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Residents press council on ward-structure review as Planning Commission readies Comprehensive Plan survey
Summary
Residents urged care and public outreach around a proposed ward-structure review and a resident suggested using the upcoming Comprehensive Plan survey to gather feedback; the Planning Commission outlined a public survey and town-hall process while the council agreed to continue ward-structure discussion at a Work Session.
Several residents at the June 9 meeting urged Beaver Borough Council to move cautiously on a possible change to the borough’s ward structure and to educate the public before any decision.
Jason Foster of Ward 2 told council he supports considering at-large council elections, saying an at-large system could allow voters to "elect the best-qualified candidates borough-wide rather than by ward." Several other residents — including Loretta Fairley and Allison Hartley — urged robust public outreach and suggested incorporating ward-structure questions into the Comprehensive Plan survey.
The Planning Commission, represented at the meeting by Carey McDougall and Dan Martone, described the Comprehensive Plan survey as a primary tool to gather input from residents and business owners; the survey will be followed by a public town hall and the commission is working with consultant Pashek+MTR on the process. Mark Peluso summarized proposed revisions to the Borough’s signage ordinance, including updates to sign regulations, exemptions, application requirements, illumination standards, rules for nonconforming signs, and prohibited signage.
Council discussion, led in part by Councilmember Jarrod Thomas, focused on options to seek additional public feedback — adding wording to the Comprehensive Plan survey, newsletter outreach, and the possibility of a voter referendum. Council agreed to continue the ward-structure review at a future Work Session rather than take immediate action.
During public comment, resident Kelly Geehan asked about alley pothole maintenance; Borough Manager/Chief Dan Madgar said the borough inspects reported alley issues and addresses maintenance when notified, and that discussions about long-term alley improvements should continue. Resident Kathie Landsberger presented information on installing a "Wind Phone" in the borough as a grief support resource; council heard the concept as a community-minded suggestion.
The meeting record does not show a formal vote on ward structure; the topic will return for further discussion at a Work Session and through the Comprehensive Plan public-engagement process.
