January 21, 2016

A significant part of Kennett Township history that was once threatened by a wrecking ball is now protected.

Kennett Township Manager Lisa M. Moore announced at the supervisors’ meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 20, that the building known as the Fussell House or “The Pines” on East Baltimore Pike in front of the Fairfield Inn & Suites was purchased last week by the township.

Moore said the township used capital funds to buy the 1823 building, a former residence owned by Dr. Bartholomew Fussell, who sheltered slaves through the Underground Railroad. She said the township paid $200,000, well below the appraised value of $615,000. The owner, Onix Group, which also owns the Fairfield Inn, “did give us a very good deal on the house,” Moore said.

She added that the township has not decided exactly what it will do with the house after it’s rehabbed. “We’re still working on that,” she said. However, this year the township will consult with an architect who specializes in historic structures to replace the deteriorating roof, windows, and exterior doors. She said the township would be seeking grants to defray those costs.

Supervisor Whitney Hoffman showed a video she took of the house so that residents could get a sense of what’s there. “It clearly has some rough spots,” she said, noting the presence of mold, peeling paint, and damaged wood. But she also pointed out the large rooms, multiple brick and stone fireplaces, and elegant architectural details.

“You can tell how beautiful it can be,” Moore said. She said that the building has not been occupied since 2006 and that the township has been working on trying to obtain it for a year.

Supervisors’ Chairman Scudder G. Stevens thanked Hoffman for taking the time to make the video, which will be put on the township’s website. To view it, click here.

“I appreciate having had the chance to see that and having a record…,” Stevens said. He added that the building’s historic significance is referenced in a number of books.

“We are ecstatic,” said John A. O’Neal, a member of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center. “For you to be able to do this is magnificent.”

O’Neal said KURC would be happy to work with the township to “get the history out there and get the house back in shape.”

Sara Hannum Meadows, who chairs the Kennett Township Historical Commission, said, “I am just thrilled.” She echoed the thoughts of several residents by adding that the building “needs to be used.”

In other business, the supervisors reviewed a preliminary land development plan for a 175-unit apartment complex on Millers Hill. Moore said the township’s Planning Commission had recommended approval with a series of conditions, including continuing efforts to connect the complex with Anson B. Nixon Park “if possible.”

Supervisor Richard L. Leff asked how residents of the complex could get to the park safely, and Vic Abdala, one of the developers, responded that he had tried and failed to get an easement on a sliver of land needed to make the connection. “We don’t always have the ability to go beyond our property,” Abdala said, vowing to keep trying.

In response to additional questions from Leff, David J. Sander, the township’s solicitor, suggested putting a note on the plan specifying the obligation to pursue reasonable efforts to make the connection. By doing that, the condition would be passed on to any subsequent owners, Sander said. The supervisors voted 2-0, with Stevens abstaining, to approve the plan with the amended condition.

Kennett Township Police Chief Lydell Nolt said the expanded police department enabled officers to respond to 3,450 calls in 2015. In December, 370 incidents prompted a police response. Township officers handled 294 of them and state police took the lead in 76.

Nolt said that the department has become more proactive and that the public will continue to see initiatives such as roving DUI patrols and sobriety checkpoints. He said 31 DUI arrests occurred in 2015. Patrols were also set up to thwart burglaries; the township had 23 in 2015, he said. He noted that 698 investigations were self-generated by officers on patrol rather than a response to a complaint. “That’s step one in reducing criminal activity,” he said.

In response to questions, Nolt said that the township is looking to add another officer, which will make the department more responsive and will enable it to get in front of crimes, such as those caused by drug addiction. “In my professional opinion, drug abuse drives theft,” he said.

Kennett Township Roadmaster Roger E. Lysle reported that the township was working to reduce accidents, “most are careless driving,” at two problematic locations: Route 82 and East Hillendale Road and McFarlan Road and the Route 1 Bypass. He said that the township is trying to sell its old dump truck for $19,000 and that he hopes to have leaf mulch available for residents in the spring.

Expanding on the theme of planting, Moore reminded residents that Nancy Gaspari, a master gardener with the Penn State Cooperative Extension, is scheduled to give a free presentation at the township building on Feb. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. Her topic, “The New American Smart Yard, Rethinking the Great American Lawn,” will focus on new trends in landscaping that improve environmental sustainability. Registration is not required.

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