Borough Council Committees

Please refer to the Calendar on the home page for information on Committee meetings.  Some dates may change due to holidays or other unforeseen circumstances.

Environment

Meets the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Lauren McKinney, Chair
Sarah Graden, member
Betsy Larsen, member

Committee Responsibilities:
Oversight of the Borough’s environmental programs, including street trees, clean energy campaign, implementation of Climate Change Action Plan, and Open Space planning; In conjunction with Public Works, Parks and Recreation Committee and the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC), oversight of the Borough’s parks; Council liaison with EAC and Street Tree Committee.


Finance

Meets the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Michael Carey, Chair 
Sarah Graden. member 
Ross Schmucki, member

Committee Responsibilities:
Oversight of finances for the Borough, including review of monthly reports, bills, and annual operating and capital budgets; oversight of Borough investment policies; chair of the Borough Pension Committee; Council liaison with the Borough Authority. 

General Government and Human Services

 Meets the 3rd Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Sarah Graden, Chair
Michael Carey, member
Jill Gaieski, member

Committee Responsibilities:
Oversight of general Borough regulations and operations, including personnel, nuisance ordinances, business operations, anti-discrimination policies, and social services (including senior citizens); Council liaison with Swarthmore Community Center, Swarthmore Public Library, Human Relations Commission, and Town Center Inc.
Planning and Zoning
Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Betsy Larsen, Chair
Lauren McKinney, member
Michael Carey, member

Committee Responsibilities:
​Oversight of planning and zoning regulations and policies; reviews and recommends action on applications for Subdivision and Land Development, Conditional Use, Special Exceptions, and Variances; oversight of Borough building and housing codes; reviews major building permits; Council liaison with the Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board.

Public Safety
Meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Jill Gaieski, Chair
Betsy Larsen, member
Ross Schmucki, member

Committee Responsibilities: 
 In conjunction with the Mayor, oversight of the Police Department and police-related activities, including departmental policies, traffic control and parking issues; Council liaison with Swarthmore Fire and Protective Association and Civil Service Commission.
Public Works, Parks and Recreation 
Meets the 4th Thursday of the month at 8:30 a.m.
Ross Schmucki, Chair
Jill Gaieski, member
Lauren McKinney, member

Committee Responsibilities: 
Oversight of Public Works operations, including annual street repaving and maintenance of the Borough’s storm and sanitary sewer systems; oversight of Borough trash and recycling operations; oversight of Borough’s recreation programs; in conjunction with Environment Committee and the EAC, oversight of the Borough’s parks; Council liaison with the Swarthmore Recreation Association.