County’s emergency radio system closer to overhaul

 Commissioners authorized finalizing of $42.1 million contract By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times County Commissioners Terence Farrell (from left), Ryan Costello, and Kathi Cozzone authorized the completion of a $42.1 million contract to replace the county’s emergency radio system. It is expected to be signed at the commissioners’ Feb. 14 meeting. As expected at Thursday’s...

County commissioners continue collegial, bipartisan trend

Minority commissioner reelected as vice-chair of three-member board At Wednesday’s reorganization meeting, the county commissioners approved the nominations of Terence Farrell (center) for Ryan Costello (right) as chairman, and Kathi Cozzone (left) as vice-chair. During a reorganization meeting on Wednesday, the Chester County Commissioners voted unanimously on 2013 leadership, continuing a...

EMS paging switched to new $3.5 million system

Commissioners say changeover will improve efficiency and meet federal mandate By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The new pagers are similar in appearance to the old ones, but the reduced bandwidth of the system should improve efficiency, county officials said. A new $3.5 million emergency-services paging system became operational Tuesday morning – an advance that improves communications...

Rewarding military service with price breaks

New Veterans ID & Discount Program to launch in county on Friday Many areas businesses are not waiting for Veterans Day to thank the men and women who have served in the military. From dining to dentistry, car repair to chiropractic care, a host of vendors are participating in a new program for veterans. On Friday, Chester County Recorder of Deeds Rick Loughery, whose office manages DD-214...

For first responders, a center worthy of their fearless efforts

Long-awaited Chester County Public Safety Training Campus opens first phase By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times County Commissioners Ryan Costello (from left in front row), Kathi Cozzone, and Terence Farrell cut the ribbon during the dedication of the education center of the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus. Whether  trying to extricate accident victims from  burning...

County gets boost from bond-rating giants

Maintaining its AAA status will translate into lower borrowing costs By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Barry Seymour (left), executive director of DVRPC, congratulates Chester County Commissioners’ Chairman Terence Farrell on his election to the DVRPC chairmanship. The three major bond-rating firms reaffirmed  Chester County’s AAA status – an assessment deemed...

Commissioners take 9-1-1 fee proposal off table

Commissioners Kathi Cozzone (from left), Terence Farrell and Ryan Costello will not pursue a 9-1-1 cost-recovery plan proposed last month. Plan to impose costs on municipalities met spirited criticism By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The county commissioners announced yesterday that they will not advance a contentious proposal introduced in June to impose a cost- recovery fee...

Will commissioners’ 9-1-1 fee plan flatline?

Municipal officials balk at sharing costs for county-controlled services By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The KennettTimes.com WEST CHESTER — A proposal to apply a tourniquet of sorts to the county’s hemorrhaging 9-1-1 costs has generated cries of anguish from some municipal officials, prompting the Chester County commissioners to delay a vote. In an effort to defray about $2.6 million...

Strong support continues for Pocopson Home

Residents urge commissioners not to sell or lease the county facility By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, KennettTimes.com Commissioner Ryan Costello chats with members of the audience before the start of last night's meeting. At right is Mark Rupsis, the county's chief operating officer. The message from the commissioners at last night’s third meeting on the fate of the county-owned...