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Suburban REALTORS® Alliance News Brief Headlines   Scroll down for full text of articles   General ·  Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Treatment Gets One More Year ·  FEMA releases streamlined Letter of Map Change process   Bucks ·  County budget holds taxes steady ·  Court orders Warrington to return $1 million in business tax receipts ·  Silverdale tax rate stays the same for 50th year ·  Dublin Borough works on revitalization plan   Chester ·  Downingtown residents to see increase in fees ·  Parkesburg to repeal per capita and occupational tax ·  West Chester to amend parking regulations for multi-family dwellings ·  Oxford Area board accepts limit on tax hike   Delaware ·  Budget-less Colwyn facing tax sanctions ·  Chester dodges tax hike, ends ‘12 with surplus ·  Eddystone approves budget draft calling for tax hike ·  Rutledge budget calls for millage spike   Montgomery ·  Lower Merion passes budget with no tax increase ·  Springfield Township adopts budget with first tax increase since 2005 ·  Cheltenham residents spared tax increase ·  Conshohocken leaves property taxes unchanged ·  Lower Providence approves budget   Philadelphia ·  Property reassessment figures bolster Nutter’s position on AVI ·  Lead Paint Disclosure and Certification Law ·  Frankford on the fast track to revitalization   General  Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Treatment Gets One More Year While there is still very little focus on the importance of the Mortgage Forgiveness tax credit, the fiscal cliff deal did extend its provisions for one more year. The credit, which was set to expire at the end of 2012, is crucial to foreclosure mitigation efforts such as principal forgiveness and short sales. Normally, U.S. law decrees that when a lender forgives all or a portion of a borrower’s debt, the forgiven amount is considered taxable income for the borrower. This is known as Cancellation of Debt (COD) Income and must be included in a taxpayer’s gross income. This Act, however, created an exception to this rule under the U.S. Tax Code. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act allows homeowners who received principal reductions or other forms of debt forgiveness to not pay taxes on the amount forgiven. The amount extends up to $2 million of debt forgiven on the homeowner’s principal residence. For homeowner’s to qualify, their debt must have been used to “buy, build, or substantially improve” their principal residence and be secured by that residence. The law, which was passed in 2007 with a 5 year sunset provision, will now be in effect until January 1, 2014. Here is a link to the official NAR document on the fiscal cliff real estate provisions, including the 1-year Mortgage Cancellation extension: http://www.ksefocus.com/billdatabase/clientfiles/172/4/1711.pdf.  FEMA releases streamlined Letter of Map Change process On December 17, 2012, FEMA launched the Online Letter of Map Change (LOMC) – a new way to submit a request to change a property’s flood zone designation. The new Online LOMC application allows anyone to electronically submit required documents and property information when they are requesting that FEMA remove their property from a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Applicants can use this new website to request a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) instead of using the MT-EZ paper form. A LOMA is a letter from FEMA stating that an existing structure or parcel of land will not be inundated by a base flood. LOMA-eligible requests must be concerning properties on naturally high ground, which have not been elevated by fill. FEMA is planning to roll out more features in the coming months. The new Online LOMC offers many advantages over the paper-based request process: • Applicants may save information online and finish applying at their convenience • Clear and intuitive interface makes applying user-friendly • Frequent applicants can manage multiple LOMA requests online • More efficient communications with LOMA processing staff • Applicants can check their application status in real-time For more detailed information, visit www.fema.gov/online-lomc   Bucks   County budget holds taxes steady Bucks County commissioners unanimously adopted a $390.7 million budget for 2013 without raising taxes. To balance the budget, the county will continue a hiring freeze that was instituted a year ago. The county laid off 24 workers last year but expects that 50 employees will retire or resign by midyear, and that layoffs will not be needed in 2013. The county real estate tax rate will remain at 23.2 mills – with one mill equal to a tax of $1 for each $1,000 in assessed property value. The owner of a home assessed at the county average of $35,900 can expect a tax bill of $835. For the first time in four years, the budget was not balanced using a transfer from the county rainy day fund. Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 12/20/2012   Court orders Warrington to return $1 million in business tax receipts The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has overturned Warrington’s business privilege tax, saying the township must return more than $1 million in tax receipts that have been collected from merchants over the past three years. The ruling reversed both Bucks County and Commonwealth court decisions, and found the township’s ordinance imposing a fixed tax on businesses with gross receipts over $1 million illegal. The Supreme Court’s opinion stated that the 2008 ordinance that levied a $2,600 annual tax violated part of the Local Tax Reform Act. The act prohibits mercantile or business privilege taxes on part or all of a businesses’ gross receipts. Warrington has held the tax revenue in an escrow account and returning the monies will not impact the township budget. Source: PhillyBurbs.com; 12/20/2012   Silverdale tax rate stays the same for 50th year Silverdale Borough council gave final approval to the 2013 budget on Dec. 17. Borough Council President Clair Black said that the last change to the borough’s property tax rate was in 1963 – when the rate was reduced. The borough property tax rate will remain at 2.75 mills. This amounts to a tax of $82.50 on a home assessed at $30,000. Sewer and trash collection rates will also remain the same in 2013. The borough has also announced plans to collect the three largest delinquent sewer bills – one is about $6,000 and the other two are $11,000. Liens have already been placed on the properties and the owners were given opportunities to set up payment plans. The borough is sending letters to the property owners informing them that they could lose their homes if the bills are not paid. Source: Perkasie News Herald; 12/21/2012   Dublin Borough works on revitalization plan Dublin Borough held a public meeting on Dec. 13 to discuss the revitalization plan being developed in the borough. The Dublin Revitalization and Visioning Task Force has a mission of developing planning tools that will lead to more jobs and successful businesses in the borough. Some suggestions included adding street trees, more attractive street lights, and improving signage and overall walkability within Dublin Borough. Borough Council President Nicholas Rosica shared that resident requests to replace the playground in the park have been heard, and that the playground will be replaced during upcoming park work. The new revitalization plans will most likely include changes to the zoning ordinances and incentives to encourage development that follows the plans. The next public meeting to discuss revitalization is expected to held in March. Source: Perkasie News Herald; 12/20/2012     Chester   Downingtown residents to see increase in fees Downingtown Borough residents will have to prepare for other fee increases along with the real estate tax for 2013. The Downingtown Municipal Water Authority will be increasing its fees, effective Jan. 1, 2013. According to Nathan Roush, executive director for the water authority, and its board Director Hank Hamilton, the increase in fees is a result of flat revenue. The new revenue from the increase will be used for the water authority’s capital improvement projects and repairs to infrastructure.  Borough customers that use at least 5,000 gallons in a quarter-long period will see an increase of $10 per quarter. Customers who use less than that amount will see an increase of $2 for every 1,000 gallons per quarter. Council members are also waiting to hear if the borough’s administration will recommend an increase in sewer fees. The current fee is $5.50 per thousand gallons per day. Downingtown Council approved a tax increase included in the 2013 budget, through which residents will see a rise in real estate taxes. For the average homeowner, the rate hike to 7.65 mills will translate to an increase of $68 in taxes for the year. Source: Daily Local; 12/27/2012   Parkesburg to repeal per capita and occupational tax The Borough Council of Parkesburg will consider for adoption a proposed ordinance repealing the annual per capita tax and the annual occupational tax on residents. The amount of revenue estimated to be lost from the change is $17,000 for 2012, with collection costs estimated to be $3,000. The ordinance will be considered for adoption on Monday, January 21, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Borough of Parkesburg Municipal Building located at 315 West First Avenue Source: Daily Local; 12/23/2012   West Chester to amend parking regulations for multi-family dwellings West Chester Borough Council will consider adopting an amendment to Chapter 112 of Borough Code which relates to parking regulations. The Ordinance would revise the off street parking regulations for multifamily dwellings based on the number of bedrooms in the dwelling unit and clarify the off street parking regulations for new buildings erected in the Town Center District. The ordinance will be considered on January 16, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at a public hearing in Borough Hall, 401 East Gay Street, West Chester. Source: Daily Local; 12/27/2012   Oxford Area board accepts limit on tax hike If Oxford Area’s school property taxes go up next year, the increase will be no more than 1.7 percent, the limit set by the state’s Act 1. During a meeting Thursday, school board members voted to stay within that taxing limit as they prepare a 2013-14 budget.  Had they elected to go higher, a voter referendum would be needed and the budget preparation process would be accelerated to meet earlier deadlines. Although the board agreed to stay at or below the 1.7 percent limit, its members have not made a decision about how to bridge the $3.4 million gap between anticipated revenues and expenses. Also a problem on the revenue side of the budget is the increase in successful assessment appeals by property owners.  Board member Donna Arrowood reported there were 182 assessment appeals this year resulting in a loss of $6 million in assessed value that translates into a loss of $180,000 in revenues. Source: Daily Local; 12/24/2012     Delaware   Budget-less Colwyn facing tax sanctions Despite a motion to approve Colwyn’s 2013 budget, the borough council failed to vote on the proposed budget before the state-mandated deadline expired. With no budget as of the end of 2012, Colwyn is subject to unspecified sanctions, according to Crystal Powell, the borough’s solicitor. Possibly worse than any sanction, the borough is prohibited from levying a real estate tax — its primary source of income. “Without a passed budget, Colwyn can’t pass a tax ordinance,” Powell said following the meeting. “Without that ordinance, legally the borough can’t collect any taxes.” The budget proposal presented totalled more than $1.7 million in spending with no major changes compared to last year’s budget, according to Council President Tonette Pray. A letter was sent to borough employees informing them payroll checks could not be issued as scheduled on Dec. 28, due to lack of cash in the borough’s accounts. The borough was to seek a Tax Anticipation Note to bridge the financial gap until tax revenues began rolling in for 2013, but that short-term solution may be in jeopardy. Source: Daily Times; 1/2/2012   Chester dodges tax hike, ends ‘12 with surplus Chester City Council approved its 2013 budget, adopting a $47.17 million spending plan that holds the line on all city taxes. Councilman Nafis Nichols also announced that the city expects to finish 2012 with a surplus despite having to incur an arbitration award to the firefighters union. That package cost the city an additional $2.4 million and included retroactive wage increases being spread across the 2012 and 2013 budgets. In late November, Nichols had projected that the city would conclude the year with a deficit, but the city took various measures to cut expenses. Chester also gained some unanticipated revenue from a pilot program and other sources. The real estate tax remains at 29.792 mills, which equates to about $536 in taxes on a house assessed at $18,000. The same household also would pay $27 in library taxes, slated at a rate of 1.5 mills. The budget also keeps the city’s earned income tax rate for residents at 2.15 percent and its rate for nonresidents at 1.15 percent. The business privilege tax remains at 3.65 mills for retail and services businesses. It stays at 2.74 mills for wholesale businesses. Source: Daily Times; 12/26/2012   Eddystone approves budget draft calling for tax hike Eddystone Borough Council approved a preliminary 2013 budget requiring a 0.8-mill tax increase for a total millage rate of 6.55 mills. For a property assessed at the average of $70,000, the proposed millage rate would result in a $56 a year increase in borough taxes, the first tax increase in seven years. The sewer fee will remain at $200 per unit under the preliminary budget. Residents do not pay a trash removal fee, something that acting Borough Manager Joseph Possenti said is unique. Source: Daily Times; 12/22/2012   Rutledge budget calls for millage hike Rutledge Council approved a final 2013 budget, requiring a tax increase of 0.61 mills, for a total millage rate of 5.29 mills, or $5.29 for each $1,000 of assessed property valuation. For example, a house with an assessment of $100,000 will pay a borough real estate tax bill of $529. The trash fee will go up $26.89 per unit, for a total of $210.06. The sewer fee will remain at $544.14 per unit. Source: Daily Times; 12/26/2012     Montgomery   Lower Merion passes budget with no tax increase The Lower Merion Board of Commissioners recently adopted a 2013 budget with no real estate tax increase. The adopted $58.24 million General Fund budget will continue with a 4.19 mill tax rate for the second year. The owner of a single-family home at the average assessed value of $360,000 will pay $1,508 in township real estate taxes. The adopted budget is $340,295 higher than the budget proposed in November, with the bulk of the increase – $313,000 – attributed to the first year costs of a new four-year police contract. Source: Main Line Times; 12/27/2012   Springfield Township adopts budget with first tax increase since 2005 Springfield Township commissioners approved a $16.8 million budget for 2013 that includes a property tax increase of 6.3 percent. This will mark the first tax increase in the township since 2005. The tax rate is set at 3.584 mills, with one mill equal to $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in assessed property value. The owner of a home assessed at the township average of $175,400 will pay $628.63 in township real estate taxes, an increase of $37.53 over 2012. Source: Springfield Sun; 12/21/2012   Cheltenham residents spared tax increase The Cheltenham Township Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a 2013 budget that will not include a tax increase. In November, a budget was proposed that would have increased township real estate taxes by 6.5 percent to close an estimated $2 million deficit. To close the deficit, the township made $662,000 worth of personnel cuts. The commissioners also approved Bryan Havir as the new township manager. Source: Glenside News; 12/30/2012   Conshohocken leaves property taxes unchanged Conshohocken Council unanimously approved the final 2013 budget that will keep the current real estate tax rate at 3.5 mills. One mill is equal to a tax of $1 for each $1,000 of assessed property value. The owner of a home assessed at the borough average of $100,000 will pay $350 in borough real estate taxes in 2013. Source: Times Herald; 12/20/2012   Lower Providence approves budget The Lower Providence Board of Supervisors approved a $9.5 million final budget for 2013 on Dec. 20. The spending plan maintains the current real estate tax rate of 1.512 mills. A homeowner with a property assessed at the township average of $167,022 will see a property tax bill of $252.54. The township will use $730,023 from the fund balance in order to balance the 2013 budget. This is the ninth year in a row that Lower Providence has not increased taxes, although Township Manager Richard Gestrich warned that the budget picture for 2014 may need to include a tax increase. Source: Montgomery Life; 12/26/2012 Philadelphia   Property reassessment figures bolster Nutter’s position on AVI The preliminary numbers for Philadelphia’s citywide property reassessment have arrived, and they appear to be good news for Mayor Nutter and advocates of his tax-reform effort. The data – while incomplete – show that the property-tax rate under a new system would be considerably lower than the ruinous rate predicted by City Council this year. Nutter called the nearly completed reassessment of 579,000 parcels “an important milestone” in fixing the city’s infamously inequitable property tax system. As the planned changeover to the new system is made next year, Nutter pledged not to seek a property-tax hike, which would be the first time in three years without an increase. The reassessment so far has tagged the market value of all taxable property in the city at $96.5 billion. To collect the same amount of property tax in the next fiscal year – $1.2 billion – the administration figures the tax rate would have to be 1.3 percent of a property’s value, if no tax relief measures are added. That means the owner of a home worth $100,000 would pay $1,300 under the 1.3 percent scenario, or $2,600 for a $200,000 property, an equation Nutter called “the ultimate in just mathematics.” The average residential property tax bill is now about $1,400, but that’s based on a system with wildly disparate assessments that usually don’t reflect actual market value. Much work remains to determine how individual homeowners and neighborhoods would be affected under the new system. Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 12/21/2012   Lead Paint Disclosure and Certification Law Beginning December 21, 2012, the Lead Paint Disclosure and Certification Law requires Philadelphia landlords to ensure that property rented to families with children 6 years and younger is lead safe. The law states that upon turnover, before renting any house or apartment built before 1978 to new tenants with children aged 6 years and younger, the landlord must: ·         certify the property is lead safe or lead free ·         provide the tenant with a copy of a lead safe or lead free certificate, along with other required information ·         provide the Department of Public Health with a copy of the lead safe or lead free certificate, signed by the tenant In addition, landlords must indicate they are complying with the law when they apply for a new or renewed rental license. For more information about the new requirements and for links to the new law, sample lead certificates, and a list of certified lead inspectors visit http://www.phila.gov/health/childhoodlead/LeadPaintLaw.html.   Frankford on the fast track to revitalization For too many years, Frankford’s main drag hovered in decline under the El tracks – dark, dirty, desolate, plagued by drugs and crime and fear. Today, the bustling 4600 block of Frankford Avenue is the targeted center of a revitalization that Jason Dawkins and his boss, Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, hope will radiate out along the Avenue from Womrath to Bridge streets. Karen Lockhart Fegely, director of the city Commerce Department’s Office of Neighborhood Economic Development, which is funding much of Frankford Avenue’s revitalization, said that keeping the avenue clean and well-lit and replacing deteriorated old facades with bright new ones has fueled business-corridor transformations from Roxborough and Manayunk to Fishtown’s Girard Avenue. Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 12/26/2012

Suburban REALTORS® Alliance News Brief Headlines Scroll down for full text of articles   General NAR to Administration: Do No Harm to Housing State budget proposal could slow school district construction PA Anti-Texting Law will go into effect in early March DVRPC to launch first Classic Town photo contest Bucks Nockamixon to challenge gas drilling law Upper Southampton working to keep neighborhoods dry County commissioners debate legal notices Bensalem denies charter school Chester Alliance disagrees with W. Brandywine interpretation of IBC Coatesville officials bargain for parking lots Great Valley school officials discuss budget gap Coventry Mall not closing, but will challenge its assessment Delaware Glenolden tables sewer lateral ordinance Upland councilman takes oath Haverford rules against billboards Montgomery Worcester Township sign regulations Cheltenham approves antidiscrimination ordinance Upper Dublin School District reduces proposed tax hike Lower Merion appoints 55 to Comprehensive Plan committees Lower Merion School District bond-sale results in lower proposed tax increase General NAR to Administration: Do No Harm to Housing The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is strongly opposed to elements of President Obama’s budget proposal that would limit itemized deductions, including the mortgage interest deduction, for thousands of families. NAR firmly believes that the mortgage interest deduction is vital to the stability of the American housing market and economy. NAR President Moe Veissi noted the importance of protecting the Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID) and capital gains in a recent statement: “The MID must not be targeted for change. Any modifications to the deductibility of mortgage interest will harm housing and homeowners, and until housing markets have stabilized, there cannot be a robust economic recovery. Realtors® are actively engaged to ensure that America’s 75 million home owners will continue to receive this important benefit.” Veissi said that NAR also strongly opposes eliminating capital gains treatment for any carried interest of a real estate investment partnership. “The loss of capital gains treatment for income from a carried interest could disrupt the conventional business model and places an unfair tax burden on general partners,” he explained. “Ultimately, this would negatively impact commercial real estate investment.” Source:  National Association of REALTORS; 2/13/2012 State budget proposal could slow school district construction Pennsylvania school districts planning construction projects may soon hit a financial snag if Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed budget is approved. The proposed budget calls for a freeze on accepting applications to PlanCon – the program that school districts follow to request reimbursement funds from the state for capital projects. School administrators are worried that a reduction or moratorium on reimbursement will require districts to make up the difference with local tax dollars, which are already limited by Act 1 guidelines. Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 2/21/2012   PA Anti-Texting Law will go into effect in early March A new law that will outlaw texting while driving in Pennsylvania will go into effect on March 8. The law prohibits as a primary offense any driver from using an Interactive Wireless Communication Device (IWCD) – such as a smart phone, wireless phone or portable computer- to send, read or write a text-based communication while his or her vehicle is in motion.  Text based communications are considered  text message, instant message, email or other written communication composed or received on an IWCD.  The texting ban does not include the use of a GPS device, a system or device that is physically or electronically integrated into the vehicle, or a communications device that is affixed to a mass transit vehicle, bus or school bus. Cellphone use is also permissible under the law. The new law will supersede any local ordinances regulating texting while driving that had previously been in place. Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 11/3/2011   DVRPC to launch first Classic Town photo contest The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) announced the launch of its first ever “I Love Classic Towns” photo contest. The contest is part of DVRPC’s groundbreaking Classic Towns of Greater Philadelphia program and is designed to engage the community in showcasing the region’s unique neighborhoods in both the city and suburbs. At present, there are 20 towns designated as Classic Towns by the DVRPC. They include: Ambler, Bristol Borough, Kennett Square, Lansdale, Lansdowne, New Hope, Phoenixville, Souderton/Telford, and West Chester. For more information, visit www.classictowns.org. Source: Avon Grove Sun; 2/16/2012     Bucks Nockamixon to challenge gas drilling law A new state law was recently passed that eliminates a municipality’s authority to determine where gas companies may drill within their boundary. The law also provides an impact fee for unconventional wells drilled within the Marcellus Shale region. Nockamixon Township does not lie within the Marcellus Shale rock formation; rather it sits atop the Lockatong and Stockton rock formations.  Therefore, any well drilled within the township would be considered conventional and not entitled to collect an impact fee. The Nockamixon board of supervisors recently authorized a legal challenge to the new law to provide clarification for differing interpretations of the law. State Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-10), feels that the new state law does not preempt local zoning in Bucks County and that conventional wells are not included in the law. Nockamixon Township attorney Jordan Yeager and Sen. McIlhinney will request a clarification from senate attorneys. Recently, Turm Oil submitted a permit application to drill a natural gas well on the former Cabot Chemical property on Beaver Run Road in Nockamixon. Source: PhillyBurbs.com; 2/23/2012 Upper Southampton working to keep neighborhoods dry Upper Southampton has begun work on two new storm water management projects to provide future relief for flood prone neighborhoods. The first is Joan Drive, which has an existing storm system that is too small to handle extreme precipitation. The second is the Willow Street project near Willow Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, which is also prone to flooding during heavy precipitation. Upper Southampton supervisors will plan a meeting with homeowners in the flood prone areas to provide important input for storm water planning. Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 2/23/2012 County commissioners debate legal notices Bucks County commissioners recently selected The Intelligencer and Philadelphia Inquirer as the newspapers of record for public notices on election deadlines and polling places in 2012 and 2013. Commissioner Diane Marseglia disagreed with the decision, stating that the Bucks County Courier Times should be considered because it has higher local readership than the Inquirer. Commissioners Robert Loughery and Charley Martin stated the decision was due to the state law that requires the county to approve contracts with the two lowest bidders. The proposed cost of the legal ads will be $45,000 through Dec. 2013 for The Intelligencer, and approximately $12,500 for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 2/23/2012 Bensalem denies charter school For the second time this year the Bensalem School Board has denied the application of a proposed charter school within the district. The school board denied the Isaac Newtown Academy Charter application because the school proposed offering educational programs that are similar to the district’s offerings and lacked specific information for sustainable support for the charter plan. Charter schools are funded with tax money from the school district. In a letter to the community, the Bensalem Township School District provides clarification of charter school funding, state legislative mandates and the charter school application process. Click here for the letter. Source: PhillyBurbs.com; 2/23/2012   Chester   Alliance disagrees with West Brandywine interpretation of International Building Code West Brandywine Township supervisors recently voted to end a “moratorium” on conducting point-of-sale use and occupancy inspections of residential real estate. After a long and heated debate over whether the township should move forward with an inspection program, the board voted 2-1 in favor of inspections. Supervisor Thomas McCaffrey voted against the measure. Supervisor William Webb, who began serving on the board in January and is the building codes officer in Valley, supports the inspections and asserted that the township could be liable for negligence if it does not require inspections. During the debate Township Manager Ronald Rambo claimed that the inspection program is required because the township has adopted the PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC), which includes the International Building Code (IBC). Both the Suburban REALTORS Alliance and PA Department of Labor and Industry – which regulates the UCC – disagree with Rambo’s interpretation of the IBC and its impact on the sale of existing homes. Alliance staff is currently in discussions with the township, but encourages REALTORS® to follow the new requirements until further notice. The township is currently compiling a list of potential inspection items. Source: Daily Local; 2/21/2012   Coatesville officials bargain for parking lots The Coatesville Redevelopment Authority authorized a lease agreement that allows the city to use some of its properties for fee-operated parking lots. According to the agreement, the authority will lease 300 E. Lincoln Highway, 7070 E. Lincoln Highway and 706 Diamond St. to the city for either permit or paid parking. The authority wants to retain ownership of the property in case of any future developments. Authority The authority still owes the city $7 million from a loan a few years ago, and the rental payment from the city could be used as debt relief. Source: Daily Local; 2/22/2012   Great Valley school officials discuss budget gap Great Valley School District has begun mapping out a strategy for closing the budget gap for the 2012-13 school year and beyond. The preliminary budget for the school district, which was approved Jan. 17, is $79.1 million — a 2.4 percent increase over the 2011-12 school year. Even with a $3.8 million supplement from reserve funds, a $1.47 million budget gap remains. According to Superintendent Alan Lonoconus, revenue shortfalls, due to charter or vocational technical schools and a decrease in real estate values, will result in tax increases and making up the difference with the reserve balance. The reserve fund is expected to be completely depleted by the 2016-17 school year if the current pattern of revenue shortfalls continues. Lonoconus also said that the district can expect to see about $2.5 million in reduction to the school budget every year for the next three years. The administration also plans to host community outreach meetings to discuss the budget, the first one taking place in East Whiteland on a to-be-determined date. The school board plans to approve a final budget by June 4. Source: Daily Local; 2/19/2012 Coventry Mall not closing, but will challenge its assessment Contrary to rumors, Coventry Mall will not close or be put up for sale anytime soon, but mall officials do plan to once again challenge the property’s current tax assessment. An appeal filed last summer that would have reduced the mall’s assessment from $54.9 million to $51 million was denied by the Chester County assessment board in September, according to North Coventry Township Manager Kevin Hennessey. The mall currently pays $1.5 million in property taxes to the Owen J. Roberts School District, $217,728 in property taxes to Chester County, and $87,860 in annual property taxes to North Coventry Township.  All three taxing entities are sharing the cost of having a new appraisal of the property conducted for use in the court case. Source: Daily Local; 2/23/2012   Delaware   Glenolden tables sewer lateral ordinance Glenolden Borough Council tabled an amendment that would establish sewer lateral inspections at the point-of-sale in response to concerns raised by the Suburban Realtors Alliance. The tabled amendment to the borough’s current sewer ordinance would have set regulations for all sanitary sewer lateral connections, established requirements and timing for authorized inspections, and described proper maintenance practices for laterals. Alliance staff has sent a letter outlining several concerns with the ordinance’s potential impact on the transfer of property. Borough officials have indicated that they will meet with the Alliance to discuss the amendment. Upland councilman takes oath Dan Smith received the oath of office from Upland Mayor Michael Ciach as the newest member of council, representing the second precinct. Smith replaces Georgiana Cassidy-Hicks, who resigned from council last month. A 12-year borough resident, Smith is beginning his seventh year as a member of the Upland Fire Co., where he currently serves as chief. He views his appointment as an extension of his concern for public safety and the community. Source: Daily Times; 2/22/2012   Haverford rules against billboards Haverford zoning officials voted to deny and dismiss Bartkowski Investment Group’s (BIG) validity challenge to township zoning ordinances regarding advertising signs, along with BIG’s proposal to install 672-square foot, double-faced billboards at 1157, 1330 and 2040 West Chester Pike in Havertown and 600 and 658 Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr.  BIG alleged that Haverford’s sign ordinance improperly and unconstitutionally excludes non-accessory outdoor advertising signs and billboards. Non-accessory or off-premise signs advertise a product of service “elsewhere than upon the property on which the sign is located.”  Township Solicitor Jim Byrne offered that ads on bus and trolley shelters, shopping carts, ball fields and the Skatium are examples of different types of off premise signs that are allowed within the township. Many residents in the audience applauded the decision, but a representative from BIG vowed to challenge the decision. Source: Daily Times; 2/19/2012     Montgomery Worcester Township sign regulations REALTORS® doing business within Worcester Township are reminded that the Worcester Township Code of Ordinances prohibits the placement of off-site “Open House” or “For Sale” directional signs. Non-compliant signage will be removed by Worcester Township. Click here for the Worcester Township Municipal Information page that includes information regarding posting “For Sale” signs on a residential property in Worcester Township. Please contactWorcester Township with specific questions. Cheltenham approves anti-discrimination ordinance Cheltenham Township became the 27th Pennsylvania municipality to enact an anti-discrimination ordinance that will protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) residents. The ordinance prohibits discrimination against LGBT residents in matters of public or housing accommodation, commercial property or employment, and establishes a nine-member human relations commission to receive and resolve complaints. The township is accepting applications for the Human Relations Commission. Click here for more information about the application process and the ordinance. Source: Glenside News; 2/17/2012 Upper Dublin School District reduces proposed tax hike As anticipated, the Upper Dublin school board announced that its proposed maximum tax increase has decreased from 4.47 percent to 4.24 percent. The reduction is due to changes in calculations of Act 1 exemptions for special education and pension funding. A 4.24 percent increase would amount to a $5,526 tax bill for the average home assessed at $192,000 in the district. The school board will begin budget presentations in March, with special meetings planned in March and April dedicated to the budget. Visit the newly redesigned Upper Dublin School District website for more information. Source: Ambler Gazette; 2/17/2012 Lower Merion appoints 55 to Comprehensive Plan committees The Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners recently approved the appointment of 55 volunteers to serve on committees tasked with the completion of a new comprehensive plan. The last update to Lower Merion’s comprehensive plan was in 1979. The committees will each be chaired by a member of the township planning commission and include: Land Use, Housing, Circulation, Community Facilities and Infrastructure and Water and Energy Resource Conservation. A kick-off meeting for the next phase of the Comprehensive Plan update will occur on March 5 at 6 p.m. at the Township Building, 75 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore. All committee meetings will be open to the public. Source: Main Line Times; 2/21/2012 Lower Merion School District bond-sale results in lower proposed tax increase Officials in the Lower Merion School District expect to cut an anticipated school tax increase by nearly half due to an unexpected windfall from a bond sale last month. The bond refinance was initially expected to save $2.1 million, but has increased to $3.3 million. The savings from the sale will be used to cut the anticipated 3.92 percent tax increase listed in the preliminary budget. The cut is expected at an upcoming meeting, visit www.lmsd.org for more information. Source: Main Line Times; 2/21/20112