Est. 2026 · Wayne · St. David's · Radnor Township

The Radnor Gazette

All the News That Fits the Township
Vol. I, No. 20 Sunday, August 2, 2026 Price: Free to Residents
This Week's Top Items
  1. Delco hid $33M of the 2025 budget deficit from taxpayers before raising them again, internal email shows. A Broad + Liberty investigation published Tuesday reported county officials knew the 24% December 2024 tax increase covered only $41.4M of a $75M structural deficit. See lead story.
  2. West Nile virus detected in a mosquito trap at Encke Park. Radnor Township posted the advisory Wednesday, July 29; 6abc and Patch followed the same day. See lead column.
  3. Radnor police pursuit that started at Airedale Road ended with a stolen truck crashing into two Ardmore storefronts Wednesday morning. A New Jersey driver was arraigned in Delaware County; the charges are allegations and have not been proven in court. See lead column.
  4. Valley Forge Military Foundation board chair says a Radnor zoning notice on the college's proposed hockey-school lease is "harassment." John English told Main Line Now he would meet township officials July 28 over the notice. See Development and Real Estate.
  5. Planning Commission Monday: 452 S. Roberts Road life-care sketch plan on the discussion docket, Chapter 280 rewrite returns. The August 3 agenda posted July 27 lists Application 217865 at the former Presbyterian Children's Village site. See Township Action Items.
The Lead

Broad + Liberty: Delaware County Concealed $33M of Its 2025 Deficit, Internal Email Shows

Radnor residents pay the county portion of their property tax as part of the same bill.

Broad + Liberty Investigation on Delaware County Budget Disclosure

A Broad + Liberty investigation published Tuesday reported that Delaware County Budget Management Director James Hayes wrote in a December 4, 2024 internal email to Executive Director Barbara O'Malley that the 24% property-tax increase Council was days from passing would cover only $41.4 million of a $75 million structural deficit, with the remaining $33.1 million addressed through one-time federal funds. The county passed the 24% increase December 11, 2024, and in late November 2025 proposed the additional 19% property-tax hike that took effect January 2026. Radnor Township residents pay the county portion of their property tax as part of the same bill.

West Nile Virus Detected in an Encke Park Mosquito Trap

Radnor Township announced Wednesday, July 29 that one of the township's monitoring traps at Encke Park had tested positive for West Nile virus. 6abc and Radnor Patch reported the same day; the township said no human cases have been reported and that the Parks Maintenance Division will continue standing-water removal.

Radnor Pursuit Ends With Stolen Truck Crashing Into Two Ardmore Storefronts

Radnor Police Superintendent Chris Flanagan told Main Line Media News that officers spotted a truck near Airedale Road in the Rosemont section of Radnor shortly after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, with plates registered to a vehicle reported stolen in New Jersey, and pursued it into Lower Merion; the driver lost control on Lancaster Avenue and crashed into two Ardmore businesses. The driver, a New Jersey resident, was charged with felony fleeing and eluding police, receiving stolen property, and related misdemeanor and summary counts, and was committed to George W. Hill Correctional Facility in lieu of 10% of $100,000 bail after arraignment by District Judge Mary Hopper. The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.

Our district has always been committed to making decisions that put students first. Kenneth E. Batchelor, RTSD Superintendent, quoted in the district release republished by Main Line Media News, Aug. 2, 2026.

Township Action Items  ·  Development and Real Estate

Planning Commission Monday: 452 S. Roberts Road Life Care Center Sketch Plan on the Docket

The August 3 Planning Commission agenda, posted July 27, lists Application 217865, a sketch plan for a life-care center at 452 S. Roberts Road, the 44-acre former Presbyterian Children's Village and Glencoe estate parcel. Also on the agenda: the ongoing Chapter 280 nonconforming-uses rewrite (Planning Commission edits marked on a June 1 draft) and the Wayne Business Overlay District Master Plan. The meeting is 6:30 p.m. in the Radnorshire Room.

Eagle Road to Close Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 4 and 5, for Tree Removal

Radnor Patch reported that PennDOT will close Eagle Road between King of Prussia Road and Wayne Avenue from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. The detour runs on King of Prussia Road, Upper Gulph Road, and Wayne Avenue; local access will be maintained.

Valley Forge Military Foundation Board Chair Calls Radnor Zoning Notice on Hockey-School Lease "Harassment"

Main Line Now reported Monday that the Radnor Township zoning officer notified Valley Forge Military College that a proposed August 2026 through March 2027 lease of an unused dormitory to ASM Hockey School would not be a permitted use in the institutional zone, and that Valley Forge Military Foundation board chair John English said he believes the township is "trying to screw us out of any auxiliary revenue" to drive the land price down. Township solicitor John Rice told the outlet that "no violation was issued" and that the office had advised VFMC's counsel that the proposed use of the property by "70-80 high school and post high school boys" from August to March was not permitted. English said he would meet township officials July 28; Vol. I, No. 4 covered the March 23 right-of-first-refusal settlement.

Dahlia Restaurant Plan at 385 W. Lancaster Ave. Picks Up Regional Coverage

Delco Today (July 30), Hoodline (July 31), and WhatNow Philadelphia (July 31) all published follow-ups to the July 22 Patch and July 23 SAVVY Main Line stories previewed in Vol. I, No. 19. No new details from the operators beyond the earlier reporting.

Safety Beat  ·  Schools (RTSD)

Residential Burglary on the 700 Block of Newtown Road, Villanova

Radnor Township Police are investigating a break-in about 12:15 a.m. Saturday, July 25; Delco Times reported witnesses saw two people running from the property after forced entry and asked residents to review exterior security-camera footage between 11:30 p.m. July 24 and 1 a.m. July 25.

State Formally Recognizes Later Secondary Start Times; RTSD Adopted the Change in 2019

Main Line Media News published an RTSD-sourced item August 2 noting that Pennsylvania House Bill 2152, included in the 2026 omnibus school code bill signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro on July 12, establishes a framework for districts that adopt later secondary start times. Superintendent Kenneth E. Batchelor said in the release that the state's action reinforced a decision the district made seven years ago; nearly 50 Pennsylvania districts now use later start times.

RTSD Back-to-School Calendar Posted

The RTSD district calendar lists RHS Freshman Fundamentals on August 12 as the first back-to-school event; the RTSD Board Business Meeting (if necessary) window was July 28, and the next posted board activity is August 25.

RTSD Board Roster

Board of School Directors, 2025-2026: Liz Duffy (President), Susan Stern (Vice President), Sarah Dunn Esq., Clare Girton, Jannie Lau, Thomas Le, Lon Rosenblum, Lydia T. Solomon, DJ Thornton. Superintendent: Kenneth Batchelor. Contact information at rtsd.org/board/board.

Environment and Parks  ·  Community and Lifestyle

Ithan Valley Park Upstream Bridge Design Contract, in Context

Vol. I, No. 19 covered the $82,500 Carroll Engineering design contract authorized July 20. Township engineer Stephen Norcini told the commissioners the upstream bridge's weight limit has been reduced to two tons and PA DEP permitting will delay construction until at least the second quarter of 2027.

Chanticleer and Radnor Memorial Library: Nature Play at Odorisio Park Tuesday

The Chanticleer-partnered Nature Play at Odorisio Park is Tuesday, August 5, 4 p.m., with a garden-themed read-aloud for ages 5 to 8; the series moves to Clem Macrone Park on August 20.

Pomelo Rooftop Terrace Grand Opening August 8 Atop The Brandywine

Brandywine Realty Trust announced July 28 that the 136-seat rooftop bar at The Brandywine, a Marriott Bonvoy Tribute Portfolio hotel at 165 King of Prussia Road, will open Saturday, August 8. Radnor Patch reported weekend brunch launches August 22.

Main Point Books Programming

Programming continues at Main Point Books, 116 N. Wayne Avenue; full schedule at the store's website.

Upcoming Events

DateEventDetails
Mon Aug 3, 6:30 PMPlanning CommissionApplication 217865 (452 S. Roberts Rd. Life Care Center) sketch plan; Chapter 280 rewrite; Wayne Business Overlay Master Plan. Agenda.
Tue and Wed Aug 4 to 5, 8:30 AM to 3 PMEagle Road closureBetween King of Prussia Rd. and Wayne Ave. for tree removal. PennDOT via Patch.
Tue Aug 5, 4 PMNature Play at Odorisio ParkChanticleer and Radnor Memorial Library, ages 5 to 8. Sign-up.
Wed Aug 5, 6:30 PMHistorical & Architectural Review BoardTownship Building. Agenda.
Sat Aug 8Pomelo Rooftop Terrace grand opening165 King of Prussia Rd. atop The Brandywine hotel. Announcement.
Wed Aug 12, 6:00 PMDesign Review BoardTownship Building. Calendar.
Wed Aug 12RHS Freshman FundamentalsRadnor High School. District calendar.
Thu Aug 14, 6:30 PMAfter Hours @ RML: Mythical Scavenger Hunt (teens)Radnor Memorial Library. Details.
Fri Aug 14Summer Reading Club prize deadlineRadnor Memorial Library, all ages. Details.
Wed Aug 20, 4 PMNature Play at Clem Macrone ParkChanticleer and Radnor Memorial Library, ages 5 to 8. Sign-up.
Sat Aug 22Pomelo weekend brunch launchesThe Brandywine hotel. Announcement.
Tue Aug 25, 7:00 PMRTSD School Board Business MeetingRadnorshire Room, 301 Iven Ave. BoardDocs.

Also Reported This Week