USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > History and progress of Chester County, 1969 > Part 5
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Elections, County Board of
The Election Bureau, located in the Court House operates under the Election Code of June 3, 1937, which makes Counties responsible for the holding of all elections in the County, and the payment of all costs. The County Commission- ers constitute the Election Board. It maintains all the equipment and supplies used in connection with elections. The Board provides petitions for candidates; arranges for drawings to determine places on the ballot; provides ballot boxes and booths for each voting district; or voting machines where they have been approved by the voters; causes the necessary number of ballots to be printed; arranges for the polling places, and names the tabulating board which makes the official count of votes cast. The official count is begun at noon on the Friday following Election Day. The official count is certified by the Board of Elections, and the books are kept open for five days against possibility of appeal. When the County Commissioners themselves are candidates, the Court supervises the vote tabulation. Nomination petitions must be filed at least 13 weeks prior to the Pri- mary. Nomination petitions shall be circulated before the primary. Polls open for elections at 7:00 A.M. and close at 8:00 P.M., E.S.T. All persons except watchers, persons in the course of voting, and persons lawfully giving assistance to voters, must remain at least ten feet distant from the polling place during the progress of the voting, and when the hour for closing the polls shall arrive, all voters who have already qualified and are inside the enclosed space, shall be per- mitted to vote; plus ten qualified electors who are in the polling place outside the enclosed space, waiting to vote, shall be permitted to vote, if found quali- fied. Provision is made for the use of Military, Veterans and Civilian Absentee Ballots. The secret ballot was adopted in Pennsylvania in 1891.
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Chester County Farms (Prison)
Another of the many facets of county administration is the maintenance of a County Prison. The County Prison, which adjoined the Court House, was established in 1786. It was replaced by the prison at New and Market Streets in 1839, and again replaced early in 1959 by the new Chester County Farms. It marks another progressive milestone for the County officials. The prison is located in the rural atmosphere in Pocopson Township, adjoining the Pocopson Home at Pocopson on Route 52 between Lenape and Longwood Gardens. The modern, fire-proof structure is a far different one than the preceding institu- tions, the last of which was built to house a maximum of forty-two persons, (the present one can hold one hundred seventy-two prisoners). Here again, foresight was exercised in the planning of the structure, utilities, kitchen, hospital ward, chapel and other basic services, whereby it may be expanded to accommodate some three hundred and fifty prisoners by the simple addition of one and a half wings of cells, or housing space. Census in the recent abandoned prison averaged one hundred thirteen, far in excess of that contemplated even when the original building was expanded. The new Chester County Farms averages one hundred forty monthly, with confinements and releases averaging eighty per month. The prison policy does not encourage idleness among the prisoners while serving their sentences. Numerous tasks, both within and without the prison proper, are avail- able, and those who work are very modestly paid. The health of prisoners is cared for by both a physician and a dentist. Food is ample and well prepared, but delicacies are not included. The farms themselves will provide a large per- centage of the food products consumed both by the prison and adjoining Pocop- son Home. Personnel totals forty-two, including the Warden and Matron on duty to maintain security twenty-four hours a day. For legal guidance, a Solicitor is provided. Motor Code violations account for the largest single cause of confine- ment, since the Courts are justifiably strict in the punishment of those who endanger life through improper use of automobiles. Modern and humane atti- tudes govern the administration of the prison. A Board of Prison Inspectors, composed of the four Judges of the Common Pleas Court, County Commission- ers, District Attorney, Controller and Sheriff, make periodic inspection tours of the prison. The Board of Prison Inspectors (whose members serve without com- pensation) has as its prime responsibility the inspection of the facilities, all mat- ters pertaining to its proper conduct and maintenance, and the treatment received by the inmates. This acts as another balance or check in the task of administering the affairs of the County fairly and efficiently.
Children's Services
Concern for protecting the welfare of Pennsylvania's future citizens brought about a law placing responsibility on counties for Public Child Welfare Services aimed at preventing neglect and abuse, and safeguarding the welfare of children.
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In fulfilling this responsibility the County Commissioners of Chester County organized a Department in 1957 which is known as Chester County Children's Services (formerly Child Care Service). State and federal funds are appropriated annually to the county to help defray the cost of these services, providing the Department adheres to state regulations. One of these mandates that staff must be qualified by professional training and experience and must be hired in accord- ance with civil service regulations.
An Advisory Committee composed of representatives of the county, appointed by the County Commissioners, serves without pay to make recommendations to the Commissioners on matters pertaining to the development of a sound pro- gram for child welfare.
Although some parents voluntarily apply for help when they feel they can no longer cope with their problems, most of the work is with families reported to be abusing or neglecting their children. Death, desertion, separation or divorce often bring on bewildering problems to the lone parent. Sometimes it is mental illness or physical breakdown that threatens to disrupt normal family life. Believ- ing that every child needs his own parents, and dedicated to the premise that: children should be kept in their own homes if at all possible, Children's Services works untiringly with parents, attempting to improve conditions so families can stay together.
There are times however when efforts to prevent family breakdown are futile and when mentally limited or emotionally disturbed parents can no longer be trusted to care for their children. The Department is fortunate in having located kind hearted, generous foster parents who can offer love, warmth and emotional support to children until their parents can be helped to again take over responsi- bilities. Some children, especially adolescents, are unable to adjust in foster homes and Children's Services uses the facilities of group care in children's insti- tutions. Some children come to the attention of the Department after many years of abuse and neglect which results in such disturbed behavior that only institutions offering special treatment services can help them gain inner controls.
Another way the Department helps children is in providing services to unmar- ried parents. The many confused, immature young people who become parents before they are ready to assume the responsibility of marriage need help in facing decisions for themselves and their babies. Casework services aimed at help- ing them gain insight into their emotional problems, gain self respect and inner strengths are needed to enable them to plan wisely and become more responsible in the future.
A few children are available for adoptive placement. These are the children born out of wedlock whose parents want opportunities for them that they cannot provide. There are also some older children placed in adoptive homes- children whose parents either abandon or ask for adoption when they recognize their inability to provide properly for them. Finding the right couple to love and cherish each infant or child available for adoption is the task of workers trained to understand all that is involved in adoptions.
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Civil Defense
Modern Civil Defense was established in 1950 and is that branch of County Government which holds the responsibility under the County Commissioners for the direction and coordination of emergency operations in the event of an war emergency or major natural disaster. The County provides annual appropriations for its operation and space in the basement of the North Wing of the Court House. The duties are performed by a director, two deputies, and a secretary. Its activities are in cooperation with the federal Office of Civil Defense and the State Council of Civil Defense. The county organization is composed of eight operating divisions: fire and rescue, security, welfare, medical, communications, radiological, operations, and public information. Each division is headed by a volunteer chief.
A similar but usually smaller volunteer organization in the various political sub-divisions provide their governments with the same services on a local level. To provide coordination of emergency operations encompassing more than one county, the State Council of Civil Defense has divided Pennsylvania into three operational areas, Chester County being in the Eastern Area with headquarters at Lehighton, Pa.
Cost Clerk
The functions of this office are as follows: filing and indexing all tax bills received from the Clerk of Courts, forwarding to Probation Office a notification on non-support bills of the defendants with bill number and the amount of cost, issuing receipts for fines and costs and stand committed bills money, preparing insolvent discharge petitions and forms for signature of Commissioners, entering judgments in Prothonotary Office, processing bail bonds forfeitures, reporting annually to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Revenue at Harris- burg, all insolvent motor violation discharges, reconciling accounts monthly, dis- persing fines and costs, and working in close cooperation with the Chester County Farms Prison.
Court Facilities - (New-Old)
Progress and growth of the Chester County Court House was met on April 24, 1966, when a new Annex was completed and dedicated.
The need for the additional facilities was motivated due to the greatly increased volume of litigation which accompanied the rapid growth of the County. Two new court rooms in the new Annex provide the accommodations for disposing of a constantly growing case load, and keeps current the work of the Courts.
This much needed expansion and improvement of the physical plant which not only aids the operation of the Courts but all other phases of County government.
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Linking this modern facade to Chester County's historical Thomas U. Walter's 1846 Corinthian Columned Court House of the past, the new Annex is spacious, functional, pleasant to work in or to visit.
Probably one of the most important steps undertaken during the past 10 years is the new Annex. Besides the new court rooms it also accommodates space for the offices of Adoption Investigator, Assessment Board and Revision of Taxes, Personal Property, Civil Defense, Clerk of Orphan's Court, Com- missioners, Administrative Assistant and Personnel Director, Controller, Coroner, Court Reporters, Data Processing, District Attorney, Detective, Police Radio, Engineer, Jury Dormitories, Juvenile Probation, Maintenance, Microfilm, Park and Recreation, Planning Commission, Register of Wills, Registration Commission, Safety Council, Tax Lien, Tourist Promotion Bureau, Treasurer, Veterans Affairs and Adult Probation.
With the completion of the new five-story Annex contracts were let to provide for the renovation of Court Room Number One and the Judges Chambers, the Grand Jury Room, and the first floor row office facilities of the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Sheriff, Recorder of Deeds and Board of Elections.
The work was completed and an open house was held on November 26, 1967. Functionally, with better acoustics, lighting and central air conditioning, it has greatly improved the Federalist style court room and the above named offices.
At present Court Room Number Two is being renovated. This will complete the work. The new Annex, along with the recent renovation of the older building, is a source of community pride.
Data Processing Department
Chester County Data Processing Department began in 1962 with the instal- lation of IBM unit record equipment. The voter registration and surplus food records were put on the machines at that time. In December of 1968, an IBM 360-20 card system was installed and at the present time the machine is serving approximately ten departments. Through extended use of this com- puter the County hopes to have twenty departments on it by mid 1970. The rapid growth of the County and the record keeping that has become manda- tory has seen the computer come into its own in government where record keeping has become so great that without the use of electronic data processing the cost of government would soon become exorbitant.
The year 1968 has seen the number of registered voters in the County hit an all time high of 114,000, and the number of parcels of property in the real estate files in excess of 80,000. Through the use of the data processing machines, the real estate billing and voter registration lists get out in record time. With the expected continued growth of Chester County, the computer and the data processing department will become an indispensable part of Chester County government.
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Development Council
The Chester County Development Council was created in 1960 under the Industrial Development Assistance Law of 1956 and designated by the Board of Commissioners as the official county agency for the promotion of industrial growth. The purposes of the Council are to promote the economic welfare of the county by securing new industries, encouraging the growth and expansion of existing industries and thereby create more jobs and greater payrolls. The Coun- cil is a non-profit corporation governed by a twenty-one member board of direc- tors and its activities are carried out by an executive director and staff. The Council encourages long-range planning to provide suitable sites for industry and maintains extensive data on all such locations in Chester County. This informa- tion is made available to firms throughout the county through direct contact and national advertising campaigns. The Council encourages firms and individuals in the area to become members and participate in its programs.
Engineer
The County Engineer is a responsible, professional, registered engineer, appointed by the Commissioners. With the aid of his staff, he prepares surveys, plans, specifications and estimates and supervises engineering work undertaken by the County Commissioners. He prepares and revises periodically the County road maps, maintains County owned bridges, and performs general supervision of the design and construction of alterations and additions to County buildings. As Executive Secretary of the County Planning Commission he has general supervision and direction of the work of the Planning Commission and reviews all plans for the subdivision and development of land. He represents the County at Highway and Public Utility Commission hearings and at meeting of various local and regional organizations and performs in other capacities as requested by the County Commissioners.
Health Department
Authorized by county-wide referendum in November 1966, the Chester County Board of Health was appointed by the County Commissioners in 1967. The five-man Health Board proceeded with the necessary steps to organize a county health unit which was officially approved by the Secretary of Health, Common- wealth of Pennsylvania on April 9, 1968.
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Being directly responsive, at the local level, to the public health needs of Chester County residents and communities, this County Health Department functions to protect and improve the general health of the community, strengthen the personal health services provided within the community, and promote programs for the prevention of disease and disability.
Specific responsibilities include analysis of local data on illness, births and deaths; public health nursing; sanitation and other environmental health pro- grams; investigation of disease outbreaks, tuberculosis control programs; child health conferences; and public health education.
County Health administration is financed by tax funds appropriated by the Chester County Commissioners; fifty per cent of the county's expenditure is matched by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania up to ($.75) seventy five cents per capita. Beginning on May 16, 1968, services of the Department were pro- vided from temporary office space in the Memorial Hospital of West Chester, Biddle Street Entrance.
Chester County Housing Committee
The Chester County Housing Committee was created by the Commissioners in 1962, for the purpose of making investigations and studies of housing con- ditions throughout the county, and to recommend to the local authorities where improvements should be made. The board is comprised of fifteen mem- bers of county-wide representation.
Library, Chester County
By action of the County Commissioners, a free public library for the county was created in 1935 making available books and literature and a bookmobile providing a wider source of literature primarily for students in the rural schools within the county. Since 1961 the emphasis has shifted from service to schools, to service to adults and students at a central library, strong in reference books. The central library is sustained by an annual county appropriation which for 1967 was $127,500.00. In 1966 the library was able to qualify as a District Library Center under the State of Pennsylvania from whence it receives addi- tional funds. The county library has two branches-the Coatesville Public Library and the Tredyffrin Township Public Library-supported partly by the county and partly by local appropriations. There are also six associated libraries in Atglen, Downingtown, Malvern, Parkesburg, Oxford and West Grove. The county library operates a bookmobile throughout the county in the late after- noon and evenings and Saturdays. Responsibility for the library rests in the hands of a Board of 7 members serving without compensation. Administration of the library is carried out by a professional library director, five professional librarians and a capable office and clerical staff.
Since 1962 the library has been housed in the County Building, 235 West Market Street.
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Liquid Fuels Funds
These are derived from part of the permanent tax on fuel, collected by the State, paid into the Liquid Fuels Tax Fund of the State Treasurer, and distrib- uted to the Counties under the Liquid Fuels Tax Act. The broad use and pur- poses are for construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repairs of roads, highways and bridges, for property damages occasioned by the relocation or con- struction of highways and bridges, and for payment of interest and sinking fund charges on bonds issued, or used for highways and bridge purposes. Expenditures from the fund by the Commissioners for new construction of roads and bridges made only upon approval of the plans by the department of highways. Alloca- tions to sub-divisions are made only upon proper approval of the Department of Highways. Unencumbered balances are distributed two ways and only upon application by the political sub-divisions; 50 per cent on mileage ratio basis; and 50 per cent on population basis. Funds may not be co-mingled with County funds but deposited and maintained in a special fund designated as the County Liquid Fuels Tax Fund. For the purposes of conserving the time of the members of Borough Councils, Boards of Supervisors and the County Commissioners dis- cussing county aid needs, the Commissioners have adopted the requirement that a formal application for county aid be prepared and submitted in lieu of per- sonal appearance. The application to be in the hands of the Commissioners before the end of March annually, at which time action will be taken in every case. Those applications received after March, will, of necessity, have to be satis- fied with their portion of whatever remains on hand beyond that date.
Maps
The official county map, first printed by the County in 1925, identifying sub-divisions, all traffic route numbered highways to scale, are distributed with- out cost. One of the most valued services provided by the County is that of the Map Department of the Board of Assessments, which lists every foot of Real Estate in each municipality, worked out on a scale map basis. The index maps, identify all roads, major streams and boundary lines. The property record maps are scaled 400 feet to the inch for open areas and 100 feet to the inch for devel- oped areas. The aerial maps on topography are scaled to 400 feet, 1000 feet, and 2000 feet each to the inch. Any of these maps are available at a nominal cost to incorporated bodies at $5.00 each-municipal bodies-and $10.00 each, to indi- viduals.
Microfilm and Duplicating
The function of this department, located on the lower level of the Court House, is to preserve or reproduce important county records. Deeds, mortgages,
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wills, and other documents of value are microfilmed on Eastman 35-millimeter equipment, and the film rolls are stored underground in another location. The Diazo map machine is capable of duplicating maps and air photos up to 42" wide and copies of letters, notices and forms are made on modern Xerox equip- ment. The department serves many county offices and departments, furnishing photo-copies where required and assuring the preservation of records that will be needed in future years.
Parks and Recreation
The pastoral beauty of Chester County adds greatly to its charm and naturally attracts people to the County. In keeping with modern planning, the County Commissioners created a Park and Recreation Board in January 1958. The Board is composed of ten civic minded citizens who serve without compensation and function as an advisory body to the County Commissioners. The objective of the Board is a well-coordinated, county-wide program of national, state, county, township and municipal parks. The Board is authorized to receive gifts and lega- cies of land and to purchase property for development of County Parks. It is also authorized to assist and advise political subdivisions within the county in the ini- tiation of their own local park and recreational programs. The Board is directed by a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary. They are assisted by an Executive Secretary and twelve full-time members of the Staff. The Central Office is located in Room 406, Court House-North Wing, West Chester. The park pro- gram is financed by appropriation from the county budget, and is promoted by providing speakers and films relative to progress in the development of park areas and allied subjects. A report of the Board's activities and finances is published each year in the form of an annual report, which can be obtained on request. The Board also welcomes requests for speakers and literature on parks and recreation. Three County Park areas, totaling 1605 acres, have been acquired since 1962. These parks, dedicated to and for the exclusive use of the residents of Chester County, contribute a definite quality to the life of our communities, not only in the sense of added beauty but in the general satisfaction of living and working in a county with a generous share of open space. Nottingham Park, 651 acres, is located in West Nottingham Township, four miles south of Oxford and was dedicated September 21, 1963. Hibernia Park, 721 acres, is located in West Caln and West Brandywine Townships, four miles northwest of Coatesville and was opened to the public on October 4, 1964. Recreational facilities available in these two operating parks include picnicking, camping, fishing, hiking, play areas and nature study. Warwick Park, purchased in November 1967, comprises 233 acres and is located in Warwick Township south of Route 23 in the Village of Knauertown. Acquisition of this property represents another step forward in establishing county parks geographically located in such a manner that citizens of all parts of the county will have easy access to a county park. In planning for Chester County's continued growth and development, provision for ample, pro- tected open space must be given a high priority. Our County Parks will add
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greatly to the economic strength and prosperity of the County as a whole, and provide an unlimited variety of wholesome and healthful outdoor activities for family recreation.
Planning Commission
The Chester County Planning Commission is sponsored by the County Com- missioners to provide information and advisory services to the County govern- ment, the municipalities and the general public. Its functions and duties are many but there is special concern for the development of a continuous, coordi- nated, comprehensive planning process for the development of the County.
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