Our Year in Review and Looking Forward
2025 was a productive year for Wharton. We completed several key initiatives listed below and most notably, we maintained our financial security and remained debt-free for the 10th consecutive year.
- Acquired 262 W. Dewey Avenue and established a picnic grove.
- Completed Phase I of the Fields of Orchard Mine.
- Demolished a garage at our DPW building.
- Created a fishing and viewing area behind the DPW.
- Continued Town Hall interior improvements.
- Constructed the Utility Clerk’s office at Borough Hall.
- Updated the solid waste ordinance and distributed new garbage carts to residents.
- Completed Baker Avenue Improvements (Phases I–III) including traffic calming measures.
- Planted cherry and red maple trees along Chegwidden Way.
- Collaborated on an Eagle Scout project with Ryan LaBato to install 20 new picnic tables and grills.
- Added approximately 30 spots to the municipal permit parking lot.
- Reconstructed the crosswalks at Main, Central, and Fern Streets.
- Completed rehabilitation on the Irondale water tank, ensuring it will be good for another 70 years.
- Received a county award for exceeding a 50% recycling rate.
- Cleared over 100 hazardous trees along the canal that posed a fire hazard.
- Prepared a new access road for the Irondale tank through Morris Woods.
- Installed another emergency generator for municipal wells.
- Repaved multiple roads, including Gallagher Rd., Lane Way, Wilcox Ave., Lowe St., lower portion of Irondale Rd. and Kice Ave.
- Met our 4th round affordable housing obligation, securing compliance through 2035, with 37 more units than needed.
In 2026, we look forward to working on the items below as well as remaining committed to financial stability and will continue to pursue various grant applications to support these goals.
- Relocating and modernizing the recycling center.
- Completing plans and bids for the construction of the Pine Street Parking Lot with 67 spots and a pocket park.
- Completing Phases III and IV of the Baker Avenue water main and road upgrades.
- Paving the Irondale tank access road
- Bid and construct Phase II of Fields at Orchard Mine Park.
- Continuing the acquisition of the Santander Bank property for additional 35-37 parking spots.
- Reseed and plant trees and shrubs along the West Dewey Avenue park area and riverfront.
- Restoring the canal towpath using a $1.3 million grant.
- Completing Town Hall interior improvements
- Harry Shupe Boulevard roadway upgrades.
- Washington Street sewage upgrades.
- Advancing the Harry Shupe Blvd PILOT project, expected to generate $26-$30 million dollars over 30 years.
- Pursuing grants for the Columbia Street park, lead pipe remediation, and
Washington Pond dredging.