A work session of the Swarthmore Borough Council was called to order on Monday, February 1, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Present were: President Smythe, Mr. Goldfield, Mr. Jefferson, Ms. Knapp, Ms. Lewicki, and Mayor Lowe. Mr. Grove and Vice-President Jacobs were absent. Ms. Jane Billings, Borough Manager, and Mr. Robert Scott, Borough Solicitor, were also present.

PUBLIC COMMENT (FIRST SESSION):

There were no comments from the public.

PRESIDENT:

Ms. Smythe’s motion to appoint Mr. Chris Fallon to a second six-year term on the Civil Service Commission was seconded by Ms. Lewicki and passed unanimously by Borough Council.

Ms. Smythe’s motion to appoint Ms. Alexis McCann to the Vacancy Board was seconded by Mr. Jefferson and passed unanimously by Borough Council.

ENVIRONMENT:

Ms. Lewicki updated Council on activities of the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC). She thanked outgoing EAC members Ms. Gina Eberly and Ms. Nancy Crickman for their years of service.

FINANCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Jefferson’s motion to approve the December Financial reports was seconded by Ms. Lewicki and passed unanimously by Borough Council.

Mr. Jefferson’s motion to ratify checks in the amount of $48,923.09 and wire transfers in the amount of $37,316.27 was seconded by Ms. Knapp and passed unanimously by Borough Council.

GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES:

Mr. Goldfield reviewed the pros and cons of defined benefit v defined contribution pension plans. He reported that the General Government is recommending that the Borough not allow any new employees join the Borough’s existing non-uniformed defined benefit plan, and that the Borough institute a defined contribution plan instead. The solicitor will draft the necessary ordinance for presentation to Council at the upcoming Legislative Session.

PLANNING AND ZONING:

Ms. Knapp reviewed draft amendments to the Zoning Code relating to accessory structures and front porches. She also requested that Council members review a recent memo she distributed relating to historic preservation.


PUBLIC SAFETY:

In Mr. Jacobs’ absence, Mayor Lowe reported on the initiative of the group Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) to enact legislation requiring the reporting of lost or stolen firearms within 72 hours after discovery of the loss or theft. Committee members Ms. Lewicki and Mr. Jefferson agreed that the Committee was generally supportive of bringing such an ordinance to full Council for consideration. The solicitor will draft an ordinance for presentation to Council at the upcoming Legislative Session

PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION:

No report.

PUBLIC COMMENT (SECOND SESSION):

Mr. Rick Lee, Vice-President of the Swarthmore Fire and Protective Association, reported that the Association has received two grants from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA); $4,750.04 for ambulance service and $11,953.46 for fire service.

MAYOR:

Mayor Lowe invited all interested parties to a meeting on February 2, 2010 to help organize a 5K walk for Haitian relief.

BOROUGH MANAGER:

In response to a recent letter in the Delaware County Daily Times, Ms. Billings explained how the Borough was saving money by closing the administrative office on Friday.

EXECUTIVE SESSION/ADJOURNMENT:

The Borough adjourned into Executive Session at 8:55 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.





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Jane C. Billings
Borough Manager