Whole-Home Repairs program resuscitated in Shapiro’s budget proposal
A popular Pennsylvania home repair assistance program that garners bipartisan support but was a casualty of last year’s budget battles could get new funding in the coming months. Gov. Josh Shapiro included $50 million in state funding for the Whole-Home Repairs program in his 2024 budget proposal. The program gives grants to low- and moderate-income homeowners for energy efficiency upgrades like climate-friendly heat pumps and insulation, as well as basic home repairs. “Actually installing new electrical systems — energy-efficient heating and cooling systems — in homes will drastically reduce energy burdens, and for that matter, greenhouse gas emissions,” said state Sen. Nikil Saval (D-1), of Philadelphia, who spearheaded the program. Read more here.
Source: PlanPhilly; 2/8/2024

PA legislature ended 2023 with a $300M surplus
Pennsylvania’s legislative branch has a record balance of nearly $300 million, ostensibly to ensure independence in the event of a drawn-out budgetary showdown with the governor. According to an audit released by a House-Senate panel, the legislative accounts grew by more than $37 million last year over the prior year’s balance of nearly $261.5 million. That means the legislative reserves are large enough to cover operations for about eight months based on the two chambers’ current combined annual appropriation of $441.4 million.
Source: Daily Local; 2/12/2024

Realtors keep access to homeownership front and center in Washington
Making homeownership more accessible has long been one of the top advocacy priorities of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and Realtors are ensuring it’s top of mind for policymakers too. Since NAR released its groundbreaking report in 2021 revealing America’s underbuilding gap of at least 5.5 million housing units, Realtors have led the call for a once-in-a-generation response to solve the crisis. The urgency was evident at NAR’s annual Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. The capacity crowd included housing and economic experts, policymakers and industry stakeholders committed to addressing the challenges hindering homebuyers. From the historic inventory shortage to high interest rates, regulatory obstacles, fees and lending issues, the panelists outlined the current housing market landscape and discussed how technology, innovation and legislative policies can help keep homeownership within reach. Read more here.
Source: Nar.realtor; 2/2024

Southeastern PA is getting its first micro-hospitals
Southeastern Pennsylvania is getting its first micro-hospitals — facilities with small emergency departments and 10 or so inpatient beds for people who are not seriously ill. The facilities are also called neighborhood hospitals, and the model is designed to fill coverage gaps in areas that cannot support a full-scale hospital. The plan also allows health systems to expand their reach into distant communities and draw more referrals to the larger health system’s flagship hospitals for advanced care. The former Jennersville Hospital in Penn Township, Chester County, will be reopened by ChristianaCare as a micro-hospital next year. Only one floor of the former hospital will be used. In Douglass Township, Montgomery County, the Lehigh Valley Health Network is building a single-story hospital along Route 100, hoping to compete with the inpatient market there that is currently dominated by Tower Health. Lehigh Valley Health is also building a second micro-hospital in Macungie, closer to its Allentown base, while Allegheny Health Network partnered with Emerus Hospital Partners to open four micro-hospitals in western Pennsylvania. Emerus is also partnering with WellSpan Health, a nonprofit health system in central Pennsylvania, to open three micro-hospitals in Cumberland and York Counties. The University of Pennsylvania Health System is considering a micro-hospital as part of an expansion in western Chester County. In Bucks County, however, plans have stalled for a micro-hospital proposed by Capital Health in Langhorne. Read more here.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 2/12/2024 

Prokopiak wins special election in 140th District
Democrat Jim Prokopiak won the special election on Feb. 13 to represent the 140th District in the state House of Representatives by a 67-32 margin. He will serve the final year of the term of former Rep. John Galloway, who resigned to become a magisterial district judge. Prokopiak, a lawyer and Pennsbury School Board member, previously served as a Falls Township supervisor. The 140th District includes 33 voting precincts across Morrisville Borough, Tullytown Borough, Falls Township and some of Middletown Township. Prokopiak received 6,462 votes, compared to 3,079 votes for Republican Candace Cabanas, according to unofficial results. The election marks the fourth time Democrats have defended their 102-101 majority since taking control of the state House in 2023.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 2/13/2024

Buckingham residents oppose warehouse plan
Buckingham Township residents recently packed a planning commission meeting to speak out against a proposed warehouse plan. Over 150 people attended the meeting to oppose an application submitted by J.G. Petrucci Company proposing the redevelopment of a 58-acre property on Cold Spring Creamery Road. The developer's representatives went over the site plans, which include a 150,000-square-foot warehouse with 30 truck bays, two parking areas, an access drive for trucks at Stony Lane and another driveway for employees off Progress Meadow Drive. Residents’ comments focused on traffic and safety, with many concerned about large numbers of tractor trailers in the largely rural community. Township engineer Daniel Gray estimated that 90 trucks a day would access the property. The planning commission tabled the application. The next planning commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m. Watch the Buckingham Township website for the agenda. The initial review period for the warehouse application expires April 2.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 2/9/2024

Middletown supervisors, developer reach agreement on proposed townhome community
Middletown Township supervisors have reached an agreement on an appeal to a zoning hearing board decision. The agreement will allow the supervisors to settle a zoning appeal with Westrum Development Company. Last year, Westrum proposed developing the former Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School into a 70-unit, age-targeted townhome community. The township’s zoning board denied the proposal due to zoning restrictions. Westrum filed an appeal in the courts but continued to work with Middletown Township officials and the neighboring Cobalt Ridge community to refine plans and reach a settlement. The revised plans reduce the number of units to 66 and incorporate a range of enhancements like increased open space and additional overflow parking. In addition to changes to the plans, the developer agreed to work with the township to set up a trust fund and put in $200,000. The fund would address the challenges faced by many potential homeowners in the area who can afford monthly payments but lack sufficient funds for down payments. It will be managed by the township or another entity. The townhomes are expected to be priced between $500,000 and $600,000.
Source: LevittownNow.com; 2/6/2024

BCCC offers noncredit civics class, ‘So, You Think You Know Your Government?’
Bucks County Community College has announced the launch of a new noncredit program, “Civics Education: So, You Think You Know Your Government?” The eight-week course offers participants an opportunity to learn about the U.S. Constitution, the court system, immigration, criminal and civil cases, and various other aspects of government. Led by federal and state judges and legal practitioners, participants will delve into specialized fields of the court system, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s legal framework. The program will take place on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m., from March 27 to May 15 at the College’s Newtown Campus, 275 Swamp Road. Registration is limited to 100 participants, and the fee for the entire 8-week program is $50. To register and view the complete schedule and curriculum, visit the program webpage.
Source: The Reporter; 2/11/2024

Lincoln Tech plans relocation to Levittown
New-Jersey based Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is moving its technical school’s campus from Philadelphia to the Levittown section of Middletown Township. The career training post-secondary education company plans to convert a 90,000-square-foot building at 311 Veterans Highway into its new Lincoln Tech campus. Lincoln Tech estimates it will invest $15 million for new classrooms and training areas to ensure a “best-in-class campus” for students, faculty and industry partners. The move will allow the for-profit technical school to increase enrollment to approximately 600 from the 250 students currently enrolled at the Philadelphia campus. Scott Shaw, Lincoln Tech’s president and CEO said, “It’s been a privilege to assist employers across the automotive industry build their workforces, compete and grow their businesses. Today’s development ensures that we will provide the same value in the welding, HVAC and electrical fields, beginning in 2025.”
Source: LevittownNow.com; 2/7/2024 

New building planned for Greenwood Elementary in Kennett
Plans for a new Greenwood Elementary School moved a step closer to reality after the Feb. 7 Kennett Township supervisors meeting. The supervisors approved the conditional land development plan to build a new 105,000-square-foot building on the same property as the current school at 420 Greenwood Road. The township’s planning commission voted to recommend approval for the supervisors. Diane Hicks, the township’s director of planning and zoning, said the existing school, built in 1962, would remain operational during the early stages of construction. The plan, according to Hicks, calls for “a one-story wing with a two-story classroom wing behind it” and enough room for “660 students and 80 staff members.” Currently, the school can handle 553 students.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 2/9/2024

Phoenixville Chamber of Commerce acquires new Main Street HQ
The Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced a new headquarters at 710 Main St. that will allow the chamber to offer more community programs and collaborations, and serve the needs of a growing region. "This location will ultimately be a state-of-the-art facility from which the chamber can serve its members and the greater Phoenixville community," CEO Buffy MacLelland said. The chamber referred to the location as the gateway to Phoenixville. The new facility will include expanded space for programs, events and member services, as well as facilities for improved engagement with local businesses. The purchase was made with a grant from the Phoenixville Area Economic Development Corporation, and the chamber did not need to take on any debt.
Source: Phoenixville Patch; 2/7/2024

Diggs appointed as new executive director of Housing Authority of Chester County
The board of the Housing Authority of Chester County (HACC) has appointed Paul Diggs as its new executive director. Diggs previously served as director of the housing choice voucher program at the Howard County, Maryland, Housing Commission. HACC Board Chair Pat Bokovitz said the executive director “is critical to ensure quality housing is provided to the 1,800 recipients of housing choice vouchers and 180 households living in the housing authority’s public housing units.” Bokovitz said the focus of the HACC is to provide, manage and develop quality affordable housing for individuals and families while also promoting self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization. The HACC was established in 1963 to meet the housing needs of low- and very-low-income residents. Services are provided by the agency’s 30 employees, supported by an annual budget of approximately $22 million.
Source: Chester County Press; 2/7/2024

Kennett supervisors appoint interim manager
Kennett Township supervisors appointed township finance and human resources director Amy Heinrich as interim township manager. She will fill the role of manager, as well as township secretary and right-to-know officer, while the supervisors search for a replacement for Eden Ratliff, who left at the end of January for a municipal job in Virginia. Heinrich said that members of the finance team staff are doing more of her finance and human resources duties, so there won’t be a conflict with one person handling everything, as was the case with former township manager Lisa Moore, who was convicted on charges of embezzling township funds.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 2/9/2024

Chesco’s community transit system approaches first anniversary
Last April, Chester County government launched the Department of Community Transit and introduced Chesco Connect, the community transportation system overseen by the Chester County Department of Human Services. The move was made to reduce the cost of the community transit service provided by a private subcontractor. “Chesco Connect is Chester County’s community transit program, specializing in door-to-door shared ride transportation for residents of Chester County,” according to the county website. “Trips must be reserved at least one business day in advance before 1 p.m. and can be provided to medical appointments, work, grocery stores, pharmacies, senior centers, recreation areas, a friend’s house, and any other destination in Chester County.”
Source: Daily Local; 2/14/2024