Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 157, No. 19
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
$1.50
Kennett Township reaches CBA with its police department By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer After several months of negotiations, Kennett Township has finalized a five-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Kennett Township Police Department that extends to Dec. 31, 2027.
INSIDE
Newark Life Magazine
The agreement was formally adopted by the township’s Board of Supervisors at the May 3 meeting. The path to locking in the new CBA began its negotiations last July in meetings between the township and the Kennett Township Police Association, and
Oxford Arts Alliance plans walking tour of outdoor gallery By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
To Subscribe Call 610.869.5553
Oxford Borough Council eagerly approved a letter of support for the Oxford Arts Alliance’s walking tour project at their May 1 meeting. The outdoor gallery project was spearheaded by Dave Eldreth, a well known local artist and Arts Alliance board member. This town beautification project is centered around the display of local artists’ work on buildings in the Sun, competitors both Borough of Oxford. The shine at 34th Kennett project is a unique opportuRun...1B nity for artists and not seen before town gallery which will focus on the display of oversize high-resolution images of original art on the buildings of Oxford. If you’re an Oxford resident and local artist, and
© 2007 The Chester County Press
was finalized in principle last November. It serves as an upgrade to a five-year contract that was first formalized in 2018 when the department began 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operations and expired at the end of 2022. In a May 1 policy briefing summary to the
would like more information or would like to make a donation to this program go to www.oxfordart.org for more information. In other business, council gave preliminary approval to William Fasick, a Boy Scout and member of Troop 13, to install a 911 memorial in the Oxford Memorial Park. Fasick will work with the Borough Public Works Department to install a memorial to honor those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The project will be on the agenda for the May 15 council meeting for further discussion. Borough council announced that the 30-day public comment period regarding the borough’s Pollutant Reduction Plan extends from May 1 to
board, Finance & Human Resources Director Amy Heinrich wrote that the new agreement was developed in part by comparing the existing CBA with those of other police units in other municipalities throughout Chester County, in order to bring benefits “in line with other municipalities to
aid in the financial stability of our police force, while still maintaining positive morale in the department.” The key amendments to the former CBA will allow officers to make a five percent contribution to their pension plans and their healthcare package, as well as officer a health-
care opt-out incentive; see an adjustment to holiday compensation; reflect reductions in vacation time and in payouts for unused vacation and sick time. As spelled out by township Manager Eden Ratliff during his comments to the supervisors, the new Continued on page 2A
FROM OUR LENS Healthier soil, healthier food
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
On May 8, Laurel Valley Soils in Landenberg served as the site for the national kick-off for International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), held from May 7-13. ICAW is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry, and is celebrated nationwide and in other countries each year to raise public awareness on the benefits of recycling organics and increased compost use. Pictured are Christina Sappey, State Rep. for 158th Legislative District; Laurel Valley Soils Manager Joe DiNorscia; American Mushroom Institute President Rachel Roberts; and several representatives from nationally recognized agricultural and mushroom industry agencies.
Continued on page 2A
Kennett Borough Council agrees to contract for Borough Hall In a busy month, Borough Council is also considering a potential easement for a borough-owned parking lot, receiving a report about fire and EMS expenditures, and discussing the Kennett Y swimming pool situation By HaLeigh Abbott Contributing Writer
decisions on committees and policies and discussed a variety of topics includKennett Borough Council ing a potential easement for held meetings on May 1 and the borough parking lot on May 3, where they reached Church Alley and a contract
agreement for the Borough Hall building. Esmerelda Carrillo and Aide Garcia Hernandez were appointed to ACOLA, the borough’s Advisory
Commission on Latino Affairs. Chairman Jorge Duchini backed the twoyear term appointment, welcoming the new generation of Latino voices to the
commission. The purpose of ACOLA is to advise the Borough Council on official actions that affect the Latino community. In addition to Continued on page 2A
2023 Kennett Memorial Day Parade
Grand marshals share their stories of service to country Three local veterans will lead the patriotic procession through Kennett Square on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29. It’s possible, in the midst of all the buzz and excitement, to miss the significance of what these men represent—to the community and the country. The 2023 Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade’s grand marshals—Bill Taylor, Hugh Hagerty, and Phil Donohoe—have all led lives of faithful service. While their stories are very different, they’re united in urging Americans of every generation to show respect and gratitude for all who
have served, and are serving, in the U.S. Armed Forces. Here are their stories. Former Parade Chairman honored for laying a strong foundation Former Memorial Day Parade Chairman Bill Taylor, who organized and ran the parade until 2019, is being honored as a grand marshal this year. “We owe Bill a debt of gratitude for all that he did for 16 years,” said current parade Chairman Dave with the event, building on and his company, Taylor Oil Square with a deep appreHaradon. “The new com- the strong foundation that & Propane, laid for us.” ciation for the sacrifices mittee is moving forward Bill, along with his family Continued on page 3A Taylor grew up in Kennett