Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public asks board to host borough meetings; board cites security, policy and cost and declines permanent hosting
Summary
A public commenter read a borough memo proposing municipal meetings in school facilities; the Board of Education said permanent hosting is not feasible because of security, financial and operational concerns but that short-term accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis.
During the visitors portion of the meeting a citizen read a memo posted on the borough website that said, in part, that "the Board of Education has indicated that it's not interested in hosting borough's regular meetings." The commenter asked whether the board would reconsider hosting council and planning-board meetings in school facilities.
A board representative responded that the district's position is not to offer the school as a permanent option for municipal meetings because of security, financial and operational considerations, and the potential for confusing the distinct responsibilities of the school and municipal governments. The board representative said the district would consider accommodations on an as-needed basis for extenuating circumstances but declined the idea of permanently hosting multiple municipal bodies.
Board members discussed alternatives raised by the public, including the borough library and Curtis House as viable venues. The representative emphasized optics and safety as important factors in the district’s decision and offered to provide the commenter with the district’s statement clarifying its stance.
