Table of Contents
PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH VISITS WEST BRADFORD
President George W. Bush visited West Bradford Township in October for a political rally in advance of the mid-term congressional elections. He addressed a crowd of about 3,000 in attendance at the United Sports Training Center. Speaking in support of his candidates, he also stressed the importance of getting out to vote and touched on efforts for the War on Terrorism. The Downingtown Area School District marching band entertained the crowd, which included Republican political leaders and elected officials.
Our thanks goes out to the hundreds of emergency service personnel, especially the West Bradford Fire Company and police/security personnel, and the Pennsylvania State Police who spent four days of their time in hectic preparation for the visit. Without their efforts the event could not have gone so smoothly and safely.
Photos courtesy of RL Photos, Chief Mike Miller, Mark Brunsetter and Beau Crowding of the Minquas Fire Company, Chief Glenn Allison of the West Bradford Fire Company, and Ms. Kimberly Williams.
TOWNSHIP PREPARED TO PLOW THROUGH WINTER STORMS
Old Man Winter has visited us early this year and it looks like he may be around for a while. Our road crew is preparing to do their best to have our roads in as good a condition as possible.
Our trucks salt, cinder, and plow over 122 lane miles of roads. We hire extra contractors and maintain stockpiles of over 400 tons of anti-skid material. We stock extra parts for plows, salt spreaders, and truck chains. Despite our best efforts, we do have equipment breakdowns during snowstorms; this may delay work on certain routes. Please be patient.
Each operator has a specific route that includes high priority roads and lesser priority roads. When a snowstorm begins, operators will cover their entire route with salt and anti-skid material. This helps to keep the snow and ice from freezing on the surface. After that they begin to plow their route. The intensity of the snowstorm determines how routes are completed. For minor storms the entire route may be completed at once. However, if the storm intensifies, only priority routes (usually through roads) will be plowed. Cul-de-sacs and secondary roads will not be done until the main routes can be kept open. As the storm lightens all roads will be opened. After all roads can be kept open and the snow stops, drivers complete their route by pushing snow back as far as possible on the cartway and clearing the intersections.
The success of our winter maintenance program depends on how much cooperation we receive from our citizens. By following these guidelines during a snowstorm you can assist us in keeping the roadways open:
·
Don’t park cars on a street during a snowstorm. Remove all vehicles from streets before the storm and keep them off the street until the streets are cleared. Having cars in the street not only delays the clearing of streets, but can result in the car owner receiving a fine or the car being towed.·
Don’t push or shovel snow into the street. This practice causes a safety hazard and could cause an accident. You can be fined for this or be held responsible for the accident.·
Properly prepare your vehicle for winter driving. If you do not have confidence when driving on snow and ice, don't drive. Share the ride with someone or change your schedule so that you don't have to travel.·
When clearing your driveway be aware that when streets are plowed the snow will go into your driveway. Clearing a wider area on the edge of the street before your driveway will allow much of the snow to leave the plow before your driveway.·
We are not responsible for mailbox damage unless we hit it with a plow. Heavy snow thrown from highway plows will break mailboxes and rotted posts. You are responsible for these repairs.·
We do not plow or maintain State roads. Strasburg Road, Marshallton-Thorndale Road, Northbrook Road, Romansville Road, Route 322, Bradford Avenue, Glenside Road (from Beacon Hill Road into Downingtown), Camp Linden Road, and Stargazer Road are State roads. Call PennDOT at (610) 436-2091 to report problems with these roads.
Our road department and the contractors we hire spend long hours in tough conditions to make the roads as safe as possible. Please cooperate with them and appreciate the fact that they are doing their best to serve the community.
TOWNSHIP HOLDS THE LINE ON TAXES FOR THE 30TH YEAR
On December 10, 2002, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Township’s 2003 budget. In keeping with the Board’s philosophy of prudent fiscal spending, the budget requires no tax increase to achieve its objectives. This marks the Township’s 30th year without a tax increase!
The major goals of the Board for 2003 include continuing to maintain our road
system by resurfacing and reconstructing portions of four roads and two
intersections, the continuing creation of our park system by developing
Shadyside Park and planning for the future Leids Road Park and the Telegraph
Road Preserve, the development and leasing of a new State Police Barracks, the
construction of the Strasburg Corridor Wastewater Treatment Facility to
alleviate the sewage problems in Marshallton, and the updating of our
Subdivision/Land Development Ordinance and creating a Greenways, Trails and
Gateways Plan.
Please see the budget for more details. A summary of the budget has been
posted on theTownship’s web site at www.westbradford.org and it is also
available in the lobby of theTownship Building.
SUPERVISORS ELECT MR. HAIKO TO BE CHAIRMAN FOR 2003
In keeping with the tradition of rotating the chairmanship of the Board of Supervisors, Mr. Haiko was elected to be Chairman for 2003. Mr. Haiko was initially appointed to office in 1990. Since that time he has been re-elected to two terms of office.
The Board of Supervisors has rotated the chairmanship for a number of years. Although the chairman does not have any greater legislative authority than the other members of the Board do, he does direct the meetings and establishes the agenda in concert with the Township Manager. The rotation of the chairmanship gives each board member an opportunity to forward programs, which they believe are important for the citizens.
The members of the Board of Supervisors are elected to six-year terms. The terms are staggered so that a supervisor is elected to office each odd-numbered year.
The following Pennsylvania State Symbols?
1. State Animal?
2. State Flower?
3. State Dog?
4. State Tree?
5. State Bird?
Answers:
1. Whitetail deer
2. Mountain Laurel
3. Great Dane
4. Hemlock
5. Ruffed Grouse
The Embreeville Complex is owned by the Commonwealth and operated by both its Department of General Services (DGS) and its Department of Public Welfare (DPW). The complex was built in the 1950’s to serve as a housing and treatment facility for mentally handicapped individuals. It served in that role until the late 1980’s.
After its closure as a State run treatment facility, Township and County officials, as well as our local State Representatives and State Senators, formed a working group to determine the future use of the site. Many ideas were exchanged on its future, especially as a possible home to a community college. However, these efforts came to naught, as the DPW would not relinquish its control over the facility. The DPW felt that it needed to retain control in order to ensure that social service agencies and similar uses would have a place to locate.
The DPW began leasing portions of the complex to these types of uses in the 1990’s without regard to Township regulations - including zoning and building and safety codes. The Township filed a lawsuit against the DGS and DPW to enforce our regulations. A settlement was reached in 1996; it allows no more than the three existing "penal uses" currently on the site. It also requires the State and tenants to comply with most of our building and safety codes.
Current tenants at the facility include the Pennsylvania State Police, West Bradford Youth Athletics, Community Gardens of Chester County, Rural Opportunities, Inc., Meals on Wheels, Brandywine Region of Friends, the Chester County Intermediate Unit’s C.A.S.E. program, S.E.S.T.U., Pennsylvania Clinical Schools, and VisionQuest.
The Township considers the later three tenants as "penal uses." It has limited control or management over them other than that spelled out in our legal settlement with the State. These tenants have had the recent escapes that our Township Supervisors and residents are concerned about.
The Township is facilitating a meeting between these three tenants, the Pennsylvania State Police, our local state legislative representatives, and our concerned residents during the beginning of the New Year. The intent of the meeting is to allow the tenants to inform our residents about their activities and security procedures. A date, time, and location has not been established as this newsletter goes to press. The meeting information will be posted on the home page of our website (www.westbradford.org) as soon as it is available.
More information on each of these tenants may be found on their websites. For those residents that do not have access to the Internet, please contact the Township Office at (610) 269-4174 for more information.
Southeast Secure Treatment Unit (S.E.S.T.U.) -
VisionQuest - www.vq.com
TOWNSHIP, WBYA COMPLETE FIRST STAGE OF IMPROVEMENTS AT BEACON HILL PARK
The Township in conjunction with the West Bradford Youth Association (WBYA) and other volunteers has completed the first stage of improvements to Beacon Hill Park.
The Township has reconstructed the parking lot, redirected stormwater runoff, and created a sidewalk and trail system linking the park to West Bradford Elementary, Beacon Hill Park, and Bradford Glen.
The WBYA has secured new scoreboards for the larger fields. Michael Laverty, as part of his Eagle Scout project, has created concrete pads for the dugout areas.
Future improvements will include redesigning the landscaping and fencing, park gates, and security lighting improvements. Limited parking may still be an issue during some events. We encourage all WBYA participants to either car pool, park in the overflow parking at Beacon Hill Park and West Bradford Elementary, or walk/bike to events.
SPONSORS NEEDED FOR SUMMER EVENTS AT BROAD RUN PARK
June 2002 began our third summer of outdoor family events held at Broad Run Park. Our movie nights averaged over 250 people per night and, despite some very "iffy" weather on many occasions, the concerts averaged over 125 per evening.
If you missed out – don’t worry; we plan to do it again! West Bradford Township hopes to provide even more events this spring and summer. Concerts and movie nights are a great opportunity for family and friends to enjoy an evening out under the stars.
To continue to provide these events free of charge to everyone - residents, families, and friends - the Recreation Commission is currently seeking sponsors to offset the costs to the Township. Individual, business, or corporate donations in any amount will be accepted. If you or your company is interested in becoming a sponsor please contact the Township Office. The names of the sponsors will be displayed prominently in our newsletters, concert brochures, newspaper articles, website, and other locations.
We plan to feature a great variety of music at this year’s concert events
and are always interested in hearing your thoughts. So… if you have a new idea
for a concert, a good family movie, or other event you’d like us to put on,
please call (610-269-4174), e-mail 
, or visit us at
the Township Office to let us know your thoughts.
As summer approaches, look for more information on scheduled events in our upcoming newsletters and on our website (www.westbradford.org).
UPDATING THE TOWNSHIP'S CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
In 2003, you may encounter many Township construction projects getting underway. Here is an update on each:
·
New Pennsylvania State Police Barracks: The Township will construct a new State Police Barracks at the intersection of Leids Road and W. Strasburg Road. It will be leased to the State for a period of 20 years. No Township tax dollars are being used for it. This will ensure adequate police coverage without having to raise taxes for a Township police department. The project is expected to be completed by early 2004.·
Shadyside Park Development: The Township is creating our second community park at the intersection of Shadyside Road and Glenside Road. We have received State and County grants for facility development. The project has been on hold pending the receipt of permits from the State Department of Environmental Protection. Bids will be solicited this spring. The park is expected to open in time for West Bradford Day 2004.·
Signalization of Shadyside Road and Downingtown Pike: Additional turning lanes and a signal will be placed at the intersection of Shadyside Road and Downingtown Pike. PennDOT approvals have been secured and bids will be solicited this spring. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2003.·
Realignment of Bradford Avenue and Downingtown Pike: The Township is working with PennDOT and State Representative Schroder to relocate Bradford Avenue. This will ensure a better site distance approaching the bridge over the Brandywine Creek. This realignment will move the roadway to the south from the start of the trestle bridge to its intersection with Downingtown Pike. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2003.·
Strasburg Corridor Wastewater Facility: This project will allow the failing septic systems around the village of Marshallton to be eliminated. The project has been in the works for several years, but a lawsuit by Newlin Township landowners had delayed it. The Township plans to begin construction of the facility by late spring. Completion is expected by the end of the year.·
Brandywine Meadows Park Reforestation: In order to further protect the water in the West Branch of the Brandywine Creek, the Township has received a grant from the CREP (Conservation and Reforestation Enhancement Program). The grant will allow us to create a riparian (forested) buffer along the creek to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution. Brandywine Meadows Park is located along Downingtown Pike across from Bradford Avenue.
Contact the Township at (610) 269-4174 for more information on any of these projects.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR BOARDS, COMMISSIONS
Volunteers are currently needed to fill vacant positions on various boards and commissions. We currently have vacancies on the Township’s Recreation Commission, Historical Committee, and Planning Commission. These bodies generally meet at least monthly, in the evenings.
Even if you may not be interested in serving on a standing committee there are always opportunities to serve the township on a volunteer basis. Examples of other volunteer opportunities include assisting with West Bradford Day, helping out at our parks, and serving on special committees like the Shadyside Park Task Force.
Descriptions of the vacancies and a volunteer application may be found on our website (www.westbradford.org) or may be requested by mail at (610) 269-4174.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAYS
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.
|
Chester County Collection Dates for 2003 |
|
|
Date |
Location |
| April 12, 2003 | Tredyffrin
Twp. Building 1100 DuPortail Road Berwyn, PA 19312 |
| May 10, 2003 | Owen
J. Roberts High School 981 Ridge Road Pottstown, PA 19465 |
| September 6, 2003 | New
Garden Twp. Building 8934 Gap Newport Road, Landenburg, PA 19350 |
The events are open from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. For directions or more information, call the County Recycling Hotline at 610-344-5937.