Public Works at Eaton Park 'Not a Done Deal'

Garbage trucks will not be parked at Eaton Park, now, or anytime in the future, an official told Patch. 

While the Hatboro Borough Council lauded a plan to build a public works annex and amphitheater at the West Moreland Avenue park, Councilman Mark Sheedy, who chairs a residents committee evaluating those possibilities told Patch, "it’s not a done deal."

"We’re constantly looking. It’s an ongoing search," Sheedy said of seeking alternatives for additional public works storage. "But, in the meantime, since we already own the property, it makes sense to look at the properties we own."

Residents have spoken out against plans to use the park for anything other than recreational purposes. Still, borough officials have said that Eaton Park is the best and most economical place to hold various public works equipment, including lawnmowers.

Currently, public works stores some of its items at the Hatboro Police Station. As part of a $2.8 million facilities plan that a consultant recommended earlier this year, the already cramped police quarters would be renovated and expanded and cleared of public works equipment. If that approach is undertaken, public works would need to find additional storage space elsewhere. 

Since the consultant's presentation in February, the council in July decided that tackling the Eaton Park/public works issue should be the first piece of the plan. Officials have said they hope to execute the upgrades over the next three to five years. 

Sheedy and Councilman David Rich headed up formation of a committee comprised of them and five residents to evaluate the possibility of constructing a 94-foot-by-40-foot storage space at Eaton Park. According to Sheedy, the facility would essentially be a "big shed."

The committee has so far met once. Tentative plans for January include a "field trip" to the park to "find the most feasible place to build a garage" and amphitheater, Sheedy said. 

After that, Sheedy said the committee would devise a design that's "palatable for the community and for the committee." From there it would be presented to the public and considered by the seven-member borough council. 

"We have a lot of bright people lliving in Hatboro," Sheedy said. "It’d be nice if people gave their input."

Additional residents committees are planned to evaluate facilities plans for the police station, the public works building and borough hall. But, Hatboro Borough Council President John Zygmont said the work of those committees "hinges off" of the Eaton Park public works storage possibility.