Meet New Hatboro Councilwoman Nicole Shay

HATBORO, PA —When Nicole Shay takes her seat for her first official Hatboro Council meeting, the move will mark the evolution of a journey she started a few years ago.

Shay, who has lived in Hatboro for nearly 10 years, always wanted to get involved in some form of township business once her two daughters got older.

So she took a leap about two years ago by filling an opening on the planning commission, figuring that was a good "first step trying to understand" how the business of government works.

Her interests grew and she then joined the Pennypack Facilities Steering Committee as the old school transitioned to a makeshift borough hall and will continue one day, as borough officials hope, as a community center.

"I heard about openings on committees," said the owner of Beautiful By Nicole, a salon in Warrington. "I submitted my application and tried to get descriptions of what committees were most interesting and did the most good. I wasn't familiar with ordinances. It was a good stepping stone for me. I enjoyed that."

Shay planned on running for borough council. But then when Councilwoman Aleta Ostrander passed away in early December, Shay applied to fill the vacancy.

She was among seven candidates for a seat on the seven-member council. She's also the third Nicole, joining Councilwomen Nicole McMenamin and Nicole Reichner.

"I'm a little nervous, but pretty excited," said Shay, whose first official business was expected at Monday night's council committee meeting. "I'm ready to dive in."

Shay feels she brings a lot to the council.

"I'm a Mom and a small business owner," Shay said. "I love my community. I love Hatboro. I want to see improvement. I want to be a part of making it better."

Shay said she'd like to see storefronts filled in the downtown district.

"We have a lot of empty spaces," she said. "The breweries are great to draw people in. Small businesses make it better. Hatboro has great small-town charm."

Shay is married to husband Bob, who is in software compliance. She has two daughters: Kimberly, 23, who attend the University of Pennsylvania, and Emma, a junior at Hatboro-Horsham High School.

"I just want to help with the future," she said. "I'm excited to start the journey."