Penelope the goat gets an approved ‘pet’ status
By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times
The Pocopson Board of Supervisors agreed Monday night to designate Penelope the goat — a pygmy goat — as a family pet, not livestock, of a Bragg Hill Road family.
POCOPSON – The township’s Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday night focused on some celebrations and some tribulations.
The tenth year celebration of Pocopson Township Founders’ Day is in need of some volunteers. Chair Colleen McKinney, informed the board that as in previous years, the committee is in need of community members to devote two hours or so to make the event run smoothly on Sunday, September 25.
The event is in jeopardy of being ten and done, according to McKinney. The event solicits for volunteers to help set up the day prior to the event, direct parking, oversee children’s games, moon bounces and hay rides the day of the event, and clean up after the event. Supervisor Chair Ricki Stumpo expressed the importance to continue the tradition and her sadness if it couldn’t because of lack of help.
“It’s a shame,” said Stumpo. “Anyone interested in volunteering can call me at the township office.”
The board of supervisors approved the vote to have Penelope, a pygmy goat, to be given the status of a pet and not livestock. The board and attendees celebrated the unanimous decision and viewed pictures passed around to all in the room. Penelope was pictured sitting in a chair and walking on a leash.
Penelope resides at the Colella residence on Bragg Hill Road and is treated just like a pet dog according to the owner’s attorney. Upon approval from the zoning hearing board on May 26, Penelope will be granted as an official pet of Pocopson Township.
An on-going tribulation, the status of the Barnard House, was again listed on the agenda and the supervisors were unable to vote on accepting the contract for the security system as a last step in order to have the Kennett Underground Railroad Center (KURC) occupy the renovated portion of the house. Supervisor Alice Balsama is working with the township solicitor to resolve some concerns regarding the contract. The supervisors are expected to vote on it at the next meeting in June.
The board approved an additional $2,380 for the Barnard House to purchase a keypad lock system to access the newly renovated hall bathroom during KURC office hours.
The township’s occupancy of the building as originally planned was put on hold at this time due to the projected costs of the rest of the building renovations.
According to Supervisor Elaine DiMonte, there have been discussions with Chester County to define the uses of the building for the township. Restrictions came along with the sale at $1 in 2008 and the board is seeking clarification to move forward with decisions on the extent of window repairs and keeping within the timeframe of the Keystone grant awarded to the township.
Public Works Director Mark Knightly reported that the workmanship for the roofing, although shoddy, was not impaired in anyway.
Knightly also reported some tribulations for the Locust Grove Schoolhouse – termites. Some damage to the historic building was discovered and the supervisors voted in favor to spend up to $995 to correct the problem as soon as possible.
The schoolhouse, located at 525 Locust Grove Road, will take time to celebrate with a garage sale on Saturday, May 21, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the schoolhouse.
Stumpo was happy to report that Jim Knightly, brother to Mark Knightly, returned from his service in the military based in Dubai, and accepted the position as a new public works’ employee.
The meeting adjourned and a cake was presented to celebrate Balsama’s birthday.
