A public-comment exchange at Narberth Borough Council’s April 17 meeting raised transparency questions about a councilmember’s outside work while the borough considers a transit-oriented development (TOD) proposal.

Resident John Monroe told council he was troubled by presentations that cited Austin, Texas, as a model for TOD in Narberth and asked whether Councilmember Gaudini had disclosed that he is a registered lobbyist for real-estate developers in Austin. “I thought that detail was important as things move forward,” Monroe said, adding concerns about the scale and different policy context between Austin and small boroughs.

Councilmember Gaudini replied that he is registered as a lobbyist with the City of Austin and that Austin’s rules require such registration for those who engage to shape public policy there. “I only work in Central Texas, City of Austin,” Gaudini said, and later added that he is not a registered lobbyist in Pennsylvania. When asked about conflicts, a council member present noted the borough solicitor saw no conflict.

Context: Monroe’s comments came during public comment about a recent planning commission review of a proposed TOD policy. Council members previously have discussed TOD as a tool to support transit use; speakers at the meeting emphasized caution when comparing Narberth to larger cities and highlighted differences in tenant-protection frameworks.

Action: No formal action was taken on the TOD policy at the April 17 meeting; council continued background work through the planning commission and staff.