RUTLEDGE BOROUGH MEETING MINUTES
May 19th, 2025
7:30 PM Council Session
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call Jody Roberts, Sue Hunt, Heidi Sentivan, Ken Torres-Zickler, Andrea Juarez, Sean Sheehan, Vaughn Johnson – Excused, Mayor Gamal Sherif, Solicitor Carl Ewald Excused, Borough Secretary Janet Diiorio Excused.
Approval of Agenda
Approve Agenda: Heidi Motion, Ken second. All in favor.
Public Comment:
Martin Micklin, President of Rutledge Girls Club. Looking for new community outreach representatives from the Girls Club as the three current reps are graduating. Supporting events such as SouperBowl of Caring and foodbank partnerships. Rutledge Girls Club Day was very well attended. Special thanks to the Morton Rutledge Fire Company and Swarthmore Police Department. 3 Scholarships awarded.
Tax Collector’s Report:
- none
Mayor’s Report:
- Quick thanks to the Borough Office and Borough Staff for managing the Triangle Park trash and cleaning drains to ensure proper drainage.
- Swarthmore Police Department – monthly report: 2025-04-18 → 2025-05-16
- In response to a reported call regarding juveniles in the park after hours, the Mayor poses question to council regarding creation of more teen-focused events.
- Chief Stufflet provided an update on Crozer closures and support for Mental Health Crisis calls; individuals are taken to Riddle Hospital and then dispatched after assessment.
- Vision Zero Delco:
- Review of Vision Zero Delco; for the dataset, Rutledge had only 23 crashes and no fatalities. Expanding to the vicinity (Morton, Ridley, Swarthmore), it grows to 3,800.
- Inventory of Crashes (bit.ly/RutVZ)
- All Residents can Report a Concern (bit.ly/RutVZconcern)
- Short discussion around feedback and mention of coordinator coming to speak with council in June session.
Approval of Minutes:
Action: Approve Meeting Minutes for 2025.05.05—postponed.
Activities:
- Information Share:
- Quizzo Recap: Five rounds, about two hours.
- Game Night 5/21: 6:30PM
- Activities Meeting 5/28 (agenda item: 4th of July)
- Mini session 5/21 to discuss Parade information only
- Monday will be our Memorial Day service at 11AM at the front of borough hall.
- Donations letter coming in June Newsletter; donations are accepted all year to support Rutledge events
Parks & Property:
- Information Share: Gather Space Update
- MOR has officially begun construction at the park. Schedule anticipates completion the week before Fourth of July. Heidi walked the park with the contractor last week. Majority of the submittals are completed at this point.
Personnel:
- none
Public Safety:
- Information Sharing: Updates on response to CCMC
- Public Safety committee has been working to coordinate with Swarthmore.
- Multi-municipality effort to coordinate the official response plan to capitalize on the 90 days to provide support for emergency responses and forward planning. Current process is to review the data and understand what the usage has been and potential ways to distribute the associated costs. Solicitors will be engaged.
- Council President Roberts shares that the partnership from all communities has been positive and collaborative. He looks forward to building a strong plan and a substantive, sustainable plan to present to county and the state.
Sewer:
- none
Streets:
- Information Share:
- Waverly Terrace One Way: Catania estimates it is about a 2 week project but scheduling a concern, general estimate of cost within threshold for not needing multiple bids, recommended space for handicap spot on street is 24’ length, confirming additional details.
- Street Resurfacing Tracking Update; document compiled with data from bids provided by Catania for past 20 years. Six blocks still not found but Streets will continue to fill out the data set.
- Suggestions: General Condition Rating, SPD Traffic Frequency, Streets w/ houses with water dispersing into street, Notes category: Identify Terraces without Curbs
Building:
- Information Share: Monthly Reports from Catania
- All letters need to be sent out to remind rental property owners regarding inspections.
- Information Share: Budget Items for the Building
- Upper Hall Inner Doors: default to shut
- Lower Hall Door: salvageable and to be repaired.
- Roof repair, replacement, insulation
- LED Lights in Office & Lower Hall (Grant money could be available)
- Sewer Line Replacement
- Acoustic Improvements
- Action: Approve via Ratification, Property Request for Rutledge Girls Day on 5/17
- Sean motion, Sue second. All in favor.
Communications:
- June Newsletter – Submit content if not yet done, deadline is June 9th .
Finance:
- Action Item: Approve Bills and Distributions 2025.05.02-2025.05.15
- Motion Andrea, Ken Second. All in favor.
Ordinance:
- none
Trash & Recycling:
- Information Sharing:
- Yard Waste twice a month beginning in June
- July 4th Yard Waste will be Monday, July 7th
- New Sanitation Survey
- 10 Responses, largely positive with most concerns focused on toter size and placement of the toters after collection.
- Strong confidence in the level of communication from sanitation
- E Waste in Rutledge 6/7 – no TVs/monitors
- E Waste at St. John’s on 252 same day: TVs/Monitors recycled for a fee
- New yard waste signs
Borough Commissions:
- Shade Tree: none
- Planning Commission: none
Public Comment:
Andrew Marquis, Sylvan Ave, shares that he has donated custom made shelving to the antique display case. He shares that he is looking for material to display and eager for addition from neighbors.
Old Business/New Business:
- Old Business: Adhoc Historical Committee for June meeting, please share comments
- New business: Rutledge Borough Office will be closed Tuesday May 20th for Election Day. Special Hours for Friday
- New Business: Primary Election Day 7AM-8PM in Lower Borough Hall. Vote!
Adjournment-
Motion Heidi, Sue Second to adjourn at 8:40PM