WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
JANUARY 3, 2005

The annual organizational meeting of the Board of Supervisors of West Goshen Township was called to order by Chairman Patricia B. McIlvaine at 5:01 p.m. on Monday, January 3, 2005, at the Township Administration Building, with all members present. Ms. McIlvaine opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Ms. McIlvaine opened the floor for public comment and there was none.

Ms. McIlvaine appointed Dr. White as Temporary Chairman for the purpose of electing the Chairman of the Board for 2005.

Dr. White opened the floor for nominations for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, Mr. Meakim was unanimously nominated as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for 2005.

Mr. Meakim opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chairman. On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Mr. Meakim, Ms. McIlvaine was unanimously nominated Vice Chairman.

Dr. White stated that the new Township park on Pottstown Pike is scheduled to be opened in the fall of 2005.  He said that in the process of deciding on a name for the park, the board considered several people who have been instrumental in obtaining funds for the construction of the park.  These included Senator Robert Thompson and Representative Elinor Z. Taylor, both of whom are West Goshen Township residents. Dr. White announced that after careful thought the Board has decided to name the park in honor of Robert E. Lambert who has given 31 years of service to West Goshen Township, first as a member of the Zoning Hearing Board and later as a member of the Board of Supervisors.

Mr. Lambert said that the Board had found a way to surprise him and that he was at a loss for words.  He said that he was deeply honored and moved by this tribute. Mr. Lambert said that his years of service to the Township were happy years and full of memories to treasure.  He thanked the Board and said that he will continue to be a presence in West Goshen Township which he called one of the finest townships in the area.

Mr. Meakim announced that West Goshen Township has been awarded a Chester County Landscapes 21^st Century Fund Municipal Grant in the amount of $225,000 for the Robert E. Lambert Park.

Mr. Meakim announced that the Board of Supervisors met in Executive Session on December 13, 2004, to discuss personnel matters.

Mr. Meakim announced that the Board of Supervisors met in Executive Session on December 15, 2004, to discuss legal issues.

Mr. Meakim announced the proposed Township and Staff appointments for 2005 and asked for a motion and vote on the following appointments:

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, unanimous approval was granted for these appointments.

Mr. Meakim announced the proposed appointments for the specific terms in office to various Boards and Commissions and asked for a motion and vote on the appointments.

For the Park and Recreation Board:

Robert Cifone

Member

For the Pension Committee:

Peter C. Anderson

Member

Gary S. Hess

Member

William Keenan

Member

Richard Weinstein

Member

Walter C. Tompkins, Jr.

Alternate

For the Planning Commission:

Robert B. Little

Member

James J. O'Brien

Member

For the Sewer Authority Board:

Paul D. Spiegel

Member

For the Vacancy Board:

Raymond H. Halvorsen

Member

For the Zoning Hearing Board:

Gillian M. Goodwin

Member

On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, the appointments to the Boards and Commissions were unanimously approved.

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved the following depositories for 2005:
  Commerce Bank
  The First National Bank of Chester County
  Wachovia Bank
  Sovereign Bank
  Downingtown National Bank
  Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust (PLGIT)
  Citizen's Bank

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, it was unanimously approved to recommend to the Board of Auditors that the Township Finance Director and Manager bonds be set at $7,000,000 for 2005.

Mr. Meakim announced that in 2005, the Board of Supervisors will meet on the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. in the Township Administration Building with the exception of the following:  The November 23, 2005 and December 28, 2005 meetings are cancelled and a Special meeting will be held on November 16, 2005 at 4:00 p.m.

Mr. Meakim announced the Holiday Schedule for 2005 as follows:

Employees have one swing holiday which may be used with the approval of their Department supervisor.

On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Ms. McIlvaine, unanimous approval was given for the adoption of Resolution No. 1-2005, establishing the following boundaries for fire protection and the agencies chosen to fulfill the public safety needs of West Goshen Township:

BOUNDARIES

From Phoenixville Pike beginning at the northern boundary of West Goshen Township, southerly to the 322 By-pass, then along the PA 202 By-pass to South Concord Road; then south along South Concord Road to the southern boundary of West Goshen Township.

FIRE PROTECTION

Goshen Fire Department
West Chester Fire Department

AMBULANCE SERVICE

Good Fellowship Ambulance Club, Inc.
Goshen Ambulance

RESCUE SERVICE

Goshen Fire Department

West Chester Fire Department

POLICE PROTECTIONS

West Goshen Township Police Department

On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Dr. White, unanimous approval was given for the adoption of Resolution No. 2-2005, adopting the Emergency Operations Plan for West Goshen Township.

Mr. Meakim opened the floor for public comment. 

Ms. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, asked what firm the Township is using for auditing the Township financial records and Mr. Meakim replied that the firm being used by the Township is Barbacane Thornton.  Mrs. Baker asked if other companies had ever been considered by the Township and Dr. White answered that bids for the auditing had been solicited in the past. Mrs. Baker said she had some concerns with Barbacane Thornton because they had been the Township auditor when Mr. Corey Kemp was the Finance Director for West Goshen Township.  She referred to Mr. Kemp's recent federal criminal indictment concerning his employment with the City of Philadelphia.  Ms. Lynn said that Barbacane Thornton has an excellent reputation and that there were no improprieties with Mr. Kemp's term of employment for West Goshen Township.  Ms. Jeanne Denham, Finance Director, said that Barbacane Thornton has an impeccable reputation as an auditing firm and that they come highly recommended.

Dr. White stated that Mr. Daniel Rafter has resigned from the West Goshen Planning Commission because he is moving to another township.

Dr. White announced that Mr. Michael McKie who is presently the alternate member of the Planning Commission will become a member of the Commission and that Mr. Philip Yocum is being appointed to serve as the alternate member of the Commission.

There being no further business, on motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Dr. White, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

       Respectfully submitted,

       Sharon Lynn
       Township Manager

Copyright 2008, West Goshen Twp.