James P. Dougherty

The Historic and Architectural Review Board conducted a reorganization, electing a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Key applications reviewed included new signage for 95 N. Broad Street, which received conditional approval with an added vegetation requirement. An amended window application for 20-22 E. Oakland Avenue proposing Andersen 100-series Fibrex windows was approved as submitted. The roof replacement application for 24 N. Main Street, proposing asphalt shingles, was tabled after deliberation regarding alternative materials like slate. A house addition application for 112 Mary Street was conditionally approved, allowing the applicant flexibility on matching the rear roofline to the front. Finally, the application for new Hardie Plank siding at 150 E. State Street was conditionally accepted, requiring specific details regarding the third-floor cedar repair and the addition of a water table board.

The meeting commenced with special presentations, including the awarding of the 2025 Youth Leadership Award and a proclamation acknowledging the accomplishments of the Assistant Manager/Finance Director for crafting budgets and managing financial activities. Public Safety agenda items included authorizing the advertisement of ordinances to establish a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program and to add up to two Student Members to the Emergency Preparedness and Communications Board. In Public Works and Administration, staff and the department were commended for snow removal and holiday decorations. The Zoning and Planning Committee presented recommendations from the Historic & Architectural Review Board (HARB) regarding several certificate of appropriateness applications, including sign, building, and demolition applications, which Council subsequently approved. The Finance/Pension committee addressed several key ordinances: amending the Non-Uniformed Pension Plan to increase the multiplier, adopting the 2026 Final Budget, setting the 2026 Real Estate Tax Rate, providing for the regulation of water service rates for 2026, raising the expired parking meter fine to $25, adopting the 2026 Fee Schedule (which included increases to parking meter and special permit fees), and approving a Cooperation Agreement with the Bucks County Historical Society for the Mercer Museum elevator modernization grant funds. The monthly Finance Report was also approved.

The Zoning & Planning Committee meeting focused on several items. The Zoning Hearing Board case (ZHB #2025-11) involving 315 North Street was noted as postponed until January or February 2026. The Committee reviewed several Building Applications requiring HARB recommendations, including projects related to a roof replacement, a garage door installation, a renovation, and a demolition. Following the HARB review, the Committee voted to forward all reviewed applications to the Borough Council for approval, with one member dissenting on the application for 66 W. Oakland Avenue.

The regular meeting included discussions on tree applications, specifically regarding a Sycamore tree at 52 E. State Street which was reportedly causing damage to a gutter and noise; the Commission recommended rerouting the gutter rather than tree removal, leading the property owners' association to withdraw their application. The application for a tree removal at 203 Davis Road was recommended for approval in the homeowner's absence. Key reports included the Chairperson recommending that members consider their roles for the upcoming year and potential projects like updating the Borough website with a plant list. The Arborist discussed challenges posed by Beech leaf disease and other tree hazards.

Key discussion points included the progress of the Doylestown Climate Action Plan (DCAP), which is advancing through its adoption process with upcoming joint meetings with the Planning Commission scheduled. Outreach and communications focused on developing a native plant page for the Borough website and planning the Earth Day event scheduled for April 25, 2026, including potential collaborators and activities. Significant time was dedicated to reviewing and finalizing the design for an educational sign at Chapman Park, and discussing the funding status for park habitat enhancement projects at Chapman and Veterans Memorial Parks, which is supported by the 2026 Borough budget and grant applications. The index of open areas created for the Borough was reviewed, and the need to complete the annual reporting for Bird Town was noted. Old and new business included inquiries regarding funding for a complete streets plan in the 2026 budget, discussion on the reduction of the DART Shuttle schedule, and an investigation into reports of plastic bags being used at a recent Arts Festival.