Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 159, No. 28
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
$1.50
‘This will be about creating a groundswell of outrage’
Kennett Township supervisor blasts PECO for unreliable power service By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer As the July 2 Kennett Township Board of Supervisors meeting was coming to a close, supervisor Geoffrey Gamble took the collective anger and frustration of thousands of area PECO customers on his back in a commentary that excoriated the power company and its leadership
for the increasingly high amount of power outages that have been experienced in the township and surrounding municipalities. “I have said this before, but it is worth repeating,” Gamble said. “There is a public safety concern here. When the power goes out, many of us in the western portion of the township have no TV, no landline service and no cellphone
service because there is no WiFi. We have senior citizens who rely on consistent power to run life-saving medical equipment. If a fire or medical emergency were to occur – or we needed to call the police – there is no way to do so. Even to report an electrical outage, I have to go to Delaware – to Hockessin – to get a connection. This is unacceptable.
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
The Kennett Township Board of Supervisors soundly criticized the Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) at their July 2 meeting for the massive power outages that continue to plague the township and surrounding municipalities. Pictured left to right are Richard Leff, Patricia Muller and Geoffrey Continued on Page 3A Gamble.
INSIDE Borough leaders, residents
discuss clean-up status, process at NVF site
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer The first meeting of the NVF Clean-Up Focus Group, formed by Kennett Square Mayor Matt Fetick Greenmore Farm Animal and Kennett Square Rescue...4A Borough Councilman Joel Sprick and held on July 1, brought nearly two dozen residents and their opinions and concerns regarding the on-going clean-up of the former NVF site in the borough that is being planned for development. The 90-minute meeting, held at Borough Hall, also provided an overview of the site’s remediation process, the timelines for completion and a scenario Destination Delaware of remaining approvals that
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
Mayor Matt Fetick was joined by Kennett Square Borough Planning, Zoning and Code Enforcement Director Lexi Gambs and Borough Council member Joel Sprick at the first meeting of the NVF Clean-Up Focus Group on July 1.
will be made and by whom, start construction. before the development The NVF site remediation along West Mulberry Street and development – which will be given clearance to Continued on Page 2A
New principals confirmed at Kennett elementary schools
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By Chris Barber Contributing Writer The Kennett Consolidated School District Board of School Directors unanimously approved the hiring of two new principals at a special meeting on June 30. Gerry Weinhardt, a former teacher and administrator from the Garnet Valley School District, became the principal of Bancroft Elementary School. His official start date was July 7. He replaces Jessica Morales, who preceded him in that position.
© 2007 The Chester County Press
Erin Miller became the new principal of Greenwood Elementary School. She previously served as the assistant principal at the Kennett Middle School. Miller assumed her position at the school on July 1. She replaces Bridgette Miles, who served as Greenwood’s principal for one year preceding Miller’s appointment. The meeting to appoint the new principals was a short one, limited to the business of the two principals and a financial report. It lasted 10 minutes.
Members’ creative talents on display at new Oxford Arts Alliance exhibition By Geoff Soland Contributing Writer The Oxford Arts Alliance’s Annual Member Artist Show, a dynamic and inclusive exhibition celebrating the creative talents of its artist members, will be on view from July 11 through July 25. This beloved community tradition brings together a wide range
FROM OUR LENS Canoes in the Brandywine
of artistic voices—from emerging creators to seasoned professionals—working across diverse styles and mediums. This year’s exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant artistic culture thriving in southern Chester County. Attendees can expect an eclectic and inspiring mix Continued on Page 2A
With the setting of a special meeting, the board was able to certify the employment of the two principals without having to wait until the next school board meeting on July 8. It was necessary to have board confirmation of the appointments so that the two new principals can begin in their new roles.
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
The Northbrook Canoe Company’s popular Canoe and Dine events will be making five excursions down the Brandywine River this summer and fall. For a complete story and additional photos, see Page 1B.
Photo by Chris Barber
Gerry Weinhardt, left, joins Erin Miller at the podium as they prepare for board confirmation for their principal positions at Bancroft and Greenwood elementary schools, respectively.
Housing Partnership creates new home for buyer in Oxford Borough By Betsy Brewer Brantner viduals and organizations to Contributing Writer petition the court to become conservators of blighted The Housing Partnership properties. This act aims of Chester County (HPCC) to revitalize abandoned recently held an Open and blighted properties by House at 343 South Street appointing conservators in the Borough of Oxford who can rehabilitate and to unveil a dramatic reno- prepare them for sale or for vation. This is part of the other beneficial uses. Conservatorship Program This helps to address under Pennsylvania Act the negative impact of 135, which creates a new abandoned and blighted home for a qualified buyer. properties on communities. Pennsylvania’s Act 135, These negative impacts the Abandoned and Blighted include increased crime, Property Conservatorship fire risks, and declining Act, allows certain indi- property values.
The conservatorship is created through a legal process where a court appoints a conservator to take control of a blighted property and then oversee its rehabilitation. Individuals, non-profit organizations, and municipalities can petition for conservatorship. The property must be abandoned, vacant for at least 12 months and not subject to a pending foreclosure, and blighted, demonstrating conditions Continued on Page 4A