It's Spring in Downingtown!  Check out what's happening!     
Downingtown Borough News
Borough offices will be closed on Friday, April 14, 2017 in observance of Good Friday and Easter.  

Volunteers are needed!

(3.29.17) Downingtown Borough is in need of volunteers to serve on the following Boards and Commissions. Please click on position to see the qualifications for each vacancy.
Council News 

Highlights from recent Borough Council Meetings

  • Dalton Strack, a kindergarten student at Brandywine Wallace, was sworn in as Mayor for the Day and sat in on the on April 4, 2017 meeting.   
  • Ordinance 2015-01 Volunteer Background Checks 
    Many townships and boroughs in Pennsylvania and the United States are now requiring criminal background checks for all volunteer positions.   The background checks that would be required would be a Pennsylvania State Police criminal background check and a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification.    If a resident has not lived within Pennsylvania for the past 10 years, a Federal Criminal History Background check would also be required. The need to apply for these clearances will apply only to NEW volunteers.  Anyone currently serving as a volunteer is exempt.
  • An update for the East Branch Brewing Company was given at the April 4, 2017 Council meeting. The brewery will be operated by J.J. McGettigan and his wife. A 10 barrel brew system will open in the downstairs of the former Molly McGuire restaurant in the section that had been originally proposed for hotel rooms.  People can come in and enjoy a beverage.  No food will be offered inside, but it is hoped that the brewery will be a draw for area restaurants.   
  • Lake clean - up.  The firm hired to oversee the lakes in the Borough are at work.   They will continue to work on reducing the algae.   Although it will not be an overnight change, the firm anticipates a reduction in the seven types of algae that were found in the water.  It should take about two years to see a noticeable difference.  
  • The Historic Commission presented the color chart for the Historic district.  There are now 19 approved colors that businesses and residents in the historic overlay may select.   
  • Resolution 2017- 02 Master Schedule of Fees was approved.  This resolution covers fees for permits, inspections, hearings and all other related Borough related services.   
  • Mayor Maxwell announced a "Jack Harris Day" to honor the producer of "The Blob" movie.  Mr. Harris passed away on March 14, 2017.   He was 98 years old. 
  • Steve Plaugher, Main Street Manager, provided an update of the Borough's parking revenues since the pay stations were implemented in November 2015.   The total revenue for the first year was $133,734.  All proceeds from the parking stations go to maintain the Borough's parking lots.  
  • A request by Station Taproom to use the parking lot beside their building for a beer garden was approved pending approval by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for a one-day permit.   The Tap Room will be celebrating its anniversary on May 13, 2017. 
  • Downingtown Main Street presented an update about the anticipated Amour Alley Pocket Park.  

Council meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. (check the website for any changes to this calendar)


Link to Additional Resources
Downingtown Municipal Water Authority
The Downingtown Municipal Water Authority sent a letter to all DMWA customers in March addressing issues that occurred during the water meter replacement program.    The new meters are extremely accurate and capable of reading water usage at very lo flows that previously might have gone unrecorded.  In many cases, the system can detect obvious leaks within a customers system.  

The Water Authority has not increased user rates since September 2015.  The Authority has no plans to increase user rates throughout 2017.    The customer Service Charge and Fire Hydrant Service charges have been in place at the current level since January 1, 2011. 

If you have any questions concerning our account, please call the Authority at 610-269-5462 or via email at dtownwater@verizon.net.   To view the letter sent in March, click here.  
Planning Commission
A  ground breaking ceremony was held on April 4, 2017 for the North Park Plaza on 130 Wallace Ave. This welcomed addition to our Borough's business community is going up on the site of the previous North Park Plaza that was destroyed by fire in May 2015.  

Planning continues for the Woodbine Avenue Apartments.   Bernardon Architects currently have a website depiction of the buildings on their website.   You can view the drawings by clicking here. 

The March 28, 2017 Planning Commission meeting was cancelled. 

Parks and Recreation Commission

Kayak Drop - A $1,000 grant has been approved from Chester County Community Foundation's Miller Fund Grant. The grant will be used for supplies for the kiosk, landscaping and kayak drop. 
Here is what we are working on.
Kerr Park Summer Movie Night
Bike Event on May 13, 2017
3rd annual Field Day on September 23, 2017
Disc Golf Course   
Spaghetti dinner for families in partnership with the Downingtown Farmer's Market
Earth Day activities

Park and Recreation Commission meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.    

Link to Additional Resources

  Historic Commission

The Historic Commission members welcomed 40 visitors during their April open house. Included were members of the Downingtown Area Historical Society with Norm Glass as a speaker. Mr. Glass was one of the contractors who worked on the Log House during its restoration.   Log House is open to the public April through November on the first Sunday of each month from 1 - 4 PM, with the exception of the month of July. It will be open on July 4th from 10am until the start of the Good Neighbor Day Duck Race, and reopen after the race until 3 PM. Special tours of the Log House may be scheduled by calling the borough for information.

For more information on Historic Commission events, please email them at dtownhistoric@gmail.com 

   Upcoming Events in Downingtown

April 8, 2017

  • 11th annual Muzzy Run 5K, Kids Fun Run and 1 Mile Community Walk
    7:00 a.m. Registration on the Struble Trail.  

    8:OO a.m. - 5K Race
    9:00 a.m. - Kid's Fun Run (everyone gets a medal)9:15 a.m. - 1 mile community Fun Walk
    Click here for information or to register

April 15, 2017

  • Kid's Free Trout Rodeo at Kerr Park
    Sponsored by Brandywine Trout and Conservation Club
    9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Kerr Park at the Pavilion near the playground.  
    Free for kids 15 years and younger. 

April 22, 2017

  • Downingtown Library Readers on the Run 5K
    Registration opens at 7:00 a.m. at Green Street, Downingtown.
    Cash prizes for overall top male and female.
    Click here for more information or to register.

  • HSM Shred Event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    419 Boot Road, Downingtown (across from post office)
    $5.00 donation per box/$1 per hard drive (A fundraiser for the City of Hope)
  • Johnsontown Park Cleanup with the DTown Parks and Rec Commission
    Meet at the Johnsontown Park Pavilion at 9:00 a.m.
    We are partnering with local geocachers and this will also be a CITO event.   All are welcomed. 
    Bring gloves, we will provide the bags.  

April 23, 2017

  • Minquas Ladies Auxiliary Spring Craft and Vendor Show
    11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Quarter Raffle at St. Anthony's 
    Doors open at 1:00 p.m.  Starts at 2:00 p.m.  Fundraiser for St. Anthony's Women's Auxiliary.
    For more information, click here.  

April 26, 2017

  • 7:00 p.m. in the Borough Hall
    Community Engagement Forum presented by the members of Borough Council
    Host Jeff Thomas and fellow board members seek your comments about better citizen engagement strategies, communication, new ways to provide you with information.   

April 29 2017

May 17, 2017

  • Dog License Canvass of Chester County
    Multiple wardens will be going door to door to check on the status of your dog's licenses and rabies vaccinations.   For more information go to www.licenseyourdogPA.com
Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas 

Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Inc. is starting a “Fundraising Campaign” to purchase a 17’ Giant Everest Artificial Tree with a 3’ star on top that will be placed next to the Log House during the Christmas holidays.  They need our help to raise the $10,000 needed for the tree and star.  For more information, or to contribute, click here. 
Downingtown Library

The Friends of the Downingtown Library thank you for your support of their spring book sale.  Your donations of gently used books, movies and music contributed to a record-breaking opening weekend, earning over $3000 for the library! 

Registration is now open for Readers on the Run - April 22, 2017. www.runtheday.org

For other upcoming library events, click here

The Library is open 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.  Friday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Closed on Sundays. 

Downingtown Main Street Association

Thank you to everyone who displayed their love of Downingtown with their heart shaped note on the front window of Dane Decor in February.   

Our third annual Summer Jam Series event will take place on the final Friday of June, July and August of 2017.  If you are interested in being a food or craft vendor, click here.

The Downingtown Main Street Association is a non profit organization committed to brining vitality and vigor to Downingtown for the betterment of its residents, property owners and businesses.   

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