Kudos

Kudos to Kennett Square Borough’s longtime mayor, Matt Fetick, for leading the NVF Clean-Up Focus Group that is about to launch. 

The former NVF site has undergone extensive remediation efforts and there have been a number of different proposals to redevelop the property through the years.

Fetick and council member Joel Sprick will be a part of the focus group that will review what has been done up to this point, what is still planned, timelines, and what the final approvals for a development plan will look like.

The group will not be discussing future uses or development of the site—instead, the sole purpose of the effort is to understand what is required to make the site safe and usable in the future.

The borough is seeking residents to participate in the focus group. Interested persons can get more information or register on the Kennett Square Borough website at www.kennettsqu.org. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the Borough Hall. It’s great that Kennett Square Borough is involving its residents in this focus group, and having an experienced and capable public servant like Fetick lead the effort is great for the borough, too. 

Critical funding to help those in need

The Chester County Department of Community Development, the Housing Partnership of Chester County, Safe Harbor of Chester County, Inc., and Good Neighbors Home Repair are among the recipients of state funding aimed at helping those who are homeless or at risk for homelessness.

State Rep. Dan Williams recently announced that a total of $2.6 million was awarded to more than a dozen entities that focus on bringing more safe, stable housing for residents in Chester County.

“These grants will be used to ensure Chester County residents have access to safe, affordable housing and the support services they need to achieve stability, independence and a better quality of life,” Williams said in a statement announcing the funding.

There is a lack of affordable housing in Chester County so this funding is important. Even in a comparatively wealthy area like Chester County, many people in the community struggle to meet the most basic needs of food and shelter. This funding will help.

Volunteer and help the Chester County Food Bank

While we’re talking about helping those in need, the Chester County Food Bank will offer a variety of volunteer opportunities for Pennsylvania Day on Friday, July 18 in partnership with America250 PA Chester County. 

Volunteers can help prepare and package nutritious prepared meals, sort, clean, and pack fresh produce for distribution, or help in the warehouse packing senior food boxes or other distribution tasks. For those who would rather work outside, help harvest fresh vegetables at either Springton Manor Farm in Glenmoore or Two Gander Farm In Downingtown. Sign up at https://vhub.at/america250pa.

National Pennsylvania Day is an annual observance to honor Pennsylvania as the second state to join the Union after adopting the U.S. Constitution. America 250 PA and America 250 PA Chester County both mark this annual observance leading up to America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026 by encouraging volunteer efforts at local food banks and other initiatives. 

The Chester County Food Bank works with a network of more than 100 community partners to manage and distribute food to those in need. For more information on Chester County Food Bank programs, visit chestercountyfoodbank.org and, if you can, volunteer to help the Chester County Food Bank on July 18.