By Eliza Mohler, Staff Writer, The Times
Borough Council members and staff look on as Josie Marsh (far left) gives a presentation on Bike Kennett.
KENNETT SQUARE – A meeting of the Kennett Square Borough Council earlier this month had everyone’s wheels spinning, between the new bicycling initiative and the review of the 2016 audit.
Resident Josie Marsh gave a presentation about Bike Kennett, which is an affiliate of Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. It was started by Marsh in August 2016, and the group organizes rides from Anchor Life + Fitness to Victory Brewing Company for adults every week, as well as kids’ rides and community group rides.
A recent community ride held on September 16 spanned from Anson B. Nixon Park to Pennock Park and had 40 participants. “People really loved, especially the kids, being able to be out on the street, behind a police car.” Marsh said. “It’s safer to ride in a group.”
Marsh noted that she is looking for sponsors from the community for the Kennett Bike Rack Project, and they are supporters of the Kennett Township Active Transportation Plan, which encourages alternative transportation options aside from cars. “We’d like to get on the front end of road improvements and sidewalk installations, so we can have a little more input in the planning process,” she said.
Council member Wayne Braffman asked Marsh about bicyclists he has seen that don’t obey stop signs in his neighborhood, and how it has almost caused accidents. Marsh replied that traffic and safety education is part of the Bike Kennett program. For more information, visit www.bikechestercounty.org/bike-kennett or the Bike Kennett page on Facebook.
Mayor Matthew Fetick and council member LaToya Myers were absent from the meeting. Council President Danilo Maffei said an executive session would be held immediately after the meeting.
The other main presentation of the evening was from Don Pierce, who presented the results of the Borough’s 2016 audit. The Borough fund balance increased $252,925 for the year. He noted that the audit includes infrastructure and equipment, not just cash.
Pierce said there was no disagreement with management, and he thanked Borough Manager Joe Scalise for his hard work and assistance. Braffman commented after the presentation that “it’s ok to feel good about this audit.” Council Vice President Geoff Bosley shared an anecdote about how he recently found an audit from 10 years ago, and how much better off the borough is now. He mentioned the projects that have helped turn the borough’s financial situation around, including the Franklin Center. “We have some healthy balances, and that wasn’t always the case,” Bosley said.
Council approved a request from the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County to place purple ribbons in downtown Kennett Square for display during the month of October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
A resolution was also passed to oppose the sale of Chester Water Authority Assets. The borough currently buys 200,000 gallons from CWA per day, according to Scalise.
