Welcome to East Fallowfield Township's Website

Progress Continues Toward Rebuilding Mortonville Road Bridge

In 2024, a major weather event caused severe damage to the bridge located on Mortonville Road near Saw Mill Road. The bridge partially collapsed after fast-moving floodwaters eroded the northeast corner of the east stone abutment—causing the parapet to collapse—and washed out a large section of the west stone abutment near the southwest corner. The structural steel rail beams were left exposed and are now in danger of imminent collapse. Following the incident, East Fallowfield Township’s structural engineer conducted an evaluation and determined that the bridge is beyond repair and requires a full replacement. For public safety, the bridge remains closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Impact on Residents and Emergency Response

The closure of Mortonville Road Bridge has had a significant impact on residents and emergency services. Emergency responders must now take a lengthy detour to access homes on Martingale Circle, Saw Mill Road, Mortonville Road, and the lower portions of Misty Patch Road and South Caln Road. In an emergency situation, this added delay—up to five minutes—could mean the difference between life and death.

Funding and Grant Efforts

The estimated construction cost for the bridge replacement project exceeds $750,000. To help offset costs, the Township successfully secured $300,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Multimodal Transportation Fund and was also awarded a $475,000 grant through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Local Share Account (LSA) Grant Program.  ). The Township also received a $200,000 grant from the Chester County Conservation District toward the bridge and stream realignment project

Engineering and Design Progress

In 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved several critical steps toward the bridge replacement project, including:

• Surveying: $10,500

• Environmental Assessments and DEP Permitting: $49,000

The environmental work included a hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) study, wetlands investigation, endangered species review, and preparation of the required General Permit application for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). These tasks were completed in the spring of 2025.

At its October 28, 2025 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved a contract with the Township Engineer, Pennoni Associates, to begin the engineering and design phase of the project. This next stage will include evaluating potential realignment of the stream that runs beneath the bridge to help reduce the risk of future erosion and collapse.

A Commitment to Infrastructure and Safety

East Fallowfield Township remains committed to rebuilding the Mortonville Road Bridge as quickly and responsibly as possible. The bridge replacement is a top infrastructure priority for the Township, as it is vital for public safety, emergency response, and daily connectivity for residents.

The Township will continue to provide updates as the project advances through design, permitting, and eventual construction.

East Fallowfield Township Authorizes Bids for Saw Mill Road Culvert Replacement Project

At its October 14 meeting, the East Fallowfield Township Board of Supervisors authorized the advertisement to seek bids for the Saw Mill Road Culvert Replacement Project.The project will replace a failing metal culvert on Saw Mill Road (near Mortonville Road) with a new concrete culvert designed to allow creek waters to safely pass beneath the roadway and to help prevent flooding and roadway damage during heavy rain events. The new structure will be more durable and have a significantly longer service life than the old metal culvert.

At the October 14 meeting, Township Manager Scott Swichar noted that the Township’s traffic engineer has completed all required environmental testing and clearances, and that the Township has obtained all necessary easements from affected property owners.

Bids are scheduled to be opened on November 14, with the award of the contract expected on November 25. The project is being funded through a $250,000 DCED Local Share Account (LSA) Grant.

Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2026. During construction, at least one lane of traffic will remain open to minimize disruption to motorists.

This project reflects East Fallowfield Township’s ongoing commitment to improving local infrastructure and protecting public safety, while aggressively pursuing grant funding to reduce reliance on local tax revenue.

Update on Fieldstone Village and Pelham Place Public Improvements 

East Fallowfield Township recognizes the frustration of residents in the Fieldstone Village/Pelham Place community who have been waiting for the completion of their neighborhood’s public improvements. The Township shares this concern and remains committed to pursuing the issue. 

In 2024, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Township Engineer and Solicitor to follow up on the uncompleted public improvements in the Fieldstone/Pelham Place subdivision. This included completing a comprehensive punch list review of open matters, declaring the developer in default, and pursuing both the developer and the surety for the outstanding work. The Township Engineer completed the punch list in 2024.

While concerns about incomplete work have existed for several years, the developer did not make it clear until 2024 that it would not finish the remaining public improvements as required by the subdivision’s approved development plans. This confirmation allowed the Township to begin the formal process of declaring the developer in default and pursuing the bond company for completion of the work. The Township began pursuing legal action as soon as it was legally able to do so. Since that time, our Township Solicitor has been working diligently with Travelers Insurance, the developer’s bonding company, in an effort to secure the funds necessary to complete the remaining public improvements.

The Township’s efforts are focused on pursuing the developer and the bonding company to fulfill their legal responsibilities. It is important that this development be properly completed, if these improvements are to be considered for addition to the Township’s public infrastructure. Ensuring that the Township roads, sidewalks, and drainage systems are constructed to Township standards protects public safety, reduces future maintenance costs, and preserves the long-term value of the entire community. While the Township cannot predict the final outcome, it understands residents’ concerns and the comments that some of the remaining improvements may not be fully public in nature. The Township also recognizes that working with developers and bonding companies can take time. In addition, the Township acknowledges that the Homeowners Association may have its own options to pursue with the developer, given its role as the community’s declarant.

The Township is budgeting funds in the 2026 Township Budget to support the continued legal action against the bond company and to move this process forward as efficiently as possible.

The Board of Supervisors and Township administration remain committed to pursuing these avenues, and will continue to provide regular updates at the Board of Supervisors’ public meetings, where this matter remains an active discussion item.

Residents are also encouraged to stay in contact with their Homeowners Association (HOA), which continues to serve as a valuable partner in communication and coordination efforts through its legal counsel. East Fallowfield Township appreciates the community’s patience, cooperation, and understanding as the community works through the required legal and procedural steps to bring this matter to resolution and ensure the long-term safety and quality of the neighborhood.

Scott M. Swichar

Township Manager

BULK TRASH COLLECTION UPDATE

East Fallowfield Township and AJ Blosenski are pleased to announce an improvement to our bulk trash collection service!

Beginning Friday, October 24, 2025, residents may place one (1) bulk trash item out every week for collection at no additional cost.

This change replaces the previous schedule of two bulk items collected once per month and is intended to make it easier for residents to dispose of large household items.

Bulk Trash Guidelines:

• Place your bulk item curbside the night before or before 6:00 AM on your scheduled Friday collection day.
• Mattresses and box springs must be completely wrapped in plastic before disposal. This requirement follows industry safety standards and helps protect hauler employees from potential pest exposure and excess weight from wet materials. Plastic mattress bags are available at most hardware or home improvement stores.
• Appliances (“white goods”) are collected by appointment only.
• Appliances containing Freon (e.g., refrigerators) must display a certified technician’s tag verifying that the Freon has been properly removed.
• E-waste, construction debris, and hazardous waste will not be collected curbside.
• Tires may be dropped off at the East Fallowfield Township Building for a fee.
• Televisions, monitors, printers, and computers may be dropped off at no charge at the Township Building (during our regular business hours) as part of East Fallowfield’s E-Waste Recycling Program.

If you have any questions, please contact the Township Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 610-384-7144.

Citizen Board Vacancies: Are you Interested in Getting Involved with one of our Boards or Committees?

EAST FALLOWFIELD TOWNSHIP WANTS YOU!  VOLUNTEER TO SERVE ON A TOWNSHIP BOARD OR COMMISSION

Help us build a better future for East Fallowfield Township.

Volunteer today to serve on one of our boards and commissions. Below are the Current Citizen Board Vacancies as of August 26, 2025:

Historical Commission: 3 vacancies (encourage the preservation of historic settings, buildings and landscapes through identification, documentation and recognition of all historic places and sites).

Municipal Building Committee: 2 vacancies. Advise the Board of Supervisors about the scope, design, cost and feasibility of both a contemplated and approved municipal building facility and recommend to the Township Board of Supervisors regarding the approval and execution of an architect, construction and other contracts for the municipal building construction project.

 Please submit an application and letter of interest to the Board of Supervisors through one of the following methods: via email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or hand deliver/mail to the East Fallowfield Township Municipal Building, 8:30am-4:00PM (the address is: 2264 Strasburg Road, East Fallowfield, PA 19320).

 Click Here for an application:

New Municipal Building Complex for East Fallowfield Township

Planning for the Future: A New Municipal Complex for East Fallowfield Township

Why a New Municipal Building?

East Fallowfield Township has been exploring the need for a modern police station and administrative complex for many years. Currently, the police department operates out of a small, outdated one-story home that was converted into a police station. The administrative offices are located in a small space attached to the public works garage. While both buildings have served the Township well over the years, they no longer meet the operational, technological, or safety requirements of modern local government or law enforcement.

In 2022, the Township conducted a comprehensive assessment of the police department funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The report identified several critical deficiencies, including:

• No holding cell
• No secure lobby separating staff from the public
• No secure evidence storage room

The DCED report concluded that the lack of adequate space was a significant limiting factor for the department’s operations.

A new municipal facility will allow the Township to:

• Provide a "one-stop shop" for municipal services by housing the police and administrative offices under one roof
• Operate a secure, modern police station that enhances public safety and operational efficiency
• Create a dedicated, ADA-accessible public meeting space suitable for community events and public hearings

Project Progress & Timeline

Land Purchase Completed (January 2023)

The Township purchased a 10.9-acre parcel on Wilmington Road in January 2023 for $257,000. This centrally located property is the proposed site for the future municipal complex. The purchase was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) with no impact on the Township’s general budget.

Feasibility Study Completed (January 2025)

The Township hired Heckendorn Shiles Architects in 2024 to complete a feasibility study evaluating the proposed site and long-term facility needs. The feasibility study process was conducted through multiple public meetings and was presented to the Board of Supervisors in January 2025. The study included:

• A proposed site plan and floor plan
• A schematic architectural rendering
• A project schedule and preliminary cost estimate
• A proposed construction budget of approximately $7.9 million

📄 Click Here to view the full Feasibility Study

Funding and Design Phase (Underway)

The Township’s Municipal Building Committee is actively reviewing construction cost estimates, long-term financing strategies, and grant opportunities. The committee recently recommended retaining Heckendorn Shiles Architects to move the project into the architectural and engineering design phase. This phase, which is grant-funded, will provide a more detailed design and help refine construction cost estimates. The Township is currently completing technical and administrative steps required by the grant program before initiating the design work.

Funding & Fiscal Responsibility

East Fallowfield Township is committed to completing this project responsibly and with minimal impact to taxpayers. We are pleased to share that the Township has already secured two significant state and federal grants:

• $555,000 Community Project Funding Grant (for planning, architecture, and design)
• $1,000,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Grant (for land development and construction activities)

These grant awards will help offset design and construction costs and reduce the Township’s financial burden.

Looking Ahead

As the project moves into the design phase, the Township will continue to pursue additional funding opportunities and grants. Just as importantly, we remain committed to transparency and public involvement throughout this process.

Your continued input and participation are vital to shaping a facility that reflects the priorities and needs of East Fallowfield residents. We look forward to sharing continued updates and encourage all residents to stay informed through public meetings and the Township website.

Click Here to Access Building Project Documents