Current Bulletin

October 2, 2019

Panhandle Civic Association Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, September 23, 2019

Attending: Jim Cruickshank, Tom Frank, Josh Hunter, Julie Lindberg, Mike Mignogna, Mark Werther and Christine Wright

Membership materials – Josh Hunter brought a mockup of a trifold pamphlet intended to be distributed by Block Captains to new residents. Josh is to be commended for the fine work he has produced. To follow up, Julie and Mark will share some small edits with him, Josh will contact Dana Hibbard about a Facebook update, and a map of the Panhandle has to be reconfigured. Christine will approve the final product and arrange for printing and distribution to the Block Captains.

Security camera initiative – Julie Lindberg will ask later in the fall for volunteers to work with her on this project. Privacy is serious and a main concern. Tom Frank spoke of the Ring cameras and the possibility of privacy breaches with them. The camera project will entail security camera information only so the PCA will not incur any liability. (After the meeting I wondered if this group could become the impetus to reorganize a local Townwatch. Just a thought. CW)

Property taxes – Mark Werther says that no changes to SB 76 have been made and believes that that initiative is stuck in committee and in abeyance. Mark also discussed the rising nuisance of spam telephone calls. He reported that complaints go to a special Communications Group in the PA Attorney General’s office. Some phone providers can block these nuisance calls, but Verizon can’t for landlines. Mark has called Michelle Kichline’s (County Commissioner) office to ask that they review the increases in the Chester County taxes for the past ten years. Mark believes that while Tredyffrin taxes are reasonable, he doesn’t think that the County tax increases are.

Mike Mignogna explained the use of the CLR (Common Level Ratio – the ratio of assessed value to market value of a property) with regard to property taxes and suggested that could be a topic for a program in the spring. We will discuss that in January.

We will meet again in Executive session in January to discuss an event for the spring annual meeting. I am waiting to hear from Marianne from the Library about Jim Cruickshank’s suggestion of using/renting their patio space for the annual meeting with the large group room as weather backup.

Jim said the treasury remains at $6,174.34 and that he received documentation from the Wells Fargo Bank with our nonprofit status. He also reported that he had called Rep. Melissa Shusterman’s office about the potholes on Upper Gulph Road. Those potholes have been filled. Coincidence or not, good initiative.

I am to call Melissa about the State’s response to the Spotted Lantern Fly. I will get back to you when I’ve talked with them. While I am on the phone, I will also ask what if anything they are doing about the spam telephone calls we are besieged with.

Meeting adjourned.


Follow up: I spoke with Marianne, the room reservation person for the Library. She said that people may rent the patio at $30 an hour, no alcohol. Generally people reserve the large group room in case of rain. The tricky part is that the large group room is in high demand. Something to think about for our spring meeting.

Also, I spoke with Tyler in Melissa Shusterman’s office. He said that currently the State is simply providing information about the Spotted Lanternfly. They are not providing grant money or spraying. The link is: https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/Pages/default.aspx.

Regarding spam telephone calls – PA Senator Andy Dinniman introduced SB306 last winter. It would allow for Robocall Opt Outs and Permanent “Do Not Call” registration. In February it was referred to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, where it is apparently lanquishing.

PCA Executive Committee