The Wallingford-Swarthmore School Board’s December 13 meeting focused on the proposed school-year calendars for the next two years, and on the district’s proposed health and safety plan.
School Board Reorganizes
Several new and returning members of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School Board took the oath of office at its reorganization meeting, held last Monday, December 6.
PECO Plan Calls for Removal of 96 Trees from Swarthmore Borough
PECO claims that the removals are necessary because they want to replace existing electrical poles with ones that are 10 feet higher. PECO said this is necessary to enable them to increase voltage to residential customers from 4kV to 13kV, which they say will allow them to provide more reliable service, to shut down the Morton electrical substation (which is becoming obsolete), and to support an expected increase in the use of solar-generated electricity.
Condo Plan Faces More Scrutiny
Opposition to the proposed condominium project at 110 Park Avenue remains after the developers unveiled a revised design. Concerns about the scale of the building, the historical significance of existing buildings, and public safety remain primary points of contention.
Tim Kearney on 2013 Zoning Changes and the Condo Project
State Senator Tim Kearney, who was the chair of Swarthmore’s Planning Commission prior to becoming mayor of Swarthmore, provided his thoughts on the 2013 zoning code changes and the current condo development project under consideration.
New Community Center Gets Green Light from Zoning Board
At the November 30 Swarthmore Zoning Hearing Board meeting, the board approved a joint application by Swarthmore United Methodist Church and the nonprofit Swarthmore Community Center, Inc. for a use variance to permit the center to operate a new community center—to be called Park Avenue Community Center—on the church’s property.
Condo Developers Go Back to the Drawing Board
After considering community feedback, the developers who have proposed a new condominium building at 110 Park Avenue have unveiled a new design. “We really did a lot of strategizing, spent a lot of time, and developed what I think is an extraordinarily very different, attractive building,” said Swarthmore resident Bill Cumby, whose building firm, W.S. Cumby, is behind the project, in partnership with Don Delson (also a Swarthmore resident), and in consultation with the architecture firm Bernardon.
Hateful Vandalism at WES, Investigation Ongoing
Superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille began his remarks at the school board meeting on Monday, November 22, by expressing deep concern about graffiti recently found on Wallingford Elementary School property. He noted that the graffiti, which included a racial slur, was a “gross violation of the school district’s commitment, in its mission statement, to “respect for self and others” and “leadership in the global community” — and he assured those gathered that the district is conducting an investigation into the matter.
New Exhibit at Borough Hall —The Page Brothers
An exhibition of photography and verse by the Page Brothers, Paul (photographer) and David (author), will be on display from December 2 to January 2, 2022, at Swarthmore Borough Hall. The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday, December 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This project has been a creative collaboration between the two brothers, an exploration of light, image, and possibilities filtered through a photographic lens and a keyboard.
Opportunities for Public Service
Are you interested in serving your community? Getting involved in Borough affairs? Swarthmore Borough Council is looking for individuals to serve on several Boards and Commissions.
Tax Increase Approved Affordable Housing, Park Avenue Condos & Trash Talked
At its November 8th legislative meeting, Swarthmore Borough Council approved the proposed 2022 budget, which calls for a 3.5% tax increase to fund a $5.66 million operating budget. The public comment section of the meeting was primarily devoted to an update on the progress of a study related to affordable housing development in the borough. Towards the end of the meeting, Borough Manager Billings reported that, pursuant to a recent directive from the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority, all 49 municipalities in Delaware County will be faced with an immediate 20% increase in tipping fees.
Swarthmore Makers Market—A Huge Success
The sun was shining brightly on Swarthmore this past Sunday, November 7, as 75 local and regional artisans and other makers took over the town for the Swarthmore Makers Market. This open-air market, which features a selection of their handmade creations, has typically been held twice a year in front of the Inn at Swarthmore and the SEPTA station. Sunday’s market was the first since November 2019.
Vaccination Clinics On the Agenda
A recap of the November 8 WSSD school board meeting, where the Test-to-Stay program, mask requirements, and planned vaccination clinics.
A Unique Collaboration for the Community
The Swarthmore Community Center, a nonprofit established in 1978 and long located behind Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, was recently devastated by the effects of the pandemic and by losing its long-held lease. Happily, the center and Swarthmore United Methodist Church (SUMC) have collaborated to use their existing resources to further their respective missions, both of which seek to promote the greater good of our community: they are pleased to announce that they have entered into a joint agreement to establish a new community center, to be called the Park Avenue Community Center—“the PAC Center” for short. It will be located at 129-131 Park Avenue and will open on January 1, 2022.
Public Provides Condo Development Feedback at Planning Commission Meeting
As The Swarthmorean reported online on October 22 in a special recap of the October 20 Swarthmore Planning Commission meeting at Borough Hall, 26 community members stepped up to the microphone to voice their opinions about the proposed condominium project that would span 102-104 and 110-112 Park Avenue in Swarthmore. The comments coalesced around several themes.
Test-to-Stay Program a Go
At a meeting of the Wallingford Swarthmore School District’s school board on Monday, October 25, a presentation on the COVID Test-to-Stay program was given by Mary Figura, who is the board secretary and assistant to Superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille, and by Deb Sweeney, the district’s lead COVID nurse. Dr. Marseille said he believes that this program will help support the board as it navigates COVID challenges.
Tree Pruning Demonstration Sponsored By Swarthmore Tree Committee
Join horticulturalist Charles Cresson for a free demonstration and discussion to learn basic tree pruning techniques that improve the health and safety of your trees. The event will be held Saturday, November 6, at 1 p.m.
Developers Present Revised Plans to Planning Commission, Public Offers Comment
Members of the community gathered at the Swarthmore Borough Hall for a presentation by the developers of a planned condominium project on Park Avenue in Swarthmore. 26 people took the microphone to share their thoughts on the project — many in opposition, some in support, and some in between.
Council Mulls Tax Increase for 2022
Swarthmore Borough has not had a public tax increase for seven years, and is currently considering increasing it in 2022 by a minimum of 3% per household.
Superintendent Reflects On First 100 Days
Dr. Marseille addressed his first 100 days with the district.