A Bucks County contracting firm received permission to convert a former East Greenville cigar factory into an apartment building. On Monday, council voted to allow Green Tree Contracting, LLC to construct 12 apartments in the building at 241 Jefferson St.

            Melissa Leinbach cast the lone vote opposing a motion offered by Vice President John Dingler, that eliminated a fee in lieu of recreation worth approximately $30,000, according to Manager Jim Fry. The item was not included on the meeting agenda.

            The project will include 12 one-and two-bedroom apartments built in the former Dimming Cigar Company factory, located between Jefferson Street and School Alley. A house on the property will remain and be utilized as a residence. The plan calls for 21 parking spaces, including one handicapped spot.

            Dingler made the motion to approve the lower unit volume and waive the fee after hearing two municipal property owners in the audience express their support for the new proposal. Both cited concerns over parking and traffic.

            Prior to the vote, a lawyer for the Doylestown business asked the members to waive the fee – quantified during the meeting by Fry – in exchange for the developer agreeing to implement four fewer units.

            Sean Duffy told the members that if the board did not waive the fee, based on the overall square footage of the proposed development, the contractor would revert back to the original 16-apartment proposal.

            Solicitor Mark Eastburn described the waiver as the "elephant in the room."

            Steven Laphen, the owner of Green Tree Contracting, told the members that eliminating the fee is one way he can profit from the project.

            According to council President Alison Stephens, the developer informed the members that he is working to obtain an historic designation.

            Laphen told council that architectural requirements related to the designation add to his construction costs. The contractor claimed the window cost will reach $250,000, five times the normal expense

            Stevens, chair of the borough's finance committee, announced that work on the 2027 budget has commenced. She declined to provide any details, claiming that the figures were "not buttoned up enough" to present to the public. The member said he would make a presentation in October.

            Reached the following day regarding the potential inclusion of a tax increase, Stevens claims the committee members were still reviewing the numbers. She wrote that municipal officials are "doing everything [we] can to avoid increasing taxes."

            Street sweeping is scheduled for next month. According to Dingler, the odd-numbered streets will be swept Oct. 1, followed by the even-numbered streets on Oct. 8.

            Leinbach, chair of the borough's recycling/waste management committee, announced that the municipality will host a shredding event for residents only in the rear parking lot at Borough Hall from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 8.

            Mayor Stephen Wescott announced that Trick-or-Treating will be allowed in the borough from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.

            Douglas Criddle did not attend the meeting that lasted 80 minutes. William Singer arrived at 7:04 p.m.

            In August, the Borough of East Greenville Police Department responded to 160 total incidents. They included 41 traffic incidents and 20 for public service. The officers also responded to four fires, three parking issues, made three assists, served three warrants, and went on two animal calls. Information collected by Chief Joshua Halteman, posted on the bulletin board outside the meeting room at Borough Hall, identifies 84 incidents characterized as "other."

            The council's next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5.