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Kennett Square Life Magazine
Chester CountyPRESS
Volume 152, No. 47
The art Davis...1C
of
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Large crowd opposes proposed 84 percent sewer rate increases By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer A pair of PUC hearings held on Nov. 12 at the Jennersville YMCA gave the public a chance to testify on the record concerning a proposed rate hike by Aqua Pennsylvania. Afternoon and evening sessions were held in front of a packed room, dominated by Penn Township residents who face an 84 percent increase in their sewer rates if Aqua’s proposal is approved by the PUC as submitted. In calculating the rate request, Aqua factored in all of its water and sewer systems in Chester County, reaching an average sewer rate increase of 40%, but going much higher in some areas. According to documents provided by Aqua, the rate
increase request is justified by the increased cost in wastewater and water operations since its last increases in 2008 and 2010. “During the intervening periods, the company will have invested approximately $2.2 billion in utility infastructure through March 31, 2020, which represents an increase of 46% in the original cost of the company’s physical assets,” the handout available at the hearing read. “…The proposed increase in revenues is the minimum increase necessary to permit the company to provide reliable utility service and to maintain the integrity of its existing capital, attract additional necessary capital at reasonable costs, and have an opportunity to actually achieve a fair rate or return, particularly on its common equity capital.”
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Meadowcroft to resign as East Nottingham Township supervisor
Penn Township originally owned the sewer system that serves the area, but sold it to Aqua in 2014 for $3.668 million. The reason given for the sale was the impending need for upgrades to meet increased regulations, which would be a major expense to the township. At the time of the sale of the system, Aqua agreed to a three-year rate freeze to keep the cost to residents under control. Penn Township supervisor Wayne O’Connell was one of the first to speak at the afternoon hearing. O’ Courtesy photo Connell questioned Aqua’s Shelley Meadowcroft contention that they have made $2 million in repairs By Steven Hoffman as a township supervisor. to the former township Staff Writer The immediate reactions sewer treatment system. from those in attendance “To date, I do not know Toward the conclu- ranged from shock and sadof them getting permits for sion of the Nov. 13 East ness to, well, shock and any work in this township,” Nottingham Township sadness. he said. Board of Supervisors meetMeadowcroft, a superviContinued on Page 3A ing, Shelley Meadowcroft sor since 2016, said that announced that she is she was resigning from the Continued on Page 4A resigning from her position
New Garden increasing An old issue of sewer rates, raising no alcohol sales local services taxes By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
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In what they called a means of raising funds to repair the infrastructure of its outdated sewer system, the New Garden Township Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance at their
Nov. 19 meeting that will raise sewer taxes for township residents. Calculated according to water consumption each year over the next three years, the ordinance increases the residential sewer rates in the township by $8.36 per quarter for
year 1, $8.19 per quarter for year 2 and $8.36 per quarter for year 3. Translated, that’s a rate increase of about $36 per year for an average New Garden Township household. The base quarterly rate for commercial 1 customers
comes up in Franklin Township By John Chambless Staff Writer
A funny thing happened in Franklin Township after Continued on Page 3A Prohibition was repealed in 1933. The township voted to stay “dry,” that is, to prohibit the sale of beer and liquor. There was a referendum in 1967 that asked if residents wanted to change that, but they didn’t. So the township has remained without a retail liquor establishment ever since. Heather That anomaly came to the attention of the Board of Supervisors recently, taking some by surprise. Board chairman John Auerbach said last week that, “The wineries and breweries can sell drinks by the glass as permitPhoto by Richard L. Gaw The New Garden Township Board of Supervisors voted at their Nov. 19 meeting to ted by the Liquor Control raise sewer rates for township residents, and to increase the local service tax for Board, but a restaurant cannot sell drinks by the employees who work in the township.
Four Oxford studentathletes sign with colleges...6A
INDEX Opinion.......................7A Obituaries...................2B Classifieds................2C
© 2007 The Chester County Press
glass. Archaric legislation. There’s lots of discussion and information to be developed. Three years ago, an Inquirer reporter called me and asked why we were a dry township. I was unaware of the restriction.” But turning on the sale of liquor is not easy. A petition has to be submitted to township residents, and more than 557 signatures from registered voters have to be obtained. The collection of signatures can begin in February 2019 at the earliest. If enough are obtained, the petition is sent to Chester County Voter Services, where the question will be placed on the ballot and residents can formally vote in May. Township solicitor Mark Thompson has compiled information for the Board Continued on Page 2A
East Nottingham Township welcomes its first junior supervisor By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Elizabeth Estes, a junior at Oxford Area High School, was selected as East Nottingham Township’s first junior supervisor during a township meeting on Nov. 13. The East Nottingham Township Board of
Supervisors unanimously voted to appoint Estes to the position. District Judge Scott Massey then administered the oath of office, and Estes joined the board as a non-voting member. Estes is interested in a career in government or politics, and the opportunity to serve as a junior supervisor will be a good learning
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experience. She thanked the township supervisors and the residents of East Nottingham for giving her the opportunity. “I hope, in this position, I can give back to the community,” Estes said. As a non-voting junior supervisor, Estes will attend public township meetings Continued on Page 4A
Photo by Steven Hoffman
Elizabeth Estes, a junior at Oxford Area High School, was sworn in as East Nottingham Township’s first junior supervisor during a township meeting on Nov. 13. Estes is pictured with township secretary Kelli Karlton.
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