Council Mulls ‘Smoke Free’ Swarthmore

Swarthmore Borough Council met on Monday evening, July 26, to discuss a towing contract, opposition to State House and Senate bills, a new parking meter policy, and a bill allowing cell phone companies to install 5G towers.

Early Discussion

The first order of business was a request for public comments, but there were none, so the board took the time to briefly discuss a few topics before official committee reports began. The first topic raised was the need for future discussions on the Rescue Plan funding that has been allocated to Swarthmore by the federal government. The Borough of Swarthmore has been approved to receive $664,230.82, distributed in two installments. The first installment has been received.

The location of the possible vape shop is the old location for Executive Cleaners, next to The Pilates Connexion.

The next topic centered on the possibility of a vape shop coming to Swarthmore (the proposed location is next to the Pilates Studio on S. Chester Road). The council proposed several options, including making the municipality “smoke free,” including a no-vaping policy. Council members also suggested creating educational services and inviting Swarthmore College to participate to help prevent increased vaping by younger individuals.

Swarthmore Borough’s solicitor, Robert Scott, noted that the vape shop question was not on the agenda, and that, under a new amendment to the Sunshine Act,* beginning next month, the council will no longer be allowed to take actions on items are not on the agenda.

Opposing State House and Senate Bills

The Council voted unanimously to oppose State House Bill 637 and State Senate Bill 119. These bills limit the authority of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to abate, control, or limit carbon dioxide emissions. The chair of Swarthmore’s Environmental Advisory Council, Annie Fox, was present at the meeting and provided several facts suggesting that the provisions in these bills may cause harm both to the environment and to the DEP. Fox also tendered her resignation from the committee. Council member Lauren McKinney thanked Ms. Fox for her service to the Swarthmore community.

Parking Meters

Parking meters will again be enforced in Swarthmore, starting Monday, August 16. Given that the meters have not been active during the pandemic, the police will start by providing warning envelopes on the windshield of any vehicle found to be out of compliance. The decision was made after Borough Manager Jane Billings called attention to the revenue that had been lost due to the pandemic.

Towing Contract

There was extensive discussion of a contract that Borough Council recently awarded to a private firm for emergency services towing. The towing company that received the contract has not yet signed it, and has not yet communicated an intent to sign it. In light of this uncertainty, council members voted unanimously to give Swarthmore Police Chief Ray Stufflet the authority to select towing providers at his discretion through the end of 2021. In 2022, the Chief Stufflet will provide a recommendation for emergency service towing moving forward.

Additional Topics

The finance committee reported on funding that was awarded to Swarthmore under the Recovery Act, which includes a requirement to expend all funds by December 2026. 

The council awarded $500 to the Swarthmore Human Relations Commission for an educational speakers’ series that will begin this year, titled “Community Conversation.” The series has received financial support from the Swarthmore Centennial Foundation and the Rotary Club of Swarthmore. The series, made up of four sessions, will involve candid discussion about social equity, specifically in relation to Swarthmore. All who register are expected to attend at least two sessions. The goal of the series is both to inform and to enable an ongoing discussion.  The series will be free to anyone interested in attending.

5G Towers

A new state mandate regarding 5G towers and public property was discussed. Residents interested in this topic are encouraged to view this discussion on the Zoom recording posted on the borough website at swarthmorepa.org.

* School boards and the governing bodies of community colleges and other public entities in Pennsylvania will be required to publish a detailed agenda at least 24 hours in advance of a public meeting that outlines the issues expected to be deliberated. The amendment goes into effect on August 29.

The next meeting of Swarthmore Borough Council will be held on August 9 at 7 p.m.