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Morrisville seeks multiple grant awards including $1M for Patriots Park amid public concerns
Summary
Council authorized borough engineers to apply for several DCED and other grants — traffic signal upgrades, stormwater projects, a fire truck and a $1 million application for Patriots Park — prompting residents to demand more public input and raise Sunshine Act specificity concerns; authorization passed 7''' to''' 1.
Council voted Sept. 17 to authorize Gilmore & Associates to file multiple grant applications for infrastructure projects, among them traffic signal upgrades at Trenton Avenue and Plaza Boulevard (estimated $500,000'$600,000), Hillcrest Avenue stormwater improvements (about $170,000'$190,000), West Palmer Avenue stormwater (estimated $280,000), a fire truck (estimated $450,000), and a Patriots Park improvements application (estimated $1,000,000).
Kurt from Gilmore reviewed the recommended applications and emphasized that several projects are engineered or near-engineered but still have funding gaps. He noted the borough previously secured a partial RACP award and that some projects require permitting and further design work before construction.
Public commenters pressed council on Patriots Park in particular. Residents raised two themes: first, that the Patriots Park item lacked specificity on the agenda and therefore did not meet the Sunshine Act's requirement for sufficiently detailed notice; second, that Williamson Park had previously received public-planning input and residents wanted those prior efforts and community preferences considered before shifting focus to Patriots Park. Dawn/Don Rice argued the board should not vote to pursue a broadly stated "$1 million for Patriots Park" application without clearer details; Mary and others urged community engagement before finalizing designs.
Council and the solicitor responded that the action before them was authorization to apply for grant funding (not an allocation of borough funds), and that a formal resolution with application details would follow in a later meeting. After discussion the council authorized the applications; the record shows the motion passed 7 to 1, with one council member voting in opposition citing desire for more public input.
Next steps: Gilmore & Associates will file applications as authorized; council indicated further resolutions and public meetings will follow if and when awards or construction plans move forward.
