Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 158, No. 47
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
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Oxford Borough moves closer to finalizing budget By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer For Oxford Borough and other municipalities, it’s budget time—and with that come problems and solutions. Oxford Borough Council members have seen an increase in attendance by residents from inside and outside of the borough. Council members have mentioned more than once
INSIDE
that they welcome input on the budget. This council has been increasingly supportive of the Oxford Library and the Oxford Area Recreation Authority, two organizations with modest budgets that serve the entire community. The Oxford Library is the oldest library in Chester County and the third-oldest library in Pennsylvania. It serves people in the borough and the sur-
Penn Township adds tax increase for emergency services By Chris Barber Contributing Writer
'Santa Train' returning on Dec. 14...4A
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rounding townships with services such as access to computer technology, as a resource for those seeking employment opportunities, preparing for social security payments, as a drop-off site for electoral ballots and providing accessibility to workstations for those residents who have physical challenges. Like the Oxford Library, the Oxford Area Recreation Authority (OARA) serves the people in the borough
The Penn Township Board of Supervisors approved an increase of one-quarter of one-percent to the township’s earned-income tax at its Nov. 19 township meeting. In previous meetings, the supervisors discussed the needs expressed by the fire company and Medic 94 for more support because of the rising costs that those important organizations face. One example they quoted from the West Grove Fire Company was that, in earlier years, a well-turned-out fire truck could be purchased
for about $500,000. Now it costs more than $1 million. In addition to the material fees, they considered the need for around-the-clock professional staffing and the need to pay these professionals for the safety of the township residents. The increase the supervisors approved will raise the fee on an annual income from half of one-percent to three quarters of onepercent. In financial terms, for example, a person who earns $50,000 a year would pay $375 next year. The current bill in 2024 for that same income would be $250.
and surrounding townships. There are multiple sports fields used by everyone in the borough and the surrounding area. There are also numerous hiking trails throughout the park, and special events and holiday activities are held at the park, too. Picnicking areas and play areas also are provided. Council has been trans-
parent with its budget discussions for these two agencies, as well as everything in the budget. A special budget meeting was to be held on Monday, Nov. 25 to approve both the tax increase and the revised budget. A motion to advertise the 2025 budget was also to be approved at that meeting. Council also advised that
the borough office will be closed on Thanksgiving and the Friday after Thanksgiving. It was announced that the Oxford Regional Planning Committee is updating the 2012 multi-municipal comprehensive plan. Community members are encouraged to complete the online survey on the Continued on Page 2A
FROM OUR LENS Longwood’s newest memory maker
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
Guided by the hands of their parents, two young visitors enjoyed the opening day of A Longwood Christmas on Nov. 22, highlighted by the unveiling of Longwood Reimagined, a captivating, 17-acre reimagination of Longwood Gardens’ West Conservatory that is resplendent with the sights and sounds of the holiday season. For a story and additional photos, see Page 1B.
Continued on Page 3A
UHS says ‘Goodbye’ to cherished coach and mentor
‘He was the embodiment of joy’
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By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer The windswept Unionville High School baseball field became the site last Saturday afternoon to a memorial service for a friend, a coach, a mentor and a family member who richly deserved so many more innings in his life.
Continued on Page 2A Photo by Richard L. Gaw
Unionville High School varsity baseball coach Chris Valis addresses a gathering of more than 200 family members, friends and players at a Nov. 23 memorial service at Unionville’s baseball field for former coach Daniel Urdaneta, who died recently after a battle with cancer.
Lower-than-expected grant not deterring agency from pursuing additional funding Kennett Area Community Service is halfway toward the $15 million price tag for new facility; $2 million has been raised through private and corporate donations By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
© 2007 The Chester County Press
Before 200 mourners gathered in the infield grass – including more than one dozen of his former players, each dressed in uniform – long-time Unionville baseball coach Daniel Urdaneta was remembered in spirit and camaraderie, both in words and in music; in fact, the “Star Spangled
On Nov. 1, Kennett Area Community Service (KACS) Executive Director Leah Reynolds received a phone call from a prominent state official, informing her that KACS was going to receive a $775,000 grant
from the Commonwealth’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). While the funding was a sizable chunk of money, it was far from what KACS was seeking. In fact, for an agency that provides food, crisis services, educational programs and affordable housing for people in 22
different municipalities in the county, the grant fell $4,225,000 short of the agency’s original $5 million Courtesy photo request to RACP which, if The agency’s capital campaign committee is led by, received in full, would have from left to right, Anne Moran, Nancy Pia and Lynn Continued on Page 3A
Majarian.