As expected, Chadds Ford Township supervisors named the township’s first township manager during their April 1 meting. Joe Barakat, who had been whispered about as the likely candidate since last August, was appointed.
“ My priority is to be the cohesiveness for the township, to help bring the communications between the committees, the supervisors and the public together. Without a township manager, it’s been very difficult and a big load on the supervisors. I’m hoping I can be the glue that brings it all together,” Barakat said after the meeting.
In announcing the appointment, Supervisors chairman George Thorpe said Barakat had verbally agreed to accept the post, but that nothing would be final until there was a letter of agreement drawn up and signed. Thorpe said that would likely happen Monday, April 6.
Barakat will keep his positions of roadmaster and emergency management coordinator, but will resign from the Planning Commission and from the executive committee of the Chadds Ford Republican Party.
In response to a question from Peter Jesson, chairman of the Democratic Party, George Thorpe said the appointment of Barakat to the $69,900 position was not political.
That annual salary includes the $150 per month he receives as roadmaster.
Supervisor Garry Paul, who echoed Thorpe’s comment about the appointment not being political, said Chadds Ford residents were, “ Very fortunate to have a very good candidate who will serve the township well.” Paul added that Barakat was very cost conscious.
Supervisor Deborah Love D’Elia said she thought there should be no need for Barakat to step down from the executive committee.
Part of the manager’s salary will come from the Sewer Authority because Barakat will also serve that group as well as the supervisors. Supervisors have said for months that the position is one that will save the township money in the long run.
Other business
Supervisors granted approval for Hannum’s Harley Davidson to hold a tent event at the dealership’s Route 1 and Brandywine Drive location for the weekend beginning Friday, April 24. Hannum’s held a similar event during the Valentine’s Day weekend.
• D’Elia mentioned a March meeting with members of the Chadds Ford Business Association in which business owners asked for some relief from the sign ordinance. She is waiting, she said, for association members to get back to the supervisors with their recommendations for a change in the ordinance that would give businesses more flexibility in having temporary signs, especially during the current economic times. (See related story in the Business section.)
• Code Enforcement Officer Richard Jensen updated supervisors on the sign situation with the Cattie Shack. He said that the township had cited the owner for violation of the sign ordinance for putting up temporary signs without a permit. Jensen had wanted to go to court on the matter, but that the owner asked for a continuance.
Paul said the owner was using the fines for the illegal signage as a way to pay for advertising and that he should be cited more frequently.
D’Elia said the extra fines would “send a message” not to simply ignore the code. She said Hannum’s went about things the right way, by asking permission.
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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