Chadds Ford Township supervisors now have a preliminary budget to consider, and the township has a new noise ordinance on the books.
The preliminary budget for 2016, as presented by township Manager Amanda Serock, projects general fund revenue and expenses at slightly more than $1.2 million. According to Serock, the $1.2 million figure represents a 17 percent decrease in spending from last year.
In addition to the general fund, there are six other governmental funds that would bring total spending to $1.7 million. Those other funds include capital improvement, infrastructure, liquid fuels, open space, fee-in-lieu and storm water operation & maintenance fund. However, there is no tax increase anticipated.
Township millage rates are expected to remain the same as they are this year. The total township millage, which includes funding for the general government, Rachel Kohl Library, fire hydrant service and open space comes to 0.882 mills, 0.787 mills for those living in areas without hydrants. A mill is a tax of $1 for every $1,000 worth of property assessment.
Serock said Chadds Ford has the fourth lowest property taxes in the county. But while the township taxes are low, Delaware County and the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District add much more to the total tax bill.
The school district this year added 22.89 mills and the county another 5.604 mills, bringing the total tax liability for Chadds Ford Township property owners to 29.281 mills.
Putting that into perspective, Serock’s figures show taxes on a home assessed at $290,000 to be $8,491, with $6,638 going to the school district, $1,625 to the county and $228 for the township.
Serock’s presentation included a pie chart showing that 65 percent of township taxes go toward general government, 21 percent for roads and highways, 11 percent for public safety and 3 percent for culture and recreation.
Supervisors approved the preliminary budget for advertising during their Nov. 4 meeting, but will have another public discussion at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 in the township building. A vote on the final budget will be in December.
Other business
• The board also voted to adopt a new noise ordinance. A previous noise law, enacted in December of 2005, was never officially codified and became unenforceable.
The new ordinance sets decibel level limits at property lines. Its intent, according to Supervisors’ Chairman Frank Murphy, was to protect residents from construction noises too early in the morning, late at night or during weekend evenings.
There was some pushback, however. During the hearing, which preceded the regular supervisors’ meeting, Bob Banks, an associate pastor at Calvary Chapel, said the ordinance seemed to be directed at the church because it prevented full expression of Calvary’s Sunday worship activities.
Banks said it could be considered a violation of the First Amendment.
Several residents, some of whom attend Calvary Chapel, said they were concerned that the noise and time restrictions would interfere with routine family activities and parties.
During the regular meeting, Murphy and Supervisor Samantha Reiner said they thought the ordinance was ready for adoption, but Supervisor George Thorpe wanted further discussion.
“My fear is that it will be difficult to change,” Thorpe said.
Murphy said that concerns about enforcement and how the ordinance might affect families needed to be considered, but that it was important to get the ordinance passed now since construction noises go on year round, while outdoor family activities have pretty much stopped now that winter is approaching. He added that the residential aspect of the ordinance would be looked at and amending it would be considered.
The vote was 2-1 in favor of adopting the ordinance. Thorpe cast the “no” vote.
• The board also voted to accept for dedication the Chadds Ford portion of Applied Bank Boulevard, the new segment of the loop road between Routes 1 and 202 that was built as part of the Wegmans development.
As part of the agreement, Concord Township will be responsible for salting and plowing the roadway, even on the Chadds Ford side, but that both townships would pay for future paving when needed.
Also as part of the agreement, the developer has put up an 18-month maintenance bond to guarantee the road for that length of time.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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