Your Guide to Kennett Township Welcome to Where Preservation and Kennett Township Progress Live Side by Side Welcome!
On behalf of the your fellow citizens and local Township government, we want to wish you a warm welcome to your new home in Kennett Township. We have put together this guide to help answer any questions you might have, and provide information that you might need about the area. We also have included maps, a list of phone numbers, and fre- quently asked questions to help you feel at home here in Kennett.
We encourage you to visit the Township Website, http://www.kennett.pa.us, for informa- tion, and to sign up for our newsletter and email list. We send out information about local meetings, upcoming events and emergency management through this list, and do not share this information with outside commercial groups. The website has been designed to help acquaint you with our local government. It is one way to help you get to know your new township and how it works.
The Township also has many volunteer committees that welcome your help and participa- tion. A list of committees and a volunteer form are included in this guide. In addition, we encourage you to contact our Township Manager, Lisa Moore We invite you to attend meetings and to become an active part of Kennett Township.
Again, we send you a warm and hearty welcome to your new home in Kennett Township.
Board of Supervisors of Kennett Township
Scudder Stevens, Chairman Richard Leff Whitney Hoffman
ii Table of Contents
Important Numbers iv
Post Offices 6
Public Schools 8
Hospitals & Urgent Care 9
Motor vehicles- PennDOT 11
Voter Information 13
Public Sewer and Septic 18
Waste & Recycling 19
Tax Information 25
Animals & Wildlife 26
Parks & Recreation 30
Other Community Information 36
Special Information for Seniors 37
Frequently Asked Questions 39
Information & History of Kennett Township 40
iii Important Numbers And Government Contact Information
FOR ALL EMERGENCIES DIAL 9-1-1
FIRE Longwood Fire Company (610) 388-6880 www.longwoodfireco.com Kennett Fire Company (610) 444-3473 www.firestation24.com
POLICE
Kennett Township Police Emergency: Dial 911 Non-emergency (610) 388-2874
Kennett Township Public Works Emergencies (after hours) 484-723-9338
PECO- Gas and Electric Emergency (800) 841-4141 Customer Service (800) 494-4000
Poison Control 24 hour number (800) 222-1222
Domestic Violence 24 Toll Free Hotline (888) 711-6270 (610) 431-1430
Chester County Health Department (610) 344-6225
Kennett Township Office (610) 388-1300 www.kennett.pa.us
Call Before You Dig: PA Once Call System (800) 242-1776
Tax Issues Kennett Township Earned Income Tax- Keystone Collections (724) 978-0300 Kennett Township Real Estate Taxes- Berkheimer Associates (800) 360-8989 Chester County Treasurer’s Office -Chester County Real Estate Taxes (610) 344-6370 Chester County Assessment Office (610) 344-6105
iv Kennett Consolidated School District (610) 444-6605
School weather-related closing information - Information will be distributed through the Connect-ED system. In addition, information can be found on the following TV and radio stations:
Fox TV 29, KYW TV 3, NBC TV 10, WPVI- TV 6
KYW 1060 AM, WSTW 93.7 FM, WCOJ 1420 AM, WDEL 1150 AM, WILM 1450 AM Our school identification number is 880)
Animal and Wildlife-Related numbers
Chester County SPCA (610) 692-6113
Tristate Bird Rescue (302) 737-9543
Reporting Unsafe Road Conditions/Potholes/Sign issues
Roger Lysle, our Roadmaster, is in charge of maintaining over 61 miles of roadways within the Township. If you notice an issue with road conditions, signs, potholes, or other roadway issues, please contact the road department below, or send Roger an email at [email protected]. We understand you may not know if a road is a Township road or a State road, so when in doubt, please contact Roger.
Township Roads: Township Maintenance Garage (610) 444-5130
State Roads: PennDOT (484) 340-3200
Reporting dead deer in road: Township Road (610) 926-3136 State Road: PennDOT (484)-340-3200
v Kennett Township Officials
Board of Supervisors
Scudder Stevens, Chair [email protected] Dr. Richard Leff richard.leff@kennett.pa.us Whitney Hoffman whitney.hoff[email protected]
Township Manager
Lisa Moore (610) 388-1300 x112 [email protected]
Chief of Police
Chief Lydell Nolt O ffice: (610) 388-2874 Ext.119 Fax: (610) 388-8594
For any non-emergency questions or concerns, please contact Chief Nolt by email: [email protected]
Website for police department: www.Kennett.pa.us/ktpd
Township Road Master
Roger Lysle Office: (610)-444-5130 Email: [email protected]
Zoning Officer
Diane Hicks Office: (610) 388-1300 x121 Email: [email protected]
Building Inspector
Rich Hicks Office: (610) 388-1300 x117 Email: [email protected]
vi vii Kennett Township is also represented by the following Representatives on a State and Federal Level:
Pennsylvania State Representative for the 160th District
Representative Steve Barrar
Local Office: One Beaver Valley Road Chadds Ford, PA 19317-9012 (610) 485-7606 email address: [email protected]
Capitol Office: Room 18 East Wing PO Box 202160 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2160 717-783-3038 Fax: 717-787-7604
Pennsylvania State Senator for the 9th District
Senator Dominic Pileggi
Local office: 100 Evergreen Drive Suite 113 Glen Mills, PA 19342 (610) 358-5183 FAX: (610) 358-5184
Capitol Office: Senate Box 203009 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3009 Room: 9 East Wing (717) 787-4712 FAX: (717) 783-7490
US Congressional Representatives:
District 7 (Covers Kennett Township Voting Precincts 1, 2, and 4)
Representative Patrick Meehan Local Office: 940 West Sproul Road Springfield, PA 19064 (610) 690-7323
viii Washington DC Office: 434 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-2011 Website: www. http://meehan.house.gov/
District 16 (Covers Kennett Township Voting Precinct 3 only)
Representative Joe Pitts Local Office: Post Office Box 837 Unionville, PA (Routes 82 and 926), PA 19375 Phone: (610) 444-4581 Fax: (610) 444-5750
Washington, DC Office: 420 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2411 Fax: (202) 225-2013 Website: http://pitts.house.gov/
US Senators for Pennsylvania
Robert P. Casey
PHILADELPHIA 2000 Market Street, Suite 610 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: (215) 405-9660 Fax: (215) 405-9669
WASHINGTON, D.C. 393 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-6324 Toll Free: (866) 802-2833 Fax: (202) 228-0604 Website: http://www.casey.senate.gov/
Patrick J. Toomey
PHILADELPHIA 8 Penn Center 1628 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Suite 1702 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: (215) 241-1090 Fax: (215) 241-1095
ix WASHINGTON, D.C. 248 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-4254 Fax: (202) 228-0284 Website: http://www.toomey.senate.gov/
x Getting Oriented: Post Offices
Post Offices
Several post offices serve Kennett Township: Kennett Square 222 E. State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 (610) 925-0659 Hours: M-F 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Sat 9:30 am - 12 pm
Chadds Ford 1620 Baltimore Pike Ste 101, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 (610) 388-6284 Hours: M-F 8 am - 4:30 pm Sat 9 am -12pm
Mendenhall 330 Kennett Pike (Rt. 52) Mendenhall, PA 19357 (610) 388-6029 Hours: M-F 9:30 am - 1 pm & 2pm - 4:30 pm Sat 8am- 11am
Avondale 112 Pennsylvania Avenue, Avondale, PA 19311 (610) 268-0873 Hours: M-F 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Sat. 9 am - 12 pm
You can put in an order to hold mail if you will be away- all mail for a particular address will be on hold. You can fill out a form online https://holdmail.usps.com/holdmail/
Passports
If you need passport services, you will need to go to one of the following post offices:
West Chester 1050 Airport Road, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 738-7638 Passport acceptance hours: M-F 8;30- 4pm Sat 8:30 am - 2pm
11 Talleyville 3911 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803 (302) 478-5753 An appointment to apply for a passport is required at this location
Greenville 3801 Kennett Pike Ste A101 Wilmington, DE 19807 (302) 652-5449 An appointment to apply for a passport is required at this location
Hockessin 651 Valley Road Hockessin, DE 19707 (302) 239-4240 An appointment to apply for a passport is required at this location
For forms and more information: https://www.usps.com/international/passports.htm
12 Public Schools
Kennett Township is served by the Kennett Consolidated School District (KCSD).
The District Main Office is located at 300 East South Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348, and the main number is (610) 444-6600 and additional information can be found on their website www.kcsd.org.
Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center 409 Center Street Kennett Square, PA (610)-444-6260
Greenwood Elementary School 420 Greenwood Road Kennett Square, PA (610) 388-5990
New Garden Elementary 265 New Garden Road Toughkenamon, PA 19374 (610) 268-6900
Bancroft Elementary School 181 Bancroft Road Kennett Square, PA 19348 (610) 925-5711
Kennett Middle School 195 Sunny Dell Road Landenberg PA 19350 (610) 268-5800
Kennett High School 100 East South Street Kennett Square PA 19348 (610) 444-6620
School weather-related closing information - Information will be distributed through the Connect-ED system. In addition, information can be found on the following TV and radio stations:
Fox TV 29, KYW TV 3, NBC TV 10, WPVI- TV 6
KYW 1060 AM, WSTW 93.7 FM, WCOJ 1420 AM, WDEL 1150 AM, WILM 1450 AM
Our school identification number is 880
13 Hospitals & Urgent Care
Local Hospitals
Chester County Hospital 701 East Marshall Street West Chester, PA 19380 http://www.chestercountyhospital.org/
AI duPont Hospital For Children (Nemours) 1600 Rockland Road Wilmington, DE 19803 http://www.nemours.org/locations/nemours-dupont.html
Christiana Care Health System (302) 733-1000 Wilmington Hospital 501 W. 14th Street Wilmington, DE 19899
Christiana Hospital 4755 Ogeltown Stanton Road Newark, DE 19718 http://www.christianacare.org/
Jennersville Regional Hospital 1015 W. Baltimore Pike West Grove, PA 19390
Riddle Memorial Hospital 1068 West Baltimore Pike Media, PA 19063
14 Urgent Care Centers
Premier Urgent Care 300 Old Forge Lane #302 Kennett Square, PA (484) 778-8000
Pioneer Urgent Care 1572 Wilmington Pike #1 West Chester, PA (610) 459-3278
Med Express 2722 Concord Pike (Rt. 202) Wilmington, DE 19803 (302)-477-1406
Minute Clinic 870 E Baltimore Pike Kennett Square, PA (866) 389-2727
Hockessin Walk-in Medical Care 316 Lantana Drive Hockessin, DE 19707 (302) 234-4000
15 Department of Motor Vehicles If you are new to the area, and to Pennsylvania, sorting out vehicle registration and driver’s license procedures can be daunting. Even the website for the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) can be confusing, so we have included the following information to help make it a bit easier to navigate.
PennDOT Website: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/
For New Residents: http://www.dot3.state.pa.us/forms/movingForms.shtml
Cars in Pennsylvania must be registered and inspected annually.
You will need to consult PennDOT’s website for the appropriate forms and identification requirements for each service you need. Many forms are available online, making things a bit easier. You will need to have many of these forms complete prior to going to the Service Centers for the desired transaction.
PennDOT operates several different levels of local service centers, and not all Centers offer all services. Also note that Driver’s License Centers only accept payment by check or money order- no cash or credit cards are accepted.
For New Resident Driver’s Licenses, Learner’s Permits, or Photo ID’s, you need to go to a PennDOT Photo and Exam Center. The two nearest to Kennett Township are:
Media PennDOT Photo and Exam Center (Granite Run Mall, behind the ACME) 1067 W Baltimore Pike, Media PA 19063
Frazer/Malvern PennDOT Photo and Exam Center Lincoln Court Shopping Center 225 W. Lancaster Avenue, Malvern PA 19355
For duplicate licenses, new auto registration and/or title transfer, obtaining a disability parking placard, dupli- cate title, transfer vehicle registration, or renew vehicle registrations, you can use a local title service. Two of the closest locations are:
Wiggins Auto Tags 954 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA 19348 (610) 388-6995
AAA Mid-Atlantic Keystone Plaza 1810 Wilmington Pike Glen Mills, PA 19342 (610) 808-9000
16 If you need a new photo for your license renewal, often the Photo Center is the closet and quickest option. The nearest PennDOT photo center is located at:
PennDOT Photo Center Stony Pond Plaza 481 Conchester Hwy (Rt. 322) Upper Chichester, PA 19061
17 Voter Information
Kennett Township is made up of four voting precincts, shown on the map above. You can find the map online at the Township website, http://www.kennett.pa.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/kennett_township_voting_map.pdf
If you are unsure of your precinct, you can check where to vote online here: http://www.votespa.com/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1174087&parentname=ObjMg r&parentid=4&mode=2
Voting Precincts and Locations
Precinct 320, Kennett Township 1 Kennett Township Building 801 Burroughs Run Rd. Chadds Ford PA 19317
Precinct 325, Kennett Township 2 The Episcopal Church of the Advent 401 North Union St Kennett Square, PA 19348
18 Precinct 328, Kennett Township 3 Kendal at Longwood Auditorium 1109 E. Baltimore Pike Kennett Square, PA 19348
Precinct 329, Kennett Township 4 Greenwood Elementary School Auxiliary Gym 420 Greenwood Rd. Kennett Square, PA 19348
All polling places open at 7 AM and close at 8 PM.
The map on the Township Website will assist in determining what precinct you are located in. Should you have any questions, feel free to call the Township (610-388-1300) during normal working hours for directions.
Voter Registration
You will need to register to vote/update your current registration to reflect any new ad- dress. Paper voter registration forms are available at the Township Building or local library, and many people register to vote though the Department of Motor Vehicles Motor/Voter system.
As of August, 2015, you can now register vote online here: https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/Pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx
You can also download voter registration forms, absentee voter forms and more from the Pennsylvania VotesPA website: http://www.votespa.com/portal/server.pt/community/applications_and_forms/13509
Chester County’s website for Voter Services has extensive information, including down- loadable forms, information on polling places, election results, and how to become an elec- tion official. http://www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=290
19 20 Public Sewer and Septic Residents who are on public sewer, as opposed to on-site sewer/septic sytems, are billed quarterly by the Township based on water usage. The quarterly sewer charge is $75 for the first 5,000 gallons and an additional $11.00 per 1,000 gallons above the 5,000 gallons. The exception to these fees is the Longwood Crossing Development which is charged a flat $140.00 per quarter. PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU WASH YOUR CAR OR USE SPRINKLERS IN YOUR YARD, IT COUNTS TOWARDS SEWER WATER USAGE. Residents are responsible for repairs to their sewer line from the house to the edge of the property. All lines in the road are the Township’s responsibility.
Septic Pumping Registration If you have an onsite septic system, you are required to send in proof that your system is pumped every three (3) years. Please email a copy of the pumping receipt to [email protected] or you may mail or drop off a copy at our office.
Sewer Districts in the Township Kennett Township has three (3) sewer districts with pump stations connected to them as fol- lows: Kennett Borough System
Pump Stations: Quarterly Fee – $75 for the first 5,000 and $10.19 per 1,000 gallons beyond the first 5,000 gallons. Areas on the Kennett Borough System include: Victoria Gardens, Rosedale Road, VFW, Bayard Estates, and Creek Road Longwood Crossing (feeds to East Marlborough Township system) Quarterly Fee $130 per unit Ashford (Township owned community system) Quarterly Fee $525 per unit The current connection fee for Kennett Township is $7,316 per edu (200 gallons per edu) (Please be advised that these figures are accurate as of January 2016 but may be subject to change)
21 Septic System Maintenance Many residents in Kennett Township are on private or community septic systems. If you are relocating from an area that has been on public sewers, you may not be familiar with how to maintain a healthy septic system and keep it in good repair.
The EPA has put out a good guide to understanding and maintaining septic systems that you can download online: http://www.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/homeowner_guide_long.pdf
22 Waste And Recycling Kennett Township does not haul waste from the curb- you are required to sign up with an inde- pendent hauler that will pick up your trash (and recycling) curbside.
Kennett Township and all of the residents are mandated by the State to to recycle. If you do not recycle with your private hauler, you can recycle at the Kennett Township Maintenance Garage, located at 557 Bayard Road. The phone number for the Garage is (610) 444-5130
The following is a list of local trash haulers that service our area. This list is not exhaustive, nor do we specifically recommend or warrant one hauler over another. Information here is included for your convenience.
AJ Blosenski, Inc (610) 444-2341
Evergreen Waste Service (302) 635-7055
Penn Container (610) 274-1306
Republic Services (610) 869-2222
Trash Talkin’ Ladies (610) 444-4242
Leaves and Yard Waste
Leaves and yard waste are included in the Recycling Ordinance and cannot be burned by order of the PA Department of Environmental Protection. Exceptions are restricted to agricultural busi- nesses and ceremonial fires. Burning permits are required for these two exceptions.
Trash haulers are required to pick up leaves and yard waste twice a year, once in Spring and once in Fall, and will also pick up Christmas Trees in January. Please contact your hauler for spe- cific dates.
If you need to get rid of yard waste at another time, there is a dumpster at the Recycling Center at the Township Garage specific for this purpose.
Yard waste includes leaves, brush, tree limbs and the like. Please place all yard waste inside the YARD WASTE labelled dumpster at the Township Maintenance Garage, not on the ground around it. Please DO NOT throw other trash in this dumpster. Landscape contractors may not dump their yard waste at the Township Garage.
Live Christmas Trees
The Township will accept live christmas trees for recycling at the Township Garage during nor- mal hours. Please make sure all trees are free of decorations and old tree stands before drop- ping them off.
The Recycling Center is open for drop-off of recyclables Monday Through Friday 9 am to 2 pm and on Saturday Mornings, 9 am to Noon.
23 Recycling and Recyclables
Guidelines for Recycling at the Curb
Recyclables are commodities. Dirty or contaminated, they are worthless. Clean and properly prepared recycla- bles have value and may be turned into new products.
Items Accepted in One Container The following single-stream items are typically collected in one container at your curb: • Aluminum cans, foil, and pie plates • Corrugated cardboard and boxboard • Glass bottles and jars • Metal cans • Mixed paper • Newspapers • Plastic #1-5 and #7 containers
Items Not Allowed • Caps / lids • Ceramic cups / plates • Crystal • Drinking glasses • Flower pots • Light bulbs • Metallic wrapping paper • Mirrors • Oil cans / bottles • Ovenware • Paint cans • Plate glass • Window glass
Hazardous Waste
Chester County Solid Waste Authority holds regional hazardous waste recycling events every year, where dangerous household items like paint, electronics, chemicals and more can be safely taken to be disposed of safely. A complete list can be found below. Please check their website (http://www.chestercountyswa.org) for the upcoming dates as they change yearly.
24
Taxes
Tax Information & Forms
The vast majority of real estate and income taxes levied in the Township go to support our school district, which has been recognized as one of the top school districts in the Commonwealth. The Township’s budget and checkbook can be viewed online on the Township website, to ensure accountability for every dollar spent.
Kennett Township Taxes (calculated based on assessed value)
▪ 0.2 mils real estate tax
▪ 0.2 mils dedicated library tax
▪ 1% earned income tax (for resident and non-residents) Revenues from this tax are split evenly between the Township and the School District
▪ 0.25% open space tax (on earned income for Kennett Township residents)
School Tax - Kennett Consolidated School District
27.9406 mils
Chester County Tax
4.1630 mils
Kennett Township Earned Income Tax
Keystone Collections Group, has been appointed by the CTCC effective January 1, 2011. To e-file your EIT or Local Services Tax, please visit www.keystonecollects.com. Any ques- tions should be directed to Keystone Collection Group at 724-978-0300.
Telephone Numbers for Tax Questions & Issues
Kennett Township Earned Income Tax- Keystone Collections (724) 978-0300 Kennett Township Real Estate Taxes- Berkheimer Associates (800) 360-8989 Chester County Treasurer’s Office -Chester County Real Estate Taxes (610) 344-6370 Chester County Assessment Office (610) 344-6105
A tax calculator is located on the Township website for your convenience
29 Animals And Wildlife
Photo Courtesy of Jaan Lutter, 2015
Kennett Township is a great place to live, and given the wide open spaces, people often keep pets and sometimes have questions about keeping small farm animals or other wild- life on their property. Additionally, from time to time, you may need to report a dead or in- jured animal. This section is designed to help answer the most frequently asked questions and provide you easy access to resources you might need.
Household Pets- Dogs and Cats
Dogs require licenses and regular vaccinations. Dog license applications are available by calling the Chester County Treasurer’s office at (610) 344-6370. We also actively encour- age dog and cat owners to consider a microchip for their pet, making it easier to return a pet to you in the unlikely event that it gets out of your property boundaries.
If you do find a dog running free or a lost pet, The Chester County SPCA is the enforce- ment agency for the Township and can be called at (610) 692-6113.
30 Kennett Township does have a dog ordinance which can be found on its website (Sec. 110). In summary, the ordinance requires that in parks, athletic fields and public events within the township, dogs are expected to be on a leash and under control of the owner or handler. The owner or handler of the dog must diligently supervise the dog, and be respon- sible for the immediate removal of any fecal matter, disposing of same in a safe and sani- tary manner. Violations may result in the imposition of a fine between $100 and $500.
Local Dog Parks Dogs are allowed on local trails and parks in Kennett Township, as long as they are on a leash and Owners take the necessary steps to dispose of any fecal matter in a safe and re- sponsible way. There is one local “Bark Park” located in Pennsbury Township with two fenced in areas, one for large dogs and one for small dogs, where dogs can play off-leash. It is located be- hind the Pennsbury Township Building, 702 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317. The dog park is a short walk off to your left as you enter the park.
Other Animals, including Farm Animals
There are additional ordinances regarding the keeping of animals within the Township, in- cluding farm animals and small domestic animals. Regulations are tied to the specific zon- ing of the property, as well as avoiding any problems with nuisance. If you have a ques- tion, please consult the Ordinances on the Township website- Sec. 240-1923 Keeping of Animals and Article II Nuisances Sec.168-4.
Wildlife
In general, wildlife in Pennsylvania is regulated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pgc/9106) and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/).
Deer
If you find a dead deer in the road, please call (610) 926-3136 if it is a Township Road, or PennDOT at (484) 340-3200 if it is a State Road.
Deer are active in the area, especially at dawn and dusk. They often dart into roadways and can cause a hazard to even experienced drivers. Please use caution, and urge young drivers to do so, especially when traveling along wooded roads during twilight.
31 We do have a deer control committee. Please call the Township offices if you have any questions or would like to be involved with helping to control the local deer population.
Injured birds
If you see injured birds, or have an injured bird on your property, you can call the Tristate Bird Rescue in Hockessin, DE at (302) 737-9543. They can provide you with appropriate advice and instructions.
Suspected Rabid Animals
Sometimes, you may encounter wildlife exhibiting odd behavior, and you may suspect ra- bies. If you have a concern, please call the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and they will be able to help guide you appropriately.
PA Game Commission Southeast Region Covers Berks, Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgom- ery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill counties 253 Snyder Road Reading, PA 19605 Phone: 610-926-3136, 610-926-3137
Coyotes
Eastern Coyotes are a popular topic of discussion and they typically get a fairly unforgiv- ing light shone upon them. Eastern coyotes typically weigh 30 to 50 pounds and they are 48 to 60 inches long. Territories of coyotes range from 5 to 25 square miles and the territo- ries are shared by a mated pair and their offspring. Coyotes breeding season is January to March and they are quite vocal during this time.
Coyotes are a natural and important part of our ecosystem (the rumors that they were intro- duced by the game commission or insurance companies are false) and it is worth learning more about them and their habits. Coyotes have a wide ranging diet and are advanta- geous eaters. Open trash containers are easy pickings for food sources, as are small pets. It is important to lock up your pets in the evening. Coyotes have been in Ches- ter County for a number of years, and potentially have been in the Stateline Woods area for quite some time.
32 As a species, coyotes have been very adaptable in increasingly urban settings but with proper precautions, we can coexist with this predator quite nicely. We want to make sure you are armed with information, but also know that coyotes are not cause for alarm. Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions regarding coyotes at Stateline Woods Preserve at 610-347-0347 ext. 106 or [email protected]
Hunting
In Kennett Township, Ordinance Chapter 136 covers issues regarding Hunting. In general, our first and foremost concern is for the health and safety of all residents, and we urge you to follow the regulations set out therein if you choose to hunt within the Township. Please note that hunting is not allowed on public trails.
Hunting rules in Pennsylvania, and safety courses, can be found through the PA Game Commission’s website, http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/. Hunting licenses can be purchased through The Outdoor Shop from the State of Pennsylvania online https://www.pa.wildlifelicense.com/start.php
Fishing With the number of ponds and streams in the area, fishing has become a great leisure ac- tivity for many people in the area. Fishing licenses are required for people over the age of 16 and are available from a multitude of sources across Pennsylvania, and online. One day licenses, yearly, three year and five year licenses are available. There are also Senior discounts. Please go to the PA Fish and Boat Commission’s website for more information: http://fishandboat.com/license.htm The annual Kennett Trout Rodeo is held in early May in Anson B. Nixon Park, sponsored by the Red Clay Valley Association. Trout up to 22 inches are stocked in the pond, and it is a great day for kids of all ages.
33 Parks & Recreation
Anson B. Nixon Park ances, plays, and nature programs. Residents can also reserve pavilions for private parties and events. Anson B. Nixon Park is located on North Walnut Street, just off State Street. It is located in both Ken- Kennett Area Park & Recreation Board (KAPRB) nett Township and Kennett Borough. Anson B. Nixon Park is a great asset to Kennett Township. KAPRB is a community based non profit The Park provides recreation for all of our residents organization. The organization promotes, encour- and surrounding communities. The park is com- ages, and supervises recreational activities in the prised of 106 acres and was carved out of the his- Borough of Kennett Square and the adjoining areas toric woodlands of the late 18th through early 20th of Kennett, East Marlborough, and New Garden century Chambers estate. Anson B. Nixon Park has Townships. KAPRB manages Herb Pennock Park two ponds, streams, woodlands including a beech located in Kennett Square. KAPRB provides wonder- grove with specimens dating back over 250 years, ful recreational activities for the children in our and three miles of walking trails. community. Some of the sporting events provided are basketball, soccer, softball, lacrosse and many Anson B. Nixon Park has many exciting events in- more. Please visit the KAPRB website for more in- cluding the Trout Rodeo, the Kennett Run, disc golf formation and a full list of activities. tournaments, and a summer concert series. Other events open to the public include dance perform-
34 KAU Little League
KAU Little League is open to players who reside in both the Unionville-Chadds Ford and Kennett Consolidated School Districts. The Little League Program is designed for players of all skill levels and age groups. KAU’s pri- ority to develop fundamental baseball skills while demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship. KAU Little League is a wonderful organization for the children in our community.
Community Trails
We are fortunate to have a number of trails in Kennett Township, offering wonderful recreational opportunities for everyone. In addition to established trails, a number of which are maintained by the Land Conservancy. Additional trails are currently being developed to form a network of trails throughout our area called The Ken- nett Greenway. Current trails maintained by the Township and Borough include:
•AB Nixon Park Trails: 100 Waterworks Drive, Kennett Square, PA 19348 approx. 3 miles of walking trails •Pennock Park Trail: 274 West South Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 approx. 4 miles of trails •Parish Trail The trail head for the Parish Trail begins at Pennock Park and runs to Hillendale Road.
•Kennett Township Building Trail 801 Burrows Mill Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
For more information about these trails, please got to The Kennett Trails Alliance Website http://www.ksqtrails.com/ or consult their Facebook page for more information.
The Land Conservancy of Southern Chester County maintains the following trails: (Links will take you to the Land Conservancy’s website for more information and maps of each trail)
•New Leaf Eco Center Trails 776 Rosedale Road, Kennett Square PA 19348 http://tlcforscc.org/preserves/new-leaf-eco-center/
•Stateline Woods Preserve Trail 814 Merrybell Lane Kennett Square, PA 19348 http://tlcforscc.org/preserves/stateline-woods-preserve/stateline-woods-preserve-map/
•Marshall Millhouse Preserve Trail 932 Creek Road,(Rt. 82) Kennett Square, PA 19348 http://tlcforscc.org/preserves/marshall-mill-house-preserve/
•Marshall Bridge Preserve Trails Benge Road and Farm Lane, Hockessin, DE 19736 (enter through DE state Park and continue through green gate for TLC’s preserved land in PA.)
35 Bird Blind available for rent http://tlcforscc.org/preserves/marshall-mill-house-preserve/
Chandler Mill Nature Preserve (upcoming) http://tlcforscc.org/preserves/chandler-mill-nature-preserve-proposed/
Additional trails in the area are maintained by individual homeowners associations, including:
•Kendal at Longwood Trail •Kinterra Trails •Longwood Crossing Trail •Hartefeld Trail •Cold Springs Drive Trail •Richardson’s Run Trail •Burrow Ridge Trail •Granite Ridge Trail •Hamorton Woods •Penn’s Manor
36 Kennett Greenway Trail Map !
38 ! Other Community Resources/Services
Kennett Public Library/ Bayard Taylor Memorial Library
Kennett Square and Kennett Township both support our local library, The Bayard Taylor Memorial Library, lo- cated at 216 East State Street in Kennett Square, (610) 444-2702. The library hosts a variety of community events all year including summer reading programs for children, and helps support the summer reading pro- gram for the Kennett Consolidated School District. You can find out more about the library and its programs at its website, http://www.bayardtaylor.org/
Kennett Square Area Newcomer’s Club
Kennett Square Area Newcomer’s Club hosts a variety of events each month for people of all ages and stages, and helps people get adjusted to their new community. Please check out their website, which also has an extensive list of local volunteer organizations and their contact information. http://www.ksanc.org/
Historic Kennett Square Historic Kennett Square provides a great resource for information about local events, shops, restaurants, lodg- ing and attractions. It’s a great resource to find out what’s happening in the area, whether you have visitors in from out of town or are just looking for something new to do. http://historickennettsquare.com/
40 Special Information for Seniors
While Kennett Township does not currently have any Township-sponsored programs spe- cifically for Seniors, we’ve put together this information for local programs that might be of interest. Rover Community Transportation Telephone: (484) 696-3854 or toll free 877-873-8415 http://www.riderover.com/general-information/
Rover is partially supported by State and Chester County funds, and provides very low cost transportation for Seniors within Chester County and within 15 miles of Chester County boundaries, within PA only. Rides need to be scheduled in advance, and it’s best to consult their comprehensive website for more detailed information.
Kennett Area Senior Center 427 S. Walnut Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 (610) 444-4819 Website: http://www.kennettseniorcenter.org/
The Kennett Area Senior Center is a non-profit organization that serves older residents of southern Chester County. The Center provides daytime, evening and occasional week- end programs and services to help residents stay active, healthy, and involved, allowing
41 them to remain independent. Please consult their website for a calendar of events and services offered.
42 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I heard we are supposed to register our alarm systems. Why do I need to do this, and how do we do it? Kennett Township Ordinance No. 96 requires that all persons owning or operating security devices shall regis- ter their security alarm systems with the Township. It is important to have your alarm registered so if there is an emergency at your residence the Police have information about your alarm company, contact person, etc. in event of an emergency. Failure to register the alarm may result in a fine for false or unexplained alarms for the system. You can obtain a registration form from the Township Building, or fill out our online form here: https://kennett.pa.us/residents/alarm-registration/
Q: If I decide to rent my property, is there anything special I need to do? In order to rent a property or unit within the Township, Ordinance 217 requires that the owner obtain a rental license from the Township. In addition to the license, an annual inspection is required to make sure the prop- erty is in good condition and up to code. You can find out more by reading the Ordinance and completing the application form, available online . https://kennett.pa.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/KT-Rental-Registration-Fillable-Form.pdf http://kennett.pa.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Rental-License-Ordinance.pdf
43 Information about Kennett Township
Kennett Township is located in southern Chester County and encompasses approximately 15.6 mi.² of land area. It borders the state of Delaware on its southern border and the town- ships of New Garden, East Marlborough, and Pennsbury. The 2010 census listed 7565 peo- ple living within the township in 2526 housing units.
Kennett Township is a second-class Pennsylvania Township governed by a three-person board of supervisors elected to staggered six-year terms. It has a full-time Township man- ager who also fills the position of secretary and treasurer, administrative staff of three peo- ple, a two officer Police Department, and a full-time zoning officer and building inspector. The township maintains its own maintenance garage with a full-time roadmaster and 4 maintenance employees.
The township budget for 2014 is $3.5m for revenue and $3.2m for expenses. Revenue is generated through a property tax, an earned income tax, and state funds earmarked for townships. More information on the current tax structure can be viewed on the Township website.
Kennett Township History
Kennett Township is part of an original 30,000 acre track of land that William Penn con- veyed to his children, William and Letitia. The tract, originally known as Stenning Manor, was surveyed in 1701, and included land that now makes up Kennett Borough, New Gar- den, Pennsbury and Pocopson Townships, along with several thousand acres in New Cas- tle County, Delaware. The area was originally occupied by Lenape Indians, native to the area. One of the original white settlers to the area was reported to be Francis Smith, who acquired 200 acres at the mouth of Pocopson Creek in 1686, and the name of the town- ship was suggested by Smith as a tribute to his home village of Kennett in Wiltshire, Eng- land.
We know Kennett Township was founded by at least 1705, and its neighbor, Pennsbury Township, was formed in 1770 in response to a petition that Kennett Township be divided for the purposes of better representation. The Borough of Kennett Square, one square mile on each side, was formed and incorporated in 1855.
44 The original village in the Township served as the nucleus of the Borough. The Borough it- self comprised a little over one square mile of land and included 606 inhabitants at the time of its formation.
Kennett Township figured prominently in our nation’s military history. During the Revolu- tion, British soldiers and Hessian mercenaries passed through on their way to Chadds Ford. Records indicate that preliminary skirmishes of the Battle of the Brandywine took place at the Anvil at Hamorton and near Old Kennett Meetinghouse. Most of the early set- tlers in the area were English Quakers, who were inclined to support neither the British nor the American side, since, by tradition, they were opposed to war and the taking of oaths.
During the War of 1812, an encampment of 3,000 soldiers under the command of General Bloomfield drilled on the site of the present Kennett Square Borough Waterworks. He gave his name to the property which supported a series of early mills in the Township and was owned by the Chambers family for over a century.
Prior to the Civil War, many of the Quakers in Kennett Township were active in the “Under- ground Railroad,” which aided runaway slaves in their efforts to escape to Canada. Using railroad terminology, the persons transporting the runaways from one place to another were called “conductors” and the homes where they were concealed were known as “sta- tions.” Well-known conductors in the area were John and Hannah Cox, whose home was located near the Anvil. Dinah and Isaac Mendenhall secreted untold numbers of slaves in their home along the road now known as Route 52. Another prominent conductor, Dr. Bar- tholomew Fussell, lived a mile east of Kennett Square in a large home later owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Way and known as “The Pines.” Many old farmhouses in the area had se- cret hideaways where slaves were said to have been concealed by day and moved to the next station under the cover of night.
Free blacks were also very active in aiding runaway slaves on the road to freedom and were an important segment of Kennett Township’s population as early as 1830. Among the early black settlers appear the names of Matthews, Ray, Jones, Mayhew, Purnsley, Brock, Graves, Boyer, Winters, Turner and Glasco, many of whom were landowners by 1870. Members of the Glasco family operated a brickyard in the Township as early as 1830. There were enough blacks in the community by the mid-1800’s to warrant the establish-
45 ment of the U.A.M.E. Chapel on Bucktoe Road near the New Garden Township line. Noth- ing remains of the very large and substantial stone building which was erected in the 1850’s, but there are a few gravestones still visible in the old cemetery.
The early settlers were farmers, since the fertile soil of Kennett Township was adaptable to diversified agricultural activities. Many farmers grew produce, which they took to markets in Philadelphia and Wilmington by horse and wagon over almost impassable roads. In the mid-1800’s, a group of merchants and farmers joined together to collect funds to build a turnpike from Kennett Square to Wilmington, now known as Kennett Pike. This remained a toll road until the early 1900s.
Dairying developed as an important agricultural pursuit, and after the advent of the railroad in 1859, many of the farmers hauled their milk to the creamery on East Birch Street in Ken- nett Square or to Rosedale or Mendenhall where it was loaded on the train for Philadel- phia.
A significant step in the agricultural progress of the community was the forging of the first iron plow in Pennsylvania by Bernard Wiley in a blacksmith shop on Bayard Road in 1810. Blacksmiths, necessary in any economy depending upon horse-drawn transportation, were frequently wheelwrights as well.
A necessary adjunct of clearing the land for agriculture and building homes was the saw mill for production of lumber and the grist mill for grinding of flour for human consumption and to feed livestock. These mills were water powered and located along the streams. The first recorded grist mill in the Township was built on the Red Clay Creek in 1689. The exact location of the mill and the name of its operator are not clear. However, it is known that John Marshall operated a saw and flour mill along the Red Clay Creek in 1763 at a farm known as “Marshallvale.” In 1856, Thomas S. Marshall converted this mill to a paper mill which was the forerunner of the present National Vulcanized Fiber Company (NVF), still an important industry in Kennett Square and across the state line in Yorklyn, Delaware. The grist mill known as Clifton Mills, south of Kennett Square, began in 1770 and remained in continuous operation until the 1930’s.
46 In addition to supporting a profitable agricultural community, the national resources of the Township provided clay for bricks, lime for mortar and fertilizer, and hornblende for build- ing stone. This black building stone, found nowhere else, was used extensively for con- struction in the early days. Limestone was quarried from about 1850 to 1910 from at least two quarries in the area.
A new venture in specialized agriculture began in Kennett Township about 1895, when sev- eral residents began growing flowers and vegetables under glass. Greenhouses appeared throughout the Township, some of which have survived and are still active today, growing principally roses and carnations
The specialty which was to make Chester County world renowned began about 1885, when William Swayne, a successful florist in Kennett Square, conceived the idea of grow- ing mushrooms beneath his greenhouse benches. He sent to England for spawn, and the results were sufficiently encouraging to make him decide that a separate building would make it possible to control the growing conditions for mushroom culture. He built the first mushroom house in the area, and his son, J. Bancroft Swayne, returning from college, took over the mushroom business and made it a commercial success, eventually develop- ing a spawn plant and a cannery in addition to the growing houses. Encouraged by the Swayne success, and the attractive price of mushrooms in city markets, others began the production of mushrooms as their principal occupation.
There is record of two early private schools in the Township, one, conducted by Rebecca Gillingham in her father’s home known as “The Pines,” and the other under the care of Ken- nett Friends Meeting, which was located in the triangle between Schoolhouse Road and U.S. Route 1. Most of the one-room public schools in the Township were converted to dwellings after they were closed following the building of the Kennett Consolidated School in 1931.
Of the three post offices which have existed over the years in the Township, only one re- mains. The Hamorton office was closed soon after 1900, Norway changed to Rosedale about 1910 and was closed in 1967, leaving only the office at Mendenhall still functioning.
47 Among the well-known landmarks in Kennett Township was Woodward’s Boarding House, a large three-story summer resort with a sweeping veranda. Built in 1899 on Hillendale Road about one mile south of Rosedale, its 40 rooms welcomed guests arriving by train from Philadelphia, New York City, and Wilmington, who were taken by horse-drawn car- riage from the Rosedale station to the Boarding House. Guests enjoyed playing croquet and shuffleboard, dances, walks in the country, and entertainment with area residents until the end of World War II when rail passenger service to the area was terminated. Wood- ward’s Pine Hill Fruit Farm provided most of the fresh fare for the table. The Boarding House was destroyed by arson, July 27, 1961.
The disappearance of passenger train service to Kennett Township about 1947, and the end of the trolley service, which operated from 1900 until the late 1920’s, left the area to- tally dependent on the automobile and occasional buses that operated locally and infre- quently to Philadelphia and Washington.
Most of the early settlers were members of the Society of Friends (Quakers). When they first arrived in Kennett Township, they had to cross the Brandywine to attend New Ark Meeting in Brandywine Hundred. Because fording the Brandywine was impossible at some seasons of the year, Old Kennett Meetinghouse was built in 1710, enlarged in 1719, and again in 1731.
The meeting house, now listed on the National Historic Register, with its well-kept burying ground, is located east of Hamorton at the entrance to Kendal-at-Longwood and is open for worship in the summer. Hamorton, an important crossroads commercial center in the early and mid-19th century, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in April, 1990.
The Longwood Meeting House, located behind the Longwood Fire Hall along Route 1, was established prior to 1850 by a group of Progressive Friends concerned with the abolition of slavery. The House was dedicated in 1855 and provided a platform for many of the most radical speakers of the day on abolition, temperance, single tax and equal rights for women. The renowned author and editor, Bayard Taylor, is buried in the cemetery adjacent to the Longwood Meeting House. This building is now a tourist information center.
48 Longwood Gardens, known for its flowers, colored fountains, greenhouses and gardens, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Sites. The Longwood tract, of which there are over three hundred acres located in Kennett Township, dates back to 1700 as an original land charter from William Penn. Longwood was formerly called “Peirce’s Park” af- ter George Peirce, its founder, who established the magnificent grove of trees.
The heritage of Kennett Township’s long history is too rich to be forgotten. Many of the people and places have undergone significant changes through more than three centuries of recorded history, but the Township is now, as it was in its earliest days, a pleasant and rewarding place to live. It is the responsibility of all the citizens who enjoy the benefits of living in the township and who profit from the energy and initiative of its early settlers, to preserve for future generations the resources and heritage which Kennett Township has re- ceived from the past.
Learn More About Kennett Square and the Mushroom Industry- From NPR’s All Things Considered http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/10/12/162719130/how-a-sleepy-pennsylvania-town-grew-into-america s-mushroom-capital
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