Sewer rates soar as private companies buy up local water systems
In many Pennsylvania communities, sewer rates have spiked as private water companies have bought up wastewater systems from local governments. The push to privatize sewer services follows the passage of a state law in 2016 that allows the dollar value of water systems to include not just pipes and plants but market factors, such as their worth to the community, allowing them to be sold at much higher prices. The deals provide a cash boost for local governments, which can struggle to cover the cost of aging infrastructure. But critics say the public services and tax savings that governments might offer with sewer sale revenue don’t make up for the rate hikes, a phenomenon known as “taxing through the tap.” The Washington D.C. based organization Food and Water Watch said that more than 30 water systems in Pennsylvania — primarily sewer systems — have been sold off since the passage of the 2016 law. Another dozen or so local governments are currently considering offers, according to Jennie Shade, senior director of government relations with the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association, which represents the special purpose districts that oversee public services and is seeking to protect local oversight. Read more here.
Source: Stateline; 11/7/2023

NAR unveils flood disclosure tracker
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has unveiled a state flood disclosure tracker that aims to educate the public and Congress as it considers the Federal Emergency Management Administration's (FEMA) legislative proposals to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), including the unnecessary and misguided disclosure form proposal. Under the proposed legislation, to qualify for the NFIP, states would be required to mandate a real estate-related disclosure form with specific flood-related questions. If passed, all but one state would be required to make significant amendments to its laws and regulations, significantly increasing states' administrative and enforcement burden for a limited benefit to homeowners, buyers or renters. All 50 states and the District of Columbia already require the disclosure of known material property conditions or facts, including prior flood damage. Most states have added flood-related disclosure forms and requirements developed by local authorities with unique knowledge and expertise, tailored to meet state-specific flooding concerns and enforcement. While opposing FEMA's disclosure form proposal, NAR does agree that the federal government can and should do more to help inform property buyers and renters as part of broader NFIP reform legislation. For example, NAR supports the Flood History Information Act, which requires FEMA to disclose its NFIP claims and disaster aid data directly to property buyers and renters. Read more here.
Source: Nar.realtor; 11/8/2023

Home prices increase more than $20k in some southeast PA counties
Across Pennsylvania, home prices have increased 4% since last year, according to real estate marketing company Zillow. Patch crunched the numbers to see which counties are seeing prices increase at the highest rate, and which are increasing more slowly or decreasing. The most expensive county in which to buy a home right now is Chester County, where typical home prices were $511,140 at the beginning of September, Zillow data show. See the Patch chart to explore how typical home prices changed from September 2022 to September 2023, as well as price changes from January to September 2023.
Source: Patch.com; 11/13/2023

Fraudsters target Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program applicants
Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne issued a warning about a scam that is targeting older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities who have applied for a rebate through Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. According to the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, applicants of the program have been receiving calls from scammers who are asking for their bank account information to facilitate the payment of their rebates through direct deposit. The callers falsely claim they are from the Treasury. “We want everyone to know that the Treasury Department and the Department of Revenue will never call applicants of this program and ask for their bank information,” Browne said. “No one should give out this sensitive personal information over the phone from an unsolicited caller. If you have any suspicion at all that a call like this is a scam, hang up the phone immediately.” Read more here.
Source: LevittownNow.com; 11/7/2023

Outgoing school board gives Central Bucks superintendent $700k severance package
In a final action before a new school board takes over in December, the Central Bucks School Board voted 6-3 in favor of a $712,000 severance package for outgoing superintendent Abram Lucabaugh. Lucabaugh was given a 40% salary increase with a new five-year contract in July, raising his salary to $315,000 per year. The timing of the resignation allowed the Republican-controlled board to vote on his leave before the newly elected Democratic majority takes over on Dec. 4. The district’s chief financial officer said she didn’t yet know how the payout would affect the budget, because it was added to the board’s agenda late. Central Bucks solicitor Jeffrey Garton said he was not involved in drafting the agreement and has not analyzed it to determine what was classified as “severance” versus other payments to Lucabaugh that include unused accumulated sick days and $10,000 for consulting services through the end of November. Garton announced his own resignation effective at the end of the meeting. Board members voting against the package criticized the district for the last-minute severance package. Member Karen Smith said Doylestown law firm Curtin and Heefner sent a letter to the board urging them not to approve the severance agreement due to “illegalities” including that the agreement “improperly” binds the successor board. The agreement bars school board members, central office administrators and members of the human resources department from making “any public statement regarding Dr. Lucabaugh and his performance as district superintendent that is inconsistent with or contrary to” a statement included in the agreement. The meeting was moved to accommodate a larger crowd, and the public comment period was long. Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Charles Malone is now acting superintendent until a replacement is named. The board also voted to ban transgender students from competing on sports teams aligned with their gender identity and also voted to appeal a court decision in favor of a citizens’ group’s redistricting plan.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times & Philadelphia Inquirer; 11/14/2023

Shady Brook Farm to sell part of property for development
The owners of Shady Brook Farm plan to sell 80 acres to a development partnership. The Fleming family said they will keep 50 acres of land to move into a more event- and entertainment-focused business model while continuing to lease farmland to some neighbors. The property is currently 130 acres, of which the majority is in Lower Makefield Township with a portion in Middletown Township. No formal plans for development have come before the Middletown or Lower Makefield governing bodies. More development is proposed nearby, though, with Prickett Preserve at Edgewood, a 30-acre mixed-use development across the street with homes, businesses and a Wegmans, set to open in early 2024. The Fleming family also owns Rose Bank Winery in Newtown Township.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times & LevittownNow.com; 11/10/2023

County sees record voter turnout for 2023 municipal election
The 2023 municipal general election drew the largest percentage of Bucks County voters in 20 years. According to Bucks County Board of Election statistics, 42.5% of registered voters came out to cast ballots for county row officers, municipal officials, school board members and judges. The turnout was nearly 2% higher than the 2021 turnout, which held the record previously.
Source: LevittownNow.com; 11/13/2023

Wrightstown to zero out open space tax levy
Wrightstown Township supervisors will consider a proposed ordinance amendment that would zero out the additional tax for open space purposes for 2024. If adopted, the open space tax rate will be set to 0%. The move to zero the tax was made because the township has satisfied its open space debt. The supervisors will consider the proposed ordinance at a meeting on Monday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the township building.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 11/14/2023

Bedminster to hold the line on taxes
The Bedminster Township 2024 proposed budget is available for public inspection at the township building, 432 Elephant Road, Perkasie. The proposed budget does not include any tax increases, with a 5-mill township real estate tax rate, a 1-mill fire protection tax, a 1.5-mill open space tax, and a 1.75% earned income tax rate. The board of supervisors will consider the adoption of the 2024 budget at its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 11/12/2023

West Whiteland 2024 budget proposal includes significant tax increase
West Whiteland’s 2023 millage rate is 0.714 mills, which means the municipal portion of the average real estate tax bill is $127. The township’s proposed millage for the 2024 budget is 2 mills — a 180% increase — which would raise the average residential real estate tax bill to $354 and the average commercial real estate tax bill to $2,060. The full 2024 budget proposal may be found beginning on page 20 of the Nov. 8 board of supervisors meeting materials. A breakdown of local property taxes can be found in West Whiteland Township’s fall/winter newsletter.
Source: West Whiteland Township newsletter; Fall 2023

Maryland developer buys 119 acres in Caln Township, plans 262 homes
Maryland developer Elm Street Communities is beginning site prep on a new development in Caln Township near Coatesville, with 175 townhomes and 87 single-family homes planned. After the development was fully approved a month ago, Elm Street bought the 119 acres for $6 million, according to Chester County property records. The vacant site is at 201 S. Caln Road near GL Eggleston Boulevard. The property is on the south side of Route 30. It’s being named The Hills at Thorndale Woods. Elm Street plans to build the infrastructure for the property and then sell individual lots to Virginia-based national homebuilder Ryan Homes. Elm Street vice president Michael Charlton aims for residents to begin moving in as soon as early 2025 with full build-out taking three to four years.“There’s just not a lot of inventory on the market,” Charlton said. “And the bulk of what’s been hitting the market, even the new homes, has been much higher priced. So this will give a little more inventory out there for the starter home or first-time move-up type buyer.” Charlton declined to say what the home prices could be once they’re built, but he anticipates the townhomes will offer a more affordable option compared with typical new home construction prices. Forty-six acres of the 119-acre property will be preserved as open space.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 11/9/2023

Phone scammers pretend to be from Chester County courts
Chester County is warning residents of a phone scam in which potential victims are told they are being sued by Chester County Courts. “County Courts” might appear in the caller ID, and the caller asks for social security numbers and other personal information. Chester County government and courts will never call and request personal information or payments. Anyone who receives such a request by phone should hang up.
Source: Chester County; 11/9/2023

New Garden posts parks and rec board vacancy
New Garden Township has a vacancy on its parks and recreation board. Residents who are interested in applying can visit the township website for more information.
Source: New Garden Township; 11/14/2023