The January 4th, 2021 Council Meeting was relatively unremarkable. Attended by all but one council member, the meeting was the shortest in recent history lasting just under an hour. The most curious item of the meeting was the silent presence of Ted Mowatt and Alex Rahn, 2 lobbyists from the Pennsylvania Lobbying Firm Wanner Associates. The firm has a long list of clients and has been known to represent the interest of Sunoco in the past.
TAX ASSESSMENT
Greg Chestnut from the School Board noted that the GVSD is still in discussions with the County to review the assessment data for potential issues with uniformity and fairness, however, the financial data from the county has been delayed due to a data breach at the county.
Check out the detailed assessments for local properties HERE. The assessment values listed are - as of 12.1.2020. Updated values can be found on the Delaware County Real Estate Tax System.
In response to my question, the council advised that the updated assessment for the Borough of Chester Heights is now $489,334,325. This represents an increase of $7M since the tax levy was calculated in December.
SOLICITORS REPORT
Council approved the addendum to the Lease Agreement with the CH Fire Company for the Borough Office office correcting the end date of the agreement from February 2021 to February 2022.
Passed Resolution 1-21-A Appointing Natalie Young to the Zoning Hearing Board.
Passed Resolution 1-21-B finalizing the adoption of the reversal of the lot subdivision at the Rosehill Development based on a subdivision plan presented to council on Nov. 2nd, 2020 with a final revision made Dec 28th, 2020. The resolution allows Rosehill Developers LP (A Raymond Iacobucci Communities Company). The developer's agreements will be on the January 25th Agenda for Council review.
ENGINEERS REPORT
Requested and approved was the escrow release for 446 Lenni Developers, LP (A Raymond Iacobucci Communities Company) in the amount of $69,771.68 leaving $140,397.43 in escrow to be held until the final improvements are made.
Sinkhole at Valleybrook Road and Route 1 in front of Madison Apartments. Penndot replied to the engineer's inquiry noting that per state code that the responsibility for drainage and underground water facilities rested with the municipality and not with PennDOT. Mr. Houtman further elaborated that Penndot has been moving maintenance responsibilities "off their shoulders" over the last 5 years, however, this is a brand new item for CHB to take on in the budget. An action item was created for the solicitor to review the state code and advise of the borough's responsibility in maintaining state roads.
Escrow Release for 250 Wawa Road Placed on agenda for January 25th meeting.
MAYOR/FINANCE
Final 2020 report to be presented at the January 25th Work Session.
FIRE COMPANY / FIRE MARSHAL
Kitchen Safety noted by the Fire Marshall as a key issue in local fires this year.
OLD BUSINESS
Finalizing items on the Borough Sewer Map.
Park Markers have been installed by the landscape company.
Playground equipment has been ordered.
The administrative issue with checks issued to the council is being resolved.
NEW BUSINESS
The Chester Heights Fire Company asked the borough to consider participating in the 2021 Community Day in October around fire prevention week which takes place Sunday, October 3rd - Saturday, October 9th. With the possibility to move the venue from the fire station to the Chester Heights Community Park.