Same names with new titles in Concord

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on January 4, 2017

As did all townships in Pennsylvania, Concord held its required re-organization meeting on Jan. 3, but with a slight twist.

Instead of re-organizing as a township of the second class, Concord did so as a home rule township. The Board of Supervisors became the Township Council, supervisors became councilmen and councilwomen and, instead of a chairman and vice chairman, Concord’s governing body now has a president and a vice president.

The five people who served on the former board at the end of December are serving on the newly named council and the former chairman, Dominic Pileggi, is the new council president, while John Gillespie, the former vice chairman is now vice president.

Township continuity is continuing with the reappointment of Brenda Lamanna as township manager, JoAnne Demnicki as treasurer and finance director, and Hugh Donaghue stating on as solicitor.

Pennoni Associates continues as the township’s engineering firm; Thomas Comitta also stays as the township’s land planning consultant, and Berkheimer Associates will continue to serve as the collector for local services, admission and amusement taxes.

Council will still meet on the first Tuesday of the month for regular monthly meetings.

One change still to come is that council will increase from five members to seven. While the five-member body will continue through this year, two additional council members will be elected in November.

During the regular session following the state-required re-organization, Council voted to increase members’ pay from $2,000 per year, to $4,125 per year. Pileggi said the increase would go into effect in 2018.

Council also resolved to adjust the township’s fee schedule for permits and increase the tapping fee when residents and businesses tap into the public sewer system. The fee goes from $3,840 to $3,970 per unit.

Council resolved to ask Delaware County for $20,000 because it plans to spend $700,000 on road improvements.

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.