Naturalizing stormwater basins focus of lecture

The Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association, in conjunction with East Goshen Township, Habitat Resource Network and other municipalities, is presenting a lecture next month on naturalizing stormwater basins. Many townships and private property owners have stormwater basins on their property, but aren't aware that making modest changes such as adding native species can improve the look and function of the basins. Homeowners, property managers and parks managers can benefit from the lecture Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. at Penn State Brandywine in Middletown Township. The free lecture is presented by Mark Gallagher, vice president of Princeton Hydro, a company that specializes in ecological and engineering consulting services. The presentation will provide examples of landscaping with native plants and the redesign of existing basins which improve the basin's ability to infiltrate more stormwater and reduce maintenance costs. Gallagher will explain the state's new stormwater regulations for municipalities. The lecture will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Tomezsko building auditorium of Penn State Brandywine, 25 Yearsley Mill Road in Media. Space is limited. Reservations are recommended. Contact Chester-Ridly-Crum at crc@nni.com or call 610-892-8731.More information is available at www.crcwatersheds.org or www.habitatresourcenetwork.org.

OJR eyes possible $1.6 million budget shortfall

The Owen J. Roberts School Board is looking for ways to avoid a potential budget shortfall for the next school year. The 2010-11 budget won't be approved until June, but the school board got a first look at the preliminary financial plan at a workshop Monday night. It's likely that the budget will undergo a number of revisions between now and June. Business Manager Jaclin Krumrine warned the board that the preliminary budget shows the potential for a $1.6 million shortfall, even if the board levies the 2.9 percent real estate tax hike allowable under Pennsylvania's Act 1 taxing index. The board must decide this month whether to apply for two special exceptions that would allow for a greater tax increase. Krumrine recommended applying for those exceptions now, even though future cuts to the preliminary budget could render the exceptions unnecessary.

Source: Daily Local; 1/18/10

Coatesville official: Chetty deal meeting 'suspicious'

Coatesville City Council authorized its solicitor to review a special meeting regarding the city's sales agreement with development company Chetty Builders. Councilman Karl Marking suggested tasking newly appointed City Solicitor John Carnes to "review the legitimacy of the manner in which the meeting was called and executed" to ensure the Dec. 23, 2009, special council session was "in accordance with the Sunshine Law and the city charter." Council unanimously approved. The special meeting in question began at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall and lasted about five minutes. During that meeting, City Council, including some members no longer on the council, approved a sales agreement with Chetty Builders for an 84-townhouse community on a northern, 10-acre section of The Flats. The sale agreement and addendum were passed on a 4-0 vote, with former Council President Martin Eggleston and former Councilwoman Robin Scott absent. The agreement states that Chetty Builders plans to pay the city about $1.6 million for the land. But the actual purchase price will be paid to the city in installments at the closing of each townhouse in the proposed residential subdivision. The townhouses will range in price from $159,000 to $199,000.

Source: Daily Local; 1/20/10

Budget cuts under review by West Chester Area School Board

The West Chester Area School Board has begun to consider the budget cuts that the school district's community budget task force developed late last year. On Monday night, the school board's education committee and pupil services committee, both of which are made up of school board members, talked over some of the cuts. Among the cuts they looked at were reducing the number of high school counselors available during the summer; ceasing to offer free SAT prep courses; and starting vocational education in 10th grade rather than ninth grade. Neither panel committed to any particular budget cut. Discussions are likely to continue over the next few months, and cuts are likely to be finalized by mid-spring, officials say.

Source: Daily Local; 1/20/10

Great Valley School Board votes to limit tax increase

A split Great Valley School Board voted 6-2 Tuesday to keep any increase in taxes for the 2010-2011 school year within the state's Act 1 index of 2.9 percent. The district is facing a $3.2 million shortfall in revenue for the 2010-2011 school year's projected $78.8 million budget. If the board voted to apply for the special exceptions, it would have to approve a preliminary budget by Feb. 16. Since the board voted to keep the budget within the Act 1 index, the preliminary budget doesn't have to be approved until April. The full board will continue discussing the budget at the finance committee meeting Feb. 1, which will be open to the public.

Source: Daily Local; 1/21/10

Taxes rising in West Pikeland

The West Pikeland Board of Supervisors increased taxes for the second time in the last two months, but now must decide exactly how to use the money that is already earmarked. The millage rate in West Pikeland was 0.125 mills in 2009, but in November the board voted to increase the rate to 0.2 mills in order to help balance the budget. On Tuesday, the board reopened the budget and hiked the tax rate up to 0.5 mills on a 4-1 vote, but stipulated that the additional funds generated from the most recent increase be used for infrastructure within the township. Most residents in the audience at Tuesday's meeting threw their support behind the hike, but were concerned over the earmarking of funds for infrastructure purposes. The main cause for the board's move to produce more revenue was that a survey was done by engineering firm McCormick Taylor on the township roads. The survey recommended a 10-year repair plan that would ultimately cost $6.5 million.

Source: Daily Local; 1/21/10

Chamber of Commerce hosts transportation forum

A transportation forum organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Greater West Chester provided an overview of the changes and improvements that will affect the way West Chester travels, as well as the borough's economy. In a recent survey, the Transportation Management Association of Chester County reported that 86 percent of people said that the lack of regional transportation, specifically to and from Philadelphia, impairs West Chester economically. A widely shared concern among the panel involved the lack of available funds to conduct certain projects or to complete them as desired.  Reconstruction plans for Route 202 Section 300 (North Valley Road to the Route 30 Bypass) will include widening, providing an additional lane on each side of the highway. But PennDOT does not expect to begin the $115 million construction project until early spring in 2011. In addition to the highway reconstruction, SEPTA’s regional railroad system will receive upgrades in March, when it will introduce three new trains to replace transit vehicles that have been operating for close to 50 years.

Source: Daily Local; 1/13/10

West Pikeland to reopen budget

The West Pikeland Board of Supervisors voted on Monday to reopen the township's budget in order to increase taxes once again. The board increased taxes for the first time in approximately 30 years when it moved the millage from 0.125 up to 0.2 mills. But the plan now is to move the tax rate up to 0.5 mills, quadrupling the 2009 tax rate. Residents currently pay between $30 and $40 per year in property taxes in West Pikeland on average. Now they will pay between $120 and $160. The township will hold a public hearing concerning the proposed tax increase on Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. The supervisors' desire to increase the township's working capital stems from a report done in 2009 by an engineering firm, McCormick Taylor Inc. The report said that the township needed to undertake road repairs and maintenance over the course of the next decade that would cost a total of $6.5 million. Given the report, the township's financial review committee recommended that the board increase taxes up to 0.5 mills.

Source: Daily Local; 1/7/10

It's not all Transco wanted, but bigger pipeline delivers more natural gas

Transco's new and wider pipeline, which crosses five Chester County townships to bring natural gas to the Northeast, is delivering an extra 100 million cubic feet of gas a day. The additional volume is due to the recent expansion of its pipe in the county from 30 to 42 inches in diameter. The pipe expansion was completed after a plan to add a fourth pipe drew complaints from property owners and others. The controversial project took three years to complete, and one 2,000-foot-long section of the pipeline, which runs under East Brandywine Creek, remains 30 inches in diameter. As a consequence, the pipeline in this area is less efficient, according to a spokesman for Transco's parent company, Williams, a major natural gas producer. Williams wanted homeowners who have these pipes in a 100-foot right of way on their land to grant the company an additional 20 to 50 feet of right of way to put in a fourth pipe. The protests of many homeowners reached local, state and federal lawmakers, and Williams later decided to abandon plans for a fourth pipe and instead take one of the three existing pipes and increase its diameter. More conflicts with the homeowners forced Williams to pursue eminent domain proceedings against 36 of the 175 landowners affected by the pipeline project. While the project is done and more natural gas is flowing to Northeast customers, some local residents still wonder if it's not just a matter of time before Williams is back to replace that last section of pipe.

Source: Daily Local; 1/12/10

County, federal authorities conduct forensic audit in Coatesville

Coatesville City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday night inviting federal and county authorities to conduct a forensic audit of the city's finance and realty transactions. The resolution states:"Chester County Detectives, in conjunction with the FBI, will immediately conduct a forensic audit of the city's finance and real estate transactions for the purpose of determining evidence of obstruction of justice, misdirection of funds, willful negligence and actions of criminal intent by the city's administration and/or council." Recently, authorities reportedly raided the office of Harry Walker, the city manager placed on administrative leave earlier this month. Council hired John Carnes last week after removing Andrew Lehr from the city solicitor's position. Assistant City Manager Kirby Hudson is acting as the interim city manager.

Source: Daily Local; 1/12/09

Deadline looms for West Bradford Streetscapes work

West Bradford Township has selected a design consultant for the Marshallton Streetscapes project, but questions still remain regarding whether the necessary paperwork to qualify for $2 million in federal stimulus funds can be completed by deadline. Township officials and the township's new design consultant met with officials from the state Department of Transportation and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission on Friday to go over a schedule for the many reviews and reports that have to be submitted. Known as the Marshallton Gateway Project, the plan is to add brick sidewalks, curbing, crosswalks, improve stormwater drainage, repave Strasburg Road and add welcoming gateways at both ends of the village. The township has been working on this project for five years and has spent $80,000 in engineering costs.

Source: Daily Local; 1/13/09

Valley officials approve budget with real estate tax hike

Valley Township supervisors recently approved the 2010 budget which includes a real estate tax hike — the first increase in more than 20 years. The Board of Supervisors approved the 2010 budget at $2.9 million on Dec. 28. This reflects a 13 percent increase over the 2009 budget. The tax rate was raised to 1.5 mills, with one mill equal to $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value. An average taxpayer with a home assessed at $110,005 would therefore generate a municipal tax bill of $165 — an increase of $68 over the prior year. Township officials said the increase in taxes was necessary due to a decline in construction permits and realty transfer tax revenue.

Source: Daily Local; 1/10/09

Phoenixville receives $250,000 grant for downtown streetscape

Congressman Jim Gerlach contacted Main Street Manager Barry Cassidy on Dec. 15 to confirm that $250,000 was secured for additional funding toward Phoenixville's downtown streetscape project. The federal grant will be used to do work on the development of the Barto property. Since the Barto property currently does not have on-street parking, the grant will go toward widening the street and adding another lane. When completed, the property will include 38,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, 448 residential units, and structured, shared parking in two 13-story mix-used towers.

Source: Daily Local; 1/1/10

Forum examines Phoenixville Borough's economic future

Lisa Longo, owner of Earth Mart on Bridge Street in Phoenixville, hosted the Phoenixville forum on Dec. 21.Longo began the informal meeting of state, regional and local government representatives, as well as borough residents and merchants, by defining economic development. She said economic development,  job creation and a reduction in crime can only occur when three key elements are in place, including: education, infrastructure and incentives. Among the concerns brought up at the meeting was poor communication among various organizations in the borough, including the Phoenixville Economic Development Corporation, Phoenixville Area Business Association, the Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Community Development Corp. and Borough Council.

Source: Daily Local; 1/2/10

Brandywine Valley Y backing $30 million development plan

Brandywine Valley YMCA officials will support the Kennett Area branch's participation in the $30 million Kennett Square Community Development Plan. Only the Barnard Taylor Library stands in the way of a collaborative effort that planners say will increase commerce in Kennett Square and expand community and recreational services to area residents.  The plan calls for the Kennett Area YMCA, Bayard Taylor Memorial Library, Anson B. Nixon Park and the Borough of Kennett Square to form a partnership that will: build a parking garage at the corner of Race and State Streets; expand the Kennett Area YMCA; keep the library in the borough in a new state-of-the-art facility; and restore historic buildings in the park. The project also includes various road and walkway improvements. Every municipality that surrounds Kennett Square has publicly announced support for the plan. When completed, the revitalization project would bring an additional 75 to 100 new employees to Kennett Square. About 1,000 workers would be employed through construction projects over 10 years.

Source: Daily Local; 1/4/09

Downingtown Borough's staffing, taxes under review

Downingtown Borough officials unanimously approved a 2010 budget Wednesday night but will likely revisit the budget this month after council reorganizes. Because the borough has new elected officials waiting to be seated, Councilwoman-elect Ann Feldman and Mayor-elect Josh Maxwell, council may reopen budget discussions and make changes.  The budget approved by council Wednesday increased taxes by 0.6 mills, from 6.1 to 6.7 mills. The average homeowner in Downingtown will now pay about $670 per year, compared to $610 in 2009.

Source: Daily Local; 1/5/09

Coatesville City Council places manager on leave

Coatesville City Council placed City Manager Harry Walker on administrative leave and removed Andrew Lehr as city solicitor at Monday afternoon's annual reorganization. These decisions came after the swearing-in of four newly elected Democratic council members: Jarrell Brazzle, Joseph Hamrick, Ingrid Jones and Karl Marking. Shortly after the vote was taken to remove Lehr, Marking made a motion to appoint attorney John Carnes as solicitor. Carnes is a solicitor in Parkesburg and West Nottingham and was Coatesville's solicitor for eight years during the Paul Janssen Jr. and E. Jean Krack administrations. Council unanimously appointed Assistant City Manager Kirby Hudson as interim city manager.

Source: Daily Local; 1/5/10

Easttown board approves budget with 12 percent tax hike

Easttown Township’s Board of Supervisors approved a $12.8 million 2010 budget that carries a 12 percent real-estate tax increase. The budget brings the current 3.361 millage to 3.769 mills, or about $3.77 per thousand dollars of a property’s assessed value. The budget also includes a newly adopted Local Services Tax (LST), a $52 flat tax levied on all who work in the township.

Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 12/23/09

Developer is picked for Paoli Master Plan

Development of the Paoli rail yards, 20 acres in Tredyffrin and Willistown Townships, has been a part of the Paoli Master Plan since it was adopted by both townships in 2001. The proposed vision of the Paoli Master Plan, which has a timeline spanning 20 years, involves building a new Paoli Transportation Center (PTC) about 800 feet west of the existing train station. The PTC is planned to include a modern train station and accommodate hundreds of daily riders and a state-of-the-art garage, and it will be housed within a mixed-use development consisting of both retail shops and residential areas. Discussion of this development has been in the works for about 15 years, and now Strategic Realty Investments has been selected as the master developer. For more information on development plans for Paoli, visit www.tredyffrin.org.

Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 12/23/09