Westtown Votes Tax Hike For Open Space
By Bob Small
Yes, you read that right. In a ballot question this past election day, Westtown residents voted 3,459 to 1,745 (67 percent) to approve a tax increase for the preservation of Crebilly Farms as one of Chesco’s major open spaces.
The earned income tax rate goes from 1 percent to 1.08 percent and the real estate tax rate increases from 3.5 mills to 3.92 mills.
Crebilly farms is the site of the Battle of Brandywine on Sept. 11, 1777, then the largest single-day battle of the American Revolution, which was won by the British/Hessian forces. This victory led to the British occupation of Philadelphia.
The estimated cost of the tax increase for a household earning $100,000 would be an additional $80 in local earned income tax. A household with an assessed house value of $250,000 would pay an additional $105 per year.
The Natural Lands Trust hopes to land about $2.5 million in grants, and says they are well on their way to doing that.
The Daily Local News of Chester County has been ovewhelmed with letters.
One word. Outstanding!