NEWS UPDATE: Week of February 2, 2009

GENERAL INFORMATION



Economic Bill Stimulus Update

The United States House of Representatives passed, HR 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The economic stimulus bill, as the legislation is more commonly known, contains a number of key provisions for REALTORS. The House has also addressed a number of housing issues in legislation revamping the Trouble Asset Relief Program. These actions represent the first phase of enacting the Housing Stimulus Plan approved by NAR members at the annual meeting in Orlando . While we have succeeded in passing the first test, we have an uphill climb to enact these provisions in the legislation that will be considered in the United States Senate. Once the Senate passes a measure the differences with the House version will be worked out in a conference committee. We will keep you informed as things progress. To keep up to date with the latest news from Washington visit NAR’s summary of the issue.



March deadline approaches for Homestead tax reduction

Pennsylvania residents have until March 2 to file an application to share in this year’s tax reduction, made possible by revenue from Pennsylvania casinos. The amount of rebate varies according to the school district, but Pennsylvania ’s healthy slots proceeds could mean bigger checks than last year for homeowners. Last year, the state estimated the average tax bill would be cut by 10 percent, or about $169. The one-page applications are available on the county board of assessment websites listed below:

Bucks County Board of Assessment

Chester County Department of Assessment
Delaware County Board of Assessment

Montgomery County Board of Assessment

Source: The Intelligencer; 1/27/09






BUCKS COUNTY



Energy assistance available for Bucks residents

The United Way of Bucks County , the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission and the Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to offer help to Bucks County residents who struggle to pay their bills. A consumer education event was held at Bucks County Community College, hosted by Sens Chuck McIlhinney, (R-10) and Tommy Tomlinson, (R-6) last week that provided answers to those asking “Is there any help?” The event provided residents with literature on low-income assistance and tips to lower energy costs. A panel discussion included representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, the Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection, the Bucks County Opportunity Council, Keystone HELP, the Office of the Consumer Advocate and PECO Energy. For more information on the assistance program, go to the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission website at: http://www.puc.state.pa.us/

Source: The Burlington County Times ; 1/24/09



Local schools set to receive boost from stimulus spending

The $819 billion spending plan passed by the House of Representatives earlier this week could have a significant impact on local schools as $150 billion is slated for federal education spending. Earl Bruck, president of the Bristol Township School Board said that school taxes will be “significantly reduced” because of the additional funding. Bristol Township schools will receive $3.2 million in 2009 and up to $5 million more over the next two years as part of the plan, as announced by Congressman Patrick Murphy at Harry S. Truman High School . Among other local districts receiving stimulus funds include: Central Bucks ($4.7 million); Bensalem ($4.5 million); and North Penn ($4.2 million).

Source: The Intelligencer; 1/30/09



Upper Makefield preserves open space with help from Heritage Conservancy

Two conservation easements were purchased by Upper Makefield last month with the help of the nonprofit Heritage Conservancy. The township bought the development rights to 73 acres along Windy Bush Road for $1 million and spent $185,000 on 32 acres along Eagle Road . Township manager Stephanie Teoli estimates that the township has spent nearly $30 million on open space since residents first passed a bond issue in 1996. Nearly 34 percent of the 21.5 square mile township has been preserved.

Source: The Intelligencer; 1/25/09







CHESTER COUNTY



Call to Action: Birmingham sign ordinance

Currently, Birmingham Township of Chester County has a permit requirement for all open house and directional signs. REALTORS must apply for a $50 permit application fee, good for only 10 days through the Birmingham Police Department. While many of the 238 municipalities in Southeastern Pennsylvania have adopted sign ordinances which limit how you display open house directional and for sale signs, Birmingham Township is one of the few that requires a permit. Several REALTORS have expressed concern with the current ordinance.

REALTORS are encouraged to provide feedback to Birmingham Township relating to the sign ordinance by responding to this Call to Action. In addition, REALTORS are encouraged to attend the Birmingham Township Meeting on Monday, February 2, at 7:30 p.m. to discuss this issue with township officials. The meeting will take place at the Birmingham Municipal Building ( 1040 West Street Road, West Chester , PA 19382 ). Click here to log in and send your message.



Coatesville arsons receive attention from county

A multi-alarm fire that destroyed 15 homes last weekend and left 11 families homeless triggered Coatesville city officials to declare a state of emergency. At Tuesday's work session, county commissioners expressed sympathy for the fire victims and vowed to help in any way possible. Chester County is adding $5,000 to a reward fund set up to catch whoever is responsible for setting the Coatesville fires. The commissioners also declared a countywide disaster emergency due to the continuing problem of suspicious fires in the city. The declaration says that for more than 18 months a series of suspicious fires has caused the loss of life and property. The suspicious fires are continuing with increasing frequency and have endangered and threaten to endanger the health, safety and welfare of a substantial number of people residing in the city.

Source: Daily Local; 1/28/09





DELAWARE COUNTY



Concord Supervisors repeal tax and adjust real estate taxes slightly

Supervisors voted unanimously to repeal a tax that required homeowners in the township to pay $5 for every adult who lived in the household. Supervisors will compensate for the elimination of the adult per-capita tax by adjusting the real-estate taxes. The rate for 2009 will be 0.925 mills, compared to last year’s rate of 0.895 mills. The owner of the average house in the township assessed at $375,000 can expect to pay approximately $347.

Source: Daily Times; 1/19/09



PennFuture to hold Watershed Workshop

The sixth annual PennFuture Watershed Workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., April 25 at the Brandywine River Museum on Route 1 in Chadds Ford. This workshop will offer grassroots watershed groups, conservancies, municipal government officials, and volunteers insight to make a strategic difference in water quality protection. Leading environmental professionals and attorneys will discuss the legal tools available to address local storm water and wastewater management, and learn more effective ways to participate in the decision-making process. The workshop is free to PennFuture members; $10 for nonmembers. A light breakfast, lunch and all materials are included. Space is limited and registration is required by April 17. Register online or by calling 717-214-7920.



New zoning district in Edgemont

Edgemont Supervisors approved the creation of a new zoning district that exemplifies the village concept. The zoning ordinance amendment expands the C1 Commercial District and now includes “neighborhood shopping centers.” Chairman Ron Gravina noted the county planning department had favorably commented that this inclusion represented the “forefront of traditional town planning.”

Source: Daily Times; 1/27/09



Colwyn appoints administrator

A new supervisor will be assisting with Colwyn’s day-to-day operations. Benjamin Brockington took over as borough administrator on January 12.

Source: Daily Local; 1/28/09






MONTGOMERY COUNTY



Commissioners set aside $4 million for farmland preservation

Although $2 million less than what was allocated last year, Montgomery County commissioners have set aside $4 million for the farmland preservation board for 2009. Last year, the county received $2.8 million from the state for preservation, but it is undetermined how much it will receive this year. To date, Montgomery County has 116 farms totaling 7,533 acres since the program began in 1989. The county’s share of these purchases has totaled $26.1 million.
Source: The Intelligencer; 1/25/09



North Penn faces 1 mill tax hike

Preliminary figures indicate that North Penn School District faces a budget shortfall for the 2009-2010 with an initial budget of $206.5 million, about $10 million or 5 percent more than the current budget. If adopted on Feb. 10, the budget would require a tax hike of 1 mill, translating into an additional $136 in taxes for the average homeowner in the district.

Source: The Intelligencer; 1/28/09



Upper Moreland faces 11 percent tax hike

A $53.4 million preliminary budget was approved by the Upper Moreland School Board this week, which includes an 11 percent property tax increase for residents. The proposed millage rate increased from 23.99 to 26.68, more than the 4.1 percent increase allowed under Pennsylvania ’s Act 1 legislation. If approved by voters, the increase would translate into a $346 real estate tax increase for residents with property assessed at the district’s average of $128,855.

Source: The Intelligencer; 1/28/09