Swarthmore welcomes two newcomers to borough council

SWARTHMORE » The borough began the year with the biennial reorganization meeting and welcomed two new councilwomen. District Justice Deborah Krull administered the oath of office to re-elected Mayor Tim Kearney. He, in turn, presided over the induction of newly elected Sarah Graden and Betsy Larson, as well as Michael Carey and Lauren McKinney who were re-elected for a second term.

The full board includes David Creagan, elected as president; Mary Walk, voted vice president, and Ross Schmucki. Creagan also congratulated Walk for her election as Delaware County Register of Wills.

“This was a historic day in Delaware County for all kinds of reasons,” Kearney said of the Jan. 2 swearing in of county officials. He state acknowledged Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky, D-161 of Swarthmore, as encouraging more women to enter politics in the county. The borough now has a female majority on the all Democratic board.

Council cancelled its legislative meeting Jan. 8 due to weather conditions; however, the board had an agreement with the Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police which is expected to be ratified in the next session.

Borough Manager Jane Billings said the agreement is for a three-year contract with a 3 percent increase per year. The police department consists of Chief Brian Craig, two sergeants and five patrol officers. Billings said the base salary is $81,793 not including differentials such as night duty, longevity rates and added pay for coverage of Rutledge Borough, as per an agreement between the boroughs.