A Work Session of the Swarthmore Borough Council was called to order on Monday,
May 3, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Present were: Vice-President Jacobs, Mr. Goldfield, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Grove, Ms. Lewicki, and Mayor Lowe. President Smythe and Ms. Knapp were absent. Ms. Jane Billings, Borough Manager, and Mr. Carl Ewald, filling in for Borough Solicitor Robert Scott, were also present.

PUBLIC COMMENT (FIRST SESSION):

Mr. Rick Lee, Vice-President of the Swarthmore Fire and Protective Association, reported that the Fire Company received a $25,000 grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. .

VICE-PRESIDENT: No report.

ENVIRONMENT:

Ms. Lewicki reported that the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) participated in the recent Environmental Expo and Rotary Charity Fun Fair. She also reported that the annual Stream Clean-up Day occurred on May 1, that the second Rain Barrel Workshop would be held on May 5, and that the Recycling Committee is holding a computer recycling event on May 22.

FINANCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: No report.

GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES:

Mr. Goldfield reported that his Committee has agreed on a policy regulating use of the Borough’s new e-mail notification list. Use will be limited to Borough government, including committees and commissions appointed by Council, and Borough organizations that receive funding from the Borough. The Borough will coordinate efforts with Town Center Inc., which will soon be initiating a weekly e-mail blast.

Mr. Goldfield also reported that the Committee reviewed the possibility of non-Borough employees participating in the Borough’s health insurance plan at no cost to the Borough; the Committee agreed that this was not a good policy.

Mr. Goldfield reported that the Committee will be looking at long-range costs and trends related to pension and post-retirement medical benefits.

PLANNING AND ZONING:

In Ms. Knapp’s absence, Mr. Jacobs reported that the Committee discussed possible changes to the Borough’s fence regulations; Ms. Billings is working on a draft ordinance. Mr. Jacobs also reported that the Planning Commission is working on changes to the BA Business Zoning District that will preserve the existing character of the Town Center.

PUBLIC SAFETY:

Mr. Jacobs reported that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force made a presentation to the Committee in April.
He also reported that the Committee is recommending authorization to advertise an ordinance eliminating parking on the south side of Dartmouth Avenue between Columbia and Swarthmore Avenues.

PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION:

Mr. Grove provided an update on Central Delaware County Authority (CDCA) plans for a $12 million borrowing; half the funds will be used for rehabilitation of existing sewer lines and half will be used for expansion of existing sewer lines to accommodate flow from three new CDCA members. The Borough will pay for only the rehabilitation portion of the work. He also noted that the Borough’s proportionate share of CDCA operating costs has gone down in the last two years because of the Borough’s work to keep Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) out of its sewer lines.

PUBLIC COMMENT (SECOND SESSION): No comments.

MAYOR:

Mayor Lowe commented on the success of three recent events in Swarthmore, which included the Rotary Fun Fair, Environmental Expo, and Arbor Day.

BOROUGH MANAGER: No report.

SOLICITOR: No report.

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting adjourned 8:07 p.m.



________________________
Jane C. Billings
Borough Manager