By Betsy Brewer Brantner
Contributing Writer

Oxford Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen presented a robust report on the state of the Borough to council members and the public on April 7.

“Every year, the borough manager needs to give an update to borough council on non-monetary matters,” Garcia-Allen explained. “We did a lot last year. This year we will focus on what we should be doing according to our planning document, our comprehensive plan, active transportation plan and how we can be financially prepared to implement things.”

Much of what has recently been accomplished can be attributed, in part, to a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED). It is a Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP) to complete an economic and operational assessment of all borough departments. Oxford Borough council and staff felt this assessment was needed to help ensure sustainability and make improvements to the delivery of services.

During 2024, the borough began to implement recommendations of the STMP plan. In 2025, each department has been working diligently to implement the recommendations.

Administration applied and received Phase 2 funding for software and capital improvement funds. The borough is now using that funding for new software. The borough is also controlling salary increase changes, developing a code manual, developing job descriptions and they will reinstitute performance evaluations. They are also looking to institute a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes for non-profit and non-taxable properties. The borough is also working toward being able to stream council meetings with new software.

The borough is working with public works employees to create the GIS mapping which will help them perform their jobs more efficiently and provide valuable information to residents.

Garcia-Allen also emphasized that some of the items that have been accomplished include completing tapping fee reviews, possible grants for the water department and low-interest loans such as those through PennVest.

Upgrades have been done to Oxford’s water system including development of a 10-year Capital Reserve Plan and completion of a water rate study. This effort is meant to help ensure the sustainability of Oxford water as a publicly owned utility. Last year, the borough began a grant-funded project to upgrade  water meters and replace outdated positive displacement meters with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters. This upgrade will save money over time, enhance the delivery services and improve the customer experience. This project is nearing completion and is further supported by improvements to water utility billing software funded through a STMP Phase II grant.

It was also noted that the borough is getting closer to improving their software so they can actually stream the borough meetings.

Police recommendations are still in progress. The borough is working with other townships and the Southern Chester County Regional Department to explore regional policing options.  

The borough has also been a big proponent of community education and outreach, and that will continue in the future. The report included just some of the initiatives underway in the borough, and more improvements are being discussed for the future.

 In other business, Oxford Borough Council approved the following:

• A special event permit application submitted by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce for the Halloween Parade on Oct. 30, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., conditioned upon payment of $1,700, which is the 50 percent deposit for two-thirds of the cost to provide police services.
• A special event permit application submitted by Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. (OMI) for the 11th Annual Car Show on Sept. 5, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., conditioned upon payment of $2,006, which is the 50 percent deposit for two-thirds of the cost to provide police services.
• A special event permit application submitted by Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. for First Fridays for May 2, June 6, October 3, November 7, and December 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., conditioned upon payment of $1,400 which is the 50 percent deposit for two-thirds of the cost to provide police services and final approval from PennDOT.
• A hearing to adopt ordinance #972-2025 amending Chapter 13, License, Permits, and General Business Regulation, Part 2, Special Events, and Chapter 21, Streets and Sidewalks, Part 3, Meetings and Parades on Streets, and Part 4, Obstructions and Encroachments, of the Code of the Borough of Oxford. Garcia-Allen reviewed the updated ordinance to see how it specifically added some distance from store fronts during events and the change required in insurance. “The difference is in when other people, not business owners, bring in tables and chairs in front of a business,” she said. “The business itself can apply for a café permit, which allows that business owner to do that. I want to stress this will not stop someone standing on the sidewalk from talking. That is covered under free speech.”
• A resolution 1399-2025 establishing insurance requirements for special events permits in the Borough of Oxford.
• Rio Supply Inc. Pay Application No. 3 in the amount of $127,299.08 and Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $167,165.52  for the grant-supported water meter replacement project.

In other business, Garcia-Allen gave an update on the Police Study, saying, “We are still working with our consultant on this.”

Parking on Market Street was also discussed, specifically in front of the Sawmill Grill.

“The angled parking has been a safety concern for a long time,” Garcia-Allen said. “I spoke with John Schaible and other staff members about this. That is a PennDOT street and I would be happy to talk to PennDOT regarding that.” 

She discussed the problems with larger vehicles parking in the angled spaces and the safety issues that take place when big trucks come around the corner.

Police Chief Sam Iacono said, “It is a horrible situation.”

The consensus was that the borough manager would talk to PennDOT about the options that might be available to the borough to address the safety concerns.

Council member Peggy Russell reminded the public that No Mow May applications are available for those residents wishing to sign up.

The comment was also made that the Chester Water Authority will have its case heard on May 14 before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The next council meeting will be held on April 21 at 7 p.m. at the Borough Hall.