North Wales Swears-in First-Ever Junior Councilperson

Dan Sokil | The Reporter•

North Wales junior councilperson Braeden Bussman, left, receives his oath from council President Sal Amato on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.

The newest member of North Wales borough council took his oath Tuesday night, to kick off a term that will be unlike any other.

For one, he’ll have a slightly different title than the rest: Junior Councilperson, the town’s first-ever such member.

"We have never had someone to represent the younger folk in our community, and we’re very much looking forward to what your insights may bring,” said council President Sal Amato.

Council first discussed the idea of a junior council member program in early 2022, and in recent months had discussed and then adopted the rules set forth by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs for doing so.

Under those rules, Amato said Tuesday, the junior councilperson vows to attend monthly council meetings, observe all meeting rules, and "actively participate in borough business,” but won’t have a vote on any issue, and cannot attend executive sessions to discuss real estate, litigation, personnel or other confidential issues.

"It’s providing youth in the community with the opportunity to engage in borough government, and develop leadership skills. It also allows us to serve as mentors,” he said, so current council members can educate and train a next generation.

After Amato summarized the program, Braeden Bussman took to council’s public comment podium to introduce himself: he’s currently a sophomore at Lansdale Catholic High School, where he’s involved in student government, and has lived in North Wales for the past five years, calling it "one of the best experiences of my life.”

"Every day, when I go for a run after school, I always meet someone new. Always greeting me with a smiling face around the borough, ever since I moved here, and I’m so happy to be living here,” he said.

At LC he’s on the school’s soccer team, and he also plays volleyball and basketball, and other interests of his include playing drums, guitar and piano: "I may not be the best at all of them, but I do enjoy playing them,” he said.

Amato then read the formal resolution from council appointing Bussman to the term for the 2023-24 schoolyear, which would end in June, "with potential discussions later on” about reappointment. Council then voted unanimously to approve that motion, and Amato then administered the oath, and Bussman’s parents took photos as he vowed to serve in the position.

As Bussman took a seat next to borough public works supervisor Ben Raybold, the council president shared some words of encouragement.

"We’re just residents, and we’re just neighbors. It’s not something special up here: we are the people that live next door to you, and we’re only concerned about the welfare of our borough, and making sure everyone is safe, and has a good future,” he said.

"This is the first time you’ve sat around the table. All of us have had that time, when we first sat around this table. Don’t be nervous about it: we’ve all had to learn, and we’ve all had experiences. You’re welcome to make mistakes. There’s no judgement around this table, you’re welcome to ask questions, you’re welcome to bring up ideas, and you don’t have to do that right away,” he said.

During their comments for the good of council, Bussman received welcomes from several of his now-colleagues. Mayor Neil McDevitt said he had taken part in a similar program when he was that age, and was glad to see a new generation get involved: "You guys are going to be fixing everything we do, and everything past generations have done, so thank you for stepping up.”

Councilman Mark Tarlecki asked if their new member would see the same meeting materials packet as the rest of council, and Assistant Manager Alex Turock said he would, minus any info on executive session items. Councilwoman Sally Neiderhiser added that she was impressed by Bussman and his comments, and said she thought it was "a joy to have you,” and councilwoman Wendy McClure encouraged him to ask questions: "We’ll try to keep you informed, from understanding how our wards work, and who’s in what part of town, and all the neat things that we do here in the borough.”

North Wales borough council next meets at 7 p.m. on March 12 at the borough municipal building, 300 School Street. For more information visit www.NorthWalesBorough.org.

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