Tax hike looming in Chester County budget
Taxpayers could see their Chester County property tax bills increase slightly again next year if the commissioners’ proposed 2010 budget is adopted as is. But the three commissioners have vowed to seek further reductions in administrative expenditures to make whatever tax increase less than what is currently foreseen. The combined impact of the downturn in the national economy, a drying up of state and federal revenue, and a stagnant county real estate market has resulted in a proposed property tax rate at the county level of 4.118 mills, an increase of 3.8 percent over the 2009 rate of 3.965. To a homeowner with property valued at a median assessment of $166,495, the proposed increased county property tax rate would mean a tax bill of $25.48 over 2009′s levy. The increase comes despite a continuing effort by the county to cut costs in every department. In fact, the county’s proposed budget will be $427.7 million, a decrease from the $476.6 million that county officials estimate they will spend this year. The commissioners have set Dec. 17 as the date to adopt the budget. The county’s budget can be viewed at www.chesco.org.
Source: Daily Local; 12/02/09
Coatesville presents ideas for Urban Center Revitalization Plan Update
The City of Coatesville presented ideas for its Urban Center Revitalization Plan Update. The original plan was adopted in 1999 and updated in 2002 as an addendum to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The update will focus on the following objectives: economic development, housing, infrastructure and transportation, public safety, urban open space, streetscapes and cultural projects. The updated plan will include an action plan with a number of specific recommended projects for the future revitalization of the urban community.
Lower Oxford says sewer hookup is mandatory
Homeowners in Lincoln Village will have to connect to a new sewer line. The Lower Oxford Board of Supervisors approved a mandatory sewer connection ordinance that requires everyone with a sewer line in front of their property to make the connection. The homeowners will be given a year to make the connection on their own. A fee of $2,100 will be due two years after a connection is made. If the property owner does not make the connection within a year, the township can come onto the property and do the work. At that point, the owner becomes responsible to pay for the $2,100 connection fee and the township’s cost to do the work. If the payment is not made within six months, the township can lien the property for their costs and connection fee. Currently, homeowners in Lincoln Village have been sent a survey to determine if it is a low income area and eligible for grant money from the state to offset some of the costs.
Source: Avon Grove Sun; 11/26/09
Chester County farm preserved
The Brandywine Conservancy yesterday acquired a conservation easement on the 117-acre Redcay farm in Londonderry Township, Chester County. Preserving the farm has been a priority of the township since voters approved an open space referendum in 2003. With this easement acquisition, approximately 3,770 acres are now preserved in Londonderry Township, representing about 52% of its total acreage. In addition to preventing development and preserving significant views, the Redcay easement contains restrictions to ensure that continued farming does not adversely impact a tributary of the Brandywine River.
Source: Chester County Press; 11/25/09
Sewage expansion causes concerns in South Coatesville
Pennsylvania American Water Co., which operates a large wastewater treatment facility in South Coatesville, plans to expand the plant to treat up to 12 million gallons of wastewater a day. This would effectively quadruple the amount of treated effluent discharged into the west branch of Brandywine Creek. For the past year, the Brandywine Conservancy has been working behind the scenes to influence a process that has widespread implications for water quality and the threat of more suburban sprawl in western Chester County. The Conservancy met with the state Department of Environmental Protection over the last year, making presentations about smart growth and advocating for community wastewater systems and against large, centralized wastewater treatment facilities.
Source: Daily Times; 11/30/09
West Grove abolishes planning commission
West Grove Borough voted to abolish their planning commission. The planning commission was a subcommittee of borough council that reviewed plans for subdivision and land development. Borough officials said the lack of real estate parcels that can be developed in the future was the most important factor in making the decision. The group has had very little activity and it has become difficult to recruit and hold members. The borough council will review any future plans, as will the zoning officer and engineer.
Coatesville codes officer arrested for allegedly selling cocaine
A man who works as a codes enforcement officer with the city was recently arrested for allegedly selling cocaine, according to police. Police charged John Clayton Tinson, 51, of Coatesville, with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacture of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and conspiracy following a lengthy investigation that took place during the summer. Tinson was initially hired by the city in October 1994 and held a position in the Public Works department. Tinson’s employment was terminated in July 2005, but he was reinstated as a full-time code enforcement officer last June.
Source: Daily Local; 12/03/09
