Swarthmore Borough Council
Public Safety Committee
Meeting Minutes – November 17, 2009
The Public Safety Committee met on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 7:30, p.m.. Present were
Ralph Jacobs (Chair), committee member Susan Smythe (Borough Council), Melissa Lewicki
(Borough Council); Mayor Eck Gerner, Police Chief Brian Craig, and Rick Lee (Swarthmore
Fire Company).
Public comment: There were no public comments.
New Business:
Traffic. The committee considered the Traffic Advisory's Committee's recommendation that
Rutgers Avenue between Strath Haven and Yale be one way northbound, and will forward the
recommendation to Council with approval. There was a discussion of other traffic issues
including bottlenecks caused by parking on both sides of narrow streets and possible solutions.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force. Ralph Jacobs reported on the work being done by the
Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force in its initial meetings, including plans to conduct a survey of
borough residents regarding issues of concern.
Lighting. There was a discussion of how to evaluate the level of street lighting and how to
respond to requests for additional lights.
Budget. There was a discussion of the funding of the fire company, the level of the allocation
for operating expenses, and the need to consider longer term adjustments in the approach to
capital funding. There was a discussion of the police department budget and the ways to
evaluate vehicle cost and replacement schedule.
The next meeting of the committee was scheduled for January 19, 2010.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.