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Birmingham Township supervisors adopt Verizon franchise, OK grant application and authorize event indemnification; bills approved
Summary
At its May 4 meeting the Board adopted a five‑year Verizon franchise ordinance, authorized advertising for Comcast franchise hearings, approved a $42,000 Greenways grant application for Birmingham Hill fencing, approved indemnification for a Brandywine Battlefield road‑rally event, approved two HARB Certificates of Appropriateness, approved bills totaling $207,814.56 and increased Chief Nelling’s hourly rate to $72.90 for private medical coverage reimbursement.
The Birmingham Township Board of Supervisors on May 4 approved a series of routine and programmatic actions including adoption of a five‑year franchise ordinance with Verizon, authorization to advertise a separate Comcast franchise hearing, support for local historical events and a grant application for fencing at Birmingham Hill.
Key votes at the May 4 meeting: - Minutes: Vice‑Chairman Michael Shiring moved to approve the April 6, 2026 minutes; Supervisor J. Daniel Hill abstained because he was not present at the April 6 meeting; Chairman Scott Boorse seconded. The minutes were approved with two in favor and one abstention. - Bills: Supervisor Hill moved to approve General Fund bills for April 7–May 4 totaling $207,814.56; Vice‑Chairman Shiring seconded and the bills were approved. - HARB Certificates of Appropriateness: HARB recommended approval of two COAs. The Board approved a dumpster‑fence replacement at 1391 Old Wilmington Pike (Frank Rupp / Painter House Suites) with wooden dog‑eared boards painted Behr ‘Double Fudge’ and approved exterior renovations for 1035 Little Ridge Drive (Mike Ramaker) including Hardie Board siding and associated trim; both motions were unanimously approved. - RRCC Town Tour support: The Board supported the Radley Run Country Club Mansion House Foundation’s selection as a Chester County Town Tours site for July 16 and authorized temporary event signage; motion moved by Vice‑Chairman Shiring and unanimously approved. - Brandywine Battlefield indemnification: The Board authorized Chairman Boorse to execute an indemnification agreement for the Brandywine Battlefield Park Association’s "Amazing Race to the Brandywine" road rally (May 16) after coordination with police (Chief Nelling) and confirmation of landowner permissions; the motion was unanimously approved. - RPOS grant resolution: Chairman Boorse moved to adopt Resolution 2026‑0504, applying for a $42,000 Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant to replace deteriorating fencing at Birmingham Hill; Administrative Assistant Melissa Urbany designated to execute documents; motion unanimously approved. - Verizon franchise ordinance: Vice‑Chairman Shiring moved to adopt Ordinance 2026‑02 to execute a five‑year franchise agreement with Verizon Pennsylvania effective 5/4/2026 and repeal Chapter A126, Part 2, Article II of the Township Code; motion seconded by Supervisor Hill and unanimously approved. The franchise carries a 5% fee to the township. - Comcast franchise advertising: Chairman Boorse moved to authorize advertising an ordinance hearing for Comcast franchise renewal agreements (two Comcast entities) to be heard June 1; motion unanimously approved. - Chief Nelling medical coverage: The Board authorized an hourly rate increase for Chief Nelling from $62.50 to $72.90 effective June 1 to reimburse private medical coverage after he moves to Medicare; motion moved by Vice‑Chairman Shiring, seconded by Chairman Boorse and unanimously approved.
Other business: The Board heard a detailed presentation from the developer team for a proposed car wash at 1351 Wilmington Pike and requested a traffic study and additional permitting detail before considering zoning changes. There was no public comment. The meeting adjourned at 8:18 PM.
What’s next: Items requiring follow up include the applicant’s traffic study and documentation for the car wash proposal and any advertising/hearing preparation for Comcast franchise matters.
