Chester County commissioners sought during a recent meeting to reassure residents of the county-owned Pocopson Home that they would not be forced to leave the facility many think of as “home” regardless of what decisions are made as to its ownership. The meeting was part of a series of educational public sessions focused on the 275-bed long-term care facility, which is open to many of the county’s neediest residents. Additionally, the county commissioners tried to assure the employees at Pocopson that they were grateful for the job they have done caring for the residents there and were not setting out to deprive them of pay or benefits by selling the facility to a private owner.

Source: Daily Times; 5/15/2012

Plans unveiled for Coatesville Trail

A plan for a trail connecting Coatesville with South Coatesville and Modena was unveiled at a recent meeting in South Coatesville. South Coatesville has received a grant to do a study into how the borough could extend the Brandywine Trail from Coatesville through the borough into Modena and back. The initial route will include a four-mile loop, and consultant Craig Bachik said the initial road improvements to get the project started are expected to cost approximatelly $120,000. While South Coatesville conducted the initial study, Coatesville City Council  and Modena have been presented with some portions of the plan and have shown interest. The initial trail will begin in Coatesville at First Avenue and Lincoln Highway and then continue down South First Avenue into South Coatesville and go up Modena Road, cut across Lower Gap Road and reconnect with South First Avenue to complete the loop. An important aspect of the project will be interpretive signs along the route that will tell the story of the area, especially the industrialization of the region and the story of steel and how it is currently being recycled by Arcelormittal.

Source: Daily Local; 5/14/2012

Lower Oxford residents see 1.7 percent tax increase

Contrary to board member statements at the April school board meeting, it appears that Lower Oxford School District residents will see a 1.7 percent tax increase this year. In April, the board nearly failed to pass the budget for the 2012-13 school year with several members opposing the tax increase and activity participation fees that were included in the preliminary final budget. To meet the district’s expenses, they proposed using additional money from reserves in the district’s fund balance. The 1.7 percent tax increase translates to roughly .5 mills, costing the average taxpayer about $66 more and generating $531,000 in additional tax revenues for the district. Even with this additional income the district will fall short of balancing the budget by over $2.1 million, which will come from the fund balance.

Source: Daily Local; 5/13/2012

Delaware

Interboro facing possible $1 million shortfall in budget

A final budget proposal for the Interboro School District is not likely to be completed before the end of May, according to school board President William Taggart. District Finance Director Ken King did have one budget number prepared Monday night, and it included a more than $ 1 million shortfall. No one in the district has presented a specific plan for how that gap would be bridged, but King painted a gloomy picture for the more than 25 residents packed into the board meeting room at the administrative offices.  Interboro’s Act 1 index, which is the maximum tax increase that can be implemented without a voter referendum, is 2.3 percent.

Source: Daily Times; 5/15/2012

Chester Township hires debt collection agency

Chester Township has hired a collection agency to help in its ongoing efforts to recoup nearly $ 50,000 in outstanding trash fees. “The program starts with a very aggressive letter- writing campaign, then steps up to direct telephone conversations, and then gets its legal staff involved,” township Manager William Piszarek said. Forty- seven properties in the township have been reported as delinquent in their trash fees, owing the borough about $ 49,000.

Source: Daily Times; 5/15/2012

Marple Newtown passes budget

The Marple Newtown School Board approved a 2012- 2013 proposed final budget of $ 68.1 million, with a corresponding tax increase of 0.62 percent.  The budget represents a decrease from the $69 million figure proposed in a preliminary budget approved in January. The $892,000 reduction, coupled with an additional $224,000 in anticipated state revenue, does not involve the elimination of any staff positions or programs, according to Business Administrator Joe Driscoll.

Source: Daily Times; 5/11/2012

Haverford School Board adopts proposed final budget

The Haverford School Board unanimously adopted a proposed final budget for 2012-2013, with final approval expected June 7. The $94.2 million budget requires a 2.7 percent tax rate increase, raising millage from 26.0209 to 26.7305 mills. Taxes on the average residential property assessment of $161,045 will be $4,305, a $ 114 increase over 2011-12. On the bright side, many homeowners in the district will benefit from $2.1 million in gaming revenue available this year for property tax relief. With 12,644 approved homesteads in the township, the average tax credit per approved homestead will be $166.38.

Source: Daily Times; 5/11/2012

Montgomery

Lansdale considering certification fee for settlements

The Lansdale Borough Administration & Finance Committee recently discussed the implementation of a “certification fee” to be paid when realty companies request certifications from the borough for a settlement on a property. Lansdale contends that abstract companies make a certification request and then neglect to tell the borough that the settlement did not go through. The borough must then prepare a new set of certification paperwork based upon a new settlement date. The current proposal would include a standard certification fee of $25 to $50, with a second fee if settlement is delayed 15 or more days and a third fee if the certification needs to be prepared for a third date. Also suggested was the addition of a “penalty” that would be assessed if a realty company fails to notify the borough of a delay in settlement. The proposed fee change was not included on the May 16 council agenda. It will be discussed further at the June 6 Administration & Finance Committee meeting at 7 p.m. in the Borough Hall Caucus Room, 1 Vine St., Lansdale, PA 19446. Click here to visit the Lansdale Borough website for the most up-to-date meeting and agenda information.

Source: North Penn Life; 5/15/2012

Red Hill Borough to consider “Temporary Occupancy Permit” ordinance

Red Hill Borough has posted a proposed “Temporary Occupancy Permit” ordinance on the borough website. Borough solicitor Mark Hosterman stated that the proposed ordinance is “more in compliance with the existing standards of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.” The proposed ordinance will allow a temporary occupancy permit to be issued by the borough code enforcement officer under certain circumstances, including alterations to an existing property, exterior work that cannot be completed due to adverse weather conditions, or in the instance that a property is being sold in “as is” condition. The proposed ordinance will be considered for adoption on June 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Red Hill Borough Building, 56 West Fourth Street, Red Hill, PA 18076.

Source: Town and Country; 5/9/2012

Perkiomen Valley budget includes 3.5% tax increase

The proposed final budget approved by the Perkiomen Valley School Board would raise real estate taxes by 3.57 percent. If finalized, the millage rate would increase to 29.61 mills, with one mill being a tax of $1 for each $1,000 in assessed property value. A home assessed at the district average of $180,000 would see a $183.51 increase for a total bill of $5,329.71. Perkiomen Valley School District is facing a $3.08 million budget deficit, with $1 million being covered by savings and the remaining $2.8 million coming from a mix of budget cutting and a tax increase. The budget is scheduled for adoption on June 11.

Source: The Mercury; 5/9/2012

Lower Gwynedd launches “I Like the Pike” initiative

A marketing initiative aimed at promoting the Bethlehem Pike corridor has begun in Lower Gwynedd Township. “I Like the Pike” will help market available properties to developers while promoting existing businesses along Bethlehem Pike. A temporary website for email updates is available at www.ilikethepike.com with a more robust site planned that will contain a directory of existing businesses and available properties. Lower Gwynedd administrators met with local businesses at the launch meeting of the “I Like the Pike” campaign and received positive feedback for its proactive response in supporting existing businesses while attracting new ones.

Source: Times Herald; 5/16/2012