June 7, 2018

Letter: Longwood catches flak

I’m compelled to write to all taxpayers in Kennett Township to correct a dangerous misimpression concerning the recent tax levied by the supervisors for public safety. The Longwood Fire Company does not receive a penny of additional funding from the new public safety tax. We actually receive less money from Kennett Township since the forming of the regional Fire/EMS commission. Police protection for the township receives the additional monies.

Longwood recently distributed its annual appeal for community support and we’ve received back some offensive comments from taxpayers because of their misconception about the distribution of the new tax money. Some believe we are seeking additional money on top of the increased tax funds. This is not true, and the misconception has greatly hurt our appeal. The amount of money we received in our appeals has greatly decreased and we are convinced this is because of the township tax increase.

Maintaining Longwood’s fire and EMS teams for 24/7 protection of the community is expensive and costs mount every year. The municipal support from our service area provided to Longwood accounts for less than 40 percent of our annual budget. While long-term, sustainable funding is our goal – it did not occur during this tax increase.

Again, the supervisors approved a 1.9 mills property tax increase for township residents. The cost per household approaches $1,000 a year. Taxpayers were informed that money would go towards public safety, which it does. The new funding distribution does not include any additional funds for Longwood Fire Company. The supervisors failed to make that distribution clear when the tax was before public comment.

Longwood Fire Co. needs your support to keep Longwood operating to protect all our neighbors. We understand the financial hardships of today’s world, our personnel experience the same, but protecting our families from fire and medical emergencies comes at a price. Longwood Fire Co. would appreciate any additional donations to the operation of these valuable life-saving services.

A.J. McCarthy, Fire Chief
Logwood Fire Co.

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Board tables ‘Life Safety’ ordinance

Local News, Local News Chadds Ford

Chadds Ford Township supervisors Wednesday night tabled a decision on enacting Ordinance 155, termed Life Safety. The proposal would authorize the township fire marshal to enter rental residential properties to inspect for fire code violations.

The fire marshal already inspects commercial properties.

During a brief hearing before the start of the regular June meeting, Cathy Taylor, a resident from Oakland Road, expressed concern over the wording of the ordinance, saying it could be construed as a violation of Fourth Amendment guarantees.

The ordinance says, in part that “the Fire Marshal may enter any public or private non-residential building used for any business, commercial or industrial purpose, any apartment or long or short-term residential dwelling unit, for the purpose of making an inspection for the prevention of fire and to secure the safety of persons and property from fire.”

Taylor said that wording needs to be clarified because it could be interpreted to mean “any owner-occupied home — there are 1,371 in the township — as well as rental units. She said the sentence should specify “residential rental unit.”

Based on that objection, Supervisors Frank Murphy and Noelle Barbone agreed to table a vote on the ordinance until the June 27 work session. (Supervisor Samantha Reiner did not attend the June 6 meeting.)

Among the items to be inspected are:

Presence and proper operation of emergency lighting.
Presence and accessibility of emergency exits, egress and fire escapes.
Presence and property operation of fire alarm systems.
Presence and property operation of fire extinguishers.
Proper storage of explosives and flammable materials and liquids.
Means of egress consistent with Section 702 of the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code.

The ordinance also calls for fees for the inspections. No dollar amount is specified in 155, but that the fees shall be set by the Board of Supervisors. The ordinance also sets forth other requirements of the fire marshal.

Other Business

• Supervisors gave $2,500 checks to the Chadds Ford Civic Association and to the Christian Sanderson Museum.

Sanderson curator Chuck Ulmann said the money comes at a good time because the building, on Creek Road, needs some work.

• Murphy, in a follow-up to a request last week from the Rachel Kohl Library, said the township will double its contribution next year. The library needs to upgrade its HVAC system and is requesting a one-time extra donation from each of the municipalities it serves.

• Township engineer Mike Schneider said he and Township Manager Matt DiFilippo attended a pre-construction meeting in Concord Township with PennDOT and representatives from Pettinaro Construction regarding the Shops at Ridge Road development. He said work on Route 202 is expected to begin in July, but work on Ridge Road is not expected to start this summer.

Schneider added that he would have a fuller report once Pettinaro prepares its work schedule.

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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Around Town June 7

Along the Ford

_1JF5987_edit-The-Master's-Chamber — Honoring the Master. Plein air painters pay homage to the late Andrew Wyeth during a plein air painting session at Wyeth’s studio in Chadds Ford.

• The second of four Household Hazardous Waste Collection events, offered by the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority, will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 9, at Rose Tree Park, at 1671 N. Providence Road in Media. Electronic items, latex paint, smoke detectors, and BBQ sized propane tanks will not be accepted at this or any 2018 HHW Event. For information including driving directions and recycling options, visit www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle or call the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority directly at 610-892-9627.

• Winterthur celebrates International Yoga Day on June 21 with a variety of classes offered from 7:30 am to noon, each in a different location in the garden. The classes are for all levels and will take place near some of the follies on view in Winterthur’s first outdoor exhibition, Follies: Architectural Whimsy in the Garden. All sessions are led by certified yoga instructors. Participants should bring a yoga mat, small towel, and a water bottle and wear layers appropriate to the season. International Yoga Day sessions are included with Winterthur admission, which costs $20 for adults; $18 for students and seniors; and $6 for ages 2–11. Admission to International Yoga day is free for Winterthur Members. Group rates available. For details, visit winterthur.org or call 800-448-3883. Winterthur is open 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

• The Chester County Commissioners presented a check for $35,000 to representatives from Community Volunteers in Medicine this week. The funds are part of the County’s annual appropriations to organizations and non-profits and will be used by CVIM to help fund the organization’s dental care program. The check was presented by County Commissioners Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell to CVIM President and CEO Maureen Tomoschuk, Dr. Peter Thompson, vice president of Dental Affairs and Alberta Landis, vice president of Dental Services for CVIM.

• Longwood Fire Co. has presented its $1,000 Jim McGovern Scholarship award to Torianna LaBare. To qualify for the scholarship, a student must be a senior at Kennett High School in good standing. The student must have attended Kennett for at least two years and be a Pennsylvania resident. The winner must have at least a 3.0 grade-point average and has shown excellence in science or mathematics. An essay of no more than 700 words is required along with two letters of recommendation. LaBare, who is a student at Kennett High School and Technical College High School at Pennock’s Bridge, was also recognized as WPVI 6ABC’s 2018 Best of Class. “Torianna is the type of student who should be encouraged to pursue her dreams and rewarded for her hard work,” said Longwood Chief A. J. McCarthy.

Residents of Kendal at Longwood retirement community on Route 1 wave signs at passing motorists urging stricter gun laws. Resident Mary Alice James who spoke for the more than two-dozen residents taking part in the demonstration, said their efforts are a “heartfelt thing for our grandchildren. We mourn for the grandchildren [of others] who’ve been killed.” The group wants stricter gun laws and increased mental health efforts, she said.

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Adopt-a-Pet June 7

Home and Leisure

The following animals are ready to be adopted from the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester.

Skye

Skye is a gorgeous, sweet girl who was quite shaken up after being surrendered to us, but she’s slowly learning how to trust and showing her personality more and more each day. Skye loves exploring nature, playing fetch, and belly rubs. She’ll need some quiet time to adjust to a new home, so she does need to be the only dog. This 1-year old girl can be adopted at a fee you name through Sunday, June 9.

Sandy

Sandy’s hazel eyes and stunning pastel orange fur are just two of her many wonderful features. She’s just under a year old and is a bit overwhelmed here at the shelter, so she would need a calm home where she can be the only cat. Sandy warms up to be very sweet and loving; she just needs a little bit of TLC to get there. This sweetie can be adopted at a fee you name through Sunday, June 9.

For more information, go to www.bvspca.org or phone 610-692-6113.