Tuesday, April 21, 2020

KENNETT SQUARE: A new schedule for borough council meetings

By a 4-3 vote, Kennett Square Borough Council has changed its meeting schedule and format.
Currently council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Starting in May, a discussion meeting will be held on the third Monday, followed the next evening by a voting session.
Public comment will be allowed at both meetings. 
Voting to change the schedule at the April 21 meeting, held by videoconference, were council president Brenda Mercomes, vice president Rosa Moore and members Peter Waterkotte and Doug Doerfler. Voting against were LaToya Myers, Mayra Zavala and Ethan Cramer.
Those supporting the new format said they believed it would be more efficient and would allow them to discuss issues in a more relaxed setting, without the pressure to vote. It would also give them time to get any questions answered before the vote. 
Those opposed said the format would actually be less efficient, would conflict with council members' schedules for work, family and other outside responsibilities, and would reduce council's ability to address issues that arose during the weeks between meetings. 
Mercomes said the change would be made only on a trial basis, and council would try to find dates that work for all council members.
The revised structure is used by West Chester and Phoenixville borough councils. 

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