Pocopson stresses need for volunteers

The Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, Feb. 8, featured a lengthy agenda, ranging from computer service to code enforcement to library usage.

Pocopson Township Supervisors Alice Balsama (from left), Elaine DiMonte, and Ricki Stumpo sign bills at the conclusion of the Monday, Feb. 8, meeting.
Pocopson Township Supervisors Alice Balsama (from left), Elaine DiMonte, and Ricki Stumpo sign bills at the conclusion of the Monday, Feb. 8, meeting.

Following some discussion, the supervisors voted to authorize information-gathering on the possible purchase of cellphones and tablets for the supervisors so that they do not have to commingle township information with their own personal or business data.

The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors recommends such a move, citing improvements in accountability, security and efficiency, the supervisors said. However, several residents questioned the cost. “It’s not our intent to run up a big bill,” said Supervisor Alice Balsama. “We just want to take a look at it.”

Easier decisions involved a unanimous vote to approve a $14,618 bid from Sage Business Systems to upgrade the township’s server to improve its function and efficiency, and the enthusiastic appointment of Laura Lynn Yost to the Pocopson Township Historical Committee and Hal Hoffman as the township's financial records reviewer.

The supervisors also unanimously agreed to make the contract for zoning and code-enforcement with Castle Valley Consultants, Inc. permanent through the end of the year. The supervisors all said they were pleased with the services prepared by Craig A. Kologie, particularly his detailed reports.

In response to a question from resident Lauressa McNemar, Supervisors’ Chairman Ricki Stumpo said Sheila Fleming from the Brandywine Conservancy would attend the next supervisors’ meeting on Feb. 22 to discuss efforts to obtain a trail easement on property owned by Sklar Industries on Pocopson Road.

Supervisor Elaine DiMonte reported that she had a productive meeting with Karen Marshall, Chester County's Heritage Preservation coordinator, who has also worked on the township’s Barnard House, a project that has repeatedly sparked conflict over costs and functions. A former Underground Railroad stop, the historic residence on Wawaset Road is being renovated for possible use as the township municipal building and the home of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center.

DiMonte said Marshall recommended a historic preservation carpenter, who is willing to give the township a free hour-long assessment of the work that has been done and is needed. DiMonte said she and Balsama, who are both new to the board, are working to become familiar with the project.

“I’m looking forward to the meeting and hearing what this guy has to say,” DiMonte said.

John O’Neal, representing the Kennett Underground Railroad Center, asked the supervisors when the building could be occupied. “We’re homeless, and we sure would like to be able to move in,” he said.

Stumpo said the project has been “in limbo for a while” because efforts to reach out to Richard Jensen, the township’s former codes officer and manager for the Barnard House project, have been unsuccessful. She said lawyers might need to get involved, but that the supervisors were making progress in moving forward.

Kennett Public Library Director Donna Murray presented the supervisors with data showing that a third of the township’s 3,392 residents have library cards and that the bulk of their transactions took place at the Kennett Public Library, which serves residents in the Borough of Kennett Square and seven townships: East Marlborough, Kennett, Newlin, New Garden, Pennsbury, Pocopson, and West Marlborough.

Pocopson residents are also served by the West Chester Library, which has enjoyed better relations with the township. Tensions between Pocopson and the Kennett Public Library have been strained since May 2013 when the library’s board rejected the township’s two nominees for a seat on the library’s board and the township stopped funding it.

Previously, Pocopson had divided its library contribution between the two libraries. However, in 2015, the supervisors opted to give the West Chester Library the full amount since it had budgeted and not used the $8,000 Kennett library contribution. At the time, the supervisors noted that the increase represented a one-time occurrence.

Since then, Murray said the Kennett Public Library has made numerous positive changes to improve communication as well as representation. The supervisors delayed a vote on appointing a library representative so the position could be posted on the township’s website.

Another posting will reference the 10th anniversary of Pocopson Township Founder’s Day, which is scheduled for Sept. 25. “We’re in desperate need of volunteers,” organizer Colleen McKinney reported.

McKinney said the event might have to be canceled if people don’t step in to help. “People like that event,” Stumpo responded. “We need to get the word out.”

To improve communication, DiMonte suggested scheduling a town meeting in late spring so that residents could discuss topics of interest as well as  provide the supervisors with new ideas and feedback on eliciting more volunteers. Stumpo said she wanted to schedule a meeting, perhaps in March, with all of the committee chairs, which would offer a chance to assess vacancies.

The supervisors signed three thank-you letters, expressing gratitude for recent donations totaling $10,000 – $8,500 of which was earmarked for the Locust Grove Schoolhouse. The supervisors noted that the township greatly appreciates the continuing generosity of the residents, all of whom have made previous contributions.

 

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