what additional information would be helpful to you.FALL 2001 NEWSLETTER
Table of Contents
In Brief
- Codes Section of Township Website Unveiled
- Township Resident Receives Grant
- Fall Household Waste Collection Day
- Community Notification System in Place
28th Annual Marshalton Triathlon 2001
- Fun Day Fund Raiser Supports West Bradford Fire Company -
It will soon be the first Sunday of October. This is the date of the annual Marshalton Triathlon. If you have lived in the West Bradford area for a year or two, chances are that you’ve heard of the Triathlon or have been a participant or spectator. This is the biggest and most exciting fund raising event for the West Bradford Fire Company.
Imagine… a group of bike riders lined up in front of the Marshallton Inn eagerly anticipating the starting gun. Then the adrenaline rush at the start as the riders pedal furiously downhill to the Brandywine Creek. They jump off their bikes and paddle as fast as they can down the Brandywine in a canoe. Then they walk through the beautiful hills and dales of West Bradford back to their bikes. After climbing back on their bikes, it’s the rush to the finish line!
This is just a little of what the Triathlon is like. Thirty-six racers leave the starting line every 6 minutes throughout the day. Some compete for prizes, but most participants are in it for the fun and excitement.
It’s an event that is for everyone, from young children to seniors. It’s even fun for non-competitors. There will be plenty of food provided by the West Bradford Fire Company and the 4 Dogs Tavern. One of the most favorite activities is to take the free bus to the creek to watch the participants try to get into their canoes without getting wet. More than a few end up going for a swim! There will be food, live music, and a children’s area with games and activities.
For more information, call us at (610) 696-9374.
See you there!
We're Growing...But not as much as you might expect
(This is the first of a continuing series of articles featuring Census information. As more information from the 2000 Census is distributed, we will compare it to the previous results, and share the information with you.)
The results are in… West Bradford has grown! Our 2000 population is 10,775. That shouldn’t surprise you. You’ve seen all the new houses going up. What may surprise you is that we only gained 369 people or 3.5% from 1990!
The overall increase in the County population was 15.2%. Population changes in the surrounding municipalities ranged from a decrease in the older urban areas of Downingtown (2.1%) and Caln (0.7%) to an increase of 5.3% in Newlin, 9.1% in East Caln, 16.3% in East Fallowfield, and 46% in East Bradford.
Why haven’t we grown as much as the other Townships? It is mostly due to two factors. The most significant of these is that the number of people living in each house has declined. In 1990 the average number of people per home was 3.2. In 2000 it had decreased to 2.98.
The second factor why we haven’t grown as much as others is our fairly stringent land use regulations. The Township Board of Supervisors has adopted a philosophy of controlling and regulating growth, thus allowing the Township to continually provide our community with the highest possible standard of living.
What impacts does this have on the Township? While we haven’t grown as much as some other townships, we are using up more land than we used to for each resident to live. This can decrease quality of life. It uses up more open space for development, requires more vehicle trips to get anywhere, and costs more tax dollars to maintain and repair roads and other infrastructure.
To minimize these impacts in the future the Township is:
Guiding development towards areas where infrastructure already exists;
Promoting denser development in historic village expansions;
Creating plans for township-wide sidewalk and trail systems and greenways;
Protecting natural features through development controls;
Requiring developers to pay impact fees for the traffic they generate; and
Conserving open space and historic resources.
By the 2010 Census we hope to minimize the impact of future development on our community’s quality of life.
Township Schedules Four Fall Leaf Collections
This year's leaf collection dates will be on Friday's. Four pick-ups are planned for township residents only. Leaf bags will be picked up curbside on the following dates:
Friday - October 26
Friday - November 9
Friday - November 16
Friday - December 7
Your bags must be out by 6 AM on the scheduled dates. Leaves must be placed in special biodegradable bags purchased from the Township. Bags may be purchased at the Township Administration Building, 1385 Campus Drive, during regular business hours - Monday through Friday - 8 AM to 4:30 PM. For your convenience, this year we will be open on two Saturday mornings for leaf bag sales only. The two dates are October 20th and November 10th from 9 AM to Noon. The bags are provided to residents at cost, 3 bags per $1, the fees for the actual collection are already factored into your quarterly trash bill.
Leaves will be picked up only in the special bags sold by the Township. Do not use your toter, recycling bins, other municipality's bags, or any other bag or container. Leaves in other bags, containers, or your toter will not be collected. To avoid damaging the equipment used to compost the leaves, the leaves need to be free of plastic, trash, and other debris. Please do not include grass clippings or other yard waste.
Yard waste and larger brush cannot be placed in your regular trash. Shrubbery and tree trimmings up to 6" in diameter may be taken to the Lanchester Landfill in Honey Brook for composting or shredding. There is a charge for this. Please call the landfill at (610) 273-3771 for more information.
You may compost your yard waste yourself instead of placing it out for pick up. We encourage all of our residents to compost or mulch their yard waste if they can. This reduces the amount of waste that has to be collected and helps the environment. Yard waste includes leaves, clippings, grass cuttings, and even food and vegetable scraps and coffee grounds. Compost can be used as fertilizer and mulch around your yard.
If you would like further information on composting, contact the Chester County Health Department - Division of Solid Waste Management at (610) 344-5937 or visit their website (www.chesco.org).
(but permitted if safety guidelines are followed)
With the fall approaching, our office receives may calls regarding regulations on burning leaf and yard waste. While the Township strongly encourages the composting or municipal collection of leaves instead of burning them, we do not prohibit burning.
Our burning regulations require five simple, commonsense steps to reduce the danger of the fire spreading.
Failure to follow these steps may result in a Township fine.
West Bradford Fire Company Selects 16th Chief
The West Bradford Fire Company (WBFC) has a new chief. Glenn Allison, a 26-year veteran of the fire company, is now the Company’s 16th chief. He began his career as a 14-year-old junior firefighter and has progressed through the ranks to lieutenant, assistant chief, and governing board member.
Glenn has seen the community’s phenomenal growth in housing and population during his volunteer career. He is well acquainted with the administrative and public safety demands facing him and the company’s fire fighters. An increase of 250 emergency calls per year since 1997 has made his 25-hour per week unpaid, volunteer job all the more challenging.
He owns his own business and lives on Shadyside Road with his wife, Lisa, and their two sons, Bryon and Jonathon. His father, Robert, is also an active firefighter and department officer living in Romansville.
Founded in 1953, the WBFC is a 100 percent volunteer organization. It is staffed year round, 24 hours a day by trained personnel. Its 35 active firefighters provide a state-certified medical Quick Response Service and full fire, rescue, and emergency services.
New volunteers are always welcome. To volunteer, stop by the firehouses in Marshallton or on the municipal campus any Thursday night. Visit their web site at www.wbfc.org.
(This article will be a regular feature of our newsletter. It will give insights into how municipalities work and answer some common questions that residents have about dealing with local government.)
I heard someone say that it takes too long for the Township to get anything done…
By and large, most citizens feel that the local township is one of the most responsive branches of our government. After all - if your trash doesn’t get picked up or your street has a huge pothole - you know where to find us. We are your neighbors and it’s our job to meet your needs. Unlike higher levels of government, there isn’t a lot of excessive bureaucracy to hide behind. However, there are times when citizens feel that we could respond more quickly to their needs and concerns. What isn’t always clear to many people is that we are a creature of the Commonwealth and operate under many restrictions that can limit our responsiveness.
Our governmental structure in the United States, by its very nature, is subject to many checks and balances. This promotes fairness and equality, but also slows things down. Many of our actions are subject to review by state and county agencies or must follow set procedures established by others.
The following are answers to some common questions that we receive on why it takes time to get some things done.
Why does it take so long to process billing address changes or set up new accounts?
We receive all of our property ownership information from the County Recorder of Deeds and Assessment Offices. There can be as much as a month’s delay between a sale and our notification by the County. Additionally, our billing system is tied to the County’s tax parcel numbers. It has taken up to three months for the County to set up tax parcel numbers for new subdivisions.
Why does it take so long for major road repairs to begin?
We are required by the Commonwealth to solicit written bids on all purchases over $10,000. Specific time requirements for advertising must be met and meetings are required to review and approve the bids. This process must begin after the Township’s annual budget is approved. The successful bidders then have a set period to deliver the final products. Once all of these requirements have been met it may be late spring or early summer before roadwork can begin.
Why does it take so long for ordinances to be passed?
The Commonwealth mandates advertising and public hearings for many types of ordinances. State agencies and the County also have review requirements that increase adoption time. While this offers an opportunity for citizens and other agencies to review the proposal, it can stretch the adoption time to three months or more.
Why does it take so long for land use and building decisions to get implemented?
The Township is subject to many of the same judicial proceedings as the average citizen. Offended parties may appeal township decisions. Additionally, there are quasi-judicial boards that the Commonwealth has mandated the Township to go through to help resolve some cases before they reach a judge. This can slow the execution of decisions considerably.
Why does it take so long for park projects to get completed?
It is Township policy to provide as many services as we can to our citizens without increasing taxes. Significant grants are available from the Commonwealth, County, and private groups to purchase and develop parks. However, we cannot begin a project until the funds are received. Each grant that is applied for has different deadlines and award dates. Grants reduce the costs of parks considerably, but it increases the time it takes to finish a project too.
We have made, and continue to make, changes in the way we do things in order to get things done more quickly. We appreciate all your comments and suggestions on ways to do this. We may not always be able to do things as fast as you, and we, would like. However, we are committed to serving your needs as best as we can - given the limitations that we must work under.
In Brief
Codes Section of Township Website Unveiled
Many residents and contractors find that they have questions on Township regulations concerning code enforcement and building construction. To better answer the most common questions we receive, a codes section has been added to our website.
Did you ever wonder why building permits are needed? Or the required inspections during the stages of construction? Or what the Township’s sign regulations are? You can find answers to all these questions and many more at www.westbradford.org under the Codes & Permits heading.
Future upgrades to the site will include having all of our ordinances and regulations posted on-line, digitally downloadable forms, and the ability to fill out permits on-line. We have created the site as a result of your many suggestions. Please visit it and let us know, at what additional information would be helpful to you.
Township Resident Receives Grant
The Gundaker Foundation has awarded the 2001 Paul Vaughn Scholarship to Ms. Heather McClung of Valleywood Drive. The $7,500 scholarship will be used for her continuing education. Ms. McClung is a graduate student at John Hopkins University studying to become a medical doctor.
The Gundaker Foundation is a charitable organization of the local Rotary District. It solicits funds to enable local rotary clubs to promote community service within their areas. The Thorndale Rotary Club sponsored Ms. McClung in her application.
The award is made to a student of high academic achievement who is doing service work while going to school. The requirements are based upon the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.”
Applications for graduate and undergraduate grants and information on youth exchange programs are available from Mr. Jack Hines, Jr. (610) 269-4174. The next round of applications are due in February 2002.
Fall Household Waste Collection Day
West Bradford Township is a participant in the Regional Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program. This means that Township residents may drop-off their HHW at any collection event in the five county region without a fee.
The closest collection event this year will be at the County’s Government Services Center in West Goshen Township on Saturday, October 6, 2001. The event will be open from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. For more information on the event contact the County Recycling Hotline at 610-344-5937.
Community Notification System in Place
The grounds of the former Embreeville State Hospital continue to house State-mandated penal institutions. The Township has been involved in several legal battles regarding these facilities. Both the Township and our residents have not been notified promptly of escapes from these facilities in the past.
Vision Quest, one of these institutions, has been very forthcoming in regard to their facility. They have established a community hotline for notification of escapes. If you would like to be placed on the notification list please call 610-486-2280.
The Township is still trying to work with the State to establish better communication regarding the other facilities at the site.
Movie Nights, Concerts Draw Larger Crowds in 2001
Another successful season of special events highlighted the summer of 2001 at Broad Run Park. The Recreation Commission put together an ambitious schedule of concerts and movies for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. All the events in June, July and August, took place on Thursday nights in or near pavilion “A.” Because schools were back in session, the two September “Movie Nights” were scheduled for Friday nights.
The first event was a return engagement by “The Barbone Street Jazz Band” on June 21st. This year’s concert featured the music of Louis Armstrong in honor of the anniversary of his 100th birthday. On July 26th Travis Wetzel, with his “Travis Wetzel Trio,” wowed the crowd with his abundant energy and unmatched skills in performing Bluegrass, Native American, Swing, Irish, and gypsy music on his ‘fiddle’ and mandolin. The big band sounds of thirty-five members of the “Lukens Band” and the eleven-member “Next Generation Band” were thoroughly enjoyed by concertgoers on August 9th and 23rd respectively.
The members of the West Bradford Township Recreation Commission would like to express their sincere gratitude to Comcast Communications, PECO Energy Company, Downingtown National Bank, and the Creative Financial Group for their generous contributions toward our summer concert series.
The huge success of the first “Movie Night” - “E.T.” in August of 2000 - led the Recreation Commission to schedule four more for the summer of 2001. On July 12th, over 300 people enjoyed viewing the escapades of “Stuart Little” on the side of 31-foot long “HavaVision™” mobile video billboard. Many families were observed sharing their “picnic dinners” of pizza, hoagies, barbequed chicken, etc. as they sat on their blankets and enjoyed the show.
A survey conducted that evening asked moviegoers to write down what other movies they would like to see on the remaining three movie nights this summer. “The Emperor’s New Groove,” “Toy Story II,” and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” were the top vote getters of the 109 different movies mentioned on the surveys. “The Emperor’s New Groove” was viewed by over 325 people on August 16th and, as this newsletter goes to press, “Toy Story II” and “Willy Wonka…” are scheduled for 8:00 P.M. on September 7th and 21st respectively.
Once again this year, we would like to thank Hugh Richards of Haverford Systems and Eileen Richards of Anteaks of Downingtown for their overwhelming generosity in providing such wonderful family entertainment for our residents, friends, and relatives.
We would also like to thank John Vogel of the “Early Bird Restaurant” in Downingtown for providing refreshments for the events this summer. Special thanks go out to the West Bradford Fire Company and Fire Police for all their efforts in ensuring the evenings ran smoothly and safely.
The WBT Recreation Commission greatly appreciates the overwhelming support of the West Bradford Township Board of Supervisors as well as the hard work of the entire Township Staff in these endeavors. We would especially like to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the many volunteers who helped to make the “Summer Events 2001” series such an overwhelming success. As we begin planning events for summer 2002, we’d love to hear your comments about the events of summer 2001. Please send us a note, e-mail, or give us a call. Thanks!
In an effort to increase the natural diversity of our Township parks, birdhouses were installed in each in the early spring. The program has been a success with the following types and numbers of birds fledged (born & raised) during the spring and summer.
| Broad Run Park: | Brandywine Meadows: |
Bluebirds 26 | Bluebirds 4 |
| Tree Swallows 25 | Tree Swallows 15 |
| House Wrens 12 | |
| Campus Park: | |
| Montvale Park: | Bluebirds 5 |
| Bluebirds 9 | |
| Tree Swallows 10 | GRAND TOTALS: |
| House Wrens 12 | Bluebirds 44 |
| Tree Swallows 50 | |
| House Wrens 28 |
The following birds have migrated from our parks during August:
It has also been noted that two Green Herons have mated and started a family with two youngsters at a pond in the township.