Safety improvements slow to come at Bush House

          During a work session Monday night, Quakertown Borough Council received a report on safety and code concerns pertaining to the Bush House Hotel, located at 200 W. Broad St. The property was the scene of an April 2018 fire that claimed the life of 82-year old Marcella Heitz.

            Zoning Officer Doug Wilhelm expressed concerns around the slow progress of safety improvements and announced he will inspect the property for code violations in the coming weeks.

            "Remember we have a commercial ordinance that allows us to inspect every commercial property on a yearly basis, so we shouldn't be waiting until another fire," Wilhelm said. "We need to proceed forward with that now and make sure everybody is safe."

            According to Wilhelm, property owner Thomas Skiffington cited ongoing insurance settlement issues for the delay.

            Council President Donald Rosenberger told Wilhelm that does not relieve Skiffington from the responsibility of bringing the building up to code.

            "I think if it was thirty days or three months after a fire, you know things don't happen in the snap of your fingers," Rosenberger said. "But eighteen months later there should be a solid game plan as to how that's been restored or brought up to code."

            Wilhelm will report back to the township once the inspection occurs.

            In other business Monday night, Wilhelm also represented the Community Day committee, offering a report on this year's Fourth of July festivities. Wilhelm reported that the successful event netted over $27,000, the largest proceeds since the first Community Day in 1982. Wilhelm took time to thank several committee members who played a role.

            "The money raised pays for the fireworks then goes back into the community," Wilhelm said.