Retiring Public Works Director Lauded In New Hope Borough

NEW HOPE, PA — New Hope Borough on Tuesday night recognized its longtime public works director Tom Carroll who will be retiring in mid-November.

Manager Peter Gray presented Carroll with a plaque and thanked him for his 29 years of service to the borough.

“It’s been real and it’s been fun,” said Carroll. “We had floods, storms, blizzards and trees down so it hasn’t always been real fun. But it’s my life. I chose to do this and I’m passing the reins on to Matt (Decker) who is fully capable of doing the job.”

Carroll related a story about when he was a young child - about 12 or 13 - he had the idea of picking raspberries and selling them to the crowds of tourists in town.

“So I got my wagon and I climbed up on the hill down there near the Waterworks. On my way back through town, sure enough people were stopping me and saying, ‘Hey, those are nice.’ I sold all my raspberries.’

“But as I was walking I remember thinking, ‘Oh my goodness. Look at these trash cans. They were overflowing with trash. And there was ice cream dripping down and bees flying all over the place. I said to myself, ‘I hope I never have to clean this stuff up.’

“But it’s been a ride,” he said. “And I’m ready to move on and relax and not have to be on call 24 hours a day.”

Last month the borough council appointed Matt Decker as Carroll’s successor.

Decker, who grew up in Montgomery County and graduated from DeSalles University in Center Valley, has worked in the public works department as a laborer for the past 15 years.

In other business, the council voted to allocate $10,000 in next year's budget to the New Hope-Solebury Library. That’s in addition to $33,885 the library receives in tax dollars and another $33,452 of in kind donations from the borough (six parking spots and 10 volunteer parking
passes).

The council also approved the Holiday Parade to be held this year on December 4. The parade is presented by the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce.

In other action, council gave its Civil Service Commission approval to proceed with the selection of a police corporal.