Council outlines streamlined committee appointment process and previews pedestrian safety committee

Council President Stephanie McGowan told colleagues Dec. 22 she wants to streamline how residents apply for boards and committees by posting openings online, asking interested residents to email the borough clerk, and routing applications to a council liaison for follow-up and recommendation to the mayor. She said the change is intended to increase transparency and reduce applications for committees with no openings.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the liaison’s role and whether liaisons would conduct phone interviews or other follow-ups; McGowan and colleagues said the liaison would have a conversational screening role to ensure fit before forwarding recommendations to the mayor. Several council members suggested liaisons consult existing committee members to identify useful skills (social media, event planning) when recommending candidates.

Councilman Guzman announced the creation of a pedestrian safety committee to work with the mayor, police chief and council early in 2026; he said more details would follow and that the committee would focus on pedestrian-safety planning and make recommendations to the council.

What happens next: the borough clerk will accept emails of interest, liaisons appointed on Jan. 2 will conduct follow-up conversations, and the council expects to formalize appointments in late January once board and commission priorities are set.