West Chester Borough snow emergency will remain in effect until 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 25. This will allow the borough to continue its snow clearing and removal with minimal interference. Snow removal operations will continue overnight Sunday, a press release said. The borough prioritizes snow removal operations based up public safety needs, impact on community facilities and resources, and traffic volume. In addition, a storm of this magnitude requires the borough to haul snow away from streets, in addition to plowing. Therefore, we ask for your patience as our crews diligently work to clear the borough’s streets.
Parking in all Borough off-street lots and in garages will remain free until 8 a.m. on Monday. To avoid parking charges, please remove your vehicle before then.
There will be no trash pick-up on Monday that day.
Please move your vehicle from any zone with an 8 a.m.-11 a.m. parking restriction. The borough will be using that time to conduct intensive snow removal operations in your neighborhood.
As a reminder, the borough’s ordinances require sidewalks to be cleared 24 hours after the end of a snow event. Enforcement of this law will begin on Monday, Jan. 25.
Help the fire department respond to fires by clearing snow from fire hydrants on your property.
The borough’s business operations will be on a delayed opening on Monday. Business operations will begin at 11 a.m..
You are encouraged to visit the borough website at West-Chester.com. Sign up for weather and informational alerts with the Notify Me service.
Please contact PECO to report all power outages at 1-800-841-4141. Make sure your mobile devices are charged prior to the event so you can receive updates regarding the storm.
If you have an emergency, call 911 or the Borough’s Police Department at 610-696-2700.
U-CF schools still set to open Monday- Updated: Schools closed
UPDATED: U-CF schools will be closed Monday, Jan. 25. John Sanville said in a broadcast phone message that despite long hours, there’s no way the custodial crews can have the buildings ready.
The snow has passed, but a decision still has to be made. Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Superintendent John Sanville said district schools are still scheduled to open Monday, Jan. 25, but a final decision has not yet been made. That decision could come this evening during a Chester County superintendents’ meeting at 6 p.m.
“Our crews are working to move heaven and earth but that the tons of snow may be too much,” Sanville said. He also asked for some help. “If there is anyone willing to lend us a front end loader, we could use it. We have one but that is not enough for this storm.”
According to Sanville, Monday was scheduled as a halfway as it’s the last day of a marking period, so there’s no option for a delayed opening. Sanville said he would email a notification once a final decision is made.
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.
Emergency officials are urging residents not to let the sunny skies deceive them: Many roads remain dangerous for travel. They are advising people to stay home for another day, if possible.
Updated at 6:30 p.m. with snow emergency extensions
The big dig-out has begun.
Children along Marshall Street in Kennett Square enjoy the snow on Saturday – before the shoveling begins. Photo by Kristina Smith
Emergency officials in Chester County put the area’s total snow accumulation at 25 inches – and higher with snowdrifts.
The National Weather Service lifted the region’s blizzard warning at 12:24 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24. Many roads in the region continue to be snow-covered, and police are urging people not to venture out if they can avoid it.
Officials in both the boroughs of Kennett Square and West Chester said the state of emergency, which involves parking restrictions, will remain in effect until 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, as crews continue to remove massive amounts of snow.
“Travel is not recommended unless absolutely necessary,” said a trooper from the Avondale barracks. He said because a number of people have unsuccessfully attempted to navigate area roadways, 9-1-1 call volume is high. As a result, those who get stranded are apt to face a longer-than-usual response time.
Sunday’s forecast from the National Weather Service calls for sunny and dry weather with high temperatures in the low to middle 30s, which will spur melting. This water will re-freeze Sunday night when temperatures fall into the teens.
Untreated roadways and walkways, particularly bridges and overpasses, will become slippery. Officials advise commuters to allow extra time to get to work on Monday, Jan. 25.
PennDOT reports that it has removed the vehicle restrictions from expressways in southeastern Pennsylvania that were imposed on Saturday, Jan. 23. It is continuing to treat roadways and will continue to do so until they are clear, a PennDOT press release said.
The department also asks motorists to allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. Drivers should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials, the release said.
Chester County officials are reporting poor but improving road conditions. However, two roads deemed impassable are closed: Route 896 in Upper Oxford Township and North Manor Road between Little Conestoga Road and Bollinger Road in West Nantmeal Township.
Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com, using the 511PA phone app, or by calling 5-1-1. The service provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras.
Power outages have continued to be minimal. On Sunday morning, PECO reported outages affecting 9 customers in Chester County, none in Delaware County and 761 in Philadelphia County.
Update: Event is cancelled due to weather and will be rescheduled. Groundbreaking for Tyler Arboretum’s ambitious $1.2 million project to renovate its historic, 19th-century barn will take place this week.
Tyler Arboretum’s bank barn, believed to be one of the oldest in the area, is posed for a makeover. Photo courtesy of Tyler Arboretum
Once completed, the renovations, which will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 27, will expand the arboretum’s ability to give back to the community through its enhanced capacity to host educational and social events, an arboretum press release said.
Built into a south-facing slope, the barn, a popular venue for weddings and corporate events, represents an important agricultural landmark among traditional Pennsylvania bank barns; in fact, the 182 year-old structure is believed to be one of the largest remaining bank barns in the Delaware Valley, the release said.
Working with experts in historic preservation architecture and construction, the restoration work will retain the barn’s original timbers, crackled plaster, and stone walls, celebrating the lofty volume of space. The renovation extends the existing third floor to create a single, 36-foot by 65-foot space, which will open to the rafters and timber work above.
Complemented with a bar area and new restrooms, a new mezzanine level offers additional space overlooking the extended third floor. Exterior improvements will expand the footprint of the existing south terrace and add new landscaping. When completed, the new spaces will accommodate events for up to 210 guests.
“For 182 years, Tyler’s barn has been a constant in the transformation of this magnificent arboretum from working farm to public garden.” Cricket Brien, Tyler Arboretum’s executive director, said in the release. “This renovation means we can expand our education programs and camp to include new children and their families, while bringing events and entertainment to Tyler in new ways. We are fortunate to have partners in this effort who both understand and embrace the unique heritage of the barn and are as committed as we are to ensuring that it continues to be a seamless part of Tyler Arboretum’s grounds.”
The project is funded through an innovative partnership with Tyler’s exclusive caterer, Jeffrey A. Miller Catering (JAM), which began partnering with Tyler in 2004.
“Our partnership with Tyler has helped introduce thousands of new families to Tyler’s grounds and landscapes, and enabled Tyler to present a rich range of significant education programs to a growing audience,” Jeffrey A. Miller, CEO of Jeffrey A. Miller Catering (JAM), said in the release. “We’re thrilled to be continuing our long-standing partnership with Tyler on this project.”
With 17 weddings already booked for 2016, couples looking to get married at Tyler are encouraged to reserve their spots well in advance at jamcater.com, or by calling 610-622-3700.
Architectural services for this project will be provided by Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd., an award-winning West Chester-based firm known for its timeless design, attention to detail, and expert craftsmanship. Construction services will be provided by King of Prussia-based CVMNEXT Construction, one of the region’s leading construction firms known for serving cultural and academic institutions.
Initial work will include interior demolition, with an extension of the terrace and landscaping to follow. Every care will be taken to minimize disturbance to Tyler’s immediate neighbors on Painter Road, the release said.
Tyler Arboretum provides a natural sanctuary for visitors interested in horticulture, history, and the natural world. With 650 acres of meadows, wetlands, and unbroken forest, and over 17 miles of hiking trails, Tyler is an important community resource and cultural destination, and is one of the oldest and largest arboreta in the northeastern U.S. For more information, visit tylerarboretum.org, or call 610-566-9134.
Note about cancellation
“Because many of people are snowed in and unable to attend, we have postponed our ‘Hammer Swinging’ celebration of the Barn renovation for warmer weather. We’ll be in touch with a new date and time as soon as we have more details. We thank all our supporters for their enthusiasm for Tyler, for our historic barn, and for our mission as a member of the Media, PA community.”
Gary Bloomer
Communications & Publications Manager
Tyler Arboretum
