Citing the need for emergency management measures to protect the health, safety and welfare of affected residents in the township, Resolution No. 829 opens the way for the township to seek funding opportunities from state and federal sources.

As stated in the resolution, the board directs the township’s Emergency Management Coordinator “to coordinate the activities of emergency response, to take all appropriate action needed to alleviate the effects of this disaster, to aid in the restoration of essential public services, and to take any other emergency response action deemed necessary to respond to this disaster emergency.”

In other township business, the board adopted Resolution No. 827, which authorizes the township to apply for a grant through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP) in the amount of $214,115.00, which if approved would come from the Commonwealth Financing Authority. If received, the grant will be used for an open space acquisition on Auburn Road, and pay for remediation on the property.

Related to the Auburn Road property, the board also adopted Resolution No. 828, which authorizes the township to apply for a grant to the Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP) in the amount of $97,716.00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If received, the grant would be used to restore the Auburn Road property.

Later in the meeting, the board gave authorization to Township Manager Ramsey Reiner to pursue grant applications for the acquisition and restoration of the Auburn Road property by the township.

Bob George, the 2020 U.S. Census Field Supervisor for the Kennett Area, provided an update on the status of compiling census data throughout the region. He thanked the township for the use of the Township Building, which served as a classroom that gave training to 390 census takers. George told the board that he is confident that the project will be able to be completed, despite the lost time resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We still have seven weeks to go, and that’s with all of us working seven days a week,” he said.

The board also acknowledged the township’s agreement with Brandywine Battlefield Task Force and the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution and its Color Guard that has resulted in the creation of a plaque recognizing the march of the British army from Delaware to Newark Road and Kennett Square, on their way to the Battle of the Brandywine on Sept. 11, 1777.  The contents of the plaque were written by township historian Dr. “Peg” Jones.

The entire board extended their thanks to Public Works Director Ken Reed and his staff for their work to restore the township after Tropical Storm Isaias and subsequent rain events that followed. In all, the department helped to repair 15 roads that had been either closed or flooded; removed a total of 24 trees that had fallen on 19 township roads; and tended to 30 areas that had been affected by washout.

The township will sponsor a Haunted Park event on the grounds of St. Anthony’s in the Hills on Oct. 23 and 24. Businesses and community groups interested in participating in the event can contact the township office for more information.

For the next eight weeks, the township’s Park and Recreation Board will be sponsoring a free Happy Healthy Hour fitness program on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Oct. 8. Classes will include World of Dance UJAM Fitness with Jay; Yoga with Swamy; Art in the Park; and MELT Yoga with Amanda. Visit the township’s website for more information.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].