Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 158, No. 15
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
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‘Plumes of doom’: One development’s concern, and pursuit of answers By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer Hydrogen Sulfide is a chemical compound with the formula H2S and is often a colorless gas with a rotten egg odor, commonly referred to as “sewer gas.” H2S is heavier than air, very poisonous, corrosive, flammable and explosive. Corrosion of metal and concrete is a major issue associated with the generation and oxidation of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen Sulfide gas causes severe corrosion of equipment, in particular piping. Source: Corrosionpedia.com You are not likely to have health effects if you are
INSIDE
Brandywine Bread...1B
Valley
of an air-quality study that evaluated the levels of Hydrogen Sulfide in New Garden and London Grove townships. Occupying seats normally reserved for New Garden’s elected officials at the front of the room were representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH), the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP)’s Bureau of Air Quality, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PADOA). The focus of the 56-page study was based on On March 21, nearly 200 findings from three air qualPhoto by Richard L. Gaw local area residents packed ity monitors the PADOH For the past several years, the residents of the Landenberg Hunt development in the New Garden Township had set up that measured New Garden Township have been experiencing negative side-effects from expoBuilding to hear the results Continued on Page 2A sure to Hydrogen Sulfide gases. exposed to typical environmental concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide. You can have respiratory and neurological effects if you are exposed to higher concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide, at least 100 times higher than typical environmental levels. The effects can include eye, nose and throat irritation, difficulty breathing in people with asthma, headaches, poor memory, tiredness and balance problems. Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Kennett School Board scales back proposed tax increase By Chris Barber Contributing Writer
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The Kennett Consolidated School District Board discussed a reduction in the previously proposed hike in taxes for the coming 202425 school year at its April 8 meeting. During the board’s January meeting, school board member and Finance Committee chair Michael Finnegan presented a preliminary budget with a 4.8 increase for the upcoming school year. It would have County Commissioners placed an additional $278 recognize 300-year-old burden on average property family farm...5B owners who last year paid $5953 in property taxes. At April’s meeting, however, Finnegan announced that there have been decreases in several expenditures, including staff
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retirement costs, special education costs, reduced enrollment and self-insurance, as well as an increase in overall state funding. As a result, the school district’s anticipated tax increase is now at 2.8 percent, or a $168 increase for the average property owner. “In January, the proposed budget listed an increase of 4.8 percent, which was higher than I was comfortable with,” Finnegan said. He added that the current announced general operating budget for next year is $103.7 million, an increase from $98.6 million for this year. “That is the first time since I was here that it was over $100 million,” he said. A written accounting of the details of the
FROM OUR LENS Tiptoe through Longwood Gardens
Photo courtesy of Longwood Gardens
For anyone looking to enjoy the annual spring rite of passage known as tulips in bloom, now is their chance to do so in beautiful plentifulness at Longwood Gardens for the next few weeks. The Spring Blooms display flows from cool purples and pinks to shades of red and yellow to soft white blooms, showcasing 90 varieties of tulips. The gardens are open Wednesday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through May 8, and timed admission tickets required. To learn more, visit Learn more, visit www.longwoodgardens.org.
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Who will pay for curbing in Oxford Borough? By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer Oxford Borough Council continues to discuss paying for curbing in the borough. The big question is whether the individual property owners or the borough itself will pay for improvements to sidewalks and curbing. These are topics that have been discussed for years, and council continues to seek a fair solution. Seeking grant funding is one possibility, but grant funding is very competitive. Future projects, including one for Mt. Vernon Street, are being discussed. Borough officials continue to do their due diligence by talking to engineers and the borough solicitor. It is anticipated that the Mt. Vernon project will not include sidewalks, but does have curbing, which could
cost upwards of $500,000. If property owners are asked to pay, and refuse to pay, or are not able to pay, attaching a lien on the property may be a possibility. Curbs are a necessary requirement for stormwater management and to protect the longevity of the road. Council will continue to discuss this matter going forward. A project on Hodgson and Eighth Street is also under consideration. The borough continues to look at the ordinance language and will discuss it with engineers. Council members are aware of the hardships that property owners could face if sidewalk or curbing improvements are mandated. The Oxford Borough website was also discussed at the meeting. “The new Oxford Borough website is up and
running,” Oxford Borough Manager Pauline GarciaAllen explained. She invited everyone to check out the website and sign up to receive notifications. The site features a dropdown menu, an Instagram tool and is available in a multitude of languages. The website will continue to be updated. The plan is to use it as an educational tool for residents and anyone interested in the Borough of Oxford. The new website enables residents to become more informed and involved in their community and it gives them a front row seat to local government. At the April 5 meeting, Oxford Borough Council approved a resolution amending the borough’s Civil Service Commission rules and regulations. This will amend the rules for the physical agility part of
the testing process. Going forward MOPAC standards will be used. Borough council also approved the appointment of Cierra Neidigh to the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB). A special event permit application for the Oxford Presbyterian Church’s Apple Festival on Sept. 28 was approved, as was a Special Event Permit Application for Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. First Fridays. The First Friday lineup includes May Cinco de Mayo, June in Bloom, August Hometown Harvest, October Oxford Pride, November Heroes, and December Country Christmas, which is scheduled this year for Dec. 6. Oxford Mayor Phil Harris presented Jay Kennedy, treasurer for the Oxford Library Board, a proclamation for National Library
Courtesy photo
Oxford Mayor Phil Harris presented Jay Kennedy, the Oxford Library Board treasurer, with a proclamation for National Library Week. National Library Week ran from April 7 through April 13 this year.
Week. The Oxford Library, and all libraries, are a vital part of the community they serve. The Oxford Library is often a setting for classes for adults and children, and it provides information on employment, taxes, health, plus books, movies, access to computers and the internet, and so much more.