Special Event Ordinance

This ordinance balances the need for regulation with the community’s limited resources and desire to encourage special events. The $100 non-refundable application fee and $200 permit fee are reasonable for a small borough, ensuring cost recovery for administrative efforts while allowing waivers for community-benefit events like fundraisers.

The 5% amusement tax on ticket sales aligns with Pennsylvania’s enabling legislation for boroughs to impose such taxes (under the Local Tax Enabling Act) and supports the Fire Retention & Recruitment Fund, addressing the critical understaffing issue in the volunteer fire company. The 30-day remittance deadline provides organizers with sufficient time to collect and report taxes in a small community where events may not have sophisticated ticketing systems.

The insurance requirements are standard for small municipalities and protect Hop Bottom from liability, which is crucial given its limited budget and reliance on volunteers for public safety. The hold harmless agreement further shields the Borough, while the waiver option for small events ensures flexibility for low-risk gatherings like a neighborhood block party. This ordinance promotes community engagement while safeguarding public safety and Borough resources.

Fire Retention & Recruitment Fund

Hop Bottom and surrounding communities rely heavily on its volunteer fire company for public safety. The understaffing issue, common among rural volunteer fire departments, threatens our community’s ability to respond to emergencies. I will introduce two new ordinances that will leverage two new revenue streams. Special Event permits and a renewed Fire Carnival to create a sustainable funding sources without increasing taxes, aligning with the Borough’s goal of maintaining fiscal responsibility as noted in the Zick campaign platform.

The fees for the Fire Carnival would be set low to encourage participation, while the annual carnival taps into Hop Bottom’s past tradition of community events to foster engagement and support for the fire company. The Fund’s focus on recruitment, retention, and training addresses the root causes of understaffing, such as lack of incentives and high time commitments for volunteers. The Advisory Board ensures Fire Company input while maintaining Borough oversight, and the annual reporting promotes transparency for residents.

Hop Bottom Day

Hop Bottom Day is essential to celebrate the Borough of Hop Bottom’s past, present, and future, fostering community pride and ensuring its unique history and potential are not forgotten in the face of modern challenges. This small Pennsylvania town, with a population of around 310, has a rich story tied to its origins, resilience, and evolving identity that deserves recognition. A dedicated day would bring residents together, honor their shared heritage, and inspire future growth—especially critical for a rural community.

A striking example of why Hop Bottom Day is necessary lies in the Borough’s historical journey and the lessons it offers. The town was born from the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad’s arrival in 1850-1851, transforming a once-isolated wilderness into a connected community. Before the railroad, the area was sparsely populated, with Native Americans living near Hop Bottom Creek, where meadows covered in hop vines gave the town its name. The railroad’s establishment, with the Bells donating land for a station in 1852 and a depot built by 1863, marked Hop Bottom’s emergence as a hub—its very existence a testament to the transformative power of infrastructure. Yet, this history also highlights vulnerability: without continued community engagement, small towns like Hop Bottom risk fading as economic and demographic shifts favor urban areas. A celebration like Hop Bottom Day would remind residents of their roots, reinforcing the importance of preserving their identity and traditions.

Historical events in Hop Bottom further underscore the need for such a celebration. The Borough’s incorporation on April 8, 1881, after residents’ persistence—first petitioning as Foster in 1880 (denied) and then reapplying as Hop Bottom—shows a community determined to define itself despite setbacks. This resilience mirrors today’s challenges, like maintaining essential services with limited resources, and could inspire future initiatives, such as expanding community-owned ALS services to ensure public safety. Another key event is the naming of Hop Bottom, derived from the hop vines along Hop Bottom Creek, reflecting its agricultural past and Native American heritage. Celebrating this history on Hop Bottom Day through activities like nature walks and historical reenactments could educate younger generations about their environment and cultural origins, fostering a sense of stewardship for the future.

Presently, Hop Bottom’s community spirit shines through events like the Christmas tree lighting hosted by the fire company, as well as auctions and bingo nights, which keep residents connected in a “Mayberry-like” atmosphere where everyone knows each other. Hop Bottom Day could amplify these traditions. Looking to the future, the day could highlight aspirations like the revival of the Hop Bottom Fire Carnival, using proceeds to fund critical services like a Fire Retention & Recruitment Fund. By tying the past to future goals, Hop Bottom Day would galvanize support for initiatives that ensure the town’s survival, such as addressing the understaffing of the volunteer fire company—a pressing issue for a community of 5,000 across Hop Bottom Borough, Lathrop, Brooklyn, Lenox and Nicholson Townships.

In short, Hop Bottom Day would be a powerful reminder of the Borough’s journey from a railroad outpost to a tight-knit community, celebrating its historical milestones while rallying residents to secure its future. Without such a celebration, the town risks losing its distinct identity and the momentum needed to tackle modern challenges.

Rental Registration Ordinance

Hop Bottom Borough has a population of around 300 residents and a limited housing stock. This ordinance is designed to be straightforward and affordable, reflecting our community’s scale and resources. The fees, waived the first year for all resident landlords ($50 initial, $25 annual per unit) is to encourage compliance without overburdening small-scale landlords. The inspection requirement (every 3 years) balances safety with practicality. The ordinance also ensures tenant protections, such as the right to terminate a lease if a property isn’t registered, which aligns with practices in other municipalities in Pennsylvania.

This ordinance avoids overly complex requirements. It also incorporates privacy protections for landlords and tenants, addressing concerns about data misuse.