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Chester County Press

London Grove board approves two conservation easements

12/12/2013 07:14PM ● By Acl

By Richard L. Gaw

Staff Writer


The London Grove Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of two township properties totaling 115 acres, for the purpose of placing a conservation easements on them. This announcement was made at the board's Dec. 4 meeting.  

The board agreed that the the township would contribute $301,440 toward the purchase of a 100-acre parcel on North Guernsey Road that is owned by the Mark family, while the Agricultural Land Preservation Board of Chester County has agreed to pay the same amount. The remainder of the cost of the property, listed at $616,000, will be paid by the state. 

Under the provisions of the agreement, no more than ten single-dwelling homes will be allowed on the property. In addition, the township's contribution would be paid directly to the county, which will use it for the future purchase of land conservation easement properties in the county. The agreement also states that London Grove Township would have no responsibility for the management of the property, which will be maintained by the Chester County Farmland Preservation Program.

The board also gave approval to pay the transaction costs towards the purchase of a 15-acre parcel of land on Howell Moore Road in the township, for a price not to exceed $20,000. The land, owned by the Journey family, will be, at the request of the family, donated to the Brandywine Conservancy. Under the provisions of the agreement, the zoning agreement on the property can be developed for no more than four single-family units.

In other township business, the board gave final approval for the township's 2014 budget, which is estimated to generate$3,450,090 in revenue, while its expenditures are expected to be $3,334,783, leaving an anticipated fund balance available to the township of $115,307. The board gave preliminary approval to the township's 2014 budget at its Nov. 6 meeting.

In figures shared by Township Manager Steve Brown, the Inniscrone Golf Course saw a 25 percent increase in income during November, as compared to the same time period last year. Overall, Brown said, the course has seen a 19 percent increase in income for the year.  

The board also issued resolutions to outgoing board members Bill Grandizio and Tim Nelson for their service on the board. Grandizio has served a four-year term that began on Jan. 1, 2010, while Nelson will finish a six-year term that began on Jan. 1, 2008.

The board also renewed its contracts with the Avondale Fire Department and the West Grove Fire Department for 2014, for both fire and ambulance services.