March 29, 2021

Big bucks for open space

Chadds Ford Township supervisors last week authorized the distribution of more than $2 million to preserve 71 acres along Oakland Road. The bulk of the money has come from grants and a small portion from the township’s open space fund.

The area is at 6 Oakland Road, previously approved for a planned residential development, but that fell through. The site will now be the Brinton Run Preserve.

According to Township Manager Maryann Furlong, Chadds Ford has been working with the North America Land Trust to secure the property since the summer of 2019. The legal owner of the property reached out to NALT to explore the possibility of a conservation purchase.

The township sought and later received a $500,000 grant from the Delaware County Greenways Open Space Fund in 2019. However, the total project cost, Furlong said, is $3.6 million before closing costs and other expenses.

Funds are from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Plan, for $1.852 million, the Mt. Cuba Foundation for almost $732,000, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in the amount of $634,000, and the Delaware County Open Space Fund in the amount of $500,000, Furlong said.

“Chadds Ford Township was the applicant for the National Park Service Grant through the American Battlefield Protection Plan. The funds have been wired to our account and the township has wired those funds right back to out of our account to the tune of $1.823 million to the title company. The township also reached a memorandum of understanding with the NALT board and has committed to donating $250,000 in open space funds for the establishment of a maintenance and operation fund,” Furlong said.

She added that the township would hold the conservation easement and trail agreement to ensure the land will be protected in perpetuity. Also, the township will hire the Brandywine Conservancy to monitor the easement.

“There will be limited public access,” Furlong also said. But there will be a trail sometime in the future. Where that trail will be located is not yet determined.

Before the motions authorizing the distribution of funds, Supervisors’ Vice-Chairman Samantha Reiner said not building a residential development and infrastructure needs such as sewage treatment facilities “is a huge, huge bonus to the community.”

As of last week’s vote, a total of almost $2.2 million of the total cost was distributed for the project.

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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New vaccine registration system in ChesCo

The Chester County Health Department has launched a new vaccine registration system for its COVID-19 vaccine program. The new system helps everyone who has already registered with the county health department to easily book a vaccine appointment and ensures appointments are allocated specifically to the individuals who are being contacted, according to a new press release.

An email sent this morning to all Phase 1A individuals currently registered with the Chester County Health Department explained the new registration system and invited them to set a password and schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Per the directive from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, to provide an opportunity for everyone in Phase 1A to be given an appointment date by the end of March, Chester County is opening up appointments for all of our Phase 1A individuals,” said Jeanne Franklin, Director of the Chester County Health Department. “Based on the current amount of vaccine that we are receiving from the State, we have opened up 12 weeks’ worth of appointments in the system to allow more than 88,000 people to schedule an appointment.

“Should we receive an increase in doses from the State – which we apply for every week – we are fully prepared to increase our weekly vaccine clinic capacity and ‘speed up’ the appointment process.”

Information on every person who has registered with the county Health Department has been moved over to the new registration system, with each person’s “place in line” preserved.  And all individuals who registered using the same email address will be able to manage members of their family through a “manage household” feature in the system.

Importantly, the new vaccine scheduling system also allows anyone who has already received the COVID-19 vaccine to remove their name from the Health Department’s waiting list with the click of a button.

“As we notify everyone about this new system, we also provide instructions on how someone can take their name off the registration list if they have received the vaccine elsewhere, which helps us to keep an accurate record of exactly how many people are still waiting to be vaccinated,” adds Jeanne Franklin.

Later this week, email notification of the new vaccine scheduling system will be sent to all individuals in Phases 1B, 1C and 2 who have registered for the COVID-19 vaccine with the Chester County Health Department.  This email will include instructions to create a password that will keep their account – and therefore their future invitation to book a vaccine appointment – personal to them. Vaccine appointments are not yet being opened for individuals in these phases.

The County Health Department notes that, while the new system for scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine appointment online is very simple, the option to book an appointment via the Health Department’s call center is also an option, once someone receives the invitation to book.  The call center can currently schedule an appointment over the phone for anyone in Phase 1A who does not have access to a computer or who is uncomfortable using the new system.  That number is 610-344-6225.

The Chester County Health Department currently has vaccine clinics at the County’s Government Services Center, West Chester University’s Sturzebecker Health Sciences Center, Kennett Square Fire Company’s Red Clay Room, Kimberton Fire Company, and senior centers in Phoenixville, Coatesville and Oxford.  From Tuesday, March 30th, a clinic will be open at the Brandywine YMCA in Coatesville.

All Chester County Health Department COVID-19 vaccine clinics are by appointment only. If you have not yet registered your interest in receiving the vaccine from the Chester County Health Department, go to www.chesco.org/covidvaccine.

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Charles R. Standifer of Landenberg

Charles R. Standifer, 85, of Landenberg, died Thursday, March 25, at his residence. He was the husband and partner for 33 years of Julie A. Madonna. His first wife of 30 years, Emily Lorena Flannery Standifer, died in 1988.

Charles R. Standifer

Born in Leesburg, Va., he was the son of the late Edward Standifer and the late Kitty Goins Standifer.

He was a maintenance man at Hewlett-Packard/Agilent in Wilmington, retiring in 1996 with over 25 years of service

Charles was a member of the Hockessin VFW and the Kennett Square American Legion.

He enjoyed fishing, bowling, cooking at the Agilent parties, playing cards, going to the beach, and being with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Sharon Robison and her husband Norman of Wilmington; one stepson, Dean Madonna of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one sister, Nancy Freeman o Dryden, Va.; one granddaughter, Heather Franklin and her husband William and one grandson Shawn Robison, and five great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by four brothers, Harold Standifer, Buster Standifer, Earl Standifer, and Raymond Standifer, and one sister, Bulah Orick.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square. His funeral service will follow at 1. His burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Avondale Fire Company, Ambulance Division, 23 Firehouse Way, Avondale, PA 19311

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com

About CFLive Staff

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Isaac Watkin of Concordville

Isaac Watkin, 93, died peacefully on Monday, March 22. Isaac “Ike” Watkin retired electrical contractor from Concordville. Born in Wilmington in 1927, he graduated from West Chester High School and served on the USS Princeton aircraft carrier during WWII.

Married to the late Elizabeth “Betty” Dancer for 62 years. Ike and Betty started Isaac Watkin Co. in 1954 and retired in 1988. Ike was active in the Electrical Contractors Association of Delaware, Elam United Methodist Church, Concordville/Chadds Ford Rotary, American Legion, and a member of Concord Lodge, F&AM for 71 years.

He was the son of the late Isaac Watkin and Jennie Elizabeth Husbands Watkin. He was the last of six siblings. Survived by daughter Michelle Thompson (Frank), son Jeffery Watkin (Martine), five grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers donations to Elam United Methodist Church, 1073 Smithbridge Rd. Glen Mills Pa. 19342 would be appreciated. Arrangements Rigby Funeral Home. Online condolences Rigbyfuneralhome.com

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Adopt-a-Pet March 29

Adopt-a-Pet March 29

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

Sweet tart

Sweet tart:

Sweet tart is a beauty that lives up to her name. This petite brown tabby has become a volunteer favorite at the shelter. Shy at first, but she will accept gentle pets from a reassuring hand. Sweet tart will do best in a quiet home with adults, so she can confidently express her personality. She would appreciate a slow introduction to any other feline friends in the home. You can adopt Sweet tart for a fee you name through Sunday, April 4.

Duke

Duke:

Playful Duke has come out of himself quite a bit in his time with us. He’s an exciting boy who loves to zoom around the play yards. Duke has a silly personality and promises loads of love and loyalty in return. He’s been doing well in playgroups but may prefer to be the only dog in the home. Duke’s adoption fee was generously sponsored. You can adopt Duke for a fee you name through Sunday, April 4.

For more information, go to www.bvspca.org or phone 484-302-0865.

About CFLive Staff

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