Council on the Small Screen

Swarthmore Borough Council held a Zoom legislative session on Monday. After some initial confusion over who was and was not muted, Council President Mary Walk proceeded through public comment, reports, and voting as usual, wrapping up after an hour and ten minutes. Approximately 14 people, including borough council members and staff, attended.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Borough Council cancelled its April work session, which had been scheduled for Monday, April 6. The council generally meets twice each month, but borough regulations only require one monthly meeting. Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records has determined that the requirement for an in-person quorum to hold council meetings has been superseded by the governor’s order that people stay at home as much as possible, according to Borough Solicitor Robert Scott.

Council did hold an emergency phone meeting on Sunday, March 15. Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act allows for such meetings “called for the purpose of dealing with a real or potential emergency involving a clear and present danger to life or property” without prior public notification. At that meeting, the council decided to cancel the April work session and close Borough Hall. Since then, borough administrative staff have taken turns going into the office but are mostly working from home. 

Much of the evening’s business consisted of ratifying resolutions related to the pandemic. The council ratified Mayor Marty Spiegel’s March 12 declaration of a state of emergency in the borough, as well as the council’s decision to hold meetings virtually as long as the emergency declaration remains in place.

Mask Anxiety

During the public comment section, Swarthmore resident Betty Dowling asked about masks. “Tonight I learned that someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 has been walking around without a mask.” She inquired whether council knows who in town has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, whether there is follow-up to make sure those people are quarantined, and who, if anyone, traces their contacts. 

Perhaps the clearest sign of the oddity of the first-ever online borough council meeting was the relaxed protocol around public comment. Public comment at legislative sessions is usually limited to the beginning of the meeting, but this time Walk permitted a second round at the end. Usually, the council president merely thanks a resident for speaking and does not otherwise respond. At this meeting, by contrast, Dowling, members of council, and the mayor briefly engaged in conversation.

In response to Dowling’s query, Mayor Marty Spiegel said he believes the Chester County Health Department traces contacts. That department is acting as Delaware County’s health department during the pandemic, since Delaware County does not have its own. The borough is not informed who tests positive for the virus, Spiegel said.

Walk said that the borough’s only power regarding public health measures is encouraging people to take recommended precautions, such as handwashing and social distancing.

Spiegel noted potentially confusing contradictions in the guidance about face coverings. The commonwealth of Pennsylvania has strongly urged everybody to wear masks when they are outside, he said, while the Centers for Disease Control urge masks specifically when people are unable to keep distance, as in grocery stores. Spiegel pledged to keep working to get the word out about the importance of wearing masks in public. 

Regarding social distancing, Spiegel reported that borough police are “not enforcing, but reinforcing the governor’s message” when they see groups of people close together.

Money 

Finance Committee Chair Michael Carey characterized the financial report for March as ordinary. “If you look at [the report], you wouldn’t know anything was happening.” Many residents have already paid their borough property taxes, taking advantage of the discount rate. The borough’s cash balance at the end of March was $2,840,363.

Still, Carey noted, the current crisis is likely to affect borough finances eventually. Most financial impacts of the 2008 recession did not show up until 2009, he said.

Council members postponed until May a decision about whether to extend the face-rate tax deadline.

They also approved a new street paving contract with General Asphalt Paving Company of Philadelphia. “We just don’t know yet whether municipalities will be allowed to do their annual paving projects,” Billings said in a follow-up email. Under the terms of the contract, the borough will only pay for paving once work is complete.

Status Report

Spiegel noted that the fire company and police department continue to operate normally and are taking “appropriate precautions.” Call volume is down.

Billings reported that the four members of Swarthmore’s public works crew are all healthy and working every day. They are riding in individual trucks and are well equipped with masks and gloves. “They have been more than tremendous.” 

This contrasts to the situation in Nether Providence, Billings noted. Four of the nine members of Nether Providence’s public works employees are presumptively positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating, according to the township website.

Billings reported that the borough tree survey and the repair of the Central Park walls are both on hold. The farmers market will not open in May, as originally scheduled, and will operate on a modified model when it does open. Trash, recycling, and yard waste pick up continue as usual, as does mulch delivery. Street trees were delivered and planted on schedule in March. 

Most council committee meetings have been canceled. Solicitor Scott reported that the state Office of Open Records is “encouraging the postponement of business to the extent possible” because virtual meetings may be less accessible to the public than traditional meetings. Council member Carey said the Pension Committee likely will meet this month, however, because of recent market volatility.

Council decided to meet twice in May, as they would under normal circumstances. “The benefit to the community to know we are still here governing seems bigger than the burden of sitting in front of this computer screen,” council member Jill Gaieski said.

Walk stressed that the public should not hesitate to email or call council members with questions and concerns. Their email addresses and phone numbers are available on the borough’s website at swat.ink/swarthmore-council-contact. 

“You don’t have to wait for a meeting to contact any of us,” she said. “You’re welcome any time.”

To view this or any other Swarthmore Borough Council meeting: swat.ink/council.

The next council meeting is Monday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Details about attending the meeting will be available on the borough’s website.