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Chester County Press

Dinniman hears from Franklin Township residents at board meeting

08/24/2015 12:10PM ● By J. Chambless
By John Chambless
Staff Writer

Sen. Andy Dinniman fielded plenty of questions at the Aug. 19 meeting of the Franklin Township Board of Supervisors, and he stayed after the meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. to discuss issues with the public and the supervisors.
During the meeting, Paul Lagasse, the chairman of the Historical Commission, said the commission voted to send a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission about the placement of a gas pipeline through the township, and that the commission will be pursuing National Register status for the inn and blacksmith shop in preparation for proposed roadwork on Route 896.
Two escrow releases for the Wyndemere subdivision were unanimously approved by the board -- one for $72,455.72, and one for $52,016.27. 
Residents near the intersection of Creek Road and Church Hill Road addressed the board about safety improvements they would like to see at the location, suggesting a three-way stop, a stop sign at the bottom of Church Hill and possibly the installation of a mirror so that motorists can see traffic approaching from the right. Other suggestions were warning signs, double yellow lines on the road, rumble strips or a rough surface to alert approaching drivers. High speed is a factor in the area. The township engineer will study the situation and make recommendations at the September Board of Supervisor meeting.
Harold Walls, the township’s emergency management coordinator, said that the FCC has issued a license to Avon Grove Regional Emergency Management (AGREM) to operate an emergency radio station (AM-1670) which should be functioning by the end of the year. The iinformational station will advertise public meeting information, school closings, local news and emergency information. When AGREM first proposed this station, the cost was approximately $150,000, but the costs came down to under $40,000, and the township’s contribution was about $5,000. The antenna is on the water tower in West Grove, and the broadcasting unit is in a former Verizon building near the tower. All nearby townships can also use the station. 
Installing speed tables on Old Schoolhouse Road has gotten no bids, despite having been put out for bids three times. The speed-reducing tables may possibly be funded through ARLE grant funds if the township contractor is hired to install the speed tables. 
Questions for Sen. Dinniman included weed spraying along state roads, problems with the local mushroom industry and the current status of the Gourmet's Delight expansion plan. 
On Aug. 18, a Zoning Hearing Boad meeting regarding Gourmet's Delight was postponed at the last minute. A court reporter, Zoning Hearing Board chairman Bill Finch and Gourmet's Delight attorney Joe Riper met briefly on Aug. 18 only to approve the new meeting date. No testimony took place. The Sept. 29 public meeting will be held at the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (109 Gypsy Hill Rd., Landenberg). For updated information, visit www.franklintownship.us.
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email [email protected].