Supervisors consider only one meeting a month
By Karen Cresta, Staff Writer, The Times
POCOPSON – The last township meeting of 2017 – and the only meeting in Dec. due to the holidays – was held on Monday, Dec. 11, with discussions involving having only one meeting per month, instead of two moving forward into 2018. During the brief meeting, the supervisors presented a resolution to the parents of a Girl Scout, who received the highest honor, a Gold Award, from the organization.
Before the start of business, Chair Ricki Stumpo thanked Vice-Chair Supervisor Elaine DiMonte and Supervisor Alice Balsama for “everything they brought to the table for the last two years of service” and for “all the work they have done.”
Katelyn Keefer, a resident of Pocopson and student at Unionville High School, could not attend, but her parents proudly accepted a copy of the resolution that was read aloud, recognizing her recent accomplishment as a Girl Scout.
The resolution stated, “WHEREAS, we, the Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors, recognize the many hours Katelyn devoted to attaining the Gold Award, working with diligence to achieve this honor; and WHERAS, during her 10 years in scouting, Katelyn earned numerous honors and achievements, earning a Bronze Award and a Silver Award; and WHEREAS, she is recognized for her dedication and commitment to complete her Gold Award Project which involved the creation of a video to be used by Unionville High School as well as other institutions to supplement teaching about the Holocaust as well as shared with the Holocaust Museum and USC’s Shoah Foundation…”
The documentary video took a year and a half to complete and is posted on YouTube with over 32,000 views. Keefer spent time interviewing and filming her two featured relatives and the effects the Holocaust had on them and how it changed them. The supervisors congratulated Keefer’s parents and asked to pass on to her that the board is very proud of her.
Balsama remarked, “You must admire her so much for this accomplishment at such a young age. You must be so proud.” Keefer’s parents thanked the board for the recognition of their daughter.
In other news, the supervisors discussed going from bi-monthly meetings to only one per month as other neighboring townships do. The supervisors want to ensure it would not be an issue for the township treasurer or secretary. There will be more discussion at the reorganization meeting on Jan. 2.
According to DiMonte, options from a feasibility study by the architects, GKO, will be presented at next month’s meeting. The study began over four months ago to address the best location for the township administrative offices. The historical Barnard House was ruled out as a home for the township offices due to covenant restrictions on the building. The board heard from Chester County Commissioners last month that they did not see a need to revise the current covenant at this stage.
Recently, on Dec. 1, there was a tour of the Barnard House with Brian O’Leary, representative from the Chester County Planning Commission, in attendance. DiMonte said it was an “awareness session to gain a better understanding.” After the options from the feasibility study are shared at the township meeting next month, a public meeting will follow.
Stumpo announced that there was a typo in the tax resolution for the 2018 budget that was previously approved. The rates were accurate and there are no tax implications to residents – but township code requires the decimal point be expressed in hundredths. The correction was made and approved.
The supervisors announced that there are two vacancies on the township’s Planning Commission and letters of interest will be accepted until Dec. 31.
