Discussion of Permanent Parklets, Division Over Meeting Minutes
Parklets in Swarthmore’s business district came under scrutiny at Swarthmore Borough Council’s January 11 legislative session. The parklets first appeared last summer to support local restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the November 2 work session, council voted to extend the parklets through March 31 while longer-term plans are developed.
No decision has been made about the future of the parklets beyond March.
Residents raised concerns about traffic safety and business signage. Dotty Lee stated that parklets impede visibility at the corner of Chester Road and Park Avenue, where trucks now have to park close to the corner. “You cannot see around the truck to make a right turn,” she said. “There could be a car coming at you.”
Scott Richardson, owner of Occasionally Yours, said that the placement of his parklet blocks the signs of neighboring businesses ‘Lil Nail Boutique and D. Patrick Welsh Real Estate. This has created some tension among business owners, said Richardson.
He offered a solution. “Right now, we have two spots at the end of Park up by Dunkin Donuts. If we moved everyone up, I think that would relieve everyone’s stress.” Lee agreed that Richardson’s suggestion might also ameliorate the traffic issue, but she said it should be evaluated carefully, especially if the parklets are going to be permanent.
General government committee chair Sarah Graden said that Swarthmore Town Center is working on a long-term, equitable plan for the parklets. She reported that plans will be reviewed and voted on by council before any permanent construction begins.
Council Erupts Over December 21 Minutes
Contentious moments at the January 11 Council meeting.
When council president Mary Walk asked members to consider the December 21 meeting minutes, a correction proposed by member Betsy Larsen devolved into a heated argument between Larsen and council member Jill Gaieski.
The minutes originally reported: “Ms. Gaieski read a statement pertaining to an accusation of a conflict of interest made by fellow council member Betsy Larsen.” Larsen called the wording inaccurate and requested that “accusation” be replaced with “comment.”
As reported in previous issues of the Swarthmorean, Gaieski’s statement of December 21 responded to a comment Larsen made at council’s December 7 work session. The work session discussed cyclists causing disruption in the town center and the police response to the disruption. On December 7, Larsen relayed what she characterized as “residents’ concerns” that Gaieski, co-owner of a Park Avenue restaurant and the chair of the borough’s public safety committee, is responsible for the increased police presence. Larsen said there is a perception that police, acting in direct response to concerns of Gaieski and her business, are taking “enforcement actions that have not ever been previously taken.”
Gaieski vehemently opposed both Larsen’s original remarks and her proposed emendation of “accusation” to “comment” in the minutes at the January 11 meeting. Gaieski said that Larsen “is trying to change what happened. I think it was an accusation. We all know it was an accusation.”
After a fervid argument, changing the minutes was put to a vote. Council voted 4 to 3 to make the change, with Mary Walk, Michael Carey, Sarah Graden, and Betsy Larsen voting in favor of the emendation and Lauren McKinney, Jill Gaieski, and Ross Schmucki opposing it. They voted along the same lines to approve the meeting minutes.
View this or any other Swarthmore Borough Council meeting.
The next council meeting is Monday, February 1, at 7:30 p.m. Details are on the borough’s website.
