A work session of the Swarthmore Borough Council was called to order on Monday, March 1, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Present were: President Smythe, Vice-President Jacobs, Mr. Goldfield, Mr. Grove, Ms. Knapp, Ms. Lewicki, and Mayor Lowe. Mr. Jefferson was absent. Ms. Jane Billings, Borough Manager, and Mr. Robert Scott, Borough Solicitor, were also present.
PUBLIC COMMENT (FIRST SESSION):
The following people spoke in opposition to a proposed ordinance requiring notification of lost or stolen firearms:
Mr. Christopher Yulish, 630 N. Chester Road, Swarthmore
Mr. Josh Twersky, 564 Rutgers Avenue, Swarthmore
Mr. Harry Atkins, 301 Lafayette Avenue, Swarthmore
Mr. Dan McMonigle, representing Firearms Owners against Crime
Mr. Perry McFarland, 206 Harvard Avenue, Swarthmore
Mr. John Lott, 212 Lafayette Avenue, Swarthmore
Mr. Joe Grace, representing Cease Fire PA, spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance.
PRESIDENT:
President Smythe thanked the Public Works Department for their excellent work in several recent severe snowstorms.
ENVIRONMENT:
Ms. Lewicki’s motion to reappoint Ms. Beth Murray to a three-year term on the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) was seconded by Ms. Knapp and passed unanimously by Borough Council.
FINANCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: No report.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES:
Mr. Goldfield reviewed a pending Ordinance that will close membership in the Non-Uniformed Employees Defined Benefit Plan to any employee hired on or after January 1, 2010. He also reviewed a pending Resolution that will authorize a Borough contribution of up to 5% of base salary to a Deferred Compensation Plan for any full-time employee not included in the Defined Benefit Plan.
PLANNING AND ZONING:
Ms. Knapp reviewed several changes to the proposed ordinance relating to front porches, as suggested by both the Swarthmore and Delaware County Planning Commissions. Ms. Knapp’s motion to incorporate the proposed changes and send the amended ordinance back for review by the planning agencies was seconded by Ms. Lewicki and passed unanimously by Borough Council.
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Ms. Knapp reviewed various options for protection of historic resources in the Borough. Council agreed to continue discussion on the matter at the upcoming Legislative Session.
PUBLIC SAFETY:
Mr. Jacobs opened discussion of the pending ordinance requiring notification of lost or stolen firearms. Mr. Grove suggested that Council move to adopt the proposed ordinance at the upcoming Council meeting, then table the motion pending resolution of court cases clarifying the constitutionality of the ordinance. He also suggested that Council draft a resolution to the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass a statewide lost or stolen handgun reporting law. General discussion of the ordinance and possible resolution ensued.
PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION:
Mr. Grove reported that the Committee did not meet due to an impending snowstorm. He thanked the Public Works Department for their work. He also reported that the Borough has received a $75,000 grant from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for recycling equipment. Approximately $14,000 has already been spent for a new leaf collector; the remainder will be spent on a new dump truck.. Mr. Grove noted that funding for the required 20% match is not currently in the budget.
PUBLIC COMMENT (SECOND SESSION):
Ms. Lora Lavin, 15 Wellesley Road, and Reverend Dot Fields, 100 Rutgers Avenue, spoke in support of a lost or stolen gun ordinance, urging passage at the state level.
Mr. Yulish, Mr. McFarland, and Mr. Twersky addressed Council again on the proposed lost or stolen gun legislation. Mr. Twersky also commented on the pending resolution relating to Borough contribution to a Deferred Compensation Plan and possible legislation related on historic preservation, suggesting input from Town Center Inc.
MAYOR:
Mayor Lowe updated Council on his “No Texting While Driving Campaign,” and reminded everyone of the upcoming “Run/Walk for Haiti” on May 1.
EXECUTIVE SESSION/ADJOURNMENT:
The Borough adjourned into Executive Session at 9:15 p.m. to discuss a matter of potential litigation. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
________________________ Jane C. Billings Borough Manager