Nicholas J. Baccino

The meeting included a swearing-in ceremony for Councilmember Michael Bertrando. Key reports highlighted the award of $300,000 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade and preliminary looks at 2025 financials and 2026 year-to-date financials. The Planning Commission held an information gathering session regarding the five-mile rule for rentals. Discussions covered a public meeting on the NVF site cleanup and the announcement of upcoming Shade Tree Ordinance workshops. New Business included reviewing 2025 highlights, adopting a resolution declaring the phorid fly infestation and hydrogen sulfide emissions as a public health and economic emergency, and agreeing to pursue a public contest for a new Borough logo. Action items focused on committee and commission appointments, including the Vacancy Board Chair, Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (ACOLA), Civil Service Commission, Historic Architecture Review Board (HARB), Planning Commission, Shade Tree Commission (STC), Human Relations Commission (HRC), Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB), and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). A Communications Task Force concept was discussed but delegated to staff instead of forming a committee. The Council approved Certificates of Appropriateness for exterior work at 123 W. Cypress Street and part of the application for 221 N. Union Street. Public Works received approval for a bid to lower a water main in Anson B. Nixon Park. Council decided against making a recommendation regarding a Zoning Hearing Board request for variances at 214 E. Linden Street. The Council approved Resolution 2026-04 regarding Professional Services Fees, favoring Pennoni and dropping the sewer attorney, and approved the KACS request to switch RACP grant administration from Kennett Township to the Borough. Discussions were held regarding the Liberty Market parking agreement lease structure. Finally, the Council conditionally approved rental registrations outside the five-mile radius for long-term rentals, pending ordinance revision, and approved bills paid and the minutes from the January 5, 2026 meeting.

The meeting commenced with the reorganization procedures, including the unanimous election of Councilmember Norris as President of Borough Council and Councilmember Sprick as Vice President. Key agenda items included the unanimous adoption of the agenda and several reports. The Borough Manager highlighted forthcoming strategic planning sessions and postponed detailed discussion on the Shade Tree Commission Ordinance and Liberty Market parking lot lease until February. The Mayor noted an upcoming presentation regarding the NVF property remediation with the EPA and PADEP. Updates were provided on the sale of the condo building involving the Hub for Arts & Culture and Kennett Area Community Services (KACS). Action items addressed the Historic Architecture Review Board (HARB), resulting in the unanimous approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for 115 N. Broad Street. For 214 Center Street, a Certificate of Appropriateness was unanimously approved with conditions relating to porch modifications and shed removal, followed by the unanimous approval of a $1,200 fine ($600 for each violation) for unauthorized work done prior to approval. The Council also tabled action on a waiver request concerning the five-mile radius requirement for the property manager at 214 Center Street, referring the broader issue to the Planning Commission due to non-enforcement history and feasibility concerns. Administrative resolutions included the unanimous approval of Resolution 2026-01 for appointments of administrative officers, Resolution 2026-02 designating emergency services providers, and the unanimous approval to table Resolution 2026-03 concerning professional services fees, except for Siana Law and Zoning Hearing Board Attorney rates. Council unanimously approved advertising the draft ordinance for the former NVF property to allow for multifamily use as a conditional use, acknowledging community concerns regarding street connectivity and the requirement for affordable housing units. The Borough Manager's contract was unanimously approved with a 3% salary increase. Resignations from the Finance Committee, Shade Tree Commission, and Councilmember Hamilton were accepted. Finally, the payment of bills totaling $1,101,959.56 was approved, as was the draft Council meeting minutes from December 8, 2025.

The meeting covered Old Business, noting that plans for an HRC Unity Event are on hold and that the HRC maintained a presence at the rescheduled Juneteenth Event, making community connections. In New Business, the commission discussed ongoing recruitment efforts as several members' terms conclude in January 2026. Responsibilities for community engagement were shared, with commitments made to attend the Bridging the Community meetings and the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Festival. Other outreach ideas included recording short informational videos for a local Facebook page and proceeding with an interview by a local paper writer to publicize the HRC's mission.

The meeting agenda was approved unanimously. Reports covered the addition of new members to the Comprehensive Plan Committee and ongoing work regarding shade trees. The police department highlighted two successful November events. The Finance Committee reported a projected deficit in the 2025 water fund due to leaks, with hopes of mitigation from fourth-quarter user fees. Key action items included the ceremonial naming of Birch Street as "Bontrager Walk," which passed despite some public comment regarding selection criteria. Council also unanimously approved the 600 S. Broad Street Master Condo Agreement and Sub Condo Agreement, structured to allow equity investment and reduce Borough liabilities, and subsequently accepted the bids from Kennett Area Community Services (KACS) for the main building, Kennett Coatesville Theater Venues LLC for the Annex, and The Hub for Arts and Culture for the Carriage House. The Council extended the well monitoring agreement with Lennar until the end of 2027, adopted the 2026 budget and associated tax rate ordinance, and approved the 2026 Council meeting schedule. The resignation of Andy Froning from the Planning Commission and HARB was accepted, and the 2026 slate of events for Kennett Collaborative was approved.

Key discussions during the meeting focused on two main items: a review of unpermitted demolition at 214 Center Street and a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) request for porch alterations at the same property. Regarding the demolition, the Board expressed concern about establishing a precedent for work done without prior approval and decided to forward a recommendation to Borough Council requesting appropriate administrative action. For the porch alterations, which included replacing original turned posts with square posts and altering trelliswork, the Board recommended conditional Council approval contingent upon replacing the posts with historically appropriate turned posts, restoring the trelliswork, removing an added center post unless structurally required, and providing proof of compliance within approximately 90 days.