RUTLEDGE BOROUGH MEETING MINUTES
October 20th, 2025
7:30 PM Council Meeting
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Jody Roberts, Sue Hunt, Heidi Sentivan – Excused, Ken Torres-Zickler, Andrea Juarez, Sean Sheehan – Excused, Vaughn Johnson, Mayor Gamal Sherif, Solicitor Carl Ewald – Excused, Borough Secretary Janet Diiorio.
Approval of Agenda
∙ Motion to Approve Andrea, second Sue. All in favor.
Public Comment
∙ Lindsey Micklin on behalf of RGC—second free pitchers and catchers clinic at Swarthmore college this Saturday, Oct 25th. Never too early to donate to leader of the pack scholarship! This is the fourth year. Sign ups open January 1st.
Tax Collector’s Report
none
Mayor’s Report
∙ Swarthmore Police Department – Monthly Report
o Police Report for the Month of September 12th to October 16th
o Reminder that our contract will under review at the end of 2026.
o Sentiments shared by Chief Stufflet around thanks for kind words from the Mayor, support and direction provided by department for calls made, and additional presence during trick or treating on Halloween this year—this will be the 7th year of SPD handing out bags to trick or treaters—400 bags every year! Hoping to have accreditation completed by end of 2027.
o Question to chief regarding car theft; the chief shares that leaving the car doors locked are a great deterrent; thieves often take the easier opportunity before opting to do things such as break windows.
o Regarding accreditation, there is a discussion around the propose resolution to officially name Swarthmore Police Department as our provider.
Approval of Minutes
∙ Approve Meeting Minutes for 2025.10.06
o Motion to Approve Ken, second by Vaughn. All in favor.
Activities Committee
Information Sharing
∙ Game Night – Great time, all are welcome!
∙ Happy Hour Friday 10/24 – We will start set up at 4. Welcome to come then or at official time of 4:30PM.
∙ Help with Luminaries – Luminaries started—seeking bag folders! Luminaries started in 1995, after the passing of our regular Santa Claus, as an honor to his memory.
o If you are interested in helping, reach out to Sue Hunt at suehunt19070@gmail.com
∙ Donations still needed – We are down about 50% on donations this year, please consider donating to activities committee. Luminaries are the biggest expense! Suggestion to have a sign out during happy hour.
Building Committee
Information Sharing
∙ September Reports from Catania – Tabled for November meeting
Action Item
∙ Vote to approve Property Requests:
∙ Activities Committee request to use the lower hall, tables, and chairs for the Community Happy Hour on 10/24 from 3:30-7:30
o Motion by Andrea, Second by Sue—All in favor.
Communications Committee
Information Sharing
∙ Preparation for end of year communications
o 2026 – Fee Schedule, Council Meeting Schedule, Sanitation Schedule/Weigh Station Closures, Emergency Plans, Achievements in 2025
Finance Committee
Action Item
∙ Approve Bills and Distributions 2025.10.05-2025.10.17
o Motion by Vaughn, second by Andrea. All in favor.
Ordinance Committee
Information Sharing
∙ Update on Recodification Project – We did get contacted by the contractor and expected more updates soon.
Discussion
∙ Resolution in recognition of shared policing ordinance – We are looking at a resolution to recognize the shared ordinance passed by Swarthmore in 2024
Parks and Property Committee
Information Sharing
∙ Updates on Triangle Park – Focus has been on concrete work, including digging out for ADA ramps, preparing footings, etc. Anticipating pour to begin in ~2 weeks.
Personnel Committee
Public Safety Committee
Sewer Committee
Streets Committee
Information Sharing
∙ Update on Meeting with PennDot regarding ADA Curb Ramp Design
o Review of presentation as shared with PennDot, updates regarding conversation with Springfield School District and pending conversations with Morton Borough.
Action Item
∙ Vote to Approve Municipal Resolution for Vision Zero Delco
o Motion by Sue, second by Vaugh. All in favor.
Trash and Recycling
Information Sharing
∙ eWaste recap – 40 residents from Rutledge, Swarthmore, and other neighboring boroughs brought items for recycling.
∙ PRC Glass Bin – Bin is looking very full again! 100% of the glass taken to the bin is recycled, in comparison to 40% in single stream.
∙ Yard Waste and two collections in November
o November 7th and 21st
o December 5th
o We will confirm if January will be the 2nd or Monday the 5th
∙ Yard Waste Tonnage coming
Planning Commission
none
Shade Tree Commission
none
Historical Committee
none
Public Comment
Andrew Marques of 124 Sylvan – shared the second historical committee meeting was held. Going forward, they will be on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM in lower borough hall. Discussions have been around oral history, event speaker series, aspirational budget, and of course the semiquincentennial planning.
Old Business/New Business
∙ Activities Meeting on Wednesday 10/22 to plan for Friday 10/24.
∙ Budget Requests for 2026 – Wednesday 10/22 to review spend in 2025 so far and plan for 2026. Email Heidi with your committee budget requests.
∙ Planning Commission will join council on December 16th for an active working session on 2026.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 8:22 by Sue, second by Andrea.