By Betsy Brewer Brantner
Contributing Writer

Parking continues to be an issue in Oxford Borough and a lengthy discussion ensued at the Feb. 2 council meeting. The borough’s current plan to do away with free parking in the parking garage on Sundays was at the center of the discussion.

Geoff Henry, representing the Oxford Presbyterian Church said, “The church is a spiritual social center. We feel there is so much history tied to the church and that the church is tied to the borough’s development. We ask that you support a change to the parking amendment to allow free parking on Sunday.

Resident Peggy Russell said, “This was a difficult moment for me. I would say that if this was a private garage I would be standing with the people from Oxford Presbyterian Church, but it is not. It is a government garage. I am also concerned that people that are pulling groceries across town from the malls to their homes and can’t afford a car should not be asked to have their taxes pay for the parking garage upkeep for people who can afford to buy a car.”

The Oxford Presbyterian Church pastor Scott Szabo also spoke saying, “In our letter to council, we don’t think we are owed complimentary parking, but as a nonprofit our source of income comes from our worshipping group. If we are to be sustainable, we need to grow our congregation. We have been a significant partner in the community. How do we manage communicating to folks, ‘you should come here, not another church.’ I think it presents an interesting challenge to how we can grow our numbers and be sustainable. The rest of the week, we have activities. That Sunday morning is important.”

Fred Crutchfield who lives at nearby Ware Presbyterian Village, said that people who are older can have problems even coming to the gate.

“They might trip and fall,” Crutchfield said. “There are good arguments on both sides of this. We think that, because we are an integral part of the community, you should approve this.”

As the discussion about parking continued, it was decided that the borough will form a parking committee to help facilitate the process as borough officials consider an amended parking ordinance.

In other business at the meeting, Oxford Police Chief Sam Iacono informed council that by the end of the new year, the department will have new radios. 

Mayor Phil Harris told council that he decided to bring the mayors in the county together for a meeting that will probably take place in West Chester. The expectation is that the County Commissioners might be at the meeting as well.

Harris also thanked the Union Fire Company, the EMS and the Public Works Department for all of the hard work during the recent snowstorm.

Solicitor Stacey Fuller informed council that the plans for Niblock Alley are still moving forward.

Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen also provided an update about grants that the borough is currently seeking.

“We have a $109,000 grant from DCNR for the Oxford Memorial Park,” Garcia-Allen said. “We want to improve pathways in the park, perform stormwater improvements and we will install an electric gateway sign. We will also be replacing a curb-cut and infill the sidewalk. We have just under $320,000 in total for the Oxford Memorial Park.”

Garcia-Allen also mentioned the progress that has been made on adding a parking gate to the parking garage. “We will be doing the update on the parking gate this week. It will take longer to finish and will have to be done in phases. There is concrete work to be done. There are different options for parking depending on events. I have met with some business owners and will continue to meet with them. There will be information on the website. We to give more information to the public regarding the parking.” 

Oxford Borough Council approved the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) Certificate of Appropriateness for 114/116 E. Locust Street.

Council also approved the applicant’s request for a waiver or modification of the traffic impact study requirement related to the conditional-use application for 55 S. Third Street.

Council approved the appointment of Robert Liberato and Andrew Olejnik to the Oxford Borough Planning Commission.

Oxford Borough Council approved the advertisement of an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain property interests for the construction of Oxford Borough’s Niblock Alley project. Borough Manager Garcia-Allen explained that engineers are about 31 percent through the design at this point.

Borough council approved the Sycamore Crossing deed of dedication and bill of sale for water lines and the Sycamore Crossing request for escrow release of $19,800 for water line improvements.

A police car purchase in the amount of $60,799, inclusive of $46,799 for the vehicle and up to $14,000 for vehicle up-fit work, was also approved.

Borough council also approved a GFT proposal in an amount not to exceed $140,000 to complete a new well source study for well no. 14.

In other business, the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) discussed the determination for 260 S. Third Street. Carol Hess explained to council that the Friends Meeting House group did not come before HARB when they decided to replace windows on the property. Council agreed to double the fee for the review, but there would be no fine.

The next Oxford Borough Council meeting will be held on Feb. 16 at the Borough Hall.