Solebury Township Achievement Summary – 2020

Introduction

A “Declaration of State of Emergency” was announced in Solebury Township on March 17, 2020. Despite this situation, the Board of Supervisors, Administration, Township staff, contractors and over 50 resident volunteers who comprise Township committees have endeavored to ensure that the Township government remains a foundation, for the entire community. The Board of Supervisors believes this has been accomplished and is very thankful for all of these efforts during one of the most difficult years in recent history of this Country.

During 2020, the Solebury Board of Supervisors addressed over 150 issues. Many of these topics required extensive additional meetings and analysis. The Board of Supervisors met together a minimum of 33 times during the year. In addition, all Supervisors are liaison to one or more Township Committees which in total met at least 70 times a year. Lastly, the Township Administration provides the valuable service of addressing many community matters daily as well as coordinating the decisions made by the Board of Supervisors.

All this was accomplished during a pandemic.

Financial Overview / Bond Rating

• Moody’s has rated the Township at Aa1 due to its strong financial position that consistently has been improving in recent years.
• The pandemic created an uncertain economic situation for the Township. Consequently, expenditures were reduced, eliminated, or deferred. Balanced budgets were set for both 2020 and 2021.

Township Administration

• Township Administration has continued to make changes in staff schedules and work procedures, to meet safety requirements and to allow the Township to operate efficiently throughout the pandemic.
• Solebury Township hired two full time employees and recruited thirteen volunteers to its various boards and committees.
• A 4-year contract has been signed with PECO for 100% Renewable Energy reducing rates at the same time.
• The Township has installed video cameras in the main meeting room whereby meetings can be recorded and uploaded to the website, for use when in-person meetings resume.
• The Township is paying more vendors electronically to eliminate the need for paper checks.
• Permit applications are available on Solebury’s website and are being accepted electronically.

Land Preservation

• There was a bond issue in the amount of $4,850,000 to facilitate ongoing preservation, in accordance with the 2019 voter referendum that authorized $12 million in new open space borrowing. The Township took advantage of historically low interest rates, locking into a rate under 1.10%.
• 81 acres were preserved this year. Among the properties preserved this year is the 35 acre Manoff Farm on Comfort Rd, 18 acre Scannapieco property along the Delaware River, and the 12 acre “Flea Market” properties along route 202.

Police Dept.

• The Solebury Township Police Department began to transition to hybrid police vehicles, a process that will continue by purchasing new hybrid vehicles until the entire fleet is hybrid.
• The Police Department became fully operational with their K9 unit. Blitz and Officer Rice are fully trained in Patrol and Narcotic Operations and are being utilized for these services.
• A comprehensive review of the SPD was conducted this year. The evaluation confirms that the SPD is keeping Solebury residents safe in a professional and respectful manner.

Roads, Bridges & Trails

• The Township continued the roadway upgrade schedule for 2020 and the following roads were treated: Stovers Mill Road; Paxson Hill Road; Reeder Road; Sugan Road between RT 202 and Kitchens Lane; Estates Drive; Blenheim Drive; Bedford Drive; and Yorkshire Road.
• Safe, paved parking was installed at Laurel Park allowing organized parking of more vehicles.
• The shared-use path of the Solebury Gateway Trail on Route 202 from Sugan Road to Kitchens Lane project has been initiated. Engineering is expected to be completed in 2021.The Township hopes to begin construction in 2022.

Park & Recreation Dept.

• Coordinated and participated in January’s Annual Winter Festival with 32 events over 10 days with over 5,000 participants.
• While following CDC and PA State guidelines for social distancing and non-contact, P&R conducted a 4-week summer camp session, coordinated a fall sports program as well as the annual Halloween Community Safety night event on October 31st.
• Park Improvements: Construction of two pickle ball courts.

Aquetong Spring Park

• Extensive stream restoration was completed.
• A timber harvest, consisting of removal of invasive/dead/dying species. Numerous trees/vegetation have been re-planted to better support wildlife and to help secure a sustainable habitat.
• Mowed trails within the site have been maintained and mapped and several additional trails are being designed/permitted for construction in 2021.
• Construction of the parking and trail has been approved by Penn Dot and will begin in the spring 2021.

Deer Management

• The Township, EAC and the Deer subcommittee are continuing the effort to reduce the overpopulation of deer in the Solebury. The Deer Management Program, under the direction of the USDA , recorded a 44 percent increase in the Red Tag harvests this year. Efforts are continuing to contact farmers whose yields have been affected by deer damage and encouraged to apply for an agricultural damage depredation permit through the state Game Commission.
• A deer population census via drone will take place in 2021.

202 Corridor

• Solebury Township acquired two properties in the 202 Corridor. One property is located at Reeder Road and Route 202 and the other is located on Route 202. A focused effort will commence in 2021 to obtain community consensus as to how this property will best support the community. These acquisitions will enable the continuance of the trail connection planned to link Aquetong Spring Park with the canal walk.
• Solebury Township Administration has continued the 202 Corridor study. A traffic presentation was presented at the 1/19/2021 BOS meeting.
• The Township continues to work with Bucks County Water and Sewer, North Wales Water Authority, and UHL Associates to execute the Ground Water Study.
• The Township is continuing discussions with the developers of the Heritage Senior Living Facility and emergency care project located adjacent to Logan Square.

Grants

• New grants awarded in 2020 were 1) Solebury Trail grant $400k with a $400k match from the Township. This provides funding to build the walking/bike trail from Sugan Road at the Eagle Firehouse to Kitchens lane /179. This will extend the trail that starts at Magill's Hill Park. 2) Leaf truck $213k.
• Grant funding used this year is from Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for $350k and a portion of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant for the Aquetong Stream restoration and plantings completed November, 2020.

New Hope Crushed Stone Quarry

• Quarry operations have ceased at the Phillips Mill Rd site. Equipment has been removed and sold. The property was offered for sale at a September 2020 auction. The DEP has informed the Township that a new owner has not been established. The Township continues to work with the DEP to ensure that quarry reclamation and Primrose Creek stream restoration is completed.

Sign Ordinance

• The revision of the Sign Ordinance is an effort by the Township to adapt to changing technologies as well as methods of posting signs. The updated ordinance represents a significant improvement with how and where signs will be displayed in the Township. Much appreciation is given to the Planning Commission and Farm Committee for their efforts.

Library

• The Township contributed $120,000 to the Library in 2020, 40% of its revenues—making it the largest supporter of the Free Library of New Hope and Solebury. This year the Solebury Board of Supervisors appointed a task force to start the review of the Township-Library relationship. . These discussions will continue in 2021.

Sustainability

• Currently there are several efforts pursuing this goal.
  • The Township has received a Platinum Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification. This is the highest recognition level, and only 7 other municipalities in the state have achieved this rank.
  • The BOS has endorsed the EAC “Ready for 100” proposal which set the Township goal of adopting 100% renewable electricity by 2035 and fully renewable energy by 2050. Currently, the Township Energy Transition Plan is in draft mode.
  • The Planning Commission is currently evaluating an additional sustainability metric by the American Planning Association (APA).
  • The BOS has established the Sustainability Steering Group to coordinate Township sustainability efforts.

Other Projects started in 2020

• The BOS endorsed the Heritage Road initiative. This would include in the Solebury Comprehensive Plan this new road classification that reflects the Township plan to preserve the character of historic roads in the community.
• The BOS is reviewing a Solebury Farm Committee proposal for a “New Farmer- Landowner” program. This would support the effort to introduce farmers and Solebury land owners who would like to have a portion of their acreage farmed.
• The BOS is determining community consensus as to whether the Township should initiate a new committee, “The Arts and Heritage Committee”. It would support endeavors to heighten awareness of cultural and historical elements in the Township.