Environmental And Recreation Committee

Environment and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 7, 2025, 6:00 PM Present: Committee Members Liz Wyckoff (Chairperson), Ben Bell, Connor O’Hanlon, and Dennis Livrone. Also present were James Lannon, Parks and Recreation Board Chairperson; Sustainability Coordinator Grant Rowe; Finance Director Caroline Brinker; and Recreation Director Caitlin Hernandez. The Minutes from September 4, 2025, were approved as submitted. Caroline shared the Fanny Chapman Main Pool Bottom Concrete Repair Bid Tabulation. Only one bid was received from a business in Georgia. Jim Doughtery was unable to obtain any references for the company. The Borough Solicitor advised that the bid could be rejected and could be readvertised for 2026. The Fanny Chapman Pool Board would like to reject the bid, but the Borough Council must authorize it. A motion to reject the bid was made (Bell/Livrone). Grant updated the Committee on the Habitat Restoration Plans for Veterans Memorial and Chapman Parks. Grant would like to reach out to Delaware Valley University students to help identify invasive plants that need to be removed. The Pennsylvania Game Commission will also review the students' findings from Del Val. Additionally, in 2026, we will have targeted “no mow” areas in parks to re-meadow some open space in town. Grant gave a detailed overview of the plan for the next few years, and committee members offered valuable feedback and ideas to improve it. Caitlin gave the Recreation Director’s Report. She reviewed the total number of rentals for Burpee Pavilion. Sponsorships from the canceled concert will be carried over to the spring concerts. The trunk- or-treat sold out within a week. The Witches Ride has approximately 280 participants, and all funds raised will be donated to the Pump Track. The Farmers Market will not relocate to Borough Hall and Broad Commons in 2026, but the option will remain for future years. Old/New Business: Under Old Business, Ben wanted to discuss environmental concerns about gas- powered lawn equipment. Ben thinks it is a worthwhile discussion, since both the Comprehensive Plan and the DCAP mention the negative impacts of gas-powered lawn equipment. He believes the conversation should be around education rather than enforcement. Under the New Business topic, Ben asked whether any of the tennis courts could be dual-purpose for pickleball as well. Caitlin told Ben where he could find pickleball courts. As there was no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m. (O’Hanlon/Bell). Respectfully submitted, Erika Fellman Minutes Secretary