Photo: Charlie Sahner

...it doesn't have to be a snowman

Woman skater with hockey stick on New Hope, PA section of Delaware Canal (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

Color along the New Hope PA towpath...

New Hope towpath and Delaware Canal (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

HARB meeting shocker: New Hope Borough Council takes Odette’s proposal out of historic review board’s hands

New Hope Borough Council President Claire Shaw (file photo)

 By Charlie Sahner

 

Several members of New Hope’s Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) appeared shocked and dismayed Tuesday night as it was revealed by Borough Council President Claire Shaw that their request during a prior meeting to retain an independent structural engineer to assess the practicality of preserving the former Odette’s restaurant had not only been overruled, but that “Council decided to handle this from this point forward.”

New Hope’s Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) considered a conceptual plan April 1 that would see the remains of the famed but flood-ravaged Odette’s cabaret club torn down and replaced with a four-level “boutique” hotel/banquet hall designed to look like a 19th century paper mill. Shaw lives in a home once occupied by the original “Odette” next door to the site.

During that previous meeting, HARB questioned the assertion of the applicant — investment group Gateway to New Hope, LLC — that restoring the original Odette’s wasn’t possible, and that “the only way to go” was to level the existing site dating back to 1794, and attempt to utilize some original fragments of wood and stone in a massive new construction.

HARB also decided to appoint a new structural engineer in conjunction with Gateway to New Hope to assess whether the original building could be salvaged prior to touring the site and reviewing the historical appropriateness of the proposed plan.

HARB Chairperson Iain Haight-Ashton punched a hole in that concept early in Tuesday night’s meeting, saying “Everything right now is in the hands of Borough Council” while introducing an agenda item requested by HARB member Jeff Frydman of South Main Street.

Frydman raised a concern that the informational tour of the Odette’s building by members of HARB would apparently be conducted prior to receipt of the report from the structural engineer.

“The decision has already been made and we have to stand behind it,” replied Haight-Ashton.

“I don’t understand why we don’t have a structural engineers report when we go into the building,” said Fydman.

Said Haight-Ashton, “It’s important to have this information in front of us…but, that being said, I respect what Council has done.”

“Why can we just advise Council to get the [structural] report and take a look?”  asked Frydman.
“Because Council made that decision and, you know, when the air is all you’ve got to breathe, I’m sorry,” replied Haight-Ashton, shrugging his shoulders.

Shaw, who was present in the audience, said in response to questions by HARB members,”We are not really getting a study, we’re having an open house…Council will then decide if we want to request a formal structural report. Based on what we see and hear, the seven of us will decide what to do next.”
“So, what is our role now?” asked Frydman.

“Your role?” responded Shaw. “To be HARB. I think this was sort of taken out of your hands because they [the applicants] were not treated very fairly at the first go around with this board.”

“We were very fair, and we were honest, and we were going according to guidelines, Claire. We did not do anything unfair,” shot back HARB member Dee Dee Bowman. “We simply stated that we did not think their report was adequate.”

“I wasn’t there, I can only speak to what I heard,” retorted Shaw.
“Did you ask any of us?” queried Bowman.

“Because of what transpired, right or wrong, Council decided to handle this from this point forward,” said Shaw.

“So, we’ve been fired,” responded Frydman.

“No, bypassed,” asserted another HARB member.

“The president of council believes we bullied applicants, which is patently false,” asserted Bowman. “If you had interviewed any one of us prior to accepting that statement then you would have known what actually happened.”

In fact, in a document obtained by the Free Press entitled “Harb Update,” Haight-Ashton refers to a meeting that occurred around May 11 with Shaw and Council Vice-President Rey Velasco that was held “to discuss concerns regarding the current historical structures report from the Gateway Group on the Odette’s property.

“Claire and I are on the same page,” continued Haight-Ashton. “No matter what was said at the last HARB meeting regarding this report, the final outcome is that Claire announced at Tuesday’s council meeting that she will be giving the contract out to Cook & Brown Associates to do a new report.”
Haight-Ashton went on to state, “I would have liked to see the structures report completed and used as a guide during the open house, but the decision on the order was out of my jurisdiction. We are all passionate volunteers with a great respect for history. Regretfully, we sometimes have to put aside our passions for the sake of solutions.”

Addressing Shaw near the end of Tuesday’s meeting, Frydman said, “I just want to be clear that I think we all agree there has to be a [structural] report.”

“Well, we don’t know that there’s going to be one, Jeffrey, at this point” said Shaw. “And that’s where it sits.”

Baby, it's cold outside!

New Hope section of Delaware Canal beginning to freeze

"Grand Reopening" Celebration for Delaware Canal Overlooks New Hope Problems

By Charlie Sahner

The public was invited to the party today in Easton, PA celebrating the "grand reopening" of the Delaware Canal and adjacent towpath following repairs necessitated by three devastating floods on the nearby Delaware River from 2004-2006. The organizers, a mixture of private groups and state bigwigs, mention in their publicity efforts that it's really the towpath part that's open from Easton to Bristol, PA...they'll fill it all up with water later.

But what exactly is a towpath without a canal? If it's smack in the middle of the #1 tourist destination in Bucks County, one might call it a fiasco for the residents, visitors, merchants and wildlife of New Hope.

Of course, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) confirmed on July 9 that they will not have the the New Hope portion of the Delaware Canal repaired and refilled this summer. A spokesperson for the DCNR said the problem was funding. "It won't be until at least the fall until we can start," she said. "The money is not in place at this point."

But interviews with several individuals familiar with the DCNR and construction say bureaucratic indecision and a lack of a cohesive, strategic approach to the entire New Hope canal section is to blame. "They just don't know what to do in Harrisburg," said one individual who asked not to be identified. "They can't make a decision, they're over their heads and don't know what to do."

Another person familiar with masonry and plumbing who asked to remain anonymous said that the biggest problem areas could be lined with dark green plastic, which would be virtually unnoticeable once the canal is refilled with water.

But could a plastic liner last a year or two to allow time for more enduring restoration work during the off season?

"Hell," said another individual familar with the situation who asked not to be identified. "It could last three, four years, or more."

So, if the state doesn't have funding in place to repair one of the busiest sections of the Delaware Canal and truly complete the project, why not? Is the DCNR official in charge unable to get the job done, or is New Hope just a low priority for the Harrisburg department?

We may never know.

Meanwhile, sporadic work continues almost daily at different points along the aging canal walls, mostly repointing the masonry and moving dirt around. The activity has a distinctly piecemeal appearance to the casual observer. Ducks and geese sit in hot, caked mud waiting for relief; the giant lock at the southern end looks frozen and forlorn.

There will be "no joy in Mudville" today, and no celebration anytime soon in New Hope for a water filled, functioning canal.

Lambertville Canal Creep Still at Large

By Charlie Sahner

Law enforcement officials continue to search for an unknown man that severely beat a Lambertville, N.J. woman 11 days ago as she jogged alongside the Delaware and Raritan Canal. She apparently fought back fiercely enough to send the attacker scurrying away down the towpath.

The July 1 attack took place just beyond Lambertville's border with West Amwell Township, and the motive remains unknown.

With police continuing to actively seek the assistance of the public and the suspect remaining at large, we asked the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's office whether the investigation was getting bogged down. Said spokesman Dan Hurley, "The investigation has not stalled. We continue to receive and track down numerous leads. The investigation remains active and being investigated on a daily basis.

"The New Jersey Park Police have stepped up patrols in the area," he added, "There is still considerable investigative work to complete and we continue to seek the assistance of the public as it is likely more than one person saw the suspect either prior to or after the crime."

Meanwhile, local towpath joggers seem to be taking extra precautions. Said one Lambertville woman, "I used to run early in the morning on the towpath, and I haven't been lately."

New Hope, P.A. Police Chief Mike Cummings confirmed that his department's increased foot patrols along the Delaware Canal towpath will continue indefinitely. While acknowledging that New Hope is fundamentally a "safe" town, Chief Cummings said the Department is staying vigilant and leaving no stone unturned in protecting the Borough's citizens. "Criminals don't have borders," he explained.

As if to underscore that point, Solebury Township, P.A. police on July 3 arrested Javier Aliel Lopez Marroquin, 26, of Hamilton, N.J., and charged him with indecent exposure and open lewdness.

Marroquin was observed exposing himself along the banks of the Delaware River near Route 32 and Aquetong Road at approximately 4:00 pm on July 3. Solebury Police had issued a warning just the day before that "over the past week incidents involving indecent exposure on the Pennsylvania side of the Towpath" had occurred. At least one of those incidents may have taken place well north of the arrest area, past the Bridge at Rabbit Run on Route 32 in Solebury, according to sources.

Said Dan Hurley of the jogger investigation, "We responded to the recent arrest on the PA side of the river and are looking at all past incidents looking for similarities. We have not ruled out anybody at this point in time as it relates to the potential suspects in this attack."

Readers with any information or tips on the jogger case can contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s office at 908-788-1129.

Restored Murals of Canal Life Add Color to Downtown New Hope PA

Above, some of the recently restored murals depicting life along the Delaware Canal by renowned New Hope PA artist William "Billy" Selesnick. They're located in a small pocket park near the stairway to the Locktender's House off South Main Street in New Hope PA.

His work can be seen here and there on building exteriors throughout New Hope, although Billy now calls Palm Beach, Florida his main home.

Last Warm, Leafy Days of Fall in New Hope PA

The empty mule shed on the Delaware Canal in New Hope PA stands quietly in the afternoon sun on a recent day.

New Hope PA Burro Council Ponders Dried Out Canal Problem

According to minutes published on a recent New Hope PA Borough Council discussion of the dried-out Delaware Canal issue, Chairperson Sharon Keiser began by saying: "I would like to ask Council to consider authorizing the payment of up to $7,500 to water the canal from the Logan Inn north from July through October.

"The canal is quickly reverting to nature. Several large trees have fallen across it. Weeds are 3 feet tall in some places. It looks less and less like a canal and more and more like an abandoned ditch.

"If it is not watered this year we will not have water until at least Spring 2011 since the Rabbit Run bridge will be closed next year with a coffer dam restricting any water to New Hope. Who knows what the condition will be by then.

"The impact on New Hope may be severe, recreationally [sic], aesthetically and commercially. Apart from the river, nothing physically defines us more then the beauty and serenity of the canal.”

Sharyn Keiser went on to ask if any Council members would offer a motion, and said one challenge is that the water would cover 2.5 miles of Solebury and only .50 miles of New Hope. Eighty (80%) of the canal is dry at this point, she asseted [sic]. If the canal were to be watered, it would only extend to The Logan Inn due to the leak in the canal south of The Logan.

"Randall Flager stated that the canal is an eyesore at this time." (Nothing gets past Randy)

Claire Shaw stated that "she feels that it would be fiscally irresponsible to spend the taxpayers’ money in that manner especially since the expense serves Solebury more than New Hope."

Sharyn Keiser stated that "there is nothing in the budget for this" and asked the Manager to provide a cost estimate.

John Burke estimated that the cost would be in the range of $7,000 to $8,000 for the shortened season, from the middle of July through the end of October.

Randall Flager ejaculated "what was spent on watering the canal in 2008?!"

Sharyn Keiser stated that the cost was split 50-50 in 2008 with PADEP. The Borough’s share was about $6,000, which covered the period from April to the end of November.

Randall Flager asked "if the Chamber [of Commerce] has requested that the Borough pay to water the canal in 2009."

Sharyn Keiser stated that "there have been no requests from the Chamber or any residents of New Hope and there is one resident who is opposed to it because she is concerned with the fish that will be left behind once it dries up. In the past this resident has physically relocated the fish in the canal to the river."

Randall Flager stated that if the canal can’t be watered down to the Locktender’s House, then he is not prepared to pursue this matter. (Heart of gold, that Randy) Glen Stephan stated that he would like to see water along the entire length of the canal in New Hope and that he would consider contributing to this. (His money or Chamber members' money?)

Sharyn Keiser "stated that the projected time to restore water to the canal is about one year from now."

Annette Rosenberg, 137 S. Main St., keenly observed that "the canal is an eyesore without the water. Something should be done to clean up the canal."

Loretta Johnson, 16 West Bridge, "suggested taking water from the Primrose watershed."

Ed Duffy stated "that someone should organize a fund raising effort to pump water into the canal this year."

Perhaps Mr. Duffy, who is running for re-election to Burro membership next month, should consider taking the $7,500 from the burgeoning budget he helps administer -- one which is spending millions to buy a church for he and his fellow politicos, a path through the woods to a faraway parking lot, and a neighborhood park where kids and pets and trees aren't welcome.

Mayor Keller wished Doro Kerr a happy birthday.

Ricky's Beautiful Garden Along the Canal

Has Third Federal Bank Woken Up & Smelled the Liability? Maybe.

Despite Third Federal Bank's denial of safety issues surrounding unfenced 12-15 foot deep foundations at George Michael's struggling Canal Street housing development in downtown New Hope PA, new fencing has miraculously appeared.

Guess Third Federal Bank finally figured out that the possibility of children plunging to their deaths might be bad for their corporate image, or maybe it was the sagging, shabby look it gave to their already cheesy sign. Could it be George Michael or the Borough realizing that deep unfenced foundations and drops around the site are a hazard to citizens and workers alike?

Meanwhile, despite claims to the contrary, work activity continues at the site. Below, two workers today on a moving platform two storeys up seem to say, "Look, ma! No hands or hardhats!"

Paul's Pretty Flowers on W. Mechanic St., New Hope PA

Beautiful wildflowers dot the dried out Delaware Canal bed in New Hope PA.

Cracks and bulges continue to appear in a wall of the Delaware Canal adjacent to unfilled foundations at the struggling New Hope PA Canal Street housing development.