WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
June 23, 2004

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of West Goshen Township was called to order by Chairman Patricia B. McIlvaine at 4:02 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23, 2004, at the West Goshen Township Administration Building.  All members were present.  Ms. McIlvaine opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Ms. McIlvaine opened the floor for public comment. No comments were made.

Ms. Sharon Lynn, Township Manager, presented to the Board of Supervisors, a ceremonial check for $40,000 representing the funds of a grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development which was obtained with the assistance of Representative Elinor Z. Taylor for the construction of the Pottstown Pike Park, which is anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2005. Ms. Lynn stated that Senator Robert Thompson was instrumental in the Township receiving another grant for $74,841 in January of 2003 for the building of the park.  She showed a site drawing of the proposed park and pointed out that it will contain a skate park, two tennis courts and an off leash canine exercise area.  Ms. Lynn added that the park is adjacent to the 28 acre site on which the West Chester Area School District is constructing practice fields for Henderson High School and that the School District will be providing parking and access to the West Goshen Township Park and sharing restrooms with the Township. Ms. Lynn said that the Township has committed approximately $400,000 for the project.

Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, inquired about the supervision of the park and Ms. Lynn replied that the skate park will be staffed at all times.  She said that Township personnel had visited other skate parks to observe their operation and that a nominal fee will be charged for residents using the park and an additional fee will be included for non-residents.  She added that the Township's insurance carrier has stated that if skaters are required to wear protective equipment, such as knee pads, elbow pads and head gear, the liability cost to the Township is less than liability coverage for a baseball field. Mrs. Baker asked if the liability coverage included the dog area and Ms. Lynn said it would be comprehensive coverage for the whole park.  Mrs. Baker stated she was concerned about the dogs attacking each other and Ms. Lynn said there is a problem now in the open parks with dog owners allowing their pets to run off leash. Ms. Lynn added that off leash dog areas in other parts of the country have proven to be effective and that owners tend to be savvy about the rules for using the area.  She said that Mr. Ken Lehr, Park and Recreation Director, had toured several skate parks in the area and is working out the details on rules and regulations for using the park.

Ms. Nancy Rodgers, Zoning Officer, announced that the Zoning Hearing Board of West Goshen Township will conduct a public hearing on Monday, July 12, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Administration Building to consider two applications.  The first applicant and legal owner is Daveco, Ltd., P. O. Box 627, Edgemont, PA. The property for which the application is filed is a 1.07 acre nonconforming lot with a nonconforming building located at 1109 West Chester Pike and is zoned C-2 Neighborhood Commercial District.  The applicant is seeking a Variance for lot size, building envelope, rear yard and any other relief necessary which would allow the applicant to expand his automotive repair business by constructing a 1,664 square foot addition to the existing 1,764 square foot building.

The second applicant and legal owners are Stephen and Valerie Gilbert, 1200 Winthrop Circle, West Chester, PA. The conforming property for which the application is made is a 1.45 acre corner lot located at 1200 Winthrop Circle. The applicant is seeking a Variance for corner lot, building setback line and any other relief necessary which would allow the applicant to install an in-ground swimming pool with deck.

Ms. McIlvaine extended the Board of Supervisors congratulations to Mr. Meakim for his recent induction into the Delaware County Athletes Hall of Fame.

On motion by Dr. White, 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.

Prior to the presentation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report award, Ms. Lynn stated that the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada awarded West Goshen Township a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. She said this award represents a significant achievement by the Township and reflects the commitment of the Board of Supervisors and the staff to meet the highest principles of government accounting to clearly communicate the financial story to users of this document. Ms. Lynn said that the individuals primarily responsible for preparing the award winning Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) were Ms. Jeanne M. Denham, Finance Director and Ms. Jennifer M. Latzer, Assistant Finance Director and she recognized the other employees of the department, Ms. Cindy L. Haldeman, Ms. Jeannette M. Towers, Mr. Kevin M. Lowrie and Ms. Xia Zhu, who contribute daily to the overall accomplishments of the department. Ms. Lynn acknowledged the presence of Ms. Pamela Baker of Barbacane Thornton, the Township's Independent Auditor, and said that Ms. Baker had been instrumental in assisting Ms. Denham to earn this award. Ms. Lynn credited Ms. Denham for taking the lead role in the accomplishments of the Township Finance Department.

Ms. Lynn said that to receive the prestigious certificate the Township had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines and that this CAFR represented the first time in West Goshen Township history that this has been accomplished.  She noted that the financial statements contained in the report, along with the supporting schedules, statistical tables and narrative explanations required, assure that all fiscal data are presented to aid the Board of Supervisors as well as the taxpayers and other business entities to learn more about the financial affairs of the Township government.

Ms. Lynn introduced David Fiorenza, Finance Director of Radnor Township and the current President of the Southeast Chapter of the Government Finance Officer's Association, to present the award.

Mr. Fiorenza said that he was humbled as an ex-resident of West Goshen Township to be presenting this award.  He added that residents of the Township should be proud of the Community Park and Municipal Building. He stated that the CAFR award will assist the Township in borrowing money and bond ratings in that it gives the clout that is needed for bond ratings and investment earnings and adds respect to the Finance Department.

Mr. Fiorenza then presented the plaque to Ms. Denham.  He said that the Board of Supervisors are to be commended also for providing the guidance to the Finance Department and the boost that is needed to get the job done.

In accepting the award Ms. Denham stated that she wanted to publicly thank the Finance Department for all the work that they do on a daily basis and to let them know that their efforts are very much appreciated.  She said without their help it would not have been possible to achieve this award.  She thanked Ms. Latzer for her assistance in preparing the report and thanked Ms. Lynn and the Board of Supervisors for their support.

Ms. McIlvaine thanked Ms. Denham for her efforts.  Ms. Lynn said that the Finance Department intended to submit a plan every year so this would be the first of many awards.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved Resolution 15-2004 approving the filing of an application for Chester County Landscapes 21^st Century Fund Grant Program assistance for the Pottstown Pike Park.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved Resolution 16-2004 setting the date of August 11, 2004, to hold a Public hearing to consider the application of Omnipoint Communications Enterprises, L.P. for Conditional Use in the I-2-R Light Industrial District at 890 South Matlack Street for a proposed 120 foot monopole antenna support structure.

On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved Resolution 17-2004 authorizing erection of 25 mile per hour speed limit signs on Fowler Drive between West Warren Road and Stoneybrook Lane.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved Resolution 18-2004 setting the date of July 28, 2004, to hold a Public hearing to consider the application of Westrum Land Development, LLC, to amend the West Goshen Township Zoning Ordinance Section 84-41 to include Active Adult Community use in the I-C Industrial District.

Mrs. Baker inquired as to the definition of "Active Adult Community" and Ms. McIlvaine replied that it would be a community for adults aged 55 and over.  Mrs. Baker asked if it would be residential and independent living and Ms. McIlvaine said it would be and would consist of town houses and condominiums. 

Ms. McIlvaine opened the floor for public comment. No comments were made.

There being no further business, on motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the meeting was adjourned at 4:34 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Lynn,
Township Manager