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WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
October 8, 2008
Township Supervisors:
Patricia B. McIlvaine, Chairman
Mr. Edward G. Meakim, Jr., Vice Chairman
Dr. Robert S. White, Member
Township Officials:
Mr. Casey LaLonde, Township Manager
Ms. Jeanne M. Denham, Finance Director
Mr. Richard J. Craig, Township Engineer
Mr. Raymond D. McKeeman, Zoning Officer
Ms. Kristin Camp, Township Solicitor
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of West Goshen Township was called to order by Chairman Patricia B. McIlvaine at 4:03 p.m. on
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 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.
Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, inquired about the line striping still to be completed by Aqua as part of the Roslyn water line replacement
project. Mr. LaLonde responded that the work should be completed shortly, as temperatures will begin to get colder in the next few weeks.
Mrs. Baker also inquired as to whether the Board of Supervisors will be appealing the recent West Goshen Township Zoning Hearing Board Decision on
the Melmark group home. Dr. White stated that the Board would not be appealing the Decision. Kristin Camp, Township Solicitor, stated that case law fully supports the Zoning Hearing Board's
Decision, in that the case's merits are fully resolved in the Federal Fair Housing Act. A recent case in Willistown Township shows that any Township attempt to circumvent the Fair Housing Act would
fail in the courts.
Mr. Jon McCormack, 840 Spruce Avenue, asked when the proposed speed hump on Spruce Avenue would be installed. Mr. LaLonde responded that the
Spruce Avenue speed hump would be installed pending weather, as the construction season is almost over. Mr. LaLonde stated that if the speed hump were not installed this fall, it would be installed
as soon as the weather clears in April or May 2009.
Mrs. Shirley Colvin, 830 Spruce Lane, asked how much the speed humps cost to install. Mr. LaLonde estimated the construction, including
materials, labor and equipment, at approximately $10,000.
Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, asked who regulates speed signs on State roads. Mr. Craig responded that PennDOT regulates and
maintains all speed signs above 35 MPH. Mrs. Baker stated that little or no speed signage appears on High Street from the Rt. 202 on/off ramps north to the University. The Township will
investigate and contact PennDOT if the required signage is missing.
Mrs. Lois Kinney, 117 Penn Lane, inquired about the requirements for the senior citizen trash rebate. She stated that her mother has not
received her rebate check from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and that is prohibiting her from applying for and receiving the Township's rebate. Dr. White responded that she is required to provide
a copy of the Commonwealth's rebate check in order to process the Township's trash rebate. However, although the Township's application deadline is October 31, 2008, the Township will process the
application after this date if the proper documentation is received.
Mr. Hank Whalen, 688 Normandy Court, asked about the proposed Township shooting range building project and why the project has not been put out to
bid. Mr. LaLonde responded that the design process has run into considerable technical issues and potential cost increases and that the Township would not go ahead and spend over $150,000 of
taxpayer money on a building that does not suit the needs of the Police Department.
Mr. Whalen then stated that the Township shooting range was just as active now as in September 2007. He stated that East Whiteland Township
has been using the range and that they are not a member of the Emergency Response Team. Captain Joe Gleason responded that East Whiteland Township is a member of the Emergency Response Team.
Mr. Whalen also asked as to why the Township was requiring such intense and repeated training of its Police Officers when the chances of them being
involved in a shooting is infinitesimal. Captain Gleason responded that it was this Department's training that saved an Officer's life recently and that if the Officer had not been trained so well,
we may have likely had to bury one of our own.
Dr. White made a motion to install a new telephone pole style backstop for the Township shooting range. There was no second so the motion
failed.
Dr. White announced that the Board of Supervisors will open public hearings on the proposed R-3B Zoning Ordinance and the Jerrehian Conditional Use
at the October 22, 2008 Board of Supervisors meeting.
Mr. Jon McCormack, 840 Spruce Avenue, asked that although there is much contention regarding the Township's shooting range that he would not like
to see the Board ignore the issue.
Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, asked if OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) has jurisdiction. Mr. LaLonde answered
that the Township, as with most or all other local government units, is not under OSHA's jurisdiction.
On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved the Board of Supervisors minutes of September 10, 2008.
On motion by Dr. White, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved the Treasurer's Report dated September 30, 2008 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.
Ms. Andrea Testa, Fire Marshal, gave the Fire Marshal Report for the month of September 2008. Ms. Testa also gave the reports for Good
Fellowship Ambulance Company and Goshen Fire Company.
Captain Joseph Gleason gave the Police Report for the month of September 2008.
Mr. John Beswick, Building Official, gave the Building Inspection Activity Report for September 2008.
On a motion by Dr. White, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved Resolution 23-2008, distributing funds received from the
Commonwealth to the three Township pension plans:
For the Administrative and Roads Employees' Pension Plan, the 2008 Actuarial Funding Requirement being $166,814.00, shall receive $92,546.27 of the
Commonwealth Allocation.
For the Sewer Employees' Pension Plan, the 2008 Actuarial Funding Requirement being $130,534.00 shall receive $72,418.60 of the Commonwealth
Allocation.
For the Police Pension Plan, the 2008 Actuarial Funding Requirement being $317,189.00 shall receive $175,972.41 of the Commonwealth
Allocation.
Township Solicitor Kristin Camp presented Ordinance 07-2008, amending the Code of Ordinances of West Goshen Township, Chapter 84, titled "Zoning"
by amending the minimum traffic land width from 26 feet to 24 feet in Section 84-55.E(1)(e)[1], 84-55.E(1)(e)[2] and 84-55.E92)(e).
Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, asked if this Ordinance affected parking lots. Ms. Camp responded yes. Mr. Craig stated that this
Ordinance amendment codifies what is set forth in the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) manual, stating 24 feet is adequate for parking lot aisle widths.
On a motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Mrs. McIlvaine, the Board unanimously approved Ordinance 07-2008.
Ms. McIlvaine opened the floor for public comment.
Ms. Debbie Zarelli, 1201 E. Strasburg Court, stated that her property is still receiving runoff from the Sunoco gas station on West Chester
Pike. She also stated that a "varmint" was seen running to and from the recently installed detention basin on Sunoco's property. Mr. Craig stated that the sump pump installed to control
stormwater ponding in the basin was defective and was to be replaced soon by Sunoco. Township staff will investigate the "varmint" issue and report back to the Township Manager for further action.
Mr. Damon Kletzien, 103 Oak Lane, inquired as to whether the Board of Supervisors had taken a position on the proposed Wyeth property in the
Borough of West Chester. Dr. White responded that he has expressed his displeasure with the development proposal to Borough Council. Mr. LaLonde stated that although the Board of Supervisors
may be opposed to the density of the proposed development, Commonwealth law does not grant the Township any jurisdiction in the proposed Borough development project. Dr. White stated that the Board
may at some point approve a Resolution seeking to have its voice heard during the project's subdivision and land development process in the Borough.
Mr. Ken Lehr, Parks & Recreation Director, stated that the Park & Recreation Board meeting has been rescheduled from 7:00 p.m., Wednesday,
October 15th to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 22nd.
There being no further business, on motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Mrs. McIlvaine, the meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Casey LaLonde
Township Manager
West Goshen Township
Supervisor Hearing
October 8, 2008
S-07-08
A public hearing began at 5:15 p.m. on the consideration and possible approval of a Conditional Use application for Metro PCS of Pennsylvania, LLC
who is seeking conditional use approval pursuant to Sections 84-28.Q(3) and 84-74 of the West Goshen Township Zoning Ordinance for the co-location of additional antennas for wireless telephone service on
an existing monopole located at 1130 West Chester Pike located in the C-4 Special Limited Business and Apartment District. Applicant also seeks approval to install radio related equipment on the
ground adjacent to the existing monopole.
See Court Reporter's Transcript
On a motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Mrs. McIlvaine, the hearing was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
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