By Eliza Mohler, Correspondent, Kennett Times
The Kennett Square Borough Council focused on a proposed anti-discrimination ordinance, Monday night.
KENNETT SQUARE – Monday night’s meeting of Borough Council focused on a proposed anti-discrimination ordinance regarding employment, housing, and ownership of property in the borough. The ordinance will also be used to create the Kennett Square Human Relations Commission.
Borough Council President Danilo Maffei opened the meeting. The entire Council was present, as was Mayor Matthew Fetick. Immediately prior to the meeting, the Council held a private executive session regarding the hiring of a new police chief to replace the recently retired Ed Zunino.
The anti-discrimination ordinance was the focus of the public comments. John Thomas, a local landlord and borough resident, spoke against the ordinance, noting that it is unnecessary because of fair housing laws that currently prevent the type of racial and sexual orientation-based discrimination that ordinance is looking to prevent.
“I think this is a redundant law, and it will hurt people with more than five units,” he said. When asked for further comment after the meeting, Thomas added that he wants to avoid the type of “overregulation” that he believes the ordinance would bring about.
Luis Tovar, a member of the Kennett Square Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, spoke in favor of the ordinance.
“It’s going to help ease the fears of a lot of members of our community,” he said. “There is a portion of our community that wants a fighting chance to be represented.”
When asked for further comment after the meeting, Tovar said, “The Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs is committed to working to bring equality and opportunity for all residents of the borough, including access for Latinos to civic, economic, and educational opportunities. As a community, we can do better in being more inclusive of all our residents, improve communication and encourage participation.”
The anti-discrimination ordinance draft was moved to council discussion, and the members debated the details of the expanded procedures portion of the ordinance, which would be used to help facilitate the handling of discrimination complaints. Borough Solicitor Marc Jonas was asked to make changes to the ordinance draft within the next month, and the council will review it again.
In other news, a drive-through Girl Scout cookie sale was approved to be held on February 18 and February 25 at the Borough parking lot across from Sam’s Sub Shop on East State Street, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days. The sale will benefit Girl Scout troops 4424 and 41536.
During her report on Historic Kennett Square, Mary Hutchens announced that the first Kennett Square Clover Market will be held in the Borough on Saturday, June 18. The market will be set up in the Genesis HealthCare parking lot at 600 S. Broad Street. Hutchens added that Kennett Winterfest will happen on Saturday, February 25.
Borough resident Jason Farrell was appointed to serve on the Borough Planning Commission for the next four years, effective immediately. His appointment fills a vacancy on the Commission.
