EAST MARLBOROUGH: School sports field expansion

On April 28 the East Marlborough Township planning commission is scheduled to discuss the proposed "outdoor facility enhancements" at the UHS/Patton Middle School complex, to include the installation of "a multi-use synthetic turf field, a varsity softball field, a middle school baseball field, associated utility structures, paths, and an 81-space parking lot along East Doe Run Road." 
I know a lot of people are concerned with how this project will affect the big old barn on Doe Run Road across from St. Michael's Lutheran Church. 
I stopped by to check it out this afternoon and, I have to say, it would need a lot of repair (= a lot of taxpayers' dollars) to make it usable in any way. It has a stone base with barnwood siding. There's a dilapidated shed out back. Here are some photos I snapped so you can judge its condition for yourself.

South side of the barn.

East side of the barn.

Deteriorated shed out back.

West side of the barn.

If you want to hear the discussion, the meeting will start at 7 p.m. This is the time to make your opinion known, when it's still in the discussion stages before the PC, rather than waiting until the project is up for a vote by the supervisors.

Here's the login info: 
https://www.gotomeet.me/.../4282020-planning-commission-mtg

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679

Access Code: 688-389-125

POCOPSON: Social distancing by some responsible youths!

A loyal reader describes what she saw at Pocopson Park on a recent rainy morning:

"I was confronted by lots of cars (a more frequent situation) but today they were parked in kind of a ring.  As I walked past them I realized that the “wagons around the campfire"  configuration was actually a bunch of high school boys hanging out while practicing social distancing.  Each boy was sitting in his car with the tailgate or door open and they were talking and enjoying each other’s company, from a distance. They were seated about 12 feet apart. I applaud them for taking precautions to keep themselves and more vulnerable members of our community safe!"

TAKEOUT: Still eating well

We are so grateful to the restaurants that have managed to stay open for takeout and delivery. So far we've eaten call-ahead takeout from The Whip, Hoods' BBQ, Giordano's, Shere-E-Punjab, Sake Hana, and La Pena Mexicana. SaladWorks in Jennersville is still open, too.
Yesterday we had a delicious broccoli and bacon quiche from Nomadic Pies in downtown Kennett Square. They post their menu each Monday and you order and pay online, then pick up your purchase between noon and 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The pies and quiches sell out quickly. We were shut out one week, so we felt lucky to snap up the very last quiche this time. When I arrived at the restaurant, I joined a line of vehicles doing the same thing -- very efficient!

KENNETT SQUARE: Memorial Day parade is cancelled

This news wasn't unexpected -- but what a darn shame. My friends and I loved this small-town extravaganza! 
Here's the press release announcing the cancellation of the Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade -- as well as the retirement of longtime parade director Bill Taylor.

It is with great regret that we have CANCELED the Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade currently scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2020 due to the increasing safety concerns in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic. There is a global cancellation of nearly all highly-attended events of its kind around the world. While this decision is disappointing, Historic Kennett Square and the Kennett Borough are acting with great concern for the well-being of the parade staff, borough employees, parade participants, spectators, and sponsors.

I will be retiring as Chairman of the parade and would like to thank everyone who has participated in our patriotic holiday event in memory of past and present veterans who have kept us safe and free because of their sacrifice. You have given us your best in making our parade and ceremony a success and for honoring our veterans for the past 16 years.

On behalf of my company, family and parade committee, I thank you for the privilege of serving our community.

Respectfully,

Bill Taylor
KENNETT SQUARE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE COMMITTEE

KENNETT SQUARE: A new schedule for borough council meetings

By a 4-3 vote, Kennett Square Borough Council has changed its meeting schedule and format.
Currently council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Starting in May, a discussion meeting will be held on the third Monday, followed the next evening by a voting session.
Public comment will be allowed at both meetings. 
Voting to change the schedule at the April 21 meeting, held by videoconference, were council president Brenda Mercomes, vice president Rosa Moore and members Peter Waterkotte and Doug Doerfler. Voting against were LaToya Myers, Mayra Zavala and Ethan Cramer.
Those supporting the new format said they believed it would be more efficient and would allow them to discuss issues in a more relaxed setting, without the pressure to vote. It would also give them time to get any questions answered before the vote. 
Those opposed said the format would actually be less efficient, would conflict with council members' schedules for work, family and other outside responsibilities, and would reduce council's ability to address issues that arose during the weeks between meetings. 
Mercomes said the change would be made only on a trial basis, and council would try to find dates that work for all council members.
The revised structure is used by West Chester and Phoenixville borough councils. 

KENNETT BOROUGH: New format for council meetings?

Kennett Borough Council is considering revamping its meeting format so that a discussion meeting would be held on one Monday a month, followed the next evening by a voting session. 
Currently council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month.
At its videoconference on Monday, April 20, council members presented pros and cons for the proposal, which is the structure used by West Chester and Phoenixville borough councils. Some council members felt that the format would be more efficient and would allow them to discuss issues in a more relaxed setting, without the pressure to vote. It would also give them time to get any questions answered before the vote. 
Others worried that changing the format would conflict with their schedules for work, family and other outside responsibilities. 
Some suggested that any change should be postponed until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
The public would be allowed to comment at both meetings.
Council will discuss the matter further at their next meeting, which will be held via videoconference at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21. Login information is on the borough's website (click on "calendar" and then click on the meeting).

KENNETT TOWNSHIP: Moore waives her prelim hearing

As expected, former Kennett Township manager Lisa Moore has waived her preliminary hearing, which was set for Tuesday, April 21, in Kennett Square district court. Ms. Moore, who is accused of embezzling $3.2 million of taxpayers' money from the township, is free on unsecured bail. Her case will now move to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.