NEWS UPDATE for the week of February 23, 2009

GENERAL

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

The recently enacted “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” is a $780 billion package of tax cuts and federal spending intended to occur in 2009 and 2010. The mix of provisions of interest to REALTORS® continued to change just hours before the measure was released prior to the vote. In the end, the key elements of NAR’s housing agenda were included. Follow the links below to learn more:

·REALTORS advocate quick implementation of Stimulous Package


·American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009


·Modifications to the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit


NAR hails ‘Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan’

NAR has compiled a quick analysis of President Obama’s “Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan,” announced Feb. 18, to help those who are at risk of losing their homes.

Read NAR's statement on the plan

Review components of the plan


US 422 Corridor multi-modal master plan

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission unveiled the first phase of planning efforts for the US 422 Corridor Multi-Modal Master Plan at two public meetings this week. Input from the public and public officials is important to the success of this planning effort. For more information about the master plan or to provide you comments, please visit www.422coalition.com/422plan.htm.



Philadelphia revitalizes employer-assisted housing program

Philadelphia is launching a revamped employer-assisted housing program in an attempt to kick-start sluggish home sales and entice more people who work in the city to live in it. A byproduct of the program’s dual goals would be increasing the city’s overall population, which continues to decline annually but not as fast as it used to. Called “Home Buy Now,” the program could give prospective home buyers up to $17,500 toward purchasing a new house in the city, which — combined with some savings — could mean the difference between going to the closing table or not. While the city started an employer-assisted housing program a little over a year ago, it wasn’t being aggressively promoted and its scope was limited. The city’s Commerce Department has restructured the program, allocated $1.5 million toward it and will officially re-launch it in March. One of the key differences in the new program is the involvement of a contingency of 20 residential developers with projects in Philadelphia with new homes that aren’t selling.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 2/13/09




BUCKS COUNTY

Bristol Borough School Board votes on preliminary budget

The Bristol Borough School Board recently voted on the preliminary budget for the 2009-2010 school year. The budget of $20.5 million would, if finalized, increase real estate taxes from 120 to 128 mills. The next public school board meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2009.

Source: AllAroundPhilly.com 2/18/09



Warminster Township receives recycling grant

Warminster Township will receive $79,455 in grant money from the PA Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Performance Grant program. Warminster recycled 4,929 tons of material in 2008. The grants are an incentive to help Pennsylvania communities increase recycling participation and promote economic growth.

Source: Bucks County Courier Times 2/19/09



Newtown Township forms traffic committee

A resolution to form a traffic committee was passed Feb. 11 by the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors. Traffic volume is an increasing problem in the township and neighboring Newtown Borough. Therefore, township leaders are hoping to form a joint traffic committee with Newtown Borough to study the matter and come up with some solutions, including coordinated efforts for Sycamore and State Streets.

Source: AllAroundPhilly.com 2/18/09


CHESTER COUNTY


Residents, delegates discuss pipelines

Members of Chester County's state legislative delegation met Tuesday with residents from all over the county who have one thing in common — a desire to protect their property and the county's natural resources from needless degradation by pipeline companies. Many of the people are being affected by one of three separate pipeline projects: Williams' Transco natural gas pipeline expansion project; AES' Sparrows Point liquid natural gas project; and the Dominion project to bring natural gas from Marcellus shale in Greene County to Chester County . With each new project, homeowners who are in the path of the pipeline say they are being forced to grant easements under threat of eminent domain. While the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is responsible for oversight of the projects, there is a wide perception among participants that the federal agency is more interested in facilitating the pipeline companies than upholding the interests of citizens. With three pipeline projects currently in the county, the goal of Tuesday's meeting was to give residents affected by one project the opportunity to meet with residents affected by another project. Click here to access a map of the county prepared by Sen. Andy Dinniman's (D) office that showed the county criss-crossed by existing natural gas or petroleum pipelines owned by eight companies.

Source: Daily Local; 2/17/09



‘Livable Landscapes’ map unveiled

The centerpiece of Chester County ’s smart growth policy proposal is a map entitled "Livable Landscapes for Chester County". This map depicts the location of designated growth and preservation areas within Chester County.

In recognition of the County’s diversity, the map is divided into a series of landscape types which depict areas based on their distinguishing characteristics. Landscape types include the four original Rural, Suburban, Urban, and Natural landscapes and the introduction of the Agrarian landscape in western Chester County . The map also recognizes areas of the County that include resources of national significance, including Valley Forge National Historic Park , Brandywine Battlefield Landmark, and the Hopewell Big Woods. The Chester County Planning Commission invites you to review the draft map, land use policies, and landscape descriptions on-line and offer your comments at www.landscapes2.org.



East Vincent hosting zoning discussion Wednesday

The township is hosting a workshop Wednesday on transferable development rights and the "open space design option." Transferable development rights concern the exchange of zoning privileges from areas with low population needs, such as farmland, to areas of high population needs, such as downtown districts as a means of controlling growth. An August 2008 memo from Township Planner Ray Ott states that East Vincent supervisors amended their comprehensive land-use plan in 2002 to designate areas where development is to be directed during the next 10 years. About 885 acres north of the power line are outside the growth area and are zoned agricultural preservation and rural conservation. Last year, a proposal for an age-restricted senior community was the subject of several public meetings. Transferable development rights could end up being part of the final deal, if one is ever completed. The meeting will take place on Weds., February 25 at 7:30 pm.

Source: Daily Local; 2/17/09



In Coatesville, a matter of trust

For more than three hours, Coatesville officials discussed the city's finances and questioned the city manager's proposal to withdraw from the trust fund for ongoing arson investigation expenses. Last week, City Manager Harry G. Walker asked council to withdraw $900,000 from a trust fund to cover expenses related to the ongoing arson investigation. But council refused to approve the withdrawal before receiving an up-to-date list of city expenses and revenues. In regard to the trust fund option, Walker said he wants to spend about $624,000 on police overtime, $41,000 on firefighter overtime, $82,000 for a new police officer, $77,000 for a new full-time firefighter and $77,000 for a new public works employee. During the explanation of the budget and finances, council members repeatedly questioned Walker 's decision-making skills. Walker defended his work on the city's finances, saying that he's managed much more difficult situations prior to his tenure in Coatesville. In a brief interview after the meeting, Walker told the Daily Local News he has no plans to resign.

Source: Daily Local; 2/18/09




DELAWARE COUNTY

Marcus Hook, down for so long, may be on the upswing

As the economy splashes red ink on many municipal ledgers, Marcus Hook may be better conditioned to survive, even thrive. Long beset by the woes typical of tattered industrial towns, the Hook, as its denizens fondly call it, is accustomed to dealing with seemingly intractable problems. The town already has much to recommend it: sturdy, affordable houses (price range: $90,000 to $105,000), some dating to the 19th century, and a reclaimed waterfront with a community center and fishing pier. Plans call for creating a recreational lane on 10th Street where it widens outside the commercial district so it can safely accommodate bikers and hikers as part of the East Coast Greenway, an urban Appalachian Trail from Florida to Maine . Other dreams about to be realized include the PA State Department of Transportation's replacement of the dilapidated Market Street Bridge , which carries Route 452 over the Amtrak tracks and into town, creating a more appealing "front door." The borough is also trying to attract developers to build shops, offices and apartments - a so-called transit-oriented complex - in the area around the train station. Click here for the full article.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 2/13/09



Delaware County council wants townships to ‘get ahead’

Delaware County Council Chairman Linda Cartisano told a gathering of officials at the annual dinner of the Delaware County Association of First Class Township Commissioners that the county is hoping to “get ahead of the crowd” by putting together a list of what municipalities need for presentation to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., in anticipation of a federal stimulus plan. The association represents the townships of Aston, Darby, Haverford, Lower Chichester, Marple, Ridley, Springfield , Tinicum and Upper Chichester .

Chairman Cartisano also explained the county’s role in the funding for the planned soccer stadium in Chester . She said the funding source for the county’s recent $30 million bond issue is restricted to gaming funds that come out of Harrisburg and must be used in the area where gaming is located. Harrah’s Casino and Racetrack is in Chester .

Source: Daily Times; 2/14/09



Springfield schools vote on budget draft

The Springfield School Board recently approved the proposed preliminary 2009-2010 budget.

District officials say they won’t have a true picture of expenses and revenue for months, but have assured there will be no public referendum on a tax increase over the 4.1 percent state-imposed index. The budget has a $195 tax increase for the average assessment. If tax relief from state gaming revenue comes in at the expected level, that increase could be offset by about $167. This will mean a millage rate of 26.619, which translates to just less than $3,900 for the average assessment of $146,000. Last year’s rate of 25.284 mills was just less than $3,800. The next budget vote by the board is scheduled for May. The final budget must be approved and sent to the state in June.

Source: Daily Time; 2/16/09



Haverford School District approves 5.6 percent tax hike

The Haverford School Board approved a proposed preliminary budget requiring a 5.6 percent tax increase. The new figure would bring the millage rate to 23.336 mills—an increase of $172.67 for a house assessed at $142,600. The district will need to apply for an Act 1 exception since the increase exceeds the 4.1 percent cap imposed by the state without approval by referendum.

Source: Main Line Time; 2/12/09



MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Whitemarsh Township 2009 tax levy holds steady

Whitemarsh Township supervisors voted to establish the 2009 real estate tax levy at 8.74 mills. This represents no increase in the real estate taxes for township residents.

Source: The Times Herald 2/14/09



Upper Dublin School Board proposes tax increase

The Upper Dublin School Board approved a preliminary 2009-2010 budget that calls for a 7.96 percent tax increase. For a home assessed at $195,000 this will amount to a tax increase of $353, bringing the total tax bill up to about $4,795. A final version of the $74 million budget will be up for approval by the school board before June 30. Reasons for the increase include salaries, medical benefits, revenue shortfalls and a decline in revenue from real estate transfer taxes.

Source: The Times Herald 2/14/09



Proposed 7.8% property tax increase for Lower Merion School District

The Lower Merion School Board released the preliminary 2009-2010 budget which calls for a property tax of 21.644 mills, an increase of 1.566 mills or 7.8%. A property with an assessed value of $258,520 will receive a tax bill of $5,595, an increase of $405 from last year. Reasons for the increase include recent school construction, salary and benefits.

Source: Main Line Times 2/18/09



Lower than anticipated property tax increase for Norristown Area School District

Citing increased state aid and a larger use of the district fund balance, the Norristown Area School District was able to reduce the anticipated property tax increase for the 2009-2010 year from a suggested 6.455% discussed three weeks ago to 3.566%. The total real estate tax will be 29.43 mills, an increase of 1.013 mills for a tax bill of $3,786 on the average home assessed at $128,651.

Source: The Times Herald 2/18/09