By Betsy Brewer Brantner
Contributing Writer

Fourth of July fireworks in the borough made for a busy time for the Oxford Police Department.

Oxford Police Chief Sam Iacono asked Sgt. Chris Coverly to present his monthly report to borough council since he was on duty that day.

Coverly explained that from July 4 through July 5, the Oxford Police Department responded to 45 calls for service which included all the following:

• 2 traffic stops
• 16 property checks
• 6 medical calls
• 2 domestic incidents
• 3 foot patrols
• 1 animal complaint
• 3 police information calls
• 2 phone assignments
• 1 lost and found
• 1 follow-up investigation
• 4 noise complaints
• 1 incident classified as “all other”
• 2 disturbances
• 1 theft report

Coverly specifically talked about the fireworks that were set off on July 4. He explained, “Over one and a half hours, between 9:01 p.m. and 10:28 p.m. on the night of July 4th, the Oxford Police Department responded to five properties for fireworks-related complaints. These were dispatched calls, and our officers responded as quickly and effectively, balancing other ongoing calls for service.

“From 11p.m. to midnight, officers including myself, also initiated contact at three additional locations where fireworks were still being set off. These were self-initiated patrol contacts, not 911 calls. In each case, we respectfully asked residents to stop for the night and they complied.”

Coverly also explained, “With that said, Oxford Police Department did respond to the calls for service, although some residents may not have been satisfied with the outcomes, our approach reflects a commitment to community policing, an approach that focuses on educating the public rather than immediately issuing citations. We firmly believe that building long-term relationships and trust within the community is far more effective than taking a heavy-handed stance over celebratory conduct that, while disruptive, was not reckless or malicious.”

Coverly noted that he knows of no other officer in Chester County that has fireworks training. He also said that if fireworks or debris fell on someone’s property it was deemed a civil matter.

“The Chief said he checked with the courts and unless someone testifies that they personally see it, there is nothing they can do,” he said. “It’s complicated. The law needs to be changed.”

Iacono also reported to council about police department activities for the month of June. There were 631 involvements for the month of June. The officer who passed the Civil Service test also passed the physical, Iacono said. Currently the department is down one officer who is out on medical leave. Another officer is off the job due to medical.

Iacono said that Sgt. Coverly does a good job covering schedules. The police chief mentioned that a business owner said recently that he never sees a police officer on S. Third Street. The police chief explained that he pulled reports for 21 days and, according to the reports, an officer was on S. Third Street 126 times.

“Sometimes perception and reality are two different things,” he said. “We typically have two officers working. It’s a delicate situation to manage.”

The police chief also said that anyone can go online and make a complaint or do it in person at the police station. 

Oxford Mayor Phil Harris told borough council that the police were available at the open house at Whitehall Acres apartments.

“It is private property. There is not a lot we can do. There is a new manager at Whitehall who said they will work with the police,” he said.

During public comment, David Twardowski asked about Section 27.1207 regarding the construction of a fence. Twardowski asked if the borough enforces the ordinances on fences.

Council President Kathryn Cloyd and Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen both confirmed that the Borough Ordinance Section 27.1207 regarding fencing is enforced.

Council member Peggy Russell asked Twardowski to please have the resident who was concerned about the fencing enforcement to contact the borough’s codes enforcement officer.

Garcia-Allen informed council that the $3.5 million water plant update design is 90% completed. If that stays on schedule, the bid for the project will go out in March of 2026. The design will then be sent to Pennvest for funding possibilities.

MS4 stormwater regulations were also discussed. There will be more discussion in the future as a result of court cases occurring in the county.

The borough is still reviewing the stormwater fee. For the time being, the borough is on hold as to how the MS4 stormwater mandate will be funded.

Currently, the borough's aging stormwater infrastructure in the Broad Street and Whitehall area cannot keep up with the water usage they are now experiencing. The 100-year-old pipe must be replaced. Continued research on easements is necessary to move forward on the project.

The application procedure proposed for non-profit organizations requesting funding from the borough continues to be discussed. A question was raised about whether the library funding could be raised by approval of a dedicated tax which could be established by the borough.

At the meeting, Oxford Borough Council also approved the following:

• Historical Architectural Review Board Certificate of Authenticity for 1 South Third Street;

• Historical Architectural Review Board Certificate of Authenticity for 610 Market Street;

• 109 North Fifth Street - an extension was approved for an appeal of the curbing requirement.

• Hearing for ordinance #974-2025 amending Chapter 15, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Part 2, Traffic Regulation, §15-201 to change the speed limit on Pine Street in the borough from 35 MPH to 25 MPH.

• Authorization to  advertise an ordinance amending Chapter 5, Code Enforcement, Part 6, Administration and Enforcement, §5-612.

• Authorization to advertise an ordinance amending the non-uniform employees’ pension plan document.

• Notice of intent to award construction contract for the Mt. Vernon Streetscape infrastructure project to MECO Construction, Inc., the lowest bidder, in the amount of $1,898,087, conditioned upon the contractor’s execution of the contract, supply of the required bonds and insurance, and solicitor review and approval.

• Joint construction and reimbursement agreement between the Borough and the Oxford Area Sewer Authority in relation to the infrastructure improvements on Mt. Vernon Street.

• Acceptance of an extension which will run through and include the date of August 18, 2025, for review of Enox Land LP’s final land development plan of the Moran Farms Property.

• Spots, Stevens, and McCoy (SSM) proposal in an amount not to exceed $5,300 to complete final requirements for submission and approval of the borough’s Pollutant Reduction Plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. 

• Resolution #1406-2025 to submit a Multimodal Transportation Fund Program grant application to the PA Department of Community and Economic Development to support improvements along Western Terrace in the Borough.

• Konica/Minolta printer/copier lease proposal in the amount of $1,105 annually, $5,525.00 over 5 years for the police department, conditioned upon solicitor review and approval of the contract.

• Rio Supply Inc. Pay Application #6 in the amount of $56,035.45 for the grant-supported Water Meter Replacement Project.

The next meeting of Oxford Borough Council will be held at 7 p.m. on Aug. 18 at the Borough Hall.