Phoenixville Council elects Jonathan Ewald president, reappoints officers and sets committees at 2026 reorganization

Phoenixville Borough Council held its 2026 reorganization meeting on the evening it swore in several newly elected councilmembers, elected Jonathan Ewald as council president and named Beth Berkeley vice president, approved a slate of administrative reappointments through 2028 and assigned committee chairs and liaisons.

The presiding official opened the meeting, led the Pledge of Allegiance and invited James C. Kowalewski, magisterial district justice, to administer oaths of office. New and returning members sworn in included Peter J. Erschler; Dana Dugan (West Ward); Coretta McGee (North Ward); Tanya (recorded during the oath as 'Tanya Bogle') representing the East Ward; and Beth Berkeley (Bridal Ward). The meeting was called to order at 6:18 p.m.; a roll call later established a quorum with seven of eight voting members present.

During nominations for council leadership, Councilmember Dana Dugan nominated Jonathan Ewald for president; the nomination was seconded and carried by voice vote, electing Ewald president. The council then nominated and elected Beth Berkeley as vice president after she accepted the nomination.

The council moved through routine administrative reappointments by voice votes: Jean Crack was reappointed secretary through 2028 (motion carried 7–0); Brian Moore was nominated and reappointed assistant secretary through 2028 (7–0); Monica Kozelubinski was reappointed treasurer through 2028 (7–0); and Peggy Namchek was reappointed assistant treasurer through 2028 (7–0).

Council members adopted committee assignments for the new council term. Highlights included: Personnel/Public Safety chaired by Beth Berkeley (members Strenfell and McGee); Parks & Recreation chaired by Brian Moore (members McGee, Dugan, Weiss); Finance chaired by Dana Dugan (members Berkeley, presiding official, Vogel); Infrastructure/Technology/Transportation/Sustainability chaired by Weiss (members McGee, Strenfell, Moore); and Policy chaired by Tanya with Ewald, Strenfell and Berkeley as members. The council also designated nonvoting liaisons and regional representatives, including Dugan as the recreation board nonvoting member and Moore as planning commission liaison.

The council approved an appointment of Richard Mark Kirkland as vacancy board chairperson with a term expiring Dec. 31, 2026; that motion carried 7–0. The presiding official solicited public comment and recorded none. The council noted refreshments at a nearby bistro and confirmed a full council meeting scheduled for the following Tuesday.

The presiding official framed the evening as a call to public service: "The offices we hold tonight do not belong to any of us. They belong to Phoenixville and her people," emphasizing stewardship, volunteerism and community history. The meeting concluded after the routine votes and announcements; no contentious debates or formal policy actions were recorded at this session.