By Betsy Brewer Brantner 
Contributing Writer

For Oxford Borough and other municipalities, it’s budget time—and with that come problems and solutions. 

Oxford Borough Council members have seen an increase in attendance by residents from inside and outside of the borough at the recent meetings. Council members have mentioned more than once that they welcome input on the budget. They are happy to see democracy in action.

This council has been increasingly supportive of the Oxford Library and the Oxford
Area Recreation Authority, two organizations with modest budgets that serve the entire community.

The Oxford Library is the oldest library in Chester County and the third-oldest library in Pennsylvania. It serves people in the borough and the surrounding townships. Lest people forget, not everyone has a computer at home, and the public library ensures that everyone has access to a computer. The library also serves those looking for employment, signing up for social security, and during elections, the library serves as a nearby drop-off point for ballots. It helps those that are physically challenged because it is handicap-accessible. It helps those visually impaired with computer workstations with enlarging capabilities. There is also special equipment to help with the hearing impaired.

Like the Oxford Library, the Oxford Area Recreation Authority (OARA) serves the people in the borough and surrounding townships. There are multiple sports fields used by everyone in the borough and the surrounding area. There are also numerous hiking trails throughout the park, and special events and holiday activities are held at the park, too. Picnicking areas and play areas also are provided. 

Council has been transparent with its budget discussions for these two agencies, as well as everything in the budget. A special budget meeting was to be held on Monday, Nov.  25 to approve both the tax increase and the revised budget. A motion to advertise the 2025 budget was  also to be approved at that meeting.

Council also advised that the borough office will be closed on Thanksgiving and the Friday after Thanksgiving.

It was announced that the Oxford Regional Planning Committee is updating the 2012 multi-municipal comprehensive plan. Community members are encouraged to complete the online survey on the borough’s website. Check out links for the survey.

The next meeting of the Oxford Regional Planning Committee is scheduled for Thursday, December 5 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The group will discuss important issues like growth, transportation, housing, and environmental preservation in the greater Oxford area.

Water meter replacement was discussed. The company providing the new meters recommended the meter provider and they noted that they also submitted the most competitive bid.

Oxford Borough Police Department Sgt. Chris Coverly presented the police chief’s report. He stated that there had been 463 incidents in Oxford Borough thus far. This month there were seven criminal arrests, and two robberies. The robberies were unrelated to each other. Coverly also said a person they have been looking for for two years was located at a party. Coverly also encouraged everyone to sign up for Crime Watch.

Oxford Mayor Phil Harris announced that the 7U team of the Oxford Golden Bears won their championship this season.

Harris also noted that he attended the recent Neighborhood Services Center (NSC) board meeting. Harris reminded everyone that 20 percent of borough’s residents fall under the poverty level. He reminded the public that NSC can always use assistance in its efforts to serve those in need.

Oxford Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen said that 650 residents would be receiving letters regarding the use of copper and lead pipes. Efforts are underway to replace water mains every other year. More information will be forthcoming on this.

Garcia-Allen also provided an update on the property at 343 S. Third Street. She said the borough had made several attempts to identify the heir of the property and none have been found. 

“This property is a good candidate for conservatorship,” she said, explaining that a conservator could go in and fix the blight. The conservator will not take away the property from the heirs. A hearing was held last week and the judge appointed the housing partnership to be the conservator. It is a path to repurpose the property.

In other business, borough council acted on the following motions:

• Consideration of Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) Certificate of Appropriateness for 436 Market Street. This was denied. The owner wanted to paint the red brick, and the HARB instead recommended the gentle removal of paint and the application of sealer to protect the brick.
• Consideration of 2025 funding requests from the Oxford Area Historical Association, Oxford Area Recreation Authority and the Oxford Region Planning Committee’s Historic Preservation sub-committee. This was tabled and a motion was made to discuss this when the 2025 budget is discussed.
• A presentation of the draft 2025 General Fund Budget, water budget and capital budgets and a motion to authorize advertising the budget notice and schedule adoption of the 2025 budget for December 16. Council did not approve the draft budget because of more discussions that are needed to review the contributions to OARA and the Oxford Library. In addition, the .13 mill tax increase was proposed, which changed the draft budget figures.
• An agreement with Union Fire Company No. 1 for fire protection and services in 2025 in the amount of $135,249.60 was approved.
• An agreement with Union Fire Company No. 1 Ambulance Division for ambulance transportation and emergency service in 2025 in the amount of $130,102 was approved.
• An agreement with Medic 94 for advanced life support and paramedic services in 2025 in the amount of $47,871 was approved.
• Authorization to advertise an ordinance accepting the dedication of improvements in Phases 1, 2, and 4 of Sycamore Crossing was approved subject to receipt of final documents from the developer.
• Authorization to advertise an ordinance accepting dedication of improvements in the Coldiron subdivision, subject to receipt of final documents from the developer was approved.
• Acceptance of an extension which will run through and include the date December 2 for review of Enox Land LP’s preliminary land development plan of the Moran Farms Property was approved.
• A resolution authorizing submission of a statewide local share account program grant application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to support improvements to the Borough Water Plant was approved.
• A letter of support for the Oxford Area Historical Association’s grant application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s statewide local share account program to support the acquisition of the old Oxford school building located at 119 S. Fifth Street was approved.
• Ratification of approval of a letter of support for the Housing Partnership of Chester County’s (HPCC) application to the PHFA Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund to support HPCC’s Conservatorship Program was approved.
• Ratification of approval of the second addendum to the Delaware Valley Health Trust agreement changing the borough health plan was approved.
• Consideration of Historical Architectural Review Board Certificate of Appropriateness for 703 Market Street was approved.
• Consideration of Historical Architectural Review Board Certificate of Appropriateness for 19 N. 3rd Street was approved.
• Consideration of Historical Architectural Review Board Certificate of Appropriateness for 24 S. 3rd Street was approved.