Kennett Square Borough is forming a Municipal Relations Committee to handle a variety of duties, including improving communications with residents and coordinating the activities of the various boards.

Kennett Square Borough Council formally approved the new committee earlier this month. The purpose of the committee will be to improve constituent relations, board and commission relations, government relations, and external agency relations.

Council member Doug Doerfler said that the Municipal Relations Committee will work to help borough officials maintain excellent relations and communications.

The Municipal Relations Committee will develop processes for addressing constituent requests and to make sure that their concerns are dealt with effectively and efficiently. The committee will also facilitate two-way communication between borough council members and the people who serve on the various boards and commissions. The Municipal Relations Committee will also establish processes for bringing recommendations to council. The committee will also work to make sure that vacancies on the various boards and commissions are filled as quickly as possible.

The committee will also facilitate communications with external agencies that resident representatives are appointed to―including the Kennett Library, the Kennett Area Parks and Recreation Board, the Kennett Area Parks Authority, and other agencies. The Municipal Relations Committee will keep council members informed about the activities of these agencies.

Members of the Municipal Relations Committee will also help ensure that the borough has open communications with neighboring municipalities and to make sure that the borough residents’ interests are strongly represented in regional matters.

Finally, the Municipal Relations Committee will keep the lines of communication open between the borough and county and state officials.

The president of borough council will appoint one or more members of council to the Municipal Relations Committee, and these appointees will serve at the discretion of the council president. The borough council can appoint one or more members of the public to the committee, and these people will serve two-year terms, without term limits, at the pleasure of council.

In other borough council business:

Kennett Square Borough is looking for a new and permanent solicitor. Marc Jonas of Eastburn & Gray, P.C., the longtime solicitor, resigned in February.

Borough council appointed William Gallagher, a partner with MacElree Harvey, as the solicitor on an interim basis.

Borough manager Joseph Scalise pointed out that Gallagher is well-informed about Kennett Square, and at one time served as the borough’s solicitor, so that experience will be valuable as the search for a new solicitor takes place.

Borough council approved a settlement agreement with business owner Holly Peters, who has been involved in a disagreement over a ruling by the borough’s Kennett Square Shade Tree Commission.

Borough council approved the special event application for the annual Kennett Run, which is scheduled for May 19.