The Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors focused primarily on historic preservation during a 40-minute meeting on Monday, Sept. 26.
As usual, the supervisors provided updates on the Barnard House, an early 1800s building that has generated controversy off and on since its purchase from the county for $1 in 2008. Most recently, emphasis has been on the installation of a security system so that the Kennett Underground Railroad Center (KURC) can occupy part of the former Underground Railroad stop, pursuant to a 2014 lease agreement.
After multiple delays, the supervisors announced that the system is operational. Supervisors’ Chairwoman Ricki Stumpo said a meeting would need to be set up with KURC. “We need to discuss payment before we hand over keys,” she said, referencing the $30,000 the organization agreed to pay toward renovation costs.
Supervisor Elaine DiMonte said she was pleased to announce that the Chester County Commissioners, who imposed restrictions on the building’s use when it was sold, have agreed to meet with the supervisors next month at the Barnard House. She said the meeting would also include Sen. Tom Killion, R-9, and Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160.
The Barnard House was originally envisioned as the home of the KURC as well as the township’s offices. However, the supervisors backed off the latter option after renovation costs escalated and three reports suggested the building’s layout was not suitable for municipal offices.
In response to criticism of those reports at the Aug. 15 supervisors’ meeting by Lauressa McNemar, a former member of the Barnard House Steering Committee, DiMonte said she wanted to get a feasibility study done. She noted that although the previous analyses included information on the Barnard House, they were not commissioned specifically for that purpose.
“No official feasibility study has been done on the building,” DiMonte said, adding that she believes additional information would be helpful in determining the building's future.
With Supervisor Alice Balsama out of town, DiMonte and Stumpo voted to prepare a request-for-proposal for a feasibility study.
The other preservation project involved the Locust Grove Schoolhouse. Sarah and Randy Mims, members of the township’s Historical Committee, said they were pleased to report that the committee made $820 at Founders Day on Sunday, Sept. 25, through a variety of sales and silent auction items.
“Our plan is to start the floors later this year,” Randy Mims said. He explained that the committee has the funds for the materials, and the labor would be done by volunteers. He said the floors should be ready for finishing in April or May.
Sarah Mims said Chester County would like to include the schoolhouse when it continues its Town Tours and Village Walks, a series of free guided strolls through historic neighborhoods, hamlets, and sites, next summer. “Our goal is to have everything done by June,” Sarah Mims said.
The couple reminded everyone present that the Historical Committee is hosting an Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 1. The all-you-can-eat event, which will benefit the schoolhouse restoration, will feature pancakes, sausage and beverages from 8 to 10 a.m. at the restaurant at 815 Baltimore Pike in Kennett Square. The cost will be $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at the township building or at the door.
In other business, the supervisors voted to approve the purchase of a $4,000 snowplow and heard a report from Brittany Hackman from McCormick Taylor, the township’s engineer, regarding a plan by Aqua America to flush a fire hydrant in the Red Bridge subdivision.
Hackman said the procedure, which is done periodically to remove impurities, is typically done manually over several weeks; however, the water company is testing a new automatic system. She said about 30,000 gallons a night would be released into the Pocopson Creek. She said the state Department of Environmental Protection had signed off on the plan because the water would be de-chlorinated.
At the supervisors’ request, Hackman said she would send a letter to Aqua America outlining the supervisors’ concerns that the new procedure receive careful monitoring and that the supervisors get updates. The board also authorized Township Secretary Susan Simone to notify the homeowners’ association.
“Notice to homeowners is a priority for me,” said DiMonte.
The supervisors also extended thanks to those responsible for a crowd-pleasing Founders Day.
“We had a fabulous Founders Day,” said Stumpo. “Colleen McKinney really did a yeoman’s job.”
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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