Chester County Real Estate News: August 2nd, 2010
New home sales up in June
June saw a 23.6 percent increase in the sale of new homes, but that followed a record low in May and is still 16.7 percent below the figures for the sale of new homes in June 2009. At the peak of the housing boom in 2005, 1.28 million new homes were sold in a year. At the current rate, it is expected that 330,000 new homes will be sold by the end of 2010.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 7/27/10
State grants municipalities stormwater rules extension
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has granted municipalities a nine-month extension for stormwater management plans. The plans were originally to be submitted by September 10 and were to detail how each municipality would deal with stormwater runoff and the resulting pollution and erosion. Local municipalities were concerned over the expense of the mandates and, led by Montgomery Township, formed the Southeastern Pennsylvania Stormwater Coalition. The coalition hopes to make the stormwater standards more affordable for municipalities.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 7/28/10 & Times Herald; 7/20/10
Kennett debates adding 2 supervisors
Kennett Township supervisors are considering increasing the number of elected municipal officials from three to five. During the public comment period at Monday’s meeting, Supervisor Tom Nale reported that a petition is circulating to assess residents’ interest in a referendum to increase the number of supervisors from three to five. A petition is necessary to determine whether this is an issue that Kennett residents believe is worthy of turning into a referendum on which the township electorate would vote.
Source: Daily Local; 7/26/2010
New Garden begins gearing up for Baltimore Pike Corridor Study
The New Garden Township Board of Supervisors recently appointed Vice Chairman Bob Perrotti to serve as their representative on the Baltimore Pike Corridor Study Steering Committee. They also appointed Township Manager Dan Fox and Director of Planning and Projects Spence Andress to serve on the committee that will begin meeting in September. The goal of the group will be to study Baltimore Pike from East Marlborough to Avondale and determine long-term plans. The other municipalities will also name representatives.
Source: Chester County Press; 7/21/2010
East Goshen Township cuts its meeting schedule
East Goshen Township supervisors decided Tuesday to eliminate workshops that normally precede their regular meetings. The workshops are generally held in a small conference room next to the large meeting room at 7 p.m. Then at 8 p.m. the board adjourns the workshop and moves into the meeting room for its regular meeting. Supervisors Chairman Senya Isayeff recommended the board eliminate workshops and just have the regular meeting because much of the discussion on various issues takes place in the workshops.
Source: Daily Local; 7/25/2010
Sewer rates expected to rise in Penn Township
Penn Township supervisors recently discussed an increase in sewage rates. The increase is a necessary response to new sewer regulations that will require improvements to the existing system, as well as increased repair costs due to unwanted materials entering the sewer system. Items such as grease and disposable diapers being flushed into the system are being blamed for ruining sewer pumps. Supervisors have determined that the increase will be based upon usage, which will encourage people to conserve water. Rates are expected to increase by next quarter.
Source: Avon Grove Sun; 7/28/10
