PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program expanded; enrollment now open
Nearly 175,000 more Pennsylvanians are eligible this year for Pennsylvania's Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. The income limit has been increased to $45,000 — the first increase in 18 years. Another change is that the maximum standard rebate was raised from $650 to $1,000. The program benefits eligible homeowners and renters age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and adults with disabilities. The application period is open until June 30. Rebates will be distributed from July 1 through Sept. 1. The program is supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery and receives its funding from gaming. The Department of Revenue is encouraging everyone who is newly eligible for the rebate to submit applications as soon as possible. Read more about the program and view eligibility criteria and rebate amounts on the state Department of Revenue website.
Source: WGAL; 1/22/2024

Lawmakers need to address the housing affordability crisis, says economist
The nation needs more homes, according to Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, writing in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Since the financial crisis hit nearly a generation ago, homebuilders haven’t built enough housing. There is now an acute shortage. Rents and house prices have soared as a result. Many Americans are struggling to pay their rents, and most potential first-time homebuyers are locked out of homeownership. The shortage of homes has no precedent. Builders need to put up an estimated 1.6 million new homes each year on average to meet demand. The housing shortage is especially serious for rental units for low-income and working-class Americans. According to Apartment List, the median nationwide rent — half of households pay more than the median in rent, and half pay less — is close to $1,400 per month, up $250 just since the end of the pandemic shutdowns. The typical household must shell out over one-fifth of its income on rent each month. House prices also have surged, and they are up the most for lower-priced homes. Prices for homes in the bottom third of the market have risen nearly 60% since the pandemic. When combined with the runup in mortgage rates, most households hoping to purchase their first home simply can’t afford it.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/23/2024 

BCWSA issues development warning to 13 Bucks towns
The Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA) has placed 13 municipalities on notice — they must present the authority with the status of development projects and corrective plans for sewer infrastructure repairs or face a potential moratorium on construction. The letter was sent to Bensalem, Langhorne and Middletown — where the sewer system is owned and operated by the BCWSA — and also to Bristol Township, Falls, Hulmeville, Langhorne Manor, Lower Makefield, Lower Southampton, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Northampton and Penndel — who own the sewer pipes that connect to BCWSA. Old sewer systems cause problems during heavy storms when rainwater seeps into cracked and broken sewer lines, sending more water than normal into the BCWSA Neshaminy Interceptor, a large sewer main that takes sewage from Bucks County to a Philadelphia treatment facility. The extra water increases treatment costs. The warnings were sent to the boroughs and townships that did not fully respond to a July 18 request from the BCWSA for information on developments and how the municipalities were implementing a corrective action plan (CAP) to fix aging sewer pipes. A statement from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection also puts municipalities on notice, "As it stands currently, BCWSA needs to make a determination about whether or not the Neshaminy Interceptor has sufficient capacity remaining to accommodate the projected new flow. There will be increased attention to the municipalities’ performance with sewer maintenance work (also called ‘I&I abatement’), and to the actual metered flow, particularly the rate of flow during critical conditions when the interceptor is flowing full." An offer to purchase the BCWSA sewer system for $1.1 billion by Aqua Pennsylvania was turned down by county officials. Aqua had offered to fix some municipal sewer lines as part of the deal, something the municipalities must now pay for on their own.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 1/18/2024

Tullytown income tax is now in effect
Tullytown Borough Council approved an earned income tax (EIT) late last year, with the tax becoming effective Jan. 1, 2024. The EIT is set at a rate of 1% and impacts both residents of Tullytown Borough and nonresidents who are employed within the borough. The tax applies to earned income and net profits, but it exempts individuals earning $12,000 or less annually. Borough solicitor Russ Sacco recommended residents make estimated tax payments if their employers do not withhold the tax. Keystone Collections Group will oversee the implementation and collection of the new tax. The borough website has more information. With the addition of the EIT, Tullytown Borough joins 55 other municipalities and school districts in Bucks County that have already imposed a local earned income tax.
Source: LevittownNow.com; 1/22/2024

Pathways to Housing Program supports women with children
The Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) and the Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services Agency are collaborating to support women with children who are transitioning into temporary housing. The initiative is part of the Pathways to Housing Program that focuses on assisting women as they search for permanent homes. The BCOC is accepting donations of specific items required to set up a new household to facilitate the transition. The list is accessible via a SignUpGenius page and encompasses a range of necessities like bedding, diapers and various kitchen items. Donations must be new and in original packaging. Contributions can be made at the BCOC’s Doylestown office, located at 100 Doyle St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Founded in 1965, the mission of the BCOC is to reduce poverty and partner with the community to promote self-sufficiency.
Source: Bucksco.today; 1/23/2024

Bucks Recorder of Deeds to host event on Feb. 4 in Bristol Borough
Daniel McPhillips, Bucks County’s Recorder of Deeds, will speak about the history of the recorder’s office on Sunday, Feb. 4, at 2 p.m. in the headquarters of the Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation, 321 Cedar St., Bristol Borough. He will highlight some of the history found in the county’s deed books, and display a few of the preserved books. He will also discuss the office’s free fraud alert program. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the presentation. A donation of $5 per attendee is suggested; students are free.
Source: Lower Bucks Times; 1/19/2024 

$15.9M new T/E elementary school backed by community
Parents expressed support for Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board’s decision to purchase a 15-acre property at 1200 W. Swedesford Road, Berwyn, for $15.9 million for a possible sixth elementary school. The district is in a 60-day review period to determine if the site is usable for an elementary school. Dozens of residents attended a meeting in which the district administration provided an overview of how the decision was reached to build a new school. Some of the highlights include adding full-day kindergarten in all elementary schools and providing additional space for special education classes. In September, the district began exploring commercial sites that had vacancies due to the work-at-home trend. Dr. Richard Gusick, the superintendent, said the property, known as South Point 3, is compatible with an elementary school layout. The existing office building is 86,000 square feet, which meets the building size required for a school, and has good access space. The property has room to expand and provide athletic fields. The district also evaluated two properties it owns on First Avenue in Berwyn and Jefferson Lane in Chesterbrook. The administration and the board members agreed that the Swedesford property was the best choice for a new school.
Source: Tredyffrin-Easttown Patch; 1/19/2024

Big Elk Creek State Park restoration begins in Franklin Township
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is beginning restoration work at Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin and Elk townships. In 2023, about 80 acres of meadows were seeded on former agricultural fields, which will come into bloom this spring. In April 2024, tree plantings will occur on more than 255 acres of streamside buffer areas at the park. “The overarching goals of this project are to create more wildlife habitat, improve local water quality, and create more biodiverse areas at Big Elk Creek State Park,” Bureau of State Parks director John Hallas said. There will be opportunities for volunteers to help plant streamside forest buffers in the spring, with a 1,500-tree planting scheduled for Saturday, April 6. The 1,800-acre Big Elk Creek State Park was added to the Pennsylvania state park system in September 2022 for the benefit and use of all Pennsylvanians.
Source: Phoenixville Patch; 1/18/2024

$112K grant awarded to Tredyffrin for bike/skills pump park
Tredyffrin Township was awarded a $112,842 state grant to help fund a bike/skills pump park, state Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D-157) said. The supervisors applied for a $250,000 grant following several meetings in which residents in the Chesterbrook community expressed an interest in having a bike track in the township. The proposed location for the bike park is Mill Road Park, 1400 Mill Road, a 55.9-acre tract that has a baseball field. “Young people in our community spearheaded the idea for a bike park, which will add an additional form of recreation in Mill Road Park,” Shusterman said. “By locating the bike park so that it is accessible via the Chester Valley Trail, we hope to encourage bike ridership and promote accessibility." Arthur Zadrozny, a township resident in the Chesterbrook development, who worked with the township in applying for the grant, said the remainder of funds for the bike park will come from fundraising events.
Source: Tredyffrin-Easttown Patch; 1/17/2024

Kennett Township halts efforts to recover more embezzled funds
Kennett Township shared an update on its efforts to recover money embezzled by former township manager Lisa Moore. The township has recouped about $2.6 million, or 82% of the embezzled amount, and will no longer try to recover additional funds. Moore, whose embezzlement of more than $3.2 million in township funds was discovered in 2019, will be responsible for paying the remainder through restitution. Outgoing Township Manager Eden Ratliff said at the Jan. 17 supervisors’ meeting that any future recovery efforts would cease. “Further recovery efforts by the township at this time would incur additional legal fees that cannot be justified given the probability of further success,” Ratliff said. “Due to the lack of additional recovery options, having spent $1,356,892 to date, and given the probable lack of return on additional investment, the township is ceasing any further recovery efforts.” The remaining 18% will be reimbursed as part of Moore’s guilty plea. Ratliff noted that most municipalities recover an average of 6% in fraud cases.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 1/18/2024

Free tax preparation service available
Free tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers is available for low- to moderate-income individuals and households through Life Transforming Ministries. Supported by the Chester County Department of Community Development, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations will open the week of Jan. 29 in Coatesville, Downingtown, Exton, Kennett Square, Parkesburg, Phoenixville, Pottstown, Royersford and West Chester. Learn more here.
Source: Chester County; 1/18/2024

East Whiteland to hold public workshop on zoning ordinance
East Whiteland Township will hold an in-person only public workshop for its zoning ordinance re-write on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the township building, 209 Conestoga Road in Frazer.
Source: Daily Local; 1/22/2024