December 6, 2023 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Jim (Wayne) Rowe

In loving memory of Jim (Wayne) Rowe who died peacefully on Nov. 27, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was a beacon of kindness whose warm smile and generous heart touched so many lives. Born in 1940 in Reading, he brought joy to all who knew him. A devoted family man, his unwavering love for his spouse, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was his greatest treasure. His generosity and compassion towards others, young and old, resonates beyond measure. Jim’s legacy of love and kindness will forever live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: St. Patrick’s Church, 212 Meredith Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

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Fire tax up in Concord

Local News Concord, Local News

Concord Township residents will see a slight increase in their tax bills for 2024 even though the township property tax rate will remain the same. The increase is due to a hike in the fire tax, going from 0.044 mils to 0.697 mils. (A mil is a tax of $1 for every $1,000 in assessed property value.

Council President Dominic Pileggi explained the reason for the increase.

“It’s unfortunate when we ever have to raise taxes, and taxes will be increasing by 5 percent, which is approximately $80,000.”

He went on to say that members of the Concordville Fire and Protective Assn. had made a “compelling” case for needing more money to maintain a high level of service with a continued shortage of volunteers.

“The department is now primarily a paid department, and they need more money. So, this $80,000 in extra funds will go directly to the fire department,” he said.

Pileggi added that with the township population growing and people expecting more and deserving more service from government, the township should look at more ways of increasing Concord’s revenues.

But Pileggi also put the increase in perspective. He said the increase would amount to about $11 per year per property.

“I was driving up Route 202 and saw all those cars lined up at Starbucks and I would think there are some residents in Concord who probably spend that in one day at Starbucks.”

Total millage rates for the $4 million-plus budget are 0.064 for the library, 0.061 for fire hydrants, 0.0697 for fire protection services, 0.139 for open space, and 0.206 for general purposes for a total real estate levy of 0.5397 mils.

Other business

• Council authorized the township engineer to study a possible four-way stop sign at Evergreen and Byers drives. As reported here, that idea arose during a conditional use hearing on Terrain’s request for outdoor dining.

That discussion included the idea of a second driveway farther south along Terrain’s property on Evergreen, across from Byers, making a straight-through lane between Terrain and the Concordville Town Center.

• Council approved renewed ground lease agreements for five people (three parties) currently renting two parcels of township land, one piece for keeping a total of five horses, and the other for 40 goats and three sheep. All the leases are for one year, from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024.

• Council also voted to apply for a state grant on behalf of Newlin Grist Mill so the mill can elevate its visitor center to prevent the building from flooding.

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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Police Log Dec. 6: DUIs, theft, speed

Police

Pennsylvania State Police

Media Barracks

• Police are investigating thefts from two cars in Concord Township. Credit cards were stolen in the Oct. 22 thefts. The incidents happened at 2:33 p.m. in the 1100 block of Baltimore Pike.

• Police said they arrested Andrew Martin, 39, of Havre De Grace, Md. for shoplifting at the Rally House store in Concord Township on Nov. 28. Martin is accused of stealing Philadelphia Eagles merchandise that included a jersey, hat, sweatshirt, and a pullover.

• Noah Fay, 18, was arrested for violating a PFA order (protection from abuse), police said. According to a report, police were responding to a suicide attempt and found that Fay was violating the PFA. The victim was a 47-year-old woman.

• Joshua Tucker, 34, of Darby, was arrested for harassment in Concord Township on Nov. 29, a police report said. According to the report, Tucker punched his wife in the face multiple times causing injury to her lip. While the victim was inside her vehicle, Tucker pulled her from the driver’s seat by her hair and then kicked her while she was on the ground.

Avondale Barracks

• Police said Robert S. Buffum II, 48, of Mendenhall, was cited for his involvement in a two-vehicle crash in Kennett Square on Nov. 17. The accident happened at 11:17 p.m. at the intersection of S. Union and W. Mulberry streets. According to the police report, Buffum was driving east on W. Mulberry, came to a stop at the stop sign but proceeded to go through the intersection without clearing the road. The other vehicle was unable to stop on time and struck Buffum’s car on the passenger side causing disabling damage.

• Excessive speed led to a one-car crash on Doe Run Road in West Marlborough Township on Nov. 17. The 5:16 a.m. accident happened when the car driven by driver MD Gazul Islam, 27, of Lansdale, went off the road at Doe Run near Covered Bridge Road, police said. The car struck a PECO pole, but the driver was not injured, according to the report.

• Police said driving at a speed greater than road and weather conditions allowed caused a young motorist to drive off E. Doe Run Road on Dec. 2. The incident happened at 7:29 a.m. Police said the driver was a 16-year-old girl from West Grove who lost control of the Volkswagen Jetta and crashed into a wooded area near Oak Tree Road.

• Two people, a 34-year-old woman from Wilmington and a 17-year-old girl from Philadelphia were arrested for shoplifting from a store on School House Road in East Marlborough Township on Nov. 29. Names were not released but the value of the items was $436.

• Zachary Keller, 22, of Kennett Square, was arrested for drug possession following a traffic stop at Cope Road and E. Cypress Street in Kennett Township, police said. No other details were released except that the arrest came at 1:24 a.m. on Nov. 27.

• Police said Linda M. Fazio, 70, of Kennett Square, was cited for her involvement in a two-car crash that happened on E. Street Road in East Marlborough Township on Nov. 21. The accident happened at 5:14 p.m. south of E. Doe Run Road. A passenger in the other car, a 53-year-old woman, was transported to Chester County Hospital for treatment of injuries. According to the report, Fazio made a left-hand turn but failed to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic.

• John Emmi, 87, of Wilmington, was cited for careless driving, police said. The charge came after a one-vehicle crash on Doe Run Road in West Marlborough Township at 11:55 a.m. on Nov. 14. According to the police report, Emmi was driving too fast for the conditions, lost control, and ran off the road. The driver was transported to Paoli Hospital for treatment.

• Driving under the influence is the reported cause of a one-vehicle accident in East Marlborough Township on Oct. 13. Police said Lewis D. Rinaman, 58, of West Grove, was riding a motorcycle on Upland Road but was unable to maintain his lane of travel and ran off the road into a grassy area. The report said he was charged with DUI.

Kennett Square Police Department

• Police said Joseph Mastrippolito, 63, of Coatesville, was arrested and charged with DUI following an Oct. 29 incident. According to the report, police were dispatched for a welfare check on W. State Street and found a man lying on the ground with another man trying to help him up and into a driver’s seat. The time of the incident was 9:10 p.m. Police said they observed indicators suggesting intoxication and, due to the level of intoxication and the appearance of a knot and bruising on his forehead from a fall, EMS was dispatched and transported Mastrippolito to the hospital where a chemical blood test was completed. The results came back on Nov. 20 and revealed that Mastrippolito’s blood alcohol level had been 0.279 percent at the time of arrest.

About CFLive Staff

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

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