Swarthmore groups seek borough support for events, Main Street push and downtown upkeep

Swarthmore Borough Council heard a series of budget requests from local organizations at its July meeting, with presentations focused on sustaining community events, pursuing a Main Street designation and covering basic outreach and maintenance costs.

Sarah Matthews, director of Swarthmore Town Center, asked the borough to continue its current contribution of $44,360 "this year which is $44,360," saying that amount represents about 40% of STC's annual operating budget and funds core services including a dozen major community events and an award-winning farmers market. Matthews said the farmers market operates 28 weeks a year, serves about 1,000 people weekly and that a recent market survey found "80% of them also shop at other local businesses" while in town.

Matthews also told council that STC recently signed a contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for a $45,000 grant to repair and improve the amphitheater staircase; work is expected to begin early this fall. Separately, she said STC has formalized a stakeholder committee to pursue a Main Street of America designation that could open additional grant opportunities and recommended the borough "consider" setting aside a $20,000 reserve to support technical assistance and planning if the effort advances — a suggestion she emphasized was not part of STC's formal request for this budget year.

Merchants of Swarthmore representatives described grassroots efforts to boost downtown commerce. "We decided to throw this block party called the night market," said Shannon Elliott, owner of Harvey Mercantile and a leader of the merchants group, describing markets, shared marketing campaigns and social media efforts that drew visitors from outside the borough. Elliott and other merchants urged the borough to consider creating or funding a Main Street coordinator or a dedicated economic-development seat and asked that the assistant borough manager be given administrative support to help implement downtown economic initiatives when that position begins work in 2027.

Rob Orstrom, a local business owner, added that community-driven venues and events help bring visitors who then patronize multiple downtown businesses, reinforcing the merchants' appeal for a coordinated point person.

The Human Relations Commission asked for modest, practical items. Andy Rosen said the commission will resubmit a request for a previously discussed $500 rental (the check was retrieved when an event was canceled) and that HRC's 2027 equipment request totals about $412 for a canopy tent, a folding table and a branded table cover to improve outreach at community events.

Andrew Bunting, president of the Swarthmore Horticultural Society, requested that the borough increase its annual support for downtown planters from $2,000 to $3,500. Bunting said the society maintains 23 containers year-round at an estimated total cost of $7,300 and currently covers roughly $4,300 of that expense, contracting out the container maintenance while volunteers handle other town gardening duties.

Susie O'Donnell of the Environmental Advisory Council asked for $900 — the same as the prior year — split into $400 for community outreach materials and $500 for native-plant activities, including plant purchases and identification labels for Umoja Park and a small native-plant exchange known as the "green wagon."

Borough staff told council that the assistant borough manager's job description includes special projects and supporting a Main Street initiative. Staff and councilors said they will route the group requests through the appropriate committees: general government will review most of the proposals at its July meeting, and environment-related requests will be considered by the environment committee in July or August before formal recommendations are made to the full council.

No formal borough funding decisions were made at the meeting; councilors asked groups to submit any formal, itemized requests in writing so committees can review precise dollar amounts and storage/administration plans.