By Eliza Mohler, Staff Writer, The Times
The Kennett Township Board of Supervisors (pictured) and leaders in Kennett Square are doing a fundraising competition, Change for Change, which will benefit the Kennett Food Cupboard.
KENNETT – Citing the expense of a growing police force, the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors have passed a 2018 budget that includes a tax increase to cover the costs of law enforcement and EMS services.
The board’s unanimous decision came during their final meeting of the year last week. Township Manager Lisa Moore said six funds have been budgeted for 2018, including a new fund for emergency medical services (EMS) and the Kennett Township Police Department, which will pay for expenses that were previously covered under the general fund.
The estimated 2018 budget for police and EMS is approximately $1.5 million. “The Supervisors are very committed to protecting the community, and in order to do that they have to have a strong police department,” Moore said, adding that the department will be adding one full-time officer and one part-time officer.
A 1.9 mills real estate tax rate increase, which will generate $1.5 million in new revenue, is the option the board chose to fund police and EMS in the coming year. Supervisor Richard Leff said the tax bill per average household in the township will be $930.
Chief of Police Lydell Nolt said that public safety is of paramount importance in today’s climate, especially in the township. “I’ve had many discussions with the supervisors about the cost of policing, and what happens if you don’t do it,” Nolt said. “If you become a distressed community, the cost of public safety will increase.”
Board President Scudder Stevens and Vice-Chair Whitney Hoffman praised Nolt for being proactive in his work. Stevens said he knew that a larger police force would be needed once the Granite Ridge development was completed, and that there would be extra costs associated with it.
“The fact that we have a lot of neighboring townships that don’t have (police) support is part of the issue,” Hoffman said, referring to the fact that the Kennett Township Police Department often responds to calls in nearby municipalities.
The overall 2018 budget is 4.8% above the projected 2017 budget, and general fund expenses are expected to be $3.8 million.
The board also voted 2 to 1 to pass a medical marijuana ordinance that will require growers and processors to be at least 1,000 feet away from any residentially zoned land, schools, and daycare centers, and dispensaries must be at least 250 feet away from the same areas. Leff voted against the ordinance because he said he wants dispensaries to be located further away from the restricted areas.
During the Township Manager’s report, Moore said that an executive session was held prior to the meeting about a possible acquisition of open space. She reported that more than 1,000 coats were collected during the recent coat drive. Nolt said at least 14 more people are needed to sign up for the blood drive that the police department is co-sponsoring with Longwood Fire Company on Thursday, December 14, from 2 to 7 p.m. at 801 Burrows Run Road. Residents can either sign up online via www.redcross.org or by calling the police department directly.
There will be no Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, December 20.
