Board hears complaints about construction delays in development
04/07/2015 01:03PM ● By Richard Gaw
Speaking on behalf of his neighbors, Lamborn Hunt resident Tony Taglione filled the supervisors in on the myriad of problems that have arisen as a result of Keystone's tardiness, which include downed trees that have not yet been removed, flooded sidewalks, storm drains that do not meet regulation standards, and the fact that some of the retention ponds in the development do not properly collect water during heavy rains.
"It's a safety hazard," Taglione said. "What happens if some kid, not just from our neighborhood but from any neighborhood, comes in there and drowns? It's been like this for over a year now, and nothing's really been done."
Taglione, who has lived with his family in Lamborn Hunt for three years, expressed a "lack of trust" to the supervisors that Keystone would, in fact, make the necessary repairs and upgrades that they have told residents.
In a later e-mail to the Chester County Press, Taglione also shared that Keystone deceived Lamborn Hunt residents about plans for a central area near Mary Ann Court.
"We were told it would be a grass area that the children could play on, and in actuality it is an ugly basin/pond with large sewer openings that decreases the appeal/value of all the homes around it," Taglione wrote.
Taglione echoed the sentiments expressed by his wife, Megan, who told the supervisors on March 4 of additional setbacks in the development, including screws protruding from plywood on a storm drain, and sidewalks throughout the development that are not handicap accessible at intersections and crossings.
She was joined at the meeting by other residents, who complained about the lack of back fill along a sidewalk near a sediment trap and wet pond, and that there still remains a rusted car and unused farm equipment that have not been removed from the woods behind the development.
On its website, Keystone is ranked Central Pennsylvania's leading home builder, has been named "America's Best Builder" an unprecedented 3 times and was recently recognized as one of the Top 100 Builders in the nation. Locally, Keystone is the builder for the Ballymeade development in Oxford, Fox Chase in Avon Grove and Sadsbury Park in Coatesville.
Township manager Steve Brown said at the meeting that he has asked representatives from Keystone for a progress schedule on these projects. Representatives assured Brown that these issues will be resolved beginning in mid-April, when weather and ground conditions permit.
After discussion, the board agreed that the township would send Keystone a default notice, giving them 90 days to finish the improvements in the development. If the work is not complete after 90 days, the township has the right to take the financial security for the improvements and complete them.
On April 4, township engineer Ron Reagan, and supervisors Dave Connors and Robert Hittinger, met with Lamborn Hunt residents to inspect the issues in question.
In other business, the board approved by a vote of 4-1 to place the two water monitors the township recently purchased from the Stroud Water Research Center, in a stream located in the vicinity of a mushroom composting business in the township, where the monitors were originally intended to be placed.
The board also approved a payment of $29,974 toward the second phase of improvements to Goddard Park.
Township treasurer Natasha Nau announced that the township earned $610,000 in revenues in March, $100,000 higher than March 2014, which included $83,000 collected through Earned Income Tax revenue. Nau announced she was leaving her position on April 8, and will be replaced by Jacqui Guenther on April 9.
Dawn Maciejczyk was introduced as the new township secretary.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail [email protected].
