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Council backs direction on bench‑donation and hometown‑heroes banner programs; floodplain limits and fees highlighted
Summary
Council reviewed a bench donation policy (bench cost ~$915, installation/total cost to borough ~$2,219, recommended donor fee $2,500) and a hometown‑heroes banner sponsorship program (54–55 pole capacity, suggested fee $150). Officials noted floodplain rules constrain bench locations and discussed assistance for low‑income veterans to participate in the banner program.
Council discussed two community‑facing programs in workshop: a bench‑donation program and a hometown‑heroes banner sponsorship program.
Administrator (S3) outlined the bench policy: a standardized bench (~$915) and installation are estimated to cost the borough roughly $2,219 per placement (bench $915; concrete slab ~$250; plaque $254; ~$500 in labor and shipping). The recommended donor fee is $2,500 to cover purchase, installation and ongoing maintenance; the administrator noted many park sites lie in flood plains and that benches in some locations would require a DEP permit unless installed as direct replacements on existing footings. The council debated whether donor plaques should include memorial dates and whether a 10‑year recognition term is appropriate; members asked staff to draft a fee resolution and an amended application for adoption at a future meeting.
On the hometown heroes banner program the administrator presented a draft recommending banners be displayed on the borough’s decorative poles (54–55 available spots), be displayed from Memorial Day to Veterans Day, and have a three‑year term. The recommended applicant fee is $150 (estimated $117 per banner including bracket and shipping). Council discussed options for donations or sponsorships to ensure low‑income veterans can participate and whether site stacking or double‑sided banners is feasible; DPW raised safety concerns for lower pole placements and truck clearance.
Next steps: staff will prepare a fee resolution for benches and amend the bench application; for banners the borough will finalize eligibility language, costs for brackets and replacement protocols and return with a draft application and final fee recommendations.
