WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
February 23, 2005

A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of West Goshen Township was called to order by Chairman Edward G. Meakim at 4:01 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2005, 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.

Mr. Mark Mouton, 713 Edward Lane, said that he was present as a representative of the West Chester Starz Baseball League to petition for more field use time. He stated that the League has two teams and thirty families participating, with twenty-six of the families being from the West Goshen area. Mr. Mouton said that the league will accept field use time any time it is available. He said that in the past he has observed fields not being used and sports other than baseball being played on the fields. Mr. Meakim responded that the Board of Supervisors will take the issue under advisement and reply to Mr. Mouton at a later date.

Ms. Sharon Lynn, Township Manager, announced that West Goshen Township has recently been notified by the Government Finance Officers Association that the Township has been awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. She said that Ms. Jeanne Denham, Finance Director, had completed the CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2003. Ms. Lynn said that this is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and represents a significant accomplishment. This is the second award from the GFOA to West Goshen Township with the first award being for the fiscal year 2002. She stated that West Goshen Township is the only municipality in Chester County to submit a CAFR for review this year.  Ms. Lynn said that preparing the report involved many hours of work on the part of Ms. Denham and she thanked Ms. Denham for her efforts.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, 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.

Mr. Richard J. Craig, Township Engineer, opened and read the following bids for the purchase of a 2005 4 x 4 pickup truck:

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved awarding the bid to Fred Beans Ford, pending a review of the bids by Mr. Craig.

The possible approval of a Final Land Development Plan for Nextel Communications of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. was tabled.

The possible approval of a Final Land Development Plan for a 2,000 square foot office building addition for D & D Enterprises was tabled as no one was present to represent the plan.

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved Resolution 9-05 authorizing West Goshen Township to participate in the PACC (PA Capital City) Automotive and Equipment Contract which is administered by the City of Harrisburg.

A Stormwater Management Program presentation was given by Mr. John Beswick, Stormwater Inspector/Building Official. Mr. Beswick talked about the reasons clean water is important and the many choices that are made every day which impact the water quality. The presentation addressed what storm water is in the context of the Phase II Storm Water Program implemented by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Mr. Beswick said that storm water can be either a point source discharge (travels through a conveyance system) or a nonpoint source discharge and that the EPA regulates only point source discharge under the NPDES Storm Water Program.

Mr. Meakim opened the floor for public comment.

Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, asked Mr. Beswick how the Township proposed to deal with the pollutants from de-icing the streets and Mr. Beswick replied that treating the streets was a matter of public safety and that the Township is using liquid calcium chloride to reduce the amount of salt that is needed to treat the streets in snowy weather. Mrs. Baker asked if storm water is pumped through the storm water system and Mr. Beswick replied that the storm water system uses a gravity system. Mrs. Baker asked whether storm water systems will be installed when Township roads are being improved, and Mr. Beswick said that ditches and swales which are currently in place are ways for water to drain also and that they allow infiltration through the ground. Mr. Raymond Halvorsen, Public Works Director, said that when roads are being improved in the Township, an attempt is made to crown the pavement to allow for drainage to the side of the road. Mr. Craig said that West Goshen Township has been in existence for a long time, but that the storm water management system is only 25 years old. He added that because of the large number of miles of piping that would have to be installed, it is not possible to retro fit all of the systems. He said that the Township tries to address the problems as best it can. Mr. Halvorsen said that in a very short time Mr. Beswick's attention to such things as faulty basins has helped the drainage problems. Mrs. Baker asked about back-ups at culverts on private properties that are caused by litter entering from upstream and Mr. Craig said that the clearing of the culvert would be the responsibility of the property owner. Mr. Halvorsen said that the Township in the past has assisted property owners with blockages at culverts. Mr. Craig said that the entire Township storm water system has been mapped into the Township GIS system.

There being no further business, on motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the meeting was adjourned at 4:39 p.m.

    Respectfully submitted,

    Sharon Lynn
    Township Manager