News Briefs for January 3, 2025
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Vansant Farmhouse, also known as Overlook Valley Farm, in Wrightstown Township dates back to 1768. Wrightstown recently passed a 2025 budget that increases property taxes.
Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz MD (CC BY-SA 3.0)
County tax roundup for 2025
County property taxes in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties will increase in 2025, but Bucks County taxes will stay level. Property tax rates are measured in millage, with one mill being worth $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
- Bucks County commissioners approved a $500 million operating budget for 2025 that maintains the 2024 property tax rate of 27.45 mills.
- Chester County commissioners approved a $730 million budget for 2025 with a property tax rate of 5.164 mills — a 13.4% increase over 2024.
- Delaware County Council approved a $396.5 million operating budget with a 23% tax increase, raising the tax rate to 3.873 mills.
- Montgomery County commissioners approved a $610.9 million 2025 budget with a property tax rate of 5.642 mills — a 9% increase over 2024 — including 5.252 mills for the general fund and 0.39 mills for Montgomery County Community College.
PA lawmakers pass fewer laws in most recent session
The past two years have seen a divided Pennsylvania legislature pass fewer laws over fewer voting days than most recent sessions. Republicans control the state Senate, and Democrats control the state House and governorship. Despite this, leaders say quality is better than quantity and point to some notable bills passed in 2023 and 2024. Among them: a boost in education funding, new business-focused tax credits, streamlined approvals for some construction permits, expansion of the property tax and rent rebate for older and disabled Pennsylvanians, and a law regulating pharmacy benefit managers. Going into the 2024 election, Pennsylvania was the only U.S. state to have a divided legislature. Read more from Spotlight PA.
Source: Spotlight PA; 12/26/2024
A PA utility shutoff law is expiring, but winter protections still in place
A Pennsylvania law that lays out how and when utility companies can shut off customers’ electricity, gas or water had an expiration date of Dec. 31, 2024. But the state’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter months and other protections will continue uninterrupted. Between the frigid months of December through March, public utilities in Pennsylvania are restricted from terminating low-income customers’ service for nonpayment without permission from the Public Utility Commission. Water utilities cannot terminate heat-related service during this time period. Read more at PlanPhilly.
Source: PlanPhilly; 12/23/2024
Wrightstown hikes taxes
Wrightstown Township supervisors adopted a $4.14 million budget for 2025 that includes a tax increase. The property tax rate for the township will increase from the current 12 mills to 13.5 mills to help cover a deficit in the general fund. The general fund is the portion of the budget that accounts for essential township services like police coverage, administration and public works. A residential property assessed at $65,000 in Wrightstown can expect a tax bill of $877 in township real estate taxes in 2025.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 12/21/2024
PA Turnpike Commission seeks input on Delaware River Bridge
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission wants to know what the public thinks about the potential rehabilitation or replacement of the Delaware River Bridge and has opened an online survey. The 70-year-old bridge connects the Pennsylvania and New Jersey turnpikes and averages 67,000 daily drivers. The survey closes on Jan. 3. According to Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission press secretary Marissa Orbanek, the span is being reevaluated to “enhance safety and improve capacity.” The results of the survey will be shared in early 2025 through a series of community engagement meetings.
Source: KYW Newsradio; 12/24/2024
No tax increase in Richland
Richland Township supervisors unanimously adopted a $7.8 million budget for 2025 that does not increase taxes. The tax structure will remain the same as 2024, with 10.55 mills dedicated to support the township general fund and a 3-mill “fire tax” to support fire companies. The township’s open space budget supports land conservation easements and will remain as a 0.1% “surcharge” on the earned income tax, an approach that was approved and renewed by voters in public referenda. Read more in the Bucks County Herald.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 12/26/2024
Hearing on crumbling building in Doylestown Borough continued
A hearing scheduled in district court to determine what is next for 34 W. State St. — a deteriorating building in the center of Doylestown Borough — was continued shortly before it was set to begin. Problems at the vacant building have escalated since pieces of the three-story, brick building fell to the sidewalk in June. The borough began citing the owner of the property, Claudio Roman Jr., for violating two borough ordinances. The penalty could be as much as $1,000 a day for each of the two violations should Roman be found guilty. Karen Hyland, the borough’s director of building and zoning, said a new hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 10 but attorneys for both sides are working toward a settlement. The borough is preparing to file a lawsuit with the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas to force improvements to the façade if the matter is not resolved either through negotiation or in district court.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 12/24/2024
Trash and recycling service changes in Middletown
Middletown Township residents will see changes to their trash and recycling services in 2025. Township supervisors approved a $28.4 million, five-year contract with Waste Management in August. Changes to service include a cut in collection to one day per week, the addition of automated collection, and change of bulk pickup to once a month. The trash fee will increase by $75 to a total of $476 per year. Residents should have already received new 96-gallon wheeled carts — one for trash and one for recycling. New carts should be placed at the curb starting the week of Jan. 6. Middletown Township has set up a website to answer other frequently asked questions.
Source: LevittownNow; 12/10/2024
Chester County commissioners award $450K for new senior center campus in Downingtown
Chester County commissioners have awarded $450,000 to the Brandywine Valley Active Aging (BVAA) Downingtown campus, which will serve as a significant investment for a new facility. BVAA provides programs for older adults, including health and wellness activities, social engagement, information and assistance and nutrition services. The organization had previously leased space at a local church.
Source: Chester County; 12/18/2024
Chester County to increase property taxes 13%
Chester County residents will see a 13.4% increase in the county portion of their property taxes in 2025. The board of county commissioners voted 2-1 along party lines to approve the 2025 budget, including the tax increase, after roughly an hour of public comment from residents urging commissioners to cut costs elsewhere to avoid the hike. County officials have cited a need to maintain competitive salaries for public employees amid high inflation. Chester County’s tax increase is part of its $730 million budget for 2025 that includes additional funding for SEPTA, infrastructure improvements and staff salaries. One of the largest increases from the county’s 2024 budget is an additional $20 million toward personnel. The increase will result in an additional $104 in annual taxes for the owner of a home assessed at $170,000, the median value for the county, according to county staff.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 12/18/2024
New Garden board passes township’s 2025 budget
New Garden Township supervisors passed a 2025 budget with an 18% increase in property taxes, from 2.77 to 3.27 mills. A key component of next year’s budget will be to focus on township priorities as spelled out in its 2018 comprehensive plan — including stimulating economic development, investing in infrastructure, addressing the rising costs of public safety, implementing technology to enhance township operations, enhancing community services, preserving open space, expanding the New Garden Flying Field, and improving energy efficiencies.
Source: Chester County Press; 12/18/2024
Kennett Square opens new $4.2 million police station
Kennett Square Borough has opened its new $4.2 million, 12,000-square-foot police station at 600 S. Broad St., Suite 100. The station connects with Borough Hall, where municipal operations and public council meetings take place. “With our new facility we can begin the accreditation process, which will further enhance the quality of our community police department,” said Mayor Matthew Fetick. Approximately $2 million in funds were made possible thanks to the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The construction of the new station included the creation of a common public lobby area and reception offices for borough administration and the codes department. Residents and visitors requiring services can access the services of the police, borough administrators and code enforcement staff all at one location.
Source: Daily Local; 12/14/2024
Upper Darby performing interior inspections
Upper Darby Township has implemented changes to its use and occupancy inspection process, which now includes interior inspections, effective Jan. 2. Resale applications and payment should be submitted three to four weeks prior to the settlement date to allow time for the scheduling of inspections. For duplexes, triplexes, other multifamily properties and commercial properties, owners need to submit a zoning certificate with the initial resale application. Sewer lateral inspection reports will be good for 90 days. Two coordinators will assist with applications and in assigning any use and occupancy inspections. The Suburban Realtors Alliance will continue to provide updates through the weekly news briefs and the municipal database entry for Upper Darby Township.
Upper Darby pulls appeal to PA Supreme Court over arts center
Upper Darby Mayor Ed Brown announced that Upper Darby Township will withdraw its appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court over the allocation of $800,000 in ARPA funding for the proposed Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation Cultural Arts Center at Barclay Square. The money was approved and allocated by council in 2023, but it was never acted upon by then mayor Barbarann Keffer or current mayor Brown. The township was sued in March 2024, calling for the funding to remain for the foundation. Over the summer, the township council pulled back other ARPA funds that a prior council had committed to spend. Common Pleas Court Judge Barry Dozer issued a stay. With the township coming up against an end-of-year requirement to have the ARPA money allocated, the funds are now set to be distributed to the Arts and Education Foundation as allocated in 2023.
Source: Daily Times; 12/19/2024
Chadds Ford passes budget with no tax increase
Chadds Ford Township supervisors approved the 2025 budget with no increase in township property taxes. There was a change in the former Business Privilege Tax, however, and the budget had to be readvertised because of that change. The name Business Privilege Tax (BPT) is gone and is replaced by a Business Registration License (BRL). Additionally, the BPT had been $100 per year, but the BRL is $225 per year. Township treasurer Laura Lim said the entire $225 from businesses — anticipated to total $124,000 — will go to the Concordville Fire and Protection Association for fire and EMS services. The new registration fee applies to all businesses with gross earnings of $15,000 or more. A business that fails to register will be subject to a fine of 10% of the annual fee. Supervisors agreed to increase the township’s contribution to the fire company, which is no longer volunteer, but a paid fire department. The township property tax millage rate remains the same as in 2024. Those rates are 0.6247 mills in areas with fire hydrants, and 0.5577 mills without hydrants. Other taxes include 0.072 mills for Rachel Kohl Library and 0.16 mills for open space. Read more at Chadds Ford Live.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 12/19/2024
Yeadon Borough to consider lead inspection ordinance
In a public notice published on Dec. 24, Yeadon Borough advertised that its borough council will consider for enactment draft ordinance 2024-015 amending section 281-1 of the borough code, titled “Lead Inspections Established.” No date for a public hearing was provided. The borough council voted to advertise the draft ordinance at its Dec. 19 meeting. Copies of the proposed ordinance are available at Yeadon Borough Hall, 600 Church Lane.
Source: Daily Times; 12/24/2024
Lower Merion tax increase is first in over a decade
Lower Merion commissioners voted to increase township property taxes in 2025 — the first increase in over a decade. Todd Sinai, president of the board of commissioners, said the 6.5% increase to 4.462 mills will balance the township’s revenues with expenditures, something that has not happened in the years of no-tax-increase budgets.
Source: Main Line Media News; 12/26/2024
Hatboro Borough approves sale of former court building
Hatboro Borough Council recently approved the sale of the former Hatboro District Court, located at 414 S. York Road, for $300,000. The borough solicited proposals to sell the district court property in October. The property was sold to Victorian Village at Loller Academy, a 55-plus luxury rental community located at 420 S. York Road. Prior to the sale, Victorian Village had already begun expanding around the property, and a new 55-plus apartment building is expected to be completed by summer 2025. Montgomery County completed a review of its court system in 2023 and, as part of a county magisterial district realignment, decided to consolidate the two courts in Hatboro and Horsham Township at the beginning of 2024.
Source: Horsham Patch; 12/23/2024
Towamencin approves school use for former pharmacy building
Towamencin Township officials have voted to advance plans for a Goddard School in the vacant Rite Aid pharmacy building at Valley Forge Road and Sumneytown Pike. Supervisors first heard a presentation for the school in September. The school needed a variance from township code requiring a certain number of parking spaces per square foot as they are unable to add more because the site is already developed. Attorney Kate Harper reviewed improvements to the site, including a fenced-in playground on the west side of the building. Harper requested the township waive the formal land development process, again because the site is already built out. The board approved the plans and waiver unanimously.
Source: The Reporter; 12/30/2024
Horsham Township shopping center sells for $53.6M
The Shoppes at English Village, a 103,325-square-foot retail center located at 1460 Bethlehem Pike in Horsham Township, has been sold for $53.6 million. The 13-acre center was acquired by the global investment management firm Nuveen Real Estate from MetLife Investment Management. The center is 95% leased and anchored by a Trader Joe’s. Other retail tenants include LensCrafters, Athleta, CycleBar, Hallmark and Talbots.
Source: The Reporter; 12/27/2024
Philadelphia jury awards $15M to tenant that fell due to lack of handrail
A Philadelphia jury recently found that the owner and management of a building in Philadelphia were responsible for a woman losing her leg following a complication of an ankle injury she incurred slipping on a staircase with no handrail. The woman was awarded $15 million, the seventh-highest by a Philadelphia Common Pleas Court jury in 2024. The lawsuit was filed against the building’s owner, Alisha Real Estate, the building’s property management company, Bay Property Management Group, and a local contractor. The lawsuit stated that if the building had been up to code, with proper lighting in the staircase and a handrail as required by the city, the plaintiff would still have her leg. The plaintiff’s attorneys argued that Alisha Real Estate was focused on profit over tenant safety. The jury found that Alisha Real Estate was 75% responsible and Bay Property Management Group was 25% responsible, while the contractor was ruled not responsible at all.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 12/24/2024
South Philly church to be renovated into apartments, event space
A proposal from Atlis Real Estate Partners aims to preserve the former True Gospel Tabernacle Family Church at 1900 S. 16th St. in South Philadelphia. The plan proposes 33 residential units with rental event space in the sanctuary of the former church, preserving the complex that has been historically designated since 1967. Atlis’ plan has been praised by preservationists and received approval from the city’s Historical Commission. “We’ve seen too many historic churches lost in Philadelphia in recent years, and here is an exception that will hopefully serve as a model for future adaptive reuse of similar properties,” said Paul Steinke, president of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 12/26/2024
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