Borough officials and local residents alike are concerned about the potential sale of Chester Water Authority to Aqua, a large company that will likely raise the rates the borough pays for the water it needs. Oxford is currently pursuing new wells which would diversify the borough’s water sources. Because of that, Oxford has conducted a water rate study and a capital needs assessment.  

In December of last year, Oxford was awarded a $600,000 grant through the PA H2O Program to support an upgrade to the borough water meters. In the coming months, the borough will replace outdated Positive Displacement Meters with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters and software. After a public bidding process, Oxford Borough Council awarded the meter contract to Rio Supply, Inc., a vendor for Neptune Automated meters, at the regularly scheduled meeting on June 3.

For residents and property owners, this upgrade will save money over time, enhance the delivery services and improve the customer experience. The borough will be able to alert water customers to sudden spikes in water use that may indicate a water leak, affording the customer an opportunity to fix it before incurring hefty water and sewer bills.

At a recent council meeting, Oxford Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen said the water meter changing project letters were recently sent out to residents. This was the first letter to notify residents about the changes.

Borough officials expect to complete the project by February of 2025. Software will be changed by the end of the year, and officials want to educate residents about the new water billing program. 

David Busch, a consultant with Keystone Alliance Consulting, is working with the borough on evaluating the water operations, and he has looked at different rate models to ensure that Oxford has enough money to pay for the operation of the water department. Gannett Fleming Consultants has also worked on a study to initiate a capital water plan.

In other business at the same meeting, Oxford Borough Police Department Sgt. Chris Coverly offered council the department’s monthly report for September. The police involvements totaled 481 for the month, and Coverly commended Det. Weaver for his work on a recent incident at the Oxford Mall.

“Weaver spent numerous hours trying to identify the suspect, and finally did,” Coverly said “Three years ago, I came to you regarding digital evidence requests. This involved CDs, cell phones, media, etc. We had 244 requests for this year. That will continue to grow.”

Coverly also reminded the public to call 911 if they need the police. If they don’t feel comfortable calling 911, then they can call 610-268-3171. 

“It is really the same place, but calling 911 is quicker. 911 knows where all the police officers are and can handle the issue quickly,” Coverly explained. 

Stacey Fuller, the borough’s solicitor, updated council on her work over the last month. She noted that Sycamore Crossing has been a pressing issue recently, so that work took up a considerable amount of time.

Garcia-Allen said that the initial work on the Eighth Street project is now complete, but some improvements will need to be made.

“We are not happy with the work the contractor did, and we are working through a punch list,” she said.

The borough manager also said that Oxford will be making improvements to the Oxford Memorial Park. The borough received a $25,000 grant from parks and trails. One item that will be improved is the sidewalk on Western Terrace. The borough also plans to fill in the sidewalk gap going to the nearby Ware Presbyterian campus. 

Oxford Borough Council gave consideration to the request from Starr Road Farms, LLC in relation to the Sycamore Crossing development, Phases 2 and 4, to waive the requirement in the Spotts, Stevens, and McCoy Site Work Punch List dated March 1, 2024 to install bicycle-safe grates on all in-street inlets. Council did not approve the request for a waiver.

Borough council also considered the Zoning Hearing Board application submitted by Brian V. Hemphill for a property on Lincoln Street, and the request to authorize the borough solicitor to attend the hearing.

Fuller explained, “The applicant owns a property on Lincoln Street. He has placed a shipping container there. He said he did so to store equipment to clear the lot. He also installed a fence. The fence is in violation of the fence ordinance since it is over six feet. He did not get a permit to put in a temporary structure either. He has not presented a plan yet.”

Codes Enforcement Officer Terri Dugan said, “He knew he needed a permit, yet he still did it. He said he would ask for forgiveness. The Zoning Hearing Board meets on November 25.”

A reporter in attendance asked, “Since the fence goes over the limit in height, will he take that down? Did he get approval to put the building up that is there? Did he pay fines?”

Fuller said, “The council has the opportunity to dispatch the solicitor to go to the Zoning Hearing Board. Does council want to do that? When someone knowingly violates an ordinance, it is important. Council can oppose the variance. The borough can seek a fine, and the applicant can be asked to remove the temporary structure.”

Borough Council ultimately decided to approve a motion for the solicitor to represent the borough at the Zoning Hearing Board and to oppose the application.

Council approved the certificate of substantial completion for the Community of Love Lutheran Church stormwater project.

Garcia- Allen said, “This was a project that is part of our stormwater MS4 reduction plan. We are excited we could work with a private property owner. We had a grant that covered this and will also cover some our engineering. We will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony with appropriate signage. This is a great educational opportunity for us.”

Council approved the SLC Excavating Pay Application #2 in the amount of $12,699.87 for the Community of Love Lutheran Church Stormwater Project.

Also approved was a Pennoni proposal in the amount not to exceed $129,400 to complete final design and site survey for improvement to Mt. Vernon Street, between Route 472 and Third Street.

Garcia-Allen explained, “This is for Mt. Vernon from Route 472 to N. 3rd Street. It will complete stormwater and road improvements and add a raw water line from well 14. There are other great wells in that area. The raw water line is a dig-once project which also includes a stormwater project which is a bump-out on both sides of the street. It will calm traffic and improve stormwater.”

Garcia-Allen said that they have a grant pending for construction, and the borough will also use liquid fuel funds for the project.

Council also approved the Gannett proposal in the amount not to exceed $34,000 to complete the final design of water system improvements on Mt. Vernon Street, between Route 472 and Third Street.