Several projects approved for Route 82
By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH – The township Board of Supervisors meeting was held on Monday night, Sept. 11. After a moment of silence honoring the victims the infamous terrorist attacks on this day 16 years ago, the board conducted business as usual including the approval of a conditional use order for an Aldi Supermarket – that will be moving into the Sears Paint and Hardware store at 817 West Baltimore Pike, located next to Pet Valu.
Board chairman Richard Hannum read each line of the conditional use order for the discount supermarket chain and the supervisors voted in favor of each specification, with supervisors John Sarro and Eddie Caudill recusing themselves due to affiliation. The township secured $10,000 from the company for use with the Baltimore Pike Improvement Program as more traffic for the business is expected than for the current Sears building. The opening is anticipated for the second quarter of 2018.
During the public comment portion following the moment of silence, supervisor Christine Kimmel voiced her many concerns for the safety of pedestrians and overflow of traffic at C.F. Patton Middle School and Unionville High School during the back-to-school night at the middle school and several other events taking place at the same time at the high school.
Kimmel observed illegal parking along Route 82 and in the fire lanes of the schools and said, “I’m concerned about the situation and upset this keeps happening several times a year.”
Kimmel suggested that the school district coordinate the events and get people to direct traffic. Township manager Laurie Prysock will be contacting school superintendent John Sanville to open the dialogue to resolve the issue.
A grant application was approved to pay for construction costs associated with new crosswalks in front of the high school and neighboring middle school along Route 82. The Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board will vote on splitting the design costs with the township on Sept. 18. If approved, the Longwood Foundation will provide an additional grant. Prysock stated that the school district and township would each pay approximately $60,000 after the grants. Without the grants, each would be responsible for $90,000.
Weer interjected and felt that the school district “should pay the whole amount.” The other supervisors disagreed with Weer and voted in favor of the grant application despite his opposition on the vote. (Hannum did not arrive to the meeting in time for the vote.)
“Route 82 is a township road and I don’t feel that way,” said Caudill.
Also discussed was the beautification of the roundabout on Route 82. Longwood Rotary and the Four Seasons Garden Club agreed to landscape the island with low maintenance plants and grass. The township will be responsible for the mowing, spraying, and watering. Prysock mentioned that the commitment is for five years at no cost to the township and the beautification will be ongoing in September to early October, weather permitting. The board will be thanking the companies for their efforts.
Supervisors discuss Longwood Preserve preliminary plans for entrance road.
A preliminary plan for Longwood Preserve, a 150-unit townhome development off Schoolhouse Lane, warranted much discussion when attorney John Jarros sought guidance and consensus from the board regarding several issues involving the entrance road to the development with two different design plans, emergency vehicle access plans, and public versus private walking trails – and locations and tie-ins of the trails bordering the townhomes. Next month, the board will vote on whether to approve the streets as public for the Homeowners Association to maintain, or as a dedication to the township.
“We appreciate the Longwood Preserve working out these issues,” Planning Commission chairman Cuyler Walker said.
Fred Wissemann who recently joined the board of the Kennett Area Senior Center, stood in front of the board of supervisors seeking a donation for 2018. He said that there are 312 residents of East Marlborough who visited the center for services such as safe driving classes, tax preparation help, for meals and socialization. Weer said that it was less than five percent of the population of East Marlborough and he appreciates the center but takes much care in making decisions on how taxpayer money is to be spent.
“Anything would be appreciated,” said Wissemann. He thanked the board for consideration and time. The board did not make any decisions but will address the request during annual budget discussions.
