Parkesburg Out Your Window

410 Strasburg Avenue at 6:54 PM

Uncle Sam Prepares For Holiday Weekend

Parkesburg resident Gerry Treadway, a.k.a. Uncle Sam, gets ready for the long 4th of July weekend by adding extra flags to his front lawn Thursday evening.

More Octorara Budget News

This article written by local journalist Debbie Wygent was published Tuesday in Lancaster Online:

Octorara Area School District ended 10 months of fiscal debate June 20 by approving a $45,757,576 spending plan for 2011-12 that will raise taxes by 0.24 mills in Lancaster County and 0.85 mills in Chester County.

The new budget is $269,000 lower than the current budget. The board made $1.6 million in cuts that included 12 professional positions and the evening custodial staff.

However, increasing costs and sinking state and federal revenues still meant using $1.2 million from the district's fund balance.

"There are no winners in this budget, and this is a taste of what's to come," board president Lisa Bowman said.

Lancaster County taxpayers will pay 28.37 mills (an increase of 0.85 percent) and Chester County taxpayers will pay 35.28 percent, up 0.46 percent. Board member Bob Hume cast the lone vote against the budget, which passed 8-1.

Read the entire article here.

West Fallowfield Christian School Honors Top Students

Presidential Education Awards were given to 24 students at a recent awards ceremony at West Fallowfield Christian School. 

Honoring student achievement and hard work is the purpose of the President's Education Awards Program. Since 1983, the program has provided individual recognition from the President and the U.S. Secretary of Education to those students whose outstanding efforts have enabled them to meet challenging standards of excellence.

Award winners were (back row, from left) eighth-graders Ryan Amey, Haleigh Whitney, Daniel Martin, Derek Hoffman, TJ Underwood, Mitchell Hoffman, Kyle Martin, Kristin Miller, Emma Millar, Summer Stoltzfus, Kara Mast, Kaitlyn Wrigley and Karissa Herr, and (front row) fifth-graders Christa Martin, Erin Wayman, Melissa Nafziger, Mickayla Kauffman, Jacob O'Connor, Matthew Whitney, Ian Brown, David Lambert, James Simpson, Connor Russell and Jack Berdoulay.

Thanks to Community Courier.

The Tree Doctor's Limb

Note:  This post marks the first of many regular postings by Parkesburg's own tree specialist, Mike Martorona, owner of The Tree Doctor.

Mike is a Longwood Garden trained certified arborist who started The Tree Doctor in 1989.  Mike reads trees and plants like the Phillies pitching staff reads opposing batters.  He and his team have an uncanny ability to bring out the best trees and shrubs, all at a reasonable price.

With happy customers across Parkesburg and Octorara, The Tree Doctor serves clients with challenging tree issues in Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, and Lancaster counties.

Call Mike for assistance with your trees and shrubs at 610.269.TREE (8733) or visit his homepage here.

By Mike Martorano

Have you been wondering what those purple boxes are hanging in area trees?

THIS IS AN ALIEN INVADER TRAP!  They are among us!

And THIS is what the aliens look like!

The Purple Box Traps are monitoring for Emerald Ash Borer.

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. Emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. 

Since meeting with the Pittsburgh City Arborist in February we’ve discovered EAB in Harrisburg and they are suspected in Kennett based on symptomatic trees.  At The Tree Doctor, we've been injecting trees for the past several years to create a more EAB resistant Ash tree.  They’re coming to Parkesburg soon! 

Emerald ash borer is also established in Windsor, Ontario, was found in Ohio in 2003, northern Indiana in 2004, northern Illinois and Maryland in 2006, western Pennsylvania and West Virginia in 2007, Wisconsin, Missouri and Virginia in summer 2008, Minnesota, New York, Kentucky in the spring of 2009, Iowa in spring of 2010, and Tennessee in the summer of 2010. 

Since its discovery, EAB has:

• Killed tens of millions of ash trees in southeastern Michigan alone, with tens of millions more lost in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Quebec, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
• Caused regulatory agencies and the USDA to enforce quarantines (Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Kentucky) and fines to prevent potentially infested ash trees, logs or hardwood firewood from moving out of areas where EAB occurs.
• Cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries tens of millions of dollars.

On June 27, 2007, Emerald Ash Borer was confirmed in Pennsylvania.  Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive beetle that destroys ash trees, has been detected for the first time in Pennsylvania and a quarantine will be imposed for Butler, Lawrence, Allegheny and Beaver counties.

Adult beetles were found on an ash tree in Cranberry Township, Butler County, by U.S. Department of Agriculture surveyors, through a joint effort by federal and state agriculture departments, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Penn State Extension. 

The Emerald Ash Borer has forced similar quarantines in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland and Michigan.  "Emerald Ash Borer poses a major threat to ash trees," said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "To best manage any effects of an infestation, we’re working to determine whether this is an isolated incident or a more widespread problem."

State and federal officials are conducting intensive surveys for the insect near the detection site. The quarantine is designed to help slow the spread of the beetle.

Thanks to the Emerald Ash Borer folks at: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

A Mental Health Break

Packing Heat At Walmart

This story and dialog between a gun rights activist and two West Sadsbury police officers at the local Walmart a couple of weeks ago was posted on Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association bulletin board over the weekend.

The only reason to carry a gun at Walmart is to disperse the long checkout lines to get out of the place quicker. 

The likelihood of him having a positive impact on the outcome of a crime at the store is nill, zero, nada. 

This guy deserves a feature page on the People of Walmart. 

The complete, unedited story is below.  This ledger will help understand the acronyms used by the author:

• OC or OCing = Open Carrying
• CC or CCing = Concealed carrying
• LEO = Law Enforcement Officer
• LTCF = License to carry firearm
• MPOETC = Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission

Here's the question.  If you saw this guy carrying a gun in the store, would you call the police?

Sunday, June 19: After enjoying my first official Father's Day with my family I had to run out to Wal*Mart (Parkesburg / Chester County). So, my brother and I ran up to Wal*Mart. I'm OCing and he's CCing. We had grabbed what I needed and we were talking about buying some gold fish. So, we went on over to the pet section. While browsing around, I noticed out of the corner of my eye 2 LEOs approaching me. One female officer and one male officer.

Female officer: Hello.

Me: Hey.

Female officer: I bet you know why we're here.

Me: Kinda.

Female officer: You have ID?

Me: ::hands her my ID and LTCF::

Male officer: If you have a concealed carry license you need to be concealing your gun.

Me: I don't have a concealed carry license. I have a License To Carry Firearm.

Male officer: Yeah. So it needs to be concealed.

Me: ::hands male officer OC flyer / MPOETC update::

Male officer: What is this?

Me: This is your training that you took. Tell me where it says I must conceal my firearm just because I have a LTCF.

Female officer: OK. Well, you're not wanted and everything is OK. We were just called here because a customer had seen you walking around the store with a gun on your side. We know there's nothing we can do. But, why must you OC?

Me: Because I feel more comfortable OCing. Plus, it's hard to me to CC. ::covers my firearm with my shirt and has a huge buldge showing:: Wouldn't that make you more nervous seeing that weird buldge then knowing what's there?

Female officer: OK. I see your point. But, just consider how many people get nervous with you being so close to Coatesville and consider their crime rate.

ME: That's why I carry. Especially in this area. Because of their crime rate.

Male officer: This (OC flyer / MPOETC) doesn't say anything about having to conceal a firearm with a LTCF.

ME: Thank you.

Male officer / Female officer: Well, we're gonna get going cause there's real crimes being commited somewhere else. You guys have a good day.

Me / My brother: Thank you. You too.

Both officers were nice and professional. Except for the male officer insisting I needed to CC if I have a LTCF. The female officer was very nice. Neither of them once tried to take my firearm, put me in handcuffs or even hint that I was in trouble.

I'm pretty sure I know who called the LEOs on me. Cause he was following me around the store.

NOTE TO CUSTOMER: What I was doing (OCing) is 100% legal in PA. Know the laws before you start calling the LEOs and harrassing a law abiding citizen!

Fire Company Fair Starts Tonight

Parkesburg Fire Company's annual fair begins its six day run tonight in Minch Park.

The fair will run through Saturday, July 2nd.

Fireworks will be on Friday night, July 1st with the rain date of July 2nd.

Cash prizes of $750, $500 and $250 will be given away on the final night of the fair.

Every night will be family night allowing a family to ride all the rides, all night, for one low price.

Bingo hosted by the Parkesburg Lions Club will be played in the pavilion by the library every night.

For more information check out the Fire Company page here.

Apartment Of The Week

This ad for a room at the Arms appeared online yesterday.  The text is edited for clarity but otherwise is the precise verbiage the building's manager used to describe life at Parkesburg's only boarding house. 

Rooms for Rent with shared bathroom starting at $375 per month includes all utilities.

Monthly rentals range from $375 - $625 per room depending on size and amenities. Weekly rentals are available for $150.00 per week and require no credit check or security deposit. 

Rate is for 1 person. Additional person is $125.00 per month. There are no more than 2 people permitted per room.

To qualify for monthly rentals monthly income must be 2x the rent.

Rent includes all utilities except cable and telephone.

There are 42 rooms and 8 bathrooms in the building. Shared kitchen and common areas laundry room facility in building.

Call Kevin to get a room today: XXX-XXX-XXX

 The original ad can be found here.

Parkesburg Yesterday

First Avenue looking west. The Parkesburg Arms is in the upper right corner of the picture

As Posted by Kerry Glenn on Facebook

Known as "The Flats," this row of buildings from 400 to 414 on First Avenue were built by Benjamin Dorsheimer (developer of the Parkesburg Arms building as well) in 1909 along the then new Lancaster & Eastern line of the Conestoga Traction Company trolley line.  

The two houses now behind them on Walnut Street were both moved there to make way for "The Flats."

Any guesses on what year was the picture taken?

Local Day Care Facility & Business On The Market

According to Loopnet.com, which bills itself as the #1 commercial real estate site on the web, Curiosity Corner, the long established day care business just west of Parkesburg on Upper Valley Road, is on the market.

The asking price for the 6,100 sq foot building and the "turn key" day care business is $1,300,000.

Here are the details: 

• Price:  $1,300,000
• Building Size:  6,166 SF
• Price/SF:  $210.83
• Property Type:  Retail
• Property Sub-type: Day Care Facility/ Nursery
• Property Use Type:  Business For Sale
• Commission Split:  3%
• No. Stories: 1
• Year Built:  1987
• Lot Size:  4.83 AC
• Tax ID / APN #:  36-5-135

Highlights: 

• All brick construction
• Includes fully operating and well established Day Care business
• Brand New Playground Area
• All Furniture, Fixtures and business assets included

Description:

Single story commercial building, predominantly brick and frame construction, approx. 6166 sq.ft.

Plenty of on-site parking . Includes an established and very profitable child day care business.

Building is in very good condition and "Turn Key". On site improvements include paved parking, brand new fenced in play area, storm drains, lighting system and nice landscaping package.

This is a great opportunity to own a very profitable business and real estate or could be an investment opportunity as well!

Located just west of the Parkesburg borough line, in West Sadsbury Township.   Rural setting but close to Rts. 10 & 30.

Area is serviced by Septa Amtrak rail, as well. Situated in residential setting.

The list iself can be found here.

Breakfast at Seawells

Here's what breakfast at Seawell's looked like this morning.

The menu is simple (egg sandwiches on either an English muffin or a croissant and an optional blueberry or cinamon muffins) but delicious.

Customers place an order with Carol Seawell at the counter.

Customers have a choice of eat in, out or take home.

Reading material is nearby.

Customers enjoying each other before eating Seawell's delicious homemade muffins.

Al Seawell, doing the books, has time to strike up a conversation about cars with a customer from Cochranville

Carol Seawell takes orders, prepares the food and waits table.

Customers pour their own coffee

Al forgets about the books for a minute to help out behind the counter.

The Library - One of Parkesburg's Social Centers?

Earlier this week on a Facebook conversation about Parkesburg, someone made the comment that Parkesburg lacked a social gathering spot, a place where residents could gather, shoot the breeze, solve the world's problems and trade gossip.

Other than the barber shop that is.  

Don't get me wrong, Assetto's is a great place for a guy to get a hair cut and catch up on what's happening around town.  But how many times a month can one person get their ears lowered? Once?  Maybe twice. 

And while Seawells is in the process of creating their own unique breakfast and lunch meet point (more on Seawell later today), the Facebook commenter was right, we lack a sustainable 'meet' point.

For Parkesburg's families, the Library at 105 West Street, is the 'in' meet place.  Not a whole lot of gossip to be sure, but a lot of books, computers, newspapers, magazines and a steady stream of events and activities continue to draw people in.

Here are the Libraries numbers for events and activities over the last several months.

PLAY & LEARN: Parent-Child Workshop

Formerly “Family Place” (Sandy McLaughlin)

This program is held in January, March, May, September, October, and November.

Ages 12 – 36 months plus parents or caregivers.

Date                Children          Adults              Siblings

5/4                   10                    17                    1

5/11                 12                    15                    2

5/18                 12                    13                    2

5/25                 10                    11                    2

Totals              44                    56                    7                                                         

STORY TIME

(Sandy McLaughlin) Ages 3 – 5.

Date                Children          Adults              Theme

5/5                   10                    7                      dogs

5/12                 10                    7                      chickens

5/19                 11                    7                      butterflies

5/26                 7                      4                      cookies

Totals              38                    25       

OFF-SITE

(Ellen Brehm), first Monday of the month.

School                                     Children          Adults

YMCA                                    24                    3         

Little Jewels                            23                    2         

Curiosity Corner                     19                    3         

Totals                                      66                    8

PAWS for Reading

(Volunteer Wendy Ewing)

Held 5:00 – 6:00 on Tuesdays.  Average attendance is 3 or 4.

A second PAWS session is held on first and third Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:00 (volunteer Doreen Holly)

MUSIC WITH MISS SUE

We hosted this program in May.  Attendance was 18.

“45min of Mommy and Me music:  Miss Sue leads the class with her acoustic guitar.  Children will enjoy singing and dancing along and experimenting with different instruments.”   Arranged by MOMS Club ® of Octorara Area, PA”

AMERICAN GIRL DOLL CLUB

(Volunteer Colleen Fantine), 2^nd Mondays

Seven girls attended the meeting in May.  The group will resume in the fall.

POETRY GROUP

(Volunteer Jeff Bullock), Third Saturdays

The group meets in the Westminster Place Community Room.

Seven attended in May.  The group will resume in the fall.

KNITTING GROUP

(Volunteer Rosemary Woodhouse), Second and fourth Mondays, 6:00 – 7:45.

Date                Adults        Children

5/9                   11                    1

5/23                 9                      0

Totals              19                    1

Parkesburg Libraray News & Events

Fund Raiser! The Library is a valuable community asset for adults, children and families.  Please help us keep these programs and events for you.  Goal: $35,000 to make up our funding loss, $12,000 raised so far.

PAWS for Reading – Kids read to a friendly dog!  Improves reading skill.  It’s fun!  Sign up for a 15 minute session.  Every Tuesday 5:00-6:00.  Thursday Sessions: 6:00-7:00, July 7 & 21, August 4 & 25.

Play & Learn: Parent-Child Workshop – (Formerly “Family Place) Resumes in September.  Ages 12-36 months.  Call the library to register.

Music with Miss Sue – Miss Sue leads her class with guitar, kids sing and dance.   $3 per child/$6 per family, infants under 6 months free.  Register at library.

• July 7^th 9:30-10:15
• Aug. 17^th 9:30-10:15
• Sept. 22^nd 10:45-11:30
• Oct. 27^th 9:30-10:15
• Nov. 10^th 10:45-11:30
• Dec. 8^th 10:45-11:30

Science in the Summer – Bioscience.  July 11-14.  More information at the library.

Summer Reading Program starts June 20^th.

Knitting Group – 2^nd & 4^th Mondays, 6:30-7:45, beginner or advanced.

American Girl Club – Resumes in September, then 2^nd Monday of each month.  New girls & dolls welcome!

Poetry Group!  Red & discuss poetry.  Resumes third Saturday in September, 10:00 in Westminster Place Community Room, 320 West 1^st Ave., Parkesburg.  Call Jeffrey Bullock, 484-321-1630 for more info.

Parkesburg Book is here!  Bruce Mowday’s book uses 225 early 20^th century photos, most from the library’s collection, to tell Parkesburg’s history.  Buy it here!

Special Computers for Kids - We have 2 computers for kids 2-8 years old.  These PCs have easy to use games that help with spelling, reading, math, writing and typing.

Tumblebook Library is an online collection of TumbleBooks - animated talking picture books that teach kids the joy of reading!  Go to www.ccls.org, click on TUMBLEBOOK LIBRARY.

Learn Microsoft Office and Other Programs Online!

Go to www.ccls.org, Databases, I to P Online Databases, Learning Express Library.

Library Board Meetings: 4^th Monday of the month (except July, Aug. & Dec.), 7:00 pm, Parkesburg Borough Hall.

Coach Lambert's Hoops Camp Starts Monday

Click here for more information and registration form

Octorara Alumni All Star Material?

A shout out to Jack Mariano for bringing this to our attention...

There are whispers in the baseball world that Octorara Alumni and San Francisco Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong may be the starting pitcher in next month's All-Star game and is a dark horse candidate for National League's Cy Young award.

Read more about the great year Ryan is having for the World Champion (yes it hurts to type that!) Giants here, here and here.

Go Phillies!

Gas Tank Drill Sparks Fire

The Parkesburg Fire Company's web site this morning has a "don't try this at home" story about a car fire Tuesday originally reported as a fire at Pizza Villa in the Acme Plaza.

Turn out the fire was across the street in Grape Ally between Gay and Brandt Streets.

The money quote:

It was found that the fire was accidentally caused due to trying to drain the gas out of the gas tank by drilling a hole [in the tank] and sparks ignited the gas.

Read more about the fire and Parkesburg Fire Company's response on their web site here.

Three Octorara Students Win Shining Star Award

Keystone Federal Credit Union of West Chester, in cooperation with the Chester County Intermediate Unit, announces the winners in the Fourth Annual “Shining Star” Awards.

The award was created to recognize students who have shown a noticeable improvement in academic performance, extra-curricular involvement, and attendance throughout the school year.

Chester County public school teachers nominated their most improved students for the award.  Each teacher wrote a paragraph nominating a student from one of their classes whom they felt embodied the spirit of this award.

Awards were available to one student from the elementary (K-5), middle (6-8), and high school (9-12) levels from each of the 12 Chester County Public School Districts, the Chester County Intermediate Unit, and Twin Valley School District. 

This year's 25 winners from across the county included the following three Octorara students:

• Wyatt DeStephano -- Primary Learning Center
• Omar Barajas -- Octorara Intermediate School
• Jose Avila -- Octorara High School

“Shining Star” winners each received a $200 share certificate of deposit and a trophy from Keystone FCU.  Plus, the teachers of the winning students each received a $200 gift certificate to a teacher supply store for classroom supplies.

School Board Meeting Notes

As the Parkesburg Today noted yesterday, the Octorara School Board Monday evening approved the 2011-2012 school year budget.

Ellen Brown has the notes from the meeting on her Octorara Report blog.

Turkey Hill Arsonist Sent To State Prison

 

 

This from this morning's Daily Local News:

By MICHAEL P. RELLAHAN
Staff Writer

WEST CHESTER — The Parkesburg man who witnesses said set fire to a borough convenience store has been sentenced to state prison for the crime.

On Monday, John G. Ciardelli — a single man with a string of crimes dating back to the late 1970s — pleaded guilty but mentally ill to the charge of arson that endangers persons. In accepting the plea agreement that had been worked out between the prosecution and Ciardelli’s attorney, Judge Phyllis Streitel sentenced the 57-year-old man to six to 12 years in prison, followed by eight years’ of probation.

Ciardelli had spent several months in Norristown State Hospital being evaluated by mental health experts there following his arrest in May 2010. He had been deemed incompetent to stand trial by a defense expert who said he suffered from schizophrenia and paranoia, but found competent by a prosecution psychiatrist, who said he suffered from pyromania.

The money quote:

"He had reportedly defended himself against charges of attempted homicide by saying he had warned employees in the store that he meant to set the fire before doing so."

Read the entire Daily Local story here:

The Mayor's Message - Remembering Harold White

Note: Most every month Parkesburg Mayor John Hagan uses the 5 minutes allotted to him during Borough Council meeting to weave a yarn about someone or something unique and distinctive about Parkesburg.  His messages give all those in attendance a chance to forget about the night's business, relax for a moment and remember what we like about this tough, gritty Western Chester County town.

Office of the Mayor

Borough of Parkesburg

329 West First Avenue

Parkesburg, PA 19365

June 20^th 2011

By Mayor John Hagan

Commemoration - something (such as a special ceremony) that is intended to honor an important event or person from the past.

In my twenty years of service to this fine borough I have had the privilege working with many fine individuals. 

I mean not imply that privilege and cooperation were inexplicably linked. In many cases it was and is the contrary. The quiet resolute and sometimes boring meetings we experience today were born from tumult, and if you believe what you hear, physical violence.

My “eyes on” experience began on All Saints Day 1991, some say more appropriately All Fools or April Fool’s day.  Appointed by 6 Republicans, this Democrat was excited to change everything and that right soon.

In addition to my fellow councilors and Mayor Bill Wilson there was this team serving as employees. Our current manger Jim Thomas was our Chief of Police, Joann Reynolds was our Borough Secretary, Richard Klingler our Fire Chief, Norman Pine our solicitor. But at the center was our keeper of the books, Harold White.

Anyone doing business with the Borough ran the gauntlet of Harold White.  I know this - I was having my parent’s row home on West Main St. resided in the late 80’s and never applied for a building permit.

Harold seeing me in line at Jamesway and knowing me quite well from the environs of the Fireside Inn, (he a regular customer me an irregular bartender) thought I should know that soon someone from the Borough would halt the work until I got a permit.

I was a non-resident of our fine town then, and to say I was oblivious would be an understatement. Harold, who smoked Winston cigarettes then, stood there with three or four cartons under his arm and resting his right hand on my shoulder told me to see him the next day and he’d get me on the right track, wink, wink.

It was not improper - I certainly appreciated the heads up - and the next day I was put on the right track-work was stopped- I played by the rules and the job finished in a timely manner.

Years later I move to town -and in a scene reminiscent of the Jamesway story- I did not know anything about water and sewer bills and missed 3 quarters assuming they were like property taxes and were being paid by my mortgage holder.  

Harold called me and asked I stop by the borough office soon and by the way “bring your checkbook.”   

Not too subtle but it worked. The education I received, over the next couple of years spurred my interest to get involved in local government.  Not local politics. Harold told me there is a difference.

There were times when less was more and in the environs of those heady days where meetings would last until midnight-Harold began recording the meetings on a cassette tape recorder - Partly for accuracy but mostly so Joann could go home.  He didn’t ask. He just pushed record.

Sometimes the tape would stop requiring it be turned over or a new tape inserted and if the hour was late a nudge was needed to revive the acting secretary. 

I am to this day not sure if anyone’s rights were being violated but as I said sometimes less is more. That applied in how he conducted business but did not apply when he expressed his opinions.

We lost contact after he retired from Borough service and he lost interest in our meetings.

Not enough going on to keep me awake he would say.

Harold George White, the boroughs longtime treasurer, auditor, part-time antagonist and sometime sage has passed form this life to the life eternal, as my former pastor Oscar Allen was fond of saying, on June 14^th.

I will miss him.

Alert! Octorara Budget Passes

The Octorara Area School District's 9 member Board of Directors approved the district's annual budget in an 8 - 1 vote last night.

Only Parkesburg's Bob Hume voted against the budget.

The budget the board approved was the $45,757,576 discussed at last week's work session.

Check back later this week for more information.

Finance Questions Challenge Octorara

This from local writer Debbie Wygent in the Lancaster New Era newspaper regarding last week's School Board work session.

A 2010-11 budget, which one school board member said should make citizens "rise up" in anger, is likely to be passed Monday in Octorara Area School District.

Dan Carsley, business manager, said the board is scheduled on Monday to give final approval to a $45,757,576 budget. The budget will cost Lancaster County taxpayers 28.37 mills, up .24 mills or .85 percent.

Challenging finances may also cause administrators and board members to test employee contractual issues and the state's legal system, according to comments made during a June 13 meeting.

Sadsbury Township resident Thomas Seth, who was an unsuccessful school board candidate in the May primary, told the school board that Act 319 - better known as "Clean and Green," which provides lower property taxes for registered agricultural properties - is unconstitutional.

Read the entire article here.

June 2011 Borough Bills

June 2011 Borough Bills

Borough Council Meeting Notes

Council President Mel Keen gets ready to call Council Meeting to order.

Notes from Parkesburg’s June 20^th Borough Council meeting.

All council members and Mayor Hagan present

Agenda reviewed and approved unanimously.

Minutes reviewed and approved unanimously without change.

Treasurer’s Report read by Borough Secretary Wendy Keegan and approved.

Bills reviewed and discussed.  Payment approved unanimously.

Public comments (agenda items only) – no comments

Police Chief’s report

• 788 police incidents for the month of May
• 112 traffic citations
• 7 non traffic arrests
• 5 parking tickets
• 8,665 miles driven for the month

Fire Chief’s report – none was submitted

Emergency management - Nothing major to report.  Rail and highway emergency report in the works.  Limerick is replacing old sirens, they are free to any municipality.  Parkesburg expressed an interest and are waiting to hear from Excelon.  The units are free but we would have to pick them up and mount them ourselves.  The sirens will be available in the Fall.

Planning and Subdivision

  

Parkesburg Fire Company request for waivers.  The changes they’re requesting are low impact, no change of ownership.  Based on the planning commission and zoning recommendation I think we’ll make a motion to grant the waivers.  President Keen asks for a motion.  Asks for questions, there were none. Approved unanimously.  Gary Meyers and Scott Reynolds of the fire company explained the ball on the renovation started rolling when they started talking about remodeling the old building.  They were fixing the old building up when they decided to do everything. Blue prints for more offices, meeting rooms, more handicapped accessible, more bath rooms, better landscaping have been drawn up.  Tried to keep the look and feel of the old building.  The new design gives the fire company a little more room.  We have to get financing.  The chimney and fireplace have already been removed.      The renovation has been discussed at the regional fire company consolidation meetings.  Since Parkesburg is likely to be the hub of any consolidation effort, this remodeling will fit in.  Were currently working on the storm water requirements and hope to meet with the engineers next week.

Engineering report – nothing major, flat period of time. Some work for fences and sheds. The balance of the report is in the packet.

Borough Manager’s Report

•  The ADA report for State Street have been submitted to the state and we’re waiting for approval.
• Week of July 11^th meeting with property owners on West Bridge Street about land procurement and leases for the project.  We’ve done this before.  Hopefully this is the last time.  December 2012 is the projected ground breaking for the project.
• Were getting prices from several well drillers to decommission a well.
• Our service contract we have with PennDOT has been reviewed and due to the extensive snow removal work this past winter our reimbursement has been increased $1,300 dollars.
• The Borough’s storm water report dealing with monitoring storm water has been filed with DEP.  We are well within specified guidelines.
• Lions Club circus is back on.  New date is July 13^th.  Two shows 5 & 7 PM

• More on West Bridge Street.  We’re meeting at least biweekly with the agencies involved.  Things keep moving forward.  Dates are being set for the project.

Public Works Report – Mel Keen read the numbers.  Letter from State Rep John Lawrence commending the Borough on how much we recycled last year.  As a result the grant amount this year was $4,700, the highest amount ever received by the Borough.

Mayor’s Report – Spoke about his 20 years of service with the Borough begun on April 1^st 1991 and Harold White, the borough’s keeper of the books when the Mayor joined.

No PABA Report

The Solicitor’s report was discussed.

Unfinished Business

Motion to advertise the new Zoning Ordinance – Jim Thomas spoke saying the Borough’s zoning ordinance came back from the County this afternoon following their review.  The County wants to see minor changes, mostly tweaks, made.  Jim Thomas also heard from PennDOT’s aeronautical group telling us that we need to adopt building and tree heights ordinances since Parkesburg is close to an existing airport.

Jim Thomas asked for Council’s approval to advertise, tweak the ordinance as per the request of the county and also make the changes to PennDOT is asking to accommodate the airport.  We’re close enough to the airport that we have to incorporate these new guidelines.  The motion was made and approved.

Chester County SPCA – Currently we do not contract with the SPCA for animal control.  As a result residents call the police to do animal enforcement.  Not an efficient use of police time.  $1,200 to contract with the SPCA to respond to animal calls in the Borough.  They’ll come out and pick up the animal.  They will also enforce animal ordinances, do licenses, etc.  Council residents spoke about a recent incident where a box of cats was left off at the laundromat at the end of Main Street.  A discussion ensued about billing residents the $35-50 fee dropping off an animal and for other services provided.  Those details will be worked out down the road.  Our volume is low and our intent is to keep it that way.  Mel Keen asked if the SPCA takes groundhogs?  No, that’s the game commission.  Chuck Persch asked for better record keeping and a process to recover the fees from residents who drop their animals off at the SPCA.  The Borough will investigate the possibility of charging residents.  The matter was tabled for a month.

New Business

Rental Space Ordinance.  Because of some issues we had in the borough we decided to rework the rental ordinance.  Changes include:

• Make rental unit inspections Pass/Fail doing away with the color coded current system.
• Property owner/ manager must live within 25 miles to eliminate absentee landlords.
• Inspections will be every 2 years as opposed to every 5 years now.
• Rental property reinspected with every tenant changes.
• Increase police participation. 
• Reduced inspection fees.

Mayor Hagan makes a point during the discussion.

Jim Thomas stated the new ordinance is designed to give more assistance to Borough landlords with unruly tenants.  Right now the Borough has no way to assist when there is an unruly tenant.  Under the new ordinance whenever there is police action it will be recorded.  On the third offense the tenant can be evicted.  Also any damage done by the tenant will be recorded as a criminal act.  

Mel Keen spoke in favor of the changes.  Would like to see a little more about how the violations will be recorded and the eviction process started.  Kathy Rick suggested the three strikes rule be written into landlord/tenant agreements.

Sharon Wolf is concern the ordinance not be extended to cover someone rooming in a house where the tenant shares in the expenses and upkeep of the house.  Wants people to be able to open their homes to who they want to without the thought of getting a building inspector to look at the home. 

Borough Manager Jim Thomas listens.

Jim Thomas stated its hard to draw the line in the ordinance and to differentiate a "good" border from a "bad" one.  The line is better drawn in the careful enforcement of the ordinance.  Mayor Hagan made the point that the ordinance has to be clear on who qualifies as a border, how many can a home owner have, etc.  He’s sure somebody has worked it out somewhere across the state.  

The ordinance was moved back to the Progress Committee to allow more time for these questions to be addressed.

Delinquent debt collection agency – Wendy Keegan researched debt collection companies.  CreditTech of Bangor, PA. has a good reputation for being tenacious.  They will bill resident for the past due trash bills as well as any collection fees incurred.  Council will continue to investigate CreditTech and their fees.

Berkheimer Trash Billing Software – a more efficient system to track and generate trash bills.  Wendy currently uses a spreadsheet to track it.  One time set of fee of $825.  Much less cumbersome software and saves Wendy a ton of time.  A motion was made and approved to adopt Berkheimer as a new vendor.

Committee Reports

Parks & Recreation

Lots of vandalism in the park lately, breaking rides in tot lots, breaking lights.  We’re thinking about putting cameras in the park.  By the basketball court and other places.  Video feed back to the police station.  Looking at grants.  Mayor Hagan asked about posting police in the park as a short term solution.  He will talk to Chief Sheeler about increasing police presence in Minch Park.  

A resident asked about citizen patrol.  Mel Keen spoke about locking the Gay Street gates to reduce access to the park at night.

New Benches in the park and in front of Borough Hall as a result of an Eagle Scout project.

Progress & development

Amtrak station Borough Council took a field trip to Elizabethtown last week to see what was going on there.  Several people have asked to serve on the planning committee.  Chuck Persch suggested the Borough send a thank you letter to Elizabethtown for hosting the trip.

Jim Thomas has 15 people signed up for the planning committee.  Good mix of people including representatives from Council, residents, train riders, county planners, business people, etc..  Meetings will kick off next month.  The first meeting is the hardest to pull together.

Finance Committee

We move $42,000 from the police budget to street repair.  This will delay the acquisition of new police cars.  Mayor Hagan asked if the police had been told of the change.  Wonders if the current vehicles can be sustained through the end of the year.  The matter will be put off until we can have a conversation with the police.  Tabled until next month

We have moved on the remainder of the construction loan we have completely borrowed the whole amount for the West Bridge Street project when we need it.

Police and Fire

Fire company fair June 27th through July 2^nd

Library report

Golf outing today.  Working hard to close their deficient.  Closing early the week of the fair.

Public Comments 

Barbara Taliafero of North Culvert Street wants to see more parking and better lighting on both sides of the track.  Also better lanes for those dropping people or picking them up, bus lanes, etc.

The meeting was adjourned.