Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 154, No. 46
INSIDE
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
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Oxford rejects bid on former borough hall A new Request For Proposal to be issued By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
Kennett Square Life
Oxford Borough Council rejected the only bid— at $220,000—that was received for the former Borough Hall and train station at 401 Market Street. Borough solicitor Stacey Fuller explained that under state law Council had 60 days to approve or reject the bid. Borough Council’s decision came just a few weeks after the bid was received. Council member Dick Winchester supported accepting the bid from Jeff Hamm, a local business owner. Winchester said,
“We have to continue to pay for maintenance and utility bills on this. The bidder is a well-known business person. I feel comfortable with him.” Council President Peggy Ann Russell reminded Council of the former Borough Manager’s email from July 16, 2020 which read: “Selling the building below market value would be a disservice to the taxpayers in the Borough. The building is essentially owned by the taxpayers and should be sold for whatever the highest bidder or for the highest price that Photo by Steven Hoffman we can get for it. Several Oxford Borough has rejected an initial bid that was received on the former borough reasons for doing this are Continued on Page 2A
administration building on Market Street. A new Request For Proposal is being issued.
Contracts with West Grove Fire Company; does not renew with Avondale Fire Department Black Friday Shopping Guide
London Grove chooses single-service fire and EMS for 2021
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer After assessing separate financial proposals from two local fire and EMS departments for providing services to London Grove Township in 2021, the township’s Board of Supervisors voted in favor last week of establishing a single-service contract with the West Herr’s Christmas lights Grove Fire Company for display opens...1B next year. In the process, the township has chosen not to renew its contract with the Avondale Fire Department for 2021. As a result of the
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board’s decision, the township will save about $75,000 next year. The decision to choose a single source contract for its emergency services next year stemmed from the need for the township to explore cost-cutting measures during COVID-19, which has led to the layoffs and furloughs of many township residents and has consequently affected the township’s Earned Income Tax revenue – to the tune of a deficit between $400,000 and $500,000. Township Manager Ken Battin said that moving to a
single-service fire and EMS provider in 2021 is not only going to help make up that gap, but serve as the latest effort by the township to consolidate one of its key services. He pointed to two other recent examples: Taking over the management of the Inniscrone Golf Club, and assuming management of the Municipal Authority in 2021. “The next big ticket item on our list was emergency services,” Battin said. “One of the things we’ve been doing in the township over the last several years has been to consider methods
of doing government better. How can we make what we do more cost effective and better for our community?” While London Grove Township’s decision places full reliance on the West Grove Fire Company next year, it is a bottom-line blow to the Avondale Fire Company, which is projected to lose about $300,000 in revenue that used to come from the township in the form contributions to fire and EMS, its Relief Association and fund drive, and additional events held throughout the year. “Our initial reaction was
one of disappointment,” said Brandon Michaels, president and fire police captain at the Avondale Fire Company. “The Avondale Fire Company and its EMS division has served the residents and businesses of London Grove Township for many years, and will no longer be able to provide our services to those who are just a short distance from the fire house.” As municipalities continue to streamline services in an effort to tighten their financial belts, London Grove’s decision to consolidate its Continued on Page 4A
Kennett Township holding line on real estate taxes for 2021 By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer By a 3-0 vote at their Nov. 18 online meeting, the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors adopted the township’s 2021 preliminary budget, one that does not propose a real estate tax increase for residents. It does, however, propose the introduction of a local services tax at a rate of $52 a year and levied on those residents who are employed in the township. Presented by township Manager Eden Ratliff and Finance and Human Resources Director Amy
Heinrich, the township’s preliminary budget for next year features a projected $6.1 million in revenue, $5.6 million in operating expenses and $500,000 in transfers to capital. It also includes funding for infrastructure improvements in the township; contributions to the regional Fire and EMS Commission; and a contribution to the Kennett Library Capital Campaign. Next year’s budget will also include $38,000 that will be targeted to local non-profit organizations, many of whom are providing front line support during COVID-19.
The two-hour meeting that laid out the proposed budget for next year was attended by more than 80 residents. It was the most recent in a series of budget hearings the board has held that began on Sept. 16, that have provided residents with a line-by-line glimpse at what next year’s budget will look like from a revenue and expenditures standpoint. At each of these meetings – including one held on Nov. 11 – the township has heard a familiar refrain from its residents: In a year that has been severely impacted by a deadly virus, now is not the time to increase taxes in Kennett Township.
“After the last public budget hearing many of our citizens urged the supervisors to delay a tax increase as many community members continue to navigate the impacts of COVID-19,” said Vice Chair Whitney Hoffman. “While costs continue to increase along with demands for government services, we pushed and cut as much as we could to balance this budget without an additional burden on the taxpayers.”
that advised the township to conserve where it can, its police department will hire one full-time officer by Jan. 1, 2021 – but delay hiring a second officer until May 1. The township will also stand pat on the hiring of a new planner in its planning department until June 1, 2021. The good news for the township will be that the alleged embezzlement of $3.2 million by former township manager Lisa Moore will not be factored Delay on new hirings into the 2021 budget. About $1 million of the total has In response to public input already been recovered and at earlier budget meetings Continued on Page 4A
Neskie appointed as new junior supervisor in East Nottingham Township By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Lauren Neskie has been appointed to serve as a junior supervisor for East Nottingham Township. She will serve in this role until August of 2021. District Judge Scott Massey officially swore in Neskie at the Nov. 10 meeting of the East Nottingham Township Board of Supervisors. “I’m very honored to be selected,” Neskie said. “I just want to help the commuPhoto by Steven Hoffman nity in any way that I can.” As a non-voting junior District Judge Scott Massey officially swore in Lauren Neskie at the Nov. 10 meeting of the East Nottingham Township Board of Supervisors. supervisor, Neskie will
attend public township meetings that the supervisors are involved in. She can participate in discussions and will make regular reports to township officials about current events and concerns, especially as they relate to young people. Neskie can also share information about any township activities that are of interest to her peers. In her first meeting as a junior supervisor, she talked about how students are navigating their way through a school year that has been greatly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Continued on Page 2A