Doylestown Borough’s 2020 budget adopted in December, marks the green light for the long-awaited start of construction of the Broad Street Gateway Park, Central Bucks Regional Police Headquarters, and Borough Hall project.
This $11 million project will be partially funded by $5 million in new borrowing with the remainder funded by grants, contributions from Chalfont and New Britain boroughs and property sales. More than two decades in the making, it represents one of the most ambitious public projects in the borough’s history.
The Central Bucks Regional Police Department’s current aging and inadequate headquarters will be replaced; a new public park will be created in an area of the borough lacking in park space; a brownfield site will be restored; and adaptive reuse of a historic building will be undertaken.
The project will allow for the long sought state accreditation of the police department.
The annual cost to the average borough property owner for this project in new debt service tax will be $23.57 in 2020, rising another $53.05 in 2021 for a total of $76.62.
Other than the debt service levy, all borough property taxes will remain at current levels in 2020.
The average homeowner will pay $457.58 in total borough real estate taxes in 2020.
The Doylestown Borough real estate tax continues to be the smallest portion of a homeowner’s overall tax bill, accounting for 9.72 percent of the total taxes paid.
Borough water rates will see a 3 percent rate increase.
Reserve and Water Capital Funds in 2020, will be used to fund capital projects and equipment purchases without the use of tax revenue. Roads scheduled for paving by the Department of Public Works in 2020 are: Broad Street (Main to Union); West Street (Doyle to Avenue A); Kreutz Avenue (N. Chubb to S. Chubb); Garden Alley (Broad to Pine); Printer’s Alley; East Ashland Street (Church to State); Belmont Avenue (Church to Spruce); Church Street (Oakland to Ashland); Wood Street (Hamilton to Clinton).
Applications are currently being accepted for vacancies on the following committees and boards:
- Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals
- Bike & Hike Committee
- Economic Development Advisory Board
- Environmental Advisory Council
- Fanny Chapman Pool Board
- Historic and Architectural Review Board.
“Student members will be able to gain familiarity with local government operations while providing input on matters before the borough,” information from the borough said.
To apply for an opening, send a letter of interest and resume to John Davis, Manager, Doylestown Borough, 57 W. Court St., Doylestown. Or send to jdavis@doylestownborough.net.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 17.
Dec. 17 marked the final borough council meeting for Don Berk, who has represented Ward 3 since 2008.
Also at the meeting Lawrence (Larry) Browne was unanimously appointed to Doylestown Borough Council to fill the vacancy created by the untimely passing of Sue Gordon.
The 2019 Mayor’s Stewardship Award, a project of the Economic Development Advisory Board, was awarded last night to the property of the Kremser family at 278 W. Oakland Avenue. In evaluating the nominees for the award, the board takes into account the historic nature of the property, the aesthetic value, the extent of work completed and overall value tothe community.
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