhancing our local disaster preparedness, public education, and response. Following the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, a motion was made to advertise the ordinance (Browne-Popkin). Mr. Browne commented that as his sixth anniversary on this Council comes on Thursday, this was one of his initiatives that he presented in the very beginning - back when he was initially interviewed in December 2019. He said he couldn’t say enough about the assistance and cooperation he received from our Fire Marshal Scott Fleischer and now from our brand new Emergency Preparedness and Communications Board. Mr. Browne said they’re really excited to get this CERT Program going and he thought this is a good moment for the Borough. Mr. Bell commented that he’s “never seen a new board act with such a decisive sense of purpose.” He said it was nice to have this before Council tonight. Mr. O’Brien commented that when the Personnel Committee interviewed for the new board, they struggled to select the members because there were just so many qualified people. He noted they expanded the number of board members from five to seven because it was just so hard saying no to the applicants. He extended his appreciation to all involved. Hearing no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, a vote was called, and the motion to advertise the ordinance was unanimously approved. 262  2. Authorization to Advertise Ordinance Adding up to Two Student Members to the Emergency Preparedness and Communications Board. Mr. Browne said that this ordinance would add up to two Student Members to the Borough’s Emergency Preparedness and Communications Board. Following the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, a motion was made to advertise the ordinance (Browne-Kinney) With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 3. The Doylestown Fire Company monthly report was provided in Council’s packet and is available to the public by following the packet link noted on this meeting’s Agenda. Mr. Browne mentioned that next year there will be a new Chief of the Fire Department, Ed Loux. He thanked Mike Wood for his services as Chief for the past 10 years PUBLIC WORKS AND ADMINISTRATION - Mr. Kinney Mr. Kinney reported that the Committee did not meet this month and said that the Public Works Monthly Reports were provided in Council’s packet and are available to the public by following the packet link noted on this meeting’s Agenda. He commended Staff and our Public Works Department for snow removal in the last couple of days and also the efforts they’ve put into make Broad Commons, Borough Hall, and the rest of this community so festive and lovely for the holiday season. He said they do a tremendous job. COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS - Mr. Bell: No report. ZONING AND PLANNING - Ms. Jarret 1. Historic & Architectural Review Board Recommendations. Ms. Jarret reported that at its monthly meeting, the Borough of Doylestown Historical & Architectural Review Board (HARB) reviewed the following applications and recommended that a Certificate of Appropriateness be approved as presented for: Sign Applications: 137 South Main Street; Building Applications: 54 N. Church Street, for a roof, 192 East State Street, for a garage door - accepted as presented with the condition that the Applicant will confirm the structural suitability of the header, 20-22 East Oakland Avenue, for windows and siding - accepted for the proposed siding with the condition that the reveal match the existing reveal, that the material be smooth Hardie Plank, and that the Applicant return with drawings and images of the proposed windows for additional review, 57 West Court Street, renovation, accepted as presented with the condition that the applicant provide vines growing from planters both above the wall and at ground level, 166 West Oakland Avenue, demolition - partially approved conditional on the following: the west and south facades may be demolished, the east and north facades, windows, and roofs shall be retained and preserved, and the porch structure, columns, corbels, and railings shall be retained and preserved. Ms. Jarret said that the Zoning & Planning Committee reviewed the applications and recommends that Council approve the foregoing applications as recommended by the HARB. A 263 motion was so made (Jarret-Popkin). Hearing no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. The motion passed unanimously. 2. and 3. Code Enforcement Monthly Activity Report and Building Inspection Monthly Report. Ms. Jarret stated that these reports were provided in Council’s packet and they are available to the public by following the packet link noted on this meeting’s Agenda. ENVIRONMENT AND RECREATION - Ms. Wyckoff Ms. Wyckoff said the committee did not meet and there was no report. WATER UTILITY - Mr. Livrone Mr. Livrone reported that the Committee met and they reviewed the monthly report provided by our Water Operations Director Jerry Matozzo. There was no other report this evening. FINANCE/PENSION - Ms. Popkin 1. Consideration of Ordinance No. 2025-12 Amending the Non-Uniformed Pension Plan. Ms. Popkin said that this ordinance amends the Non-Uniformed Pension Plan. She said that in conjunction with the finalization of the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement, this amendment will increase the multiplier from 1.25% to 1.3%. A motion to adopt Ordinance 2025-12 was made (Popkin-Browne). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called, and the motion passed unanimously. 2. Adoption of 2026 Final Budget. Ms. Popkin said that the Preliminary Budget was advertised and made available for public inspection at Borough Hall and on the Borough website for a minimum of 10 days prior to the Final Budget adoption. She said that copies of the 2026 Budget Message and Budget Summary, with related charts and graphs, have been prepared for the public and the press. A motion to adopt the 2026 Budget was made (Popkin-Kinney). Mr. Kinney again commended Ms. Brinker, Mr. Davis, and the rest of the Staff for the work they put into this budget document. He felt they were able to hold the line on increases in taxes and they came up with some additional revenues for a variety of purposes, and they did so prudently and with a lot of thoughtfulness for the citizens of this community. With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called, and the motion passed unanimously. 3. Consideration of Ordinance No. 2025-13 Setting the 2026 Real Estate Tax Rate. Ms. Popkin stated Ordinance 2025-13 sets the 2026 Tax Rate in accordance with the 2026 Budget that was just adopted. She said that for the year 2026, the General Purpose Tax is 14.415 mills, the Fire Protection Tax is 1.70 mills, the Special Road Fund Tax is 1.50 mills, the Ambulance and Rescue Squad Tax is 0.50 mills, and the Debt Service Tax is 3.725 mills. The total millage will be 21.84 mills. 264  A motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-13 was made (Popkin-Jarret). Hearing no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, Mr. O’Brien called the vote. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 4. Consideration of Ordinance No. 2025-14 Providing for the Regulation of Water Service. Ms. Popkin said that in conjunction with the adoption of the 2026 Budget, this ordinance sets the water rates for 2026. A motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-14 was made (Popkin-Livrone). Hearing no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, Mr. O’Brien called the vote. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 5. Consideration of Ordinance No. 2025-15 Raising the Expired Parking Meter Fine to $25. Ms. Popkin said that this ordinance raises the Borough’s expired parking meter fine from $20 to $25. A motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-15 was made (Popkin-Kinney). Hearing no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, Mr. O’Brien called the vote. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 6. Consideration of Resolution No. 2025-16, the 2026 Fee Schedule. Ms. Popkin stated that all changes and “tweaks” are highlighted and include updated Green Points Program Incentives, Standby Fire Protection Fees, Short Term Parking Meter Fee increase from $1.50/hour to $1.75/hour, and the Special Permit Parking Fee increase from $10/month to $12/month. A motion was made to adopt the resolution and Fee Schedule (Popkin-Jarrett). Hearing no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, Mr. O’Brien called the vote. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 7. Cooperation Agreement with Bucks County Historical Society for the Modernization of the Mercer Museum Elevator. Ms. Popkin said that in 2023, the Borough of Doylestown passed Resolution No. 2023-9 authorizing the submission of a Statewide Local Share Assessment Grant application on behalf of the Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS) for the modernization of the Mercer Museum’s elevator at a maximum cost of $409,026. She said the grant program required a municipal application, but BCHS is responsible for all project costs. The grant was awarded to BCHS, and they have moved forward with the elevator project. However, the Commonwealth Financing Authority/Department of Community and Economic Development has requested a Cooperation Agreement between Doylestown Borough and BCHS outlining the responsibilities and procedures for the expenditure of the Grant Funds. Ms. Popkin said that the Borough Solicitor prepared the requested document. A motion was made to approve the Cooperation Agreement with BCHS (Popkin- Browne). Mr. Bell asked if this was reviewed by a committee. Mr. Davis stated it was not, noting the Finance Committee did not meet this month. He said they did present it to the Committee 265 Chair and now to Council as the society needs it sooner rather than later and it’s holding up their funds. Ms. Popkin added that this grant application was made in 2023 so Council voted on it then and Kyle McCoy did come to a meeting too to present it. Mr. Davis explained that in 2023, BCHS asked us to sponsor this because it requires a municipal sponsor. He said it laid out very specifically whose responsibility was what and that there was very limited responsibility and exposure for the Borough. He said the Committee did review it at that time. Mr. Davis said that as the project moved forward and BCHS applied for their first payment release, the Commonwealth for the first time in the entire two-year process said, “so where’s the cooperation agreement between the Borough and BCHS”, so we proceeded to have one drafted. He said it basically confirms everything we approved in 2023. This emerged too late for the December Finance Committee meeting had already been canceled. Mr. Davis said this is why this is coming straight to Council. Hearing no further no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, Mr. O’Brien called the vote. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 8. Ms. Popkin then called upon Ms. Brinker for the monthly Finance Report. Ms. Brinker said that a copy of the report showing payable and payroll had been provided in Council’s packet. She said that the total for all funds was $777,561.12. A motion was made to approve the report (Popkin-Jarret). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called, and the motion passed unanimously. PERSONNEL - Mr. O’Brien: No report. PROFESSIONALS’ REPORTS Engineer’s Report - Mr. Dougherty: No report. Solicitor's Report - Mr. Griffin: No report. Central Bucks Regional Police Department (CBRPD) Activities Report. Chief Knott said he had no report. The Police Activity Report for November 2025 indicated that were 757 incidents in the Borough and year-to-date, the Department had spent $7,101,110.94 and were at 93.83% of their yearly budget. PRESIDENT’S REPORT Mr. O’Brien wished everyone a very happy holiday, whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, or “Festivus for the rest of us,” and to enjoy the holiday and be safe. He also echoed Mr. Kinney’s earlier comments regarding the Public Works Department for the festive look to all of the Borough. Ms. Popkin asked everyone to think about this past weekend and the solemn news that came from Australia and Brown University, and with Rob Reiner and his wife being killed – all of which happened on Hanukkah. She said that it’s just devastating for our world, and she hoped we can all have more empathy and love for each other. 266  Mr. Kinney echoed Ms. Popkin’s comments on the tragedies, and added that in our community, a Pride flag was torn down from a local business with the perpetrator uttering words of division and hate. He said that this is the second night of Hanukkah which is the Jewish Festival of Lights. He then spoke of John F. Kennedy’s words on June 10, 1963 at American University, “Direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved.” He wished people from here in Doylestown and everywhere, world peace, love, and joy this holiday season OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: None. OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT Sheila Ramakrishnan, New Britain Borough resident, on behalf of Bucks County Meditates, non-profit Art of Living Foundation, invited Council and the community to a free event on December 21, 2025, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., as they join the United Nations for World Meditation Day, being held at the Doylestown Township community recreation center. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None. ADJOURNMENT At 8:41 p.m., Mr. O’Brien called for a motion to adjourn the meeting (Browne-Kinney). Mr. O’Brien called the vote and the motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, John H. Davis Borough Manager :sa 267