Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 157, No. 8
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
$1.50
The Fussell House has sat vacant since completion of renovations in 2019
Supervisors ponder historic home’s future By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer In 2019, after Kennett Township guided it through a two-year, $750,000 renovation process that brought it back from the brink of demolition, the historic, 200-year-old Fussell House in Kennett Square took place as the township’s newest, best and brightest project. The exterior renovation of the home removed and repaired stucco walls; added a new slate roof; installed new windows, an ADA-compliant front
INSIDE
porch; repaired the home’s foundation; added parking spots; and cleared away troublesome brush that once obscured the visibility of the home along Baltimore Pike. The home’s interior, damaged by termite infestation, was remediated, and mold was removed throughout the three-floor house, including the basement. At groundbreakings and at township meetings, the word went forth that the historic structure – which once served as the home of stationmaster Dr. Bartholomew Fussell, a Quaker physician
Comcast coming to Oxford Borough By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
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Oxford Borough Council listened intently to Caitlin Boy Scouting in Oxford, Ganley, a Comcast Senior back in the day...5A Director for Government Affairs, as she outlined plans for Comcast to come to the borough at the Council’s most recent meeting. The borough has been served by one cable provider for over 30 years, but that may change if the borough and Comcast can negotiate a contract. Comcast is currently the largest cable provider in the U.S., and apparently has been moving closer to the Popular Chocolate Borough of Oxford for the Festival in Oxford last few years. Currently, returns...1B they provide cable service to Lincoln University, which is within the Oxford area. Gainley told Council that it might take a couple of years before it could be up and running for the entire Oxford area, but that her legal department would be starting contract negotiations soon. The logistics of laying lines and permitting with other utilities would obviously take most of the time.
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-- would become a proud piece in the continuing labyrinth of initiatives that would celebrate Kennett Square’s place in the Underground Railroad movement. Since then, however, it has stood on Baltimore Pike, stalwart and repaired and virtually empty and devoid of occupants, purpose and mission. At the township’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Feb. 15, the board dedicated their entire closing comment section to deciding the future of a renovated heirloom of local history that has become, in essence, a white elephant.
The plan is to start at the borough and then expand. In other business discussed at the meeting, Gary Vinnecombe, deputy chief of the EMS for Union Fire Company, explained that the company is experiencing more fire calls than it had previously. Some of that is due to the closing of Jennersville Hospital, and having to travel more frequently to other hospitals out of the local area when incidents do occur. Currently, they operate two ambulances around the clock. “Now, 25 percent of patients go to the Chester County Hospitals. We will have to see what happens when Christiana opens the hospital,” Vinnecombe said, referring to the Delawarebased hospital’s plans to reopen the facility in Jennersville. Tracey Norcini from Kacie’s Cause also made a presentation to Oxford Borough Council. Kacie’s Cause was started in 2013 by Andy and Donna Rumford following the death of their daughter Kacie to an overdose of heroin. Kacie’s Cause was started as a way for the
In his opening his comments, board Chairman Geoffrey Gamble said that he recently toured the home with the members of the Public Works Department and concluded that there are two floors in the building that could be used by the township as early as 2024. “The Fussell House has an up-to-date electrical service, heating system and air conditioning system, a brand new roof and new windows, Photo by Richard L. Gaw three bathrooms and one full The Kennett Township Board of Supervisors recently kitchen,” Gamble said. “It discussed possible options for the historic Fussell House strikes me that it could be on Baltimore Pike, which has sat vacant since it received Continued on page 2A
significant renovations that were completed in 2019.
FROM OUR LENS Set and Spike
Courtesy photo
The Kennett High School Boys’ volleyball program – now a fully sanctioned team after two years on the club level – will be hosting a two-day tournament on March 31 and April 1 at Kennett High School that will invite teams from 13 schools to participate. To learn more about the formation of the team, see Page 1B.
family to turn tragedy into a positive in Kacie’s memory. This effort represents a crusade to help other families avoid the heartbreak of the loss of a loved one to a substance use disorder. Since its small beginning, Kacie’s Cause has grown
into a group of dozens of volunteers serving tirelessly to fight against the opioid epidemic. The group works with local residents, schools and law enforcement. Norcini got involved with the group when she ran a drug
court program. She gave a demonstration in using naloxone, a medication used for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose. Oxford Police Chief Sam Iacono said that his officers Continued on page 3A
February 25 Kennett Winterfest is sold out
Economic impact of beer festivals is significant, Kennett Collaborative leaders say By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer Of the more than 1,200 revelers who will be attending this year’s 11th annual – and sold-out -- Kennett Winterfest on Feb. 25, it is very likely that their focus will be on the more than 60 local, regional and awardwinning breweries who will be showcasing their finest India pale ales, session varietals, imperial porters and blonde ales. From booth to booth, from tasting to tasting, the event serves as a calendar marker and a must-see carnival of Photo by Dylan Francis This year’s sold-out Kennett Winterfest on Feb. 25 will draw 1,200 attendees and invention, fellowship and showcase selections from 60 vendors throughout Chester County, Pennsylvania appreciation, compacted in a small, temporary city and Delaware.
wrapped entirely by pretzel necklaces. Yet, for every entry fee registered for the Kennett Winterfest and its partner the Kennett Brewfest, an important and vital connection to the economic machine of Kennett Square is made. According to the nonprofit’s 2021 annual report, nearly 60 percent of Kennett Collaborative’s entire yearly funding comes from the Kennett Brewfest and Kennett Winterfest, said Kennett Collaborative Executive Director Daniel Embree. “Most people who attend these festivals think that their money is simply Continued on page 3A