Business was fairly routine at the West Marlborough Township supervisors' monthly meeting on Feb. 3.
Lieut. Bob Clarke, West Marlborough's part-time law enforcement officer, reported that in January he issued eight citations and eight speeding tickets and gave four warnings.
Township secretary-treasurer Shirley Walton said she had received from the township tax collector the list of residents who were delinquent in paying their property taxes. She said it was "mostly the same" people as had failed to pay in prior years.
Township engineer Al Giannantonio and building inspector Eddie Caudill reported that a zoning permit and a building permit were issued for a Lamborntown Road resident to install a generator.
Supervisor Hugh Lofting said the road crew salted 14 times in January: "We're going through quite a bit of salt, but nothing like last year," he said. Supervisor Bill Wylie thanked the crew for keeping the roads and the residents safe.
At the request of the township planning commission, the supervisors authorized Harry Roth, the township's planning consultant, to add new regulations for alternative energy systems to the township's updated zoning ordinance. (The planning commission and Mr. Roth met to finalize those recommendations at their February meeting, held just before the supervisors' meeting.) After Mr. Roth completes the draft, the public review process will begin.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Yearly report from the Avondale Fire Company
Two representatives from the Avondale Fire Company, Deputy Chief Shawn Carroll and Captain Rick Franks, came to the West Marlborough Township supervisors' monthly meeting on Feb. 3 to brief the board on the fire and ambulance activities that Station 23 and Medic 94 provided in the township in 2014. Carroll gave a detailed breakdown of the company's budget, including grants and programs to reward participation by volunteers, and showed a photo of the newly purchased fire engine. He said rising costs and dwindling numbers of volunteers are putting the economic pinch on all volunteer organizations.
He said Avondale responded to six fire calls in West Marlborough and 36 ambulance calls in 2014 (Avondale's territory includes only part of West Marlborough). He asked residents who have received checks from their insurance company to cover the cost of ambulance transportation to please forward the check to the ambulance company, and asked residents who have received fundraising letters to please contribute.
Carroll asked the supervisors for permission to bill township residents for their firefighting services. He also asked the board to increase their funding to more closely match that of other municipalities.
"If you guys can swing it, we'd appreciate it," he said.
The supervisors said they would review the numbers he provided and would make a decision on the requests.
He said Avondale responded to six fire calls in West Marlborough and 36 ambulance calls in 2014 (Avondale's territory includes only part of West Marlborough). He asked residents who have received checks from their insurance company to cover the cost of ambulance transportation to please forward the check to the ambulance company, and asked residents who have received fundraising letters to please contribute.
Carroll asked the supervisors for permission to bill township residents for their firefighting services. He also asked the board to increase their funding to more closely match that of other municipalities.
"If you guys can swing it, we'd appreciate it," he said.
The supervisors said they would review the numbers he provided and would make a decision on the requests.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
BACKYARD FARMING: Ain't nobody here but us chickens (and bees)
I thought some of my "country lifestyle" readers might enjoy hearing about these two programs:
1. Just in time for baby chick season, Brandywine Ace Hardware on Route 926 is offering "Chick Chats" at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25, March 18, and April 15. "Come see why raising backyard chickens has become so popular!" reads the flier. The hardware store's phone number is 610-793-3080.
2. The Chester County Beekeepers Association is offering a program on Beekeeping Basics as part of its annual conference at the Merion Science Center at West Chester University from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14. The teacher is Dr. Dewey Caron, emeritus professor of entomology and wildlife at the University of Delaware and affiliate professor in the department of horticulture at Oregon State University. There will also be advanced lectures given by two other bee experts. Preregistration is required because of limited space. The website is www.ChescoBees.org.
1. Just in time for baby chick season, Brandywine Ace Hardware on Route 926 is offering "Chick Chats" at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25, March 18, and April 15. "Come see why raising backyard chickens has become so popular!" reads the flier. The hardware store's phone number is 610-793-3080.
2. The Chester County Beekeepers Association is offering a program on Beekeeping Basics as part of its annual conference at the Merion Science Center at West Chester University from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14. The teacher is Dr. Dewey Caron, emeritus professor of entomology and wildlife at the University of Delaware and affiliate professor in the department of horticulture at Oregon State University. There will also be advanced lectures given by two other bee experts. Preregistration is required because of limited space. The website is www.ChescoBees.org.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
WORLD HISTORY: Typos and trivia in a history textbook
I just finished editing a textbook on world history since the end of World War II. It was an interesting and mostly well-written project, but I caught quite a few mistakes missed by the spell-checking program. Two examples: "NFL" instead of "NLF" (for the National Liberation Front in North Vietnam) and "libation theology" instead of "liberation theology."
I had to give the author credit, though for the use of the word "pell-mell," which you just don't hear anymore. It means rapid and darting. He used it to describe the past few decades of economic development in China.
Naturally in a book of this type, the names of many world leaders were given, and I checked the spelling of each on line. I found out that along with capsule bios, Wikipedia also gives the height of prominent people. Did you know that Nikita Khrushchev was only five-foot-three? And Iranian politician Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is only five-foot-two?
I had to give the author credit, though for the use of the word "pell-mell," which you just don't hear anymore. It means rapid and darting. He used it to describe the past few decades of economic development in China.
Naturally in a book of this type, the names of many world leaders were given, and I checked the spelling of each on line. I found out that along with capsule bios, Wikipedia also gives the height of prominent people. Did you know that Nikita Khrushchev was only five-foot-three? And Iranian politician Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is only five-foot-two?
TALKBACK: Aiken has a hyper-local columnist, too
A West Marlborough friend who is in South Carolina for the winter sent me a copy of the "TalkBack" column from the "Aiken Standard" newspaper. I had to laugh at how familiar it sounds: the writer opines about dog mess in the park, illegal parking in handicapped spots, gender discrimination in golfing tournament fees (the men are charged more than the women!), and the correct placement of surveillance cameras. One item, however, was definitely jarring: the writer wonders what she should do if she comes home and finds her ailing, elderly mother dead: "She is not a hospice candidate, and calling an ambulance seems pointless."
HOOD'S UPDATE: They're making good progress
Four construction guys were hard at work this frigid morning at Hood's BBQ when we stopped by for our breakfast sandwiches. The outside renovations are done and now they're working on the inside. Larry Jr. told us that he hopes the project will be done in March and they'll be able to move back inside from the trailer where they've been doing business.
As cold as it was today, when the wind stopped howling there were actually a few nice moments -- like when I was standing out in the dogs' yard with a pit bull snuggled against my leg and the warm sun on my face. Two days in a row I've spotted a hawk, with his feathers all puffed up for warmth, sitting on the same fence line along Route 842 near the Stone Barn.
As cold as it was today, when the wind stopped howling there were actually a few nice moments -- like when I was standing out in the dogs' yard with a pit bull snuggled against my leg and the warm sun on my face. Two days in a row I've spotted a hawk, with his feathers all puffed up for warmth, sitting on the same fence line along Route 842 near the Stone Barn.
Friday, January 30, 2015
SOLDIER JAM: Second annual music fest features great local bands
Davey Dickens asked me to give a mention to the second annual Soldier Jam, the music fest he is producing (and performing in) at Thorncroft Therapeutic Riding Center, 190 Line Rd., Malvern from 4 to 10 p.m. March 28. Performers are Hezekiah Jones, Mason Porter, The Griz Band, Manatawny Creek Ramblers, Tin Bird Choir, Kevin Killen, Ted the Fiddler and Hellsaddle. Admission is $25, $10 for veterans with ID. Tickets are available through www.frenchandpickering.org.
Davey, an Army veteran and fishing guide, writes that all proceeds will go toward building "an all-access dock and recreation area in the French Creek Watershed. This will allow for Veterans in wheelchairs to fish in a private wooded setting and also we will be constructing outdoor counseling areas to provide an area for Veterans to receive therapy outside of the walls and restrictions of hospitals."
Davey, an Army veteran and fishing guide, writes that all proceeds will go toward building "an all-access dock and recreation area in the French Creek Watershed. This will allow for Veterans in wheelchairs to fish in a private wooded setting and also we will be constructing outdoor counseling areas to provide an area for Veterans to receive therapy outside of the walls and restrictions of hospitals."
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