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Brookhaven council approves $1 million financing to buy Our Lady of Charity site; subdivision review next
Summary
Council adopted an ordinance authorizing up to $1 million in borrowing from the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority to finance purchase of roughly 7.5 acres from Our Lady of Charity; planning commission will review a subdivision Jan. 21 and borough officials expect closing in late February.
Brookhaven Borough Council on Jan. 6 voted to authorize the borough to incur up to $1,000,000 in non‑electoral debt through a general‑obligation note with the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority to purchase roughly 7.5 acres of property owned by Our Lady of Charity Parish.
The authorization — presented by Councilman Burke during his committee report and passed by voice vote — accompanies a pending subdivision application that would divide the 12‑acre parcel so the borough would acquire about 7.5 acres and the parish would retain roughly 4.5 acres. The borough solicitor told council he will present the subdivision to the borough planning commission on Jan. 21.
The solicitor said the loan approval was already in hand from the regional finance authority for up to $1,000,000 to finance the acquisition and described the financing as “very attractive,” and councilmember Catania said the borough expects settlement by late February if the subdivision and other closing conditions are approved.
Council members said the property is expected to be used largely as green space, with the fate of the existing school building undecided; options discussed included demolition or “mothballing” the building if renovation is not feasible. The solicitor said a committee will develop ideas for public use after the purchase is final and that the borough would seek public input.
The meeting also included a separate, related motion to advertise an updated recycling ordinance so the borough can meet Act 101 compliance and qualify for Pennsylvania DEP recycling performance grants; that motion passed.
Why it matters: The purchase would put a sizable parcel under borough control and could affect future maintenance costs, park programming and tax obligations. Council members said they will pursue grants and committee input before taking further steps on building reuse or major improvements.
"After that is settled and the ink is dry, we will schedule a meeting with the OLC committee," the council president said during the meeting.
