Meeting Minutes – Community and Business Committee

September 14, 2017

Attendees: Robyne Kelemen, David Holewinski, Steve Giesler, David Fermier, Chris Fleming, Sam Bryant, Steve Ascher

Absent:Jackie D’Agostino, Loren Fasco, Bill Vandergift, Andrea Antell, Debbie Byrne

Meeting called to order at 7:34PM.

Robyne Kelemen chaired the meeting.

Steve Ascher was asked to take the minutes of tonight’s meeting.

The meeting followed the agenda topics as summarized below:

  1. Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance were conducted.
  2. Roll call was conducted.
  3. Meeting minutes from 7/13/2017 were approved unanimously.
  4. Stephen Barth’s Economic Development report was presented and explained by Sam.
  1. A micro-brewery wants to go to North Wales, but could possibly have a satellite location in New Britain with a brewery license.  
  2. Business Accelerator startup space in Town Center.  The ball is in Del Val U’s court.  Waiting on approval.  
  1. NBB Commission and Committee Reports
  1. Council – Robyne Kelemen:  NBB newsletter has been sent.  It was suggested that trash hauler rates be published in the newsletter.
  2. Civic Association – David Holewinski:  
  1. Duck Derby to be held on 9/30.  “Duck” forms were handed out.
  2. Photo contest closes on 9/15.
  3. The Civic Association is hosting an event for millennials.
  4. The park will close at the end of November.
  5. The Summer recreation program, which began in 1957, was a success this past summer.
  1. Planning Commission – has not met.  Next meeting is this Tuesday night (September 19th).
  2. Historic Preservation  
  1. There is a display about Dr. Miriam Groner in Burkart Hall
  2. Wreaths across America will take place at 12 noon on 12/16 at the New Britain Baptist Church cemetery.
  3.  A tree lighting ceremony will be held in the Town Center parking lot on 12/6.  Steve A. asked if something for Chanukah could be done in conjunction with the tree lighting ceremony.  Steve A. will investigate with Robyne.
  1. Zoning Hearing Board – has not met recently.
  2. Parks and Recreation – getting new plants and trees by end of September
  3. Public Safety Committee:  Robyne – last met in July.  A 0% accident rate has been reported
  4. Shade Tree Commission:  Sam – newly formed commission.
  1. Aqua gave NBB $1800 for trees.  Planting will occur in late September or early October
  1. Other
  1. Sam mentioned the path will be done in a month or so.
  2. Robyne reported that there will be Yoga in the Park the weekend on 9/17.
  3. Sam reported that there will be a pop-up village in the Town Center parking lot the weekend of 9/15 also.
  1. Old Business
  1. As in the agenda:  Review and finalization of resolution to formally create the NBB Community and Business Committee
  1. Sam reported that the Committee was created in 2011.  Need to formally state meeting frequency, purpose, etc. in a resolution.  A draft resolution will be sent to Jackie and Debbie.  This will be reviewed before our November meeting and further reviewed there.  Final revisions will then be sent to Council for consideration at their December meeting.
  1. As in the agenda:  Welcome New Resident Folder – review community map and Civic photo contest update
  1. Would like to have a final Folder for review at our November meeting in order to be finalized by the end of the year.  Sam showed us a draft which was received very well.
  2. The photo contest ends on 9/15.
  3. There was a brief discussion of the DART system.  Revision of its operating hours was discussed.
  1. New Business
  1. As in the agenda:  Bench, bike rack, and garbage can style options
  1. Chris:  Chris will send style options to Sam who will then share with this Committee.
  1. Any other business
  1. Sam:  Council met last Tuesday.  A town hall meeting will be scheduled at Del Val U. for November
  2. A new planning consultant will be hired soon.
  3. Dave reported that candidates are being interviewed for the position of Central Bucks Regional Police chief due to the retirement of Chief Donnelly.  An offer is expected to be tendered by the end of September.
  4. Steve A. asked about the possibility of attracting such businesses as Ben & Jerry’s and Starbucks.  

Meeting adjourned at 8:41PM.

Minutes taken by Steve Ascher