News Briefs for August 9, 2024
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The Knurr Log House, circa 1750, is a historic Germanic log dwelling in Lower Frederick Township. Officials in Lower Frederick are considering implementing a sewer lateral inspection requirement for residential property sales.
Photo: Shuvaev (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Report: Corporations use ‘long game’ to take over public water, sewer systems
A new report examines how private, for-profit companies have strategized to take over nonprofit water and sewer systems in Pennsylvania over the years. The findings provide context for any upcoming hearings on proposed water and sewer rate hikes being sought by Aqua — the third such request in the past seven years. In a report issued in July, an advocacy group named In the Public Interest, which describes itself as “a nonprofit research and policy center committed to the democratic control of public goods and services,” shined a light on the increasing privatization of Pennsylvania’s public water and sewer systems. Titled “Water Wars in Pennsylvania: How Corporations Play the Long Game,” the report reviews the history of public water in Pennsylvania and how many of those systems, with the help of a compliant state legislature, have been steadily bought up by for-profit companies. The primary result of all the public water and sewer system purchases in the past few decades, according to the report, is “an increasing number of Pennsylvania’s residents pay private companies for their water, and the rates are the costliest in the country; private water in Pennsylvania is 84 percent more expensive than public water,” the authors wrote, citing a 2016 survey by Food & Water Watch of 500 water suppliers nationwide. Aqua released a statement in response, “Many of our country’s municipal water and wastewater systems are in disrepair from decades of deferred maintenance — and we stand by the operational expertise we offer to these systems and our commitment to ensure safe, reliable water to our customers and communities.”
Source: Daily Times; 8/3/2024
A 40-hour work week won’t pay the rent in many PA counties
Data compiled and analyzed by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) show that the average renter working a 40-hour work week — even if they earn double the $7.25 hourly minimum wage — would struggle to pay rent and other bills in most counties in Pennsylvania. The data are part of NLIHC’s annual Out of Reach report, which studied the wages and hours needed to make sure that no more than 30% of pay goes to housing costs, an affordability threshold that has been a federal standard since at least 1981. Bucks and Delaware counties are among the counties requiring the most hours needed to make rent. For example, in Bucks County, the average hourly wage for a renter is $16.88, but a wage of $33.40 over 40 hours per week is needed to afford a two-bedroom rental home. Read more from the Bucks County Courier Times.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 7/25/2024
Penndel residents oppose upscale apartment plan
Developer Kiddma LLC appeared before Penndel Borough Council to present plans to replace a shuttered carpet mill with a mix of upscale apartments and retail stores. The plan includes razing the 117-year-old Langhorne Carpet Company building and replacing it with 150 luxury apartments in two buildings at 201 W. Lincoln Highway in the center of the downtown area. Bryce McGuigan, the lawyer representing Kiddma, faced skepticism from residents who expressed concerns that the developer would bait the town with luxury residences then quietly change plans to build low-income apartments. Kiddma’s owner Netanel Darmon told residents, “For this project to be viable we cannot do low-income.” The location will provide several obstacles to development, including environmental reviews, a zoning change, tight parking, traffic flow and available sewer connections.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 8/2/2024 & 8/7/2024
Lower Makefield adds regulations for short-term rentals
Lower Makefield Township supervisors adopted amendments to the township’s existing short-term rental regulations at their Aug. 7 meeting. The changes tighten requirements for township residents who want to rent out their homes to short-term visitors. Changes to the existing ordinance include requirements that short-term rentals must be licensed and undergo regular inspections, and an owner must live at the residence at least eight months a year and have adequate liability insurance, among other items. The amendments also limit the amount of time a home can be rented. Lower Makefield officials say the changes are necessary due to “a greater incidence of disturbances and violations of various codes of the township which adversely affect the peace and quiet of the neighborhood” near residences where owners have “unregulated transient visitors.”
Source: Bucks County Herald; 8/1/2024
Affordable housing for seniors is under construction in Bensalem
Construction is now underway on a new affordable housing complex for low-income senior citizens in Bucks County. The groundbreaking of the Daniel B. Green House at 4695 Somerton Road in the Trevose section of Bensalem Township was held on July 12. The community is expected to open in early September 2025. The 60-unit development by Federation Housing Inc. aims to provide low-income seniors with accessible and affordable housing, addressing the region's critical housing shortage. The affordable housing crisis in Bucks County and the broader Philadelphia region has been intensifying, particularly for the senior population. The 2023 Bucks County Housing Needs Snapshot report by the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania highlights a severe shortage of affordable homes.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 7/25/2024
Doylestown Township receives $4.4 million to address PFAS
Doylestown Township will receive $4.4 million in funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority to help remove toxic PFAS chemicals from some of its water supply. According to state Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Rep. Tim Brennan (D-29), the money will be used to build a water treatment facility to mitigate two PFAS-contaminated wells where the presence of the chemicals exceeds new federal government standards. According to the township’s municipal authority, the treatment facility will use a combination of carbon filtration units and iron and magnesium treatment systems to remove the “forever chemicals” from the groundwater.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 7/25/2024
Newtown Borough to consider chicken ordinance
Newtown Borough Council will consider adopting Ordinance No. 801 at its meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Chancellor Center, 30 N. Chancellor St. The proposed ordinance will regulate the keeping of chickens in the borough and sets forth guidelines for proper care, management and control for the safety of borough residents. A copy of the ordinance can be reviewed on the Newtown Borough website.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 8/2024
Penn Township residents express fears of zoning change
About 30 Penn Township residents attended a July 24 planning commission meeting to express fears that a patch of rural open space was in danger of having its zoning changed. Environmental scientist Dennis Newbold said he was concerned because the land is owned by the Catholic Archdiocese and is up for sale. Citing the township’s comprehensive plans, he pleaded that the northern tract of 730 acres bounded roughly by Route 796 and Ewing and Phillips Mill roads be kept rural and free of sewage deposits as it is now with its Institutional Open Space classification. Victor Mantegna, the chair of the township supervisors, and his fellow board members each said they had no intention to change the zoning.
Source: Chester County Press; 7/31/2024
Chesco commissioners appoint new director of facilities
Chester County Commissioners announced the appointment of George Martynick Jr. as director of the Chester County Facilities Department. Martynick has been serving as acting director since October 2023, following the retirement of Jan Bowers. As facilities director, Martynick will oversee the department’s staff and contractors, and will be responsible for the management, operations, maintenance, repairs and capital improvements of the county’s buildings and parking facilities. Martynick joined Chester County following a career of 30-plus years with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, where as regional facility manager he managed operations for over 80 properties with an appraised value of $250 million.
Source: Daily Local; 8/5/2024
Emergency radio station 1670 AM gets $20K in state funding
An emergency management information system in southern Chester County will be upgraded and expanded to serve more communities thanks to new state funding. Avon Grove Regional Emergency Management (AGREM) received $20,000 in state grant funding to maintain and enhance the signal of 1670 AM, a locally managed community information station that broadcasts information on severe weather events, roadwork and road closures, regular public service messages, and reminders regarding emergency preparedness and safety. As an emergency management organization, AGREM provides support to Avondale, West Grove, Penn, New London, Franklin and London Britain. It continues to expand to support municipalities in the Oxford area.
Source: Chester County Press; 7/31/2024
Maxwell elected chair of Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
Josh Maxwell, the chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, has been elected chairman of the board of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the Greater Philadelphia region’s federally designated metropolitan planning organization. In the role, he will oversee an 18-member board that represents the nine-county Greater Philadelphia region. The board establishes regional transportation policies, and determines transportation priorities and the allocation of transportation funds.
Source: Chester County Press; 7/31/2024
Oxford Borough takes steps to improve its water operations
The Oxford Borough Water Department is responsible for providing potable drinking water to the borough’s residents, which is no small task these days. The borough sources its water from a combination of the Chester Water Authority and local wells and owns a water treatment plant and a transmission, production, storage and distribution system serving Oxford. In fall 2023, the borough began a series of long-term planning initiatives and improvements to the borough water system, including development of a 10-year capital plan and completion of a water rate study. The efforts are meant to ensure the sustainability of Oxford’s water department as a publicly owned utility. For residents and property owners, the upgrade will save money over time, enhance the delivery services and improve the customer experience. The borough will be able to alert water customers to sudden spikes in water use that may indicate a water leak, affording the customer an opportunity to fix it before incurring hefty water and sewer bills. Read more here.
Source: Chester County Press; 8/7/2024
Upper Darby’s U&O change has not begun yet
Upper Darby Township had advertised a change to its use and occupancy requirements that was to begin on July 1. But that change — the addition of an interior inspection — had not taken effect as of the end of July. The township is continuing to work on updating its procedures and forms. Currently, the township requires an exterior inspection and a sewer lateral inspection. The Suburban Realtors Alliance and several local Realtors met last week with Upper Darby Township staff regarding the pending change, and we will continue to update Realtors in our weekly news briefs and in our municipal database. Realtors are encouraged to share any comments, concerns or relevant experiences working in the township via email at sra@suburbanrealtoralliance.com.
Audit reveals poor recordkeeping at Parkside Fire Company
A forensic audit of Parkside Fire Company for the years 2021 to 2023 found grossly deficient recordkeeping resulting in the inability of auditors to confidently state whether the volunteer fire company properly spent Parkside Borough funds. The report also found the fire company was not in compliance with IRS and state department of revenue regulations when it didn’t file spending for independent contractors. The audit was requested after the July 2023 arrest of former Parkside Borough Councilman Rob Powers on theft charges. He was a council member, fire marshal and president of the fire company at the time.
Source: Daily Times; 8/3/2024
Study finds adverse health effects in Delco’s industrial communities
A study of the cumulative health and environmental impact of industries mainly along Delaware County riverfront communities found poorer outcomes for people who lived there. The ASSESS study — Assessing Strengths, Stressors and Environmental Justice in Southern Pennsylvania Communities — looked at the cumulative impacts of chemical and nonchemical stressors on residents in those areas. The idea for the study began in 2020, when community members formed Marcus Hook Area Neighbors for Public Health with concerns about industrial infrastructure and adverse health impacts. Read the full study here.
Source: Daily Times; 8/4/2024
Marple Police provide refresher on soliciting rules
Police in Marple Township are clearing up confusion about solicitors — commonly called door-to-door salespeople — after reporting an increase in applications for solicitation this year. Marple does have ordinances regulating soliciting, which can lead to citations if violated. Residents who see a solicitor not abiding by the ordinance are asked to call 911. Officers will investigate and issue citations if warranted. Any person desiring to engage in soliciting or peddling in the township must submit in person a written application to the Marple Township Police Department. Soliciting is permitted only during the hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Solicitors must carry the issued license at all times and show it upon request. They may not approach a private residence or business if it has posted a "No Trespassing" or "No Soliciting" sign. Solicitors are also prohibited from contacting the owner of any business or residence on the township's "Do Not Solicit" list, which is maintained by the Marple Township Police Department.
Source: Marple Newtown Patch; 8/5/2024
Delaware County releases Q&A on immigration policies
Delaware County is not, and has never been, a sanctuary county, officials recently stated. In recent months, some members of the public have raised a question about whether Delaware County is a sanctuary county. A sanctuary city, county or state is identified as having laws, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, policies or other practices that obstruct immigration enforcement and shield criminals from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE). To ensure that the public has the correct information about Delaware County's policy regarding immigration, and the reasoning behind the policy, the county has developed an FAQ on the topic available.
Source: Delaware County; 7/26/2024
Lower Frederick officials are considering a sewer lateral inspection requirement
Lower Frederick Township supervisors recently viewed a presentation about the township’s sewer inflow and infiltration (I&I) program. I&I refers to water from sources other than domestic wastewater that enters the sewer system, thereby reducing the available capacity of the system. Excessive I&I increases the cost of wastewater treatment by increasing the amount of water that must be treated, chemicals needed, energy usage and wear on pumps. Supervisors are considering passing a private lateral inspection ordinance that would require the televising and repair of the lateral as a condition of property sales. The Suburban Realtors Alliance maintains that municipalities should encourage regular maintenance of public infrastructure items, such as sidewalks and sewer lateral lines — and avoid point-of-sale mandates that are arbitrary and ineffective. If Lower Frederick officials move forward with a plan to require point-of-sale lateral inspections, the SRA will review the ordinance prior to its passage to identify shortcomings and clarify its requirements.
Source: Town & Country; 7/31/2024
New Hanover preserves 35 acres of open space
New Hanover Township supervisors unanimously voted to purchase 35 acres of property in the township as preserved open space. The land was purchased using $1.3 million from the township’s open space fund. Money for the open space fund comes from a dedicated 0.15% earned income tax levy that was approved by voters in 2006. The use of the property at 342 E. Moyer Road is now restricted, as the township is bound by the state Open Space Lands Act that prevents the property from being used or sold for development without a parcel of equal size being preserved and approved by the orphans’ court. A resident who lives near the parcel thanked the supervisors for “preserving a piece of the neighborhood.”
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 8/6/2024
Lower Merion makes progress in Cynwyd Heritage Trail expansion
Lower Merion Township staff have been negotiating with Norfolk Southern for close to five years to lease a portion of land that would connect the Cynwyd Heritage Trail with publicly accessible trails along the Schuylkill waterfront at Pencoyd Landing. Parks and recreation committee members recommended that the board approve a lease agreement with Norfolk Southern for approximately 1.75 acres of land that was “historically a rail spur from the former Pennsylvania Cynwyd Branch (now the Cynwyd Heritage Trail) to the Pencoyd Iron Works which operated along the Schuylkill River between Belmont Avenue and City Avenue from 1852 until the 1920’s.” The lease will run for 10 years and provides automatic 10-year renewals. The commissioners are expected to vote on the lease agreement at their August meeting.
Source: Main Line Media News; 8/4/2024
Final celebration planned prior to demolition of Kennedy-Kenrick High School in Norristown
Pope John Paul II High School has announced a final celebration at Kennedy-Kenrick High School in Norristown on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. The school is scheduled for demolition to make way for a residential development. Kennedy-Kenrick held its final graduation in 2010. Visit the Kennedy-Kenrick Final Celebration site for full details and RSVP information.
Source: MoreThanTheCurve; 8/6/2024
Homeowners will see property tax bills increase $330 on average as city reassesses properties
The average Philadelphia homeowner will see their property tax bill increase by $330 this year, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration announced as her office prepares to release the first citywide real estate reassessment in two years. The city will mail reassessment notices to property owners in early August, and the new valuations will be searchable on the city’s website. Tax bills are due March 31, 2025, and the average homeowner’s bill will be about $2,300, assuming they are signed up for the homestead exemption. The real estate tax rate is 1.3998% of a property’s taxable assessed value. Parker and city council left the rate unchanged, but tax bills increase when assessments go up as property values grow over time. The overall value of residential properties, which make up a vast majority of the parcels, increased 19% under new values. To combat the expected increase in assessments, council proposed and Parker agreed to raise the homestead exemption, which reduces the assessed value of owner-occupied properties, from $80,000 to $100,000. Council also created a new relief program for low-income homeowners that freezes property tax bills for individuals who make less than $33,500 annually and married couples who make less than $41,500. Read more at PlanPhilly.
Source: PlanPhilly; 8/5/2024 & Philadelphia Inquirer; 8/6/2024
Developers fear apartment glut in city
There has been an increasing number of “concession surfers” — renters looking to repeatedly cash in on incentives doled out by landlords, especially in hypercompetitive environments like Northern Liberties and nearby neighborhoods on the Delaware River, where thousands of new apartments have recently come online. The surge in multifamily construction means Philadelphia developers and landlords are reckoning with a rental glut for the first time in decades. Rent increases have slowed and, at the high end of the market, reversed as concessions mask the fact that tenants are harder to attract at asking prices. According to data from commercial real estate analytics firm CoStar Analytics, the citywide vacancy rate passed 10% this year — up from 5.7% in 2021 and over 2 percentage points higher than the current national average. That’s led many building owners to offer renters multiple months of free rent or other amenities to compensate. Although thousands more units are under construction, new building permits plummeted last year after interest rates spiked. And Philadelphia has continued to see thousands of new tenants move in every year: Out of 9,600 units built since 2021, 8,600 have already been occupied. Read more in the Inquirer.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 8/6/2024
Neighbors want to see Logan Triangle redeveloped. Will it ever happen?
An infamously blighted 35-acre triangle of land in Northwest Philadelphia, Logan Triangle, has been vacant since the demolition of hundreds of rowhouses that were sinking into the unstable soil beneath them. More than two decades after the last family left the triangle, there’s no timetable for when something new might be developed. In July, the city quietly halted its latest effort to sell the sprawling site. As it stands today, only about half of the site is suitable for redevelopment. That means any interested developer would likely need to remediate the land before starting construction — to keep any new structures from sinking like the homes that once occupied the triangle. The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, which owns the land, received just one response to the request for proposals it posted last October. And the city decided not to select that developer. Read more at PlanPhilly.
Source: PlanPhilly; 7/29/2024
The future of historic Mount Vernon Cemetery is uncertain
Mount Vernon Cemetery, an unruly and sprawling 27-acre urban forest in North Philly, has about 33,000 people buried there. Volunteers are developing historic cemetery tours for visitors and plan to host a community event in the fall. But something spooked the group in recent weeks — an online real estate listing to sell the cemetery for at least $1 million. The longtime owner of the cemetery was Joseph Murphy, a Washington D.C.-based attorney, but he lost control over it after preservationists took him to court in 2020 using a Pennsylvania law known as Act 135, which enables conservators to save abandoned and blighted properties. Murphy lost control of the property in 2021. The Philadelphia Community Development Coalition is the conservator of the cemetery and has spent more than $200,000 on restoration and stabilization of the historic gatehouse since then. It’s ultimately up to a judge to decide who the next owner might be. There’s a community-led group interested in taking over, but it hasn’t raised enough money for minimal operational costs, even if the property was transferred over for a nominal fee and city back taxes were forgiven. The cemetery doesn’t have the modern infrastructure to support new plots considering a gravesite hasn’t been sold since 1968. Read more in PlanPhilly.
Source: PlanPhilly; 7/27/2024
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