New Hope Council To Fill Vacancy Left By The Death Of Laurie McHugh

NEW HOPE BOROUGH, PA — The New Hope Borough Council will meet today, Tuesday, Sept. 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the New Hope Borough Hall.

The meeting will begin with a moment of silence for Council Vice President Laurie McHugh, who died unexpectedly on August 21 in an automobile accident.

An active member of the community, McHugh was first elected to council in 2016 and quickly earned a reputation as a thoughtful, fair, and professional representative of New Hope’s diverse residents and businesses.

In addition to her role as council vice president, McHugh served as council liaison to the shade tree commission and Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce, helped form the borough’s first Junior Council, and served on the ad hoc committees overseeing the visitor center and reviewing the borough’s parking needs.

In addition to remembering McHugh, the council will consider appointing her replacement. An agenda item includes appointment to council to fill a vacancy until Dec. 31.

In other action at the meeting, the council will consider hiring two new part-time police officers and approving special event applications for the High Heels Drag Race in late October on Mechanic Street and the Turkey Trot.

The council will also consider a Parks and Recreation Board project.

Six certificates of appropriateness are up for consideration: 100 West Bridge Street - renovations;
43/45 North Main Street - renovations; 17-19 West Mechanic Street - renovations; 127 A South Main Street – sign installation; 15 West Ferry Street – sign installation; and 26 South Main Street – sign installation.

The council will also consider whether to support or fight a zoning hearing board application for a special exception and variance for 71 West Ferry Street.

The council will also consider a proposal from Safe City Solutions to conduct a search for candidates for police chief.

And the council will consider a bid for the visitors center improvement project among other items.

The meeting is open to the public and there will be an opportunity to address council.