December 4, 2019

Concord OKs budget, buys land

Concord Township Council made quick work of three ordinances — including its budget — and announced an agreement of sale for another three acres of land for open space during Council’s Dec. 3 meeting.

The acreage is located off of Bethel Road, across from Valleypoint Church. It adjoins the Garnet Valley Greenway — a proposed trail in the OECO right-of-way — that would connect the township park on Smithbridge Road with Clayton Park. The property is currently owned by William and Jack Greener. Concord has now protected more than 300 acres of land for open space.

The budget is balanced with revenues and expenses anticipated at $4.391 million and calls for no tax increases. Millage rates total 0.981 mils. Of that amount, 0.117 mils are for the Rachel Kohl Library, 0.166 for fire hydrants, 0.265 for open space and 0.466 for the general purpose which includes fire protection. (A mil is a tax of $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.)

The other ordinances concern stop signs and overnight stays and healthcare facilities.

Ordinance 390 is a zoning amendment allowing for overnight stays at healthcare facilities in the C-1 Zoning District, but only with conditional use approval. A request for the amendment came from Astoria Healthcare Properties. The company wants to build a joint replacement facility on Route 202 near Watkin Avenue, but won’t build without the ability to have patients stay for up to 48 hours after their procedures so they can get more information on how to have a successful recovery.

The stop sign ordinance — also an amendment to the township’s vehicle and traffic code — would establish the intersections where stop signs would be posted and set penalties for violations.

As township solicitor Hugh Donaghue said during the September hearing on the ordinance, its enactment would eliminate someone from challenging the legality of the signs. However, there was some pushback from outgoing Council Member Joshua Twersky. Twersky, who originally called for such an ordinance, said stop signs need to be justified by warrants and traffic studies but such studies have not been done. The ordinance passed 6-1.

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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ChesCo ready for public health emergencies

Opinion

Public health emergencies can be fast-moving and unpredictable. They can affect many people instantly and stress healthcare response organizations quickly. Strong partnerships, consistent planning, and frequent testing through exercises are essential for Chester County to maintain preparedness for a public health emergency.

Chester County recently participated in Frankenthrax: A Regional Public Health Full-Scale Exercise, with over 28 partner agencies from the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area. This exercise was designed to test the County’s ability to coordinate information sharing, emergency public information and warning, medication dispensing, and emergency operations throughout the region.

The Chester County Health Department and the County’s Department of Emergency Services showed strong response capabilities in this public health emergency scenario. Activities included a County Health and Emergency Operations Center activation, a Point of Dispensing exercise where “medication” was handed out, and extensive collaboration and coordination with response partners throughout this five-day exercise.

In partnership with other jurisdictions in the Southeastern Pennsylvania region and neighboring states and counties, Chester County conducts a full-scale exercise once every five years. This exercise tests medication dispensing capabilities in response to a public health emergency, for example, a widespread anthrax release. Chester County conducted Points of Dispensing to dispense medications efficiently and accurately to the public in order to test and improve preparedness.

In the case of a widespread public health emergency, a system is in place for PODs to be opened throughout the County for all residents and visitors to receive medication within a short period of time. In a POD, a person completes a screening form, reviews the screening form with POD staff, and receives the appropriate medication. For last month’s Frankenthrax exercise, County staff and volunteers worked to distribute “medications” to people walking through PODs at the Government Services Center and the Justice Center in West Chester. Participants learned how to acquire medications for themselves and their family members in case of a public health emergency. Over 300 “medications” were dispensed among these two PODs in two hours.

The collaboration that occurred in this year’s full-scale exercise has strengthened the region’s ability to respond and mitigate a widespread health emergency. Staff in the Chester County Health Department exceeded the expectations of the challenge with energy and passion to ensure the safety and wellness of the residents of Chester County. The County and all of its public health preparedness stakeholders demonstrated a strong capability to address public health emergencies and ensure the health and safety of residents and visitors.

Staff in both the Chester County Health Department and the Department of Emergency Services demonstrated dedication to ensuring that the public’s health is protected in any emergency.

These exercises allow the two departments to continue to work and practice together to maintain optimal readiness. We thank our fellow County departments, public health, healthcare, and response partners for their commitment to public health emergency planning and for helping us to cultivate such a capable response team.

The lessons learned from this exercise will inform future planning efforts and improvements in order to ensure Chester County’s continued readiness to conduct a public health emergency response.

Jeanne Casner, Director, Chester County Health Department and
Michael Murphy, Director, Chester County Department of Emergency Services

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

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Christmas in Miniature tradition continues

Arts & Entertainment

_1JF3977 — Christmas in Miniature at Barbara Moore Fine Art Gallery runs through Dec.31.

It might be only the third year for Christmas in Miniature at Barbara Moore Fine Art Gallery, but it was Moore who started the idea almost 40 years ago when she was the director of The Chadds Ford Gallery. Moore reflected on the beginnings of the miniature show while getting ready for a preview of this year’s event.

Pennsbury Township resident Jenny Fenton, left, considers two pieces of miniature art.

“It was so exciting that first year. No one knew what to expect. I had to send some artists back home to bring in more art because so much was being sold,” she said.

Moore said things haven’t changed too much over the years. The show does feature more artists and buying habits have changed. People who used to buy for their children and grandchildren are now buying for their great-grandchildren.

But Moore’s original intent for the show still hold, offer smaller, original pieces of professional art at a reasonable price — $50 to $400 that first year — so people would buy originals instead of the cheaper reproductions. And while not intended, that would lead to more people learning to invest in art.

Not only was the concept new for a gallery and art buyers, it was also new for the artists, Moore said. Some artists weren’t comfortable working on a smaller scale and definitely weren’t comfortable selling at lower prices. “But,” she explained, “we came down on our commissions so it was a win for everyone, the gallery, the artists and the buyers.”

Some of the changes that have happened did so because of market and business changes. The Barn Shops came under new ownership and The Chadds Ford Gallery officially moved out of Chadds Ford more than three years ago. But Moore stayed on in the same location and began sharing the old gallery space with Arden and James. That business makes and sells handbags, jewelry and stuffed animals and is now part of Christmas in Miniature.

But whether it’s 1983 or 2019, Christmas in Miniature is in its home location in the little gallery in the Barn Shops on Route 1. The show opens officially Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 31.

About Rich Schwartzman

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David Gregory Hughes of Avondale

Obituaries

David Gregory Hughes, 65, of Avondale, died at his home on Friday, Nov. 22. Born in Akron, Summit County, Ohio, he was the son of John Hughes and Mildred Clawson Hughes.

David was the beloved husband of Christine Trumbull. In addition to his parents, John and Mildred Hughes, David is survived by his children, Michael Hughes (Kristin), Kathryn Hughes (Dino), Joseph Hughes (Angela), Sandra Hughes, Sarah Styer and Matthew Styer; seven grandchildren and siblings, Marla Wheeland (Jay), Susan Hughes, Scott Hughes (Debbie).

David was the owner and operator of the local Servpro Franchise which he proudly ran with his son and partner, Michael. He included all of his children in his business and enjoyed working with them every day for over 25 years. He was an avid part of and contributor to the community. David was loved by many and easily made a friend out of a stranger.

David was an avid cook and although the food was wonderful, it was about being together as a family. He enjoyed riding his Harley, camping, mowing his lawn, watching movies and being in his barn.

David was a wonderful mentor to many, especially at Servpro. One of his favorite sayings was, “there are no stupid questions, the only stupid question is the one that isn’t asked”. His door was always open to everyone and he was always willing to listen. His loss is felt by many and he will be truly missed.

A viewing was held Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Longwood Funeral Home & Cremation Of Matthew Genereux, 913 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, with a funeral service at 11 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 North Union Street, Kennett Square. Burial will follow in Union Hill Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial in the hall at the Episcopal Church of the Advent.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in David’s name can be made to the Episcopal Church of the Advent or Penn Medicine Hospice, 400 East Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19348.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

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Police Log Dec. 4: Thefts from vehicles, DUIs

Police

Pennsylvania State Police

• A 44-year-old man from Westtown Township was arrested on DUI charges in Chadds Ford Township on Nov. 2. State police identified the driver as David McGlensey. A report said a traffic stop was conducted in the 1800 block of Wilmington Pike at 2:04 a.m.

• An unknown suspect believed to have been driving a white GMC Acadia broke into a Subaru Forrester on Smithbridge Road on Nov. 7 and stole a purse containing miscellaneous items. The purse is valued at $1,450 and the wallet — containing cash and cards — is valued at $805. Also taken were a pair of earrings valued at $75, a $49 wristlet and $60 in cash. The theft took place at 3:04 p.m.

• A $400 purse was reported stolen from a Hyundai Tucson parked on Hillman Drive in Chadds Ford Township on Nov. 7. The incident happened at 3:57 p.m. A white GMC Acadia was involved, the police report said.

• Police are investigating thefts from three vehicles parked on Wilmington Pike on Nov. 8. Police said the vehicles were parked at 91 Wilmington Pike.

• State police said Omar Young, 40, of Wilmington, was arrested for shoplifting at the Wawa on Naamans Creek Road on Nov. 10. The report said Young stole five items with a total value of less than $20.

• Joseph S. Brown, 21, of Wilmington, was cited for speeding following a Nov. 11 accident on Route 1 at Ring Road in Chadds Ford Township. Police said Brown was driving south at an unsafe speed and rear-ended another vehicle about 800 feet prior to Ring. A passenger in the car that was struck reported minor pain but refused transport.

• Police arrested five individuals on retail theft charges following an incident at Wegmans on Nov. 11. A total of 12 items were targeted with a total value of less than $100.

• Peter B. Slater, 39, of New Castle, was charged with speeding following a rear-ender accident on Route 202 near Ridge Road in Chadds Ford Township on Nov. 12. No injuries were reported.

• Charles Borromeo, 32, of Boothwyn, was arrested for DUI following a routine traffic stop on Route 202 in Concord Township on Nov. 17, police said. The report said Borromeo exhibited several indications of drug impairment.

• Police arrested Christopher Malone, 43, of Drexel Hill, for violating a Protection From Abuse order. A report said Malone violated the PFA by texting the victim and showing up at her Concord Township residence on Nov. 17.

• Brian O’Toole, 21, of Wilmington, was arrested for DUI following a Nov. 23 traffic stop on Route 202 in Concord Township, a police report said. The stop was made for numerous traffic violations, the report said.

• A three-vehicle rear-ender accident resulted in one driver being cited for following too closely. Police identified the at-fault motorist as William P. Davis, 76, of Aldan. According to the police report, all three vehicles were southbound on Route 1, approaching Applied Card Way shortly after 6 p.m. on Nov. 27. Traffic slowed at the intersection when the accident happened.

• A traffic stop in the 1600 block of Route 1 in Chadds Ford Township led to the DUI arrest of Zachary Busby, 42, of Wilmington, a police report said. Police said the stop was made for vehicle code violations and that the investigation led to the determination that Busby was under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol. The incident happened at 2:15 a.m. on Nov. 30.