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WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
November 13, 2002
A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of West Goshen Township was called to order by Chairman Dr. Robert S. White at 4:04 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 2002, at the West Goshen
Township Administration Building. All members were present. Dr. White opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Dr. White opened the floor for public comment.
Mr. Hank Whalen, 688 Normandy Court, stated that Emergency Response Training, involving six or seven police officers performing what he believed to be military drills for four hours, had taken place on
this date at the Louis H. Close Range on Concord Road near his home.
He said he wants to see this type of training discontinued since he works from home and it is hard to concentrate with the noise coming from the range. He added that in his estimation this action did not involve an officer maintaining his firing skill, but rather appeared to be a military set-up style of training. Mr. Whalen said he is unable to use his telephone when this is taking place due to the noise.
Chief Michael J. Carroll, West Goshen Township Police Chief, said the Emergency Response Training which took place from 8:40 a.m. till 10:50 a.m. was not a military style of training and that
the seven officers were using their department issued duty weapons.
Chief Carroll said that he visited the site himself and stayed for an hour after receiving a call from Mr. Whalen. He added that military facilities will not allow civilian training of police teams at their locations and that this training occurs twice a month and lasts for three hours each time.
Mr. Meakim asked Mr. Whalen how long he had lived at his present location to which Mr. Whalen replied he had resided there for ten years.
Mr. Meakim said the firing range had been at the Concord Road location for 30 years. Mr. Whalen said there was no sign in place for the range when he bought his house. He added that the use of the range is sometimes tolerable but the exercise today was not and that he feels he is being made to participate in the training against his will. He said the firing range is interfering with his property.
Dr. White said the Board of Supervisors will not end the police training but will modify the timing if possible. He added that the training is necessary after the events of September 11, 2001.
Mr. Whalen said that he disputes Chief Carroll's statement that the officers were using their own weapons.
He said they were firing large weapons in a small area and he does not think that this is appropriate. Dr. White replied that the officers are doing something that needs to be done since they are charged with protecting the 20,000 residents of West Goshen Township. He added that there are currently plans to modify the range by re-grading the banks area.
Mrs. Evelyn Baker, 900 Sheridan Drive, asked if the noise ordinance should apply in this situation and Dr. White replied that the health and safety of the community supersedes the noise ordinance.
Mrs. Baker said the Township should look into another location, perhaps a commercial site, and she asked about the area on Route 100 under consideration for a skate park. Dr. White replied that
this was not a viable option. He added that the training is not an every day occurrence and that for the safety of the residents, twice a month is appropriate.
Ms. Sharon Lynn, Township Manager, said the Louis H. Close Pistol Range was established over 25 years ago and that a sign was placed at the location for at least 20 years.
Mr. Whalen said there was no sign there ten years ago.
Mrs. Baker asked if the firing range was used only for the West Goshen Township Police and Dr. White replied that other units are using it with the permission of Chief Carroll but that the issue brought
before the Board is the Emergency Response Team and the weapons being fired.
Chief Carroll said the weapons that were fired today were .45 caliber pistols, shotguns and a short barrel rifle and that no high-powered weapons were used.
Ms. Lynn announced that a budget meeting with the Board of Supervisors and Senior Staff will be conducted immediately following the Board of Supervisors meeting and the public is welcome to attend.
Ms. Lynn also announced that there will be a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, November 20, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. and that the November 27, 2002 meeting is canceled.
On motion by Ms. McIlvaine, seconded by Mr. Meakim, the Board unanimously approved the Board of Supervisors minutes from October 9 and October 23, 2002.
On motion by Mr. Meakim, seconded by Dr. White, the Board unanimously approved the Treasurer's Report dated October 31, 2002 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 J. Carroll gave the Police Report for the month of October, 2002. Chief Carroll announced that Santa Claus will be arriving on Saturday, December 14, 2002, at 2:00 p.m. at the
Community Park.
Ralph Brown, Fire Marshal, gave the Fire Marshal Report for the month of October, 2002. Mr. Brown also gave the report for Good Fellowship Club of Chester County and for Goshen Fire Company.
Richard Hicks, Building Official, gave the Building Inspection Activity Report for October, 2002.
The following bids for Unleaded Gasoline, Diesel Fuel and #2 Fuel Oil were opened and read by Mr. Richard J. Craig, Township Engineer:
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