David Nilsen

This document presents a guiding vision for the Playground at Central Park in Honesdale, aiming to transform it into an inclusive, accessible, and natural play space designed for all ages and abilities. The plan, developed with extensive community feedback and placemaking principles, focuses on maximizing social interaction, providing versatile play experiences, and ensuring aesthetic harmony with the park's natural surroundings. Key design components include a variety of swings, dedicated zones for toddlers and teens, an accessible "Irving Hill" feature, and essential infrastructure such as secure fencing, accessible restroom facilities, and safe surfacing. This phased implementation seeks to enhance community connection and creativity, creating a welcoming and safe environment that promotes belonging and independent play for every person in Honesdale.

The commission reviewed conditional use and subdivision applications, including the Honesdale Borough Minor Subdivision Plan and a recovery-to-work services project at a local property. Significant focus was placed on developing draft ordinances for sidewalks, driveways, demolition, and vacant properties. Discussions covered multi-family housing zoning amendments, specifically regarding downtown building ground-floor commercial requirements, and the 12th Street Promenade project. Additionally, the commission addressed infrastructure and streetscape design, property code enforcement, municipal funding, and various land use issues across the borough.

This document outlines a Strategic Management Planning Program for the Borough of Honesdale, developed in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Economy League. It serves as a final report detailing strategic initiatives. Further specific details on the plan's goals or pillars are not provided in this excerpt.

The agenda items for the Council Meeting include setting the meeting schedule for the year and addressing public comments. Key discussions involve reviewing several Park Use Forms for events such as concerts and a Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration by various entities, requiring consideration of deposits, electric fees, and insurance. Other requests cover signage placement, a banner installation over Main Street pending PennDOT approval, requests related to handicap parking, vendor fee waivers, free metered parking, and garbage disposal for the July 4th event. Further agenda items include requests concerning stage placement and rentals, confirmation of new electric service, and stage rental agreements. Official reports are scheduled from the Mayor, Solicitor, and Manager. The Executive Committee will discuss personnel matters, specifically the adoption of an amendment to Chapter 8 regarding the Borough Manager role transitioning to CAO, and a wage increase for the Borough Treasurer, in addition to a presentation on STMP Phase 2 and voting for the 2026 PSAB Conference delegate. The Economic Development/Finance/Grants Committee agenda includes reports, financial statements, fund disbursement, and ratification/authorization of grant applications. The Parks & Recreation Committee will address the appointment of a Recreation Director and Earth Day activities. The Public Safety/Parking/Zoning/Code Enforcement Committee agenda features monthly reports, a resolution for the Fire Department's 2026 activities, and naming a Police Chief. The Streets/Stormwater/Buildings Committee will review reports, consider the COSTARS Bulk Salt Contract, and address stormwater bid projects and paving projects. Correspondence items include grant denial, workshop invitations, and notifications of a gas leak. The meeting concludes with reviewing and authorizing payments for bills, and approval of the previous Regular Meeting minutes from January 28, 2026.

This strategic management planning program for Honesdale Borough outlines a roadmap for a sustainable and vibrant future. It focuses on three key recommendations: strengthening fiscal resilience through revenue diversification and cost control, modernizing governance and administrative operations for improved efficiency and transparency, and investing in infrastructure and community development to support growth and quality of life. The plan aims to foster a more resilient, responsive, and forward-looking Honesdale that honors its historic character while embracing future opportunities.