At Monday’s New Hope Borough Council meeting, there was ample discussion regarding the proposed creation of an Environmental Advisory Council.
The purpose of the EAC would be to identify environmental issues and find adequate solutions to protect the environment in the borough.
A few examples of projects that the EAC would conduct include open space protection, greenway and trail development, conservation ordinances, water quality monitoring, air quality monitoring, and recycling.
During the meeting, Councilwoman Connie Gering said she worried that the EAC would hold an overwhelming amount of power compared to the other committees.
Councilwoman Louise Feder countered that she believed the EAC would be simply making recommendations and have no agenda to trump or hold more power over other committees.
While the council’s priority at the moment is to create the EAC, it is also in the process of instituting a parking and pedestrian safety committee. It would be tasked with reporting damaged sidewalks and parking issues that concern New Hope, its citizens and the tourist community.
In other meeting business, a discussion regarding canal access included the suggestion that the Odette’s building essentially blocks pedestrians from reaching the canal at that location.
There was also discussion about the importance of maintaining the historic buildings for which New Hope is known.
Other areas like the ramp on Waterloo Street, towpath access on West Randolph Street, and the preserved land on the New Hope Cemetery property on Windy Bush Road were mentioned as being in need of maintenance and upkeep to be made more presentable.
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