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Residents press council on tone and public engagement during heated public comment
Summary
Several residents criticized Morrisville council for what they called a ‘‘toxic’’ meeting environment and inconsistent treatment of public input; council members defended correcting misinformation and urged residents to contact them directly.
At the July 15 meeting several residents used the non-agenda public-comment period to sharply criticize the tone and openness of Morrisville Borough Council.
Sean Ratti said the council’s online and in-person responses make some residents afraid to speak and accused the council of shutting out critics. "You are making your own opponents and critics by shutting them out," Ratti said, urging council members to remove personal feelings from decision-making and to include residents in town projects.
Deborah Colgan told the council she finds meetings ‘‘depressing’’ and accused leaders of creating a toxic environment for public engagement, citing examples she said showed inconsistent scrutiny of spending and sidelining of committees. Anna Langer announced a $440 donation to the borough manager to cover a film license for library movie nights.
Council members responded at length. Several defended their record, said they correct misinformation when it appears online and emphasized the legal and procedural constraints they follow — including procurement rules that require selecting the lowest responsive bidder. Council members encouraged residents to contact individual councilors and staff directly if they have concerns and reiterated that public comment periods remain open to all.
The exchange underscored continuing tension between some residents and the council over communication and process; multiple council members said they will continue to address misinformation and urged civility in public discourse.
