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Residents raise safety concerns: gas odor, senior‑center lot and an allegation about past police conduct
Summary
Residents reported a persistent gas odor near Daisy’s and Delaware Avenue, raised safety concerns about the senior‑center parking lot and asked the council to press the state and utilities; one resident publicly alleged mishandling of a 2021 incident by a former police chief and requested action to protect children.
Several Morrisville residents used the public‑comment period on Nov. 19 to press the borough for action on recurring safety issues.
Multiple speakers described a strong gas odor in the area around Daisy’s and Delaware Avenue. Resident Jim (Jimmy) Schwartz told council members he and neighbors repeatedly smelled gas and that prior calls produced temporary measures such as holes drilled in the ground rather than a permanent fix. “I smelled eggs, which means gas leak,” Schwartz said, asking the borough to press the utility and state agencies for a durable response. Susan Dingwall, who lives at 146 Harrison Avenue, said she also smelled the odor and urged residents to call PECO when they detect it.
Council members and staff said they would contact PECO and county officials and noted that PennDOT and the borough’s traffic‑calming engineers are examining related roadway and traffic issues. The borough said county inspectors had recently partitioned a portion of the senior‑center parking lot after a fall and that county and borough staff are coordinating on remediation and insurance matters.
At the Nov. 19 meeting, resident Jesse Wright delivered a lengthy public comment alleging that on April 25, 2021, an individual named Brian Welch brought a German shepherd to Wright’s home, which Wright said threatened him, and that a subsequent police and court process produced what Wright described as false police reports and a warrant issued against him. Wright said he provided video evidence that he says was ignored and alleged that former Chief George McClay testified at a custody hearing in a way that harmed Wright’s access to his children. Wright asked council how similar errors would be prevented going forward and characterized the prior handling as a systematic failure combining police and prosecutor decisions. Council members acknowledged the allegation, said the new chief is being informed, and did not take an action at the meeting to investigate the specific claim.
The borough committed to contacting utilities regarding the odor complaints and said county representatives had inspected the senior center parking lot; residents requested clearer ownership lines between county and borough property at that site so reporting and incident documentation can be done correctly.
Next steps: Borough staff said they will reach out to PECO and county officials about the gas odor and parking‑lot safety and will coordinate any necessary repairs or further investigations. Council said the police chief will be briefed on Jesse Wright’s allegation; no formal investigation or action was reported during the meeting.
