Limerick Awards Contract for Lewis Rd Improvements

Road improvements were a big item on the agenda at Tuesday night's Board of Supervisors meeting, as the board discussed the project to rezone Ridge Pike and accepted a bid for the Lewis Road improvement project.

DiRocco Brothers, a West Chester company, was awarded a contract totaling $2,379,879.80 to complete .

Gail Wellington, a business owner and member of the Spring-Ford Chamber of Commerce, voiced concerns during discussion of the planned rezoning of Ridge Pike.

"From what I've seen and heard, it sounds positive...[but] until you know what the impact is going to be, it's a little scary," Wellington said.

Wellington's comments reflect the concerns of several small business owners, she said.

"Please keep in mind we have to be able to make a profit to stay here," she said.

Solicitor Joseph McGrory suggested that Wellington act as a liaison to the Chamber of Commerce so that the board would have input from local business owners.

Wellington agreed to help provide written comments from chamber members.

The board's March 6 workshop meeting will be a joint session with the board and the planning commission solely to discuss this project.

Exelon vice president Bill Maguire also made an appearance at the meeting to present to the township

Maguire presented the check to supervisors Kenneth Sperring and Elaine DeWan. Speaking briefly, Maguire reiterated Exelon's commitment to helping the community.

"Exelon has donated $500,000 in the last four years," Maguire said.

Board Chairperson Kara Shuler thanked Maguire and Exelon and pointed out that Exelon's contributions have supported the Parks and Recreation Department and the and Fire Companies, and allowed the township to purchase the 17 acres that became .

This year's donation will allow the township to "expand its recreation opportunities and help with upgrades at Linfield Sports Park, including a renovated pavilion, new public restrooms and upgrades to the multipurpose fields there," Shuler said.

In other new business, the board voted to draft an agreement with the Spring Ford Youth Athletic League that will allow the organization to lease three of the fields at for the next five years.

The league intends to put approximately $50,000 in improvements on the fields, including batting cages, dugouts, and equipment storage, and will take over all grounds maintenance from the township.

The league will also lease the concession stand beginning in 2013.

Scott Smiley, representing the league, explained that the organization's softball teams were hoping that leasing the fields on a semi-permanent basis would allow the league to hold tournaments at the park.

Smiley answered several questions from the board, including how traffic might be handled and how schedules will be organized between the league and other groups who may want to use the fields.

The league serves 800 boys and girls, Smiley said.

"We [the board] really think this is an appetizing deal," Shuler said. "We're not saving a lot of money, but it alleviates a little of the manpower needed [to maintain the fields]."

Smiley agreed in support of the partnership.

"We want the league to grow, and this will help," Smiley said.