New Members of Honey Brook Borough Council want to be available to residents and encourage people to take pride in their borough, keep it beautiful.
‘We want the people to know we are their representatives,’ said President of Honey Brook Borough Council Ron Rosciolo. ‘Some people said they did not know the candidates. I want to make myself available to residents to discuss matters of importance to them.’
Rosciolo said he will be present at the borough office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday mornings.
‘We want to have the email addresses available for everyone working for the Borough.’
New members of Council are Jessica Curtis, Marc Richard and Richard Florio. Keen, Keen and Good will remain as Borough Solicitor. Janis Rambo is Borough Secretary.
Rosciolo said the borough will try to have someone there in the office on the mornings of the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ‘so we can help them with concerns.’
Also, referring to what people can do to make the Borough look nice, Council Member Ted Ford said, ‘Put emphasis on the Borough Codes.’
‘This is your town. Keep it beautiful. Make it nice,’ said Rosciolo. ‘Recyclable materials and trash should be stored properly. Everyone can help by jotting down violations and discussing them with residents. Trash bins and recyclables should be put out within the time frame and be removed as soon as possible.’
‘We want people to start taking pride in this town, not thinking it is someone else’s job,’ said Rosciolo. ‘I am really proud of this town. I want to make it sharp and we really need everyone’s help.’
In other news, Council discussed a policy for a refundable security deposit to be paid by groups using the Borough Park.
Council Member Jeanne Jenzano said, ‘We need something on top of the regular charge for using the park. People need to leave the park in the condition they found it.’
Public Works Superintendent Bill Ford said, ‘People are supposed to bring bags and take refuse with them.’
Regarding inspections, Council voted to suspend property maintenance inspections by Yerkes Associate unless they are otherwise instructed. Properties will be inspected for resale.
‘Honey Brook Borough must look into the way we do zoning,’ Rosciolo said. ‘A letter has been received from Zoning Officer Brian Willicombe that he has reached the limit of $2,000 that was allotted for property maintenance concerns. We have to look into the way we do zoning.’
Several borough residents were present to air their concerns about property maintenance issues that had been brought to their attention by the Zoning Officer.
Tom Kern said, ‘Going after residents the way it is being done now will discourage people from buying in Honey Brook Borough.’
Another resident said he was told he has 30 days to make repairs or he would be fined $500.
Public Works Superintendent Bill Ford said, ‘A lot of people are concerned about where the present manner of maintenance inspections are going to take them.’
‘I have cars there to be worked on,’ said Jim Ford, owner of an automotive repair shop along Horse Shoe Pike. ‘I will be glad to do some cleaning up but many things have been there a long time. The area is supposed to be zoned for what I am doing. The business should be grandfathered. It has been in the family for 50 to 60 years.’
‘Before we had zoning we did not do anything. Now Yerkes is going overboard, said Rosciolo. ‘We are supporters of our residents. If there is any way, shape or form we can work around this, we will do it.’
‘Getting across to Yerkes Associates has been an ongoing process,’ said Jenzano.
‘The property maintenance code has been established so ensure that homes do not become dilapidated over time,’ said resident Kevin Gore.
Rosciolo agreed. ‘There have to be rules to keep things in stable condition. We have to give residents time to make repairs so they do not get in trouble.’ It was decided that residents who had gotten letters about maintenance concerns would have additional time to deal with them. ‘We are concerned. We will address it. We have been looking around. We need to hit this head on. A committee has to be appointed to go over this.’
Borough Engineer Chris Falencki said, ‘According to the new storm water ordinance administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, residents can locate a building up to 100 square feet on their property within zoning setbacks.’ A shed over 100 to 200 square feet needs some storm water control planning. A building exceeding 200 square feet needs a foundation and must be located according to ordinances. ‘Water from sump pumps cannot flow into the public storm water system. Some minor changes will have to be made in the Subdivision and Land Development ordinance and the Zoning ordinance to abide by the new rules.’
Permission has been granted for a candidate for the honor of Eagle Scout to work on a Veterans’ Memorial at Borough Park. The Honey Brook American Legion will donate $500 for the project.
The borough also received a donation of $1,000 from the Chester County Solid Waste Authority.
In other news, letters of commendations were sent to Paula McGinniss who recently retired after serving for 15 years as director of the Honey Brook Library. Jakob Chapman was given a citation for winning the Third Grade Spelling Bee sponsored by the Coatesville Area School District, said Mayor Christopher Mulhall.
Jenzano is looking for ideas for articles for the newsletter and seeks contributions.
Council will meet on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Borough Clerk Marcia Finnigan will beat the Borough Office next to the Honey Brook Post Office from Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thurdays from 1 to 6 p.m. The tax rate is 1.2 mils, 1 percent earned income tax and 1 percent real estate transfer tax.
