NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING TO BE BUILT 2021
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SUMMER
2021
NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING TO BE BUILT 2021
P ocopson Township Board of Supervisors awarded bids for the new Township Municipal Building at a public
meeting on April 12, 2021. As reported in the monthly Board of Supervisors meetings, careful consideration
has been given to several variations of renovating the existing 740 Denton Hollow Road facility, building an addition to
the Barnard House, as well as building new construction on the Wawaset Road Township property.
When the decision was made to take down the tobacco shed, which was located on the Barnard House property, due
to safety concerns, the Board quickly realized this was the perfect location for the new Township building.
The exterior design of the new building is a nod to the past and history of the Township and site while the interior is
designed for state of the art functionality for the future. Stone and timber from the former tobacco shed will be
incorporated in the design of the administrative office area and public meeting room. This new building will share the
same exterior color scheme as the Barnard House. The building will comply with the International Energy
Conservation Code and the electrical design will be provisioned to facilitate the future incorporation of a ground
mount solar array. The Capital Projects budget is fully funded to cover the cost of this new building.
Continued on page 2
Below are renderings of the front and rear facades.
FRIENDS OF BARNARD STATION
J une 21, 2021, the Friends of Barnard Station (FOBS) and Pocopson Township signed an agreement allowing the first floor of the
historic Barnard House to be used in the creation of a new Heritage Center. This milestone is the culmination of several years of
work by many.
Friends of Barnard Station is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization and the new Heritage Center will be funded through donations,
grants, and other contributions. It is envisioned to share the story of the Barnard family and their running an active station on the
Underground Railroad, as well as helping to form the creation of Pocopson Township and participating with other area Quaker abo-
litionists to establish the Progressive Meeting located near the entrance to Longwood Gardens.
FOBS is actively creating a scope of work for the restoration of the first floor of the
historic building. A fundraising effort will be kicking off in the upcoming months.
Volunteer opportunities for workdays will be announced as they are planned. If you
are interested in helping work on the project please contact us at:
BarnardStation@gmail.com
For those who wish to make a financial donation, checks made payable to Friends of
Barnard Station can be sent to:
Friends of Barnard Station
PO Box 63
Pocopson, PA, 19366
Follow us on Facebook at Barnard Station
PAGE 2
NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING
Continued from page 1
Construction began in July 2021 and occupancy of the new building is
tentatively planned for early Q1 2022. Access to the Pocopson Park Trail
Board of Supervisors: will be open during construction but parking may be limited. Township
Ricki Stumpo, Chair operations will continue out of the 740 Denton Hollow building until the
rstumpo@pocopson.org new building is completed and ready for occupancy. Thank you for your
Elaine DiMonte, Vice-Chair patience during the construction. Below are the consultants and
edimonte@pocopson.org
contractors who have been selected for this exciting township project:
Ray McKay, Supervisor
rmckay@pocopson.org Architect: Godshall, Kane, O’Rourke, Ambler, PA
General Contractor: BSS Contractors, West Grove PA
Pocopson Township Office: HVAC Construction: Gaudelli Brothers, Millville, NJ
Phone: 610-793-2151
Fax: 610-793-1944 Plumbing Construction: LGB Mechanical, West Berlin, NJ
Address: Electrical Construction: Lenni Electric Corp, West Chester, PA
740 Denton Hollow Road MEP Engineers: Consolidated Engineers, Leesport, PA
West Chester, PA 19382
Civil Engineers: Gilmore & Associates, Kennett Square, PA
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1 Building Inspection: Keystone Municipal Services, Swarthmore, PA
Pocopson, PA 19366
Office Hours: Weekdays, 9 AM — Noon
Below are renderings of the upper office area and lower level meeting room.
Web Site: www.pocopson.org
General questions: info@pocopson.org
Administrative Staff:
Susan Simone, Secretary
secretary@pocopson.org
Peter Barsz, Treasurer
treasurer@pocopson.org
Aleida Diaz, Administrative Assistant
adiaz@pocopson.org
Public Works Department:
Mark Knightly, Director NEW PARK GATE
Ben Aponte
T
Michael Cialini his summer, the new gate was installed at the Locust Grove Road
Ron Miller Park Entrance in response to the residents’ concerns after a public
Address:
meeting. Please be sure to remain at a safe distance when the gate is in
1440 Lenape Road
West Chester, PA 19382
motion to open or close the park entrance.
Phone: 610-793-2387
Cell: 484-947-9379
publicworks@pocopson.org
Building Inspection:
Fran McArdle, Keystone Municipal Services
Phone: 610-793-9390
Zoning and Code Enforcement:
Craig Kologie, Castle Valley Consultants
Phone: 610-793-2151
Newsletter Editor: Aleida Diaz
PAGE 3 S UMMER 2 0 2 1
RECYCLE RIGHT! POCOPSON ENERGY TEAM
Drop-off Recycling – Township Building P ocopson Township previously adopted a
resolution (for Township-owned buildings
only) to be 100% renewable energy by 2050. A
Recyclables are commodities. Dirty or contaminated, they are
committee has been established that meets
worthless. But clean recyclables (a good rinse is sufficient) have value
quarterly. They have been helpful in reviewing
and may be turned into new products.
energy use plans in the new township building.
Here are a few of the most common contaminants that must be kept They are keeping up with energy news on all
out of the recycle bins: plastic bags, textiles such as bedding and fronts with an overall goal to encourage all
carpets, holiday lights, clothes hangers, extension cords, and non- energy users in the township to consider more
recyclable plastic. efficient methods and materials and sources of
energy. They are going to focus on specific
Drop-off recycling is accepted at public recycling bins located behind Township owned buildings as we move forward.
the Township building at 740 Denton Hollow Road. The bins are They are also looking to provide practical ways to
emptied every Monday by SECCRA (Southeastern Chester County conserve and decrease energy use throughout
the township for all residents and businesses.
Refuse Authority). It’s important that the only items you put in the bins
are those accepted by SECCRA as listed in detail on the signs posted If you are interested in learning more or wish to
volunteer for this committee, please contact the
on each bin. Township office at 610-793-2151 and you will be
given more information or put in contact with the
committee.
SEPTIC TANK
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
F ailing septic systems can cause slow-running
drains, sewage backing up into the
basement, and wet, smelly areas in the yard.
Septic failures can contaminate drinking water
and nearby streams.
Regular pumping of septic tanks helps prevent
costly system failures and is required in
Pocopson Township. Every property owner with
an individual on-lot sewage disposal system is
required to have their septic system or cesspool
pumped and inspected at least every three years,
with limited exceptions (see §170-23 of the
Township Code for more information).
When too many non-recyclables are mixed in with recyclables,
For a list of County-licensed haulers, visit the
the entire truckload becomes trash and has to be dumped at a Chester County Health Department website at
landfill. When in doubt – throw it out! chesco.org or call 610-344-5368.
Approved haulers notify Chester County of their
NEW TREASURER activity. In turn, the County notifies the Township
of septic system pumping in Pocopson and that
I n December 2020, the board reluctantly accepted the resignation of information is maintained in a database.
our Treasurer, Peggy Lennon. Peggy had served for 15 years and Residents are advised to keep a copy of
her personal experience and knowledge of the history of township is- pumping receipts in case of a discrepancy
sues was invaluable. Following the recommendation of the Township between the County and Township’s records and
your own.
Solicitor, the board engaged the services of Barsz, Gowie, Amon, and
Fultz, CPA to handle the Treasurer position tasks as the firm has exten- Compared to a potential replacement cost of up
sive experience with the township regulations and policy. With Peg- to $20,000, regular septic tank cleanouts are a
gy’s help, the transition has been quite smooth. We wish Peggy well in bargain that will help protect both your
investment and the quality of life in the
her new position in East Bradford Township.
community.
PAGE 4
LOCUST GROVE SCHOOLHOUSE
T he Pocopson Township Historical Committee is progressing on the restoration project at the Locust Grove
Schoolhouse.
First constructed in the mid 19th century, the building was enlarged to its current configuration in 1870. The building
served as a public school until 1923 when the Unionville Joint Consolidated School opened.
The interior of the building has been completely refurbished using period details taken from clues within the building or
from historic documentation. Over the past year reclaimed white oak flooring has been finished, the plaster partition
between the school room and the cloak room has been rebuilt, and the interior trim details have been recreated. The
entire interior of the building has been freshly repainted. On the exterior of the building the original window sashes were
repaired and the exterior woodwork was repainted last fall.
Through the generosity of volunteers and donors, an antique coal stove
was placed in the school room and the wooden sign along Locust Grove
Road has been re-lettered and painted.
The Historical Committee has been moving in framed documents and
vintage photos for display. The reproduction school desks and stools will
be returning to the building later in the fall.
A mini grant through the Brandywine Conservancy was awarded to the
project earlier this year to support the initiative to connect the lower level
of the building to public water and sewer. This will be the beginning of the
next phase of the project installing restrooms in the cellar of the building.
The Historical Committee plans to have a building re-dedication in the
spring of 2022.
The public will be invited to experience the 19th century building that was
an important part of the Township as it was first founded. For more
information about the Locust Grove School and the restoration project,
visit locustgroveschoolhouse.org.
BARNARD HOUSE RESTORATIONS 2020
E arly in 2020, using the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant previously secured by the Township, repairs were
completed to windows, doors, and trim on the exterior of the main house. Windows required extensive repairs and
water was infiltrating the stone walls. All sashes were removed and worked on off-site for rebuilding, reglazing, and
painting. Windows were covered until reinstallation. Frames were repaired as needed on-site. Antique glass was used for
broken panes, only on the first floor. A new cellar bulkhead door was built and all aluminum storm doors and windows
were removed. New wooden storm doors were installed. Work was substantially completed before Covid-19 restrictions
forced work to cease.
An agreement has now been signed with the non-profit, Friends of Barnard Station, under which they will restore the
interior of the first floor of the main house for use as a heritage center to highlight the Barnard Family history, associated
assorted farming activities, and its role in the Underground Railroad.
Attic windows before (left) and after (right photo). Aluminum
storm door replaced with period appropriate constructed
storm door.
PAGE 5 S UMMER 2 0 2 1
Do I Need A Building Permit?
P ermits are required to ensure that construction activities meet the requirements of the ICC Building Codes. Some pro-
jects may also require zoning permits. Examples of projects that require permits include: Demolition of any structure.
New construction and additions to an existing structure. Alterations that require moving any plumbing drain, vent or water
supply pipe, or the addition of electrical or mechanical construction.
Bathrooms and Kitchens
HVAC systems: New construction and alterations/replacements
Basement alterations that create living space
Plumbing: New construction and relocation of existing supply, drain, waste and vent lines
Electrical: All aspects
Doors and Windows: When enlarging openings
Re-roofing
Fireplaces
Decks and patios
Generators
Fences and walls
Swimming Pools: In ground and above ground
Underground Storage Tank: Removal or installation
Accessory buildings and structures, such as sheds, detached garages, and pole barns
Grading/Erosion and Sediment Control: When 1,000 square feet or more of earth is disturbed
Driveways: New or enlarged
Storm Water Management: When changing existing system or creating new impervious coverage
Wells and septic systems (Permit issued by Chester County Health Department)
Signs, both permanent and temporary (a permit is not needed for political signs 30 days prior to an election)
Permit applications are available on the Township website (www.pocopson.org). They may be picked up at the Township
Building, or call 610-793-2151 to have the forms faxed, emailed, or mailed to you.
GET REAL TIME ALERTS WITH ReadyChesCo.org
ReadyChesCo is the official notification system for weather emergencies, missing persons alerts, prison incidents
(Chester County Prison officials highly recommend subscribing to this service), evacuation and shelter-in-place orders,
and more. Users can choose which types of information to receive, and can also note any special needs information that
may be useful for emergency responders.
• Receive messages by text, email or phone call, or any combination of the three.
• Get messages for more than one address (home, office, relatives’ homes, schools).
• You can set up a "quiet time" so as not to receive messages during sleep hours.
For more information and to register, visit www.readychesco.org.
ReadyChesCo is a free subscription service.
CONSTANT CONTACT TOWNSHIP EMAIL NEWSLETTER
Would you like to stay abreast of the latest Township information?
Sign up for our email newsletter. Simply go to our web site at
www.pocopson.org, and fill out your information. All we need is your
name and email address. Don’t worry, we won’t inundate your inbox
with emails. You will be informed of office holiday closures, public
work announcements and any legal notices, etc.
PAGE 6
REDUCE STORMWATER RUNOFF POLLUTION
S tormwater runoff is rainfall that
flows over the surface of the
ground. It is created when rain falls on
pollutants come from vehicles, pet
waste, fertilizers, pesticides, illegal
dumping, construction sites, and spills.
• Maintain vehicles in good repair;
fix leaks and clean up spills; park
only on paved surfaces.
roads, driveways, parking lots, roofs Managing pollutants at the source
and other impervious surfaces that do ensures that the environment • Reduce the size of your lawn by
not allow water to soak into the downstream is protected, whether for creating beds of shrubs and
ground. Where rain falls on paved recreation (fishing, swimming) or perennials, especially native plants
surfaces, a much greater amount of source water (drinking, bathing). that are adapted to our climate
runoff is generated compared to runoff and soils and thus can withstand
To minimize pollutants in runoff: periods of drought.
from the same storm falling over a
forested area. These large volumes of • Limit your use of lawn fertilizers, • Skip the pavement and consider
water are swiftly carried to local herbicides, and insecticides. Use permeable hardscaping for
waterways and can cause flooding and natural fertilizers (compost or slow pathways and patios.
erosion, washing away important release fertilizer).
habitat for critters that live in the • Plant trees, which act like giant
• Don’t fertilize before a heavy rain. umbrellas and allow rainwater to
stream.
Sweep fertilizer off paved areas infiltrate back into the soil.
Stormwater runoff also picks up and and rinse spreaders on the lawn
carries with it pollutants from paved so that excess fertilizer is Sources: Adapted from Arizona’s
surfaces, such as oil and grease, absorbed by the grass rather than Stormwater Outreach for
pesticides, nitrogen, phosphorus, being lost to runoff. Municipalities and from PennState
bacteria, trash, and metals. These Extension.
• Pick up after your pets.
PUBLIC WORKS HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
P ublic Works has been busy this
year! The basketball courts at the
park have been refinished and the
T he Chester County Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA) continues to provide
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events.
tennis courts will be completed later
this summer. There is currently a traffic
study underway for a stop sign at REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL HHW EVENTS, and registration
Locust Grove and Haines Mill Roads. takes place ONLINE ONLY! Registrations will begin about a month be-
Also, a new automatic gate was fore each event.
installed at the Locust Grove park. It
opens at 6:30 am and closes at
8:30pm. The public can register through CCSWA webpage at https://
www.chestercountyswa.org/121/Upcoming-Household-Hazardous-Waste-
Event. Events are planned for August 28, 2021, Oxford School District Admin-
Upcoming Paving istration Building, Oxford, and October 9, 2021, Government Services Center,
West Chester.
Paving is scheduled for parts Red
Bridge Farms subdivision, and parts of
Isaac Taylor and Nathan Hale Drives • You must pre-register for CCSWA HHW Collection Events.
The rest of Red Bridge Farms • All material must be in trunk/bed area of vehicle.
subdivision will be paved in 2022. • Stay in your car.
• Follow traffic as you are directed.
There will also be paving on Locust
Grove Road between Rt 52 and Lanchester Landfill (CCSWA)
Unionville-Lenape Road. Paving will
take place between late summer and
TVs can be recycled at the Landfill at 7224 Division Highway, Narvon, PA
early fall.
17555. The limit is 1 TV per household, no projection TVs, you must show your
Lastly, the Road Master requests that if ID that you are a resident in our service area. You may also recycle a maximum
you have inlets near your home, please of 3 computers and computer peripherals. Contact CCSWA at 610-273-3771 or
make sure they are clear of debris such via the website: www.ChesterCountySWA.org.
as branches, leaves, trash, etc. Thanks!
PAGE 7 S UMMER 2 0 2 1
RENT AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
T he County of Chester, Department of Community Development, has received over $34.5 million to provide eligible
county residents with emergency rental and utility assistance. While the eviction moratorium has been extended until
July 31, 2021, it is highly unlikely that there will be future extensions. The assistance program website includes information
on program eligibility, frequently asked questions, and an applicant checklist: https://www.chesco.org/4905/Rent-
Assistance. To access the program, residents must call 2-1-1 to conduct an initial intake and referral to one of Chester
County’s five contracted providers. Those who are eligible can use the emergency rent and utility funding to pay
outstanding rent, electricity, gas, water and sewer; and energy costs such as fuel oil or propane over a 15-month period.
SOUTHEASTERN CHESTER COUNTY REFUSE AUTHORITY (SECCRA)
219 Street Road, West Grove, PA 19390
SECCRA accepts waste generated within the SECCRA Region as shown on the service area map. Pocopson Township is
part of the SECCRA service area. Please see article on page 3 for accepted recyclables at the SECCRA/Pocopson Recy-
cling Center. Waste accepted at SECCRA Center at 219 Street Road (Route 926) includes household non-hazardous
waste, TVs, furniture, and clean-up debris. Other acceptable waste includes construction, demolition, tires (no rims), appli-
ances, branches, brush, leaves, and grass. Please visit the SECCRA website at www.SECCRA.org or contact SECCRA at
info@seccra.org for a list of the applicable charges and tipping fees. Special charges apply for recycling appliances. SEC-
CRA does not charge a fee to recycle newspaper, magazines, junk mail, aluminum cans, bi-metal cans, etc.
VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES
B oth Longwood and PoMarLin Fire Companies are looking for more volunteers in many capacities. As the number
of emergencies continues to grow, so does the need for more people to volunteer. Training is provided as well as
all required gear. Recruitment and retention of volunteers is a great concern. Without volunteers, paid firefighters will
become the norm. Longwood now has three as does Kennett Fire Company for responses during weekday working
hours. PoMarLin is now assessing its needs.
Volunteer emergency response service is extremely rewarding and is vital to the quality of life and safety to all in the
community. Contact your local fire companies for additional information on ways to serve.
Longwood Fire Company 610-388-6880
PoMarLin 610-347-2179
PAGE 8 S UMMER 2 0 2 1
TOWNSHIP THRIVE ON VOLUNTEER TIME AND TALENT
P ocopson Township is fortunate to have a great group of residents contributing their talents to Boards, Commissions, and
Committees. Thank you to the many people who volunteered their time in 2021 to improving our community:
Agricultural Security Area Committee: Becky Baily, Judy Cousins, Kennett Library Representative: Brad Peiper
George P. Wickersham, Jr., Brittany Venit, Jennifer Van Anda
Clean Stream Team: Kathy Miller (Chair), Bill Haaf, Carol Haaf, West Chester Library Representative: Kiran Rotkar
Bernadette Kegelman, Janet Fassbender, Jennifer Matkov, Randy
Mims, Sarah Mims Kennett Fire & Regional EMS Commission Representative:
Alan Davis
Energy Committee: Bill Haff, Bernadette Kegelman, Mike Magee,
Don McKay, Kathy Miller, Sonal Sehgel, Nate Wilson Kennett Area Regional Planning Commission Representative:
Historical Committee: Pat Burnett, Doug Fearn, David Miller, Randy Vacant
Mims, Sarah Mims, Loralynne Yost Tony Musacchio
Emergency Management Coordinator: Kevin Gosselin
Parks, Recreation & Trails Committee: Jesse Noa (Chair), Tom
Bierl, Justin Colella, Christopher Conaway, Janet Fassbender, Jor- Brandywine Battlefield Task Force Representative:
dan Gushurst, Judy Lovell Ray McKay
Planning Commission: Gary Summers (Chair), Mickey Bailey, Paul Scenic Byways Commission Representative: Sarah Mims
Cardell, John Hess, Robert Miller, Matt Murphy, Sean Rafferty
Zoning Hearing Board: J Paul Haldeman, Jim Noon, Nate Wilson, Uniform Construction Code (UCC) Board of Appeals: Peggy Cona-
David Ziegler way, Anthony Diver, Mark Thompson
Volunteers are always welcome! We are currently in need of a Kennett Library Representative and a Scenic By-
way Commission Representative. Please contact Township Secretary or a Board Member for more information.
Pocopson Township
P.O. Box 1
Pocopson, PA 19366
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