WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
December 10, 2003

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of West Goshen Township was called to order by Chairman Edward G. Meakim, Jr., at 4:01 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2003, at the West Goshen Township Administration Building.  All members were present. Mr. Meakim opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Mr. Meakim opened the floor for public comment.  No comments were made.

Mr. Meakim announced that on December 11, 2003, Senior Trash Rebate checks in the amount of $176.00 each will be mailed to 46 residents who applied and were approved to receive a rebate as part of the Township's Trash Rebate Program.

Ms. Lynn announced that the December 24, 2003, Board of Supervisors meeting has been cancelled.

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved the Board of Supervisors minutes from November 12 and November 19, 2003.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved the Treasurer's Report dated November 30, 2003 for the General Fund, the Sewer Revenue Fund, the Waste and Recycling Fund, and the Capital Reserve Fund, as well as the bills to be paid from the General Fund, the Sewer Fund, the Capital Reserve Fund, and the Waste and Recycling Fund.

Chief Michael Carroll gave the Police Report for the month of November, 2003.  Chief Carroll announced that Santa Claus will arrive at the West Goshen Township Community Park on Saturday, December 13, 2003 at 2:00 p.m.  He also said that Sgt. William Camlin, who has been on active duty with the United States Army in Iraq, was recently in the United States for training and has now returned to Baghdad, Iraq, where he will be stationed until April 2004.

Mr. Ralph Brown, Fire Marshal, gave the Fire Marshal Report for the month of November, 2003.  Mr. Brown also gave the report for Good Fellowship Ambulance. No report was available for Goshen Fire Company.

Mr. Richard E. Hicks, Building Official, gave the Building Inspection Activity Report for November, 2003.

Prior to the adoption of the Waste and Recycling Fund Budget for 2004, Dr. White stated that the revenues for this fund in 2004 are expected to be $1,460,857 with expenditures of $1,461,094 which could indicate an increase in the fee for Waste and Recycling will be needed in 2005.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously adopted the Waste and Recycling Fund Budget of $2,904,961 for 2004.

Prior to the adoption of the Sewer Fund Budget for 2004, Dr. White stated that the revenues for this fund in 2004 are expected to be $3,117,324 with expenditures of $3,722,494.

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously adopted the Sewer Fund Budget of $7,037,014 for 2004.

Mr. Robert Murlless, 824 Halvorsen Drive, questioned the expenditure listed on page 28, 3^rd line from the bottom, of the proposed budget in which the Township pays the Sewer Authority rent.  Dr. White explained that this is an academic exercise in that the Sewer Authority owns the Sewer Treatment Plant with the Township paying rent for its use. Dr. White added that the Sewer Authority refinanced its bonds in 2003 with a savings of $500,000. Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, questioned why the expenses of the Authority had gone up when the refinancing of the bonds was for a lower interest rate and Dr. White explained that the Authority had borrowed money for the expansion of the Sewer Treatment Plant in 2001 and it now has to be paid back.  Ms. Lynn added that the money was borrowed from the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority.

Prior to the consideration of the adoption of Resolution 31-03, adopting the General Fund Budget for 2004, Dr. White stated that the revenue for this fund is expected to be $9,270,065 with expenditures of $9,268,863. Mr. Murlless asked for an explanation of the major cost factors driving up the expenditures for the Township and Dr. White replied that there is a mandatory contracted 4% increase in salary for police, medical insurance costs have increased 11%, the liability insurance has increased due to terrorism and that the cost of blacktopping three miles of roads each year has doubled in price. He added that this is a "bare bones" budget and that the Township was originally presented with a budget of over $10,000,000 which was then cut by Ms. Lynn and Ms. Jeanne M. Denham, Finance Director.  He said no services or recreation activities have been cut but that the Township will be performing services as inexpensively as possible while still giving residents a quality product.

Mr. Murlless inquired as to how insurance contracts are awarded and Dr. White replied that the Township uses a broker to get the best price. Mrs. Baker asked if employees pay any of their medical insurance costs and Dr. White replied that they do not pay for their own insurance but do pay a portion of their dependents' insurance.

Mr. Murlless referred to page 21 of the budget and asked what "Total State Funds" meant and Dr. White replied that this is money received from the Liquid Fuels Fund which has to be applied for by the Township.

Mr. Murlless questioned the library contribution and said that at the September 10, 2003, Board of Supervisors meeting the Supervisors stated that they planned to increase the contribution to the West Chester Library.  Dr. White replied that no contribution will be made to the Chester County Library and that the West Chester Library will receive the entire Library contribution.  Mr. Murlless asked about the Newsletter Fund for $500.00 which had been zeroed out and Dr. White replied that this was an employee newsletter which was being discontinued.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved the adoption of Resolution 31-03 adopting the General Fund Budget of $12,283,200 for 2004.

Prior to the consideration of Resolution 32-03 establishing the Real Estate Tax at 1.5 mills for 2004, Dr. White stated that the resolution reflects the need to have more money coming into the Township to cover expenses. Mrs. Baker questioned having a 74% increase in the tax and Dr. White responded that West Goshen Township's tax is low compared to West Chester Borough where it is 4.45 mills.  Mrs. Baker responded that West Chester Borough's tax includes the cost of trash and sewer usage. Mr. Meakim said that West Goshen Township's combined real estate tax and trash and sewer payment are lower than the amount paid for the same items in West Chester Borough.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved the adoption of Resolution 32-03 establishing the Real Estate Tax at 1.5 mills for 2004.

Prior to the consideration of Ordinance 13-2003 amending the Police Pension Plan, Mr. Ronald C. Nagle, Esquire, Township Solicitor, stated that the ordinance had been advertised in the November 26, 2003 Daily Local News and had been placed on file with the Daily Local News and the Chester County Law Library. Mr. Nagle said the purpose of the ordinance was to comply with the technical regulations of the Internal Revenue Service by updating the language used and does not change the operation of the plan.  Mrs. Baker said that in view of the slumping economy she would like to know who is handling the operation of the Township pensions and Dr. White responded that the Township has a committee of residents who have expertise in the financial field.  He added that the investment advisor for the funds is PFM Advisors and Bryn Mawr Trust Company is the custodian of the funds. Dr. White said that even with the downturn in the economy the West Goshen Township pension funds have grown.

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously adopted Ordinance 13-2003 amending the Police Pension Plan, as amended and restated by Ordinance No. 5-2002, established pursuant to the Police pension Fund ordinance, codified in Chapter 14, Article 1 of the Code of the Township of West Goshen for the purpose of complying with Revenue Ruling 2001-62, Revenue Ruling 2002-27 and the regulations issued under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9).

Prior to the consideration of Ordinance 14-2003 amending the Administrative and Road Employees' Pension Plan, Mr. Nagle stated that the ordinance had been advertised in the Daily Local News on November 26, 2003 and placed on file with the Daily Local News and the Chester County Law Library. He added that the purpose of this ordinance was the same as that of Ordinance 13-2003.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously adopted Ordinance 14-2003 amending the Administrative and Road Employees' Pension Plan, as amended and restated by Ordinance 7-2002, for the purpose of complying with Revenue Ruling 2001-62, Revenue Ruling 2002-27 and the regulations issued under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9).

Prior to the consideration of Ordinance 15-2003 amending the West Goshen Township Sewer Employees' Pension Plan, Mr. Nagle stated that the ordinance had been advertised in the Daily Local News on November 26, 2003 and placed on file with the Daily Local News and the Chester County Law Library.  He added that the purpose of this ordinance was the same as that of Ordinance 13-2003.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously adopted Ordinance 15-2003 amending the West Goshen Township Sewer Employees Pension Plan, as amended and restated by Ordinance 6-2002, for the purpose of complying with Revenue Ruling 2001-62, Revenue Ruling 2002-27, and the regulations issued under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9).

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved awarding the Sludge and Waste Hauling and Disposal bid to Charles Blosenski Disposal Company, Honey Brook, PA. Bids were opened and read at the November 12, 2003 Board of Supervisors meeting.

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved awarding the Liquid Aluminum Sulfate bid to Delta Chemical Corporation, Baltimore, MD.  Bids were opened and read at the November 12, 2003 Board of Supervisors meeting.

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved awarding the Dry Polymer bid to Coyne Chemical, Croydon, PA.  Bids were opened and read at the November 12, 2003 Board of Supervisors meeting.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved awarding the Generator Maintenance bid to Enerwise Global Technologies, Kennett Square, PA.  Bids were opened and read at the November 12, 2003 Board of Supervisors meeting.

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved the signing of the Decision and Order for Omnipoint Communications Enterprises, L.P. d/b/a T-Mobile Wireless USA, 400 Street Road, Bensalem, PA.  The Board conducted a public hearing with respect to this application on November 19, 2003 and voted unanimously to approve the application.

Mr. Meakim opened the floor for public comment.

Mrs. Baker questioned the awarding of the bid for Dry Polymer because she said it appeared it was being awarded to the highest bidder.  After checking the bid tabulations, it was found the bid was awarded to the lowest bidder.

Dr. White said the Board of Supervisors would be available after the meeting was adjourned to answer any budget questions.  Ms. Lynn advised Mr. Murlless that she would be glad to answer any questions he may have in regards to the employee insurance.

Dr. White said that in the past the Board had been on a 5-year plan for the replacement of vehicles but would now go to a 6-year plan for replacement except for police cars which are replaced by mileage.

Ms. McIlvaine thanked Mr. Murlless and Mrs. Baker for attending the budget adoption meeting and participating in the discussion.  She added that she would like to see more residents in attendance at Board of Supervisors meetings.

Mrs. Baker said she had heard on KYW Radio that the Philadelphia Police Officers will have decibel meters in their patrol cars for the measurement of noise which will provide them with evidence to present in court when complaints are filed. Mr. Nagle responded that this is very difficult to present in court. Mrs. Baker said she had heard that former West Goshen Township Finance Director Corey Kemp is one of the aides to Mayor John Street in Philadelphia who is under investigation in a Federal probe for the handling of bond awards.  Ms. Lynn responded that Mr. Kemp's term of employment in West Goshen Township was beyond reproach.

There being no further business, on motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, the meeting was adjourned at 4:44 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Lynn
Township Manager