Demnicki appointed to township planning commission
By Kris Firey-Poling, Correspondent, The Times
Pennsbury supervisors Aaron McIntyre (left) and Wendell Fenton discuss concerns over a US-1 streetlight during Wednesday night’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
PENNSBURY — The question of who owns a street light, and more to the point, who should pay for its annual power costs, was a primary point of discussion at Wednesday’s township Board of Supervisors meeting.
“Since 1991, The Chadds Ford Knoll Civic Association has spent thousands of dollars paying for a street light on U.S. 1 that is not on the Knoll property. We believe that the township should be paying the $400 per year bill,” stated resident Janice Pietrowicz.
At the meeting, Pietrowicz acknowledged that this street light expense has been an ongoing request to the township, and that it has always been denied.
“U.S. 1 is very dark in this area, and in need of lighting. However, the cost has become a burden to our group,” said Pietrowicz.
Supervisor Wendell Fenton responded, “This light benefits you. It is the HOA’s (Home Owner Association) responsibility to pay for this lighting. We do not pay for similar lights elsewhere.”
Pietrowicz countered that they are not an HOA but a civic association, noting that there is a difference.
Supervisor Vice-Chairman Aaron McIntyre asked if the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) would think this is a safety issue. Also, he questioned how the light got there in the first place.
“If PennDOT believes that the street light is important, and without it would impact safety, this may be an exception we should consider,” stated McIntyre.
Pennsbury Township Manager Kathleen Howley will follow up and contact PennDOT to determine whether or not the street light provides a safer environment.
In other township business, Board of Supervisors approved the 2015 emergency management providers, Longwood Fire Company and Pennsylvania State Police in Avondale. They also approved scheduled shredding of township records.
Also, the Supervisors appointed Damian Demnicki to the Planning Commission. Supervisor McIntyre stated that Demnicki is well prepared, after serving on the Open Space Selection and Historical Commission.
According to Howley, the 2014 Audit has been successfully completed and is scheduled to be published in March. In addition, the 2015 Tax Bill is ready and will be sent to residents. She reinforced that there will be no tax increase.
During public comments, resident and Brandywine Byway Commission member Alma Forsyth discussed project updates to the Twin Bridges, located on Route 100. The bridge is shared by Chadds Ford and Pennsbury Townships. The Commission continues to rework specifics with PennDOT, who plans to widen the bridge six feet to allow bicycle and pedestrian activity. Commission recommendations include keeping the current bridge width, decreasing the speed limit, and providing historic signage.
