Proposed ordinance to enhance safety described as ‘work in progress’
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
The Kennett Township Supervisors approved a demolition permit requested by Kendal, which owns an 1860s residence adjacent to the Old Kennett Cemetery that has been bastardized and poorly maintained over the years.
Taking a shot at regulating the discharge of firearms in Kennett Township continues to be “a work in progress,” Supervisors Chairman Michael E. Elling told the audience at the supervisors’ meeting Monday night.
After fielding complaints from residents last month – about a dozen raised their hands Monday night when asked whether they sometimes fear walking outside their homes – Township Solicitor Bob Adams prepared a draft ordinance designed to “allow residents full use of private and township property without the risk of injuries due to accidental or negligent firearm discharge.”
Township Manager Lisa Moore said that the issue, which surfaced about a month ago from a single neighborhood, prompted research on what some other municipalities had done to address safety concerns as well as input from Police Chief Albert McCarthy, who reported that other areas of the township had similar complaints.
“This is not a single individual or a single occurrence,” said George Swain, who first broached the topic at last month’s meeting.
Ted Moxon said he didn’t find any of the provisions in the proposed ordinance objectionable. “I just don’t think it is necessary,” he said.
Mary Kay Gaver, who said that 153 residents had signed a petition supporting an ordinance, disagreed, suggesting that it “makes sense for something to be safe.”
Moore said that after distributing the draft ordinance to those who had requested it, she received comments from about 20 people, feedback that would be reviewed by Adams for possible inclusion in the ordinance. Elling said the proposal would likely be back on the agenda at the next meeting.
Among the provisions, the discharge of a firearm within 150 years of any occupied dwelling, barn or playground is prohibited. Similarly, no discharge is permitted within 100 yards of a property line or between dusk and dawn, and no shot, shell, bullet and/or projectile may cross any property line, the draft ordinance said.
In addition, no discharge of firearms or shotguns is authorized without an adequate backstop, prompting an unanswered question from Richard Neff about exactly how that would be defined. Violations could generate a fine of up to $300, the draft said.
In other business, the supervisors approved a demolition permit with conditions for an 1860s residence owned by Kendal. Unlike the unconditional demolition permit granted in May to Longwood Gardens for three 1920s bungalows, the Kendal permit did not face opposition from the Planning Commission.
Bob Listerman, one of the planners, said after the meeting that the home was not original to its present location near the Kennett Friends meetinghouse, had no record of its previous owner or history, and represented a hodge-podge of additions that had fallen into extreme disrepair. According to the permit, Kendal must fund a physical survey of the house and the township will not require a chain of title. Kendal must also maintain screening between the site and the meetinghouse.
In response to a question, Elling said a meeting with the commissioners on the fate of the closed Chandler Mill Bridge resulted in new questions for the township. The historic, county-owned span, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, has been a subject of conflict for several years.
“The county will never consider rehabbing it as a one-lane bridge,” said Elling, referring to the preference of preservationists. He said the county would consider using it as a bike or pedestrian path, contingent upon a majority of residents’ approving that plan and the township taking it over. Elling said the supervisors were trying to determine the cost before making a decision on a possible referendum.
Finally, a proposed ordinance regulating signs in the township, including political ones, is expected to be on next month’s agenda, Elling said.
