In small towns and big cities across the U.S., electric vehicles are becoming more popular.

Kennett Square Borough Council recently authorized the staff to pursue an EV charging station that would allow motorists with electric vehicles to charge the batteries.

At the June 3 council meeting, borough manager Joseph Scalise explained that the borough had obtained a grant for $10,000 for the EV charging station. Initially, council approved a total expenditure of $11,000 for the project, which meant that the borough would contribute $1,000 in addition to the grant funding.

But after exploring the mechanics of establishing an EV charging station, it was determined that the total costs will be closer to $12,500, not $11,000. For that reason, the issue was back on council’s agenda.

Scalise noted that motorists will use an app to pay for charges at the EV charging station, so the borough will recoup the costs of expenditures over time.

Mayor Matt Fetick explained that he used to own an electric car so he is familiar with EV charging stations. He explained that motorists with electric cars sometimes decide where to eat or stay based on the availability of EV charging stations. An app allows them to know where they can pick up a charge. For this reason, having an EV charging station in the borough is an asset.

“People will go where there are charging stations,” Fetick explained.

Ultimately, council decided to move forward with authorizing the EV charging station despite the minimal cost increase.

“I think it's wise to move forward on this,” explained council member Peter Waterkotte.

Scalise said that they will continue to look for a sponsor for the EV charging station.

In other business at the meeting, council president Doug Doerfler announced that he has appointed new council member Lorenzo Merino as the chairperson of the Finance Committee. Merino joined council when he was tapped to fill a vacancy last month.

Kennett Square Borough resident Pauline Michel was appointed to serve on the borough's Shade Tree Commission. Scalise explained that there were two vacancies on the three-person commission, and Michel expressed interest in filling one of them. Council member Ethan Cramer thanked Michel for being willing to serve on the commission.

Borough council approved a bid award for 2019 paving in place projects to Long's Asphalt. There was some discussion about the procedures that are used to determine which streets get paved each year.

Council member Dr. Brenda Mercomes shared that the second annual Juneteenth Celebration is planned for Saturday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The activities around town include a movie being shown at the Kennett Library, re-enactors making a presentation in the East Linden neighborhood, and a pop-up museum focused on the Underground Railroad.

“We think there will be a very good program,” Mercomes said. “There may even be a few surprises.”

Borough council approved the certificates of appropriateness for HARB applications for signage at 108 East State Street and 127 East State Street, as well as for the construction of a detached garage at 234 North Garfield Street. The HARB board had previously considered the three applications and offered its support to all three.

Kennett Square Borough officials took the opportunity to honor Karen Scherer, who is retiring after serving as a borough employee for more than 16 years. She has served in a variety of roles through the years, working as the borough secretary and assistant to the borough manager at the time of her retirement. She was the go-to person for a wide range of issues, and borough officials took turns expressing their gratitude for her work.

Doerfler presented Scherer with a proclamation.

Scherer thanked everyone for their well wishes, and also thanked Kennett Square Borough residents for letting her serve them through the years.