Newtown Supervisors put Paper Mill Road on the Agenda again

He’s back  AGAIN!!—In June, 2012, Mr. Scott Brehman seemed to try everything to scare residents off a portion of Paper Mill Road. Mr. Brehman lives on Paper Mill Road.  This is a road that residents have used for over 150 years and provides access to the walking trails in Radnor Township.  Now, as the new property owner who is developing a Paper Mill Road property, Mr. Brehman and his wife, acting on what they seemed to believe they were promised by former owner and Marple Newtown School Director, Fred Dewey, Mr. Brehman’s tactics have included “No Trespassing” signs, “Beware of Dogs” signs, and traffic cones blocking access to the road.  When these tactics, letters from his attorneys and a private meeting with the Township Manager Trio at which Mr. Brehman and Manager Trio discussed the road closure did not work, Mr. Brehman went away for awhile.  Now, he is trying a new tactic in his desire to close Paper Mill Road. He has petitioned the Supervisors to vacate a portion of the road.  And, the Supervisors have actually put it on the meeting agenda for March 11th.  In my previous posts about this issue, I pointed out the great work of the residents of Paper Mill Road in researching the road’s history and proving positively that Paper Mill Road is a dedicated township road.

No other resident is complaining that the road is dangerous. The road was never discussed as dangerous in the past. It has not been an accident scene. In talking with some residents in that area, it appears the only danger is from the trucks of contractors working at the Brehmans' property. Makes you wonder if Mr. Brehman is encouraging these contractors to speed along the road.

In any event, here we go again. And, the Board of Supervisors and the Township Manager are allowing this nonsense to continue by putting it on their meeting agenda again.  The Board of Supervisors won't discuss the issue of their having taxpayers pay for their healthcare benefit, but seem more than willing to allow a developer to ask again and again for what he wants.  

You can read Developer Brehman’s latest ramblings in the attached petition.  So, I am asking again with one additional question. That is, why haven’t township officials told Mr. Brehman that the matter is settled? That is what many residents would have thought in June when this matter was discussed previously. Paper Mill Road is a township road, has been for over 150 years and will continue to be for over 150 years. And, as I asked before, why won’t Mr. Brehman just accept that he bought a property that is located very close to a public road? Why won’t Mr. Brehman accept that residents walk past his property to enjoy what they have for over 150 years? This is another unique township asset which is available to all. You can walk down the road all the way through to the trails in Radnor Township. Mr. Brehman is worried about his quiet enjoyment. What about the rest of his neighbors and the public? Are they not entitled to enjoy what they have for years?

Come to the Board of Supervisors meeting tonight to let them know that this road should remain as it has for 150 years.  Also,if you are a township resident and are interested in being included in any further meetings about this issue or have any opinion about this issue, email Township Manager Mike Trio and the Board of Supervisors at triom@newtowntwpdelco.org.