Oxford Borough Council listened intently to Caitlin Ganley, a Comcast Senior Director for Government Affairs, as she outlined plans for Comcast to come to the borough. The borough has been served by one cable provider for over 30 years, but that may change if the borough and Comcast can negotiate a contract. Comcast is currently the largest cable provider in the U.S., and apparently has been moving closer to the Borough of Oxford for the last few years. Currently, they provide cable service to Lincoln University, which is within the Oxford area. 

Ganley did say it might take a couple of years before it could be up and running for the entire Oxford area, but that her legal department would be starting contract negotiations soon. The logistics of laying lines and permitting with other utilities would obviously take most of the time. 

The plan is to start at the borough and then expand.

In other business discussed at the meeting, Gary Vinnecombe, deputy chief of the EMS for Union Fire Company, explained that the company is experiencing more fire calls than it had previously. Some of that is due to the closing of Jennersville Hospital, and having to travel more frequently to other hospitals out of the local area when incidents do occur. Currently, they operate two ambulances around the clock.

“Now, 25 percent of patients go to the Chester County Hospitals. We will have to see what happens when Christiana opens the hospital,” Vinnecombe said, referring to the Delaware-based hospital’s plans to reopen the facility in Jennersville.

Tracey Norcini, from Kacie’s Cause, also made a presentation to Oxford Borough Council. Kacie’s Cause was started in 2013 by Andy and Donna Rumford following the death of their daughter Kacie to an overdose of heroin. Kacie was a lovely young woman with a sincere desire to change the world. However, her addiction took her too soon. Kacie’s Cause was started as a way for the family to turn tragedy into a positive in Kacie’s memory. This effort represents a crusade to help other families avoid the heartbreak of the loss of a loved one to a substance use disorder.

Since its small beginning, Kacie’s Cause has grown into a group of dozens of volunteers serving tirelessly to fight against the opioid epidemic.

The group works with local residents, schools and law enforcement. Norcini got involved with the group when she ran a drug court program. She gave a demonstration in using naloxone, a medication used for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose. 

Oxford Police Chief Sam Iacono said that his officers carry the medication and have used it on occasion to save lives.

Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen gave updates on a number of items, including the following:

An update on the Subdivision and Land Development and Zoning Ordinances Revision – an official kick-off on this will be presented on Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. at the Borough Hall.

An update on the Active Transportation Plan—moving forward and updating the schedule. The first meeting is planned for May 6 before the council meeting.

An update from the Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (ACOLA) Working Group—the first meeting is planned for Feb. 27 at 6 p.m.

An update from the Pedestrian Alley Renaming Working Group – more information will be coming on this group.

An update from the Police and Public Safety Committee. This meeting is scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m.

Oxford Borough Council approved the following motions at the meeting:

A motion to approve the LCH request to add five parking spaces as designated LCH patient and staff parking. This will be Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and, Fridays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

A motion to ratify decision to purchase a new police vehicle and complete up-fit of two new vehicles, a combined cost of up to $64,933.

A motion to approve Motorola Solutions quote in the amount of $6,754.80 for police car camera system for new vehicle purchase.

A motion to approve Eckman & Sons Excavating, LLC proposal in the amount of $3,800 to replace damaged sidewalk in front of the police station.

A motion to approve HARB certificate of appropriateness application for 37 S. Third Street.

A motion to approve HARB certificate of appropriateness application for 271 E. Mt. Vernon Street.

A motion to approve HARB certificate of appropriateness application for 407, 409, 411 and 413 Chase Street.

A motion to adopt resolution #1351-2023 to apply for a $1,779,832 grant through the PA H2O Program to support the construction of greensand filtration facilities at the water plant.

A motion to adopt resolution #1350-2023 to apply for a $749,036 grant through the PA H2O Program to support the purchase and installation of new water meters.

The next borough council meeting will be held on Feb. 27, 2023.

SLUG: Oxford Borough Council story