By John Chambless
Staff Writer

East Marlborough Township got ready for 2017 with a reorganization meeting on Jan. 3, approving a long list of appointments to township offices.

The board voted unanimously to reappoint Richard Hannum, Jr., as chairman of the Board of Supervisors for 2017, as well as John Sarro as vice-chairman.

Board member Robert Weer nominated Hannum and said after the vote, “I want to publicly thank you for your leadership this past year. I don't always agree with you, but I appreciate your dedication,” he added, smiling.

Sarro also thanked Hannum, saying, “We've had a lot of changes in East Marlborough Township, and we all think you've done a great job.”

The board approved the dates of their meetings for the upcoming year, selecting the first Monday of each month, with the exception of July and September due to holidays falling near those dates. The July meeting will be held July 10, and the September meeting will be held on Sept. 11.

Laurie Prysock was appointed township manager, secretary and treasurer by unanimous board vote. Other appointments included Jeff Simpson (public works director and roadmaster); Robert Clarke (police chief, emergency services coordinator and assistant fire marshal); Frone Crawford (township solicitor); United Inspections (building inspector and codes enforcement); Traffic Planning and Design (traffic planning engineering); and Glackin Thomas (planning consultant).

A resident asked during public comment about the former firehouse building at the entrance to the new Unionville Park. Asbestos inside the building was discussed, and Cuyler Walker, chairman of the township Planning Commission, said no decision has been made about the fate of the building, although demolition has been suggested. He said that whoever is contracted to perform the work will adhere to all guidelines regarding asbestos removal, as required by law.

The board voted to approve the members and terms of the Planning Commission, Historic Commission, Zoning Hearing Board and Historic and Architectural Review Board, as well as the Building Code Appeals Board.

Frone Crawford announced that the appeal by the owners of Whitewing Farm will occur on Feb. 7 at Commonwealth Court in Philadelphia. The former bed-and-breakfast near Longwood Gardens has been the subject of complaints from several neighbors after the owners started hosting outdoor weddings at the facility. Years of legal wrangling will decide whether such events will be allowed, and Crawford wanted to make the public aware of the upcoming court date.

Walker suggested emailing neighbors who had signed up for notification about the ongoing case, and Prysock said she will follow up with contacts about the hearing, which is open to the public if they choose to attend. Crawford said that the case will be heard on Feb. 7, with a court decision to be handed down in “three to four months,” he said. Although the case could theoretically be passed on to the State Supreme Court, “that doesn't seem likely,” he said.

Upcoming 2017 meetings of the Board of Supervisors are scheduled: Feb. 6, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5, July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 11, Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the Township Building (721 Unionville Rd., Kennett Square). Visit www.eastmarlborough.org or call 610-444-0725 for more information.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email [email protected].