Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 158, No. 49
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
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The Stone Barn restaurant and venue destroyed in Sunday morning fire Two GoFundMe pages have already raised more than $10,000 By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer The Stone Barn, a longtime destination for great food and camaraderie and one of the most sought-after wedding reception venues in Chester County, was the victim of a multi-alarm fire early Sunday morning that left one of the area’s most treasured establishments in smoldering ruins.
INSIDE
At 2:48 a.m. on Dec. 8, several fire companies were alerted to a reported fire at the venue’s location on 550 Upland Road in West Marlborough Township. According to the Po-MarLin Fire Department’s social media page, one of its engines was the first to arrive at the scene as the fire quickly advanced through the building. Soon after, the Po-Mar-Lin crew was
joined by crews from several other fire departments who provided several water tanker trucks and together, they deployed several fire hoses to defensive operations as firefighters began to extinguish the fire from the outside of the restaurant while also protecting nearby buildings from the heat of the fire. According to Po-MarLin’s account of the fire, the
incident occurred in an area without hydrants, so a tanker task force was requested for dispatch. No one was injured during the fire, but Continued on Page 2A Courtesy photo
The Stone Barn, the venerable restaurant and wedding venue in West Marlborough Township, was the victim of a devastating fire in the early morning hours of Dec. 8.
Residents to absorb a $22 a year tax increase to help pay for higher Fire & EMS costs
Supervisors approve Kennett Township’s 2025 budget By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
After a series of five public meetings that carefully sifted through projected spending Kennett Square dresses up and income figures and for the holidays...1B financial forecasts for next year, the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors officially adopted the township’s 2025 budget at its Dec. 4
meeting. The township’s operating budget will begin the new year with $12.4 million across all funds, including $5.5 million in its general fund. On the operating expense side, the township’s budget will be $8,356,569, which is an eight percent increase ($633,649) from 2024. Of those top cost centers, 32 percent will be directed
to the township’s Police Department, which stands at the top with an expense budget of $2,703,706 for next year, a 14-percent increase ($338,667) over 2024. The primary drivers for its increase will reflect a 7.3-percent increase in its pension municipal obligation and a 7-percent overall increase in salary and benefits that include overtime, medical and den-
tal insurance and tuition reimbursement. The township’s contribution to the Kennett Area Fire & EMS Commission will reflect 22 percent of the township’s anticipated costs for 2025 and see a 17 percent increase in operating expenses next year ($260,216) to cover its capital contribution to the Commission. Currently, the township is
responsible for 30.5 percent of the Commission’s entire budget. In 2025, the Commission is projecting a $500,000 increase to pay for new vehicles and equipment and another $407,000 that is projected to be designated for salary increases, the hiring of an additional truck driver and repairs at the Kennett Fire Department’s facility. Continued on Page 3A
Baker selected to fill vacancy on Penn Township Board of Supervisors
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By Chris Barber Contributing Writer John Baker, a Penn Township Zoning Board member, was unanimously selected to fill the vacant seat on the township’s Board of Supervisors. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Laura Sperratore. The supervisors held a short recognition ceremony at the Dec. 3 meeting, praising Sperratore for her
support of important township projects, including the Medic 94 paramedic building, the creation of a sports park, and numerous environmental and road projects. She submitted her letter of resignation at the November meeting, and it was accepted at the December meeting. Her term was due to expire at the end of 2025. State Rep. John Lawrence, R-13, of West Grove, was on hand to read a let-
ter of congratulations to Sperratore for her achievements and service. The remaining supervisors presented her with flowers and other gifts. Baker, 73, who was at the meeting, has lived in the township for about 20 Continued on Page 2A
Photo by Chris Barber
John Baker was selected to fill a vacancy on the Penn Township Board of Supervisors on Dec. 5.
FROM OUR LENS ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ at Winterthur
Courtesy photo © 2007 The Chester County Press
Beginning on Dec. 21, guests of the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library will be able to step back to a time when the du Pont children enjoyed the popular Lionel Standard Gauge toy trains of their era. “Twelve Days of Christmas,” a festive toy train display presented by the Standard Gauge Module Association, will be on view in the Brown Horticulture Learning Center through Jan. 1, 2025. To purchase tickets, visit www.winterthur.org.
Wreaths Across America takes place this Saturday Wreaths Across America will lay 1,350 wreaths on veterans’ graves in the Oxford Cemetery and six other locations in the area during National Wreaths Across America Day this Saturday, Dec. 14. The event starts at noon, when the wreaths will be distributed to the volunteers who are present. Each year, millions of volunteers and patriots gather in local, state, and national cemeteries across all 50 states and abroad to pay tribute to the country’s service members and their families. Clarissa Sherrow, of Oxford, volunteers her time to help lead the local Wreaths Across America effort to ensure that veterans who are buried in cemeteries in and around
Oxford are honored and remembered. She explained that the wreaths are paid for by donations from family members, local businesses and fundraising. “Two main fundraisers for us are the annual craft fair held in October and a cornhole tournament,” Sherrow said. “Wreaths Across America places wreaths on the graves of veterans every holiday season to remember and honor those who served in the military and teach others, especially children, about our freedom.” Sherrow said that the Oxford community is very supportive of the mission of Wreaths Across America, and local businesses, local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, the Oxford Police Department, and the Oxford Continued on Page 3A