Chester County Press 12-19-2018 Edition

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Chester CountyPRESS

www.chestercounty.com

Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas

Volume 152, No. 51

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

60 Cents

Oxford Borough finalizes budget— with a tax decrease The borough is reducing its millage rate by .25 mills By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer On Monday night, Oxford Borough Council finalized the budget for 2019, and there’s some very good news for taxpayers: the millage rate will be decreasing by .25 mills for next year. Oxford Borough Council

approved the $3.7 million general fund budget by a vote of 5-1. They also adopted the ordinance that sets the millage rate at 12 mills for 2019. The millage rate for the current year is 12.25 mills. Borough officials were clearly elated that the tax rate was actually declining.

It’s rare for a municipality to be able to reduce taxes from one year to the next. Oxford Borough is the position of being able to reduce taxes because the borough’s revenues are outpacing expenditures. When the proposed 2019 budget was unveiled in November, borough manag-

er Brian Hoover explained that Oxford has seen a significant increase in construction activity, as well as a large increase in the total assessed value of all properties in the borough. Hoover estimated that the total assessed value of all properties has increased by about $5.2 million during

the last year. That equates to about $63,000 in additional revenues to the borough’s coffers without an increase in taxes. Hoover also said that Oxford saw a lot of construction in town in the last year. Some new homes have been built, and a

Wreaths placed on veterans’ graves in Oxford INSIDE

By Chris Barber Correspondent

Undaunted by chill, rain and heavy traffic, scores of volunteers showed up at the Oxford Cemetery on Saturday to pay tribute to U.S. military veterans buried there. They were participating in a tradition known as Wreaths Across America, which in mid-December honors those who have served the United States in its wars by placing wreaths on the veterans’ graves and saying their ‘A Fan’s View’ is a must- names out loud.

The ceremony in Oxford this past weekend, which was celebrated simultaneously in cemeteries nationwide, began with volunteers and participants gathering for refreshments at the Masonic Hall on Route 10 in late morning. It continued with a color guard leading participants across the busy highway into the cemetery. The Chester County Sheriff’s Department, including Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh, was there to Photo by Chris Barber control traffic along the way U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Trevor Derr presents the wreath designated to honor members of the miliand offer support. Continued on Page 3A

tary lost in war.

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Township may preserve 44 acres on two properties By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer New Garden Township may become even greener in perpetuity, thanks to a proposal to acquire more than 44 total acres of farmland and open space, that would be preserved through New cafe is a centerpiece for Chadds Ford Barn conservation easements Shops...1B placed on two distinct properties in the township. A presentation given by the township’s Open Space Courtesy art New Garden Township is considering the purchase of a Review Board (OSRB) to 40-acre property known as the Sprout Farm in the town- the Board of Supervisors at a Dec. 17 meeting gave ship, in order to place a conservation easement on it.

details behind their recommendation to acquire 43.1 acres of the Sproat Farm property, in the vicinity of the Bancroft Elementary School, along Bancroft Road, Pemberton Road and Line Road. Of those acres, 40.8 are expected to be placed in conservation easement and divided into three parcels: 16.7 acres, 13.7 acres and 10.4 acres, respectively. Of that acreage, 16.4 is designated as Highest Protection Area, and the remaining 24.4 Continued on Page 2A

School district fact-checks information shared on local website By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

Santa comes to West Grove...2B

INDEX Opinion.......................7A Calendar of Events.....3B Obituaries...................4B Classifieds.................6B

© 2007 The Chester County Press

The Avon Grove School District is attempting to correct what some district officials are saying is not just inaccurate, but misleading, information regarding the high school project that was shared on local social media and website posts. At the Avon Grove School Board’s reorganization meeting on Dec. 6, school board president Tracy Lisi read what was described as a board statement that was prepared in response to a post by a group formed several years ago called The Avon Grove Taxpayers for Responsible Spending. The group maintains a website with a wealth of information about the school district. However, school district officials are concerned that the

website contains inaccurate information that would confuse parents and taxpayers in the district, and that in some cases the information is being presented in such a way so as to purposely mislead residents. Lisi specifically addressed a post that served as a summary of a Nov. 15 meeting of the Avon Grove School Board. The summary included a headline which read, “Board votes 5-4 to increase borrowing from $127 to $139 million.” The summary then goes on to say that the board voted to approve the borrowing resolution of $139 million, which is $12 million more than what was the previous “ceiling” of $127 million. In that same post, the website took the school board to task for holding the Nov. 15 meeting after Avon Grove schools were dismissed early

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that day because of poor weather conditions. Lisi then offered four detailed “fact checks” to the online posts. The most sig-

nificant fact check pertains to the amount that the school district expects to borrow in order to construct a new high Continued on Page 3A

Avon Grove School Board reorganizes for 2019 Lisi selected as board president, while Wood will serve as vice president By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer The Avon Grove School Board held its annual reorganization meeting on Dec. 6. The main order of business was the selection of a president and vice president for the next year. School board member Bill Wood nominated Tracy Lisi for the leadership position. Bonnie Wolff seconded the motion. There were no other nominees, and the board approved Lisi’s selection as president by a vote of 5-4. 2019 will be Lisi’s second straight year as the board president. She is entering her fourth year on the school board, and was elected from Region II, which Continued on Page 2A

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2019 Chesco election starts now By Uncle Irvin The wind is at the back of the Democratic Party in Chester County, and the 2019 municipal election for County Commissioner and District Attorney offices, now held by the GOP, are in their sights. The Democrats, with their stunning victory in all four row offices in 2018, sniff that another sweep is on the horizon. And they are right! The GOP is highly vulnerable and the party has no credible leadership, Continued on Page 3A

Notice to our readers and subscribers For the first time in 15 years, the Chester County Press will be increasing its per-issue newsstand price and yearly subscription rates. Beginning with our January 2, 2019 edition, the cost of the Press will increase from 60 cents to $1, and its mailed subscription rates will increase to $40 a year, and $30 a year for seniors. Subscribers will continue to receive complimentary editions of our regional magazines. While these price changes reflect the rising cost of paying for newsprint, they are, more importantly, indicative of the value that we place on our ability to provide you with high-quality and extensive coverage of local government, townships and municipalities, schools, and the vibrant community and rich culture of Southern Chester County. We thank you for your readership, and we look forward to serving you for years to come.

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