No property tax increase in 2015
By Kris Firey-Poling, Correspondent, The Times
Chadds Ford Township Supervisors Keith Klaver (left) and Frank Murphy discuss road safety issues with residents, during Wednesday night’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
CHADDS FORD — Road safety dominated Wednesday night’s township Board of Supervisors meeting.
Township Engineer Joseph Mastronardo presented the Brandywine Drive study results.
“Drivers are going above the posted 35 mph speed limit and tractor trailers are taking short cuts,” he said.
Supervisors Chairman Keith Klaver reinforced that all three supervisors are concerned about speed on this looped road that connects U.S. Routes 1 and 202 by State Farm Insurance. They approved a plan to decrease the speed to 25 mph and add signage that restricts trucks to local deliveries.
Also, Mastronardo reported on his work with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to add school zone signage for Saint Cornelius School on Ridge Road. The supervisors stated concerns that the school has lacked such a safety feature. Klaver requested that Mastronardo also look into school signage for Chesterbrook Academy and Goddard School.
The recently posted U-Turn sign at Heyburn Road continues to be a sore spot with residents.
“For the past 10 or 12 years, it has been legal to do a U-turn,” resident Bruce Prabel said During public comments. “This significantly impacts people on Southpoint Drive and at The Commons who can only go south on Route 1.”
Klaver responded that US-1 is a state road and “if we get the sign taken down and there is an accident, the township could be at risk.”
Prabel also stated concerns about how the US-1 speed limit, from US-202 to Route 100, goes from 45 mph to 55 mph, then back to 45 mph. He asked for support to get the speed limit dropped. Klaver and Supervisor Frank Murphy agreed that the 55 mph speed is unsafe, and asked Mastronardo to work on making that stretch of the road only 45 mph.
The preliminary 2015 Budget was presented and discussed.
“No increase in property taxes,” Klaver said. “We expect to have a carryover of budget into 2015.”
However, he said there will be increased expenses in the following areas: cost of living, roads and maintenance, library and fire department, investments, and building inspector support.
“We want to increase services to residents,” Murphy reinforced. “I applaud our staff for crunching the numbers to make it work.”
The Board approved to authorize the 2015 Budget for public inspection
During the Township Manager’s report, Amanda Serock announced that the Township received a Marcellus Legacy grant of $110,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development. “The funds will be used for open space, trails, and connection bridges,” said Serock.
Serock also announced two vacant committee positions – Open Space (two-year term) and Sewer Authority (five-year term). Interested residents should contact Secretary Matt DiFilippo at the Township.
In addition, Serock invited residents to the upcoming Walkable Chadds Ford Community Workshop, scheduled for November 13th. According to Serock, it is an opportunity to explore issues and discuss ways to create a walkable, thriving Chadds Ford Village. The workshop will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., with a light meal at 6:00 p.m. To RSVP for supper (free), call the Township.
Also, supervisors approved the final plan for Ruggeri Cadillac on 1550 Wilmington Pike.
Klaver complimented Mark Ruggeri on how they worked together and welcomed him to the township.
In addition, supervisors approved an application for a traffic signal for Audi on 1421 Wilmington Pike.
