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Chester County Press

Oxford mayor urges citizen and taxpayer involvement

01/07/2014 05:04PM ● By Acl

Letter to the Editor:

I am writing this letter to the residents and taxpayers of the Borough of Oxford.  

As you may know, I made a difficult decision to veto the 2014 Tax Ordinance because of my concern for the proposed increase in real estate taxes for 2014.  After expressing concerns that borough services may be temporarily suspended if my veto stood, council decided to override my veto on December 30, 2013.  I accepted their decision and have signed the tax ordinance.  

The intent of my veto was to encourage council to take a hard, and possibly difficult, look at ways to reduce expenses (not cut services) and hopefully lessen, or eliminate, an increase in real estate taxes.  I still believe reductions in expenses can be achieved by looking closely at each line item in the budget and setting realistic spending limits and priorities. Hopefully, the new council will decide to open the budget and review it for possible expense reductions. There is no cost to reopen the budget.  If changed, the budget will have to be re-advertised, along with any changes in the millage rates.  I encourage all of you to take an active interest in learning more about borough finances by attending council meetings and communicating with your elected borough officials and borough employees. 

The 2014-16 Borough Council members are Ron Hershey, Randy Teel, Sue Lombardi, John Thompson, Randy Grace, Paul Matthews and Gary Tozzo.  These individuals were elected to represent you.  Council members need to hear from you if you have compliments, concerns, questions or suggestions. The two borough employees to contact are Betsy Brantner, borough manager, and Artie Anderson, treasurer. 

Borough Council meets on the second and third Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. at the Borough Hall, located at 401 Market St.  There are other ways to become involved by volunteering to serve on borough commissions, attending committee meetings or running for an office.

I am proud of the work borough employees do day after day to make Oxford a safe place to live, work and play.


Geoffrey L. Henry, 

Mayor Borough of Oxford