Members of the Hopewell Borough Council have established a Pedestrian, Bicycle and Safety Advisory Committee (PBSAC) for the borough.
After adopting an ordinance at the governing body’s Dec. 2 meeting, the new advisory committee will be tasked with proposing initiatives and recommendations to the council regarding pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety.
Council President Charles Morehouse, Councilman Chris Fossel, Councilman Ryan Kennedy, Councilman David Mackie, Councilwoman Samara McAuliffe and Councilwoman Debra Stuhler voted “yes” on the measure to adopt the ordinance establishing the committee.
“I am excited to see what is going to happen and I think it is needed,” Stuhler said.
The new committee is designed to advise council and collect information on safety, help address issues regarding pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety, and better safely connect residents within Hopewell Borough.
“I am grateful for council’s perseverance on this for the last six months and look forward to contributing either as a member or a volunteer to this committee,” said resident Mike Gray. “I urge you to keep an open mind, be flexible, open to ideas that worked in other places, but may not have been imagined for Hopewell yet.”
Created to be advisory only, the committee will report to the council. The Borough Council makes the decision to move forward with any particular improvement, change or suggestion that is brought forth from the advisory committee.
The committee consists of five members who will be appointed by Mayor Paul Anzano. According to the ordinance, there can only be one person appointed who is not a resident of Hopewell Borough.
PBSAC’s research and recommended advice to the Borough Council focuses on areas such as policy, facilities, information and promoting and improving safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motor vehicles.
The formal committee is tasked with studying and collecting data, information and opinions on pedestrian, bicycle and safety matters throughout the borough and surrounding areas; and prepare an inventory for each street in the borough spotlighting any issues or recommended improvements, according to the ordinance.
An annual budget appropriation for PBSAC will be provided by the council so the committee can conduct research.
The committee must create a comprehensive report of its findings and present items that need to be addressed and provide an update and review report every 10 years after the initial report or the most recent report conducted.