The rates at Paxon Hollow Country Club will be the same next year.

Hopefully the weather will be better.

The Marple Commissioners voted to maintain the current fee structure at the club for 2012. The decision applies to daily and pass holder rates.

Daily rates, effective April 1-Oct. 31, will remain $50 for morning rounds Mon.-Thurs. ($60 Fri.-Sun.); $40 ($45) for afternoons and $30 ($35) for twilight. Play is also offered weekdays for nine holes ($30) and juniors up to age 18 ($25). A $5 discount is available on certain rounds for township residents with identification.

Passes valid for the calendar year may be purchased as either weekday or seven-day plans. The former permits golfers to play 18 holes per day throughout the year, Monday-Friday, with the exception of Good Friday, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. The rate for single passes for township residents is $1,300 (non-resident, $1,600); husband and wife, $2,000 ($2,500) and child 12-18 with adult, $600 ($800).

The seven day plan permits 18 holes per day on any day. The resident single rate is $1,700 ($2,100); husband and wife, $2,600 ($3,300) and child 12-18 with adult, $700 ($900). Township residents 65 and older receive a 10 percent discount on all passes.

Golf carts are mandatory before 1 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at a rental fee of $18 for 18 holes or $10 when the afternoon rate applies. 

For more information, visit www.paxonhollowgolf.com.

Upland Borough council approved a 2012 preliminary operating budget totaling $2.681 million, reflecting a zero tax increase for residents.

Millage is set at two mills; the same as 2011.

A homeowner with a residence assessed at $75,000 will pay $150 in borough tax next year. The trash service fee will also remain the same at $135 per household

If adopted, 2012 will be the 25^th consecutive year without a tax increase.

The budget is available for review at borough hall during regular business hours. Final adoption is expected at the 7 P.M., Dec. 13^th meeting of borough council. 

 Ridley Park Borough Council approved a preliminary budget for 2012 of $2,362,118 and a real estate tax rate of 7.79 mills, an increase of 0.34 mills, or $34 for each $100,000 of assessment.

     The proposed budget shows an increase of $135,945 over the current year's budget. Finance chairman Suzanne Murtha said the increase is due to new contracts for both uniform and non-uniform employees, and increases in the cost of living.

     The sewer fee will be held at $322 per unit and the trash fee will remain at $231 per unit.

 The Ridley Township Board of Commissioners recently approved a preliminary 2012 no-tax-increase budget of $17,074,375, holding the tax rate at 8.016 mills or $8.16 for each $1,000 of assessed property value.

     The trash fee will remain at $150 per household and the sewer fee will stay at $230 per household.

     Final adoption will be 6 p.m. Dec. 28.

     The senior citizen rebate program will continue in 2012, providing refunds of $100 for sewer charges and $25 for trash removal. The total rebate of $125 is for all eligible senior citizens who qualify under the Pennsylvania Property Tax Rebate program.

             At its Nov.16  luncheon meeting , Middletown Township Business and Professional Association unanimously re-elected Lisa Yerges, Director of Business Services at Penn State Brandywine, to another one-year term as president. 

             Serving with her in 2012 by unanimous vote will be Vice President Jim Hannigan of the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, Secretary Bridget Monaghan, of Oliver Bair Co./Monaghan Funeral Home, and  Treasurer Helene Weathers of Delco Bookkeepers, a past president of the association.

            Elected to the board of directors by the same unanimous vote was Sue Mescanti of the Middletown Historical Society. She will join David Belanger of the Delaware County Library System and Virginia Falkenbach of Virginia Falkenbach Web Design, who were re-elected to additional one-year terms. Also on the board in 2012 will be current members Steve DiSerafino of Pappone’s Pizzeria, Aubrey Proud of Granite Run Mall and Shirley Booth of Prudential Fox  & Roach Realtors. 

     Dragonfly Forest received $1,000 to provide chidren with serious illnesses and disorders the opportunity to enjoy an overnight camp experience  at a site equipped to meet a variety of physical, medical and psychological needs and is filled with activities that allow each child to bnefit from a true camping atmosphere.

     HEADstrong Foundation got a $1,000 grant to support the fifth annual Nick Colleluori Men's Lacrosse Cassic, which drew more than 5,000 spectators. All funds generated will support the fight against blood cancers.

    The Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania received $500 to fund delivery of high quality civil legal services and community legal education to low income and vulnerable residents of the TCF service area.

Marcus Hook Borough officials are trying their best to keep taxes down, but with the potential closing of the ConocoPhillips and Sunoco oil refineries looming large; borough residents could be facing a 1.5 mill increase in their 2012 real estate taxes.

Even though Borough Manager Bruce Dorbian reiterated several times during a recent meeting that the budget is preliminary and a work-in-progress, he did not mince words when discussing the impact on the community of the refineries cease operation.

“We are concerned about the drop in the earned income tax (EIT) from the refineries,” he said.

Council approved a preliminary operating budget totaling $2.9 million of which the highest expenditures include $855,000 for public safety, which includes police protection and fire services; $978,000 for items such as insurance and benefits; 343,000 for highway; and $261,000 for general expenses.

If adopted as is, millage will be set at 9.97 mills; and increase of 1.5 mills over the 2011 budget. A homeowner with a property assessed at $75,000 will pay $747.75, reflecting an annual increase of $112.50.  

A public meeting will be held 6 P.M., Nov. 30 at borough hall to discuss the budget. Final adoption is expected at council’s regularly scheduled meeting at 7 P.M., Dec. 5^th. 

             Middletown Township’s draft operating budget for 2012  shows a shortfall of about $500,000 between anticipated expenditures and revenue. Township Manager Bruce Clark said that before a final 2012 budget is put to a vote of council in December, some adjustments must be made to eliminate the gap.

            Preliminary revenue estimates for 2012, including available cash fund balances, total  $3.4 million, a decrease of $207,460 decrease over the 2011 budget of $3.6 million. Clark noted the greatest decline in revenue is from the real estate transfer tax, reflecting the economic downturn.   Conversely, anticipated expenditures total $3,941,764, which is 8.9 percent more than the adopted spending level for 2011.

            The draft budget does not project any salary adjustments for township employees next year. Clark said an adjustment will need to be considered and funds allocated for this purpose as well. However, it also does not include a $220,951 savings in debt service that the township will realize mostly in 2012 from the recent refinancing of its 2007 bonds.  In 2012, slightly more than $508,000 would have been needed to be paid out under an average interest rate of 3.8 percent. The average interest rate of the new bonds issued through RBC Capital Markets is 1.86 percent, which means a payment of slightly more than $277,000 will be needed in 2012.

            Clark pointed out that the draft 2012 budget continues the 1.60 property tax millage rate of 2011 to cover operations. Using the 2011 tax levy and the average $194,000 residential assessment, the typical property owner received a tax bill this year of $310 for township purposes.  Along with municipal operations, included is debt service and direct support for the library and three volunteer fire companies.

             In contrast, Clark said the same property owner paid $1,006 to the county and $4.316 to Rose Tree Media School District during the current year.

            The residential sewer rental fee paid directly to the Middletown Sewer Authority will be $275 per household in 2012, an increase of $25.  The recycling fee will remain at $50 per household.  Property owners contract for trash collection by private haulers.

          Middletown Council voted unanimously to award an $8,633 contract to Boyce Associates for a new playground structure for Lenni Park that’s manufactured by Little Tykes.

          Township Manager Bruce Clark explained that during the past winter, a large tree fell on a section of a multi-use play structure in the park. The township received an insurance settlement of  about $11,000 to replace the entire structure. Replacing  just the damaged part of the structure would cost almost as much, Clark said.

          The new piece of equipment will be installed in the spring, at an estimated cost of $3,200.

Councilwoman Jennifer Gaudino recently presented the first reading of the borough’s 2012 preliminary operating budget.

The proposed budget, which at this point is not balanced, totals $1.912 million in revenue and $1.946 million in expenditures; reflecting a shortfall of $33,890.  

Gaudino cautioned that the budget process is in its early stages and the impact of the closing of the ConocoPhillips and Sunoco refineries has not been factored in as of yet.

“These numbers are very preliminary,” said Gaudino. “And they do not take into account what this borough will lose in income as a result of the closing of the refineries.”

Proposed millage was not discussed as Gaudino said the budget was still a work in progress.

The largest expenditures in the proposed 2012 budget include $849,200 for public safety; $501,725 for insurance and workman’s compensation; and $233, 884 for general fund expenses, which includes engineering, solicitor and tax collector fees as well as utilities and maintenance. 

The Upper Providence Police Department, township staff and local businesses initiated a holiday program which will help township residents who may be facing financial challenges in the current economic climate. In an effort to assist families during the holidays, these groups have joined together to make the season a little brighter.

   Recommendations of individuals or families in need of assistance should be made to the police department at (610) 566-8445 during business hours. Donations are welcome at the township building 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. All donations will go into “UPT Elves,” a standalone fund for this purpose. Checks should be made payable to “UPT Elves” and dropped off or mailed to Upper Providence Township, 935 N. Providence Rd., Media, PA 19063 Attn: UPT Elves.

   The township is also a location for the annual Toys for Tots campaign. New, unwrapped toys can be placed in bins in the lobby of the township building during regular business hours.   

   Rutledge Borough Council presented borough secretary Gennifer Guiliano with a framed citation from the Pennsylania State Association of Boroughs in recognition of her 10 years of service with the borough.

   Morton Borough Councilman Bill Bissell recently reported that both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency have approved 100 percent reimbursement for the borough for expenditures incurred by the borough in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

   Bissell put the amount it cost the borough for storm sewer damage and debris clean-up at about $50,000.
 

Nominations are being accepted for Trainer Borough Person of the year. Please submit nominations by Nov. 30 to Mayor Fran Zalewski, 9^th and Main Streets, Trainer, Pa. 19061. 

Known by locals as the “sale,” the Booth’s Corner Farmers Market has been a staple in the Bethel Township community for more than 75 years. Founded in the early 1930’s by local farmer Earl Phillips, the Amish would travel from their farms in Lancaster County to sell freshly grown eggs, vegetables and handmade goods in an open market on 14 acres of Phillips property. 

In the years that followed the great depression, a group of sheds and outdoor buildings were added to the existing barn for individual businesses that sold a variety of meats, farm fresh produce, and poultry.

“The place was packed every Friday night with shoppers,” said current owner Paul Cohen. “Our special weekend live auction was a huge draw for many years.”

Throughout the years, the Farmers Market has been home to well-known entertainers such as Ed McMahon, who hawked gadgets in the market’s midway, and Bill Haley, of Bill Haley and the Comets, who played guitar for the shoppers.

By1963, the market was owned by a group of partners, who were eventually bought out by the Cohen family.

A devastating fire destroyed the original market in 1973, which was replaced by a more modern building. Within the past two years more buildings were added to accommodate the thousands of shoppers who visit the “sale” every weekend. 

Today, more than 100 businesses, including many run by the Amish, operate in the Booth’s Corner Famers Market. From fresh produce, baked goods, juices, ice cream, and a variety of restaurants to clothing, antiques, cell phone supplies, collectibles, and cosmetics- the Booth’s Corner Farmer’s Market has it all.

“This place has been my life,” said Cohen. “My children have all worked here with me and my wife, Barbara, visits here very often.”

Cohen obviously enjoys his work, but credits the Amish with making the “sale” something truly special.

“We have always had a great relationship with the Amish,” he said. “They are kind, decent people and I think their plain, simple lifestyle is great. Their children are respectful and they are hard workers. In my opinion, the Amish are and have always been the backbone of the Farmer’s Market.”

The Booth’s Corner Farmers Market is open year round 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday.