'Public Trust' Questioned By Resident At Hatboro Council Meeting

HATBORO, PA — The conversation started about Blair Mill Road. But a resident's comments at the recent Hatboro Borough Council meeting unveiled what she said is a bigger issue between the government and residents.

"Public trust is not automatic," Dolores Roberto said at the end of her public comments. "It is earned through transparency, accountability, and responsiveness."

Roberto, who ran as a Republican for council in the November general election, had first questioned why borough officials weren't fixing pothole issues on Blair Mill Road that became prominent after numerous winter storms.

Members of the Hatboro Borough Council and borough staff tried to explain to Roberto at the recent council/committee meeting that Blair Mill Road is a state road that runs through Horsham Township.

Borough Manager Diane Hegele said that she reached out to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in Harrisburg to seek assistance.

"Blair Mill Road is not in the borough, but it is affecting the borough," Hegele said at the meeting.

"I know it's frustrating. Believe me, I've hit a pothole. It's literally like a minefield," Councilwoman Amanda Jacubus told the resident.

But Roberto didn't appreciate being interrupted during her public comment time and scolded the borough members.

"Blair Mill Road — residents don't see separate systems," she said. "They see safety issues that need to be addressed. That's where the disconnect happens."

Since the meeting, the borough has posted updates about activity by PennDOT on Blair Mill Road to keep residents informed.

PennDOT also posts weekly updates, reported by Patch, of what roads in Montgomery County are planned for road and pothole repairs.

Roberto also complained about the borough combining its committee workshops and regular council meetings. There used to be two meetings a month — separate committee and council meetings.

"I think a lot of residents are feeling the same right now: Frustration," Roberto said. "Not because of politics, but of what feels like a growing disconnect between leadership and the community. We've seen situations that raise real questions about conduct and public safety. Yet, there's been little to no clear communication about them. Residents are trying to get basic information. We've written requests that get delayed and have difficulty getting answers. At the same time, responses on social media often happen in real time, while direct outreach about safety concerns do not always receive a response. And when meetings are once a month, it limits opportunities for residents to engage, ask questions, and stay informed in real time."