House unanimously backs VA home loan fix championed by NAR
Congress is taking steps to make permanent a provision that the Department of Veterans Affairs implemented on a temporary basis last year. The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1815, the VA Home Loan Reform Act, by a unanimous voice vote. The act aims to codify the temporary policy, implemented in June 2024, that allows veterans to directly compensate their real estate agents. This will provide certainty and ensure that veterans can continue to participate in the housing market on equal footing with other home buyers. The bill would also create a partial claims program to assist veterans who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments. Professional representation is crucial for veterans to navigate the specific requirements of VA loans. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) strongly supported the legislation in a letter to House leadership, emphasizing that real estate professionals guide veterans through the homebuying process and play an essential role in ensuring that home sellers see and consider a veteran’s offer.
Source: NAR; 5/27/2025

SEPTA funding to be discussed at roundtable event
State Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-148) is hosting a roundtable discussion on the future of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and its funding. A panel of experts will talk about SEPTA and its economic impact. According to Daley's office, for every dollar spent on mass transit and SEPTA, $5 more are created in the economy, and for every million dollars invested, 500 direct jobs are created, and thousands of downstream jobs are created at suppliers, vendors and support industries. The roundtable will be held on Thursday, June 5, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Lower Merion Township Building. Read more here.
Source: Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewood Patch; 5/27/2025

Housing proposed for busy Falls intersection
Falls Township supervisors reviewed a sketch plan for the latest version of a development at the corner of Trenton and Tyburn roads. Joy Sill-Hopkins is proposing 54 townhouses on the 4.5-acre group of parcels. Supervisor Erin Mullen characterized the location as “a difficult place to build” because it is one of the busiest traffic corners in the township. Previous plans for the proposed development included 120 housing units in 2019. The plan was scaled back to 94 units. The new 54-unit plan still wasn’t low enough for supervisors, who recommended Hopkins have the plan redesigned again with fewer units. Hopkins may also file a petition with the Zoning Hearing Board for relief from the supervisors’ recommendation.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 5/23/2025

Plans to build 70 homes cause a stir in Bensalem
Area residents gathered at a recent Bensalem Township Planning Commission meeting to express concern about plans for a new 70-home development next to Resurrection Cemetery. The meeting, however, was canceled just a few hours before it was scheduled to start. The planning commission agenda listed a development from Toll Brothers and a sketch plan for commercial projects along Street Road, so the cancellation of the meeting due to a lack of agenda items means the projects’ applicants requested a continuance or otherwise withdrew their proposals ahead of the meeting. The site will need to be rezoned from industrial to residential (R-1) for the development to move forward. The next planning commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18. Residents in the area are concerned that the proposed development will alter the quiet nature of their neighborhood.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 5/23/2025

Test results from oily ditch water in Trumbauersville released
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Bracalente Manufacturing Group each released information about the results of tests they reviewed of water from a ditch in Trumbauersville Borough. A “long oily slick” in a ditch on Main Street near the machining company was reported to Trumbauersville Borough officials in February. Bracalente announced test results on its Creamery Acres Facebook page, the name of the property. The manufacturer did not provide the full testing report that was completed by an independent, accredited company, but did say 10 compounds were identified, including benz(a)anthracene and benzo(b)fluoranthene. The compounds can be found in coal tar and car exhaust and may originate from roof shingles or asphalt. The DEP reviewed the results of the borough’s water test, which showed “trace” VOCs and semi-VOCs, as well as PFOS and PFOA at 4.32 and 3.51 parts per trillion. DEP noted that the ditch water is not subject to drinking water standards. Trumbauersville Borough has declined to release the results of its own, separate testing, citing an ongoing investigation by the DEP. However, after reviewing the borough’s test results, “DEP directed the borough to continue its investigation to see if they could find the source of the sheen.” Residents are concerned with a lack of transparency from the borough.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 5/23/2025

Central Bucks eyes a 5.9% tax increase
The Central Bucks school board unanimously agreed to a proposed final budget for the 2025-2026 school year that will raise taxes by 5.9%. If adopted without change, the $432.4 million budget plan will include a property tax increase of about $328 for a market value home of $635,000. It would be the fifth consecutive increase for Central Bucks, having raised taxes by 5.3% last year. Charles Malone, the district’s substitute superintendent, cited increasing expenses, including health care, retirement funding, special education, implementation of full-day kindergarten, and overall higher prices as reasons for the tax hike. Malone reported that, despite the proposed increase, Central Bucks will have one of the lowest tax rates in the county. Follow the Central Bucks School District budget process here.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 5/20/2025

Doylestown Borough and township keep mandatory drought restrictions in place
Doylestown Borough recently reminded residents that mandatory drought restrictions it issued last November are still in place. The borough’s Water Utility Subcommittee met on May 13 and made the decision to continue the restrictions. Even though the area has received some rain, water conservation is still necessary due to continued low levels of groundwater. Residents with public water are asked to comply with restrictions on nonessential uses of water, including using hoses or sprinklers to water shrubs, trees or lawns, or to wash cars and other vehicles. Doylestown Township has similar restrictions still in place because of drought conditions.
Source: Tap Into Doylestown; 5/20/2025 

Bucks County announces return of Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
The Bucks County Area Agency on Aging announced the return of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program for summer 2025. Administered through the state Department of Agriculture, the program provides vouchers for eligible seniors to purchase produce at farmers markets. Vouchers will be distributed through local senior centers from June 1 through Sept. 30. Qualifying recipients are 60 or older and meet household income guidelines. Seniors who qualify will receive five vouchers at $5 each.
Source: Bucks County; 5/2025

Iconic Trestle Bridge transfers to county ownership
The Trestle Bridge, which stands high above the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek at the border of West Bradford and East Caln townships near Downingtown Borough, has a new owner. On May 21, Chester County commissioners unanimously approved the transfer of the bridge structure and its right-of-way from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to the county. The purchase price was $1. The county will now have the opportunity to join the unused railroad bed that runs across the bridge with the Chester Valley Trail to the east. The trail currently runs from the Schuylkill River Trail in Montgomery County west to the West Whiteland Municipal campus on Commerce Drive in Exton.
Source: Daily Times; 5/28/2025

Kennett Township supervisors adopt bamboo ordinance
Kennett Township supervisors adopted Ordinance 311 that amends Chapter 232 of the township code regarding the growing of bamboo grasses. Under the ordinance, exterior bamboo shall not be planted, maintained or otherwise permitted to exist within 40 feet of the edge of a property, and all existing bamboo within 40 feet of the edge of a property must be removed. Further, property owners must ensure that existing bamboo on their property is maintained and not allowed to encroach or grow upon any adjoining or neighboring property, including all public property and right-of-way. Any bamboo existing anywhere else on a property may not be replanted or replaced if existing bamboo dies, is uprooted or is destroyed. 
Source: Chester County Press; 5/28/2025

Kennett Square groups seek ideas from the public
Nonprofit groups Kennett Collaborative and Square Roots Collective are looking for public input on how to increase the charm, vibrancy and attractiveness of Kennett Square Borough. They are soliciting ideas through an initiative called Kennett Decides, and the winning proposal will be funded to the tune of $100,000. The deadline to submit is July 18. In September, the ideas will be unveiled to the public for votes, with a winner announced at the end of the year. Ideas submitted so far include artistic bike racks, urban orchards, bike land extensions, accessible sidewalks for strollers, and transforming public streets into “pop-up” pedestrian malls on the weekends.
Source: Chester County Press; 5/22/2025

Chester County Welcome Center opens at historic courthouse
The Historic Chester County Courthouse in West Chester is home to the new Chester County Welcome Center, which recently relocated from its longtime home near Longwood Gardens. The center’s exhibits and interactive displays provide information and encourage visitors to visit different parts of the county. Visitors can create itineraries that will download right to their phones. A room-sized map on the floor features many locations, accessible by QR code. Images of places, events, activities and parks flash on two large walls in a wrap-around theater as visitors and residents can “walk” around the county.
Source: Daily Local; 5/23/2025

Experts, citizens share ideas at sustainability summit in West Chester
The Chester County Sustainability Summit and Expo, held May 17 at West Chester University, served as a four-hour incubator of green ideas, with presentations by experts and representatives from dozens of local conservation, landscape design and clean energy firms. Featured topics included solar power and geothermal heating and cooling, sustainable landscaping and backyard habitat certification programs, and gardening with nature. Read more in the Chester County Press.
Source: Chester County Press; 5/26/2025