Morrisville council approves road bidding, equipment purchases, grants and policing upgrades

Morrisville Borough Council voted unanimously on Nov. 19 to approve a series of motions covering infrastructure, equipment and police‑operations upgrades.

Among the agenda items the council approved were a call to begin bidding on the Morrisville Road program Phase A with funding to be determined after bids are returned; authorization for Gilmore & Associates to file a Greenlight Go grant application for the Trenton Avenue/North Pennsylvania signal replacement project; and a resolution to apply for a DCED Local Share Account (LSA) grant to purchase a new street sweeper for Public Works.

Council also approved park improvements and equipment: the Manor Park playground equipment shown on the Gilmore & Associates concept plan (dated 10/17/2024) and several police‑operations items. The body‑worn camera procurement (Axon system) was approved for $86,235 with a deferred payment plan; council also authorized purchase of a live‑scan fingerprint machine ($35,250) and the formal establishment of a central booking center to keep officers on the street. Council directed staff to develop a sally port schematic required for central booking and hired Hacienda Design, Inc. at $125 an hour to prepare the schematic.

The council moved to authorize purchase of a new vehicle for the police chief (2025) and voted to adopt the 2025 preliminary budget and authorize advertising the budget for public inspection at Borough Hall. Council also amended and authorized sending the borough solicitor to the Dec. 2 zoning hearing to oppose variance requests at 400 and 403 West Bridge Street.

The meeting recorded the following motions and outcomes (all recorded as motion passed):

- Adopt agenda as posted (motion passed 7–0). - Approve consent agenda (minutes, bill list of $643,461.09, holiday schedules) (motion passed 7–0). - Begin bidding on Morrisville Road Phase A using bond financing (motion passed 7–0). - Approve Manor Park playground equipment per Gilmore & Associates plan (motion passed 7–0). - Adopt resolution to apply for LSA grant to buy a street sweeper (motion passed 7–0). - Authorize Gilmore & Associates to prepare/submit Greenlight Go grant application for Trenton Ave signal (motion passed 7–0). - Purchase Axon body‑worn cameras for $86,235 with deferred payment schedule (motion passed 7–0). - Purchase live‑scan fingerprint machine and establish central booking (machine cost $35,250; estimated yearly revenue $48,000; annual maintenance $6,582) (motion passed 7–0). - Proceed to develop a schematic for a police sally port and hire Hacienda Design, Inc. at $125/hour (motion passed 7–0). - Authorize purchase of a new vehicle for the police chief in 2025 (motion passed 7–0). - Adopt 2025 preliminary budget and authorize advertising (motion passed 7–0). - Send solicitor to Dec. 2 zoning hearing to oppose variances at 400 and 403 West Bridge Street (motion passed 7–0). - Amend truck ordinance to add multiple streets and establish a $1,000 fine for violations (motion to advertise in December and finalize next month).

Council discussions included resident questions about funding sources (for example whether liquid fuels funds could contribute to the road project), whether grant awards require matching funds (LSA described as a straight grant), and concerns about longer procurement lead times for vehicles and equipment. In most cases councilors said staff would return with specific funding plans after bids or award notifications.

Next steps: staff will proceed with grant applications, bidding and schematic development; council asked for follow‑up funding plans after bid results and award confirmations.