Election 2025: Abigail Laurich For Hatboro Council

Candidates running in the Nov. 4 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

HATBORO, PA — Abigail Laurich is running for a seat on the Hatboro Borough Council in the Nov. 4 general election.

Laurich, a Republican, is among the candidates seeking four-year terms on the seven-member council.

There is also a mayoral race between Mayor Tim Schultz and Republican challenger Tom Rafferty.

A battle is also on the ballot for a two-year term, with GOP challenger Alec Shaffer facing off against Democratic incumbent Councilwoman Amanda Jacobus.

Republican council challengers are Diane Saraceni, Dolores A. Roberto, Gary Blickley, and Abigail Laurich. They are trying to unseat Council members Don Hoover, Jennifer Hendrickson, Alex Myers, and Council President George Bollendorf.

Biographical Information

• Name: Abigail Laurich
• Age: 47
• Town of Residence: Hatboro Borough
• Position sought: Hatboro Borough Council
• Are you an incumbent? No
• What Towns Does Your Position Cover? Hatboro Borough
• Party Affiliation: Republican
• Family: Married with two children, ages 15 and 8
• Education: BA, Communication, focusing on Public Relations, La Salle University, 2001
• Occupation: I recently stepped back from my professional career. I have previous experience with payroll, human resources, career services, recruiting, staffing, project management and college admissions. The last 9 years were spent working for human capital management companies, focusing on processing large payrolls and resolving payroll issues for strategic clients.

Candidate Questions

1. How do you feel about the borough's future development?

I believe it’s essential to preserve Hatboro’s small-town character by maintaining its traditional streetscape elements — such as signage, lighting, and building facades.

The new development at 21–23 and 37 N. York Road, where the TNT Diner once stood, is an excellent example of how new construction can seamlessly blend into Hatboro’s existing skyline.

Moving forward, I would love to see the Borough encourage developers and investors to consider adaptive reuse of existing properties, such as the former Gamburg’s building.

Personally, I think projects like an indoor mini-golf venue or a mixed-use food hall could bring new energy to our community. These types of projects have been successful in other towns while maintaining their local charm, and I hope a future developer shares this vision for Hatboro.

2. What are your thoughts on political violence in the country?

Political violence is completely unacceptable. Throughout this local election, and in response to recent national events, we’ve seen an increase in online hostility and “keyboard warriors” using social media to express political opinions in divisive ways.

This trend contributes to the dehumanization of political opponents and breaks down respectful debate. I believe it’s essential to foster open, respectful dialogue — free from personal attacks or harassment of any kind.

3. What are the biggest challenges facing the borough?

I believe our primary focus should be on maintaining the essential services that keep our town running efficiently. Fiscal responsibility is critical. While we’ve been told that 80 percent of our budget is fixed, I believe there is room for greater financial scrutiny and prioritization.

With Water Authority funds declining and taxes continuing to rise, it’s time for a comprehensive budget review to identify opportunities to reduce current spending and ensure that future expenditures are deliberate and strategic. Looking ahead, I would like to see improved access to public information for residents. I would like to see greater awareness of available parking options for both residents and visitors.

Additionally, we need a clearer understanding of the ongoing costs associated with maintaining the Pennypack property, strategies to maximize its community use, and a long-term plan for the building and land.