NEW HOPE, PA — Four projects in New Hope Borough and Solebury Township will benefit from the latest round of state grants coming out of Harrisburg.
State Senator Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Tim Brennan on Tuesday announced the following Local Share Account grants for public safety, infrastructure, and community improvement projects:
Adaptive Re-use Of the Bond House
Solebury Township will use a $100,000 grant to redevelop the Bond House into an environmental and historic education center and flexible meeting space.
The Bond House was constructed as a private residence in the 1950s and is located at the Aquetong Spring, a source of spring water known to Native Americans and Early European Settlers.
"This investment will transform the Bond House into a space where residents, students and visitors can learn about the area's environmental and historic significance while also providing a place for community meetings and events in Solebury Township," said Senator Santarsiero. "I'm pleased to support a project that will preserve this important site and create a resource for the community for years to come."
The Bond House in Solebury. (Solebury Township)
The township funded a feasibility study to evaluate the building's use as an education center. The study found that the house is in good structural condition and could be converted from residential to public use.
The work will include the installation of a new walkway and ramp, door width revisions, and additional restrooms and water closets. In addition, a new plumbing and HVAC system will be installed.
"Giving the Bond House a new purpose – a place where people can learn and hold meaningful gatherings – is a wonderful way to breathe life back into one of our treasured, historical institutions," said Brennan.
The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury
The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury is receiving a grant for $57,18 to renovate the library's exterior. The work includes replacement of the roof and new pathways, which will extend the life of the library and expand access to all visitors.
"Libraries are more than places to borrow books," said Senator Santarsiero. "They are community spaces where people of all ages can learn, connect and access resources they might not otherwise have. This investment will help ensure The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury can continue serving residents for years to come. Replacing the roof and improving the pathways will preserve the library's physical home while making it more accessible and welcoming to everyone who walks through its doors."
Brennan added, "The library is a cornerstone of the New Hope and Solebury community, a place where people come together to connect with each other, learn and share ideas. I'm proud to support these funds to help preserve this unique building for years to come, while improving access and making the library even more welcoming to everyone."
New Hope Borough Police Department
The New Hope Police Department is receiving a grant for $36,568 to purchase and implement a comprehensive digital video recording system of body-worn and in-car cameras for all sworn patrol and supervisory officers. The goal of the new system is to increase transparency and accountability, improve evidence collection, enhance officer safety, and reduce civilian complaints.
"Body-worn and in-car cameras are important tools for promoting transparency and accountability while helping our officers do their jobs safely and effectively," said Senator Santarsiero. "This investment will give the New Hope Police Department a modern system for documenting interactions, collecting evidence and protecting both officers and the public. Strengthening these tools ultimately helps build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve."
Brennan added, "Good police work has always depended on good judgment, and today it also depends greatly on having the right tools. Body cameras, in-car cameras, modern radios, and drones can give officers better information when they need it – and they give the public greater confidence in how tense moments are handled, building trust between police departments and the public they serve."
He continued, "I'm glad to see the state making modern tools available to the officers in our communities who are asked to make difficult decisions in high-stress moments. And I'm grateful to the officers who put these tools to work in service of your family, mine, and our neighbors."
Solebury Utility Vehicle
Solebury Township is receiving a grant for $53,802 to purchase a utility vehicle, outfitted with a fire suppression and medical evacuation skid unit, along with necessary emergency lighting. The vehicle will be used by three different fire companies (New Hope Eagle, Buckingham Midway, and Pt. Pleasant) as Solebury Township does not have its own dedicated fire company and relies on these three companies through a mutual aid agreement with surrounding townships.
The vehicle, which will be stored at the township's public works garage, will enhance emergency response not only in Solebury Township, but to surrounding townships as well. The base UTV will be outfitted with a fire suppression skid unit that includes an emergency medical evacuation platform.
The Solebury Township Building. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Additionally, an integrated winch will be installed for heavy towing, which can be used in emergency situations. The skid unit will serve as a fire suppression unit and a medical evacuation support unit, featuring an 85-gallon water tank, 100-foot forestry hose, and a rack to strap a stretcher. This is particularly important due to the extensive preserved land and wooded areas in Solebury that are inaccessible by traditional emergency vehicles. Recent brush fires in the township have underscored the critical need for a specialized vehicle that can reach these areas quickly and efficiently.
"Our municipalities rely on local fire companies to provide emergency services, and this investment will strengthen that regional response system in Solebury Township," said Senator Santarsiero. "When an emergency happens, having the right equipment close at hand can make all the difference, and this investment will help our brave first responders protect residents and save lives."
Rep. Brennan added, "Emergencies don't stop at municipal boundaries – that's something our local fire departments are very familiar with. When smaller departments can share equipment and work together, everyone is better prepared to respond to their neighbors' moments of crisis. At a time when municipalities are having to make tough financial decisions, these grants are putting new and better resources in firefighters' hands."
Administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the Local Share Account (LSA) statewide program allocates gaming revenue through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the Commonwealth.
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