Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 158, No. 38
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
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Budget for 2025 to be finalized in December
Kennett Township reviews 2025 capital project requests By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer As she continues to sharpen, prepare and ultimately finalize Kennett Township’s 2025 complete budget in consultation with the township’s supervisors, Director of Finance and Human Resources Amy Heinrich introduced one component of next year’s fiscal outlook at the board’s Sept. 20 meeting: a wish list summary of capital projects totaling
INSIDE
$875,000 that it proposes to invest in over the next year. Heinrich’s presentation included a diverse list of projects for the township’s main building; its public works and police departments; upgrades for its sewer system; paving and stormwater needs; and the construction of the Five Points intersection project at the union of Hillendale, Old Kennett, Kaolin roads and South Union Street. Heinrich said that the
township building -- where several departments currently share office space -- continues to fall short of meeting the township’s expanding administrative needs. She projected a budget between $100,000 and $113,000 for the building, which includes improvements to the police department such as new walls, storage cabinets, doors, an office, a mini kitchen and improvements to the locker room.
New superintendent takes the reins at KCSD By Chris Barber Contributing Writer
Kimberly Rizzo Saunders assumed the reins of the Kennett Consolidated School District as the new superintendent on Aug. 24, and she took her seat at the head of the executive table at the Sept. 9 school board meeting. Rizzo Saunders, who earned her doctorate in education at Northeastern University, came most recently from the Contoocook Valley School District in New Hampshire. She served as the superintendent there since 2016. William Darlington: Last year she was elected Doctor, sailor, statesman, one of four finalists for the The Unionville Community Fair celebrates its 100th year...2A
National Superintendent of the Year honor. She replaces Kennett’s former Superintendent Dusty Blakey, who announced earlier this year that he would be retiring in July. During the period between Blakey’s departure and the arrival of Rizzo Sanders, Assistant Superintendent Michael Barber took on that role. At the September board meeting, he was formally rehired as the assistant superintendent and will continue to serve the district in that role. Although her contracted start date was Aug. 24, Rizzo Saunders came to visit and survey the Kennett school
Heinrich said that the building requires the installation of security camera upgrades, wireless technology and new furniture in its public meeting room, as well as the installation of new plumbing and HVAC units throughout the building. The public works department is requesting about $130,000 in upgrades for its facility that include the installation of new garage doors; a new addition to
its salt shed structure; the replacement of a garage furnace; and a new security camera. The department is also requesting a new utility truck – estimated at $90,000 – and a new loader – estimated at $180,000. The township is also proposing several stormwater projects in 2025, the cost of which will be less due to using “in-house” labor which will be expected to make replacements. Key projects will include
a pipe replacement along Davenport Road; drainage improvements along McFarlan Road from Hillendale to Rosedale roads; drainage improvements on West South Street; and culvert replacements at several locations in the township. Heinrich’s presentation also touched on several paving projects needed in the township – not to exceed $538,000 – that will Continued on Page 2A
FROM OUR LENS Red Devil resilience
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
The Avon Grove High School varsity football team hung in against undefeated Downingtown West for the first half but ultimately fell to the Whippets 40-19 on Sept. 20. For a complete story and additional photos, see Page 5B.
Continued on Page 3A
scientist...1B
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Oxford residents express concerns about police department regionalization rumors
© 2007 The Chester County Press
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer Oxford residents once again expressed concerns about rumors regarding the regionalization of the Oxford Police Department. Oxford Borough resident Daniel Graham stated, “We are hearing rumors about the Oxford Police Department. I want to know if there will be a
specific meeting about this (regionalization), and if the residents will be notified.” The rumors first surfaced back in November of last year when borough residents and residents from neighboring municipalities showed up at a meeting to ask questions about the rumors. It was explained by borough council that the borough participated in a grant-funded financial assessment through
the state’s Strategic Management Planning Program, also known as STMP or “STAMP.” That assessment, completed by Keystone Municipal Solutions, analyzed the borough’s finances—looking five years back and projecting into the future five years. The assessment found that the borough’s small tax base has put pressure on the operating budget and real estate tax
millage rate, which is the third-highest in Chester County. It also found that the Oxford community is characterized by relatively low-income levels, high poverty rates, and low homeownership rates. The plan advised that strengthening the borough’s fiscal position and addressing other key challenges will require a combination of revenue enhancements, strategic investments, and
expense reductions. The plan also said that if the borough wanted to forgo future tax increases, the borough officials could consider changes to how they provide police and public safety services. The plan included a list of potential changes to consider, including reducing the number of officers and the possible regionalization of police services. Continued on Page 2A
Avon Grove School Board focuses on additional funding from the state, plans for the future By Colleen Cochran Contributing Writer The Avon Grove School District Board of Directors held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17. The meeting centered on three matters: comprehensive planning to support students in the future, budget planning in light of receipt of new state funding, and upcoming capital improvements. Every three years, the Pennsylvania Department of Education requires each school district in the commonwealth to submit a
comprehensive plan that outlines its goals and strategies for best supporting its students. The department requires school districts to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, and board members to identify its priorities, action plans, and the metrics that will be utilized to evaluate progress toward goals that will be in place over a three-year span. Dr. Nicole Harvey, assistant superintendent of Elementary Education, gave a presentation about the work that is being
The Avon Grove School Board.
done to create the Avon said the Strategic Initiative holders, had just completed Grove School District Committee, together with its second work session, Continued on Page 4A Comprehensive Plan. She a diverse group of stake-