By Betsy Brewer Brantner
Contributing Writer

Two Mt. Vernon Street residents, Laurie Woods and George Jones, expressed concerns about speeding vehicles on the street—as well as worries about the upcoming improvement project for the street at the recent Oxford Borough Council meeting.

Oxford Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen informed them that a letter is being prepared for the residents of that street answering questions about the project. It is expected to be mailed out shortly. Workers will also put door hangers at the residences to inform them about possible water shut-offs, construction details, and more.

Another resident, Darcy Dix, was concerned about semi-trucks turning down on Mt. Vernon Street every week and questioned who sends those trucks to that street. That will be discussed at the upcoming Police and Public Safety Committee meeting.

Police Chief Sam Iacono presented the police report to council. He advised council that Jose Nava has passed the police exam and will be sworn in as an officer in June or July. Iacono does want to pursue more testing and secure another hiring list.

Mayor Phil Harris told council, “We have received complaints from Whitehall over the last 6 to 8 weeks. We have new management there. Sgt. Coverly will have a meeting with the residents there in the near future.”

Stacey Fuller, the borough solicitor, told council that she continues to work on the Moran tract and other ordinances. She is hopeful that agreements with Providence Place will be ready in May. Providence Place, a development located in Lower Oxford Township, just outside the borough line, is still working with the borough on easement agreements.

The deadline to register for “No Mow May” is nearing so if you want to put your mower away in May, please register by May 1. 

For registered participants in “No Mow May,” the Borough shall temporarily suspend, during May, the enforcement of Chapter 5, Section 306.1.B(2) of the Oxford Borough code. Allowing your lawn to grow in May provides flowering plants a chance to bloom. The flowering plants provide essential nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. This uninterrupted bloom period helps sustain their populations. Additionally, longer grass offers shelter for invertebrates like ground beetles and butterflies.

You can email the signed registration form to the Borough Codes Officer to be officially registered or you can drop off the completed form at the Borough Hall in their drop box located at the front entrance at 1 Octoraro Alley, or mail to P.O. Box 380, Oxford, PA 19363. Please check the Borough’s website at www.oxfordboro.org for a registration form and more information.

In other business, hydrant flushing continues in the borough until May 3. Hydrant flushing is conducted to maintain water quality by removing sediment and debris from the water mains, and to ensure the proper functioning of the hydrants for fire emergencies. Water customers are encouraged to check their cold-water supply before using the water, and if discoloration is discovered, customers should flush their cold-water line for a short period until discoloration clears.

Garcia-Allen informed council that 39 people have not responded to other notices about the replacement of water meters, and they have received door hangars notifying them of their responsibility. She is hopeful that the replacement of the water meters will be completed by the end of May.

Spring clean-up will be held on May 8 through May 10 from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Public Works Building at 450 W. Locust Street. The Public Works employees will be on site to assist.

Oxford Borough Council approved the special event permit application submitted by Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. (OMI) for the Hometown Harvest on Aug. 1, conditioned upon payment of $466.69, 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 the Oxford Village Market was also approved. The Oxford Village Market will be held every Thursday beginning May 1 through Oct. 2. 

The next meeting of Oxford Borough Council will be held on Monday, May 5.