Skip to main content

Chester County Press

Oxford Borough mayor resigns

12/03/2019 12:45PM ● By Steven Hoffman

Oxford Borough mayor Lorraine Durnan Bell officially resigned from the position at a borough council Meeting on Dec. 2, citing medical reasons.

Borough council president Sue Lombardi hand-delivered Bell’s letter of resignation to the members of borough council, who unanimously approved the resignation effective immediately.

Bell was sworn in as Oxford’s mayor on Jan. 2, 2018. As mayor her primary responsibility was to direct the activities of the 24-hour police department, which includes a full-time chief, detective sergeant, nine full-time officers, two part-time officers, and a police clerk.

Bell was injured in a two-vehicle crash near Rising Sun, Md. on Sept. 12 of this year. Two other people were also injured in that crash. Cecil County’s Sheriff’s department investigated the incident. Bell, who sustained serious injuries in the accident, is still recuperating.

Council will be seeking letters of interest from those interested in filling Bell’s unexpired term, which ends in December 2021. Anyone interested should contact Borough Manager Brian Hoover at 610-932-2500, ext.302 for further information.

Lombardi thanked Bell for her service saying, “She did a great job in representing the Borough of Oxford.”

On Dec. 4, Oxford Borough issued a press release saying that borough council is looking to fill the vacancy at the Dec. 16 meeting, and that any borough resident interested in filling the position should forward a letter of interest to council president Sue Lombardi, P.O. Box 380 Oxford, PA. 19363, no later than Friday Dec. 13 at 12 p.m. You must be a resident of Oxford Borough and a registered voter to be considered for the vacancy.

The press release from the borough also outlined some of the duties of the mayor, including the following: administer oaths and affirmations; preside over mandatory reorganization meeting; vote when it is necessary to break tied votes of council (It is important to note that a mayor cannot vote on hiring or firing police personnel, or if there is a conflict of interest); take part in council discussions; declare an emergency and regulate certain actions during this time; administer the police department; inform council of fees charged and collected for performing marriage ceremonies; enforce ordinances and regulations; perform marriage ceremonies (This is a privilege, not a requirement of the office); attend ribbon-cutting ceremonies; represent the borough at public events and celebrations; Be involved with the police department in community projects; Submit articles for the borough website or newsletter; and attend and participate in municipal meetings.