WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
March 12, 2003

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of West Goshen Township was called to order by Chairman Edward G. Meakim, Jr., at 4:03 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 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.

Dr. White announced that an informational meeting concerning the West Goshen Township Comprehensive Plan was held on Monday, March 10, 2003. He added that the Task Force is at the stage where they are taking input from residents and that two more public meetings for residents will be scheduled in the future.

Ms. Nancy D. Rodgers, Zoning Officer, announced that the West Goshen Township Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at which time ZHB #4-03 will be heard. This hearing was continued from March 11, 2003 due to a medical emergency. The applicant is Educational Property Group, Inc.

Ms. Rodgers further announced that the West Goshen Township Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2003 at which time ZHB #5-03 will be heard. The applicant and legal owner is Virginia Speaker, 402 Howard Road, West Chester, PA. The property for which the application is made is a corner lot located at 402 Howard Road, consists of .34 acres and is zoned R-3 Residential District. The applicant seeks Variances from the Zoning Hearing Board and any relief necessary to permit the construction of a 110 sq. ft. handicap accessible bathroom within the front yard.

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved the Board of Supervisors minutes from February 12 and February 26, 2003.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved the Treasurer's Report dated February 28, 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 February, 2003. Chief Carroll announced that the annual Skatearama will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2003 at Ice Line as part of the "Say No To Drugs" program.

Ralph Brown, Fire Marshal, gave the Fire Marshal Report for the month of February, 2003. Mr. Brown also gave the report for Goshen Fire Company and Good Fellowship Ambulance Company. 

Mr. Brown gave the Building Inspection Activity Report for February, 2003.

Prior to consideration of the possible approval of Ordinance 4-03 authorizing the Board of Supervisors to enter into an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement to form the West Chester Area Council of Governments, Dr. White explained that this would provide a forum for elected officials to discuss information and future projects which would potentially impact adjoining municipalities. He added that officials would be able to stay informed about activities in surrounding municipalities.

Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, asked if this would provide a mechanism for the municipalities to jointly accept bids to which Dr. White replied that such topics could be discussed but no actual bidding could be done. He explained that bids must be opened in a public meeting.

Ms. Sharon Lynn, Township Manager, said that the West Chester Area Council of Governments would be a legal entity for the municipalities that make up the West Chester Area School District. She added that on October 23, 2002 the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 27-02 authorizing the creation of this organization and that this Ordinance further adopts the formation of it and sets the parameters by which it will operate. Ms. Lynn stated that West Goshen Township has contributed $500.00 to help cover the expenses of the creation of the Council of Governments. She added that the organization could be part of the bidding process and that a representative Board of Directors will govern the Council of Governments.

Mrs. Baker asked what powers the Board of Supervisors would be giving up and Dr. White replied there would be none as all actions would have to be approved at a Board of Supervisors meeting.

Ms. Lynn stated that the Ordinance was duly advertised in the Daily Local News on March 5, 2003.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved Ordinance 4-03 authorizing the Board of Supervisors to enter into an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with the Borough of West Chester, East Bradford Township, East Goshen Township, Westtown Township and Thornbury Township to form the West Chester Area Council of Governments ("WCACOG").

Prior to consideration of the possible approval of Resolution 10-03 adopting the Emergency Operations Plan, Ms. Lynn introduced Sgt. Donald A. Loane, the Emergency Management Coordinator for West Goshen Township. Sgt. Loane explained that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has adopted a new state directive altering the requirements associated with municipal emergency operation plans in an effort to unify the process for all involved. He added that by June 2003 other work on the plan will need to be completed and that by December of 2003 the manual and resource list will need to be updated.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved Resolution 10-03 adopting the Emergency Operations Plan for West Goshen Township and signing of the Emergency Operations Plan for West Goshen Township.

The following bids were opened and read by Mr. Richard J. Craig, Township Engineer, for one 33,000 GVW dump truck with plow and spreader: