City Council passes 2014 budget; taxes to rise 3.5 mills

Plan includes contingencies to increase accountability of administration By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times COATESVILLE – City Council adopted the preliminary budget for 2014 at its meeting Monday night. The budget, set at just over $10 million, includes a 3.5-mill tax increase to make the new rate 9.415 mills. The budget also includes stipulations in order to stimulate redevelopment in the...

Landlords claim city increased fees while decreasing services

Group feels city created gratuitous fees; Council says they must cover costs By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times COATESVILLE – A group of landlords voiced grievances about City Council’s electrical, plumbing, and rental fee increases at Monday night’s City Council meeting. With some more than doubling this past January, the landlords also believe that services have decreased. “The primary...

City Council designates a ‘revitalization district’ downtown

Beautification and business growth efforts to focus between 1st and 4th Ave. By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times CAPP member Ted Reed (left) and Chairperson Regina Horton Lewis (right) present Acting Fire Chief James Lentz with a $5,000 check. The grant from the Stewart Huston Charitable Trust will be used to purchase new barricades. COATESVILLE – City council passed a motion to designate...

Coatesville promotes four police officers, boosts force

City Hall packed as four raised in rank, eight more hired at City Council meeting By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times Lt. James R. Audette, Sgt. Roger H. Ollis, Jr., Cpl. Brenden M. Boyle, and Cpl. Jonathan A. Shave stand in front of friends and family after taking their oaths of office. COATESVILLE – The Coatesville Police Department promoted four police officers at the City Council meeting...

City to take $1.4 million from trust fund to cover 2013 expenses

Withdraw of money will prevent tax hike but is only a stopgap solution COATESVILLE – The City Council reversed itself and voted in favor of borrowing $1.4 million from a trust fund in order to cover various city expenses for the rest of the year at its meeting, Monday night. City Council voted against borrowing the money earlier in the month, but the absence of two members and the remaining members...

Council votes against using trust fund to cover budget

City must compensate for over-budgeting; may look to increase taxes By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times COATESVILLE – In a hotly debated decision, Coatesville City Council voted 3-2 against using trust fund money to cover over-budgeted city expenses for 2013 at its meeting at City Hall on Monday night. In December, while budgeting for this year, City Council realized that they would be over-budgeting...

Few shakeups in county on Primary day

A handful of incumbents bounced at municipal level; county slates set By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Tuesday’s Primary election largely set up this November’s election slate — although in a handful of municipal races, incumbent supervisor candidates were knocked off their party’s ballot. Turnout for the election was very light: just 10.45% of voters registered as Republican or Democrat turned...

Lincoln University branch to open in Gordon Building Aug. 15

Campus to work with community, offer courses in business says president By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times COATESVILLE – Lincoln University’s President Dr. Robert R. Jennings announced official plans for Lincoln University during Monday night’s City Council meeting. Already accepting applications, Jennings said the Gordon campus will open Aug 15. Fall semester will offer undergraduate...

City Council lays out plans to beautify downtown this summer

Coordinated color scheme, signage regulation among plans to refresh area By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times COATESVILLE – Coatesville City Council, at its meeting Monday night, announced plans to beautify the downtown area this summer. Beginning between First and Third Avenue and expanding until the area between the bridges on Lincoln Highway is covered, changes will include developing...

City to extend Riverwalk to South Coatesville, Modena

Neighboring communities to collaborate to make connecting trail By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times Chester County Commissioners Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell join the celebration for the grand opening of the Riverwalk Brandywine Creek Trail in 2012. Pending grant approvals, the trail could be extended into South Coatesville and Modena. COATESVILLE – The City Council, in cooperation with...