By Betsy Brewer Brantner
Contributing Writer

Oxford Borough is currently discussing instituting a No-Mow-May program for 2025. Katheryn Cloyd, the council president, is definitely in favor of this initiative. Cloyd has done much work in the borough, including initiating and helping with programs for residents to rethink the best care for their lawns. 

She explained, “This can take a variety of forms, from reducing mowing frequency to permanently converting your lawn to a more diverse and natural landscape. The start of the growing season is a critical time for hungry, newly emerged native bees. Floral resources may be hard to find, especially in urban and suburban landscapes.  If lawns are allowed to grow long enough for flowers to bloom, those lawns can provide nectar and pollen to help bees thrive.”

More information can be found on the website, https://beecityusa.org/no-mow-may. It would be up to residents to decide if they want to participate in the No Mow May Program, and Oxford Borough Council will continue to have discussions.

In other business, Beth Uhler, the Pennsylvania Director at the Center for Watershed Protection presented an update on MS4 Stormwater Permit Compliance to council.

Uhler said, “The borough has handed out info on MS4 at First Fridays, and shared info on Facebook, and a webpage.”

More information will be coming at the next meeting, too.

Oxford Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen explained that the borough continues to install new water meters. The borough is 70 percent completed with those customers who had set up appointments for the installation.

The borough is accepting applications for a new Junior Council Person for the 2025-2026 school year. Applications will be accepted until July 31. More information is available on the borough website or by calling the borough office. 

Borough council approved the Special Event Permit application by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce for Movies in the Park events at Oxford Memorial Park on June 20, July 18, and August 15.

Borough council also approved Rio Supply Inc.’s pay application no. 1 in the amount of  $198,150.65 and change order no. 1 in the amount of $116,285.90 for the grant-funded Water Meter Replacement Project.

Regarding the Facilitation of Police Services Strategies Report, Garcia-Allen said there is no news available at this point.

Council did discuss the statement from the Borough regarding immigration enforcement which was posted on the borough’s Facebook page.

The statement reads as follows:

Statement from the borough regarding immigration enforcement in our area

The Borough and Oxford Police Department (OPD) are aware of concerns and rumors regarding immigration enforcement in our area. We want to be clear that OPD is not involved in these efforts. Our officers are sworn to protect all members of our community regardless of immigration status. The Borough has no authority or jurisdiction to request or report the immigration status of any resident in the community. The Borough and OPD remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of every resident. We all uphold our oath to protect and treat all individuals with dignity, respect and fairness.

Council member Peggy Russell said, “I was disappointed to see the statement that was posted on Facebook because that opens an avenue for some to say cruel and hurtful things hidden behind a keyboard. And, it was not a statement approved by council.  I appreciate that it was prepared for a newspaper, but I am sorry that it was posted on Facebook.”

Garcia-Allen explained, “We did this at the advice of the solicitor. For better or worse, people expect us to disseminate information there. We can’t delete comments or shut off comments.”

The next Oxford Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.