Swarthmore Borough Manager Jane Billings will retire in February 2022, after 31 years. Photo courtesy of Swarthmore Borough — Swarthmore Borough Manager Jane Billings will retire in February 2022, after 31 years. *Photo courtesy of Swarthmore Borough*

Jane Billings, who has served as Swarthmore’s borough manager since September 1990, will retire in February 2022. Borough Council President Mary Walk announced the news at the council’s May 3 work session.

Walk reported that council members learned of Billings’ plans during an executive session following their April 19 meeting. “We now need to start searching for a replacement for Jane,” she said. The council has received proposals from two executive search firms to help with this process. At their May 10 legislative session, they will select a firm and discuss creating a search subcommittee to review resumes and interview candidates.

“Hopefully, we’ll have somebody in place before Jane’s actual retirement date, so there can be a smooth transition,” Walk said

Outdoor Events

Sarah Graden, chair of the general government committee, reported that her group approved a permit allowing the Headstrong Foundation to hold an in-person race on September 19. Participation numbers will be capped, and social distancing protocols will be observed. The committee consulted with the borough’s health officer, John Crawford, and Graden reported that he told them it would probably be fine to hold the event, given the current downward trend of local Covid-19 cases. “The race organizers understand that the race will have to go all-virtual if the numbers change closer to the race date,” she added.

Graden also reported that Billings had informed the committee that other event organizers are also considering holding outdoor events, such as the Community Arts Festival and Swarthmore’s food truck-a-thon. Graden said she would bring any applications for such events to the whole council for discussion. At the work session, Billings told the council that an application for a September truck-a-thon has already been submitted.

“A number of states have lifted bans on the size of public gatherings,” said Mayor Marty Spiegel. “The question is, how do you regulate six feet of distance in something like the truck-a-thon?”

Borough solicitor Bob Scott suggested that the September truck-a-thon and similar events be granted conditional approval, subject to any new governor’s orders and any new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. The general government committee will consult with the health officer about the truck-a-thon proposal and talk with truck-a-thon organizers about crowd control, then bring the application back to the full council.

Updates to Local Parks

Ross Schmucki, chair of the public works committee, reported that the borough’s insurance company has concluded that two playground pieces at Thatcher Park (the “Tot Lot”) – specifically, the fire truck and the climbing structure – “have outlived their useful lives.”

Funds are available to replace these items, having been put in the budget last year, Schmucki said. The committee chose a replacement piece made by Lion’s Recreation, a COSTARS supplier. (COSTARS is the Cooperative Purchasing Program established by the Pennsylvania Department of General Services.)

During the meeting’s public comment period, Swarthmore resident John McKinstry noted the lack of restrooms at Little Crum Creek Park. “I’ve had my granddaughter down at the park and been at work sessions there, and I hope the borough council will consider putting in bathroom facilities,” he said, adding that the lack of facilities is a challenge when bringing children to the park or holding events there.

The park used to have a port-a-potty. It was removed last summer after residents living across the street objected to its placement. Schmucki reported that he and the public works department foreman, Charles (Cuzzy) W. Rowles Jr., had explored other locations, but that a satisfactory alternative had not been found. He reported that a majority of public works committee members were not in favor of pursuing the issue.

Watch a video of this or other past Swarthmore Borough Council meetings.

The next council meeting will be Monday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. Details are on the borough’s website.