WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
JUNE 27, 2001

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of West Goshen Township was called to order by Vice Chairman Edward G. Meakim, Jr., at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27, 2001, at the West Goshen Township Administration Building. Dr. Robert S. White was absent. Mr. Meakim opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Mr. Meakim opened the floor for public comment. Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, was asked by Mr. Meakim to wait until the public comments at the end of the meeting to ask her questions.

Mr. Meakim introduced Chief Michael J. Carroll to make an announcement on behalf of the Police Department. Chief Carroll advised the audience that Cpl. Robert M. Holland, who was President of the Juvenile Officer's Association from April 2000 to April 2001, had received the Juvenile Officer of the Year Award on April 20, 2001 from the association. Chief Carroll read the award aloud, after which Cpl. Holland expressed his gratitude for having been given the opportunity to advance his career in the Juvenile Division.

Sharon Lynn, Township Manager, stated that the date for the Pennrose Properties hearing was set for July 11, 2001 at the last Board of Supervisors meeting. Because of a residents' petition received by the Township requesting a later time for the hearing, Penrose Properties will be the third hearing on July 11, 2001. It will not start earlier than 5:00 p.m.

On motion by Mr. Halvorsen, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved the bills to be paid from the General Fund, the Sewer Fund, the Capital Reserve Fund, and the Waste and Recycling Fund.

On motion by Mr. Halvorsen, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement between West Goshen Township, the West Goshen Sewer Authority and the Borough of West Chester regarding the Beaugard Development.

On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Mr. Halvorsen, unanimous approval was given to accept a donation from West Chester University in the amount of $855.00. Said amount is to be deposited into the Fire Company Contribution Account.

Mr. Meakim announced that the possible approval of a Final Land Development Plan for a 66,240 square foot Office Building for Chester County Fund, Inc. located at Lots 3 and 4 Andrew Drive was being tabled.

On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Mr. Halvorsen, the Board unanimously approved a Final Land Development Plan for a 2,520 square foot Temporary Modular Classroom Addition for the West Chester Area School District located at 1314 Burke Road. Mr. Mark Groves from the West Chester Area School District was present to represent the plan.

On motion by Mr. Halvorsen, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved a Final Land Development Plan for a 23,365 square foot Ice Rink Expansion for West Goshen Twin Rinks Ltd. located at 1035 Andrew Drive.

On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Mr. Halvorsen, the Board unanimously approved a Final Land Development Plan for a 3,416 square foot Community Center located at the Golf Club Apartments for Home Properties. Mr. William Reardon from Bohler Engineering was present to represent the plan.

Mr. Meakim opened the floor for public comment

Mr. Robert A. Seiple, a resident of West Goshen Hills, stated that a petition had been presented to the Township regarding placing a permanent traffic light in place of the temporary traffic signal now installed at Paoli Pike and Long Lane. He requested the Board of Supervisors petition PennDot to make this signal permanent. The light in place now will be removed at the end of construction on September 1, 2001.

Ms. Gladys Singer, a resident of West Goshen Hills, said that there is only one way in and out for the residents. They cannot easily make a left turn into or out of Long Lane.

Mr. Halvorsen informed the residents that their petition would be sent with the request to the State for a traffic light at this intersection.

Mr. Donald Curry, a resident of West Goshen Hills, stated that the residents do not want another entrance or exit to their neighborhood.

Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, asked if the position of Director of Public Works was advertised or posted prior to being filled by Mr. Raymond Halvorsen. Mr. Meakim said the position was not posted since the Township had someone who could do the job. Mrs. Baker said she felt that this was not in compliance with EEOC regulations and that the action could impact grant money for the Township. She also stated she thought it was self-serving because no one else was interviewed. She asked if the salary for this position was coming from the General Fund. Mr. Meakim said it was. Mrs. Baker inquired as to why it was not coming from the Sewer Fund.

Ms. Lynn said the position was mainly administrative in nature and the salary would be paid from the Administrative Fund. Mr. Halvorsen will be overseeing, in an Administrative capacity, those functions of each department.

Mrs. Baker said the job description for the position listed four years of college and a minimum of six years experience in the township as a qualification. She said she thought that this would allow anyone who doesn't know anything about public works to have the position.

Mrs. Baker further stated she thought the position was unnecessary because there are already managers in place for the departments and she does not think Mr. Halvorsen is qualified. She also questioned if the position was budgeted. Ms. Lynn stated the money was to be taken from the general fund contingency moneys for personnel.

Mr. Robert Lambert said that he felt Mr. Halvorsen did not have the right to use his power of that of an elected official to achieve self-gain or make a career change. Mr. Lambert stated the necessity for the new job had not been demonstrated. He said Mr. Halvorsen would be the director of three separate areas of expertise but does not have experience in any of them. He stated he feels that the action is outrageous and unconscionable, and he wanted his position recorded in the minutes. He stated he felt this position was conceived in darkness, after which Mr. Meakim disagreed. Mr. Lambert said he was making a citizen's request to the Board of Supervisors to rethink assigning Mr. Halvoren to this position as he thought this action could have long-term implications for the Township, its employees and future Board of Supervisors. He stated he felt it was bringing dishonor to the township and the Board of Supervisors should find some other way to handle the situation.

Mrs. Baker stated that she was at the meeting on June 13, 2001 and no advance notice was given about filling the position. She stated this decision made by the Supervisors violated the sunshine laws of the Commonwealth. Mr. Meakim said personnel matters are not handled openly. Mrs. Baker said the position should have been advertised.

Mr. Lambert stated that he felt Mr. Meakim was showing a casual approach to filling the position and that this looks bad for the township.

Ms. Lynn told the residents of West Goshen Hills that the issues they had brought up concerning the traffic signal would be addressed in a letter to PennDOT. The township will be asking PennDOT to do a traffic study after the temporary signal is removed. Ms. Lynn stated that the department would not do the study while the detour is in place.

Mr. Curtis Lavigne, a resident of West Goshen Hills, asked Ms. Lynn if there were anything the residents could do. Ms. Lynn advised them to write their legislators.

Mr. Seiple stated that before the lights went up at Paoli Pike and Thomas Avenue, the residents were told there would be a light installed at Long Lane and Paoli Pike.

Mr. Halvorsen advised that the timing is good for the request.

Ms. Singer asked if a copy of any correspondence with the state would be sent to the residents. Ms. Lynn said the Township would forward a copy.

There being no further business, on motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Mr. Halvorsen, the meeting was adjourned at 4:38 p.m.

    Respectfully submitted,

    Sharon Lynn
    Township Secretary