Pennsylvania pipeline developer charged in connection with contamination
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced criminal charges against the corporate developer of the Mariner East 2 pipeline. A grand jury concluded that Sunoco Pipeline LP — a division of Energy Transfer LP — flouted Pennsylvania environmental laws and fouled waterways and residential water supplies across hundreds of miles. Shapiro announced the charges in a news conference at Marsh Creek State Park in Downingtown, where Sunoco spilled thousands of gallons of drilling fluid last year. The spill, during construction of the troubled pipeline, contaminated wetlands, a stream and part of a 535-acre lake. Energy Transfer faces 48 criminal charges, most of them for illegally releasing industrial waste at 22 sites in 11 counties across the state. A felony count accuses the operator of willfully failing to report spills to state environmental regulators. Shapiro said Energy Transfer ruined the drinking water of at least 150 families statewide. The company has previously said it intends to defend itself. Energy Transfer faces a fine if convicted, which Shapiro said was not a sufficient punishment. He called on state lawmakers to toughen penalties on corporate violators.
Source: Associated Press; 10/5/2021 

States and cities slow to spend federal pandemic money
As Congress considered a massive COVID-19 relief package earlier this year, hundreds of mayors from across the U.S. pleaded for “immediate action” on billions of dollars targeted to shore up their finances and revive their communities. Now that they’ve received it, local officials are taking their time spending the windfall. As of this summer, a majority of large cities and states hadn’t spent a penny from the American Rescue Plan, according to an Associated Press review of the first financial reports due under the law. States had spent just 2.5% of their initial allotment while large cities spent 8.5%, according to the AP analysis. Though Biden signed the law in March, the Treasury Department didn’t release the money and spending guidelines until May, after some state legislatures had wrapped up their budgets for the next year. Cities sometimes delayed decisions while soliciting suggestions from the public. Some government officials — still trying to figure out how to spend previous rounds of federal pandemic aid — simply didn’t see an urgent need for the additional cash. The law gives states until the end of 2024 to make spending commitments and until the end of 2026 to spend the money.
Source: Daily Local; 10/3/2021

Public invited to attend meeting on redistricting
Work has begun on drawing Pennsylvania’s new U.S. Congressional and state House and Senate district maps. New district maps should be drawn by the end of the year. The General Assembly’s two state government committees have the responsibility to map the state’s 17 U.S. Congressional districts. The Legislative Reapportionment Commission (LRC) has the responsibility to map the state’s 253 legislative districts. Fair Districts PA, an advocacy group, and American Association of University Women (AAUW) will hold a meeting to discuss the process on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 10 a.m. at Easttown Library, 720 First Ave., Berwyn. The one-hour educational event will cover who is drawing the maps, the timetable, and how to provide input. For more information, visit the websites of the AAUW Valley Forge website and Fair Districts PA. 
Source: Daily Local; 10/6/2021

Voter resources on state website
The Pennsylvania Department of State has resources available to voters on its Voting & Election Information website. Residents can register to vote, apply for a mail-in ballot or receive a reminder about voting in the Tuesday, Nov. 2, election. The last day to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 18. The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Lower property tax rate proposed in Upper Makefield
Upper Makefield supervisors are considering lowering the municipal property tax rate in 2022. At a Sept. 21 meeting, Township Manager Dave Nyman presented a preliminary proposed municipal budget that would lower the local real estate tax millage rate from the current 7.6025 to 7.25, a roughly 4.6% drop. Residents can review the budget and tax rate proposal at the Upper Makefield website. The budget must be finalized by the end of the year. Nyman said further property tax reductions are possible in the coming years thanks to decreasing open space debt. 
Source: Bucks County Herald; 9/30/2021

Lower Southampton fixes manholes, adopts sewer construction standards
Lower Southampton Township supervisors voted on Sept. 9 to spend roughly $61,200 to replace 18 of the worst manholes for stormwater infiltration in the township. Township engineer John Evarts said that the savings per year to line the manholes is approximately $56,200 that would be paid to the Philadelphia Water Department for treatment — meaning the project will just about pay for itself in the first year. In other news, the township supervisors voted to adopt standard construction specifications for sanitary sewer facilities like sanitary sewer laterals and manholes. Previously, the township had no standards. 
Source: Lower Southampton Township; 9/9/2021

Pennsbury accused in lawsuit of censoring public comment in board meetings
Four Pennsbury School District taxpayers have filed a federal lawsuit asking that the school board’s speech policies be deemed unconstitutional. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, claims Pennsbury repeatedly violated the First Amendment through its censorship of public school board meetings. Last spring, Pennsbury came under fire for its restricting and editing of public comments made during school board meetings. The board cited a violation of Pennsbury School Board Policy 903, part of which says the presiding officer can interrupt or stop a public comment if the statement "is personally directed, abusive, obscene or irrelevant.” The lawsuit comes on the heels of another one against the district, in which three parents are seeking a permanent injunction on Pennsbury’s health and safety plan that requires students to wear masks while learning and on school buses.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 10/4/2021 

Solebury issues guidance on political sign permits
In response to questions about the process for obtaining permits for political signs, Solebury Township issued guidance. Political signs now fall under the category of short-term temporary signs, which do require a permit. However, only a single permit must be obtained by a political party, political candidate or other organization, regardless of the number or variety of signs to be displayed. The maximum sign size is six square feet per side. They may be erected for no more than two 45-day periods per year and removed immediately upon the end of the period. For more details, click here.
Source: Solebury Township; 10/5/2021

Housing Link program offers bonuses up to $2K for Realtors and landlords
The Bucks County Housing Link is offering incentives to Realtors and landlords who partner with the Housing Link to lease to qualified program participants. Through the Bonus for Bucks Landlords Event, landlords who are new to the Housing Link program can receive a bonus equal to one month of rent when they lease to a Housing Link program participant. Landlords and Realtors who refer a landlord to the Housing Link can receive a $2,000 finder’s fee if that landlord ends up participating. Aside from the cash bonus, landlords involved in the program receive reliable rent, continuity coverage payments between leases, the ability to collect additional referral bonuses, and support from the Housing Link staff. For more information on the program, visit the Bonus for Bucks Landlords website and read answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Bonus for Bucks Landlords runs through Jan. 31, 2022, and is a joint effort between the Bucks County Housing Link Partners, the Bucks County Association of Realtors and the Suburban Realtors Alliance. 
Source: Bucks County Housing Link; 7/14/2021

Former Kennett Township manager receives prison sentence
Lisa Michelle Moore, the former Kennett Township manager whose multi-million dollar thefts shook the affluent Chester County community, was sentenced to serve three to 10 years in state prison after pleading guilty. Moore had worked her way up the ladder of the township staff from a clerk to its first-ever manager. During the sentencing, she did not address the court, nor did she apologize to the township staff and residents she deceived through a variety of means to loot the taxpayer accounts of more than $3.2 million over seven years. As part of her sentence, she will forfeit her public pension, be barred from holding any position of fiduciary responsibility with any government or nonprofit organization, and must report her sentence and supervision to any future employer.
Source: Daily Local; 10/5/2021

West Chester’s open-air market recognized
West Chester Borough’s Gay Street Open Air Market was recognized with a Townie Award from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. The market was a partnership between the borough and the Business Improvement District to create more space for outdoor dining and shopping to help small businesses get through the pandemic. “Together, we created an appealing outdoor dining and shopping experience, complete with art and music, which drew people back and continues to support our businesses during these challenging times,” said state Rep. Dianne Herrin (D-156), who as borough mayor helped launch the market. “The Open-Air Market has lifted all of our spirits, and it’s here to stay.”
Source: Daily Local; 10/2/2021

New borough manager in Oxford
Pauline D. Garcia-Allen has been named the new borough manager in Oxford. The appointment comes after an exhaustive search conducted by a search committee. Garcia-Allen is a seasoned professional who holds a bachelor of science degree in journalism and media studies. She also has an extensive background in community and economic development, coalition building, program management, grant funding, and communications. “Pauline brings 20 years of professional experience, a diverse background, and existing relationships with various Oxford area stakeholder groups, all of which will serve the borough well,” said Borough Council President Peggy Ann Russell. Garcia-Allen will begin her tenure with the borough on Monday, Oct. 25.
Source: Chester County Press; 10/4/2021 

Historical marker will honor West Brandywine aeronautical pioneer George Spratt
George Alexander Spratt, an aeronautical pioneer who helped Wilbur and Orville Wright invent the airplane, will be honored with a state historical marker near his West Brandywine home. The marker will read: “George Alexander Spratt (1870-1934), West Brandywine Township. Early aviation design pioneer whose research was instrumental in the Wright brothers' first flight. He performed countless experiments to understand the forces that would keep aircraft aloft. His innovative use of a wind tunnel led to greater understanding of the effect of lift, drag, and the center of pressure on a curved wing.” The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the West Brandywine Township Historical Commissioner will hold a dedication ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 2:30 p.m. Shuttle service will be provided from the township building at 198 LaFayette Road. For more information, view the township announcement.
Source: West Brandywine Township and Phoenixville Patch; 3/10/2021

Philly passes bill that aims to encourage affordable housing in desirable neighborhoods
Philadelphia City Council passed a bill that backers hope will encourage developers to construct more affordable housing units in desirable areas. The measure tweaks an existing city program that allows developers to construct larger buildings than allowed under zoning regulations if they agree to build affordable housing units or contribute to the city’s Housing Trust Fund. Since launching in 2018, the voluntary Mixed-Income Housing Bonus program has resulted in developers building fewer than two dozen affordable housing units, with the majority of developers opting to contribute to the trust fund. Under the new bill, developers of projects with fewer than 10 units must build affordable housing on-site to earn a bonus for height or density — with no option to contribute to the housing trust fund instead. The measure also includes a provision designed to encourage the preservation of active commercial corridors. That provision bars developers from getting a mixed-use bonus if they are also getting a zoning variance for residential use in a ground-floor commercial space. Read more here. 
Source: PlanPhilly; 9/30/2021

With over 45,000 Philadelphians waiting for rent relief, city is running out of money
Six months into implementing Philadelphia’s federally backed rent relief program, officials say the city has distributed about 90% of its funding, and is close to running out of cash. “We have funding in hand to last about two more weeks,” city spokesperson Jamila Davis told Billy Penn last week about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Additional money is expected to arrive soon, Davis said, but it’s only expected to last “roughly another six weeks.” There’s a big backlog to cover. Of more than 60,000 applications for rental assistance in Philly’s latest program phase, only about a quarter have been approved. Experts told Spotlight PA the city would need $276 million to cover all the existing applications — not counting the 1,500 new ones that arrive each week. The additional funds on the way total just $35 million, per the report. The program has been frustrating even for some of those who get approved, with wait times stretching months. Pennsylvania, which administers the federal program throughout the commonwealth, says it will meet the need. In February, the state allocated $564 million for rent and utilities relief. Through six months, $278 million had been distributed — the fifth most of any state in the country. More than 47% of Philadelphians are renters, according to census data. 
Source: Billy Penn; 10/5/2021

Thousands of properties tied up in failed, 25-year-old scheme
In 1997, the City of Philadelphia raised $72 million by selling off tax liens on 33,000 properties to a private lienholder that would recoup the investment with aggressive collection efforts. But those collection efforts fell short, and the city defaulted on $42 million in bonds secured by the liens. An unintended result was to privatize control over the fates of thousands of abandoned, tax-delinquent properties, which have been sold in backroom deals, auctioned at sheriff’s sales, or remain in the real-estate equivalent of purgatory. Advocates have long urged the city to develop a mechanism to regain control over the disposition of those properties. About 2,300 remain — concentrated in poor, primarily Black and Latino communities in North and West Philadelphia where some blocks are home to 10 or more. But the city’s land bank, city council and administration officials all say they’re unable to intervene. Meanwhile, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, the law firm hired by US Bank to dispose of the liens, is aiming to dispose of all remaining lien sale properties within two years. Mark Harris, a managing partner, said the liens on the remaining properties are worth $5.27 million; with penalties and interest, though, the tab is $25.4 million. Now that tax sales, which had been suspended since the start of the pandemic, are set to resume, advocates say urgent action and a clear process are desperately needed. Anne Fadullon, the city’s director of planning and development, said there is no recourse. She said the city has sought to negotiate the release of some liens, but the trust held by US Bank has taken an all-or-nothing stance.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 10/6/2021
 

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