Duanne Scavicchio Questionnaire Response

1. Do you consider over-development to be an issue in Uwchlan Township and, if so, what would you do to minimize it? 

Yes, I do believe that over-development is becoming an issue in Uwchlan Township. The farmland, open spaces and parks are treasures that I have enjoyed while raising my two sons in this area. As a grandfather, I hope that my grandchildren and their children will be able to enjoy Uwchlan for the many beautiful qualities that make it home. 

As a school board member, I will not have as much input on Uwchlan at the township level, compared to the township supervisors. However, in the matter of future school district decisions brought to the board, I will vote to protect the over-development of Uwchlan township and East Caln (I represent both areas). 

2. Do you believe that Uwchlan Township should require open space and, if so, how would you protect it? 

From a personal standpoint, I do think Uwchlan should require open space. Township open space benefits everyone, not just the residents. Open space helps the environment (water, land, and air), mental health, agriculture, property values and future generations. As a school board member, I would not have the authority to protect township resources. Like in the previous question, if a decision was brought to the school board to protect open space in Uwchlan, or any of the district’s properties, I would work to protect that land. I would do my best to ensure that prospective buyers’ plans to develop land would be in both the community’s and school district’s interest. 

3. Do you believe that Uwchlan Township should protect its remaining farmland and, if so, how would you protect it? 

Yes, I believe that Uwchlan Township should protect its remaining farmland. As previously mentioned, the school board does not play a role in township preservation of farmland. That said, DASD does have some land that is being farmed by community farmers. If such farmed land owned by DASD was to be for sale, I would work to make sure the buyer 

preserved a portion of it as farmland or open space. This is where the school district and the township can best work together. As seen in the sale of Lionville Station Farm, both district and township must work together to see a sale and construction to completion. Without one, the other cannot move forward. 

4. If the current Agreement of Sale for Lionville Station Farm is canceled, would you facilitate a referendum for Uwchlan Township to purchase the property? If so, how do you envision the property being preserved and/or used in a way that enhances the character of Uwchlan Township and Chester County? 

If the current agreement of sale for Lionville Station Farm was canceled, then I would do my best to protect the land. Working together with the township to purchase the property (to preserve it as farmland or a park) would be a top priority. As a school board member, my obligation is to the district. As a father, grandfather and member of this community, my heart wants to protect our beautiful township. 

This land was sold to the school district for a probable future site for a school. When that plan fell through, any other use of the property in a future sale should have been made with the community in mind. A school would have benefited the families of Uwchlan and provided an area for the community. The school district’s high schools have their tracks and fields open to the community after hours, as well as our elementary school playgrounds are open to all. Although extra buses would have been on the roads, a school would have benefited almost all in the community. Therefore, if the sale falls through, and if the township wants to purchase the land from DASD, then as a school board member that would be the best vote for an outcome that benefits everyone. 

5. What measures, if any, will you take to prioritize the general physical health and general well-being of the residents of Uwchlan Township and Chester Country? 

As a school board member of Uwchlan and East Caln, I would take seriously the health and well-being of not just the students, but also the families and taxpayers of my region and the district as a whole. My sons both played football for Downingtown high schools and took pride in meeting the physical demands of the sport. Mental health is also a priority for our students and the community. Over the past few years since Covid, we have seen a decline in test scores at the school and a rise in anxiety. I look forward to being on the school board and helping to improve the quality of physical and mental health necessary for our student body to succeed. 

6. What measures, if any, will you take to protect the environment and its effect on the residents of Uwchlan Township and Chester Country? 

I believe I answered this one in previous questions. If elected, my role on the school board does not allow me as much influence in township decisions as would a township supervisor. However, I pledge to always keep the interests of the Uwchlan (and East Caln) communities at the forefront on school board votes that affect the community. 

7. What measures, if any, will you take to facilitate the proactive coordination of development between neighboring townships in Chester County? 

As a school board member, I would not have much influence over the coordination of development between neighboring townships. However, the DASD school board is made up of members representing all the townships throughout the Downingtown Area School District. Therefore, I would be able to facilitate discussions among the Chester County townships represented by the board during our meetings and future discussions that affect the DASD community and Chester County. 

8. What local, state and national Conservation Programs do you support that can benefit the general well-being of the residents of Uwchlan Township and Chester County? 

Although I do not support in a financial or volunteer capacity any Conservation Program, there are many great ones that may be beneficial to Uwchlan Township. To list a few: PA Land Trusts Association, Uwchlan Historical Commission, Greenways and Trails Initiatives, Community Gardens, PA Department of Conservation and National Resources, Pa Farmland Preservation and Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund. 

On a personal level, to do my little part to protect the environment, I take great care to recycle our household waste. My family separates out all recyclables. We never throw metals and electronics in the trash and make the extra effort to take them to Chester County Landfill.