Newly-formed Advisory Commission for Latino Affairs adds 12
By Kelly O’Hara, Staff Writer, The Times
Kennett Square Mayor Matt Fetick swearing in Anthony J. DeFazio as regular member of the Civil Service Commission, Monday night.
KENNETT — A typically light early summer agenda saw the Kennett Square Borough Council approve Anthony J. DeFazio as a new regular member on the Civil Service Commission and the approval of 11 regular members and one junior member to a newly formed Advisory Commission for Latino Affairs at its regular meeting, Monday night in the Monroe Nute Room of the Kennett Fire Company.
Public Safety updates were also front and center on the meeting’s agenda. The police update showed an increase in total calls for the month and YTD. For the month of May, there were 827 calls vs. 611 for the same time last year. Year to date was 3612 calls vs. 3041 last year. More detailed reporting procedures can account for some of the increase.
Members of the newly created Advisory Commission for Latino Affairs.
The Kennett Fire Company is preparing to take delivery of its new fire truck. It is expected to arrive between July 7 and July 12. There will be a public celebration on Aug. 27 where the truck will be on display and refreshments will be served. A banner with the details of the celebration will be posted in town the week of Aug. 22.
Mayor Matt Fetick provided details of the last Public Safety Meeting. He said they discussed how to best assist seniors and the disabled in the event of a snowstorm in the upcoming winter season. The group is in the process of compiling a list of contractors that would assist those in need on behalf of the Borough Council. A pedestrian crossing area is planned on Cypress near the Y, as this is a high pedestrian crossing area and the traffic is fast in this area. Finally, there were “Children at Play” signs approved for the alley at the 300 block of South Union where several small children are often playing.
Fetick encouraged the public to get involved with the Public Safety Committee. The committee considers traffic concerns, emergency related concerns and other ongoing problems that contribute to public safety issues. The committee is always looking for feedback to improve the safety of the borough.
Claire Finfrock, provided an update on Kennett Area Parks and Recreation Board activities. She said KAPRB is particularly excited about the renovations that have been done to Herb Pennock Park. The new playground at the park is now open for kids to enjoy and they also worked with Eagle Scout, Cody Brown, to install two new information kiosks.
Finrock expressed gratitude on behalf of KAPRB for all of the support that they received from the borough, the township, the constellation network and businesses that contributed to these projects. Finfrock said “We couldn’t have done it without your support in the form of grants and all of the donations, both big and small.”
KAPRB also provided opportunities for kids to participate in a variety of sports. They offer sports leagues, clinics and camps in lacrosse, golf, running, adult softball, volleyball, field hockey and basketball. They will also be holding the annual Kids Cross Country Race at Anson B. Nixon Park in July, will sponsor the Mushroom Festival 5K run and walk and the “Run the Runway” race in New Garden.
Borough Council President Danilo Maffei provided an update on the Streetscape Ad Hoc Committee. The committee is made up of borough residents, some of whom are horticulturists, landscape architects and gardeners. The committee has had three meetings to date and has had training on how to green the infrastructure of the borough and did a detailed analysis to determine the needs of the borough.
The committee’s recommendations include conducting a thorough inventory of the current situation, conducting an origin and destination study and preparing a detailed streetscape plan. Among their goals is to educate and empower the residents to encourage public involvement.
