By Joseph Mesa
Contributing Writer

Kennett Square Borough Council opened 2026 with its annual reorganization meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, swearing in newly elected and re-elected officials, selecting new council leadership, and welcoming a new full-time officer to the borough’s police department. 

Matt Fetick was sworn in for another four-year term as mayor of Kennett Square. He then administered oaths of office to the newly elected members of borough council. The swearing-in ceremony included council members Elea McDonnell Feit, Hilda Matos, Amy Reigel, Juan Tafolla, and Bob Norris, who all began new terms on the seven-member council. They officially joined incumbent council members Julie Hamilton and Joel Sprick. 

Once the newly elected council members were sworn in and took their seats, the next order of business was to select new leadership for 2026.

Norris was selected as council president and Sprick as vice president, according to meeting proceedings. With the leadership vote completed, the new council president started leading the business of the meeting. The agenda moved forward with reports and discussion items that set the tone for the borough’s early-year priorities, including administration, public safety, and oversight of historic properties. 

A key highlight of the night was the swearing-in of officer Jonathan Kauffman as a new full-time officer with the Kennett Square Police Department. Police department personnel were in attendance to recognize Kauffman following the oath, and the ceremony was followed by a brief break for photos with family, borough officials, and the department. Police Chief William Holdsworth introduced Kauffman and provided background on his experience, noting that Kauffman was born in Omaha, Nebraska, served with the Omaha Police Department, and is joining Kennett Square with 13 years of law enforcement experience, according to remarks made during the meeting. The department’s hiring of Kauffman had been in progress in late 2025, when a conditional offer document connected to Kauffman appeared in council meeting materials.

Council’s agenda included items tied to the borough’s Historic Architecture Review Board (HARB), specifically properties at 115 N. Broad Street and 214 Center Street. During the meeting, borough staff raised concerns related to work conducted at 214 Center Street prior to receiving the necessary historic approvals and permits. The issue involved exterior work, including a porch project and removal of a backyard shed that had proceeded without HARB

approval, according to the discussion at the meeting. Staff noted that borough enforcement can include fines of up to $600 for violations once a citation is issued, and, if compliance is not achieved, penalties can increase to $600 per day. No citation or notice of violation had been issued as of the meeting, according to the staff. The Jan. 5 agenda also included several annual administrative items typical of reorganization season, including resolutions related to borough appointments such as secretary, treasurer and open records officers, emergency service providers, and professional services and fees, along with board and commission updates. A full recording of the Jan. 5 council reorganization meeting was posted on Kennett Square Borough’s website following the meeting.