Last Wednesday, Quakertown Borough Council held their monthly meeting in-person, using social distancing measures to ensure safety while conducting borough business.

            The council chamber was arranged to allow only council members, the borough manager, and the press, keeping occupants under ten at all times. Council members were seated six feet apart and were all wearing masks.

            Members of the public wishing to attend and make comment were invited to watch the proceedings through closed-circuit television in a separate area and come into chambers one at a time. There was no public comment made last Wednesday.

            The primary topic of discussion Wednesday night was whether certain public events, arranged through the parks and recreation committee, could happen as planned this summer.

            While a decision to open the Quakertown Community Pool will depend upon when Bucks County enters the yellow phase of the plan to reopen Pennsylvania, Borough Manager Scott McElree described several scenarios the committee has been exploring to open the pool should that occur. McElree will weigh the cost-effectiveness of opening while ensuring public safety if it becomes feasible, and present a recommendation to council.

            McElree also noted that the committee is prepared to hold their annual summer camp, with schedule changes made to comply with the yellow phase and overall safety.

            "It would be nice if we could still offer this to the community because that's what makes us cool," McElree said of the camp.

            McElree also announced that while Community Day, historically scheduled for July 4 will likely be cancelled, a celebration including fireworks may still be scheduled for the end of the summer. The Sounds of Summer concert series will also see some changes as July acts will need to be rescheduled. Gretchen Wilson is now scheduled for August 15 and the Marshall Tucker Band may be postponed to 2021.

            Quakertown parks remain closed with only trail access available.

            In other business, council approved a two-year extension of their contract with Edward Scholl Consulting LLC for economic development consultation at $60,000 per year. Borough funds are budgeted annually for economic development within the borough.

            Council also approved the extension of a contract with Lynn Kraft for planting, maintenance and watering downtown planters.

            Along with other Bucks County municipalities, Quakertown council passed a resolution to extend the real estate tax face payment deadline from June 30 to July 30, 2020.

            "That will give people some extra time," Council Vice President James Roberts commented.

            Finally, council designated the week of May 10-16 National Police Week and the week of May 17-23 Public Works Week. Additionally, Friday May 15 is declared Police Officer Memorial Day.

            "As of today, there have been 61 officers killed in the line of duty this year," Councilman Michael Johnson stated before the vote.

The work session scheduled for May 18 has been cancelled. However, council continued Wednesday's meeting to Wednesday, May 20 to continue post-pandemic planning.