April 8, 2026 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Council denies Giant liquor license

Concord-sign — Council denies Giant liquor license

Concord Township Council on Tuesday night failed to approve a liquor license transfer for a Giant supermarket, one of the possible tenants for the proposed shopping center at Ridge Road and Route 202. The vote was 2-2, so the measure failed to pass.

Council President Dominic Pileggi had recused himself from all matters regarding the proposed Shoppes at Concord, and two other council members, Co-Vice President John Crossan and member Vinita Deshmukh, were not in attendance. That left four council members to vote.

Voting in favor of the liquor license transfer were Council Co-Vice President John Gillespie and member Dana Rankin. Voting against were Larry Mutschler II and James Hunt.

There was little comment from council members, except for Mutschler, who said, “I understand that this transfer is allowed by the LCB. Our solicitor has made us aware that it’s a legal process that they’re allowed to ask for. It simply makes me, and I believe a lot of our community, uncomfortable at this point to approve the liquor license to a non-existent building with no approved plans.”

One aspect of the license request that has caused concern for some is that neither the Giant nor the proposed shopping center has been approved by the council. Prior to Gillespie reading the resolution, solicitor Hugh Donaghue explained that the license transfer, if approved, would be contingent on approval of both the grocery store and the shopping center. However, that became a moot point with the request being denied.

He also addressed the unusual nature and timing of Giant’s request for the liquor license transfer. Donaghue explained that Giant had gotten the license through a bidding process and, because of Liquor Control Board rules, it had to file with and have the intended municipality rule on the request within six months. Giant got the license in September, and April was the six-month mark.

Several people from Chadds Ford Township attended the Concord meeting and spoke out against approving the license transfer before the vote was taken. Among them were Paul Lincoln and Sheriden Black.

Black contended that it was premature to approve the transfer because even the sketch plan presented during the Feb. 24 conditional use hearing on the license transfer could be changed, because nothing has been approved.

Retail Sites still wants to build a shopping center at Ridge Road and Route 202 in Concord Township, adjacent to Chadds Ford Township.

Paul Lincoln also argued that it would be premature to grant the transfer because nothing has been approved, and that there were already an excessive number of liquor licenses in the township.

It was determined during the Feb. 24 hearing on the license that the state calls for one liquor license per 3,000 people in the municipality, while Concord currently has 24 restaurant liquor licenses, making the ratio 4.72 licenses per 3,000 residents.

Lincoln said that because the number of licenses in the township exceeded one per 3,000 residents, the request should be denied. Even during the public comment period before the matter came up on the agenda, Lincoln called it “premature” because the plan for the shopping center had not been approved.

Also, during the public comment period, well before the matter came up for discussion, Chadds Ford’s Hank Somer said, because of the number of licenses that already exist in Concord, that “We’re not living in a desert looking for alcohol. We have plenty of options from a variety of sources.”

Again, since the request failed, the comments became moot.

As things stand now for the proposed shopping center, there is still the ongoing challenge to the zoning officer’s decisions against a proposed gas station for Giant, and the matter of whether three pads, separated only by expansion joints, constitute one building or three. The zoning officer said it’s one building and would need conditional use approval because it’s more than 62,000 square feet. The applicant, Retail Sites, contends that it’s three separate buildings, which would not need a conditional use hearing.

Zoning hearings on the appeal were held in December and January, but all further hearing sessions have been continued to May 20.

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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William H. Reynolds, formerly of Pennsbury Township

Obituaries

William H. “Bill” Reynolds, 91, born in Madison, NC. Sept. 12, 1934, died peacefully on Sunday, March 22, leaving a legacy of love, strength, and determination.

Bill was defined by dedication — to his family, his work- with strong values instilled in him at an early age. Known for his steady, calm, and dependable presence, he carried himself with humility and integrity, earning the respect and admiration of all who knew and worked with him. A true Southern Gentleman.

Bill graduated from Madison High School in 1952, where he excelled in academics, basketball, and football. As the quarterback on the Football Team, his coach, Raymond “Coach” Cure, mentored Bill, which began the change in the trajectory of Bill’s life when he attended the University of Richmond, majoring in economics on a scholarship playing football.

Bill excelled as a student and was in the ROTC. Bill met Lee on a random chance encounter when Bill began his charming pursuit of Lee. Lee brought spontaneity and adventure to Bill. Bill brought stability and security to Lee.

While Bill served in the Army, Bill and Lee married in Richmond and began their life together. Bill was hired by the Dupont Company, and Scott was born, and they moved to Midlothian, VA., and they enjoyed their early years there as a family.

Bill’s job moved him to the Dupont Corporate Headquarters in Delaware after Kendal was born, and the family moved to Chadds Ford. Later, a career opportunity for Bill transferred the family to Geneva, Switzerland. In the community of Pinchat, the family travelled extensively and made lifelong Swiss family and friends. Bill learned a pinch of French with his notable southern accent, where merci was “mercy” for him. Bill could never have imagined his career would lead to such rewarding and life-expanding experiences for his family.

After Bill’s career moved the family back to Chadds Ford, Bill retired at 57 as a Director of Human Resources. At 82, Bill retired a second time after years as a Business Consultant to small companies, worked on the Pennsbury Township Planning Commission, and later became a Pennsbury Township Supervisor, where Bill was pivotal in securing an open-space 56-acre community park in Pennsbury, and the park is dedicated in his name.

The family spent every summer vacationing in Avalon, N.J. Bill enjoyed fishing in his boat over the years, trolling for fish in the back bay and in deep water. He taught the young kids how to put bait on lines and catch crabs off the pilings. Bill and Lee enjoyed Cape May sunsets with friends and many dock parties with neighbors who are our extended family. Bill’s most favored pastime was sitting in his rocking chair on the front porch with Lee, enjoying conversation with his favorite neighbors, reminiscing with Jack W, his longest friendship, 85 years ago from 1^st Grade, and Shirley C, whom Bill and Lee met over 70 years ago, along with Eric C.

Given any opportunity to talk to young people on the precipice of college or career choices, Bill was an active listener, strategic problem solver, and never accepted anything at face value. He was inquisitive and wanted to learn about anyone he engaged with. He often counseled, offered guidance, shared his wise, keen intellect to support friends and family during transitional times in their lives, all with the goal of improving one’s life situation and meeting personal goals. At times, these were gentle conversations, and other times, these could be strong pushes.

When Jamie, daughter-in-law and son-in-law Colin, joined his family, Bill continued to demonstrate that his love came with welcoming fatherly wisdom, gentle humor, unwavering support, and loyalty, and these were all gifts he gave freely. This continued, with his grandchildren, Lyndsey and Jay, whom he had immense pride in.

Bill’s life, decisions, and shared discussions exemplified the principles he believed in. He saw the best in people and wanted to do what he could to help them achieve it. He embodied “you can do anything you put your mind to” and he left every person and place better than when he found them.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lillian “Lee” C. Reynolds, Awilda (Mother), and Joseph Reynolds (Father), Sisters Caroline Alley (James), and Josephine Reynolds. Bill is survived by his son Christopher Scott Reynolds (Jamie), daughter Kendal L. Reynolds (Colin), grandchildren Lyndsey R. Landrum (Don), Jamison, and “Jay” Reynolds. Nieces and nephews, Ben Alley (Wendy), Charlotte McNamara (Jamie), Mark Alley (Brad), Angel Kiser Bourne (David), April Awilda Kiser (Baron), and their beautiful children and grandchildren. Caregivers Robin S, Noemi G., and Jacqueline B. became family, and we are forever grateful for the care and friendship that allowed Bill to live in his home in Avalon, Pennsylvania. His legacy of love and dedication will continue to inspire all who knew him.

A visitation will be held on April 12, 2026, at Chandler Funeral Home in Wilmington at 1 p.m. A service will follow at 2.

Burial will be held on April 18, at 2 p.m. at Woodland Cemetery, Madison, NC.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Police Log April 8: Crashes, DUIs

Police Log

Pennsylvania State Police

Media Barracks

• Police said Kevin M. Basmadjian, 21, of Barnegat, N.J., was cited following a two-car, rear-ender crash at Route 1 and State Farm Drive in Concord Township. The accident happened on March 5, just after 9 p.m. According to the report, Basmadjian was driving south on Route 1 in the right lane, behind the other car. That other car came to a controlled stop at the red light, but Basmadjian was distracted while using a hand-held mobile device and was driving too closely and struck the other car from behind. No injuries were reported.

• Ellis J. Badillo, 55, of Mt. Laurel, N.J., was cited for failing to stop at a stop sign and striking another car, police said. The accident happened on Route 1 near Evergreen Drive in Concord Township on Feb. 21 at 2:38 p.m. According to the report, Badillo was driving too fast for conditions and failed to stop at a red light, and struck the other car in its 12 o’clock position. No injuries were reported.

• Driving at an unsafe speed was the reported cause of a one-vehicle accident in the Wegmans parking lot on Jan. 18. Police identified the driver as Kori S. Gilliam, 50, of Lansdowne. According to the report, Gilliam. Was travelling east, passing the front of the building when it went off the road and into a concrete post.

Avondale Barracks

• Police cited an unidentified driver following a two-car crash on Bayard Road in east Marlborough Township on March 30. The report said the unidentified driver was making a left turn from the CVS pharmacy onto Bayard but failed to check for oncoming traffic and was struck by another vehicle heading north on Bayard. No injuries were reported.

Kennett Square Police Department

• Police said Veronica Veliz, 30, of Kennett Square, was arrested and charged with DUI and related traffic offenses after officers conducted a traffic stop due to her vehicle being disabled in the lane of travel, blocking traffic. The incident occurred on March 25 at 9:01 p.m., in the 100 block of W. State Street in Kennett Square. Upon making contact with Veliz, police said they observed indicators suggesting intoxication, and field sobriety tests showed impairment. She was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI and submitted to a chemical test of her breath, resulting in a BAC of 0.111 percent. She was processed and later released pending issuance of a summons.

• Kevin Flores, 20, of Avondale, was arrested and charged with DUI, possession of marijuana, and related traffic offenses after the 2016 Chevrolet he was operating was stopped for an expired registration, according to police. The incident occurred on Feb. 6, at 9:16 p.m., in the 100 block of Meredith Street in the borough. Officers observed indicators suggesting intoxication, and field sobriety tests showed impairment. The report further said officers also detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana emanating from inside the vehicle during the traffic stop, and Flores admitted to smoking marijuana before operating the vehicle. He was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI and submitted to a chemical test of his blood. On March 26, 2026, the blood results were received with positive findings of THC in Flores’ blood at the time of the traffic stop.

• At 11:30 A.M. on April 1, officers conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of N. Union Street on a vehicle with a heavily tinted front windshield. Upon further investigation during the traffic stop, the operator was taken into custody for carrying a firearm without a license.

• On April 4, at 6:47 p.m., borough police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of James Walker Way and S. Union Street on a vehicle that repeatedly failed to maintain its lane of travel. Upon further investigation, the operator was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI.

• Borough police conducted a traffic stop at 1:31 a.m. on April 4 on a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and failing to maintain its lane of travel. Upon further investigation, the operator of the vehicle was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI.

About Rich Schwartzman

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