Andrew Goretsky, a regional director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), spoke to Oxford Borough officials at the Aug. 3 council meeting. As a regional director, Goresky serves Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware.

Goretsky talked about white supremacist groups, saying, “The highest levels of white supremacist groups are in Pennsylvania. The second highest is in the state of Virginia.”

Goretsky emphasized that the ADL fights all forms of anti-semitism and racial bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. They work to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.

The current Oxford Borough Council is extremely focused on inclusivity so having the ADL come to speak at a council meeting was one more step forward on that front.

Goretsky explained, “The ADL fights anti-semitism, combats extremism, deals with online hate and harassment and secures democracy. I was invited here to talk, so it is clear that inclusivity is important to you. Setting up protocols and procedures builds trust in a community.”

Goretsky encouraged council to develop policies, protocols, personnel, partners and best practices to move forward and secure inclusivity for all.

“The ADL is constantly tracking and verifying information, and works with partners like the FBI, local police departments, and citizens in order to handle complaints they receive,” he said.

Goretsky invited people to check out the website at: www.adl.org for more information.

Sgt. Chris Coverly of the Oxford Police Department also encouraged residents to check out the ADL website and to report incidents as needed.

At the end of the discussion, Oxford resident Chauncey Boyd addressed council saying, “I’m not an advocate for anti-semitism. However, I am an advocate for free speech. I would like to know who invited you here.”

Council members emphasized that they all wanted Goretsky to come to the meeting to speak.

Council member Amanda Woolston said, “Many times the word inclusion is misunderstood. Exclusion is what we are talking about here. Anti-social behavior in a community may increase crime, create more violence, and it’s not a nice place to live. It behooves everyone to create a community where everyone exists as humans. We need to keep anti-social behavior under control. Ultimately, more crime affects the pocket of taxpayers too.”

Council President Kathryn Cloyd announced that Mark Gallant from the Chester County Planning Commission will also hold a discussion on active shooter situations at the Oxford Regional Planning Commission on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in person and also by zoom.

Cloyd also announced that Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell is looking for input from residents for his future discussions with Christiana Care regarding the move into the former Jennersville Regional Hospital location.

During the public comment period, Boyd, a lifelong resident on West Locust Street, expressed some concerns.

“My home has a stone sidewalk, which has been broken and damaged,” he said. “It is a constant problem and has been for many years.”

Boyd asked council to address the problems caused by tractor trailers and other vehicles that have knocked down the street sign and damaged his yard repeatedly. He also spoke about a speeding problem on West Locust Street.

“We have had five people killed on this street,” he said. “Speeding is a big issue. This street has become a loop around town to avoid traffic signals. One individual drove his truck 20 feet into my yard. It cost me $900 to fix the damage. It is time to fix the situation on Locust Street.”  

Mayor Phil Harris said that Oxford Borough Council would have a new committee starting soon called the Police and Public Safety Committee, and Boyd would be more than welcome to attend that meeting.  

Council member Robert Ketcham updated council on the status of the Subdivision and Land Development and Zoning Ordinance working group. This will be discussed at the Sept. 12 council meeting.

Woolston said she is still working on the Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (ACOLA) working group. She currently has four applicants and is working on a timeline for their availability.

Woolston is also working on the naming of the pedestrian alley between the Oxford Presbyterian Church and the Octoraro Hotel. She said she is taking ideas for names, and will continue to take them at the Apple Festival where council will have a table set up. That will also continue to be discussed in September.

Council also passed the following:

~ A motion to authorize an ordinance amending Chapter 27, Zoning, of Borough Code to add regulations related to age-restricted residential communities for Act 247 review and review by the Oxford Regional Planning Committee;

~ A motion to authorize an ordinance amending Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development of the Borough Code regarding definitions, street width, sidewalks, trails, impact studies, and lighting; and Chapter 27, Zoning, of the Borough Code regarding definitions, parking requirements for a community center, landscaping, lighting, accessory uses, and common open space for Act 247 review and review by the Oxford Regional Planning Committee;

~ A motion to approve a resolution to submit a grant application to the Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP) of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

~ A motion to Approve Flyway Pay Application in the amount of $270,744.18 for the Transit Center Access Improvements Project/Streetscapes IV;

A motion to appoint borough manager Pauline Garcia-Allen to the Oxford Regional Planning Committee.

Council will also be discussing the Water Resource Protection Fund Stormwater Fee in future meetings.

The next Borough Council meeting will be held on Aug. 15.