Session will focus on beefs from free-roaming fowl to whatever else surfaces
Borough Council President Leon Spencer
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Why did the chicken cross the road in Kennett Square? Perhaps because its owner didn’t know the rules, borough officials suggest.
That possibility is one of the motivating factors behind a community meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. Spearheaded by Borough Council President Leon Spencer, the informational session will focus on residents’ concerns, offering an opportunity for feedback and questions to borough officials. In addition to Borough Council members, Police Chief Edward A. Zunino and Borough Manager Brant Kucera will be among the attendees.
Spencer said several residents’ beefs – including free-roaming fowl, overcrowded dwellings, and parking – have surfaced during recent Borough Council meetings. He said since the council meetings tend to focus on the business of running the borough, members did not want residents’ concerns to get short-changed. In addition, he said that sometimes Borough Council members need time to assess a situation and aren’t always in a position to offer an immediate answer.
“We feel it would be good to come together two or three times a year just to deal with residents’ concerns,” Spencer said. “It’s our way of saying that we want to be available to respond to issues that come up.”
Spencer said Wednesday’s meeting will cover the topics that residents brought to Borough Council during the past month or so. “None of it is irrelevant,” he said. In some cases, residents may simply need to be reminded about borough ordinances, he said. In other cases, borough officials may need more information about possible infractions. Once those items have been addressed, the floor will be open for dialogue on other subjects, Spencer said.
He said the frequency of such meetings would depend in part on how the first one goes, adding that he hopes residents will be receptive to this kind of exchange. “I think at least a couple of times a year is good practice,” Spencer said. “It’s all about communication and transparency. We want people to know that their elected representatives are accountable.”
