If it’s November, it’s time to talk township budgets. Those talks began in Chadds Ford Township when Township Manager Amanda Serock presented the proposed 2017 budget during the Board of Supervisors’ Nov. 2 meeting.
As presented, the budget is balanced with no projected tax increase. Township property taxes would remain at 0.787 mills, 0.882 mills for properties in areas with fire hydrants. (A mill is a tax of $1 for every $1,000 worth of property assessment.)
That millage rate accounts for 3 percent of the total property taxes paid by Chadds Ford property owners in 2016, according to Serock’s figures. Her presentation showed a total of 29.951 mills paid, with 78 percent — 23.56 mills — going to the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, and 19 percent — 5.604 mills — going to Delaware County.
In raw dollars, based on an average assessment of $295,500, township property owners would pay $233 to Chadds Ford, $1,656 to the county, and $6,962 to the school district, the presentation showed.
Anticipated tax revenue is $1.05 million for 2017.
The plan anticipates expenditures at $1.05 million with 62 percent earmarked for general government, 22 percent for roads and highways, 13 percent for public safety, and the final 3 percent for culture and recreation.
However, an additional $351,520 would be spent on capital projects. That money would come from the $1.8 million in existing capital improvement, fee in lieu, liquid fuels, and open space and infrastructure funds. Total anticipated expenses are slightly more than $1.4 million.
Other business
The board passed two ordinances during the meeting. One amends the zoning code to allow for the regulation of outdoor dining. The other is the special events ordinance.
The special events ordinance requires a permit for any outdoor event of not more than three days in which “225 or more individuals are gathered, that utilizes facilities or which may interfere with normal traffic flow.”
A permit fee has not yet been set. That fee would be “established by resolution in an amount to be determined by the board of supervisors.”
Organizations interested in holding a special event must apply for a permit at least 60 days in advance of the event. The application must include 16 pieces of information that would be reviewed by the township manager, board of supervisors, fire marshal, zoning officer, building inspector and any other township official the manager may deem necessary.
The outdoor dining ordinance requires that all outdoor dining areas at restaurants shall be directly abutting and on the same lot as the restaurant, shall not interfere with ingress and egress, and have pedestrian barriers.
Outdoor dining is restricted to the hours of 7 a.m. through 10 p.m. and the area is subject to the township’s noise ordinance.
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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