Directors of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board Monday night voted to approve the proposed preliminary budget for the 2020-2021 academic year. The budget does include tax increases.
District Business Manager Bob Cochran called the proposed preliminary budget “very preliminary” during Monday night’s meeting, saying it reflects the maximum that the board would consider.
The proposed preliminary budget shows an estimated $93.7 million in revenue and expenditures. With an estimated fund balance from this year, the district would have $102.9 million available for appropriation. Real estate taxes account for $73.2 million of the anticipated revenue.
Millage rates are proposed to be 30.47mils for Chester County property owners and 27.73 mils for Chadds Ford Township property owners. Chadds Ford is the only Delaware County municipality in the U-CF district. A mil is a tax of $1 for every $1,000 in assessed property value. The reason for the differing millage rates is based on how the two counties assess property values.
The tax increases are 4.5 percent in Chester County and 5.59 percent in Delaware County. For the 2019-2020 budget, millage rates have been 29.16 mils in Chester County and 25.71 in Chadds Ford Township.
The complete document for the proposed preliminary budget can be found here.
The budget-adopting process happens in several stages. The next step comes in January when the board will vote on the actual preliminary budget, followed by more discussion and tweaking based on what the district can expect from the state and federal governments. After that, there will be a proposed final budget followed by a vote on the actual final budget in June.
The board also voted to spend more than $2.8 million to renovate the cafeteria and kitchen at Patton Middle School.
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.
Located along the banks of Chester Creek in the village of Rockdale near Aston, a busy colony of artists makes contemporary works of art in a historic cotton mill factory. Heron Studios and Heron Crest Studios are opening their doors again for their annual studio tour and sale on Nov. 23rd and 24th. This will be the second weekend of festivities. Nature inspires many artists here whether it be in their work or in the way they display their work. The 12-foot ceilings and tall windows add to the natural ambiance. There is a lot to see in this unique venue and many artists to talk to. It’s lively and inviting so bring some friends and be prepared to have your senses wowed by the art on display.
Heron Studios Entrance
Heron Studios is located on the first floor. Founded by jeweler Lorri Primavera, painter Mary Gordon and painter/print-maker Marion Kassab, works being produced here include jewelry, pottery, paintings and more. Artists open for visitors include Primavera and Gordon along with residents Jane Porter, Annette Alessi, Melanie Errico and their newest mates, the folks from Dance Happy, who produce an array of fun handcrafted textile products. Several invited guest artists also have work on display. For more details and directions, visit https://www.heronstudios.com or visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/herongalleryandstudios/
Heidi Hammel Studio
Heron Crest Studios is on the second floor. Their event, billed as Art along the Creek, features nineteen artists. I had an opportunity to talk with a number of artists there including one of the founders, Heidi Hammel. Heron Crest was founded by Hammel and Claire Brill in 2007 in what was once a drapery factory. They started out with eight spacious studios. As word spread and other artists joined, some reconfiguring was done to accommodate folks looking for smaller more affordable space and today there are 21 studios. Hammel manages the day to day operations which also includes running a teaching studio and gallery space.
Hammel’s work consists of re-purposing old wool sweaters by constructing various patterned and solid squares into cozy and fashionable hats, scarves and mittens. She uses traditional sewing techniques and a “fulling” process which basically means she is shrinking wool on purpose to increase the thickness to aid in the construction of her pieces. Her styles will appeal to folks who are fond of argyles and plaids.
Visions of a Loon by Sara Fry
New members Rachel Breeden and Patrick Lyons Neilson couldn’t be farther apart in style. Breeden, a self-taught digital artist creates works reminiscent of 1970s pop art, think Peter Max posters and early Gap advertisements. Neilson, a graduate of PAFA (Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art) is a realist oil painter specializing in highly refined portraits and landscapes who also offers classes in his studio.
Sara Fry is inspired by nature. To say her work is organic is an understatement. She has basically created an extension of the surrounding woods in her studio. It is filled with tree branches, leaves, feathers, horse hair, taxidermy, nests, bones and remnants of hard to identify items. Draped canvas and papers are left in the elements then brought back in, to hang from the walls. Often times her process entails not altering anything and letting natural elements speak for themselves. It’s haunting work.
Marie Tosto works on paper and canvas. She is showing two series; some from her black and white ink drawings and some from her mixed media abstract series. When asked about her process she said she tries not to think when starting a piece, she prefers to let her hand wander on the page and goes with the flow before taking a closer look at the marks made. Later in the process she will begin making deliberate decisions.
There are many more artists to visit with, it is truly a mecca for art lovers. The hours for all the studios are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more details visit https://www.heroncreststudios.com.
Other events worth checking out: In Wallingford, Community Arts Center (CAC) and The Potters Guild is presenting a joint Holiday Sale from December 6th to December 14th. A preview party will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Visit https://www.CACholidaysale.org for details.
In Philadelphia, see recent paintings by Keith Ragone at Bahdeebahdu through Dec. 12th. If you have not been to this gallery/showroom on American Street yet, you are in for a real treat. The space also features the fabulous and funky chandeliers of Warren Muller and is an interior design firm too. For more info visit https://www.bahdeebahdu.com/
A native of Philadelphia, Constance McBride lived in Arizona for 16 years, where desert observations made a transformative impact on her work as a research based visual artist. Passionate about contemporary art, she was actively engaged in the local arts community. She served as a board member for several art organizations, managed an artist collective/gallery space, curated and juried several exhibitions and wrote for two arts publications in Phoenix. She taught ceramics at Shemer Art Center and Museum and exhibited her work both locally and nationally. McBride returned to Pennsylvania in 2018 and resides in Chester Springs with her husband and two dogs. In West Chester, she serves as a board member at The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank and teaches ceramics at Chester County Art Association. She also teaches at Clay on Main in Oley, PA. She is a member of American Craft Council, Philadelphia Sculptors, and Women’s Caucus for Art, Philadelphia Chapter.
As anticipated, state Rep. Stephen Barrar has announced his intention to retire at the end of 2020. He made the decision public in the following press release.
“It is bittersweet to announce my intentions to retire from the General Assembly at the end of my term in November of 2020 and I will not run for another term as a member in the General Assembly.
State Rep. Stephen Barrar is entering his final year in the state legislature.
“On Dec. 1, 2019, I will begin my 24th year in the legislature, a job I have loved since being elected in 1996. This has been the opportunity of a lifetime, and I hope I have represented you well and to the best of my ability.
“It is not easy to leave, I have always loved this job, but after 24 years I feel it is time to step down. Over the years I have spent a lot of time away from my family. I want to spend more time together, also I have been dealing with some serious health issues which have led to my decision to retire.
“As the representative for the 160th District, I have tried to always be there for my constituents. I am proud to say that in 24 years in office, I have only missed four session days. You elected me to do this job for you, and I have tirelessly been on the job representing you.
“I will truly miss the people I have been serving for all these years. The people of this district will always remain in my heart and I have made so many lifelong friends. I hope I have made you proud.
“Over the years, I have worked on dozens of important pieces of legislation while serving as the House Chairman of the Veteran Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee for the past 10 years. I have also served on the House Appropriations Committee for 10 years. As many of you know, veterans and first responders have been my passion and in this upcoming year, I hope to get many of the bills they need over the finish line.
“Since my first day in office, I have worked with so many incredible people in my district office and in my capitol office in Harrisburg. My staff is not only the best of the best, but they are also like family and a huge part of my success. I will miss them more than I can say. I know the people in this district will also miss their hard work and dedication. As a team, we have tried to help every person who walked through our door, helping them navigate through the government’s red tape and various other issues.
“I thank you all for standing by me for so many years and allowing me to be your representative in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. It has been a dream come true.”
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.
The proposed preliminary budget shows an estimated $93.7 million in revenue and expenditures. With an estimated fund balance from this year, the district would have $102.9 million available for appropriation. Real estate taxes account for $73.2 million of the anticipated revenue.
